Will Sun City sales explode?

FYI, we do pay taxes into a general tax fund which is split among the public school system in our area.

 

During my time on the Board I spoke with many real estate agents, some were aware of the finer points of Sun City like the facilities agreement, difference between SCHOA and the RCSC. Others couldn’t find the corporate office with a map and a flashlight. The agent I had when looking really didn’t listen to me and my wants which really frustrated me. The saving grace was my agent was not the listing agent and we got along rather well when she realize I had a good working knowledge of real estate and transactions. I have also gone to open houses in the hood to see what was offered and how much they knew about Sun City. My experience was iffy.
I am prepared to take the required course for a license and expect the same result as taking Civil Pro or Constitutional Law in the community college here.

CM, when I first moved here my neighbor, Chet, asked how to tell a newcomer? They don’t have a real estate license.

 

Personally, I don't think it is RCSC's responsibility to get into real estate issues except properties that they own. Most of the incentives that you mention are offered by cities, counties or states.

 

Home equity loans are usually at least 1/2 % over the current prime rate but the interest is tax deductible if someone is itemizing their return. Those funds can be used for remodeling, renovating, etc. but it is still borrowing money.

 

According to this latest report there are 500,000 more home sellers than home buyers and the Phoenix area is number 7 on the list!

I suspect that means many of the homes for sale in Sun City will now be considered to be over priced?

https://thehill.com/business/housing/5326389-homesellers-outnumber-buyers-housing-market/amp/

 

When the Prime Rate goes down. Fat chance.

 

I get news feeds daily of sales, and prices are dropping. The cost of a home is only one part of the equation. Hearkening back to those old advertisements would be a great starting point. DEVCO featured the daily costs (rec fees) as a feature that when coupled with the actual amenities and a mindset of enjoying a new active way of life...buyers ate it up.

Sun City is still relatively the most affordable retirement community in the country. When factoring insurance, taxes and lot assessment, we are a bargain. We made the mistake of focusing on cheap, when in reality the attraction was always what a couple buying in Sun City got in relationship to what they would be paying for that new active way of life.

Value along with values along with rebuilding the sense of community affords us endless opportunities. Most of us have learned timing is almost everything in life. Our time to focus, fix and formulate our path forward is right now. The Mountain View remodel will get done, the master plan will forge forward and over the next ten years Sun City will evolve.

Will we include the membership in the equation; or will we leave it to the next general manager and an ever-changing board who seldom last long enough to see the fruits of their labor? We have the opportunity of a lifetime to come to grips with the reality the big picture includes us all, not just a select few.

It's simple really, the question is only whether the board understands the concept that building a sense of community was how and why we were so successful and that running from it was what got us where we are today.

 

These folks don't feel a sense of community. So many in that area don't.

https://nextdoor.com/p/z4dQ7-tG5smZ...ction_id=519f95bd-0deb-4a40-98fa-76518400ec6e

 

But alas, most of us living here love it, recognize it for all it offers and are simply grateful we found this amazing place in the sun.

We are on the right track and as we grow and promote the understanding just how good Sun City is and can be, those who are looking for their place in the sun will move here. Those who aren't happy will hopefully move on to a better, more suitable setting where they too can be happy.

Win/win as those unhappy move and find their happy place, while opening doors and rooftops for those who are looking for a better way to live.

 

How do you plan to do that with a drug house that neighbors have been battling for 3 years on oakmont and another several on alabama?

 

At some point they'll be gone and more opportunities for seniors looking for their place in the sun.

Another win/win, for sure.

 

Except for the people who have been putting up with it for 3 years and the potential buyers in that area. Do you honestly think a realtor will point out a drug house?

 

Is it human nature that causes some folks to only see the occasional ugly and then magnify it beyond proportion? Don't know, frankly i don't care. I've chosen to live my life appreciating all the goods things, not worry and fret over the bad. But let's be really clear here; seeing only the bad is nothing more than a personal choice...as is coming on this site and making every thread about the poster and how unfair life is.

Which is the perfect segue back to our roots. Del Webb used to call L. C. Jacobson and ask him; "how's the old age folks home coming along?" It was an insider's joke because no one was quite sure what Sun City would become. Some called it the "great social experiment," others moved here because they saw enormous potential in the "new active way of life."

Now some 65 years later, we know exactly how that "experiment" played out. We know there's some 3000 like senior communities. All of them are derivatives of what Webb/Boswell et al considered a flyer. We know Sun City not only survived but flourished. We know over 100,000 seniors have moved here, loved life and either died, or moved back home as they aged.

We also know the vast majority of them loved living here. They became a part of something very special, very unique and as they aged out of activities were grateful for having found Sun City and all it offered. Thankfully it's not everyone who thinks that because we live surrounded by white walls we are somehow immune from society's problems; to do so is just being foolish.

Here's the other thing we know from our history and the life lessons so many of us have come to accept; whatever the problem or challenge that concerns us today will at some point be gone. Anyone/everyone paying attention to that simple fact of life knows that house in Sun City nobody would buy, will one day again be sold.

Knowledge is power and history is knowledge. Combine the two and life becomes far more attractive.

 

Hi Carole, If this is accurate, what you put here, SCHOA or someone should promote this for the community. A lot of phase 1 needs renovation work now. Some areas of Phase 1 are in a state of decay. I looked into this about 10 years ago on my own to see if there is any government grant monies to improve property and building decline. Something has to be addressed . I really do not understand what SCHOA is doing. There has to be 300 homes and properties that look like heck. I get you have some below poverty owners, so this is a time that these homes could or should get some fix up aid. I am telling you this has to be looked at. You have a large area on the downside. Is this the kind of SC that everyone is bragging about as so wonderful. Many homes are needing some serious help.
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I know we have some members living on not much money, but at least folks could clean and take care of yards and throw away piled up junk. I don't get that at all. I also feel if someone is in meager circumstances, I would like to see these folks get some funds to fix up dilapidated homes. I feel in the next 20 years or less, we are going to have to address this reality. The reality is already here in many parts of Phase 1. Carole, do you know if the federal grant money is a real thing? and how would folks be able to apply. If your research is accurate, I would hope you could share with SCHOA, who could assist in getting the word out to those who would fall into this catagory. How do we ever think of bragging about SC if we can't keep up with what we can see with our eyes. SC works if you are a cash buyer and have the funds to update and take care of a home.

 

Maybe they are elderly and not physically able.

 

Hi Josie, Yes, I don't have a problem with that. I understand that. I am talking about junked up, broken down and neglected homes and yards. Let's not even address the yard. Let's just say the house is old and falling apart because of lack of funds. Carole was mentioning a federal grant program to help these folks get the house back in shape. I support that grant. I support us looking into it. I did look into it about 12 years ago for some homes, but I cannot remember where it went. I think Carole may be correct, that there is federal money out there to help folks who fall into the catagory to get some aid for the home itself.

 

Hi Carole,
Can you address this issue more. How did you find this, and does it exist for a retirement community. That is the part I am concerned for. If the community is considered a retirement community, could it still qualify for funds for people who are truly at the poverty level and cannot afford to fix and update the house? Thanks, please expound on how you found this out.

 

I have looked into this on numerous occasions. It's money available to Arizona residents from grant money given to states by the government. The individual has to apply and provide personal information. Most of the money is for weatherization programs, new windows, attic insulation etc.

Front Page – USA Funding Applications

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Arizona | Rural Development

arizona grant money for senior financial assistance - Google Search

 

Not sure there is a solution. Have a friend who has been having issues for a few years. Lives around 107th and Alabama. There are 2 drug houses nearby that are frequented by MCSO. Never knows when someone will be using the yard as a toilet. Lives locked and loaded. I prefer Fry's over Safeway so I go up to Union Hills now. On my street we have a home where about 5 people come and go on a regular basis.....usually late. The fellow I help lives next door to them and he is mentioning them a lot. I have an extra security camera he can use till we figure out something more permanent for him.

Some time ago my dogs woke me up barking around 3am. I had a motion light on my front porch and could see someone walking back and forth. I now have 3 cameras and a ring doorbell.

The Nextdoor app has quite a few people concerned about our area. Many get crime alerts and I get them live on my phone if close to home. Other than protecting your home and your family there is nothing much that can be done.