Newcomers:What do U wish U knew buying home? (Phoenix: rent, condos)

[bobsell]

Originally Posted by Storm27m

2. Some areas that aren't in city limits (even though it might seem like they are) and even some smaller cities will be required to pay an annual contract fee to Rural Metro Fire for Fire/Emergency services. You don't HAVE to pay but they will bill you for services if you aren't a paying member. It's like paying for insurance...you may need it or you may not. I'm on the west side and the two areas that come to mind are Waddell and Litchfield Park. The price is based off your home size and attributes. Our home is about 2400sqft and it runs us $600 a year. This was definitely a new thing to us. Even though it works out to only $50 a month, the Rural Metro fee was our biggest shocker. No one told us about it at any point in the process of buying our home. If a coworker hadn't mentioned it, we could have been hit with a huge bill later on.

Is there a map of these areas that one should buy this coverage?

[Storm27m]

Originally Posted by bobsell

Is there a map of these areas that one should buy this coverage?

This is the best I could come up with. Click on whatever area applies to you (my home would be "West County") and the icons are near their stations. If a home you're looking at is near one of their stations, it would be worth a call to Rural Metro.


https://www.ruralmetrofire.com/locat...y-arizona.html


Edit: Looks like there are only 9 locations in Maricopa County.

[Banjo71]

Look for a house with north/south exposure. It’ll make a huge difference in your electric bill in the summer and in your quality of life.

[dpepsi]

I appreciate all the great tips! I forgot to factor in the Snowbird effect on commutes. Thank you all!

[Ponderosa]

SRP electric is cheaper than APS.

Areas served by private water companies can cost much more than city water systems.

Don't assume your HOA will be lenient on the rules. Some are, most aren't. Be prepared to live under a microscope.

Forget the ratings. Schools are a get what you pay for (in home cost) proposition. Better hoods = better schools

Master planned communities offer many ways to get to know your neighbors/make friends/have things to do if you are that type. If you live in a non master planned, it is likely you will never know anyone on your block.

Starter neighborhoods turn ghetto in as little as five years. Plan on getting out.

[jnojr]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Starter neighborhoods turn ghetto in as little as five years. Plan on getting out.

I'd like to probe into this a little more. Why do you say that? In my experience (granted, not in Phoenix), it's usually the opposite... "ghetto" neighborhoods tend to become "gentrified" due to the large numbers of people who cannot afford a "real" neighborhood. I guess I'd like to hear more about your observations, and if anyone else chimes in on this topic.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by jnojr

I'd like to probe into this a little more. Why do you say that? In my experience (granted, not in Phoenix), it's usually the opposite... "ghetto" neighborhoods tend to become "gentrified" due to the large numbers of people who cannot afford a "real" neighborhood. I guess I'd like to hear more about your observations, and if anyone else chimes in on this topic.

That happens too, in the ones that have character. But in the stucco and tile starter hoods, the first buyers move out and up pretty soon as incomes rise, renters replace them and in short order you have a low income, crime ridden neighborhood where you want out.

[ghdana]

Originally Posted by jnojr

I'd like to probe into this a little more. Why do you say that? In my experience (granted, not in Phoenix), it's usually the opposite... "ghetto" neighborhoods tend to become "gentrified" due to the large numbers of people who cannot afford a "real" neighborhood. I guess I'd like to hear more about your observations, and if anyone else chimes in on this topic.

Starter neighborhoods are cheap and poor people can bunk up to afford one easily.

Like the houses west of Mill in northern Tempe are kind of ghetto, but they're expensive for what you get and being gentrified.

On the opposite side, my friend bought in a new starter community in Glendale, because it was new and affordable, but he's had his house and car broken into.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by ghdana

Starter neighborhoods are cheap and poor people can bunk up to afford one easily.

Like the houses west of Mill in northern Tempe are kind of ghetto, but they're expensive for what you get and being gentrified.

On the opposite side, my friend bought in a new starter community in Glendale, because it was new and affordable, but he's had his house and car broken into.

The ones I am talking about are the new builds in Laveen, Tolleson, parts of Avondale, El Mirage, etc. They are in very nice neighborhoods at first with young families, some kidless, some just starting a family. The spanking newness can fool a newcomer. In a few years they start to go to rentals as the owners sell to investors. From there it goes downhill quickly. My advice to the OP is to not buy in these places with the expectation of it being your "forever" home. Don't get a lot of expensive upgrades, add a pool and do other things where you won't get your money back. Plan on staying a few years, gain a little equity and move to a "move up" neighborhood (often not too far down the street).

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

SRP electric is cheaper than APS.

Areas served by private water companies can cost much more than city water systems.

Don't assume your HOA will be lenient on the rules. Some are, most aren't. Be prepared to live under a microscope.

Forget the ratings. Schools are a get what you pay for (in home cost) proposition. Better hoods = better schools

Master planned communities offer many ways to get to know your neighbors/make friends/have things to do if you are that type. If you live in a non master planned, it is likely you will never know anyone on your block.

Starter neighborhoods turn ghetto in as little as five years. Plan on getting out.

Originally Posted by jnojr

I'd like to probe into this a little more. Why do you say that? In my experience (granted, not in Phoenix), it's usually the opposite... "ghetto" neighborhoods tend to become "gentrified" due to the large numbers of people who cannot afford a "real" neighborhood. I guess I'd like to hear more about your observations, and if anyone else chimes in on this topic.

It would be worth asking what is considered a price range for a starter home. Is it 300k or less? Having some sort of criteria could target some of the lower income neighborhoods and help determine which ones are good and which ones are bad or "could be bad" in a few years. It requires some nuance.

But regarding the HOA comment, this is why I will always live in A) an older neighborhood or B) an HOA that at the least pays for utilities and some amenities. Having the one bill for everything is nice, mostly condos or townhouses do that but I don't see the point in owning a single family house and then being restricted on what you can put in your backyard (someone made a comment about RVs), how to decorate the front yard, etc. What's the point of owning land if you can't have some freedom to do with it as you please, so long that it's not going to hurt anybody. If I want to put a saguaro on my front yard instead of grass I should be able to, right?