Moving to Buckeye (Phoenix, Goodyear: renting, how much, new house)

[OliviasDad]

Hello all,

One question...possibly many answers, and maybe I'm asking for trouble.

Verrado or Tartesso?....sorry to all who bought elsewhere, but that's where we've narrowed it down to. Unless you can convince me otherwise.

Please respond with some helpful answers, or tell me I'm crazy for paying that much for a new house in Buckeye...it's just that the "planned community thing" seems like a nice touch.

I'm tired of researching online and I need a break, or maybe some help....

Thanks everyone in advance for your help....

Desperate in Cheeseland

[ejk]

Both communities are very nice. If those were my only two choices, I'd do Verrado only because I like the location much better. We live in between the two so we've been able to visit both.

Have you been out this way yet?

[foma]

We are looking into buying in either Verrado, Tartesso or around Exit #126 (Estrella Mountain HWY exit). Verrado and Exit#126 are tied and Tartesso is in 2nd. Just so you don't think I'm trying to sway you in any direction, we're renting in Buckeye right now, have no ties to any area and will be first time homebuyers. We're not buying until, the earliest, Jan08, but most likely it will be Summer08.

I think Tartesso is a nice area but I also think as far as home values go, it will appreciate the slowest. With that said, I think you can get the greatest value in Tartesso compared to Verrado. Plus, Tartesso is about an extra 15MIN drive into PHX, if that is an issue for you. Everyone says things are going to get built there so I wouldn't worry much about commercialism. If we do buy in Tartesso, I looked at Canterra homes and liked them the most. The only homebuilders I have visited are Canterra, Pulte and Hacienda. Everyone I knew raved about Hacienda but to be honest, I didn't really like their model homes very much. Pulte I think you get the most bang out of your buck but for that kind of money, I didn't like how the entrance was set up. There's no nice entry to the home so it makes them feel "cheaper", IMO.

I absolutely loved Verrado. The only thing is, though, is their $200K price range homes - I don't like any of them and that is what our budget is so unless we see a home in that budget that we like, We'll prob have to pass it by. If money was not an issue, I definitely would go with Verrado. From my experience (which isn't too significant so don't quote me on this), living near really expensive homes is the way to go. A realtor once told me (and so did my Mom and we all know moms are always right! hehe) to buy the cheapest home in the nicest neighborhood. I honestly think Verrado is by far the nicer neighborhood comparitvely speaking. For us though, we would only be able to afford a tiny home but I think as a first time homebuyer and a family just starting out, we could make do just fine.

We like Exit#126 b'c a. it's the closest to PHX and still a decent commute for my husband who drives close to Tonapah for work and b. it's near our gym (lifetime fitness). Plus, I think they are building a gi-normous mall or something there which hopefully will be a good thing. The only thing is, the homes there now we can't even afford so all our #1 choices is just a pipe dream now!

Okay, I won't go off-topic and mention other areas since you are set in your decisions. Good luck!

[ejk]

Originally Posted by foma

We are looking into buying in either Verrado, Tartesso or around Exit #126 (Estrella Mountain HWY exit). Verrado and Exit#126 are tied and Tartesso is in 2nd. Just so you don't think I'm trying to sway you in any direction, we're renting in Buckeye right now, have no ties to any area and will be first time homebuyers. We're not buying until, the earliest, Jan08, but most likely it will be Summer08.

I think Tartesso is a nice area but I also think as far as home values go, it will appreciate the slowest. With that said, I think you can get the greatest value in Tartesso compared to Verrado. Plus, Tartesso is about an extra 15MIN drive into PHX, if that is an issue for you.

Yes- and that time will increase as the area grows.

I think it all comes down to money vs commute. I don't mind being far out myself, but my husband needs easier access to the rest of the Valley for work and Tartesso is very isolated. As much as the area builds up with amenities (and I do believe it will, in time), if you need to go East, there are still the White Tanks to deal with. Got to go around them one way or another.

OliviasDad, will you be working? Where will you be commuting?

Originally Posted by foma

We like Exit#126 b'c a. it's the closest to PHX and still a decent commute for my husband who drives close to Tonapah for work and b. it's near our gym (lifetime fitness). Plus, I think they are building a gi-normous mall or something there which hopefully will be a good thing.

Have you seen this? Estrella Falls

[OliviasDad]

Thanks so far...my first trip out there should be soon. Verrado prices are much higher it seems....maybe because the community is more established? We're not looking for a quick turnaround, so Tartesso is leading the race there...more bang for my buck and in 10-15 years, there will be a substantial gain in value.

I'm torn though between single story ranch and two story. I spoke to someone at Canterra Homes, who made a great selling point...in there section of homes, the layout is bigger, but so it the lot. Most importantly though, If I'm out in the yard in my pool, I shouldn't have any neighbors in two-story houses looking down in my yard...that's a serious privacy selling point, and for resale value down the line in my opinion.

Which brings up my last question: How much for a decent pool? Now, we are not rich by any means, but the money we make from our house here in the midwest will afford us the luxury of a pool. Nothing too fancy at all. I'm going to sound ingnorant here, but would $20K cover it?

And I refuse to have any grass in my yard...If/when we move to Bukeye, I will not own a snow shovel or a lawnmoer anymore.....I'll be FREE at last...I've heard some stories from friends of mine about other Midwesterners needing to feel "at home" and getting sod put in there yards, at a cost almost 4-5 times what we pay here in Cheeseland WI....that's absurd. I'll take some gravel and a few cacti..or is it catcuses???

[OliviasDad]

Right now here in the Midwest, I'm a REALTOR..please don't all hate at once. I'm actually one of the good guys in the business. However my background is in the I.T. field, and that's what may be bringing me out to AZ.....

Also, can anyone tell me, even though it's AZ and it's extremely hot there several months of the year, do people still buy and use patio furniture to sit outside by a grill, or by their pools? I only ask because I may have a business opportunity in that field as well...high end outdoor furniture that is...

Oh, my commute would be all over the Phoenix area, and I'm okay with commuting....In a former job, I commuted 2 1/2 hours each way to a third shift job...I like the idea of being kind of isolated out at Tartesso, but I don't think it will stay that way for long...

[Ponderosa]

Absolutely. Outdoor living has been elevated to an artform around here. Pools with waterfalls, putting greens, fountains, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, landscaping that will blow you away. You have to see some of the backyards in in the custom areas of EMR where I live to believe it. People have too much money.

[OliviasDad]

Where/what is EMR?

This is a great thing I'm hearing. Is there a lot of competion out there for outdoor furniture? I'm not talking Home Depot/Lowes/Target kind of stuff. I'm talking about $4000 for an iron table, four chairs and one stinkin' umbrella kind of stuff...

The more positive comments about patio/outdoor furniture, the better...I need those to present to my "potential investors"...I'm not joking...If there's a real market for that stuff, and I think there might be, I'm there in a heartbeat....

[Ponderosa]

Sorry, EMR is Estrella Mountain Ranch, a planned community in south Goodyear. I think you may have a point about competition. There are a number of places that specialize in that niche. You obviously have to be around the money.

My neighbor just dropped 5K on a patio couch, a table and some odds and ends. It looks a lot nicer than anything I own. I have resin chairs from Walmart in my oasis.

[OliviasDad]

Well, if there are a lot of people specializing in that niche...then maybe it might not be such a profitable venture....

It wouldn't hurt for me to come out and take a look...

Anyone have any names of stores or websites in AZ. that do specialize in this high end outdoor furniture stuff???