Homesteading in Arizona
Forging a lifestyle change, we engaged a real estate broker in Arizona last week to start negotiating with a contractor to build a home for us. Today, we met with the broker, and started the process.
We went to a model with a similar floor plan to the home we’re considering. We liked what we saw - a lot. After that, we went to the actual site where the new home is to be constructed. The clickable image is of yours truly discussing options, firearms and the new Arizona laws regarding illegal immigrants with our broker on the lot where the house will be constructed - that’s me in the aloha shirt and panama hat. It’s nice to work with a businessman on the same page with us.
We will meet with the contractor tomorrow to begin customizing the new digs.
As for the house in the Golden Tarnished State, we will be making trips back there (after establishing residence here). We will have to dispose of our vast accumulation of stuff and to get the house on the market.
Even though I am a native Californian, I qualify for honorary Arizona naturalization by virtue of being married to a native Arizonan, my Better Half. I am truly blessed.
7 Responses to “Homesteading in Arizona”
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drjim on 05 May 2010 at 2105 #
That’s great, man. I’m happy for you guys. Any “upgrades” or “options” to the model you looked at? How big is the lot? I’d really like to move some place where I could have at least a couple of acres, but just aint gonna happen here in Kali!
Minstrel on 05 May 2010 at 2127 #
We’re looking at getting granite counter tops, a security safe and an RV port, complete with hookups. We’re eventually going to get our own RV but want to be able to accommodate others as well.
The lot size is only on the order of a half-acre - not a really big lot, but plenty of distance to the neighbors to ensure privacy.
There are bigger lots in the area, but at an appropriate premium. Our lot, including the structure, has depreciated 23% in the last 2½ years. We’re getting a really great deal.
Linoge on 06 May 2010 at 1823 #
Envious, I am - the way this home remodeling project we are doing is going, we almost should have started from the ground up ourselves.
I love the idea of the RV port - my father always hated having to take our trailer places to get the main power online and clean out the black water tank. That part of the country, solar water heat might not be a bad idea either, and that offers a hell of a better ROI than solar power itself. And I will let you know how granite goes tomorrow…
Will you be there for the building process, or back in Kali?
Minstrel on 06 May 2010 at 2130 #
We met with the contractor today. The Better Half and I have a pretty good feeling about how this will go.
I am working out a punch list with the contractor to deviate from the original offering with things we would like to change. One of the things is a heat on demand water system - not a solar storage thing but one that would not be heating if we were not in residence. Efficient, yet not dependent on sunlight.
We also touched the granite kitchen counter stuff. That will also be one of the upgrades.
The contractor says the RV pad will be a low-cost no-brainer if done at this stage. It’s a done deal. Sewer port, fresh water hose bib and 30 amp electric service no problem.
We will manage from Kali, but will be making monthly trips back for inspections and sign-offs.
Hope yours is without adverse incident. We’ve been to the dark side of contractors in the past.
DirtCrashr on 13 May 2010 at 1318 #
How long is the flight from there to Hawaii?
We’re going to do new cabinets in the kitchen, granite counter, and a new floor - any more it’s just a must-do for resale.
Minstrel on 13 May 2010 at 1712 #
According to WikiAnswers, the shortest duration is 5 hours 44 minutes.
We’re going to have to do all that stuff to the SoCal house when we get it ready to sell AFTER we’re Arizonians.
DirtCrashr on 14 May 2010 at 0902 #
An extra hour’s not too bad.
We’re doing it to make this cozy little 1100sq.ft. nest more habitable. The 20-year old cabinets are showing wear, the floor’s beat, and tile counters just don’t cut it - too much damn grout to clean all the time - grout should be minimized in a kitchen.