Who Owns Sun City?

Discussion in 'Sun City New Members' started by Near&Far, Dec 26, 2016.

  1. Near&Far

    Near&Far New Member

    My friend asks me this question: "Who owns Sun City?"

    She worries that it is like a mobile home court, and I will not own my property. I assured her that I would own my home and lot, but other than that I could not answer the question with all the details that it implies.

    I see some differences between buying a home in SC and buying a home elsewhere: such as the Capital Improvement Fee, and the PIF. I am not sure who these fees are paid to. Who can tell me?

    Fortunately there is plenty of information on RCSC on suncityaz.org (and it is such a good deal too). But RCSC does not "own" SC, or does it?

    I do understand that SC is unincorporated, and that the county maintains the streets.

    Thanks to all.
     
  2. BPearson

    BPearson Well-Known Member

    What a great question N&F. And the simple answer is, we do. Let's start with a premise that will throw must newcomers; Sun City is unlike anywhere you have ever lived. There's no mayor, no city council, no local form of governance you may be familiar with. We were structure to be self-governed with a number of different organizations existing to fill in niche's and meet the needs of those living here.

    Unique is the best way to describe us. We own the land our homes sit on; the RCSC owns the land the amenities sit on; the county owns and maintains our streets. We pay county and state taxes, but we have no school district, hence lower taxes than other communities.

    The RCSC was formed in 1968 when the two community groups, representing the two rec centers, merged. From that point on, as new centers opened, they were rolled into a single organization for the express purpose of maintaining the amenities. The Del E Webb Development Corp (DEVCO), built Sun City and as they were building the golf courses and centers, they attached a charge to every property to pay for them being built. Over time they deeded those amenities to the RCSC (us), they had no interest in running them long-term.

    Perhaps the best/smartest thing they did was was building a strong infrastructure of a community that could exist within itself. They spent 18 years putting in place an entity that could survive after they left. There were constant battles within the community, but through it all, people endured and today we have surpassed what most would have thought humanly possible.

    I know many would argue with me, but for my simple mind...i believe those of us buying here own Sun City.
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2016
  3. Ida Eisert

    Ida Eisert Guest

    SunCity, AZ: It's lack of city government andlegal standing make it unincorporated. Services are provided by the county. Ordinances are Maricopa Countyand laws are State and Fed.
    AllHomeowners in Sun City buy into a lifestyle with their real estatepurchase which runs with the deeded land they purchase and subject toexisting taxes, assessments, covenants, conditions, restriction, rights of way& easements of record.

     
  4. aggie

    aggie Well-Known Member



    In the simplest way you can think of the RCSC as the "Parks & Recreation Department" for Sun City. Maricopa County provides law enforcement, road maintenance and any public services including the 2 county libraries. Our most direct link to government is the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and Clint Hickman is our representative for District 4.

    The PIF fee is assessed to the buyer and paid to the RCSC at closing. This one time per purchase or change of title fee represents the buyers investing in future construction of RCSC facilities. This money is in a pool of funds that can only be used on projects costing at least $350,000 and with a lifetime of at least 15 years.

    There are many types of properties in Sun City and there are over 200 different sets of CC&Rs. It is possible to buy a single family residence and own the home and land it sits on. There are far more condos from 2 plexes, 4 plexes and more that have association agreements with monthly assessments. Each property in Sun City should be thoroughly researched before buying. Overriding all these properties is the power of the Sun City Home Owner's Association to enforce the Senior Age Overlay and most Sun City CC&Rs regarding Condition of Property.

    I hope this answers some of your questions.
     
  5. Carolyn55

    Carolyn55 New Member

    Hi ! My name is Carolyn. My husband & I have talked a lot about moving there in the near future. We are probably considered the young ones for living there. I am 62 and my husband is 64. We have lived up here in Minnesota all of our lives, so we are getting pretty sick of the cold winters. We have been out there (AZ) about 8 times in past 15 years. Flying to Bullhead City, and staying in one of the Laughlin casinos. I think it would be great to live there. I have checked the housing and it seems affordable. We would move now, but my husband takes care of his 92 year old mother part time. It will be fun to read this forum.
     
  6. BPearson

    BPearson Well-Known Member

    Welcome Carolyn55, you'll find tons of information in the Sun City thread and buried in the myriad of topics written. There's everything from housing styles, history, clubs/activities and governance. My wife and I were lifelong Minnesotan's who bought at 49 and rented the house out till we turned 55 and moved here. It was easy for me as my folks had moved to Sun City and being here to help them age was awesome.

    You won't find a better place to retire, as the cost and what you get for it are unmatched anywhere in the country. Questions? Just ask away.
     
  7. pegmih

    pegmih Well-Known Member

    Go to
    Home - Sun City, Arizona - The Original Fun City!
    and you will find oodles and oodles of information about Sun City, AZ.

    Take the 2 hour, free, bus tour from the Visitor Center.
    You can sign up online.

    It is a wonderful place. Friendly people and all the amenities you could want.
    I made a webpage about Sun City and will post it.
     
  8. Cynthia

    Cynthia Well-Known Member

    Hi Carolyn. I'm 63, my next door neighbor is 57, and the other 56. There is a club called NextGen that's for the younger set. You can attend if you're older than 67 but you can't hold office or vote. So younger ones are definitely here. Welcome To The NextGen Club of Sun City: Active Adult Living
     
    Karen M. B. likes this.
  9. pegmih

    pegmih Well-Known Member

    Here is the webpage I made about Sun City.
    It includes things in or near Sun City.

    SUN CITY, ARIZONA FROM A-Z

    Suggestions and/or comments are welcome.
     
  10. Julianna

    Julianna Member

    Hell
    Hello,
    I couldn't get your link to work.
     

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