Maricopa Subdivisions, Master Planned Communites

With just under 45,000 people in Maricopa, you may think there are only a few subdivisions and all the homes are the same. Well let me explain the abundance of subdivisions and the differences in them. With 20 different subdivisions, each offering different amenities, lets find out what part of the city will suit your family best!

Rancho El Dorado- The first Master Planned Community in Maricopa as well as the first community to see when you enter this beautiful city. A palm tree lined entry greats you with a large fountain and gorgeous lake. Just next to the lake sits Askew Park complete with a playground, covered picnic area with grills and basketball courts. With The Duke golf course centered in community, this is the only community with golf course lots. Rancho El Dorado also boats a restaurant, 2 elementary schools (Santa Rosa and Pima Butte) and a fantastic walking path that circles the entire community. With close proximity to the highway, many commuters prefer to live in this community.

Ranch El Dorado is managed by Rossmar and Graham. 


The Villages at Rancho El Dorado- The Villages is phase two of the master planned community of Rancho El Dorado. Left on Smith-Enke, when you first enter town will take you to the Villages. There is a community center with 2 pools, a play pool and a lap pool. The community center also includes a fitness facility, tennis courts and basketball courts. The community features playgrounds and a splash pad for the kids. 

The Villages subdivision is managed by Associated Asset Management HOA. The website for The Villages HOA can be seen at www.villagesatranchoeldoradohoa.org/


The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado- Phase three of the master planned community of Rancho El Dorado is The Lakes. One of two lakefront communities in Maricopa, the other which is a 55+ community. The Lakes features a beautiful lake to greet you in the entrance as well as walking paths, picnic areas and playgrounds for the kids. If you are looking to live on lakefront property, this subdivision is for you. 

There are still new builds in the community by Meritage Homes, although all of the lakefront lots are sold. There is however a large portion of the community with lakes, that is not currently being built out. There may be in the future another builder to start to build out the rest of the lakefront lots.

The Lakes subdivision is managed by Associated Asset Management HOA. The website for The Lakes HOA can be seen at www.lakesatranchoeldoradohoa.org


Cobblestone Farms- Just as you enter Maricopa, across from Rancho El Dorado, sits the subdivision of Cobblestone Farms. As you take the gorgeous, palm tree lined entry, a beautiful water feature greats you at the lakefront park. There are BBQ grills and picnic areas as well as plenty of grass at the lake and park. Other features include a community pool, 10 tot lots, basketball courts, a splash pad, a large field for soccer or baseball, horseshoe area and many greenbelts in the community. When Fulton Homes built the community, they offered the only basement model home in Maricopa. With easy access to the 347, many commuters prefer this community.

Cobblestone Farms is managed by AAM, LLC, the website for Cobblestone Farms HOA is www.cobblestonefarmshoa.net 



Acacia Crossings- Located behind Bashas Grocery right off Highway 238 is the Acacia Crossings community. One of the original as well as one of the smallest communities in Maricopa, Acacia Crossings also boasts one of the lowest monthly HOA dues around. With walking paths passing plenty of grassy parks and playgrounds, you can walk directly to the Bashas shopping center. Many people that like the small town feel enjoy this community.

The HOA management company for Acacia Crossings is City Property Management Company, the website for Acacia Crossings HOA is www.acaciacrossingshoa.com 



Province- Maricopa's only 55+ community featuring waterfront properties, the second of only two communities to offer lakefront homes. This community has gorgeous single family homes as well as Gemini or twin style homes. Province is also the only community that has 24 hour guarded gates at each entrance. There are 50 acres of stocked lakes and waterways throughout Province as well as some of the best waterfall features in any community in Maricopa. This Active Adult community offers a 32,000 sq ft clubhouse with everything from indoor and outdoor heated pools and spas to card rooms, painting studio, pottery classroom as well as a coffee bar and large workout facility. There is even a large ballroom for events and 125 acres of greenbelts throughout the community. 

There are still new homes being built in Province by Meritage Homes. They have 5 beautiful models on display. There are also new twin style Gemini homes on the other side of the community.

Province is managed by Associated Asset Management. The HOA website for Province can be seen at www.provincecoa.com


Homestead- Just off of Smith-Enke and Porter road is the fast growing subdivision of Homestead. Located near the Public Library and the Maricopa Clinic, Homestead was master planned by DR Horton and still offers new build homes in the subdivision. The community offers a variety of parks and playgrounds, greenbelts, walking paths and ramadas. The lake and park create a perfect place for family picnics and gatherings. There are volleyball and basketball courts as well as softball and baseball fields. 

The HOA for Homestead is managed by Associated Asset Management and the community website can be seen at www.homesteadnorthhoa.com



Senita- With great access to both Casa Grande and Phoenix, Senita is located between Honeycutt Rd. and the Maricopa/Casa Grande Hwy. Close to the Walmart shopping center, Senita residents also enjoy close proximity to the farmers market and city's community pool. Just across the railroad tracks sits the new Copper Sky Recreation Complex. 

Managed by Ogden & Company, the Senita HOA website can be found here www.senitahoa.com 



Glennwilde Groves- Backing up to the city's Pacana Park, which features a catch and release lake, the master planned community was built by a variety of builders. With lots of different floor plans, the subdivision also features 2 community pools, 8 tot lots and a soccer field. With lots of walking paths in the green belts and close proximity to the large public park Glennwilde Groves is a great community to call home.

Professionally managed by Associated Asset Management, Glennwilde Groves HOA website can be found here www.glennwildegroves.com



Desert Passage/Smith Farms- Located next to the new City Hall and Central Arizona College Maricopa Campus, Desert Passage or commonly called Smith Farms offers a heated community pool, tot lots, walking trails, splash pad, volley ball and basketball courts. With room to grow, KB Homes is building 2 separate neighborhoods, Watercress and Cliffrose. Between the two, there are a good variety of floor plans and pricing for both large and small families.

Desert Passage is managed by Trestle Management. 


Rancho Mirage Estates- With new homes being built by Pinnacle West Homes, Rancho Mirage Estates still has room to grow. With unique drive through garage homes and almost complete customization, this unique community has some very nice homes. You will be greeted to the community with a beautiful lake, with several water features walking paths and parks, this is a great subdivision to be outdoors. 

Associated Asset Management company manages the HOA for this community 


Tortosa- Located 7 miles east of the center of Maricopa sits the beautiful Tortosa community. With an Elementary School and Middle School, the builders had families in mind. There are great mountain views as well as a large community park with a nine hole disc golf course. There are also ramadas and bbq grills at the park as well as a large tot lot, volleyball and basketball courts. With extensive pedestrian trails, water features and greenbelts, this is a fantastic community. With affordable housing and easy access to Casa Grande this subdivision is a great choice.

Managed by CCMC the community HOA website can be found here www.tortosahoa.net




Sorrento- Located near Tortosa and Rancho Mirage Estates, Sorrento offers ease of access to Casa Grande for commuters. The community also features a beautiful pond, tennis court and kid's waterpark. With empty plots, this community will continue to grow in the future. With great value, affordable homes many people choose Sorrento as their home.

Sorrento is managed by Associated Asset Management



Alterra- Just south of the railroad tracks, Alterra has two main entrances that divide the subdivision into Alterra North and Alterra South. Alterra boasts multiple parks, picnic gazebos, playgrounds and plenty of bike and walking paths. With many trees lining the sidewalks and beautiful greenbelts, Alterra is a great place to live. Located by the Ultrastar Entertainment Center and the Copper Sky Recreation Complex, this community is great for entertainment. Also located close by are all levels of education, elementary, middle and high school.

Alterra is managed by Associated Asset Management and the community HOA website can be seen here www.alterrahoa.com




Desert Cedars- Just past the train tracks, across from Alterra North, sits the Desert Cedars community.With just 418 lots, this small community is located near all the city's entertainment. Ultrastar and Copper Sky are nearby as well as Saddleback Elementary, Maricopa Wells Middle School and Maricopa High. With a nice park, walking paths and great value many people enjoy Desert Cedars.

Managed by City Property Management Company the community HOA website can be seen here www.desertcedarshoa.com/modules/about/


Santa Rosa Springs- Located across the railroad tracks Santa Rosa Springs is an up and coming neighborhood. With new build homes offered by Elliot Homes, this community is growing fast. There are beautiful mountain views from this neighborhood as well as a basketball court and covered playgrounds. Scenic walking paths line this community and many people that commute to Casa Grande enjoy living in this smaller neighborhood.

HOA managed by Lighthouse Management.




Palo Brea- A small community located near Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino and Ultrastar Entertainment Center. Palo Brea is a subdivision that is just waiting to grow. If you enjoy a smaller community Palo Brea may be right for you.



Additional Communites Away From The City-


Thunderbird Farms- Southwest of town lies the horse property community of Thunderbird Farms. With custom homes and large lots this acreage community is still very affordable. Many winter visitors bring their horses to this area for year round riding and training. With easy access to town but far enough away to enjoy nature, Thunderbird Farms is a great community to live in. There are no HOAs in Thunderbird Farms, so bring your horses, trailers and toys!


Hidden Valley- Just south, outside the city and to the west is Hidden Valley. With breathtaking mountain views this is the community for your custom home. There is a good mix of homes ranging from modular to custom built million dollar homes, with still a lot of vacant lots. A small portion of the community is supplied by city water, the other majority has either a shared well or you need to haul water. 

 
Saddleback Farms- East of town is a small acreage community of Saddleback farms. This horse property community sits between Maricopa and Casa Grande and is ideal for anyone that wants acerage, but commutes to Casa Grande. 

If you are looking to move to Maricopa or if you have any questions about any of the communities above, please contact me, Josh Knicely at MrKniceGuy@jkrealtyaz.com You can also view houses for sale in any of these communities at www.MrKniceGuysHomes.com.

Looking for a Great Deal on a Home in Arizona? Maricopa or San Tan Valley May Be Your Best Options

When looking in Arizona for a great deal on a home, whether it is your dream home, investment property or winter home, many people choose the outer Phoenix suburbs. Maricopa and San Tan Valley are the two best "home for the money" cities. With housing prices so low, many people are starting to move a little farther away from the congested city. With great mountain views and starry nights, these two suburbs are a great choice for home buyers.

But which city is better? Lets look at the qualities and demographics of each city to find out.

Population- San Tan Valley boasts a population of over 81,000 while Maricopa has a growing population of around 45,500. When considering the drive from the heavily populated cities to the suburbs, the population of each city will determine the amount of traffic traveling to and from the city each day.

Ease of Access-  While San Tan Valley is growing into Queen Creek, there is no major freeway leading directly to San Tan Valley. From the 202, San Tan Valley is about 8 miles away at the closest point, whereas Maricopa is directly connected to a major highway, HWY 347. The 347 is just 16 miles from the I-10 whereas the 202 near San Tan Valley is around 18 miles to the I-10 plus the additional 8+ miles to San Tan Valley on side streets.

Medical and Fire assistance- San Tan Valley residents will need to pay an annual fee to have these services to their homes through Rural Metro Fire Department. Maricopa residents, however, have these services included in their city taxes.

Schools- San Tan Valley has a total of 8 elementary, 2 middle and 3 high schools with a total ranking of .475. Maricopa has a total of 8 elementary, 2 middle and 1 high schools with a total ranking of .525. Information via School Digger. With almost half the population, Maricopa has almost as many schools, all with a higher ranking as well.

Home Prices- With the median sales price of a home in San Tan Valley around 155,500, the average price per square foot was $99. In Maricopa, the median sales price was slightly lower around 140,000 and the average price per square foot at $88. With less per square foot, you could be able to buy "More Home For Your Money" in Maricopa!

If you are considering moving out of the big city, looking for a quality investment or just looking for a great place to live, Maricopa should be on the top of your list. If you prefer San Tan Valley, you will still be able to find great value as well as a great community. If you are looking for a quality Realtor to help you find your perfect home, Josh Knicely should be the only one on your list! For homes in Maricopa, San Tan Valley or any other part of Arizona, feel free to contact me directly anytime at MrKniceGuy@jkrealtyaz.com or to view homes on the MLS for free visit www.MrKniceGuysHomes.com

Home Warranty, What Is It? Who Should Have One?

So what exactly is a Home Warranty?

A home warranty is not the same as homeowners insurance. A home warranty covers the homes major components such as, but not limited to air conditioners, heating systems, electrical, plumbing and major appliances such as washer/dryer and refrigerator. Coverage can be extended to cover additional features such as a swimming pool or a solar hot water heater.

Home warranties are a 1 year contractual agreement that should any of the covered appliances fail due to normal wear and tear during the coverage period, those items would be repaired or replaced if repairs could not be made. There is a small trade call fee to have someone come out to do any repairs, usually around $60, but this will vary depending on the home warranty company you choose to cover your house.

With home warranties starting around $350 for a 1 year coverage period and only a $60 dollar trade call fee, this could pay for itself in just 1 repair!

The major benefit of having a home warranty is to protect yourself from unforeseen major expenses. It also provides you with peace of mind knowing you may not have to dig into your savings to pay for a major appliance going out. It is also helpful for a homeowner that doesn't have the best handyman skills or for those that don't want to worry about tracking down a contractor if they have an issue. Home warranty companies have specialized contractors to repair or replace anything that is covered in your warranty.

Should YOU have a Home Warranty?

For Buyers- When buying a home there are expenses with closing, down payments, inspections and moving. A new homeowner may be using most of their savings to get into a home. To avoid the worry of any large unforeseen expenses, you should have a home warranty in place.

For Sellers- When selling your home, offering a paid 1 year home warranty with the home purchase may provide a measure of protection against buyer complaints about any home defects that arise after the sale closes.

For Homeowners- Imagine the air compressor goes out in the air conditioner, in the middle of summer, right after you spent your savings on the family summer vacation! Was that worth not paying the $350 a year?

Experienced Real Estate Agents will advise their clients on home warranties with the sale or purchase of their home. They will already be familiar with local and multiple home warranty companies and can provide the necessary information. 

Here are the two companies I prefer to work with in my market:

Yvette Myer @ Old Republic Home Protection CO., INC.

Fidelity National Home Warranty

Smoke Detectors, Are Yours Too Old???

When was the last time you checked any of your smoke alarms? When was the last time you changed the battery? When was the last time you cleaned them? What year were they installed? 

At the time, I personally could not answer any of those questions, unless the answer was never or I don't know! 

So do smoke detectors have a working shelf life? YES they do! And here is how I found out.

One night I was working when I got a panicked call from my wife: "Honey, I just got home and all the smoke alarms are going off! I can't reset them or turn them off, Cookie (our Pomeranian) is freaking out and shaking."

What is going on I thought? "Is there a fire or smoke anywhere?" I asked. 

"No" She replied, "but I can't stay in here any longer, its too loud and I have to take Cookie outside."

With me being an hour away at the time there wasn't much I could do. There were so many thoughts going through my head, Is it a fire?, Is it Carbon Monoxide?, Do we even have a carbon monoxide detector?, How long have they been going off?, How can I get this fixed??? Arrrgghh, I thought.

Then it hit me, the Fire Department! Yeah, call them! So the fire department to the rescue! They showed up within 5 minutes to calm my wife and dog as well as fix the problem. When they checked the house there was no fire, thank God! Then they got all the smoke detectors turned off. 

When everything calmed down, the firemen and women explained to my wife the reason the smoke detectors were going off. They were TOO OLD, EXPIRED!!! They then showed her on the back of the smoke detectors the date of manufacture, 10 years ago!!! Our home is 10 years old and I had never once thought about the smoke detectors!!! 

My ignorance created panic at my house as well as a freaked out dog. I felt terrible as we do not know how long the detectors were going off. 

So the fire department recommended replacing the expired smoke detectors and checking them once a month as well as cleaning them and changing the batteries annually. 

To clean, the firefighters recommended using a can of compressed air to clean the dust out from inside.

Smoke detectors usually have a useful working life up to 10 years, depending on the model. There should be a date of manufacture on the back of each smoke detector.

If you have not checked or cleaned your smoke detectors in a while now is a good time to do so, especially if you have children or pets at home.

6 new smoke detectors and 1 new carbon monoxide detector later we have peace of mind. We are both very grateful for our local fire department coming to the rescue and educating both of us. 

 THANK YOU MARICOPA FIRE DEPARTMENT!!!

Short Sales, What are they? Are they Really Shorter?

House hunting? Confused with terms like "Short Sale"??? Don't be discouraged, let me explain why this may be an option for You!

What is a short sale? In short, no pun intended, a short sale is when the sales proceeds of a property fall short of the balance on the mortgage loan. Therefore the seller owes more money than what they are selling for. 

Why would a lender agree to a short sale? If the owner stops making payments and lets the property go into foreclosure, it could take several months for a bank or lender to take the property back. When the lender takes control of the property, they still have to put the house on the market and it could take months until the house is sold. Foreclosure is a very expensive process and it is one good reason why banks would rather short sell than to go through a foreclosure. 

Short sales are becoming increasingly more prevalent in the housing market. Why would this be a good option for you? Lets find out!

• More likely to get a better deal than a traditional sale!
• Get a great mortgage rate!
• Better condition than foreclosed homes
• Go through the home buying process easily! (with an experienced real estate agent)

Well that sounds great, but whats the catch??? The homes are sold in AS-IS condition and the process can be drawn out a little as the time frames are uncertain. Additionally the approving lender rarely agrees to pay for any extras that a regular seller may agree to. This could mean higher closing costs for the buyer. The buyer would have to pay those costs such as the cost for inspections and repairs.

But if you are not bound to a certain time frame and you would like a good deal on a house, then a short sale may be right for you! If you would like to start searching for short sales, traditional sales or foreclosures, please visit my website at www.MrKniceGuysHomes.com

New Conventional 3% Down Program

Traditionally Conventional loans required a 20% down payment in order to qualify, pushing anyone without a 20% down payment to consider using an FHA loan. An FHA loan is not a bad option unless you are looking to purchase a single family home more than $271,050. This is where the new conventional 3% down program comes into play.

Lets say you wanted to purchase a home for $300,000. Unless you had $60,000 to put down on the home you would need to use an FHA loan. FHA would only cover $271,050, leaving you with $28,950 to come up with out of pocket as well as the original down payment, if any, on the type of FHA loan you qualified for. 

With the new 3% conventional loan you can now purchase that same $300,000 home with only $9,000 for a down payment! That sure beats $28,950 on an FHA and surely beats the original $60,000 for the old conventional loan. 

So a few things to consider...  Can you qualify? Qualifications- The loan must be approved through Fannie Mae's automated Desktop Underwriter system and one borrower must be a first time home buyer.

What can you buy? Eligible properties- One-unit, primary residence; planned unit development (PUD), and Fannie Mae eligible condominiums.

Financing- 97% financing with a 3% down payment (gift funds allowed). Closing costs may be paid by the property seller, employer assistance, or with gift funds.

What about Mortgage Insurance? Flexible plans and payment options for mortgage insurance. No upfront mortgage insurance required. Unlike some other loan programs, mortgage insurance drops off automatically when the loan is paid down to 78% loan to value. 

Is this the solution you have been looking for to make your dream home ownership come true? If so contact me today for more details!  

Josh Knicely
JK Realty
480-330-0371
MrKniceGuy@jkrealtyaz.com
www.MrKniceGuysHomes.com