Mid-Century Modern in Mid-Central Tucson

Villa Catalina Apartments is one of Tucson's most beloved examples of Mid-Century Modern architecture. Located in the tranquil center of the highly desirable Sam Hughes neighborhood, you're close to groceries and casual dining at Rincon Market. Watch ballgames and meet the neighbors at Bob Dobb's. Enjoy upscale vegetarian Mexican cuisine at Tumerico. Get to the movies at El Con Mall in minutes. Have a Zen-like tea experience at Seven Cups Fine Chinese Teas and for something completely different, dine at Tucson's first Ethiopian restaurant, Zeman's. 

This second floor condo is in one of the best locations in this lovely complex, which is in the National Register of Historic Places because of its architectural significance. A lift chair is available in an interior stairwell if you need a little help.  

Huge windows create a sunny living room. Perched on your spacious north-facing covered front balcony above the beautifully manicured landscaping, you'll enjoy a stunning view of the Catalina Mountains. 

The interior is recently spruced up, preserving the original '50s character. You'll be one of the few owners with two garage spaces, which you can see from your enormous covered back balcony. 

HOA fee covers property tax, utilities, heat, AC, trash pick up, two pools, one of them heated, laundry room, pest control, exterior maintenance, most plumbing and electrical, and beautiful Mediterranean-style landscaping with grass and oranges trees. Age restricted community: owner must be at least 55 years old. 

Two bedrooms and two baths. The floor plan is here. Offered at $160,000.

Your Mountain Retreat

When you decided to move to Tucson, you dreamed of a sweet desert home just like this one. Solid Territorial-style burnt adobe construction. Monterrey tile floors. Saguaro-rib cabinets. Abundant natural light. Wrap-around North-facing porch, plus South-facing dining ramada. Spacious floor plan could provide private suite for grandparents, nanny or teenager.  A sparkling pool and spa. Lots of desert flowers, trees and cactus on a secluded lot. Yet only two miles to Whole Foods, some great restaurants, and Tucson Basis North, one of the top ten STEM high schools in the U.S. Of course, number one on your wish list was an amazing, unobstructed mountain view. You're not dreaming. It's all here. Perched high on the ridge, you will marvel at the ever-changing colors of the Catalina Mountains and gorgeous desert sky. Quiet neighborhood streets encourage walking, running, and biking. Welcome home. Sold for $425,000 on June 12, 2019.

Flood Insurance Program Still Threatened

If you buy a property in the flood plain, your lender will require flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was scheduled to expire July 31, 2018. Trump delayed its expiration through November 30, 2018. Gee, do you think that date has anything to do with hurricane season and mid-term elections? After that, Congress has to reauthorize it. If they don't, you won't be able to buy flood insurance, so you won't be able to buy or sell a house in the flood plain unless you pay cash.  

This Wikipedia article discussed the history and problems of NFIP.

These two statements from the Wikipedia article on NFIP are particularly disturbing:

The cost of the insurance program was fully covered by its premiums until the end of 2004, but has had to steadily borrow funds since (primarily due to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy), accumulating $25 billion of debt by August 2017. 

Another criticism is that FEMA doesn't administer all policies, instead outsourcing many policies to private insurance companies. When a disaster occurs, FEMA makes payments to those private insurance companies to offset their costs. However, there is little oversight and few rules as to how the money should be distributed. As a consequence, private insurers have been known to use FEMA payments to hire attorneys that fight policyholders in court. One law firm is estimated to have received US $29M from FEMA payments to fight Hurricane Sandy claims. 

Armory Park del Sol

Just a few blocks south of our revitalized downtown, in a lovely neighborhood where mature trees shade car-free side walks, you'll find the unique Armory Park del Sol. 

Built in 2001, the homes have 100 year old charm with modern conveniences. The Bungalow, Pueblo & Victorian-style homes were inspired by the surrounding historic neighborhood. 

Beautiful oak floors. Nine foot ceilings. 

Maple cabinets. Energy-efficient thermal mass masonry construction. Dual pane windows. Solar electricity. Tankless water heater. Trane heat pump. Central vacuum cleaner. 

No-step entry and wheelchair-accessible doorways and shower. Tiled bathrooms.Grapefruit tree in front yard. Secluded back patio. Grape arbor outside the kitchen door. 

Two-car garage faces the alley, while the front porches of the homes open to the quiet walk way to encourage a feeling of community.

The floor plan is here. Sold for $325,000 on September 27, 2018.

New Listing in Popular East Tucson Neighborhood

Great cul de sac location, next to common area. 

Around the corner to community pool and playground with swings, slide, jungle gym, ramada and basketball hoop. 

Home has two covered patios. Wrap-around yard. 

The red and yellow are gone, replaced by a fresh coat of white. Spacious living room has soaring ceiling, fan, skylight, and great mountain view. Gas fireplace. Tile and wood floors throughout. 

Kitchen has stainless steel gas stove, granite counters and breakfast nook. Dishwasher new in 2016. Formal dining room. Master suite has door to back patio, double sinks, walk-in closet plus bonus closet. Hall bathroom has skylight. 

Central AC and gas furnace new in 2016. New kitchen sink, faucet, disposal and under-sink plumbing in 2017. Gates replaced in 2015. Raised planters and clementine tree. Three bedrooms, two baths, two car garage. Sold for $212,000 on September 6, 2018. Home Sweet Home.

Flood Insurance Program Threatened

FEMA, the federal agency that provides flood insurance to homeowners living in the flood plain, is deeply in debt because of numerous major floods in recent years. Mortgage companies require flood insurance for homes located in the flood plain. The flood insurance program will expire July 31 unless Congress re-authorizes it. The House has passed a bill that will allow FEMA to write insurance policies effective for one year for four more months. The bill may not pass the Senate. Some Republicans contend that if FEMA makes flood insurance unobtainable, homeowners will be  unable to sell their flood-prone homes, and after the dust settles from all the foreclosures and bankruptcies, no one will be living in the flood plain and all will be well. Unfortunately, with climate change, floods are occurring where they never occurred before. The sea level is rising, and properties near the ocean that didn't use to be in the flood plain are now flooded on sunny days at high tide.

Tucson #1 of Dog-Friendly Cities

SmartAsset has declared Tucson the most dog-friendly city in the county. They ranked cities based on number of dog parks, dog-friendly restaurants, home prices, weather and other criteria. One more reason to love our Sweet Desert Home.