So what about the nasty little pesky association fees which can add anywhere from $20 to your monthly payment to upwards to $300 or more.  Most master planned communities have association fees as do many Active Adult communities, and of course gated communities.

When purchasing a property, remember that Association Fees go up, they very very rarely come down.  Every $6.00 at a 6% interest rate for 30 years can buy another $1,000 in property.  So if the Association fee is $180 a month, a home $30,000 more than the home being considered -without an association fee – costs the same amount.

People often want the convenience and ammenities of a home which has an Association fee.   But there are others, such as home owners who purchase to have a property to go to in the winter months, who may not want to pay an association fee year round.  For the price of the Association fee, a gardener can be hired, and remember, here in Tucson, we don’t mow grass, we rake rocks.  Hiring someone to come by once or twice a month to check on the property and trim up the landscaping may be less expensive. 

Checking the ammenities offered in a community with an Association fee is an easy task, especially with the help of a Realtor.  Some subdivisions are golf course communities, some have heated pools and other have pools, some subdivisions have a rec center and exercise room with new equipment, pool tables, card rooms, cooking classes, bocci, weekly get togethers, and common areas which allow for walking with one’s dog.  Take note of what is being offered and run cost comparisions about the different areas.

If there is an Associaiton, the Realtor should check the budget of the Association and determine there are no major capital improvements about to come due, such as a renovation of the Rec Center.  An assessment may be placed on all owners so funds are available for the project.  Ascertaining there are no lawsuits is also prudent.  A buyer doesn’t want to purchase in a new community and immediately get dunned  with addiitonal levies.

Some associations will tend to the landscape of the front yard but not the back yard.  Check to make sure what is included in the fees.  In Townhome communities or condos, often utilities  are included.  When computing the fee, estimate the dollar amount exterior insurance, water,  and electric would be , then deduct that from the fee to get a more realistic number. The homeowner has to pay utilities anyways; paying the fee may be beneficial.

Determine what is offered with the fee, and then judge the property accordingly.

With today’s technology, people often begin their search for a new home on line, using any of a number of websites as well as google earth, or web sites of individual agents.  Many agents have IDX (internet data exchange) links on their sites so that people interested in real estate can input criteria, then a list of homes which meet that criteria appears.

To see an idx site, check my web site at:  http://www.terrybishop.com .  Clicking on the “Search Property” buttom in the upper right corner brings up a new page.  The left side of the page has a button titled “Search MLS/IDX” .   Clicking on that button brings up the IDX for the Tucson Multiple Listing Service.

Very often buyers think they know what they want, but when they actually look at property, their criteria changes.  However, there are some questions one can ask oneself to determine some basic guidelines:

     How many bedrooms?     Is one bedroom being used  as an office?    Or are there  “his” and “hers” offices?  This is the difference between a two bedroom home and a four bedroom home.

    What type of entertaining?  Formally with a dining room, or casually with a great room, or outdoor entertaining?  If the buyer is coming from a cold wintry state, the idea of entertaining outdoors year round probably is an anomaly.  This has implications for the type of yard and proximity to neighbors.  Having a rousing barbecue with several friends, in conjunction with the game on tv, may not make Mildred next door an endeared neighbor.   Entertainment needs govern lot size and lot configuration.

    Are children or grandchildren staying for long periods of time?  Watch the CC and R’s, covenants, codes and restrictions. to make sure children under a certain age can visit for long periods of time.

  Are medical concerns a priority?  Distance to the VA Hospital or other medical facility is an important consideration since Tucson/Pima County  is a vast area encompassing a 40 mile by 40 mile area.  Geographic location will be a prirority.  

    And what about houses of worship?  Places to take classes such as Pima Community College or the U of A, or parks and recreation facilities.  Is golf important, or just an inkling in the back of the mind?  A golfer who likes different challenging courses doesn’t need to live on a golf course or in a golf course community, but someone who plays golf religiously on the same course might find a golf course home of paramount importance.

    The New York Times Style Magazine carried an interesting article about Tucson a few days ago which gives a capsule view.  Check it out at:                                   http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/travel/03hours.html?

Tomorrow: Active Adult Communities vs regular communities.

   If you have any topics you, my reader, have any topics about which you would like me to write, please comment and let me know.