Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Old Stone Ranch: Get In While You Can
There are few new home communities in the Valley that are still selling homes at a steady clip. Most of them are lacking in at least one area: location, size of home for the money, neighborhood character, and finally decent lot size. One Chandler community has it all and the steady sales prove it.
Old Stone Ranch by Shea Homes first garnered interest in the East Valley because of the proposed lakes and water feature. There are lake communities in the East Valley (hardly any in the West Valley) but they are "older" neighborhoods, generally built prior to 1995. The water features are nearly finished at Old Stone Ranch and I have to say they are pretty stunning, especially at night with the mood lighting. There is a lovely veranda for picnicing that is right on the water and near the nice playground.
Further enhancing the character is white fencing around Old Stone Circle and how each home on the main drag is required to have green grass in the front yard. It really makes the neighborhood stand out from the Beige Syndrome most Phoenix neighbhoods succumb to. Some of the home elevations (how the home looks on the outside) are your typical Southwest adobe look but the majority have stone veneers that lend more to an East Coast feel.
The location is Lindsay and Ocotillo, right on the edge of Gilbert and Chandler. 2 miles away is the huge new San Tan shopping center with new restaurants and movie theatre. The 202 freeway is right next to the shopping center. Sure, Old Stone Ranch is currently surrounded by agriculture but that means the most money can be earned in appreciation now, not five years down the road.
Speaking of time, they are still selling Phase 2 in the most of the 4 different communities. Which means you can still get in a good prices and see some nice appreciation. The homes range from 1700 sq feet up to 4000+. The prices start in the $350s and go up to the $600s. Luckily with that amount of money, you also find big lots and nicely designed floorplans.
Is this a family friendly neighborhood? Since it is still fairly new, I can't have a definitive answer. Luckily I have two clients moving there and a third friend who is already in their house. Based on those three families, I would say it's going to be a wonderfully family friendly neighborhood and I plan on spending a lot of time there. :)
By the way, please don't walk into any new home builder office unrepresented. Whether you use me or another new home expert, please use a realtor when purchasing a new home. The sales agent is not there to protect your interests, their client is the builder not you. Most of them are very nice people but you are not signing their paycheck. Enough said.Labels: AZ neighborhoods, chandler real estate, gilbert real estate
Elena Thurston, Family Realtor @ 9:06 PM
1 comments
: 10:51 AM
