How much does Central Air Cost

[Dry then Catch]

When it gets over 110 you need the a/c (dry or not dry).  When I used to go out there every summer I can't even imagine not having it.  My parents here spent about $6,000 on dual units about 5 years ago.

dont your parents have like a 10,000 sq foot ranch in the middle of the desert

[Infobahn]

It doesn't seem like the elderly owner is going to accept my offer.  greedy bastard its a BUYERS market and YOUR TOWNHOME has been on the for 6 months due to its price

You are right, don't back down.  There are other properties.

What's the commute like from Oracle?

[Infobahn]

It doesn't seem like the elderly owner is going to accept my offer.  greedy bastard its a BUYERS market and YOUR TOWNHOME has been on the for 6 months due to its price

You are right, don't back down.  There are other properties.

What's the commute like from Oracle?

I am Coming from someone who has dealt with more high priced homes than I could shak

Wha???

I had to start buy cheap places before I could by expensive ones.

[Dry then Catch]

It doesn't seem like the elderly owner is going to accept my offer.  greedy bastard its a BUYERS market and YOUR TOWNHOME has been on the for 6 months due to its price

You are right, don't back down.  There are other properties.

What's the commute like from Oracle?

You're encouragement is reassuring considering how many high priced homes you have dealt with.  Time is on my side.  I'm renting out my current home for a profit and am going to hole up in a college buddy's guest house for low rent while I plan my next move.   Its sort of an odd feeling downsizing living situations.
there is the place in
http://tarmls.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Tucson&PRGNAME=MLSPropertyDetail&ARGUMENTS=-N977462662,-N351929,-N,-A,-N16631614
   

Driving from Oracle woud be a nightmare.  Unless I applied to Honeywell.  And I just hate working.

[Dry then Catch]

It doesn't seem like the elderly owner is going to accept my offer.  greedy bastard its a BUYERS market and YOUR TOWNHOME has been on the for 6 months due to its price

You are right, don't back down.  There are other properties.

What's the commute like from Oracle?

I am Coming from someone who has dealt with more high priced homes than I could shak

Wha???

I had to start buy cheap places before I could by expensive ones.

this is what happens when you mash at the keyboard because your boss is behind you
I meant that you probably have the best real estate advice out of any of us

[Infobahn]

Coolio.

I was just joking about Oracle.  When I remembered it was just desert.

[Dry then Catch]

Coolio.

I was just joking about Oracle.  When I remembered it was just desert.

I hear its a good place to buy cars as they circumvent various county and city laws.  How big was Oro Valley back in the day?

[Infobahn]

Looks nice.  Very Arizonan, and love the tile.  The swamp cooler is 18 months old...  Hmmm, I wouldn't rush into adding central air.  What is the parking like?  Have you walked through it?  You ARE going to have it inspected, right?

[Dry then Catch]

Looks nice.  Very Arizonan, and love the tile.  The swamp cooler is 18 months old...  Hmmm, I wouldn't rush into adding central air.  What is the parking like?  Have you walked through it?  You ARE going to have it inspected, right?

I've visited it three times.

I read through the SPDS carefully.

Issues:

1) Foundation crack.  Could be a non-issue.  The tile (not real saltillo, ceramic) was added one year ago on top.
2)  Mold removed 1 year ago
3)  Roof replaced 1 year ago
4)  Termites removed 1 year ago
5)  "End unit", its by the main drive and the dumpster is on the side of my house.
6)  Classic cheap-o Arizona Stuccoooooo.  my house now is adobe brick, solid and soundproof

7)  And of course lack of AC.  Why do you not think I'll need an AC if the swamp is new? 

Its near the U of A, and on the border between a nice established middle class neighborhood (Winterhaven) and the semi sketchy neighborhoods that always are adjacent to universities.  The townhouse group itself is very nice looks like a lot of elderly people and winter visitors. 

The owner bought this house in 2005 at 125, overpaying the asking price by 8k.  From the comps its obvious he bought a fixer upper. He hoped to flip it and take advantage of the skyrocketing market of 2005.  Jokes on him eh.

So now he is asking 164 in a worse market than 2005?  There also happens to be another unit in that group that just appeared on the market.

My final offer will be 145 w/ 20% earnest.  I will also ask for $1000 credit toward AC. 

I would love to hear your advice Info. 

[BigDun]

Awwww.... Our little boy is all growed up.

[DownSouth]

When it gets over 110 you need the a/c (dry or not dry).  When I used to go out there every summer I can't even imagine not having it.  My parents here spent about $6,000 on dual units about 5 years ago.

dont your parents have like a 10,000 sq foot ranch in the middle of the desert

I have no idea where my mom lives since she got remarried.

[Gamplayerx]

What was wrong with your current house?

[Infobahn]

1.   It's Arizona, and it will be hard to find a house without a foundation crack.  Seriously.  Everything is built on a sand/soil base.
2.   I would have the air tested again for mold.  I would suspect that the replacement of the swamp cooler had something to do with the mold.
3.   Roof, good. Again, I would have to say there was a clusterfuck of things wrong with the house water/mold related.  Again, I would have an independent person inspect the home.  The best $300 you would spend.
4.   Termites. Ugh.  My Mom had them too.  You are going to have to factor in an exterminator visit(s) to keep on top of this, and any other creepy crawlies that are normal to Tucson.  Make sure you figure that into a yearly budget.
5.   Find out when trash pick up is.  If it is during the week when you are supposed to be at work, no big deal.  Saturday could suck.
6.   Yes, stucco.  It is cheap construction.  Have you talked to an insurance agent yet?  Do you pay for some insurance through your association fees?  What are you insuring if you live here.
7.   I know why you want central air, and I think you should get it.  I don't want to sound otherwise.  If it is a new unit, I bet it will cover 95% of your cooling needs – that being every other month than monsoon season/August.  I think if you shop around, you will get a better deal.  There are great AC people, and crappy ones.  Take your time and research, you have a few months until it really matters.

I do think you are in the right frame of mind on price.  The market has not increased that much, and I would have to think even if he did put some money updating the townhouse, it is not that drastic of an increase.  I have to think there are at least 100 comparable units in Tucson.  Be patient.  You have the cash, he is in the crappy market.

[Dry then Catch]

What was wrong with your current house?

Nothing really.  Any move I make will be a downgrade.  Money back in 2003 bought a LOT more than 2007.   The house is too big for one person. I can afford another place and I feel housing prices in Arizona will soon reach the unresaonable level of California, where a young professional working for 5 years can barely afford a small house.  So its also for investment purposes.  If I ever wanted to take off and you know pursue my dreams or something stupid like that, it would be nice to have two rental properties as passive incomes. 

I've lived a post-college lifestyle for a long time.  I've been an unambitious, well meaning oaf who sort of easy-goingly ambles about. Consequently I've had plenty of friends thereby rooomates.  I have a 4 bedroom house, for years I've filled it and have had great times.  However, now I'm 27 and my social circle is rapidly declining or becoming extremely boring and middle aged acting.  And sort of like Alice I'm ready to live alone.

also i hate yardwork

[Dry then Catch]

1.   It's Arizona, and it will be hard to find a house without a foundation crack.  Seriously.  Everything is built on a sand/soil base.
2.   I would have the air tested again for mold.  I would suspect that the replacement of the swamp cooler had something to do with the mold.
3.   Roof, good. Again, I would have to say there was a clusterfuck of things wrong with the house water/mold related.  Again, I would have an independent person inspect the home.  The best $300 you would spend.
4.   Termites. Ugh.  My Mom had them too.  You are going to have to factor in an exterminator visit(s) to keep on top of this, and any other creepy crawlies that are normal to Tucson.  Make sure you figure that into a yearly budget.
5.   Find out when trash pick up is.  If it is during the week when you are supposed to be at work, no big deal.  Saturday could suck.
6.   Yes, stucco.  It is cheap construction.  Have you talked to an insurance agent yet?  Do you pay for some insurance through your association fees?  What are you insuring if you live here.
7.   I know why you want central air, and I think you should get it.  I don't want to sound otherwise.  If it is a new unit, I bet it will cover 95% of your cooling needs – that being every other month than monsoon season/August.  I think if you shop around, you will get a better deal.  There are great AC people, and crappy ones.  Take your time and research, you have a few months until it really matters.

I do think you are in the right frame of mind on price.  The market has not increased that much, and I would have to think even if he did put some money updating the townhouse, it is not that drastic of an increase.  I have to think there are at least 100 comparable units in Tucson.  Be patient.  You have the cash, he is in the crappy market.

Yeah if I the accept the offer, I will get an inspector of course.  The general home inspector should cover everything right? 

I knew termites and foundation cracks are an inevitability here.  But still its something. 

The HOA is worthless.  There are virtually no common grounds to maintain.  There is no pool, rec, or clubhouse.  It does not cover the roof insurance like most do.  ALl it covers is water and trash and cutting some desert shrubs.   100 a month.  Thats a lot for out here. 

Thanks for your help Info.  My agent seems to hint that I'm being too demanding but I am going to stick to my guns. 

[Infobahn]

Remember, agents are commissioned sales people - they make more "per hour" if they can get you through the process faster.  The second that we all stop thinking of them as some consultant there to help us, we will all be better.

A general home inspector will cover everything, yes.  Ask them what they think about putting AC in.  They should be able to tell you what the pluses and minuses would be.  They have more in on your best interests than the RE agent does.

That does sound like a crappy HOA.  I mean i could see $100 if it covered snow removal, but that isn't an issue.  They probably have paving and exterior stucco and paint covered.

Keep sticking to your guns.

[Dry then Catch]

Remember, agents are commissioned sales people - they make more "per hour" if they can get you through the process faster.  The second that we all stop thinking of them as some consultant there to help us, we will all be better.

A general home inspector will cover everything, yes.  Ask them what they think about putting AC in.  They should be able to tell you what the pluses and minuses would be.  They have more in on your best interests than the RE agent does.

That does sound like a crappy HOA.  I mean i could see $100 if it covered snow removal, but that isn't an issue.  They probably have paving and exterior stucco and paint covered.

Keep sticking to your guns.

They countered by barely changing any of the terms and throwing in a washer/dryer that was already sitting there.  I flat out rejected.  Ha, there is another townhome in that complex with AC that just opened up. 

[dazie]

Remember, agents are commissioned sales people - they make more "per hour" if they can get you through the process faster.  The second that we all stop thinking of them as some consultant there to help us, we will all be better.

A general home inspector will cover everything, yes.  Ask them what they think about putting AC in.  They should be able to tell you what the pluses and minuses would be.  They have more in on your best interests than the RE agent does.

That does sound like a crappy HOA.  I mean i could see $100 if it covered snow removal, but that isn't an issue.  They probably have paving and exterior stucco and paint covered.

Keep sticking to your guns.

They countered by barely changing any of the terms and throwing in a washer/dryer that was already sitting there.  I flat out rejected.  Ha, there is another townhome in that complex with AC that just opened up. 

You show 'em who's boss.

[Infobahn]

++

[Dry then Catch]

Remember, agents are commissioned sales people - they make more "per hour" if they can get you through the process faster.  The second that we all stop thinking of them as some consultant there to help us, we will all be better.

A general home inspector will cover everything, yes.  Ask them what they think about putting AC in.  They should be able to tell you what the pluses and minuses would be.  They have more in on your best interests than the RE agent does.

That does sound like a crappy HOA.  I mean i could see $100 if it covered snow removal, but that isn't an issue.  They probably have paving and exterior stucco and paint covered.

Keep sticking to your guns.

They countered by barely changing any of the terms and throwing in a washer/dryer that was already sitting there.  I flat out rejected.  Ha, there is another townhome in that complex with AC that just opened up. 

You show 'em who's boss.

Not that I don't love them, but the reasonably afflluent elderly need to understand more flexibility.  They get some price set in their minds and they think they know better.   Especially in estate and yard sales too.  No one wants to buy your wooden box 24" TV for $500.  I've seen some ludicriously overpriced shit at old people sales. 

[Jessie]

Remember, agents are commissioned sales people - they make more "per hour" if they can get you through the process faster.  The second that we all stop thinking of them as some consultant there to help us, we will all be better.

A general home inspector will cover everything, yes.  Ask them what they think about putting AC in.  They should be able to tell you what the pluses and minuses would be.  They have more in on your best interests than the RE agent does.

That does sound like a crappy HOA.  I mean i could see $100 if it covered snow removal, but that isn't an issue.  They probably have paving and exterior stucco and paint covered.

Keep sticking to your guns.

They countered by barely changing any of the terms and throwing in a washer/dryer that was already sitting there.  I flat out rejected.  Ha, there is another townhome in that complex with AC that just opened up. 

You show 'em who's boss.

Not that I don't love them, but the reasonably afflluent elderly need to understand more flexibility.  They get some price set in their minds and they think they know better.   Especially in estate and yard sales too.  No one wants to buy your wooden box 24" TV for $500.  I've seen some ludicriously overpriced shit at old people sales. 

I remember when my grandpa said I was being ridiculous for not taking jobs making $7/hour.  Old people are funny.