Help with a place to begin my home search, please (Phoenix: lender, houses)

[themudpuppy]

If you can go with an older home, say mid-eighties, you'll likely get a bigger lot & many more homes to pick from. We had a massive hailstorm on the north side of town a couple of years back, so even though those mid-eighties homes were due for roof-replacement & a/c replacement anyway, probably 70-80% got "free" roofs & a/c's from their insurance companies. In many cases that was $10k+ of repairs that was taken care of, and that's money you won't likely need to spend again for another 15+ years. Most of those homes still need kitchens & baths updated, but the differences between a mid-90's spec home and a mid-80's spec home kitchen or bath are minor, they're both tired & cheap.

Thanks! That's all good to know. I may consider some 80s homes then too.

some of the retirement communities have separate parts of the neighborhood for the pet owners. That might be a good thing, for a dog lover.

I didn't know that. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the dog owners. My dog is trained, very quiet, not allowed to run loose except in off-leash dog parks, and I keep my yard scooped. Some dog owners are a nightmare to live next door to.

[AZgarden]

You can get a very nice new home for under $100000 in Queen Creek and its not that far from groceries, vets, restaurants, and a very small downtown area that leaves alot to be desired, but is original. Homes of all sizes. Another single lady I know who is also disabled lives in QC and is looking for friends. Also a dog lover. If you don't have to work, this is a great place, a few miles out from city living. About 30 or so. Many new homes to choose from.

[miran]

San Tan Valley is nice too, most homes are newer and you can still find single level homes for under 100K but they are going fast.

[themudpuppy]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

You can get a very nice new home for under $100000 in Queen Creek and its not that far from groceries, vets, restaurants, and a very small downtown area that leaves alot to be desired, but is original. Homes of all sizes. Another single lady I know who is also disabled lives in QC and is looking for friends. Also a dog lover. If you don't have to work, this is a great place, a few miles out from city living. About 30 or so. Many new homes to choose from.

That sounds like a great place for me, and I've been looking there, but there's only one home built after 1995 that's under 100K on the mls that doesn't already have a contract on it. The rest are all AWC.

[AZgarden]

www.searchingqueencreek.com shows 29 houses under 100,000 Cannot be that out of date???

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

www.searchingqueencreek.com shows 29 houses under 100,000 Cannot be that out of date???

That search is neutered, and doesn't allow you to knock out homes already under contract. There are 29 homes in the MLS, but they're already under contract.

[miran]

I go to redfin.com for looking at housing. Register for free and you get the latest information, past sales history and comps. Anyone's else use them?

[ReadyFreddy]

Is the extreme lack of lower-end inventory in the 55+ communities, too? Or not as bad?

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by ReadyFreddy

Is the extreme lack of lower-end inventory in the 55+ communities, too? Or not as bad?

It isn't quite as bad, and they tend to sell better in the winter than non 55+ communities. But there isn't much under $100k anywhere.

[themudpuppy]

Originally Posted by ReadyFreddy

Is the extreme lack of lower-end inventory in the 55+ communities, too?

Yep, there's nothing in the $100K range anymore in 55+, except in the original Sun City.