Sun City housing options...

We've talked a lot about the diversity of housing options in Sun City, the fact there is something for almost every budget. The challenge in understanding the community and those options starts here: Sun City is 7 miles long, 3 miles wide; there are 27,000 plus rooftops; it took 18 years to build out; and major roadways run through the heart of the community (no gates here).

Obviously that differs dramatically from newer communities that have defined or gated entryways, are often 75% smaller and were built out quickly. They also tend to have more narrow streets, smaller lots, less amenities, little if any shopping, a singular form of governance and virtually no internal infrastructure like Sun City and Sun City West. Oh yeah, one other thing...they are far more expensive.

As usual, I stray. Let's talk about Sun City housing. We know Sun City opened January 1, 1960. There were 5 model homes and they ranged in size from 850 square feet to just under 1400 square. They were conventional block homes that were intended for the moderate to low income retiree. What made them attractive were the amenities that came with them (that's another story for another time). The original rec center was Community Center, now known as Oakmont.

Sales exploded the first year, selling out the initial subdivision quickly and the Del E Webb Corporation (DEVCO) quickly adding new models and other housing options. Twin homes followed as did cooperative apartments. The second rec center, Town Hall (now Fairway) brought on a further flurry of housing choices. The 2 story Fairway Apartments opened as well as the entire 30 series.

By then they were into wood framed homes and the style became far more elaborate; having recognized everyone liked value and people from all cross-sections of the economic strata were buying in the community. John Meeker had taken over Sun City's direction and his 44 series came with several very cool floor design and outside appointments. In 1967 they began selling lots in Rancho Estates (1 to 5 acre plots) and they introduced the 50 series, which included the "Mediterranean Villas," a totally unique look that is now called Villa Del Sol across from the SunBowl.

In 1969 they moved across Grand Avenue, built Boswell Hospital and the first of 2 lakes. The Exposition For Living models (series 60) sat on or near Viewpoint lake. With the iconic round Lakeview Rec Center as a backdrop, home sales once again exploded. The options were plentiful: Single family homes with 7 floor plans and 4 elevations, gave buyers lots of choices. The 72 original Patio Homes, located on the Del Webb Blvd offered 3 sizes and no condo fees. There were 5duplex's and a slew of Garden Apartments with a variety of square footage.

By 1971, Meeker looked to elevate the game even higher; SunDial Rec Center with the largest indoor pool in Arizona opened and the massive Bell Rec Center was slated to open in 73/74. The "It's Showtime" series 70 was unveiled and featured several flat roof homes, unique architectural details and lots of square footage. They also began identifying the various options as "modes of living." They were: Single family homes; "the new-look duplexes"; the "Chore-free" Garden Apartments and the "striking Patio Apartments." It is interesting to note they were building "quads," but they weren't featured in the "It's Showtime" brochure.

In 1974, DEVCO moved across Bell Road and opened "Galleria '74." The homes included a couple of large floor plans with some really extreme angles that some buyers found troublesome. They had all of the previous "modes of living," but the quads were now called Foursomes. In 1976 they saw the end of development was near in Sun City and they opened the "Heritage Collection." The models were built adjacent to Galleria '74 on Wheatridge. To this day, that array of homes, twins, quads and garden court units is still quite impressive.

Sometimes called Phase 4, the area around Quail Run golf course was the last of the homes built. It was the DEVCO construction yards and there's a mixture of homes styles there and even a smattering of styles on the tail end of Phase 1 (around Olive Ave).

Along the way, names of various types of housing is often spoken as if they are interchangeable; and for most of us, they are. The Patio Homes on Del Webb Blvd now has Patio Homes across from them that look like garden court apts (but are very large, some as much as 2200 square feet). Some of the brochures refer to units as "Chalet Apartments" others as "Garden Court Homes," and "Sun City's Patio Apartments." Throw in the "Vacation Special" units and it's easy to see why confusion reigns for many of us.

Since build-out, Sun City has added rental apartments, independent living units, dependent living and long term care facilities. We have it all, including a cemetery if you never want to leave the community. It's virtually a one-stop-shop for living choices and it should come as no surprise buyers frequently move several times over as they go up and down the range of size options.

I guess in the end, the only thing that really matters is that you can call Sun City home.

Nice.

PS: If I have missed any names, feel free to add them, lord knows I make mistakes...just ask my wife.

 

BP - I've got to say how much I admire your ongoing dedication to educating folks like me who know so little about Sun City. Thank you.

 

Thanks for the concise history lesson. This is most useful as we plan our visit, including the bus tour, now scheduled beginning June 18th. It'll be interesting to see these various phases and homes after reading about them in your excellent post and the Sun City Web Site.

 

Hey guys, it's my pleasure posting the information. It's become my latest hobby, if I could only type better it wouldn't be quite the chore.

Here's the thing: When you (or anyone else for that matter) reads about Sun City, it sounds too good to be true. Several of you have come or are coming so you know first hand, it's everything we say it is and more. That's why this is so cool, we can paint the picture, but for you to see it up close and personal is a whole different ballgame.

My goal in this thread is to take either homes currently for sale, or those recently sold and post the link to the information. When we say the prices vary from $30,000 to $500,000 and there's every style imaginable, it's hard to get one's head around it. When we talk about reinvesting 100 million dollars in the next 20 years, eyes tend to glass over. And when we say an average of 6 to 7 homes sell every day in Sun City (7 days a week, 12 months of the year), it sounds like BS.

Hopefully between us, we can identify some of these home styles out there and show site visitors exactly what we are talking about.

Let' start with a real jaw dropper, here's one of those $30,000 units. It just sold on 5/29/15 and was on Silverbell Drive. It's an oddity because it was a 3 bedroom, 2 bath and says it was a townhome built in 1971 which puts it in Phase 2. No idea why it was so cheap, but here's the link to the listing.

Imagine coming in here and buying it for that price, gutting it and doing a Property Brothers (HGTV) type renovation. Damn.

 

BP - if you've got the energy to keep typing, I've got the desire to keep reading. Keep that info coming!

 

Yep. People keep coming to Sun City even tho the temps are going up.
Yesterday afternoon about 20 people came to the Visitor Center.
Most of them were considering moving here and wanted info.

BTW. The Visitor Center is now open from 8:30-4:00 year round.
Previously it was closed in the afternoon during the summer.

 

I saw the tour bus at Fairway Center yesterday morning. It was good to see that they let them out to walk around inside the center to see what was offered. When I took the tour(just to see what information is given)it was mostly geared for centers north of Grand Avenue. The bus did drive through the attractions south of Grand but it was a rather quick overview. Perhaps the tour guides were only familiar with north of the tracks?

 

I agree E, I have never seen a condo that size for that kind of money. There's more going on there than meets the eye.

Here's more a reflection of the type of unit that's in the 30's (this one higher than most, but it does say make an offer which means they are motivated and over-priced). It's one of the smallest units I have seen, with most of the 1 bedroom/1 bath being in the 800-900 square range. It's a "studio" built in 1972. For someone looking for an inexpensive, low maintenance getaway, this might fit the bill.

The biggest question to me on this one is; is it rentable?

 

Inventory

You all probably know this site, or one similar

http://www.movoto.com/sun-city-az/market-trends/#city=&time=5Y&metric=Inventory&type=1

Caveats - this is for Sun City, AZ, so ANYTHING that falls under that description shows up

I was interested in "Single Family" homes and found the inventory right now is the lowest it has been in five years.

 

I would not like this place at all. All that black is depressing. Even a black kitchen sink!
Is there an entrance to the street and available parking there?
The apartments on Del Webb above Bell seem to lack good street parking.

 

The Fairway Court opened late in 1961. Most folks assume it was named after the Rec Center it sits across from, Fairway, but at the time that was called Town Hall. The units got its name from the simple fact the South Golf course had farways on either side of the apartments and they looked out at them.

They were and still are unique to the Sun City lifestyle in that they were a two story complex. Though as Meeker said in his journals, there were 6 elevators for the 120 units. Guess they felt us old foggies trudging up all thos steps with our groceries from Safeway was a recipe for disaster.

I don't know if they have added more apartments since the initial opening. Meeker said they were 2 bedroom, 1188 square foot apartments that sold for $15,900. I know these days there are also 1 bedroom plans that sell for less than the two bedrooms. Meeker went on to say, they were a hardsell back when they opened.

Here's a photo of the entryway off Del Webb Blvd:



Dang, had to switch to my PC from the ipad to do this part. Here's two units; Both 2 bedroom/2 bath, 1 remodeled, expanded and furnished the other for sale by owner. The 1 bedroom (if you look in the sold properties on Zillow are anywhere from the $30,000's to the $50,000's dependent when they sold and what had been done to them.

Remodeled 2 and 2 with 1349 square feet.

2 and 2 for sale by owner with 1230 square feet.

This style of living may not be for everyone, but folks looking for quick in and outs with no worries or hassles, these apts may fit the bill. Does anyone know if they are rentable?

 

Inventory is low most everywhere now, not just Sun City. And its a vicious circle. People will not sell because there is nothing to buy so they worry they will not find another house to move into because there is no inventory. This also makes the prices go up because people who need to move will pay more because there is so little inventory.

 

Couldn't agree more E, they should have to list the rental and pet policies.

 

And therein is the problem in being able to sell these units.

Ouch!

 

Directly across from the Sun Bowl on 107th Ave (Del Webb Blvd) on the other side of Grand Ave are the Villa Del Sol units. They were introduced in the 40 series (1968) that included several very interesting single family homes with a Mediterranean look to them.

Here's a picture of the entry off 107th and also an artists rendering from the brochure:





As you can see there are several floor plans and models. The brochure listed 5 different styles. Here's a closer look from the sales brochure of them of the more unique ones:



I think i saw two of the 1 level floor plans for sale so i'll switch to the pc and post a link to one of them. Dang, couldn't find one for sale, but here's a link for one that sold. It is interesting in that it had a second story to it with some options for use.

Next up i'll post one or two of the Mediterranean style single family homes from 1968. In my opinion, they are some of the coolest homes in Phase 1.

 

Let's keep going here and move into Phase 2 for a quick look at Dawn Lake. Most Sun City residents know all about Viewpoint Lake, it was the first and obviously the most visible, as it is home to Sun City's watersports and of course fishing for Sun City anglers. And who hasn't walked to the top of Meeker Mountain with out of town guests?

There's a second lake in phase 2 that is private and unless you are lucky enough to know someone on the lake, you may never have even seen it. It's located between Thunderbird, 103rd Ave, 99the drive and Cameo. The first residents moved into duplex's in 1971. The rest of the sell0off of lots is somewhat sketchy, with several of the homes being models from the Galleria'74 series.

I got an email from an old friend the other day asking me to drop by. We had worked together in getting historical designation for the Dell Webb Sun Cities Museum. We tried to get the Oakmont Center included in it, but there had been too many changes over the years. It would have been cool to get the whole area designated, but we would have had to go to neighbors and get sign-off. In the end the Museum now has both state and federal recognition.

Again, I wander from the topic. I stopped by her house yesterday and we sat overlooking the lake and talked about the history of the lake. She's been told her home and several others on 99th Drive might have been "models" from the Galleria '74 series. I've found nothing to support that contention, and when I visited the Dawn Lake website, their history was limited as well.

As we sat looking at the Galleria brochure, there's no question her model is from the 74 era. Her home, The Frontenac is the one with all of the angles. The original owners added on to it and is quite cool with at least 3 outdoor patio areas which is awesome when having a western exposure to the lake.

Here's the marketing brochure from Galleria and the Frontenac>



I told her i would keep digging to see what i can find on Dawn Lake, but it appears it may well be a mystery we may never solve.

 

Is Dawn Lake stocked with fish like Viewpoint? Does the water run in between the two lakes?

And, do the waterfront owners on Dawn pay an assessment for all upkeep and water to keep it full?

 

I spent several hours yesterday reading the Dawn Lake website; I had many of those same questions aggie. The water does not run between the two lakes, somewhere on the site it talked about the lake being fed by one of the RCSC wells and the lake then feeding one of the golf courses as a trade-off.

There is a yearly assessment for each home owner (I think it was around $550) and there is a PIF fee of $1000 when you buy. They do stock the lake from time to time as well as maintain it from the fees paid by owners. As a private lake, only those living there (or their escorted guests) may fish it. There's also CC&R's and rules and regulations. It was interesting to read about when they changed from gas motors to strictly electric.

They have an active board who oversee the lake and I was impressed with the fact they have several social events for owners .

Very cool.

 

Here is a place for sale on Dawn lake:

http://www.ziprealty.com/property/10036-W-BOLIVAR-DR-SUN-CITY-AZ-85351/1140398/detail

 

Hey suss; those twins on the lake are nice. About 5 years ago I stopped at one that had an open house and was totally renovated. Started talking with the owner (it was a FISBO) and he said he just moved to the valley from Hawaii. He had originally bought a place in Sun City Grand, but he came to visit a fried here in Sun City. When the man opened his drapes to the lake, he was totally stunned by the view and bought one side of a duplex that was for sale. His reno was gorgeous but oddly he said he put both up for sale and whichever sold first he'd live in the other.

The one you posted is clearly vintage. That makes the perfect segue to one of the most expensive homes in Sun City. This one too is on Dawn Lake and has been remodeled from the ground up, but way over anything I'd pay for a home; coming in at $579k.

In my opinion, some lots on the lake are better than others. A friend lives on Viewpoint lake and has a perfect look at the sun setting at night off his dock. I've used that as a backdrop in at least a half dozen video's and interviews we've shot over the years. Nothing better than that gorgeous west facing lot watching as the sun sinks behind the mountains.