The City of Surprise just released their brand new General Plan 2020, a significant document that improves the quality of land use and acts as a blueprint for future smart growth in the city. Surprise is on the brink of experiencing extraordinary development, and although exponential action won't occur for a few more years, the 2020 plan has a vision to focus on mini urban environments, all in a series of independent mixed-use villages. This is a growing trend known as New Urbanism, which is the status quo for future sustainable urban growth in the cities around the country. New Urbanism has been around for several decades, as it has unfortunately taken a long time for the sprawl cities of today to rethink their horizontal growth and focus on the development of their core. (You can lear... 05/01/2008

This market update reflects what is occurring in sales and listings in the northwest valley adult communities.  Sold date includes all listings that closed in escrow March 1 to 31, 2008. SUN CITY GRAND 57 homes are pending financing & close of escrow, average sq ft 1,860, average list price $340,716, average days on the market 164 50 homes sold & closed in March: average list price $300,407, average sale price $283,694, average sq ft 1,754, average days on the market 162 6 La Solana condos sold & closed in March: average list price $226,200, average sale price $144,416, average sq ft 1,123, average days on the market 117 238 homes (including La Solana) are listed on MLS: average sq ft 1,863, average list price $341,667, average days on the market 164 04/04/2008

This market update reflects what is occurring in sales and listing in the northwest valley adult communities.  Sold date includes all listings that closed in escrow March 1 to 31, 2008.ARIZONA TRADITIONS8 homes are pending financing & close of escrow: average sq ft 1,688, average list price $255,021, average days on the market 1747 homes sold & closed in March: average list price $255,021, average sale price $242,171, average days on market 17474 properties are presently listed on MLS: average sq ft 1,779, average list price $279,915, average days on the market 173   04/04/2008

Sun City Grand Art Club is a great place to pick up gifts and mementos of the local area for friends and family in other locals.  These retired artisans are superb!   The art club studio is a hidden treasure of prints, drawings and paintings all in various techniques used in creating these magnificent treasures. Residents are able to participate as students with a wide variety of classes.  The art studio is located in the Sonoran Plaza across from Maui Wowi at Joe Zuni's Café.  Check out their website for a wealth of information.  The desert is in bloom at this time of the year.     Visitors and residents are seen scurrying from one yard to another taking pictures of the bold and colorful desert.  Some residents use their photographs to paint from.  If you don't know how to take good ph... 04/02/2008

ModelOn the Golf CourseMesquiteMissionMissionPalo VerdeBorgataOff the Golf CourseCambridgeCordovaStonecrestStonecrestMissionSierraBorgataBorgataPalo VerdePalo VerdePalo VerdePalo VerdeDesert RoseDesert RoseDesert RoseCoronadoVeranoVerbenaManzanitaChollaSycamoreMaderaMaderaSonomaSonomaJuniperCactus FlowerCactus FlowerAcaciaAcaciaAcaciaSageSageCypressCypressCypressCypressCypressWillowWillowWillowCelebrationIrisIrisLa Solana CondosGrandeGrandeMiradaMiradaAvistarVentana Sq.Ft.2779 s.f.2374 s.f.2356 s.f.1870 s.f.1950 s.f.2724 s.f.2529 s.f.2550 s.f.2298 s.f.2316 s.f.2075 s.f.1950 s.f.1894 s.f.1909 s.f.1870 s.f.1889 s.f.1870 s.f.2063 s.f.1854 s.f.1854 s.f.1996 s.f.2167 s.f.2035 s.f.1712 s.f.1934 s.f.1688 s.f.1627 s.f.1627 s.f.1616 s.f.1434 s.f.1495 s.f.1473 s.f.1409 s.f.1414 s.f.1414 s.f.1414... 04/02/2008

An artist rendering of Diamond Resort Retirement Community,Courtesy of RDeLaFuenteFrom AZCentral.Com, the latest breed of retirement communities is a change from the traditional, golf-course-and-recreation-center variety found in the Sun Cities.  A new style of vertical, urban condominiums is taking root, and a development company out of Canada is hoping to sell Surprise seniors on the ultra-hip concept.This new, hip community will begin construction at the corner of Paradise Lane and Parkview Place near the Surprise Stadium in the hopes of targeting younger, more active retirees who want to be in a vibrant, urban setting like Surprise Stadium Village.The company has found that seniors who moved into traditional retirement communities reported that they felt too far removed from upscale... 03/20/2008

Surprise Foreclosure Snippet:  Surprise City Councilmen John Williams and Richard Alton have brought a proposal to the City Council last week to form a citizens committee to address the foreclosure issue. "We want to see what we can do to prevent future foreclosures," Williams said. "And we want to answer the question, how do we deal with the current empty homes?" The Surprise City Council hopes that meeting with residents to discuss the city's foreclosure issues will generate fresh ideas to combat the problems. 03/17/2008

ModelOn the Golf CourseWindsorHamptonMesquiteCambridgeAshburyWindroseStonecrestOff the Golf CourseHaciendaMissionMissionMissionStonecrestVerbenaBorgataManzanita w/ CasitaCholla w/ CasitaChollaDesert RoseVerdeMaderaSonoma (Ext./3 bed)LantanaWillow w/ CasitaHeritageCactus FlowerCactus FlowerSageLegacyWillow Sq.Ft.3418 s.f.2810 s.f.2779 s.f.2668 s.f.2483 s.f.2456 s.f.2299 s.f.2424 s.f.2374 s.f.2300 s.f.2260 s.f.2282 s.f.2035 s.f.2014 s.f.1934 s.f.1934 s.f.1994 s.f.1834 s.f.1782 s.f.1627 s.f.1616 s.f.1540 s.f.1486 s.f.1435 s.f.1427 s.f.1423 s.f.1338 s.f.1280 s.f.1176 s.f. Address16091 W Desert Cove Wy19015 N Moondance Ln17513 N Horseshoe Dr19414 N Ponderosa Ct20131 N Coronado Ridge18061 N San Salvador Ct16151 W Eagle Ridge Dr116321 W Bridal Veil Ln20793 N Kingpoint Dr15056 W Rounders Dr171... 03/07/2008

Sorry I'm a little late getting this posted.  Click Here to see the latest edition of the Surprise Senior Center Newsletter.For those of you who don't have enough activities to pick from within your own communities, or for those who want to meet new people with similar interests you'll want to check this out!Kathy Anderson 02/10/2008

ModelOn the Golf CourseBriarwoodAshbury w/ CasitaCholla w/ CasitaCoronadoVerbena - CustomOff the Golf CourseJasmineMissionCoronadoSierraSierraSierraVerbenaVerbenaVerbenaVerbenaPalo VerdePalo VerdePalo VerdeBorgataSycamoreSycamoreMaderaMaderaMaderaLantanaHeritageLegacyLegacyLegacyWillowCelebration Sq.Ft.2959 s.f.2708 s.f.2181 s.f.2128 s.f.2055 s.f.2422 s.f.2318 s.f.2295 s.f.2015 s.f.2075 s.f.2019 s.f.2035 s.f.2035 s.f.2035 s.f.2035 s.f.1850 s.f.1889 s.f.1870 s.f.1950 s.f.1774 s.f.1824 s.f.1627 s.f.1744 s.f.1627 s.f.1546 s.f.1435 s.f.1280 s.f.1298 s.f.1298 s.f.1183 s.f.1184 s.f. Address15424 W Paradiso Ct18739 N Poppy Ct15407 W Camino Estrella18127 N San Salvador Ct18146 N Sterling Dr15750 W Autumn Sage Dr18823 N Alameda Dr19912 N Hidden Ridge Dr15534 W Camino Estrella19014 N Moondance L... 02/08/2008

ModelOn the Golf Course WindsorAshburyAshburyStonecrestStonecrestStonecrestOff the Golf Course MissionSierraPalo VerdePalo VerdeBorgataBorgataBorgataVerdeMaderaMaderaMaderaAzaleaAzaleaCactus FlowerCactus FlowerSageKivaSilverstoneCelebrationWillowWillowIris Sq.Ft.3389 s.f.2680 s.f.2483 s.f.2282 s.f.2282 s.f.2282 s.f.2300 s.f.2090 s.f.1870 s.f.1900 s.f.1958 s.f.1894 s.f.1894 s.f.1782 s.f.1645 s.f.1627 s.f.1627 s.f.1570 s.f.1563 s.f.1427 s.f.1409 s.f.1338 s.f.1278 s.f.1239 s.f.1184 s.f.1183 s.f.1183 s.f.1138 s.f. Address16633 W Tranquility Ln16964 W Links Dr19209 N Moondance Ln18242 N Hartford Dr15145 W Wildfire Dr15959 W Starlight Dr19027 N Hawthorn Dr15157 W Camino Estrella15542 W Camino Estrella18701 N Diamond Dr16864 W Bryce Canyon Ln16605 W Wagon Spur Ct17348 W Hermosa Dr18326 N Gila... 02/08/2008

 For the homeowners in Sun City Grand, Arizona Traditions, Sun Village & the rest of Surprise, AZ a new ordinance became effective on November 28, 2007 that you should be aware of...  especially if you rent out your home to seasonal visitors or year round tenants.The ordinance is referred to as the "Rental Accountability Ordinance".  While some of the provisions have to do with areas that should not concern our active adult community homeowners, other provisions will require action if you rent out your property.For instance, an owner living out-of-state MUST be represented by an agent/property manager living in Arizona.  Also, the property MUST be registered with the Maricopa County Assessor's Office.You can be fined by the City of Surprise if you fail to register or if you violate any ... 02/05/2008

 Much has been written about the havoc investors & speculators created here in our Arizona Market.  And while prices have corrected from the craziness of 3 years ago, there are many signs our real estate market is doing just fine in some areas.  At least within the walls of Sun City Grand.Vacation and second homes are among the fastest growing segment of the real estate market.  And retiring in Arizona is STILL as big a draw as ever.  The median prices of the homes here are exactly where they would have been had the boom never happened.  Anyone who bought over 4 years ago still has equity in their home.In other words... It isn't all doom and gloom as the media would have you believe.  I have buyers I work with from all over the country & Canada.  Many of them come here thinking they wil... 01/29/2008

                          In December 2007 there were 28 homes sold.     These averaged in price between $183,000 and $850,000 and square footages between 1138 and 3389.   The average of the 28 homes was $337,346. If you would like more information about Sun City Grand, please view my website, Don Rich Homes, or don't hesitate to contact me at (623) 640-0937.   For more information, please view my new blog under www.phoenixrealestatecentral.com for the latest for home sale information in the Phoenix real estate market.       01/29/2008

 Sun City Grand has something for everyone.  Literally!  There are clubs for every interest and facilities to house them, a spa, rec centers with state of the art equipment, 4 golf courses, every kind of paddle court imaginable, planned excursions to see shows, go gambling see the country and so much more. I work with many clients who fly to different communities before making their final decision on where to buy.  So many of them tell me Sun City Grand is the best of the best.  But don't take my word for it.  Check it out! Virtual Tour of Sun City Grand Sun City Grand Community Website City of Surprise, AZ Website And if you want to come and visit, I'd be happy to show you around personally.  You can continue to be as active as you wish in your retirement.  And don't you deserve to en... 01/28/2008

Update:  The 2008 Arizona spring training season is over but check back for the Surprise, Arizona 2009 schedule in January. Don't miss out on going to a spring training game at the Surprise Recreation Campus.  The games begin February 27th. Individual game tickets went on sale January 5, 2008 beginning at 8 a.m. at the Surprise Stadium Box Office, 15960 N. Bullard Avenue and at Ticketmaster outlets at Macy's, Tower Records, Fry's Marketplace and FYE (formerly The Wherehouse). Tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster on-line at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 480.784.4444 or 520.321.1000. A service charge will be applied to each ticket purchased through Ticketmaster.  Click Here to see more information & the schedule of games. Click Here to go to the new Spring Training we... 01/28/2008

Hardly!  But apparently we've had enough traffic at the intersection of Sunrise & Mountain View to warrant a traffic signal.  Personally, I'll be glad to see it.  With our winter visitors and returning "snow birds" rolling into town we'll need it.  Click Here to see the article at AZCentral.com Update 1/29/08 - The project has been started!  This morning, which happens to be broker tour day in Sun City Grand, saw massive congestion at the 4-way stop.  Each direction had the far right lane closed down for the installers to start digging the holes for the light poles.  Hope they stick to their mid-February finish time. Update 3/13/08 - The lights are up and flashing red.  Should be functional any day.  Yeah! Update 6/26/08:  The traffic light has been a welcome addition to the Sun City G... 01/26/2008

As part of my efforts to promote client listings & to provide information about the Arizona west valley active adult communities, I have accumulated a large number of Domain Names.  The average consumer may think these are all different websites when, in fact, the domains I use have just been 'pointed' to my main website.  If I am doing a general ad for homes in the Arizona retirement communities I may use AZ-Adult-Communities.comPeople around Sun City Grand, Sun City West or Arizona Traditions may have seen one of my print ads or a flyer & accessed my website via SunCityGrandListings.com, SunCityWestListings.com or ArizonaTraditionsListings.com respectively.You might be thinking... "This is really confusing and why is it even necessary?"On the internet this is important because people ... 01/26/2008

Not only is Surprise, Arizona very beautiful but it has been named one of the safest cities in the country and the safest in Arizona, according to the 14th annual "City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America" which was released on November 19, 2007.Surprise Police Chief Dan Hughes said that a low crime rate boils down to "community partnerships." "We are extremely fortunate to have outstanding officers and a great public response to programs such as Block Watch."Surprise ranked as the 33rd safest city in America and the highest in Arizona according to the survey. If you are looking for a terrific place to live, activity oriented and very safe, try Surprise, Arizona. You won't be disappointed. 11/28/2007

Everyone loves a party and a Surprise party is always terrific. You are all invited to the 6th annual Surprise Party at the Surprise Recreation Campus in Surprise, Arizona on Friday November 30th and Saturday December 1st. The admission is free with a donation to Sanderson Ford's Operation Santa Claus.There will be Arts and Crafts, Skydivers, Balloon Glow, the second annual Classic Car Show, and interactive Kid Zone, Live Animal Shows, $1 Elephant rides, and a special guest appearance by SpongeBob SquarePants.The Surprise Recreation Campus is located in the heart of Surprise in the Northwest section of Phoenix. There will be plenty of food and fun for the entire family. The evening will be capped by a spectacular fireworks display.Come and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the Surprise p... 11/18/2007