The Scottsdale Real Estate Files: August 2008

Departing from the Victorian homes we visited in the first installment of the Unique Architecture in Scottsdale Series, we now turn our attention to a community that is a bit more modern.

Mention modern architecture to most laypersons, and one name immediately comes to mind:  Frank Lloyd Wright.  Through Taliesin West in Scottsdale, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation continues to carry on the legacy of its iconic namesake.  Personally responsible for various landmarks throughout Arizona, Wright gave birth to an entire school of architects/builders which incorporated his philosophy of “organic architecture” and design into a select few Scottsdale neighborhoods.  One such subdivision is Mountain View East in McCormick Ranch.

Developed by a builder named Riggs and designed by John Rattenbury of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Mountain View East is the quintessential subdivision for Frank Lloyd Wright inspired houses in central Scottsdale.  From the exterior lines, which look sterile to critics and sleek to fans, to the generous use of glass to bring the outside in, you either love these designs or you hate them.  It has been my experience that people are either inspired by the modern look of these homes or think they look like dentists’ offices.  No middle ground.

Built between 1979 and 1983, Mountain View East is located within what is commonly referred to as North McCormick Ranch (Chaparral School District).  There are 51 total properties in the subdivision, with the average home having approximately 2750 square feet.  A whopping 92% (42) of the homes have private pools.  There are 47 single level homes, as compared to only 4 2-story homes.  The neighborhood is zoned R-7, which entails single family residences on minimums of 7000 square ft lots.

Clean lines, block construction, clerestory windows and all of the hallmarks of modern design are evident in these homes.  Geometric shapes, from the front elevations to the rear planters and pools, are evident throughout.  Recent neighborhood sales have ranged from the mid $600,000s to the low $800,000s.  As other parts of the Valley suffer due to the current woes of the local Real Estate market, Mountain View East has clung stubbornly to its value.  This is largely due to the unique nature of these homes.  For Frank Lloyd Wright style modern architecture, it is just about the only game in town in central Scottsdale.  There are custom homes along the lakes of McCormick Ranch and in Paradise Valley which fit the bill, but with prices starting well over a million dollars, they are not viable options for those with a less extravagant budget.

For those who love the style of these homes, but with a little less money to work with, my next installment of “Unique Architecture in Scottsdale” will focus on a more affordable neighborhood in South Scottsdale.  If mid century modern is your thing, but your price range is closer to the 300-500k range, stay tuned.  The architecture of local celebrity Ralph Haver will be on full display as we highlight a few select streets in a subdivision called Town & Country Scottsdale.

Whether your preference is traditional Southwestern architecture, or something a little different, Paul Slaybaugh with Realty Executives is your guide to finding the home that is "you."  Call me at (480) 220-2337 or drop me an email at paul@rayandpaul.com to start your search for the home that is as unique as you are.

In the land of stucco and tile, there are a few scattered pockets of homes that break the architectural norms of Scottsdale, Arizona.  While many would never consider living in the Southwest in anything other than a Southwestern style home, there are those who tire of street after street of Spanish/Territorial style housing.  New residents from other parts of the country may love the Arizona lifestyle, but pine for the architecture they left behind.  With the buyers who yearn for something a bit different in mind, I am launching a series of posts devoted to those subdivisions which feature unique design.  From mid-century modern to quaint Victorian, there are alternatives out there for those who know where to look.  In this first installment, the spotlight shines on a hidden treasure known as Hayden Estates.

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Hayden Estates is one of those subdivisions that people pass by every day without ever knowing it was there.  Just south of McCormick Ranch and the Silverado Golf Course, this community of 128 homes is just Northeast of the Hayden/Lincoln Road intersection.  The homes on the perimeter of the subdivision are noteworthy in only the fact that they resemble construction of surrounding neighborhoods.  Built in the late 1970s by NuWest (a spinoff of the more famous Hallcraft brand), these homes are single-level slump block construction.  What these homes hide, though, is an interior development built by Coventry Homes in the early 1980s.

A great departure from the standards of the time, these Coventry Homes remain virtually the only pocket of Victorian style architecture in central Scottsdale.  For those without the means to afford the Victorian beauties that have appeared in the Arcadia area (multi-million dollar range), Hayden Estates provides a terrific alternative at a fraction of the price.  Phoenix Magazine once named the subdivision amongst its “Top 10 Neighborhoods".

The neighborhood specifics include 97 single-level and 31 2-story homes.  The average size is 1947 livable square feet, and 86 (67.2%) of the homes have pools.  The homes were all built with 2 to 3 car garages, though some have been subsequently converted to additional living area.  The lots are generally of good size with a zoning of R-7 (7000 square foot lot minimum).  The high sale in the neighborhood to date is $740,000 for infill construction, while the average price point for the Coventry Homes is currently ranging from approximately $325,000 - $500,000 depending on size, condition, lot size and location.

If you miss the charm of the east coast, this just might be the neighborhood for you.  With the dramatic rooflines and beautiful tree-lined streets, you might just forget you are in the desert. 

 Homes for Sale in Hayden Estates

Of course, if Victorian is not really your bag, perhaps you are more of a Frank Lloyd Wright guy/gal.  For the sleek lines which are famous for bringing the outdoors in, the next installment will focus on a subdivision a mile or so north in McCormick Ranch called Mountain View East.

Whether your preference is traditional Southwestern architecture, or something a little different, Paul Slaybaugh with Realty Executives is your guide to finding the home that is "you."  Call me at (480) 220-2337 or drop me an email at paul@rayandpaul.com to start your search for the home that is as unique as you are.

Hot in that Scottsdale home that you can’t sell?

Interested in building that dream home up north?

As I mentioned in a previous post, the idea of a house trade is becoming more intriguing to many homeowners given the current state of our local Real Estate market.  Trapped in homes that they cannot sell, many are turning to more creative ways to buy and sell Real Estate.

I know the demand and interest is out there as I have had several consumers contact me as a direct result of that one post, expressing interest in the concept.  With the larger national house trading websites, there is a dearth of choices to peruse in any particular market.  For instance, if you have a specific idea about the type of home you want, it is extremely fortuitous to find a match given the few selections from which to choose.  The MLS is not a viable option as there is no entry criteria for specifying whether a seller will entertain a trade, let alone the requirements should he/she be so inclined.  Rather than slogging through every possible listing that fits the criteria, and making calls to hundreds of listing agents, I have decided to use my blog to play matchmaker.

Today’s installment of the Real Estate Dating Game features a builder/developer with over 7 acres of premium (non-divisible) land in the Prescott area.  Surrounded by million and multi-million dollar properties, this is very difficult to come by dirt.  The well is in place, and the pad is down.  Nothing to do but build your dream home in the high country.  Current value is estimated in the $350,000 range.

In trade, the seller would be interested in something up to the $500,000 range in Scottsdale.  The difference in value would be paid at the close of escrow.  This would be a second home, so a patio home or townhome would be an option along with a single-family home.  The general McCormick Ranch area is the ideal location, but this party would consider properties within a several square mile radius.  Scottsdale Ranch, Sweetwater Ranch and communities north of Shea Boulevard could conceivably work.

So there you go, folks!  If you have any interest in cashing in that place in Scottsdale for a sprawling piece of paradise in Prescott, give me a call or shoot me an email (the internet version of “check this box”).

Come back and visit this blog for future trade possibilities in and around the greater Phoenix area!

*If your home is currently listed for sale, this is not intended as a solicitation for your business.  Have your agent contact me directly for further inquiry.