My new neighbor Jerry was out in his yard, and I was walking by, camera (as always) in hand.
This particular home had been for sale for nearly a year and a half with no takers.
One day I turned the corner and noticed that there was a sold sign. A couple of months later, a work crew showed up and started construction on a beautiful southwestern courtyard.
As the courtyard wall went up, the home began to be transformed. A graceful archway entrance was next, and then a flagstone surface, and finally the Mexican fountain.
I introduced myself. "Wow," I said, "you and your wife have made a tremendous contribution to our neighborhood. Everyone's talking about what a difference your patio and entrance have made to your home."
Jerry's answer surprised me. "We weren't thinking about buying a house. Actually, we didn't like the house much when we first saw it. We don't like the present floor plan, but the price was right, and we knew what we could do to improve it."
"We've always loved Tucson and the desert. Then we found this community [Tucson Estates II,] and two things changed our minds: the mountain views, and the community itself."
That goes both ways! We're grateful to have neighbors like Jerry and Patsy! Here's the completed courtyard, and a little of the fantastic views that won their hearts.
Tucson Estates II still has a few homes for sale. Come visit. Like Jerry & Patsy, you may end up staying. We're surrounded by 44,000 acres of the Tucson Mountain Park, which abuts Saguaro National Park (west) on it's southern border. It's a place of unparalleled beauty, IMHO.
And just one more, if you'll indulge me, taken at nightfall this past summer...
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.
Think of me as your Tucson mortgage expert.
Call me if I can help you with a mortgage to buy your next house: (520) 349-9090
- VA Loans: 100% purchase loans for active or honorably discharged veterans
- FHA Rehab loans for fixer uppers: up to $35,000 on top of the purchase price
- Kiddy Condo loans instead of shelling out big bucks for your student's housing
- Conforming conventional loans
- USDA Rural Home Loans, including purchase loans for Manufactured Homes.
photos copyright Mike in Tucson
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Mike, I've got to admit, those are some spectacular views from your neck of the woods... and great neighbors do make all the difference.
Jesse,
Thanks for being the first to comment! We had neighbors from Alaska for nearly ten years; they've just sold their home to a new couple from Vancouver, BC. Happy New Year, Jesse!
Mike in Tucson
Hapy New Year to you too my friend.
Mike, Cool views! I really like to travel through AZ. I have taken some really neat pictures of that area. Plan to do the Tucson area next year...
Hi Mike, you are really making me miss Santa Fe! Looks like you have great new neighbors and I love the architecture!
Mike,
I can see why they would come back and buy the home. What a view my friend.
Don,
Thanks for commenting. Welcome to the new year!
Susie,
I think you're a southwesterner at heart. I'll be blogging more about this community of Tucson Estates II.
Michael,
Why wait so long? LOL
Jesse,
Thank you!
Mike in Tucson
Hi Mike, Happy New Year.
Isn't great to live here and enjoy those views everyday?
Rich
wow - what a great property Mike. The views are breathtaking. course - there are no mountain views here! =0)
chris the implementer
Great pics Mike! Congrats on the Gold Star!
I have never been to your part of the country. Wow, fantsatic shots and hills.
Beautiful pictures! Tell me...why does Illinois have to be soooo flat ? :)
Great shots. Used to live in Kayenta....... Have friends in Cottonwood and Flagstaff. Did a lot of shopping in Flagstaff and Phoenix. By the way...what camera do you use? I'm shopping. Great post.
I thought I had finished and then I saw the word that I needed to type in. What in the world is a lovi-lovi??
Wow! We just returned from a visit to Tucson. Enjoyed the scenery and can see why folks would choose to
move there. The Arizona-Sonora Dessert Museum is a must do for all ages. We loved the very friendly volunteers who showed the native wildlife. Don't miss the "free flight". Have a very Happy New Year!
Mike,
I subscribe to your BLOG because every day I get to see incredible photos!!! Thank you so much. if I didn't love it here in the mountains of Asheville, NC so much, I'd head on over your way =)
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Nice photos and looks like a great addition to the neighborhood.
Gorgeous views (and photography) Mike! And your neighbor did a bang up job on that extension of living area patio of his - wow! How many others in the neighborhood are thinking about doing something similar now or is this a common addition to the area?
Nice post and beautiful pictures. I love Arizona (except for the extreme summer heat).
Mike, not only did your new neighbors get a great house, they inherited wonderful neighbors like you and your Darlin'!
Mike...
I'm a coastal guy, but I'm really feeling the pull right now. Nice post, and really nice photos. There's nothing like a good neighborhood, scenic, and great neighbors!
thx...
Rene'
What a beautiful community! I know I've said it a dozen times, but I need to make that trip to Tucson and enjoy the scenery you've shown me on AR.
Cheron Lange
Mike, wow! Lucky you have them as neighbors. I love what they did with it! This is a beautiful post and I hope you get lots of business from this...makes me almost want to move!
Happy 2009! Deb
You're convincing me that I need to come round to your side of the mountain soon. They certainly did a nice job with the patio. And of course the photos are very nice, too!
As always your photos are terrific. Hope you guys had a nice new year. All the best.
Carolin,
Happy new year to you and Bob! We sure did.
Doreen,
Yes you do! :)
Don't give up that thought! You'd fit right in here.
Of course, you'd miss the water...
Cheron,
Keep saying that. Words are previews of things to come. Another way to say that is "the stories in our minds become the stories of our lives."
Rene'
You're very welcome. Thanks for commenting.
Linda,
You are so sweet! Ginny thinks so too!
Kelsey,
The summer heat grows on you. We learn to stand in the shade of telephone poles when we're outside in the summer.
Karen,
You'll see private courtyards often in our neighborhood, but not always as part of the entrance to the home. Here's the front of our home, for instance.
What makes Jerry's courtyard so inviting is the graceful arch entrance and fountain.
Terry,
Thanks for saying so!
JaneAnne,
I appreciate your readership; thanks for subscribing! I've been to Ashville often, and understand why you love it. Stay green!
Melissa,
You were within a half mile of our home, and you didn't call!! Of course, I've been to Beaufort and neglected to do the same, but that was before Active Rain. I hope you blog about your visit. Happy New Year.
Kayenta,
Lovi-lovi is a member of the plant kingdom. Active Rain requires randome words to be typed in to prevent automated spam from taking over. My camera is a Panasonic Lumix, with a 10X optical Leica zoom. You can get one at Costco for around $200. (I'm thrifty. Okay. Cheap.)
Maria,
We're only a couple of hours or so from you by air. Come visit.
Scott,
Ditto my comment just above, to Maria! Thanks for stopping by.
Eleanor,
Thanks for the encouragement!
Chris,
Yeah, but you have the water...
Richard,
It certainly is! Happy New Year!
Mike in Tucson
Maybe Cheron and I should plan a day trip to visit you and your darlin' Ginny...
Doreen,
Time's a'wastin'! Let's all plan a lunch at Sweet Tomatoes.
Mike in Tucson
JOHN AND I REMEMBER WHAT THAT HOUSE LOOKED LIKE BEFORE AND THIS AFTER SHOT IS INCREDIBLE! SIS-IN-LAW, KATHIE
Kathie,
It's amazing what a little creativity will do, isn't it?
Mike in Tucson