Best Value Houses for $100K or Less - Surprise or Queen Creek? (Sun City: best neighborhoods, short sale)

[brex]

What are the best neighborhoods to live in for 100K or less homes? Meaning most value and quality for us lower
income people. Looking either in Surprise area 85374/85388 zip code. Also, considering Queen Creek area 85142/85242. I also have a school age child. Need to be near doctors offices too. Open to other good suggestions. Thanks

[sh9730]

Wow - those are FAR apart? Work isnt an issue?

If not, consider Maricopa, and even Casa Grande (though for 100K or less you ll be in the older homes in the slightly more run down areas here in CG).

[esnox82]

Just FYI the only official QC zip code is 85142, while 85140 and 85142 are San Tan Valley. The 85242 zip code is no longer used (but you will see it on some listings).

[S. Chris Webb]

Can't speak too much for Queen Creek as it is far out of my service area, but 85374/85388 in Surprise have great home values. Newer homes at low prices. Thriving community. There is a huge new master-planned development called Prasada in the works, that includes retail, commercial, office space, and hospital. Some retail including grocery, fast food, and auto-plexes are already open, and some large box retailers to open next year. There is a regional mall in the development stage. Ultimately, Prasada is predicted to bring over 20,000 jobs to Surprise.

Dysart School District boundaries

Dysart School District performance

There are several various medical/dental offices including urgent care and pediatrics in the near vicinity, and Surprise is currently served by Banner Del Webb a few miles away from these zip codes.

[gtbguy]

I have several homes in three different sub-divisions in San Tan Valley, San Tan Heights, Pecan Creek, and Cambria. All three areas have very strict HOAs and many people don't like it. I happen to be fine with it because the neighborhoods always look well kept up. Some Home values can be less than 100K of course, depending on size of home, features, etc. You can do a web search on the different areas of San Tan to give you an idea on what to expect to find.

Good Luck!

[esnox82]

Originally Posted by gtbguy

I have several homes in three different sub-divisions in San Tan Valley, San Tan Heights, Pecan Creek, and Cambria. All three areas have very strict HOAs and many people don't like it. I happen to be fine with it because the neighborhoods always look well kept up. Some Home values can be less than 100K of course, depending on size of home, features, etc. You can do a web search on the different areas of San Tan to give you an idea on what to expect to find.

Good Luck!

San Tan Heights and Pecan Creek are beautiful.... Cambria... well... it's the budget side of San Tan Valley. It's the one neighborhood I wouldn't buy my own home in, but for a rental property, not bad.

[gtbguy]

Originally Posted by esnox82

San Tan Heights and Pecan Creek are beautiful.... Cambria... well... it's the budget side of San Tan Valley. It's the one neighborhood I wouldn't buy my own home in, but for a rental property, not bad.

Actually Cambria has bigger lots than Pecan Creek and the tax man has my Cambria home valued higher than Pecan Creek(even though PC is bigger). The homes are very close together in PC.

All my homes rented fairly quickly with 2 year leases. Easy place to rent.

[tripper76]

I live in the 85388 zip code. Its a nice neighborhood. Very family oriented and quiet, except for the occassional jet overhead as we are in the flyover zone of Luke Air Base. The HOA is very low, around $114 per quarter. They only maintain common areas, not front yards but everyone tends to keep their homes and yards in good condition generally. They will come down on you if you fail to pull weeds or keep trash out front, etc but otherwise its not restrictive at all.

I couldn't tell you about the schools as I have no kids. There are plenty of doctor's offices all around since we are close to all the retirees in Sun City. There's also a hospital about five minutes away.

[2coldhere]

My wife and I finally made a trip out last July with plans to find a home.. our pre-trip plans and research on the web also narrowed it down to Queens Creek(San Tan Valley) and Surprise..decided that Surprise was the best for us..close to everything you need or want on Bell Rd and enjoyed the area and views..very competitive market($100,000 and under market), but finally won a short sale(listed at $80,000 sold for $86,000)..as the proceeding progressed, we didn't think it would happen,it is hard to finance, even with excellent credit ..cash is king..but I do believe this will go through..be patient and expect to pay over asking price..taxes and HOA's seem to be less in Surprise, but you need to see both areas and make your own decision..Good Luck

[Hatetheheat01]

Originally Posted by 2coldhere

My wife and I finally made a trip out last July with plans to find a home.. our pre-trip plans and research on the web also narrowed it down to Queens Creek(San Tan Valley) and Surprise..decided that Surprise was the best for us..close to everything you need or want on Bell Rd and enjoyed the area and views..very competitive market($100,000 and under market), but finally won a short sale(listed at $80,000 sold for $86,000)..as the proceeding progressed, we didn't think it would happen,it is hard to finance, even with excellent credit ..cash is king..but I do believe this will go through..be patient and expect to pay over asking price..taxes and HOA's seem to be less in Surprise, but you need to see both areas and make your own decision..Good Luck

Congrats!
How long did your short sale take? I've heard they can take a while