Tierra Antigua Realty Has Done the Research: Tucson Over Florida - The Retirement/Asset Battle

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"Additionally, homeowners will pay more for property insurance in Florida. It's an added, unnecessary expense."

Tucson, AZ (PRWEB) March 07, 2014

It's official. This year, many areas in Arizona are poised to explode for the median list price for homes. Now is the time to buy into Tucson real estate, as retirees and younger investors consider purchasing property between Florida and Arizona. [10]

"This is an incredible investment opportunity for retirees and first-time homeowners to purchase property in our region," Joe Keany, Realtor with Tierra Antiqua Reality, explains.

As quoted in an August, 2013 report from the independently owned and operated group, PICOR, using its standardized research methodologies, a recent survey states, "Led by Marana and unincorporated Pima County, new home permits are 14% higher year-over-year." [1]

Keany continues, "Take a look at the latest Census Bureau Medium Income by Family Size survey of cases filed between April 1, 2013, and April 30, 2013. The differences between a household consisting of two members are fairly close, yet dramatically different. In Arizona, the number rolls in at $55,118. Florida's income for the same sized family is $51,760." [2]

Further breaking-down the statistic, Keany notes, "That translates to a better infrastructure, quality of life and high-end recreational activities in the areas of Marana, Tucson, the Catalina Foothills, Dove Mountain, Vail and Oro Valley, Arizona."

Keany reveals some common facts, "The most conspicuous observation is the region, served by Tierra Antigua Realty. It has never been plagued by hurricanes. Such a massive weather event can disrupt a retiree's life by having to make-whole the damage caused by Mother Nature. But it's not merely the costs of materials for repairs as the sole issue of concern."

"Additionally, homeowners will pay more for property insurance in Florida. This fact comes to us from the website 'Statistic Brain,' published on December 20th, 2013. On average, the Sunshine state charges $2,280 for a policy. Cut that to $559 in Arizona. It's an added, unnecessary expense." [3]

While Florida does have an ocean panorama, a reminder; hurricane season in the Atlantic begins June 1st and ends November 30th. This gives retirees approximately 6-months of worrisome apprehension.

Looking at it from a health standpoint, the humidity in the areas of Marana, Tucson, the Catalina Foothills, Dove Mountain, Vail and Oro Valley, Arizona is much lower when compared to Florida. As a matter of record, according to a list compiled in 2006 by American Risk Management , Florida comes-in at number 2 in its list of "Top 10 States with Mold Problems." [4]

From a temperature standpoint, the two states are pretty comparable. Take it from The Weather Channel; the average January temps in the Marana-Tucson expanse is between 65-to-42 degrees. Orlando's ranges between 49-to-71.

In the summer, both locations are in a virtual dead heat. However, the lower humidity makes it "feel" less hot in the areas of Marana, Tucson, the Catalina Foothills, Dove Mountain, Vail and Oro Valley, Arizona.

Keany grins, "Oh, and one other thing. Like mosquitoes? Then Florida is perfect."

Kiplinger set the story straight in August of last year. Both Arizona and Florida are considered to be extremely tax-friendly states. [5]

Retirees are generally impervious to the Arizona income tax. Social Security income is not under the scrutiny from tax collectors in Arizona. And military pensions fall-under a $2,500 exemption.

Add to that equation property tax protections. This allows retirees to hold onto more of existing resources. "It's more money to spend on great dining and golf balls!" Keany says. "A local lawyer, Paul B. Bartlett, P.C., who has received the Highest Attorney Rating from Martindale Hubbell for Legal Skill and Ethics, notes these exemptions on his website."[6]

The home prices have effectively made the cost of living tremendously accommodating for the newcomer. Many residences are still exceptionally affordable, when compared to the 2009-2010 time period. The website Zillow calculated on February 28th, the median home costs are about $160,000; down around 35% from 2007. [7]

Thirty-six million Americans will be turning 65 in the next 10-years. "Tierra Antigua Realty sells so many properties to retirees in the Marana, Tucson, the Catalina Foothills, Dove Mountain, Vail and Oro Valley, Arizona region because of the low cost of living, the quality of life and the fact we enjoy an average 284-plus days of sunshine every year as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration," Keany clarifies. [8]

With a cost of living about 5% below the national average, there’s more to Arizona than retaining a bulging bank account and sunny days. The Wall Street Journal notes this on their Marketwatch page. [9]

"In the community of Tucson, hit the hiking trails on foot or horseback in the morning. And spend the afternoon shopping, golfing, enjoying a four-star lunch or visiting one of the world-class museums in the Tucson expanse.

"Our small piece of paradise stands head-over-heels for those planning for their later years as a place to retire," Joe Keany, with Tierra Antiqua Reality, concludes.

About Judith and Joe Keany with Tierra Antigua Realty
Judith and Joe Keany, Tucson Realtors® at Tierra Antigua Realty, are Relocation Specialists in the Marana and Tucson areas; this includes the Catalina Foothills, Dove Mountain, Vail and Oro Valley, Arizona. The beautiful Tucson desert area has a wide variety of high quality homes available to suit all budgets. Joe and Judith Keany of the Keany Team Realtors® relish the opportunity to help homebuyers achieve all real estate goals.

Contact information:
Joe Keany
7330 N Oracle Rd, Ste 280
Tucson, AZ 85704
520-288-6762
http://www.previewtucsonhomes.com/

Footnotes:
(1) http://tucsonrealtors.org/tar-v2/scorecard_aug2013.pdf
(2) http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20130401/bci_data/median_income_table.htm
(3) http://www.statisticbrain.com/average-cost-of-home-insurance/
(4) http://www.facilitiesnet.com/facilitiesmanagement/article/Texas-Florida-Oklahoma-Top-List-of-States-Most-At-Risk-for-Mold-Contamination--4872#
(5) http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/retirement/T006-S001-10-most-tax-friendly-states-for-retirees/
(6) http://www.tucsonelderlaw.com/Arizona-Property-Tax.htm
(7) http://www.zillow.com/local-info/#metric=mt%3D34%26dt%3D1%26tp%3D5%26rt%3D14%26r%3D102001%252C395167%26el%3D0
(8) http://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Arizona/annual-days-of-sunshine.php
(9) http://www.marketwatch.com/story/retire-here-not-there-arizona-2012-11-13
(10) http://www.realtor.com/data-portal/realestatestatistics

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