Tucson Kent's World

At Saturday's SolarRock 3 festival, the emphasis was definitely on utilizing solar power for homes, but a couple of vehicles were hard to miss:

This car gets a boost from the photovoltaic panel on top - giving it a range of 26 miles per day on a full battery charge.  While that wouldn't get me very far into my average day as a REALTOR - it would definitely be more than adequate to get from home to the office & back.

This is a little better view of the panel used to take advantage of the day's sun to extend the range of the batteries.

22 miles on a single charge at 35-40 mph?  Not bad.  I don't know how much this vehicle costs, but have a sneaking suspicion is is quite a bit less than the Tesla electric sportscar's $100k price tag!

No...I haven't gone goofy on you - the bicycle isn't solar powered...but it does provide a good way to tow the trailer behind it that charges the batteries stowed conveniently in the baskets on either side of the rear wheel now doesn't it?

When one thinks of a condominium, rarely does the thought of an elegant piece of history come to mind.  The El Encanto Condos of Sam Hughes Historic Neighborhood is just that and more.  Originally built in 1940 to house officers at what now is Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the meticulously groomed grounds fit the historical perspective and evoke thoughts of a glamourous movie set in Hollywood's Golden Age.

Placed in the National Historic Register in 1994, the elegant facade is timeless - while the interiors have been a veritable playground for architects and designers through the years.

There is a variety of unit types, from detached casitas (originally housing generals) to 2-story delights and cozy single floor homes.

Just on the other side of the map of the grounds is the pool, featuring sweeping stepped entrances on both east & west sides.  I would have taken a photo, but on this day, I didn't want to disturb the Bettys (descendants of Page or Garbo perhaps?) sunning themselves in peace.

To purchase your own piece of historic El Encanto - please feel free to call or email me.

Sam Hughes Historic Neighborhood is one of Tucson's definitive neighborhoods (and one of my favorites).  Besides the historical nature of the homes, what makes this area, just east of the University of Arizona, special is the eclectic touches people have used to put their own personal stamp on properties here:

A bicycle rack doesn't have to be humdrum, now does it?

How about fencing that is truly "green" - like this one made of live ocotillos! 

Ever have a fence that blooms for you?

If you're interested in your own home in Sam Hughes or any other place around the U of A, please feel free to call or email me.

Sam Hughes, the neighborhood just east of University of Arizona's campus is one of Tucson's signature areas.  While many of the homes were built in the 1930s bungalow style, the 1940s & '50s brought different influences.  Through the decades, additions and remodels have added their own distinctive marks on the neighborhood and today's new buildings pay homage to the past with modern flair.

A walk through the neighborhood rewards one with a myriad of interesting & intriguing sights.  These gates are but a few. 

Should you be interested in what lies beyond these gates or any other property in the Sam Hughes neighborhood - it will be my pleasure to help you find just the right home for your needs.

The Sam Hughes Neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona is one of the city's most desirable areas.  The combination of location:  right across from the University of Arizona, and historic homes makes for a solid real estate investment.  The mix of professionals, families and U of A students nurtures a dynamic yet peaceful neighborhood with trendy shops and eateries along its periphery.

I analyzed sales over the past 15 years to provide a statistical snapshot of the area:

First Quarter 2008 Sales show the average home selling in Sam Hughes is 2366 Sq Ft at a price of $216 per square foot for an average sales price of $511,222.  The price per square foot is down 3% from last year, but as more homes currently on the market sell, those figures will change.

What the history of the neighborhood show over time is a pattern of sharp rises mixed with moderate losses and above average gains.  The average of 10.7% per year price increase over 15 years outperforms most stocks and shows a solidity over time. 

Also notable is the increase in size of homes in the neighborhood.  Given the historic designation, there are very few new homes in the area.  What the square footage increase shows is add-ons to present dwellings, another indication of value.

While other areas in Tucson show different results, common wisdom in town proves to be true:  Investing in Sam Hughes real estate is a smart place to put your money.