Interested in buying a house around Happy Valley and I need Help (Phoenix: sales, rental)

[mike.main]

Hey all,

I have been shopping for a house for the last month or so and I need your advice on what area is the best. Let me tell you what I'm looking for:

1) Price : $200K - $250K
2) Size: 1800SQFT and up
3) Separate Living Room and Family Room (not Great Room)
4) New Construction is preferred
5) Not too far from work (I-17 and Peoria)

Here are the three areas I'm generally interested in:
1) Laveen
2) Happy Valley (51st ave - 19th ave)
3) Arrowhead Ranch

Where should I start? Any websites for builders in the above areas? I've looked at some houses built by Lennar in Laveen but I want to see more in the other areas.

Thanks in advance

Mike

[HX_Guy]

Cross Laveen off the list if you don't want to be far from work.

Look at Stetson Valley at 51st and Happy Valley...it's a new development and I think prices start at $229k.

[MotleyCrew]

The area off of Cave Creek Rd and the 101 are very nice areas. The homes are not new builds, but not old either.

[roundball]

ziprealty.com is a good site. Its kind of a maps mash-up. You input your data and it shows you listed homes in the area on a map.

[sablebaby]

I second the Stetson Valley vote. That's a great little area and the prices are good. My second choice would be Arrowhead Ranch, but you will most likely find more of what you are looking for in Stetson Valley.

[Rubee]

We moved to Stetson Valley (which BTW we thought was in Glendale, but our address is North Phoenix) in February, and love the area. We liked the Pulte floor plans, and ours has a separate living room and family room, although it is a larger one-level and I didn't look at all the models. We have great, friendly neighbors, and there's been a slow-down in new builds, but it's still going on; in fact, three more families have moved in since we arrived. I also like that that you have to live in the home for a minimum of one year before you sell it, which prevents investment buyers and empty homes or rental properties. We've had a great experience with Pulte, the sales representative, the construction supervisor, and our 30-day follow-up where they promptly addressed some minor issues and did a fantastic job. We love the convenience of this area also. Minutes away in one direction is the huge Happy Valley Town Center, and the Desert Ridge-like Norterra being completed (some stores already open), and in the other direction is the Arrowhead Ranch area with their shopping and restaurants. We love the views too as this area is surrounded by foothills. They've done a nice job with the landscaping and greenbelts, and there are bike trails, walking trails, and splash pads and tot lots scattered throughout the area. There are also plans in the future for an elementary school.

As far as I know, in this area there are Pulte, Lennar, and USHome builders.

[mike.main]

Thank you all for replying with great information.

Can you give me a list of builders in that area? I looked at Pulte's website and my wife and I will go there to take a look at some of their models. But while we're there, I'd like to check some other builders as well.

Thanks

Mike

[Rubee]

I edited my post above to add that there are also Lennar and US Homes. Also, in doing research for our move, I think Greyhawk was mentioned.

Good luck!

[teesa2you]

I live in that area, 67th and Happy Valley rd. Awesome area and the schools are wonderful. You can check out Maracay, TW lewis, Pulte homes. Stetson Ranch is a nice area. My husband was a construction superintendent for a home builder You can do a search by zip code maybe try 85310

[AZBroker]

Hi Mike,

There are some excellent resale neighborhoods that have homes built within the last 5 years that might meet your critieria. I would look at some neighborhoods near I-17 and Happy Valley Road as well as the Deer Valley area.

Best regards,

-Jason