Buying Property in Nev or Ariz

[19Kona]

I am looking to buy a house/townhouse/condo for vacation and rental. So, What would be the best all around (this is what I am considering):
1. Near Laughlin on the Nev side
2. Bulhead City
3. Havasu
4. Needles Area
Again, I want to rent it when I am not using so that is a big consideration as is the price - Something under $200k.

[mtndewdrops]

I have had good luck with vacation rentals in Lake Havasu City. Usually can get renters between Nov and March. I would go for a home and not a condo, since the appreciation is usually better. There are still some 2BR homes under 200K.

[Essex502]

I second Mtndewdrops comments...Havasu. You should be able to rent to snowbirds all winter for almost double what your mortgage payment is figgering (sp) a decent down payment. Then you have the warm months for yourself + the appreciation should be faster in Havasu.
However, you might want to raise that figure a little bit to $250K.

[phebus]

If your looking for a rental in Lake Havasu, I will pimp a place I have for sale. It is very nice, and is being sold completely furnished including all appliances (furniture, refer, washer, dryer, etc) and a big screen t.v. It also has a boat deep garage. To view the listing go to http://www.lakehavasuhomes.net , look under featured listings, and it is the fourth house down (the one with the flag in the front yard). It is just slightly above what you want to spend, but considering it is fully furnished and lanscaped, and completely turn key and ready to rent, it might save you money in the long run.
Thanks,
Rick
P.S. You can contact the listing agent Michele Bravata (Warlock 25) from the boards, or myself for further info if desired

[djunkie]

I would vote for Havasu. I bought my house there almost a year ago and it has already gone up nearly $70k. All I have done to it is put a block wall up. We paid $229 for a brand new house on a corner lot with a 4 car garage. You probably aren't going to find something like that for that price but there are some good deals you just have to look. Also it is very easy to get snowbirds booked for the winter. We put ours up at the beginning of Nov. and it was booked within a week. 4 months of them paying my house payment. The other 8 months it's mine. :D

[ChumpChange]

I would vote for Havasu. I bought my house there almost a year ago and it has already gone up nearly $70k. All I have done to it is put a block wall up. We paid $229 for a brand new house on a corner lot with a 4 car garage. You probably aren't going to find something like that for that price but there are some good deals you just have to look. Also it is very easy to get snowbirds booked for the winter. We put ours up at the beginning of Nov. and it was booked within a week. 4 months of them paying my house payment. The other 8 months it's mine. :D
Is it on the corner of Willow and S Palo Verde?

[djunkie]

Nope but heres a pic.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/6749wall_003-med.jpg

[19Kona]

Sounds like Havasu is where it is at for the rental market. I am with you guys, I would be using the place when it is warm and renting during the winter (our version).
What does the rental property do to your taxes (I know it is different for everyone)?

[summerlove]

If your looking for a rental in Lake Havasu, I will pimp a place I have for sale. It is very nice, and is being sold completely furnished including all appliances (furniture, refer, washer, dryer, etc) and a big screen t.v. It also has a boat deep garage. To view the listing go to http://www.lakehavasuhomes.net , look under featured listings, and it is the fourth house down (the one with the flag in the front yard). It is just slightly above what you want to spend, but considering it is fully furnished and lanscaped, and completely turn key and ready to rent, it might save you money in the long run.
Thanks,
Rick
P.S. You can contact the listing agent Michele Bravata (Warlock 25) from the boards, or myself for further info if desired
Listen carefully - this man is correcxt in all that he says, as is Essex 502. Phebus house is very nice and in fact is priced very well, I might add. Snowbirds in his place for about 1200/mo Jan-Mar, speing breakers, and the like, and before you know it the payment is almost nothing. Same happened to me and I was able to parlay from a 2bed/2bath condo into a pretty nice little house!

[Sun burners]

Havasu Havasu Havasu!
Just make sure you get THE BIGGEST MOST LEVEL LOT you can find,
For future upgrades and easy parking!

[Flying Tiger]

Number 1 reason:
Their's always water in Havasu.

[waterwitch]

Just a thought to think about....
Havasu is extrememly saturated with
rentals. They are everywhere. Really do your
homework on where you want to play on the
river, or lake and go from there. Needles is really
picking up as well, and you can get a new home
very reasonable there. Food for thought.....

[19Kona]

Yes, Havasu is getting saturated with rentals. That is why I was also considering the Laughlin/Bullhead City area. It also gives me a chance to play on Lake Mojave.
I have been talking to a coworker who's friends have a townhouse not far from Laughlin (10 mins) close to the water, with a wash and Federal land in the backyard. The units are all single level and come with a boat deep garage. Under $200k. The only hitch is the rental. Since they are so close to Laughlin, other than big families I don't know who would be interested in renting.
Thanks in advance for all of the advice.

[19Kona]

almost forgot, what about trailer parks, in California most of them do not allow you to own the land. Someone told me it is different in Ariz????

[Kwicherbichen]

It seems that every week I'm talking with someone that likes a particular area and uses their home as a rental and then there is another person that says it's getting saturated.
My feeling is find a place that you do your boating at and something that you don't ahve to depend on a renter just to keep it. Think of the renter as a bonus and you'll be plenty satisfied. You can also start slow and trade up later.

[Floored]

I saw Phebus's house and its tits!! nice neighborhood close to stuff but still a little off the beaten path. well worth it. BHC prices have gone nuts last 2 yrs and the ZOO has better deals .

[SK48]

I would really consider Needles if you like it up river. Needles is in Calif.
and you have Prop. 13 to help keep the property taxes in check.
Property taxes are really becomming an issue in parts of Arizona.
In the last three to four years my taxes have doubled, fortunately my
house is paid for, but with close to $ 9,000.00 in property taxes per year
it is just like having a house payment.
I have several neighbors that are near retirement age, and they don't think
they will be able to continue to live here on a fixed income.

[locogringo]

I have had geat success in Havasu with rentals. I am actually getting ready to build another house and a 4 plex. I would go with Havasu, Bullhead for sure, though land there is skyrocketing extrememly fast, and Kingman is continually growing according to the econoic development info I have. So, if I were you, depending on yhour conditions, what best suits you and your situations. Do you prefer one area over the other? Do you want to be able to stay in it at times? New or old?
DOn' forget area of AZ also (Mesa, Glendale etc.) and maybe Henderson NV.