Gladden Farms Area Welcomes Heritage River Park Splash Pad in MaranaFun in the sun! In keeping with the rural environment of the Marana Heritage River Park, July 31, 2015 marks the grand opening of the Agriculturally-Themed Heritage River Park Splash located in the Gladden Farms community.(photo by Town of Marana)Admission is free and everyone is welcome!  Kids and adults alike will enjoy the farming and agriculture theme with windmills, tractors, sunflowers and more at this family-friendly addition to the Gladden Farms area. (Photo by Town of Marana)The splash pad covers an area encompassing 4500 square feet against a backdrop of Tucson Mountains.Nearby, visitors can also enjoy the River Park's biking and walking trails. Regarding the Grand Opening, the splash pad will be open from 10 ... 07/20/2015

Gladden Farms Marana Market SnapshotIn the sprawling neighborhoods of Gladden Farms, 56 homes are currently on TARMLS, with three new construction, the rest resale of existing properties.  The link provided will also show available properties in nearby Rancho Marana and San Lucas.  For this blog report, I did not factor in short sales and foreclosures since market conditions have improved substantially.  Of those 43, 21 are ACTIVE and for sale, 10 are under contract and Active Contingent, and 22 have sold in the past 90 days.Of those sold, average days on the market were 58, but some were on as long a 206 days, and two sold in four days.     Average sold homes were priced at $186,482 with a high sale of $257,000 for a property just under 2700 square feet.  Three sold with pools. Of inte... 07/11/2015

Bianchi's Restaurant Is Open in Marana!I've never attended a grand opening at a restaurant before, but my husband and I enjoy Bianchi's at their Speedway location, and this was going to be much closer.We took off to get there by 5.  There were about six cars in the parking lot.This was about 5:20 - notice the line to order?  Notice the tables?  The other room, a large bar area, was full up when we left around six, as well as what looks like a "party" room.Yep...looked like a successful opening to me.Oh...and the food?Here's Chicken Parmesan swimming in cheese and the best red sauce (gravy, to NY Italians I hear....) ever.  Healthy side of bread as well.  :)  Or, maybe not so healthy, but I skipped lunch to enjoy this feast.And, there's two meals left over from my portion!So, if you want... 06/03/2015

Tortolita Vistas in Marana - Tortolita Homes for Sale Built by MaracayMaracay Homes recently purchased 6 apx. one-acre lots at Tortolita Vista in NWTucson.  Costs for lots were roughly $169,279 per lot.This gated neighborhood is limited to only 55 homesites featuring all one-story home plan designs.Just to the west of Frys, this site is conveniently situated just north of Tangerine Road on Thornydale Road. Set in the foothills of the Tortolita mountain range, surrounded by stunning views -- a drive by is definitely in order!Builder, Maracay Homes, offer an array of home plans from approximately 2,777 to 3,978 square feet.All homes are Energy Star® certified with green features.Don't forget to always take buyer representation along with you on your first visit to new home sites.  Site ag... 04/11/2015

Family Safety Fair in Twin Peaks, Marana Neighborhood In just over two weeks, the Metz-Herdrich Farmers Insurance Agency is sponsoring a Family Safety Fair on Saturday, April 25, 2015.  The event will run from 10 am to 4 pm in the Twin Peaks Plaza, at the corner of Coachline and Twin Peaks Road, just off I-10 at the Twin Peaks Exit.  There are so many activities going on!! The Marana Police Department:  Fingerprinting and demonstrating child safety seats.  Northwest Fire Department:  The fire engine will be present, as well as hands on fire extinguisher demonstrations and a public information booth.  Arizona Game and Fish:  Here to inform you about water safety and off road vehicle safety.  Southwest Ambulance:  Alex the water ambulance will be at the event to help children overcome th... 04/06/2015

KB HOMES:  New Construction Growth in Gladden Farms Marana A few months back, KB Homes began new construction in the Somerset neighborhood, nestled in the Community of Gladden Farms, Marana.  The neighborhood is located about 5 minutes off I-10, traveling west on Tangerine Farms Road.  Situated just moments from the New Outlet Mall currently being built at Twin Peaks, this community offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city living, manicured parks and walkways, peaceful orchards, and mountain vistas. Here's a link to a quick neighborhood map here! Homes are affordable - Priced from $168,990 - $225,999.  Nearby, a new Elementary school begins construction this year as well, with enrollment opening for fall of 2016.  Also on the docket are new floor plans with three-car garages.... 03/25/2015

Dove Mountain Marana Market Snapshot for February 2015   In the Dove Mountain area, real estate is looking positive!  Inventory is up 8% from a year ago as well as a 240, yes 240% increase in closings from February stats in 2014. Months of Inventory has dropped to a more manageable level of about 9 months, versus almost 29 months of a year ago.  This means that the average house at the average price will currently take 9 months to sell. Median price of sold homes is up 15% from a year ago as well. What does this all mean?  It means there is a little more inventory, homes are selling quite a bit more quickly, and prices are going up.  Depending on whether you are looking to buy or sell in Dove Mountain, talk to a real estate professional about the right choices for you! 03/13/2015

Jackpot Equine offers Local Resource for Horses I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Lindsey Boone DVM at the Marana Founder's Day event in Marana this past weekend. Lindsey offers veterinary services for the greater area of Tucson and Marana, AZ!  You can check out her website here:  http://www.jackpotequineaz.com/ Established in 2014, Dr. Lindsey and Dr. Karla specialize in Equine services and completed internships at Arizona Equine. Dr. Lindsey graduated in 2013 from the Oklahoma State University.  She brings to the table a history with her family's horseback riding stables,  including a horsemanship program and rodeo arena.  She also is a Farrier and shares a special interest in Equine Podiatry. Jackpot Equine offers the following services for your horses, including emergency care: ROU... 03/08/2015

Skyranch Marana Homes For Sale February 2015 Gated Skyranch is just off Tangerine (or Thornydale, depending upon which way you are approaching the intersection of Tangerine and Thornydale) and Camino de Manana Roads. The community is home to custom, semi-custom, and build-to-suit homes, including architects and builders such as Stellar Gray, Cutshaw Yeager, and Meritage. It is located in a natural desert area of over 500 acres of natural desert preserve. Many Residents enjoy Tortolita, Tucson, and Catalina Mountain views from their property. Skyranch is served by the Marana Unified School District’s Ironwood Elementary School, Tortolita Middle School, and Mountain View High School.   Currently, as of February 22, 2015, there are 17 homes listed for sale.  Sizes range from 1652 to 3511 s... 02/24/2015

Continental Ranch, Twin Peaks, Marana Home Vendor Fair Mark your calendars for the first of three vendor fairs coming your way for the residents of NW Tucson:  Marana's Continental Ranch and Twin Peaks Neighborhood Event! Our first Quarterly Event focuses on updating and revamping the interior of your home for increased value and enjoyment! Session II will focus on the exterior of the home Session III will be about repairs and more     Donations and Non-Perishable food items will be collected for the Marana Community Food Bank. Don't miss this great neighborhood event with Shred-It Recycling! Events include all-event shredding for the cost of a food donation Home Depot and the Children's Workshop at 12:00 noon Tucson Electric Power and their Energy Saving Workshop from 12:45 to 2 p.m. H... 02/12/2015

  Continental Ranch Marana Community Page on Facebook   Just wanted to invite the folks of NW Tucson, including Marana, Continental Ranch, Twin Peaks, Gladden Farms, San Lucas, Dove Mountain, etc. to take advantage of this neighborhood opportunity.   The opportunity to showcase your business, hobbies, events and more on a local, public Facebook page.  The community needs to know about YOU!   Simply follow the link to Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/NWTucsonMaranaTwinPeaksContinentalRanch or start entering NWTucsonMaranaTwinPeaks ContinentalRanch in your Facebook search bar and it will probably show up sometime shortly after the letter M... See you on Facebook! 02/03/2015

Fog Over Gladden Farms Metropolitan Tucson Arizona.  Home to over 358 days of sunshine per year. Having a rare week - everyone is out taking photos of fog, clouds, rainfall. When I moved here in 2000 I thought people were crazy to get so excited about a little rain.   Now I understand. (Lake Gladden Farms) The desert is refreshed now. The air smells like spring.   01/31/2015

  Marana Winterfest 2015 on January 24, 2015  Coming up this week, lots of fun at the Marana Winterfest!  Sponsored by the Lions club, this year's event is held in the Sportsman's Club parking lot off Costco Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Expect plenty of vendors, food, food trucks, arts and crafts, car show, and runner extraordinare Dan Reston who will run continuously throughout the entire day.  Proceeds from the event go to help the Marana Food Bank.    Also available will be entertainment and a petting zoo.  Fun for the whole family!  In past years, over $400 has been raised for the Marana Food Bank.  One of your dollar bills has purchasing power of approximately $9.00 for the Food bank - so every little bit counts!   Over 3000 families are helped by the foodbank on a monthly basis.  ... 01/21/2015

SkyRanch Open House This Sunday January 18 1-4PM You'll want to see this modern home for sale, move in ready, in gated SkyRanch, Marana, AZ this weekend! Just over 3000 square feet, a versatile floor plan offers five bedrooms.  One complete suite is downstairs with full bath making it easy to have an in-law suite, special area for guests, live in relative, and more. The other four bedrooms encompass the upstairs along with another full guest bathroom, and loft area.  The master suite offers a large bathroom with separate shower and garden tub, as well as roomy closet space. Add in stunning mountain views from EVERY window, and you start to see why this might be your new home. Wanting a home office to keep things organized or wish to work out of your house?  A convenient space is located... 01/17/2015

    Marana is Our Town  - Marana is Your Town Just 90 minutes south of Phoenix, Marana’s borders incorporate both sides of Interstate 10 just northwest of Tucson, heading north towards the Pinal County Line. The Town of Marana covers a little more than 120 square miles and has an approximate population of 35,000.   Tourists are drawn to the community with the surrounding Sonoran Desert atmosphere, which is suited to being outdoors year-round. The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, offers a world-class resort hotel and outstanding hiking, golf and spa facilities. Golf courses abound, and the Town of Marana is also investing in a future downtown development area with high-end shopping, dining and entertainment.  Currently, a large outdoor mall is under construction just off the Twin Peaks Inter... 01/14/2015

Is It Time to Sell Your Home in SkyRanch Marana? Skyranch is a master-planned community just west of Tangerine and Thornydale Roads in Marana, AZ.  Residents enjoy a variety of home styles including custom homes, and those built by Green builder - Meritage.  This gated community is surrounded by natural preserve, mountain views, towering cactus, and roomy lots. Currently there are 13 homes for sale (January 8, 2015) averaging $155.66 a square foot. (Custom homes average quite a bit more per square food, so this is not a strong community indicator) Meritage re-sale homes average $141.76 a square foot. Homes for sale in Skyranch range from 1652 square feet to 3412, and have been on the market an average of 88 days. (75 non-custom)  This is not surprising, coming off of the holidays.  Two ... 01/12/2015

Buying or Selling in The Bluffs at Dove Mountain, Marana? When I think about the scenic beauty the Tucson area has to offer homeowners, one of the first communities to come to mind is the Bluffs at Dove Mountain in Marana.  Slightly elevated, homeowners often get a city AND mountain view, and the preserve area surrounding the lots is available in this lovely neighborhood of 122 homes.Looking at the Bluffs at Dove Mountain and what the market is currently doing there, I see that there are seven homes for sale.  I've held open houses at one of them, and the back yard is divine...following the ravine down to city views.  It went back on the market this holiday season and is still looking for its new owner.  The address is 13068 N Pier Mountain Road and is listed by an agent in my office, O... 01/10/2015

Time to Recycle Your 2014 Christmas Trees in Gladden Farms!   On January 12, 2015 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., please feel free to bring your Christmas trees to the asphalt bumpout directly opposite of the Gladden Farms Home Owners Association office on 12375 N Heritage Park Drive. Northwest Landscaping has generously agreed to chip them for the residents of Gladden Farms. Be sure all of the decorations have been removed, including the tree stand! Be early so you don't miss them! However, don't drop them off BEFORE 6 a.m.  (The winds might take them) Do not bring artificial trees.  :)   01/07/2015

Marana 2014 Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting Don't miss Marana's Saturday 2014 Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting.  In addition to plenty of live entertainment, treats, Mr. and Mrs. Clause, balloon glow, and more, the Town has enlisted the services of almost a dozen local food trucks and vendors.   Food trucks include: Bella’s Gelato Shop, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Fire Engine Dogs, Haus of Brats, Jay’s Kettle Corn (hamburgers, hot dogs, cotton candy, sodas), Marana Heritage Conservancy (kettle corn), Mona’s Fry Bread, POPPED Artisan Popcorn, Road Running Wood Fired Pizza, Wednesday Nights (meatball sliders), Zany Beaver. Extra special this year is a music-backed Christmas tree lighting.  From Sunday, December 7, 2014 through the season, the sounds of the season set t... 12/04/2014

Gladden Farms Marana Market Update    So what's going on in Gladden Farms, just five minutes off Interstate 10 North of Tucson, AZ at the Tangerine exit? Well, Thanksgiving for one!  Happy Thanksgiving Marana!! For the sake of this report, I'm going to include the communities of Gladden Farms and Rancho Marana, since they are just across the street from one another. Yes, sales have been a bit slow in this area as of late:  There have been 76 closings over the past 6 months, with 15 in the past 60 days.  As of 11/24/2014, there have been only two closings in November. (11/24/2014)  Five have gone under contract this month, however, with a total of 14 in all currently in escrow.  Of those 14, 5 are also new construction. Only two homes have sold at over $250,000 in the past six months, so... 11/25/2014