City of Chandler

Chandler Location

Located south of the city of Tempe and west of the town of Gilbert, the City of Chandler has good access to other parts of the Valley of the Sun.  Chandler is a fast-growing city with a terrific location in the East Valley.

Just 20 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix, residents of Chandler use a variety of freeways to get around.  Interstate 10 runs north and south, along its western edge, Interstate 60 flows east and west, dividing Chandler from Tempe on its northern boundary, the Loop 101 Freeway (also known as the Price Freeway) cuts through Chandler’s middle, running north and south, all of these freeway access points make Chandler a great place to live.

Chandler Properties

Affordable housing and a hometown attitude are some of Chandler’s assets.  Neighborhoods with landscaped boulevards bring many people to the city.  Single-family homes, custom properties, condominiums, patio homes, and townhouses can all be found in Chandler.  There are a variety of home styles available.   Quality homes, fine schools, and freeway access make living in Chandler the best choice. 

There was a time when the city of Chandler was based on agriculture and tourism.  Today, Chandler is fast becoming a magnet for both residential communities and high-tech manufacturing.  Businesses have flocked to Chandler.  The city is a leader in the computer technology area and has acquired the nickname, “Silicon Desert.”  It is a city on the cutting edge, with a vision of developing a diverse community where a high quality of life can be realized by all of its residents.  

This is a new city with changes occurring.  Fresh opportunities and a chance to create neighborhoods that welcome all their visitors.  Chandler’s affordable housing and hometown appeal are what draw people to this part of the East Valley.

Click to locate properties available in the city of Chandler.

Chandler History

On an 18,000 acre ranch in 1891, Dr. A.J. Chandler began what would later become the City of Chandler.  Dr. Chandler was the first veterinary surgeon in Arizona.  He was also a very insightful individual.  His goal was to encourage others to move to the area and live. 

The San Marcos Hotel, one of Arizona’s first resort hotels, was a vision of Dr. Chandler.  The hotel was built in 1914, influenced by the Mission Revival architecture.  Several United States Presidents and famous Hollywood actors have stayed in the San Marcos Hotel over its illustrious history.  The San Marcos Hotel still stands today in downtown Chandler and it is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.  Dr. Chandler’s idea of constructing a hotel, along with subdividing his ranch did promote the area.  It is no wonder that Chandler continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona.

Today the city of Chandler is working hard to preserve the city’s rich history and at the same time develop the roots for new residents living in the community.  The goal is to transform Chandler from a small farm town into one of the largest urban cities in the West. 

Chandler Entertainment

Chandler is well on its way, with world-class golf facilities, outstanding resorts, terrific restaurants, premier shopping and lots of recreational activities.  Downtown storefronts have been returned to their quaint turn of the century look and the central plaza has been renovated.  Chandler is creating an exciting future.  It is the place that many Valley of the Sun newcomers chose to be their new home.

Cultural facilities can be found in Chandler.  One of its best showcases is the Chandler Center for the Arts. This 64,000 square foot center offers visitors a unique design.  The auditorium has a “turntable” design, which allows for two sections of seating in the rear of the main auditorium to rotate 180 degrees to face two more intimate stages.  The walls do move with the seating areas to prevent conflicting sounds and allow three events to perform simultaneously.  The Chandler Center for the Arts is a showcase of acoustics, with a variety of turntable configurations providing for numerous options for sound transfer.  It is a jewel of the city.

Shopping in the East Valley is great, however, shopping in the City of Chandler stands above the rest.  Beginning with the Chandler Fashion Center, this mall is one of the newer shopping destinations in the East Valley.  It is a 1.3 million square foot premier shopping venue, offering several shops that can only be here in the East Valley.  Combined with Casa Paloma, Chandler Pavilions, and Historic Downtown, the City of Chandler provides its residents with a variety of options when it comes to shopping.  Chandler has become a shopper’s paradise. 

A unique feature of the City of Chandler is the Williams Air Force Base.  The base was built in 1941 when World War II began.  Today, Williams Air Force Base has become Williams Gateway Airport.  The facility provides space for a variety of aircraft, including corporate, cargo, general aviation, and military.  The goal of Williams Gateway Airport is to develop as an international aerospace center with aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, modification, testing, and pilot training.  It is a prime location for global-minded companies.

Chandler Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor fun is part of living in Chandler.  The old-time charm of the city’s past can still be found.  The Desert Breeze Railroad Park offers residents a chance to ride the rails around a gorgeous park setting.  Children delight when taking a spin on old-fashioned amusement rides.

The Chandler Ostrich Festival is another unique attraction that shows off Chandler’s small-town quality.  The festival includes ostrich races and other fun activities that area residents enjoy seeing each year. 

The city also provides the Chandler Concerts in the Park.  This series of performances include a range of jazz to Brazilian music groups.  The concerts are held all over the city at various city parks.  Chandler residents sample a variety of cultures and spend time outside.  Taking time to experience the outdoors and spend time with the community is what makes the City of Chandler special.

Central Phoenix Villages

Phoenix has been recognized as “One of the Best Managed Cities” in the United States.  The city has been broken down into 14 neighborhoods or villages.  There are five villages (urban areas) that are included in the Central Phoenix area.  These villages are North Mountain Village, Alhambra Village, Encanto Village, Camelback East Village, and Central City Village.  All of these villages are unique and have special characteristics.

Central Phoenix is an area that stretches from historic downtown Phoenix, northward through the center of Phoenix up to North Mountain.  It is an area that many people moving to Phoenix chose to make their home.

The Valley of the Sun (Phoenix metropolitan area) is very large, covering nearly 400 square miles.  However, the city of Phoenix itself is divided into 15 sections or urban areas called villages.  Each village has its own unique qualities.  The Central Phoenix area includes five of these villages.  The villages are North Mountain Village, Alhambra Village, Encanto Village, Camelback East Village, and Central Village.

Each of these villages offers an array of properties, from historic homes to new homes.  The Central Phoenix area is unlike any of the other towns/cities on its outskirts.  This part of Phoenix is more established, giving the Central Phoenix area less of a desert environment and more a city setting. 

Many properties include grass lawns and citrus trees.  The Central Phoenix area offers residents the convenience of downtown sporting events, galleries, and cultural events.

It is the perfect location for those who want to experience the friendly and relaxed southwest feeling, without living with a desert background.

Discover what developments are available or learn about the Phoenix villages that are included in the Central Phoenix area.

Cave Creek

 Location

You want to live in the valley and you prefer the climate to the north.  Where do you go? The answer is Cave Creek.  Cave Creek is in the northernmost part of the Northeast Valley.  Metro Phoenix and Scottsdale area to the south of this fascinating town.  Cave Creek is protected by the mighty Black Mountain on the southeast with conservation lands, parks, and preserves in the other direct All of these outdoor areas provide residents and visitors with town breathtaking views.

You might say that Cave Creek isn’t “in town”, but that it’s not exactly “out of town”, either.  Cave Creek Road, the main thoroughfare, travels north and south 15 miles to Phoenix...  Then the road winds its way eastward through the town of Carefree and continues on into Scottsdale.It is easy to get about the valley while maintaining the privacy of your living space.

Just how do you get around here?  Cave Creek Road is through the town of Cave Creek.  The road begins in Phoenix and travels along the desert valley floor approximately 15 miles north up into Cave Creek. 

The climate is typical southwestern.  Mild winter and a long, torrid summer are the norms.  Spring and autumn make for mild transitions into the other seasons.  The summer days are bright and clear and filled with sun.  There is a monsoon season that is truly extraordinary- but it is relatively brief.

Cave Creek History

This area was most likely first inhabited, as were many places, by aboriginal settlers some thousands of years ago.  These faceless wanderers probably came and went- as so many were compelled to do when faced with the prospect of settlement in an untamed and inhospitable environment.

The town of Cave Creek, as we now know it, is thought to have begun about 1874.  It was at or about that time that William Rowe, a miner, who, like so many, came out to the west to find his destiny, decided to rest his weary bones.  But not for long.  Unlike many, he discovered gold on Gold Hill, just northeast of what is now the town of Cave Creek.  Soon, the Cave Creek Mistress Mine came into being. 

Cave Creek Properties

One of kind estate properties can be found set back within Desert Mountains, along with more affordable smaller homes and ranches that are also available in Cave Creek.  Golf courses are located nearby which offer spectacular views along the course’s fringes. 

The natural beauty of the area has drawn people to Cave Creek for many, many years; and this year will, doubtless, be no exception.  That’s one of the things that make the location such a popular place to live.

Just think about the advantage this offers.  You know about Cave Creek and this gem might just be at the very center of your secret solution.

Single-family homes, master-planned developments, and custom large lot properties can be found throughout Casa Grande. The city is developing so quickly.

Click here to locate homes and properties available for sale in Cave Creek.

The Market

The spectacular amount of market activity in Arizona over the past decade has been well documented.  People of all walks of life have been moving to Arizona, and particularly Phoenix, in numbers unmatched in recent memory. 

Figures from 2000-2005 show nothing but increased construction, development, unit sales, and unit sales prices in virtually every category of structure offered on the market. 

The greatest degree of growth occurred during fiscal 2005, where previous growth statistics, impressive in their own rights, spiked sharply to even higher levels.  Of particular note to the residential home seller/buyer was the record appreciation in new and resale home values.  These rates were up for new homes and resales, rentals, and condominium units, the only difference being one of degree.

While it is true that not all Phoenix area real estate markets showed the same amount of increase it is true that the degree of growth for each area was proportional. 

Then along came 2006 and equally well documented has been the decline in the rate of growth of some key market indicators.  The greater Phoenix resale home market is showing marked decreases in sales figures for comparable periods last year across the valley and across most unit categories.

One interesting exception is the median price for resale units has risen slightly.  This rising price accompanied by a decrease in sales seems to be more in keeping with normal market tendencies.  One would expect spectacular growth to lead eventually to a degree of scarcity that would be reflected in higher prices.  Could this indicate that the market has reached its peak?

Let’s look at another indicator to see what it may tell us.

Since 1985, the Arizona Real Estate Center has computed what it calls “affordability indexes” for the Greater Phoenix area and several nearby cities. 

The index was invented as a guide to predict market activity.  When the index value is 100, the typical home buyer (based on the current median resale price and household income) would be able to afford a median-priced home at the stated effective interest rate.  A lower index value indicates less availability of affordable single-family homes.

The affordability index for the areas selected for the study shows a significant reduction in the availability of that this type of housing within the means of the ordinary consumer.  Whether this data can be used as a reliable indicator for other groups and other types of housing is arguable, but it does beg the question “how much longer will the market be able to sustain a situation where both sellers and buyers can apparently benefit by getting involved in the market?

The short answer is that these conditions can remain so long as they are supported by the market. 

So when we take a long look at the larger picture we must ask ourselves whether we can realistically expect to realize more potential gain or value now or at some time in the future and it is very reasonable to conclude that the best possible time to buy or sell Arizona really is now.

Cave Creek Entertainment

Visit the Cave Creek Mistress Mine today. Visitors will be able to see what a gold mine looked like long ago . Souvenir hunters will be happy to find an adequately stocked gift shop close at hand.  The mine is located about 10 miles from the intersection of Tom Darlington Road and Cave Creek Road. 

Cave Creek has never lost its old west charm.  Today, rustic shops, western boutiques, Native American arts and crafts, horseback riding ranches, restaurants, and cowboy bars can be found up and down Cave Creek Road – each waiting and willing to welcome you with its special goods or services.

Cave Creek Outdoor Recreation

Cave Creek’s Northeast Valley location makes it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Both Bartlett Lake and the Verde River are within a stone's throw away.  This makes it easy to dip into the cool water for tubing, waterskiing, jet skiing, or water fun. 

Hiking and horseback riding are other popular outdoor activities.  Trails are sprinkled all over the surrounding area for both hikers and horseback riders to share.  Cave Creek is a great place to spend time outside.

Cave Creek is protected by the mighty Black Mountain Summit Preserve on the southeast, the Cave Creek Recreational Area on the west, and the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area to the north.  All of these outdoor areas provide residents and visitors with town breathtaking views and wildlife clues.

Both residents and visitors to Cave Creek have found that this desert community offers a spectacular assortment of native plants and wildlife.  The Tonto National Forest borders the town to the north and the east.  Black Mountain towers over the town on the east, separating it from its sister town of Carefree. 

Cave Creek is special.  See the tall stately saguaros and mountains that encircle the town.  The community blends its old west history with its small-town charm in such a way that many have decided never to leave, preferring to stay in Cave Creek forever.

City of Casa Grande

Casa Grande Location

Located midway between Phoenix (the capital city) and Tucson, Casa Grande is strategically placed at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Interstate 8.  Casa Grande sits amid broad, mountain-rimmed desert plains. 

The city is part of Arizona’s Golden Corridor.  This is an area south of Phoenix.  It is a strip between Phoenix and Tucson that has been exploding with growth over the past years.  Although technically Casa Grande is not part of the Valley of the Sun, it is a city with tremendous potential.  The growth in this area will at some point cause all the East Valley cities and towns boundaries to touch.  Casa Grande is a city planning its long-range growth and development.

Casa Grande Properties

Casa Grande is a modern city with an involved community.  The city is based on rural heritage and old-fashioned values.  Those moving to the area have discovered that owning a home is more affordable compared to homes in some of towns/cities closer to Phoenix.  Yet, Casa Grande is located not too far from metropolitan areas.

Single-family homes, master-planned developments, and custom large lot properties can all be found in Casa Grande.  The city is developing quickly.  Casa Grande is becoming a modern city, yet it is not losing its rural and old fashion heritage.  The progressive community spirit and friendly, relaxed lifestyle allow those who are relocating to Casa Grande to feel immediately at home.

Click here to locate available properties in Casa Grande.

Casa Grande Entertainment

The city of Casa Grande has a rich history, an exciting present, and a promising future.  Both commercial and residential developments have been popping up within Arizona’s Golden Corridor.  The Outlets at Casa Grande is a shopper’s paradise.  Many name-brand stores have storefronts at The Outlets at Casa Grande.  

Downtown Casa Grande has been restored and was named a “Main Street City.”  This historic district offers small specialty shops for visitors and area residents.  Although the city of Casa Grande was created years ago, the city is experiencing a resurgence of growth and expansion today.

Casa Grande is becoming the largest community in western Pinal County.  The city offers its residents senior centers, museums, schools, a library, festivals, rodeos, parades, celebrations, resort hotels, medical facilities, golf courses, and more than 18 parks.  All of these amenities have created a city with a hometown feel.

Casa Grande History

Irrigation canals and farming were the means in which the ancient Hohokam Indians used to live in the surrounding area, including what is now Casa Grande.  However, by 1450 A.D. the Hohokam people had disappeared.  It continues to be a mystery still today, as to why the Hohokam people abandoned their community. 

The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument remains on the northeast edge of town.  The monument reveals the ruins of a once-great Hohokam community.  The word Casa Grande means “big house.”  Visitors to the monuments will see a four-story-high metal roof structure.  This covering protects the “big house” ruin that was built long ago.  This same ruin has also become the city’s namesake.

It wasn’t until 1879, before mining, cattle ranching, and farming brought people back to this area.  The arrival of the railroad was one of the biggest boosts in Casa Grande’s growth. 

Casa Grande Outdoor Recreation

Many people who love the outdoors enjoy living in Casa Grande.  Picacho Peak State Park is located east of the city, along Interstate 10.  The park offers picnic areas, hiking trails, and campgrounds.  The Battle of Picacho Pass took place here.  It became the Civil War’s westernmost battles and the only battle fought in Arizona.  It is an amazing park with a peak stretching 3,374 feet from the desert floor.  Pichaco Peak State Park is the perfect place to take in the gorgeous southwestern environment.

Carefree

In the upper section of the Northeast Valley sits the town of Carefree.  Carefree is nestled in the desert foothills, about 15 miles northeast of Phoenix and directly north of the city of Scottsdale.  The Tonto National Forest borders the town to the north and east and the Mazatzal Mountains and the Sonoran Desert to the south.  Black Mountain Summit offers amazing desert views.  Because of the town’s elevation of 2,500 feet, it is on average eight degrees cooler than the city of Phoenix in the valley below.  Carefree is a beautiful place to live in.

Carefree residents have several choices when it comes to traveling in and out of town.  Both Scottsdale Road and Pima Road travel north from Phoenix and Scottsdale into town.  Residents can also access Carefree Highway, east and west, near the town’s southern boundary.  This town offers a blend of recreational and resort-style living. 

Climate

The climate is typical of the southwest.  There is a mild winter that is balanced by a long hot, dry summer.  Many have claimed that the dry, hot summer conditions have helped to relieve many of their allergy symptoms.  Summer days are clear and spectacular and the temperatures are truly remarkable.  Spring and autumn are mild transitions into the other seasons.  There is a brief monsoon season that is truly extraordinary.

Carefree Properties

The town’s motto of “Home of cowboys and caviar, where the Old West meets the new,” really sums up the Town of Carefree.  With every turn, one can spot amazing properties placed in a one of kind saguaro studded background.  This spectacular landscape is then combined with the down-home feeling that is felt whenever one is doing business in Carefree. 

Residents in Carefree enjoy the combination of rural relaxation and urban sophistication.  It is a cozy town covering just over 8 square miles with street names to match the town’s attitude.  Names such as Easy Street, Tranquil Trail, and Ho and Hum Roads, these roads meander through the community.  Those who want to see the city lights, yet not experience the stress that accompanies city living, will find that town of Carefree is the perfect match.

Carefree’s natural environment is unique.  There are areas in which massive piles of granite boulders and sharp mountain tops are randomly placed in such a way that onlookers marvel at nature’s work.  This uncommon setting makes a great backdrop for distinctive contemporary homes and estate properties.  Resort/spa style living is complemented by gorgeous golf courses in and around the surrounding area of Carefree. 

If you are interested in looking for homes or properties in the town of Carefree, please click here

The Market

The spectacular amount of market activity in Arizona over the past decade has been well documented.  People of all walks of life have been moving to Arizona, and particularly Phoenix, in numbers unmatched in recent memory. 

Figures from 2000-2005 show nothing but increased construction, development, unit sales, and unit sales prices in virtually every category of structure offered on the market.  The greatest degree of growth occurred during fiscal 2005, where previous growth statistics, impressive in their own rights, spiked sharply to even higher levels.  Of particular note to the residential home seller/buyer was the record appreciation in new and resale home values.  These rates were up for new homes and resales, rentals, and condominium units, the only difference being one of degree.

While it is true that not all Phoenix area real estate markets showed the same amount of increase it is true that the degree of growth for each area was proportional. 

Then along came 2006 and equally well documented has been the decline in the rate of growth of some key market indicators.  The greater Phoenix resale home the market is showing marked decreases in sales figures for comparable periods last year across the valley and across most unit categories.

One interesting exception is the median price for resale units has risen slightly.  This rising price accompanied by a decrease in sales seems to be more in keeping with normal market tendencies.  One would expect spectacular growth to lead eventually to a degree of scarcity that would be reflected in higher prices.  Could this indicate that the market has reached its peak?

Let’s look at another indicator to see what it may tell us.

Since 1985, the Arizona Real Estate Center has computed what it calls “affordability indexes” for the Greater Phoenix area and several nearby cities. 

The index was invented as a guide to predict market activity.  When the index value is 100, the typical home buyer (based on the current median resale price and household income) would be able to afford a median-priced home at the stated effective interest rate.  A lower index value indicates less availability of affordable single-family homes.

The affordability index for the areas selected for the study shows significant reduction in the availability of this type of housing within the means of the ordinary consumer.  Whether this data can be used as a reliable indicator for other groups and other types of housing is arguable, but it does beg the question “how much longer will the market be able to sustain a situation where both sellers and buyers can apparently benefit by getting involved in the market?

The short answer is that these conditions can remain so long as they are supported by the market. 

So when we take a long look at the larger picture we must ask ourselves whether we can realistically expect to realize more potential gain or value now or at some time in the future and it is very reasonable to conclude that the best possible time to buy or sell Arizona really is now.

Carefree History

Golf courses are reminders of how the town first began in the 1950s.  The community was an idea developed by Tom Darlington and K.T. Palmer, who wanted to create a planned community within the spectacular boulder formations, mountain views, and Sonoran Desert beauty. 

Carefree was one of the earliest planned communities in Arizona.  However, it wasn’t until 1984, before the town of Carefree was incorporated.  The town has worked hard to make sure that residential areas and commercial developments do not overshadow the desert and showcase its untouched beauty.

Carefree Entertainment

Although Carefree is on the outer fringes of the Valley of the Sun, all the amenities are located in or near town.  Schools, shopping, and a library can found in Carefree.  The El Pedregal Festival Marketplace at the Boulders offers visitors items from all around the world, specializing in African, Mediterranean, and Southwestern objects and architecture.  Many other exceptional shops, fine restaurants, and boutiques are located throughout the Carefree area, making it a terrific place to live and shop.

The Carefree Sundial is a well-known point of interest in town.  It is a huge sundial in the middle of the business section downtown.  The dial is one of the largest sundials in the western world.  It has two functions.  The first is oblivious to keep time and the other function is to help the heating of water used in the Darlington-Palmer Building.  This structure is a special symbol of the town.

Carefree Outdoor Recreation

The town has several outstanding recreational outlets located close by Bartlett Lake is in close proximity and offers boating and fishing.  The Verde River gives visitors an opportunity to cool off during the summer.  This Sonoran Desert town has become a haven for hikers, bikers, and tennis players. 

Golf courses are woven into the desert landscape.  One-of-a-kind golf courses are hidden within the rock outcroppings and the towering Black Mountain.  These courses have been noted as some of the most picturesque golf courses in the entire state.  Outdoor fun is a part of life in Carefree

Buckeye Arizona

Buckeye, Arizona is a city in Maricopa County. With a population of more than 79,000 residents, it is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., increasing at a rate of 8.5 percent between 2017 and 2018. It sits in the westernmost area of the Phoenix metropolis.

Formally founded in 1888, Buckeye actually had its first settlers arrive in 1877. It was initially named Sydney. However, in 1910, the city's name changed officially to Buckeye, paying homage both to the state of Ohio and the nearby Buckeye Canal, which native Ohioan Mallie M. Jackson built after his arrival shortly before the city's founding.

Buckeye is 393 square miles in size. It spans portions of Interstate 10 and Arizona State Highway 85. It southern border stretches to near the Gila River while its east border spans to Perryville Road. Its west border reaches to Hassayampa Road, and the northernmost border extends past West Patton Road.

Buckeye Municipal Airport is located in the south-central area of the city. It sits on Palo Verde Road, just south of the Papago Freeway and west of state highway 85.

Downtown Buckeye is about 30 miles away from Phoenix. Its main historic street is US 80, now called Monroe Avenue, and Maricopa Highway 85. The main street running through downtown Buckeye was once called Dixie Overland Highway.

Verrado Lost Creek Trail and Sundance Park are also located in Buckeye. The city's boundaries are just south of Skyline Regional Park and White Tank Mountain Regional Park.

Buckeye has a thriving real estate market that spans 25 different neighborhoods. Single-family homes are the most common types of residences in Buckeye. Buyers can find one and two-story homes as well as condominiums and townhouses for sale.

The homes range in size from two to five bedrooms with anywhere from two to five bathrooms. The smallest of the homes span on average 1900 square feet. However, larger homes in Buckeye can be as expansive as 4000 or more square feet.

Home prices in Buckeye start around $250,000 and can be as high as $2 million. Empty lots of 90 acres are more can also sell for around $2 million.

There is a public library with two branches in Buckeye. The main branch is found downtown on North Sixth Street while the Coyote Branch is located on West Yuma Road. Residents here have access to three parks: Skyline Regional Park, Sundance Park and Town Park. The parks have amenities like covered playgrounds, dog parks and picnic ramadas. Hidden Lake on West Sunrise Drive is a popular location for fishing and camping.

Buckeye has six elementary and high school districts as well as a preparatory academy and community college. Estrella Mountain Community College serves the public by offering not only academic courses but also vocational training and continued education classes. Retail shops selling everything from clothing to housewares can be found in Buckeye's four main shopping areas. Residents can shop at Sundance Town Center, Main Street at Verrado, Miller Plaza and Buckeye Marketplace.

Climate

The climate is typical of the southwest. There is a mild winter that is balanced by a long hot, dry summer. Many have claimed that the dry, hot summer conditions have helped to relive many of their allergy symptoms. Summer days are clear and spectacular and the temperatures are truly remarkable. Spring and autumn are mild transitions into the other seasons. There is a brief monsoon season that is truly extraordinary.

Buckeye Properties
Buckeye is fast becoming an area where new homes are being built and planned communities are popping up. It is projected that over 240,000 homes will be constructed in Buckeye in the years to come. Once Buckeye was a sleepy agricultural community, now it is a place where families, retirees, and professionals have made their home. Buckeye is a desirable place to call home. It is close to work while distant enough to give you breathing room from the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

Properties in Buckeye range from newer single family residences to homes within the town’s historic district. There are custom homes located at the base of the White Tank Mountains that offer larger lots and great views. Homes that include horse privileges are also found in town and many include multiple acres.
Buckeye is known for its friendly neighborhoods and affordable suburban living. Many have discovered that Buckeye is a town where residents receive more for their real estate dollar, compared to other parts of the Valley of the Sun.

New businesses and companies are also selecting Buckeye to be their home base. Almost every major form of transportation is available in town. There are multiple points of access from Five highways, a general aviation airport, and the railroad are all situated in the area. Making Buckeye a perfect choice to develop and expand a business.

The Market

The spectacular amount of market activity in Arizona over the past decade has been well documented. People of all walks of life have been moving to Arizona, and particularly Phoenix, in numbers unmatched in recent memory. Figures from 2000-2020 show nothing but increased construction, development, unit sales and unit sales prices in virtually every category of structure offered on the market.

The greatest degree of growth occurred during fiscal 2005, where previous growth statistics, impressive in their own rights, spiked sharply to even higher levels. Of particular note to the residential home seller/buyer was the record appreciation in new and resale home values. These rates were up for new homes and resales, rentals and condominium units, the only difference being one of degree.

While it is true that not all Phoenix area real estate markets showed the same amount of increase it is true that the degree of growth for each area was proportional. One interesting exception is the median price for resale units has risen slightly. This rising price accompanied by a decrease in sales seems to be more in keeping with normal market tendencies.

Biltmore

Biltmore is an upscale neighborhood in Phoenix that is located just south of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. It sits off of Camelback Road between 24th and 32nd Streets east of Highway 51. It is known for its luxurious resort-style living with its own 18-hole championship golf course and Italianate Wrigley Mansion.

In fact, the Biltmore residential community has a reputation for offering upscale, luxurious desert dwellings with Midwest charm. Unlike other neighborhoods in Phoenix, Biltmore has lush green lawns and large shade trees throughout the area.

Biltmore is also located close to some of the best shopping and dining in Phoenix. The popular Biltmore Fashion Park and Shopping Plaza sit almost in the backyards of the neighborhood homeowners. This open-air plaza offers upscale shopping, dining, and other retail amenities.

However, the most luxe amenities available in Biltmore are available at its exclusive golf course. The Waldorf Astoria Biltmore offers:

• Swimming pools
• Spa and spa treatments
• Golfing
• Tennis courts

There are also planned activities available for members of this private Biltmore golf club.

As an upscale neighborhood, Biltmore offers homes for sale that are higher priced than other parts of Phoenix. The average home price in this luxury neighborhood sells for around $872,000 or $313 per square foot. Both the media list and sell prices have risen exponentially over the last few years.

Home prices in Biltmore are expected to increase, albeit not at the same rate as home prices found in other Phoenix neighborhoods. Real estate insiders expect home prices here to increase by one percent, if not slightly less, in the next year as more people arrive in the Phoenix area.

The real estate market in Biltmore consists of condos, townhouses, and single-family homes for sale. Condos are priced anywhere from the low $200s all the way to $300,000. Townhouses can sell for as much as $500,000.

While not as plentiful, there are occasionally lots of land for sale in Biltmore. The typical lot is just under one acre and can sell for as much as $1.85 million.

Single-family homes make up the bulk of the Biltmore real estate market. These luxury homes have three to six bedrooms, three or more bathrooms, and amenities like outdoor pools.

Arizona City

Arizona City Location

Situated within Central Arizona, inside Pinal County in the Santa Cruz Basin lays Arizona City.  Arizona City is located on Sunland Gin Road.  It is just three miles south of the intersection of Interstate 8 and Interstate 10, south of Phoenix.  With Tucson being 54 miles south and Phoenix 56 miles north, Arizona City is truly is the midpoint between two of the largest metropolitan cities in Arizona. 

Arizona City is also part of the Golden Corridor, a strip of land between Phoenix and Tucson.  This area is projected to have a tremendous amount of growth in the future.  Arizona City is not part of the Valley of Sun.  However, because of the expansion of the East Valley, it is a community that will likely become part of the valley.  The nickname of “The Desert Haven of the Golden Corridor” best suits this community.

Arizona City Properties

Today, Arizona City is a growing planned community with a rural ambiance.  The city has a warm desert climate and a terrific location between Phoenix and Tucson.  It is a place that many have decided to call home.  Arizona City is situated so well that residents experience only the treasures and pleasures of metropolitan city life.  Residents enjoy the metropolitan convenience, yet make theirs in a peaceful, rural lifestyle.

Arizona City is one of the best-kept secrets along Arizona’s Golden Corridor.  It is a city that combines a scenic desert setting with small-town charm.  Arizona City residents have metropolitan convenience and economic opportunity.  All of this makes Arizona City a great choice to live in.  It is an area that continues to grow and prosper.  This community is a friendly place to live, work, and play.

Find out more about Arizona City properties for sale, click here

Arizona City Outdoor Recreation

Recreation is a major part of life in Arizona City.  With an active lifestyle, it isn’t a surprise that there is a mix of retirees and families.   Many people have made Arizona City their home.  Area residents like to spend time around the community lake.  Paradise Lake is a man-made lake covering 48 acres.  The lake is located in Arizona City and offers both fishing and sailing. 

A friendly, relaxed, recreational town is a way of life in Arizona City.  Happy Days Park is a popular outdoor spot.  The 22 acre Happy Days Park offers picnicking, playground equipment, and outdoor grills.  Outdoor fun is expected when living in Arizona City.

Arizona City History

In 1960, Arizona City was created as a planned community, halfway between Tucson and Phoenix.  However, it wasn’t until the 1970s before Arizona City began to really expand.  This expansion has not stopped.  Today, Arizona City is an established community set upon a spacious section of fertile land set against a backdrop of majestic desert mountains. 

Both farming and ranching have been and continue to be important aspects of the area.  Local farms produce a variety of crops, including cotton, grains, vegetables, and citrus.  Cattle ranching is found sprinkled throughout the surrounding area.  Today, however, the community’s proximity to the junction of Interstate 10 and 8 has made it attractive to many other industries.  Parts of Arizona City have been zoned for industrial and commercial businesses.  Businesses in which transportation is a key factor have discovered Arizona City is the perfect match.

Arizona City Entertainment

Residents in Arizona City enjoy spending time together.  No traffic and smog, just a down-home western feeling.  Arizona City’s small-town lifestyle is evident.  Concerts and shows are provided through the fall and spring months.  These cultural events bring the community together. 

The local Recreational Center draws people in each day.  Video arcade games, card tables, and a snack bar are some of the amenities found at the Recreational Center.  It is a friendly community filled with people who have built their dream hometown.

About Apache Junction 

Apache Junction is located at the junction of several highways, United States Highway 60 (Superstition Freeway), United States Highway 89, and State Highway 88 (historically known as the Apache Trail).  The city is approximately 35 east of Phoenix.  Apache Junction is situated saddling both the Pinal and Maricopa county lines, at the base of the Superstition Mountains.  A higher elevation of 1,715 feet and open desert landscapes make temperatures in Apache Junction a bit cooler, compared to other Valley of the Sun communities. 

Because Apache Junction is so far from Phoenix itself, combined with the fact that the city is technically not a part of Maricopa County, there are those who believe that Apache Junction is not part of the Valley of the Sun.  However, due to the amazing growth that this area has been experiencing, along with the difficultly in deciding when one city or town ends and another one begins, Apache Junction seems more a part of the Valley of the Sun, than not. 

The city has a great location.  Apache Junction’s proximity to Highway 60 (Superstition Freeway) provides good accessibility to other parts of the Valley of the Sun.  The area has several major retail and commercial businesses located nearby.  There are also many small businesses, which create a warm community feeling that Apache Junction is known for sharing with visitors and residents. 

Apache Junction Properties

Today, Apache Junction caters to recreation seekers and retirees.  Many young dual-income families with children have selected Apache Junction to be their home.  Apache Junction residents make up a mixed age group, creating a great place to call home.  There is a wide range of properties available in Apache Junction.  Depending on an owner’s lifestyle, there is a home for everyone.  From rural acreage properties to urban neighborhoods with single-family homes, all of these and more are found in town.  Apache Junction offers more. 

From its small beginnings as a sandwich and water stopover, Apache Junction has grown.  Many retirees have selected Apache Junction for its adult-only communities.  Several large neighborhood developments have been created in town to serve the many retirees.  Relocating to Apache Junction to escape the cold winter months in other parts of the country is a popular method of living.   Apache Junction is the right place for retirees.

To find out more about properties in Apache Junction, click here.

Another special community that has grown up near the city of Apache Junction is Gold Canyon.  This development is approximately seven miles southeast of Apache Junction.   Amazing views, golf, and quiet living are what have brought many residents to Gold Canyon.

Apache Junction Entertainment

The old west charm can be found in Apache Junction and in the surrounding areas.  Just north of the city, there is a community called Tortilla Flats, Arizona.  This tiny development is nestled in the Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area and includes six residents.  Visitors will have the opportunity to saddle up to the bar (which really means “to saddle up” by sitting on cowboy saddles perched on wooden barrels) and enjoy a meal or snack.  Tortilla Flats was once a famous stagecoach stop and still holds tales of rugged western Arizona life.  It is one of many friendly southwestern spots to spend some time when living in Apache Junction.

Apache Junction serves as the doorstep to a variety of unique areas in the state of Arizona.  It is the gateway to the Tonto National Forest, the Superstition Wilderness, the famous Apache Trail, the historic Old West Highway, and the Salt River Chain of Lakes.  Because this part of the Valley of the Sun is so spectacular, Apache Junction has also become popular.  Several movies and television shows have been filmed in and around town.  Apache Junction is the center of it all.

The city grew up at the western end of Apache Trail (the junction of U.S. Highway 60 and State Highway 88).  Route 88, the historic Apache Trail, was created to aid in the construction of the Roosevelt Dam.  The historic Apache Trail was used for transporting supplies between Phoenix and Globe.  The road is still one of the most scenic drives in Arizona.  It is a winding breathtaking road that takes travels northward out of Apache Junction up toward a series of Arizona lakes.  The Superstition Mountains are the majestic guardians of the Apache Trail.  It is said that once this area is seen, it will always be remembered.

Apache Junction Outdoor Recreation

Apache Junction is the perfect town to live in, especially when it comes time to experience outdoor fun.  Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and Roosevelt Lake are all located within the Salt River Canyon which runs just to the north of town.  This close distance to so many lakes gives residents many opportunities for water fun.  Apache Junction is a paradise for outdoor recreation lovers.

Recreational enthusiasts find that living in Apache Junction provides many opportunities.  The close proximity to Arizona lakes and forests allows for lots of choices.  Waterskiing, boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, rock hunting (rock-hounding), and much more are all within short driving distances from Apache Junction. 

The Tonto National Forest contains spectacular scenery, ranging from the rugged desert to the tall cool pines.  It is an ideal place for campers and hikers.  The 5,055-foot tall Superstition Peak within the Superstition Mountains gives visitors hiking, horseback riding trails, and picnic areas. 

The residents of Apache Junction are a blended group.  Those who love water sports head up to nearby Canyon Lake to boat and fish, hikers and equestrian riders spend time on the trails in the Superstition Mountains, and those who want to relax and experience the gorgeous desert scenery each day spend time on their patios.  Apache Junction has something for everyone. 

Apache Junction History

Distinguished by its scenic desert mountain environment and abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, the city of Apache Junction is the place to live.  The nearby fabled Superstition Mountains reveal an amazing history dating back to the Peralta family's arrival in 1840.  The Peralta family developed a rich gold mine in the Superstition Mountains on the eastern edge of Apache Junction. 

Then in the 1870s, Jacob Waltz, as known as “the Dutchman” was located a descendant of the Peralta family.  From the information given to him by this relative, Waltz re-discovered the gold mine.  According to the Dutchman, who upon entering the Peralta Family mine said that the gold was so rich that it could be cut away with a knife.  As the legend continues, in 1891, Waltz died without revealing the exact location of the mine. 

Today, the legend carries on with individuals searching for the Lost Dutchman’s Mine in the Superstition Mountains.  The legendary Superstition Mountains are a sight that residents never tire of gazing.

Ancala

Ancala is a gated community in Scottsdale that is located at 12325 East Columbine Drive. It spans 850 acres and sits in the Sonoran Desert. It is surrounded by views of the McDowell Mountains as well as Camelback and the skyline of Scottsdale.

Ancala has three public schools, Anasazi Elementary School, Mountainside Middle School, and Desert Mountain High School. It is close to Highway 101 and also is located close to some of Scottsdale's best dining, shopping and entertainment venues. It has a full-time on-site community manager who oversees the daily operations of the neighborhood.

Ancala offers a number of amenities for residents, primarily its private community country club. The country club is located within the community and offers memberships to all Ancala residents.

Additionally, Ancala is located close to some of Scottsdale's most in-demand amenities. For example, it is minutes away from the Appaloosa, Mustang, and Palomino libraries. It is also close to the Fort McDowell and Talking Stick Resort Casinoes as well as Butterfly Wonderland and the Scottsdale Promenade.

Ancala residents are also served by several nearby medical facilities. They can seek healthcare services at the Scottsdale branch of the Mayo Clinic as well as Scottsdale Shea Healthcare Hospital.

As one of the premier communities in Scottsdale, Ancala has higher than average home prices. The average home price is $1.25 million, considerably higher than Phoenix's average of $269,000. Home prices in Ancala have risen by over five percent in the last year.

Homes for sale in Ancala are mostly single-family residences with four to five bedrooms, if not more. They have anywhere from three to five bathrooms on average and span around 3000 to 5000 square feet. Many of them have additional amenities, including swimming pools, double or three-car garages and patios and balconies.

Ancala also has undeveloped lots of land for sale on which buyers can build homes. The lots of land average in size from 1.5 to two acres. They sell for as low as $63,000 and as high as $700,000.

People who buy or build homes pay an annual due to their community's homeowners association. In exchange for this annual due, they gain access to the community's amenities. They also receive services, such as street cleaning and bulk trash removal. Residents must also agree to conform to the rules of the HOA.