Is Queen Creek the best value for Phoenix AZ real estate / housing? (Chandler: houses, neighborhood)

[DetroitN8V]

Tract. Seems like your mind's already made up.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by bdarkness

While track homes are great, I am talking about large custom or semi-custom homes. Maricopa is pretty much excluded as, although some of the homes are large, they are mostly track homes. The rural area outside of that is lacking in 4000 SQ/Ft +. Anthem all track homes. Casa Grande is not really my type of town, mostly due to age. I consider Queen Creek on par with Gilbert and Chandler for having newer shops and development. I think Surprise and Goodyear might be that way as well. Apache Junction has a lot of custom home areas, but they are $100k - $200k more expensive than Queen Creek.

Queen Creek is probably what you're looking for since you want that larger half acre lot, and large lots is one thing QC is known for. You won't find as much semi custom half acre housing product in Surprise or other fringe cities. That type of house would start at about $900k to a million in Chandler right now

[sh9730]

Bdarkness - I think everyone else has handled your question pretty well - but not sure what you mean by "age" when describing Casa Grande - while we do have a significant winter visitor population - so does everywhere else - and our full time population is 32 years old. QC itself is 30 years old - and then San Tan is a little younger at 28. But I can't imagine noticing a big difference in daily life.

Plus for 500K you can get very nice ACREAGE with workshops etc. - and still be close to I 10 for trips to Phoenix etc.


ETA - I really wish it wasn't against the rules to post links to example properties for sale in these types of posts - it would help a lot at times!

[Minntoaz]

I guess it all depends on your situation. in our world time is money so more time commuting and getting to the airport etc; just wouldn't make the lower cost house worth it. Additionally it depends on your home ownership goals, if it's your forever home then location is irrelevant but if you plan to sell or rent location does matter.

East Mesa also seems to have what you're looking for but I'm not sure on prices.

[patrick85395]

Originally Posted by bdarkness

I think my question was more framed in the large grand one story house for the biggest value. My husband wants a 4 car garage. I want 4000+ sq/ft. We both want to live on land like 1/2 acre plus. We both would like a custom or semi-custom home.

So far, I know I can get this for about $500k-$600k in Queen Creek, but I haven't seen anything like this in other parts of the valley. I was thinking that we might be overlooking something. Patrick your post was super helpful. It sounds like you have a beautiful home, but smaller house, smaller garage, and smaller land size for a bigger price.

Part of my point is that I have both a larger home and a smaller home and each has it merits regardless of the square footage.

I can only speak with some confidence about the westside. The Eastside, for now, will cost more. Your needs (4000 sq ft, 1/2 acre lot, single story) will be offered by few builders: TW Lewis homes built prior to roughly 2014 before they were purchased by David Weekly Homes. Lewis homes tend to be wide and deep on larger lots. You can also build in Verrado at the top of your price range ($600k) if you find the right builder how wont try to clean you out...Look @ Desert Star who I believe told me that he can build a very nice finish-level custom for about $157/sq ft excluding the lot, but you may need to sacrifice some square footage, but you'll have a beautiful home.

[43north87west]

Aaaand the circuitous question of the day award goes to...

[DougStark]

One thing to consider and investigate before you buy in the exurbs like QC is the utilities, especially water. Johnson Utilities, which serves part of STV, was recently in the news re: the owner being indicted on fraud/bribery charges, high and inconsistent water bills, and drinking water violations. Not good or reassuring to a new homeowner.

[Minawreck]

There's a neighborhood in Goodyear called Vanderbilt Estates or Farms that sounds like what you may want and I believe the lots are irrigated as well. You would likely get some cow smell though. It's off Yuma around Sarival. Could be worth taking a look at.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by DougStark

One thing to consider and investigate before you buy in the exurbs like QC is the utilities, especially water. Johnson Utilities, which serves part of STV, was recently in the news re: the owner being indicted on fraud/bribery charges, high and inconsistent water bills, and drinking water violations. Not good or reassuring to a new homeowner.

Johnson Utilities I don't think serves anywhere within the Queen Creek town limits. They serve San Tan Valley. Queen Creek is served by the town's municipal water supply. The town's water supply also serves part of northern STV (the former H2O Inc. area), however, sewer is still Johnson Utilities.

[TempeAZnative]

You couldn't pay me to live in QC it's an exurb that boomed before the housing bust. It's cookie cutter Homes made with cheap materials out in the middle of nowhere. I guess if you don't commute and bang for your buck is important then go for it.