Tempe is home to Arizona State University and Tempe Town Lake, and it is almost fully built out, bordered on every side by neighboring cities and communities. With little room for new neighborhoods, Tempe’s existing homes hold their value, and many owners choose to remodel rather than move.
Most of Tempe’s single-family homes date from the 1950s through the 1980s. Neighborhoods near ASU, like Maple-Ash and Mitchell Park, include some of the oldest homes in the East Valley. Mid-century ranch homes fill much of central Tempe, and south Tempe, including The Lakes, has larger homes from the 1970s and 80s.
Older Tempe homes usually have smaller closed kitchens, original bathrooms and systems that may need updating. A full remodel often includes opening the kitchen to the living area, gutting the bathrooms, replacing flooring throughout and updating plumbing and electrical while walls are open.
Tempe also has many rental homes near the university. Remodeling a rental calls for durable, easy-to-clean finishes that look good and hold up between tenants. Building permits come from the City of Tempe for work that changes structure, plumbing, electrical or gas. We completed a full home remodel in Tempe in 2018.