Rare Custom Home in Central Tucson at a Reasonable Price

Toto, I don't think we're in Tucson anymore. Adobe construction and vaulted open beam ceilings evoke the serenity of a cozy New Mexico mountain cabin. See the open, flowing floor plan here. This unique hand-crafted home is a feast for the senses.

Walk on the cool, clean Saltillo tile floor in your bare feet. Take a deep breath of the delicious aroma of freshly-cut grass.

Open the wooden blinds to let the light stream in. Enjoy the delightful surprise of the rich stained concrete counter tops with maple cabinets.

Taste the fruit of your pomegranate tree. Hear the rain celebration on the blue metal roof. Contemplate your good luck with a mountain view from your roof top perch. King-sized bedroom.

 
Attractive solar-powered gate. Control the thermostat from your cell phone.

This house has an interesting history. In 2003, one of my friends from graduate school referred an incoming hydrology student to me. I helped him buy 630 N Jerrie Avenue. My client split the lot and built this house, 626 N Jerrie Avenue, behind it. I saw him and his friend making adobe blocks in the yard. They used as few power tools as possible, and their names are burnt onto the top of the center beam with a magnifying glass. I toasted the completion of the house with the builders on the roof. The market was crazy hot in 2006, and my client sold 626 without my help. The following year, I helped him sell 630.

626 was sold again to its third owner in 2011. A few weeks ago, the Tierra Antigua relocation director called to ask whether I wanted a listing on a cute little house behind a house on Jerrie Avenue. I asked whether it had a blue tin roof, and he said it did. So I put this house on the market, and sent the listing to my former client, the one who built the house. He sent the listing to his former housemate, who had lived in 630 and who helped build 626. The former housemate is the new owner. The builder, the buyer and I were all in the University of Arizona hydrology graduate program at different times. Sometimes magic happens. It's fitting that it happened with this lovely little home.

Sold December 11, 2014 for $149,000. 

Tucson's 40 Under 40

I am so pleased that the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Daily Star honored my fabulous client Moses Thompson as one of their 40 under 40. He has done wonderful work at Manzo Elementary School, helping the children learn about gardening and poultry. The school cafeteria will soon be serving the produce the children grow. Imagine how exciting that must be for them, and what a positive influence it will have on their eating habits.

This is a good time to point out that you can get a state tax credit for contributing up to $200 to a public school as an individual, and up to $400 as a couple filing a joint return. A tax credit means if you give $200 to a public school, you can reduce the amount of income tax you owe to the State of Arizona by $200. I know Manzo will use my money much more productively than the State will, so I always give my tax credit to Manzo. You can even pay by credit card.