May in Tucson, Fully Furnished Airbnb Coming Soon, and More

Author

Julia Van Valkenburg
May 17, 2024

Summer, Here We Come ☀️

I’ve met a few people recently who have told me they genuinely enjoy summer in Tucson. The heat doesn’t bother them, and if anything, they like it. If you’re one of those people then I think you’re nuts, but I’m also envious. I wish I could truly embrace summers in Tucson!

The truth is that as much as I love this city, I start to get a little nervous heading into late May and early June. Every place has its drawbacks, and for Tucson, it’s our summer heat. Luckily, there’s so much about this city that makes up for the 100°+ seasonal temperatures. And despite my predisposition to complaining daily about our weather June through August, I want things to be different this summer. I’m going to try and be neutral about the heat and take it like a champ because it is worth it… who’s with me?!

If embracing summer doesn’t work, there’s always Mt. Lemmon, Flagstaff, and even San Diego to escape to. I’ve visited San Diego once — sometimes twice — every summer for the past five years and without fail I always meet a few Tucsonans by the beach. San Diego is our Jersey Shore!

For those who aren’t able to leave Tucson this summer, there are still a number of options for beating the heat and having some fun. Here are a few upcoming events to look forward to in the next month:

COMING SOON: Fully Furnished Airbnb Near Saguaro National Park West

3 bd | 2 ba | 2,100 sq. ft. | 1 acre | $535,000

This gorgeous Picture Rocks hacienda hits the market next Wednesday, 5/22. More photos are coming once the home is officially listed, but in the meantime you can check out my short video tour below to get a peek inside.

This impeccably furnished Airbnb could remain a short term rental, or be a lovely year-round or season home. For more information head here, and if you’d like to be notified once it’s on the market, email me at [email protected].

Thrifting in Tucson — Safe Shift Estate Sale

Not only is inflation keeping rates high, making it more expensive to eat out, and increasing your grocery bills, it’s also impacting prices at thrift stores, estate sales, and even yard sales! Finding a true deal is getting rarer and rarer as secondhand prices increase, yet there are still a few spots across town where you can find furniture, art, and more at a great price. Two of my favorites are St. Vincent de Paul on South 6th Ave. and the Safe Shift Estate Sale on Grant and Treat.

Safe Shift is only open three days a month on the first Thursday through Saturday and it gets PACKED. If you have issues with crowds and get overwhelmed by clutter, this isn’t the place for you… but if you thrive on searching through piles of stuff to find something special, you’ll feel right at home. Rummaging through items at Safe Shift is thrilling for me, but I can admit it’s not for everyone.

Now I’m not the type of person to spend $5 on a mystery box, but who knows, maybe some day I will be? If you’ve purchased a mystery box please reach out — I would love to know what you found inside!

The next Safe Shift is 6/6 - 6/8, 8 AM - 3 PM. Maybe I’ll see you there?

Exploring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West

Just two hours north of Tucson in Scottsdale is Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, architecture school, and desert laboratory. While it’s already getting too hot to visit (the home was designed with only winter in mind) now is a great time to learn more and schedule a tour of this landmark in the fall. Read more about Taliesin West here.

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

Sometimes selling a home is a quick decision, but for many it’s an idea that festers for a bit until it becomes a reality. If possible, it’s best to give yourself at least a few months to get your home in tip top shape for a quick and easy sale. Here’s what I recommend to my clients who are getting ready to sell their home.

What to Do During Your Final Walkthrough

When you’re in the process of buying a home, the final walkthrough is a step you’ll complete with your realtor prior to closing day. It’s your chance to make sure everything is working and in the same — or better — condition as when you put in your offer. If any repairs were agreed to after inspections, this is also the chance to make sure they were done properly. Here’s what else you should be doing…

Exploring Tucson Neighborhoods

A little over a month ago I started a new series on my Instagram featuring short walking tours of iconic Tucson neighborhoods. In these videos I explain some of the history of each area, showcase the architecture, and share things to do nearby. These videos have been surprisingly popular, so I’ve decided to expand and spotlight a different neighborhood every other week. So far I’ve featured Barrio Viejo, Armory Park, and El Presidio, which you can watch below. Tours of West University and Dunbar/Spring are in the works, and I’m excited to highlight a few local businesses in those neighborhoods as well. If you’re on Instagram be sure to follow Tucson Inside and Out to see more.

Buying or selling in Tucson? Let’s chat! Email me at [email protected] to set up a call or meeting over coffee 😎☕