Hi Dawn, sent you a PM.Scottsdale is definitely a good place to be in if possible but there are definitely other areas you can get into for a cheaper price point in Mesa, Glendale, Tempe, etc. 

I'm surprised that Tucson ranked higher than Scottsdale/Tempe and ASU...the combination of Scottsdale as one of the country's top party towns, with the close proximity of ASU Stadium (5 miles) should put them near the top, I would think....?

Please check out this link from the AZ Court system regarding maximum temps.

It was last Tuesday with temp of 99.

If youre going buy down the rate, dont do it with a temp buydown. 

Most peole do not know how to make a fire, or be safe around one (kids), there are lots of issues with scalding due to over-heating...how do you not let the temp go over 104 degrees, but definitely get it over 100d??

South Louisiana has cooler temps and is cold (day time highs in the 50s) in the winter, so we were thinking more about these months, than the 3 months in the summer when it's hot and humid.  

One disadvantage of mini-splits is their inability to work effectively at extreme low temps, which we are bound to get a handful of times in Chicago.

But many are changing up with the current financial ops temp. 

-How do you manage thermostat and temp difference between up/down stairs (assume basement will be a lot cooler)?