Rancho Sahuarita to Basis Tucson (South Tucson: to rent, crime, home)

[Moving To Tucson]

Here is my research so far regarding the home I like and other similar Sam Hughes homes. What do you think about the price of the 1940's home (the one I like) compared to the others?

1928, 3bed/2bath, 978sqft, guest house, 3,700 lot, FOR SALE: 289K, 1,700 taxes, updated.
1940, 2bed/1bath 760sqft, guest house, 7,400 lot, FOR SALE: 220K, 2,300 taxes, updated.
1941, 3bed/2bath, 1,084sqft, 6,500 lot, SOLD: 230K, 2,500 taxes, condition unknown (I forget).
1951, 2bed/1bath, 1,020sqft, 6,500 lot, SOLD: 207K, 2,300 taxes, outdated.
1951, 2bed/1bath, 1,220sqft, 5,000 lot, FOR SALE: 210K, 2,800 taxes, outdated.

My hubby said we'll definitely rent first.... so I doubt this home is an option. BUT... maybe we'll all fall in love with Tucson in November and just GO FOR IT, if the home is still on the market. Who knows....

[borregokid]

Originally Posted by Moving To Tucson

Here is my research so far regarding the home I like and other similar Sam Hughes homes. What do you think about the price of the 1940's home (the one I like) compared to the others?

1928, 3bed/2bath, 978sqft, guest house, 3,700 lot, FOR SALE: 289K, 1,700 taxes, updated.
1940, 2bed/1bath 760sqft, guest house, 7,400 lot, FOR SALE: 220K, 2,300 taxes, updated.
1941, 3bed/2bath, 1,084sqft, 6,500 lot, SOLD: 230K, 2,500 taxes, condition unknown (I forget).
1951, 2bed/1bath, 1,020sqft, 6,500 lot, SOLD: 207K, 2,300 taxes, outdated.
1951, 2bed/1bath, 1,220sqft, 5,000 lot, FOR SALE: 210K, 2,800 taxes, outdated.

My hubby said we'll definitely rent first.... so I doubt this home is an option. BUT... maybe we'll all fall in love with Tucson in November and just GO FOR IT, if the home is still on the market. Who knows....

House number one is attractive in that you are buying two houses that are nicely finished. Number two is similar but I think is a better value. Cant find 3 and 4. House number 5 the brick bungalow has a weird rec room additon complete with plywood paneling. You can see the dining room looked out onto the patio once and then they took the patio and enclosed it into the rec room but left the window there. Enclosing patios and porches to add square feet doesnt always work out.

If you go about 5-6 miles further east you can get a lot more home. As an example in my neighborhood you can get a 2400 foot slump block home with a two car garage and 2.5 bathrooms with a large patio for around $250K. Have fun looking around.

[Moving To Tucson]

Thanks, borregokid.

I agree regarding the "weird rec room addition". So maybe, based on the sold 1951 outdated home (207K), 220K is not unreasonable for the 2728? If you were to bid on 2728, would you stay near 220, or would you go higher?

I took your advice and started "branching out" my search.

Thanks again for your time!

[borregokid]

Originally Posted by Moving To Tucson

Thanks, borregokid.

I agree regarding the "weird rec room addition". So maybe, based on the sold 1951 outdated home (207K), 220K is not unreasonable for the 2728? If you were to bid on 2728, would you stay near 220, or would you go higher?

I took your advice and started "branching out" my search.

Thanks again for your time!

I would stay away from a short sale but a realtor should give you an idea of what to offer. The current offer could be a low-ball offer. When I bought my house in Tucson I remember the bank said there were two other offers and they wanted everyone to re-submit because they were all below asking price. I made a full price offer and that was enough. It was a foreclosure though and it only took about 35 days to close.

Here is my favorite $250,000 house. I have been in it. Its been for sale for awhile. The homeowners passed away. It has views, garage, two swimming pools nearby, 2500 square feet, park like grounds. The kitchen has been remodeled and thats worth about $25,000 that you wont have to spend. You are also part owner of a very nice clubhouse which has some hidden value if you like to throw big parties. If you like the color of blue and a little wall paper its not too bad. This is the kind of stuff you can change easy. This is one you could make an offer on and they might take it. It even has a bidet and three bathrooms. The blue carpet is in good shape. You can walk to Safeway and several restaurants and its in Sabino High School district.

7243 E. Camino Vecino, Tucson, 85715

2543 N Avenida San Valle $253K....around the corner from the above listing. They didnt show the kitchen but it black and white, remodeled. Someone liked the 50's. Another one waiting for an offer.

[beTucsonan]

That's a nice spot, but the HOA on that is $210/month! You can find a spot without the HOA for that money if you are willing to live in that area or areas like it.

[borregokid]

Originally Posted by BajaAZ

That's a nice spot, but the HOA on that is $210/month! You can find a spot without the HOA for that money if you are willing to live in that area or areas like it.

Indian Ridge across the Sabino Road has low taxes and its optional if you want to join the community pool. I guess part of the low taxes are being in the county and being a historical neighborhood. The HOA includes water and sewer at Colonia Verde, pools one of which is heated year round, landscaping, clubhouse, and general maintenance. Its a little high by about $30 compared to some HOAs but the grounds are park like with large common areas that are maintained. Here is one in Indian Ridge. Low taxes and no HOA.

6762 E Nasumpta Dr,
Tucson, AZ 85715

[Moving To Tucson]

borregokid,

7243 - what a beautiful home with a beautiful view!!! Can't believe how beautiful the outdoor spaces are. I haven't seen any others like this. Truly amazing. Would love to have family get-togethers with those views and that pool!!!

Thanks for the recommendations. I will view the others tonight.

Honestly....... I think this 2728 home has my heart.

It will be interesting to see how I feel once I visit and see a few homes in a few different locations. I think the homes with views will take our breath away. Just seeing the photos of 7243 took my breath away.

Anyway, thanks again.

[Moving To Tucson]

WANTED TO RE-POST THIS QUESTION.....

My hubby is a civil/environmental engineer (PM) and will be looking to transfer or change careers (if a transfer is not an option). Any recommendations?

Software QA has already been recommended... (my hubby has concerns with job security... not sure if this concern is valid in Tucson).

My hubby presently earns 100K/yr... but somehow I think he'll be lucky to earn 70K/yr in Tucson. Any insights?

I would LOVE to hear from civil/environmental engineers..... but will be happy with whatever information is given.

Thanks so much!

[Moving To Tucson]

Boy... some threads are pretty negative regarding landing a good career with benefits in Tucson. I'm trying to stay positive, but it is hard. Thankfully, our worst-case-scenario is still fine (relying on our savings and the job my hubby does find... till something more ideal opens up).

Eventually we'll ask for a job transfer, but we don't want to "rock the boat" till our home sells and we are free to move.

Thanks to all for your input and positive posts! They have been a breath of fresh air.

[beTucsonan]

Originally Posted by Moving To Tucson

Boy... some threads are pretty negative regarding landing a good career with benefits in Tucson. I'm trying to stay positive, but it is hard.

While negative sentiment is always a bit exaggerated on this type of forum, these feelings are not unfounded. To call Tucson's economy an "underperformer" might be an understatement - among the top 100 metro areas, Tucson metro ranks 98th in economic performance (Civic Report 89 | America's Top Metros: Who's Leading the Recovery, and Why) - not good.

In truth there are few jobs available, and the competition for them can be fierce since so many people want to stay in Tucson. Those jobs that are available tend to pay less as well, unless you get a job working for Raytheon, Ventana Medical or one of the few other major national employers in the area.

I don't mean to discourage you in anyway, but it's always best to know what to expect!

In better news, signs of a turnaround do spring up here and there - I wouldn't say that in 5 years things will be chugging along, but maybe in 10, and it can be exciting to watch a town come out of it's funk!

Originally Posted by Moving To Tucson

Eventually we'll ask for a job transfer, but we don't want to "rock the boat" till our home sells and we are free to move.

Excellent plan. Back in Pittsburgh I told my boss, who I considered a trusted friend, that I was considering a move and simply asked if my position might be eligible for telecommuting, since others in the company had exercised that option. I was fired the next morning! Lesson learned.