Scottsdale - metes and bounds? (Rio Verde: foreclosed, custom home, neighborhood)

[Pye]

We are interested in a house whose subdivision is listed as "metes and bounds". It's located off N 144th Street. Does anybody know anything positive (or negative) about this location? Thanks!

[observer53]

144th St how far north? I'm guessing it's fairly far north, and not in any kind of subdivision as we think of the term. Do you have a block number? We can give you more info with a little more information.

[observer53]

After doing a little googling, I think I'm probably right about the far north idea. It's a long drive from, and to, anywhere in the main part of the Valley. It's very pretty out there, but unless my job was also in far north Scottsdale, I wouldn't consider living out there, just due to the driving distances.

[Pye]

Here's the address: 29520 N 144th Way. It's a foreclosed house that seems like a bargain - except if it's really in a terrible neighborhood or - as you say - miles away from everything! It's also sold "as is" which makes me leery.

[observer53]

I looked up the listing. It's not in a terrible area at all, there are lots of nice homes out there. But, it is "out there". From your other posts, I would not think you would want to be that far out of the central part of the Valley.

The "as is" should give you some pause, you are right. A lot of foreclosed homes have been stripped to one degree or another by the departing owners. The pictures seem to show that this one is OK, but it was on the market for a long time before the bank took it (since at least 7/08). It's a fairly new home, otherwise I'd worry about maintenance issues in that situation.

[azdr0710]

that address is far NE Scottsdale, pretty much the other side of the McDowell Mountains, which, to me, is the "boundary" of Scottsdale.....it's actually outside of the city limits in the county....check on essential service availability (fire, police).....

"metes and bounds" is a way of surveying property boundaries....I'd guess this isn't in an organized subdivision and will feel somewhat remote, especially at night!....

I looked it up ....there are other houses around, but you should be able to haggle a bit due to the remote location and questionable condition, I'd think

[AZJoeD]

That area is known as Rio Verde Foothills. It comprised mostly of large 1 acre or larger lots and is dominated by horse properties.

It is a beautiful area, mostly unspoiled desert with many high end custom homes. It is however somewhat inconvenient as there is really only 1 ,major road in and out, no stores or commercial development.

Right now there are some terrific deals in this area as people have lost interest in rural areas and are moving closer in to the cities.

The term meets and bounds refers to setting property boundaries by describing the area. An example might be "250 yards from the meeting of Dynamite Rd and 164th St" or "500 ft from the west boundary of the Tonto National Forest".

This is usually the way rural plats are identified.

[Pye]

Thanks so much for all the information! We'll only have a week-10 days to househunt when we visit so we want to be sure to organize our search efficiently beforehand. This really helps!

[observer53]

If you are that short of time, you need to get yourself hooked up with a realtor who can take what your needs are and do some research and line up houses for you to look at. That will save a LOT of time --they have the resources and the experience to do all that way more quickly and efficiently than you or the rest of us can do on the internet.

Best of luck to you!

[TomB90]

That is a beautiful area of town. It sounds like you found a great deal.