Real Estate- Happy Valley Rd vs. Davarte (Phoenix, Scottsdale: equity, condo)

[arizonacupcake]

Hey Everyone.

I am looking to purchase my first home soon and need some advice from y'all especially the long time valley residents. I am most interested in two areas the deer valley/Happy valley area west of 1-17 and continuing out near surprise ( not so great with the maps but heard this was a good area) and also in the new housing development of Davarte in West Phoenix ( 83rd and Mc Dowell) these are by KB homes and very close to cricket pavillion/desert sky mall. I have visited the KB homes and it was very nice, but was a little concerned about the neighborhood. I have heard they are making a lot of improvements including a new mall ( w/ coach store, etc) but is it a wise investment??

I am looking to purchase a 2-3 bedroom house (under 200k to low 200k) I currently work at McDonald and Scottsdale and my boyfriend works on 46th and Baseline in South Phoenix ( he will be living with me)

If I go with davarte I was thinking of selling in about five years ( so future kids can be in a better school district) so I need that home to be one that will create equity.

So any advice or if you have decided to buy there or decided not to will help

Thanks

[sheena]

Originally Posted by arizonacupcake

Hey Everyone.

I am looking to purchase my first home soon and need some advice from y'all especially the long time valley residents. I am most interested in two areas the deer valley/Happy valley area west of 1-17 and continuing out near surprise ( not so great with the maps but heard this was a good area) and also in the new housing development of Davarte in West Phoenix ( 83rd and Mc Dowell) these are by KB homes and very close to cricket pavillion/desert sky mall. I have visited the KB homes and it was very nice, but was a little concerned about the neighborhood. I have heard they are making a lot of improvements including a new mall ( w/ coach store, etc) but is it a wise investment??

I am looking to purchase a 2-3 bedroom house (under 200k to low 200k) I currently work at McDonald and Scottsdale and my boyfriend works on 46th and Baseline in South Phoenix ( he will be living with me)

If I go with davarte I was thinking of selling in about five years ( so future kids can be in a better school district) so I need that home to be one that will create equity.

So any advice or if you have decided to buy there or decided not to will help

Thanks

I personally wouldn't go for the 83rd and McDowell and I wouldn't buy a KB in any subdivision. I'd go with the Happy Valley area since that was your other choice. The KB subdivisons in the Phoenix metro area never seem to hold up well. Drive through a few of the cheap ones and you'll see sheets on people's windows, weeds in the yards, cars and trucks parked in the streets leaking oil etc. Lots of renters. We really can't say what will equal equity these days. It will probaby be flat for awhile before it starts creeping up.

[arizonanative]

I'm not sure if you'll be able to find a house around Happy Valley for under 200 or around 200k, unless you go west to Surprise.

[HX_Guy]

You're not going to find any new builds in the the price you are looking for around the Happy Valley area, but there are some resell homes.

I do think it is a better area and would chose it over the 83rd and McDowell area. We were just talking about this in another thread...how the area you chose is very important and that there is a reason why a house costs X amount in one area yet more for the same sq ft / plan in another area.

[crystalys]

Originally Posted by arizonacupcake

Hey Everyone.

I am looking to purchase my first home soon and need some advice from y'all especially the long time valley residents. I am most interested in two areas the deer valley/Happy valley area west of 1-17 and continuing out near surprise ( not so great with the maps but heard this was a good area) and also in the new housing development of Davarte in West Phoenix ( 83rd and Mc Dowell) these are by KB homes and very close to cricket pavillion/desert sky mall. I have visited the KB homes and it was very nice, but was a little concerned about the neighborhood. I have heard they are making a lot of improvements including a new mall ( w/ coach store, etc) but is it a wise investment??

I am looking to purchase a 2-3 bedroom house (under 200k to low 200k) I currently work at McDonald and Scottsdale and my boyfriend works on 46th and Baseline in South Phoenix ( he will be living with me)

If I go with davarte I was thinking of selling in about five years ( so future kids can be in a better school district) so I need that home to be one that will create equity.

So any advice or if you have decided to buy there or decided not to will help

Thanks

I agree that it would be difficult to find something around Happy Valley for under $200K, unless you look at a townhouse or condo maybe. Considering where both of you will be working....I would also suggest looking in the East Valley area: Tempe, Gilbert, etc. And you might have to go for a resale instead of new build.

[sablebaby]

How about Villagio of Happy Valley? It's a brand new condo complex being built just around the corner from the shopping at HV. They look really nice (on tv) and seem to start at $179k for a 2 bed (I think). Hands down I'd choose the Happy Valley area over the other. I did look down there a few times and I am SO glad I didn't go there. Yuck. Now I live up off of HV, near the 17. It's a great area, but what houses have you found for your price? I know there are some older homes closer to the freeways (101/17) that I don't even think are that cheap.

[Ponderosa]

Forget about 83rd/McDowell. Convenient, yes, but next to/part of one of the worst crime areas in the the metro area. HV is a good area but has traffic issues.

[40pawz]

I wouldn't buy a KB Home in a million years. They don't have a very good reputation in the city for quality and are not quick to fix what they've done wrong. Also, I'd stay away from the 83rd Ave & McDowell area - too much crime.

[arizonacupcake]

Appreciate all your comments.
I already pretty much knew that about the McDowell area but sometimes you just need to hear someone else say it, so thanks a bunch. I am now interested in becoming a queen creekite ( I know inconvient but I'm going to be opening a business in the chandler or possibly QC area in the next few years so that should work out great for me. Thanks for the additional info on KB homes

Special thanks to Sablebaby ( I've read tons of your posts and you do a great job so Rock On ! )

[sheena]

Originally Posted by arizonacupcake

Appreciate all your comments.
I already pretty much knew that about the McDowell area but sometimes you just need to hear someone else say it, so thanks a bunch. I am now interested in becoming a queen creekite ( I know inconvient but I'm going to be opening a business in the chandler or possibly QC area in the next few years so that should work out great for me. Thanks for the additional info on KB homes

Special thanks to Sablebaby ( I've read tons of your posts and you do a great job so Rock On ! )

Move to Gilbert, look at some new homes in S Gilbert by Khov and Trend, you might find something. That would be a good investment. The builders will probably give you a good deal right now.