Living in Verrado (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Avondale: credit, real estate, hoa)

[NewToPhx2007]

I searched the forums looking for information on specifically on Verrado, only to find the name mentioned here and there. Does anyone have any specific info (good or bad) about Verrado?

Have prices dropped at all out there? Does anyone know demographics of the people moving into the community?

I found a lot of info on Tartesso - People seem concerned that the lower house prices out there will bring in a high percentage of renters thus making the community less then desirable within a few years. Does anyone see that happening at Verrado?

Pro/cons and any other info anyone can share on Verrado would be greatly appreciated!

[Ponderosa]

Verrado is a nice area and it is closer to PHX than Tartesso. It is somewhat different looking than the typical development around here. They have a "downtown" they have built to make it look like a real town, but it looks fake to me and out of place. They try to build a sense of community by putting garages in the back and having porches up front close to the road. I doubt it makes a lot of difference; people still need to be around and approachable and with everyone at work all day and dealing with traffic on the way home that is a problem. I do give them credit for at least trying something different. Overall, it is a very attractive area with nice homes and an upscale feel.

Verrado is pricey compared to Tartesso. It's not really any better deal than similar communities. Tartesso is not as convenient to the freeway though.

Neither place is going to go to rentals and decay. Historically, that does not happen in planned communities on the fringes. Both have upscale, custom home areas planned. Both are good investments if you can stand the commute. Goodyear/Buckeye is, without doubt, going to be the epicenter of growth here over the next 20 years. Within the annexation limits of these two cities is almost 1000 sq miles of undeveloped land!

[CodyW]

Verrado is moderately upscale. Prices there have not dropped. (yet.) But from what I hear, the HOA is pretty ruthless, things should stay good out there.

Pro's - Wonderfully beautiful neighborhoods, tree lined streets, various different styled houses to choose from, not expensive enough to break you, but still not affordable enough for low-income families.

Con's - There are only two ways out, Indian School Road, and I-10. I-10 in the west valley is an absolute nightmare once you hit Dysart Rd. Indian School will take you through some good territory in Goodyear and Avondale, but anything past that goes downhill significantly. You're not REALLY that far from the bad areas of west Phoenix.

[NewToPhx2007]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Goodyear/Buckeye is, without doubt, going to be the epicenter of growth here over the next 20 years.

This is why I am leaning towards moving to the Buckeye area. I hadn't heard about Verrado until a Realtor took me there. The Realtor told me that homes in Verrado will appreciate significantly faster then homes in any of the surrounding communities in Buckeye. She said they are gearing the area up to be the "Scottsdale of the West". Any truth to this?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by CodyW

Verrado is moderately upscale. Prices there have not dropped. (yet.) But from what I hear, the HOA is pretty ruthless, things should stay good out there.

Pro's - Wonderfully beautiful neighborhoods, tree lined streets, various different styled houses to choose from, not expensive enough to break you, but still not affordable enough for low-income families.

Con's - There are only two ways out, Indian School Road, and I-10. I-10 in the west valley is an absolute nightmare once you hit Dysart Rd. Indian School will take you through some good territory in Goodyear and Avondale, but anything past that goes downhill significantly. You're not REALLY that far from the bad areas of west Phoenix.

I think Verrado is probably farther from the "bad areas of west Phoenix" than Scottsdale is. It's gotta be a good 15 miles from the Agua Fria River which is about where the bad part ends. And Tartesso is waaaay out there.

Also the freeway widening will clear up the Dysart mess next year (for a while anyway).

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by NewToPhx2007

This is why I am leaning towards moving to the Buckeye area. I hadn't heard about Verrado until a Realtor took me there. The Realtor told me that homes in Verrado will appreciate significantly faster then homes in any of the surrounding communities in Buckeye. She said they are gearing the area up to be the "Scottsdale of the West". Any truth to this?

LOL, everyone is claiming to be the new Scottsdale. Maybe a comparison is EMR (Estrella Mountain Ranch) is in order. For years EMR was a deal. When I moved here lakeside lots were available for $12K. New homes went up at a snails pace and prices were way below similar houses in other parts of town. Resales were on the market for months in spite of good prices and the fact that EMR is one of the most attractive developments in AZ. Reason: EMR was too far out. Then all of a sudden the development wave swept by. Builder after builder opened shop here and the prices soared and we caught up. The road in here, even now in the slowdown, looks like a wagon train of cement and truss trucks. The contrast is remarkable.

I think Verrado will have a similar course. It is still kind of remote and very inconvenient for work in most of the city. Eventually, though, the wave will pass over as people come to accept longer commute times. That's 5-10 years away? So, if you plan to live there long enough, you ought to see a handsome profit on your house.

But I don't see a quick profit there. On top of the present remoteness, you will be competing with builders for years. They are using other people's money and can offer incentives you can't. You, the early buyers, have the advantage of having the most convenient neighborhoods nearest the amenities, though. At EMR, we oldtimers have all the bigger lots near the lake and waterpark while the new homes are on postage stamps and far from anything but another house. Over time the location factors come into play. But again, it takes time.

[foma]

I absolutely adore Verrado. We are looking at purchasing, too, and would love to be able to live there. Real estate is definitely more expensive (than Tartesso) and the ones around 200K are tiny compared to the homes in Tartesso. I love the atmosphere, the sense of community and the beautiful homes.

I don't know if you can post web sites but if you look up "verrado realty" (or add a '.com' to the end) on google you can find home prices there on current homes. Good luck to you!

[Boatdrinks]

Verrado is gorgeous. If they had built it about 20 miles closer to "civilization" I'd buy there in a minute. Of course, if it were 20 miles in, I wouldn't be able to afford it

Really, if you're not concerned about being so far away from downtown, malls, shopping and restaurant options, I think it would be a great place to live. But if you have to commute into Phoenix, personally I'd look elsewhere. Just depends on how much time you're willing to spend in your car. Verrado is definitely a nice development though.

[MotleyCrew]

We came very close to buying in Verrado. Love the downtown center. Estrella Mt. was another consideration, we loved the lake. I would not let a lack of commercial development be an issue. We purchased in Vistancia which is in the "boonies" as well as West Wing. Growth will come in time. I just hope we are not surounded by commercial development like Arrowhead Ranch. We like being out in the desert.

[imtaya2]

Verrado is ONE of a Kind. And I tell my husband again and again - Someday we will live there. Homes are just too pricey. We currently live in Santarra in Buckeye - I work downtown Phoenix. Commute is horrible but my family & I love the quiet evenings.