Sun City Grand back patio
Having recently moved into Sun City Grand, I have had a bit of a focus on what you can and cannot do when it comes to your dwelling. While out riding my bike, I pay attention to what other homeowners have done to their dwellings. I must say that some of the changes are beautiful and have given me quite a few ideas of my own.
Having said that…
All changes to the exterior of a dwelling in Sun City Grand must have Architectural Review Committee (ARC) approval before construction or installation. There of course is an application that must be completed and submitted to ARC.
The application is detailed and must be complete to be accepted. You can find this application at this link: http://www.grandinfo.com/ddocc/appendix_b.pdf
Homeowners that don’t following this process will undoubtedly be in violation if any changes were made to the dwelling without following procedure. If there is a violation an application must be submitted to ARC for approval. The owner has a 30 day period to make corrections. After the 30 day period, Standards will re-inspect the dwelling. If corrections haven’t been made a letter is sent to the homeowner. There are fines which are based on what the violation is of $100-$1000. The home owner may have their membership suspended if not rectified.
During the escrow/inspection period the Standards Department will check that the proper amount of shrubs and/or trees is planted. They will also make note of any changes to the dwelling and compare that to their records. If they find something that doesn’t meet the residential design guidelines or find that no application(s) were submitted for changes to the exterior of the dwelling, the homeowner will be asked to submit an application and correct those items in violation. Any violations found by Standards will be disclosed to the Title Company, homeowner and buyers.
In the case of a home in escrow, the same process applies. However the time period is usually less than 30 days. Standards will re-inspect and then fax the title company involved with the transaction when the dwelling is in compliance and has been approved.
If the home changes hands the new owner has 30 days to correct the changes themselves if they (the seller and buyer) agree to it, otherwise it is the current owners responsibility.
A current transaction that I am involved with had issues that needed correcting before close of escrow. Some of these items were costly to the seller and quite honestly unexpected expenses that needed to come out of their pocket. There was a lesson learned by all in this situation, get approval!
I encourage individuals to check into the procedures and guidelines of Sun City Grand before making changes to their dwelling. I encourage buyers to make sure they are aware of these as well.
Sun City Grand is a beautiful community for a reason; Community Management Association, CC&R’s, guidelines, rules, regulations and residents that care. I don’t know about you, but I’m happy we have these in place. It’s part of why I and many others live here and why others seek to live here too.
Josée
My husband and I had been looking for a home for quite some time. We looked out by the White Tank Mountains in Waddell, Arizona. We looked at numerous communities in Surprise, Arizona and Sun City Grand. We looked at foreclosures, short sales and new construction.
We actually had a contract on a new home back in December 2008. The thing that held us off honestly was the economy and an uneasy feeling with my husband’s employer. When a company scales back, it doesn’t mean you won’t be affected by it. Long of the short, we decided to hold onto our cash and wait and see what the future would bring to the economy and his employer.
April came rolling around and I being a Realtor® have of course been keeping my eye on property. On occasion I would go out and look at homes and send them along to my husband for his input. We would go out and look at homes together and were just shocked at the condition of some of the foreclosures and short sales. Not all, but a majority of these homes were trashed, dirty and honestly in need of a complete makeover.
The reduction in price that many of these homes were listed at was not enough to sway us to purchase. The neighborhoods were on occasion, not well maintained. Who was to say that the association was stable? The homes just seemed to take on a negative spin for us. Who lived there before us and why did they have to destroy the home before leaving.
That’s were Sun City Grand comes into focus. My area of expertise as a Realtor® is Sun City Grand and other active adult communities in the west valley of Phoenix. I know this community pretty darn well. I know that it is well maintained , I know that the association is financially stable, I know the facilities and I’ve looked at hundreds of homes in the community. Now granted Sun City Grand has had some short sale and foreclosure activity, but at a fraction of what you will find in the “family communities”.
The thing that Sun City Grand gave us was comfort, stability and a feeling of making a good investment in our future. Now all we had to do was find the right home that fit our needs.
Price was our number one consideration. After that came number of bedrooms, furnished and a fenced yard would be ideal. The short story, I found a home that appeared to fit all of our needs. I gathered up all the other homes of consideration and took off to go find our new home. Needless to say, I walked into my first choice on paper and knew it was the perfect house for us the minute I opened the door.
Well, it just got better from there and now we are residents of one of the finest age restricted communities in the United States. Where you wake up in the morning, jump on your bike and hit the trail over to Joe Zuni’s Café for a cup of coffee. Then you walk around the immaculately manicured grounds with waterfalls and comfortable seating to just relax and take it all it. Yes, we really live here, yes there really is a place like this!
I’m not going to go to crazy, but I’m so darn excited to live, work and hang out here that I’m going to share a few of the amenities with you. Ready…
There are two fitness centers with fitness equipment and classes. Indoor and outdoor lap pools, leisure pools and indoor and outdoor hot tubs, did I mention . Cimarron Day Spa, bocce ball, pickle ball, tennis, 4 golf courses, card and board game rooms, charter clubs and interest groups, amphitheater, lakeside pavilion and meeting space (available for rent), library, club and activity rooms, ASU Lifelong Learning Center Classrooms, Dillon’s Restaurant, Maui Wow @ Joe Zuni’s Cafe, JB’s Restaurant and the list goes on.
Does it sound like I’m excited to live in Sun City Grand? I hope so, because I am. Maybe I’ll see you out there sometime. If you want more information contact me at Mailto:Joseemarieplant@gmail.com. I’d love to show you around the community, that doesn’t surprise you does it?
Sun City Grand-Exceptional upgraded & expanded Palo Verde
Beautifully upgraded Palo Verde in Sun City Grand on private cul-de-sac lot! Kitchen features 4 foot extension, bay window, extended cabinets with crown molding, extended breakfast bar, extended pantry and skylight. Single french door opens to delightful front courtyard with views of Granite Falls South 11th Green.
Great Room media niche features a gas fireplace & surround sound (speaker package.)
Master bedroom features a bay window, ceiling fans & upgraded lighting. Master bath with dual sinks and walk in closet.
3rd bedroom has been extended 4 foot with storage closet.
Spacious and private back yard with no back to back neighbors. Extended covered patio features surround sound & ceiling fan.
2 car garage with extension for golf cart parking.
Energy efficient insulation.
This elegant home shows pride of ownership.
Josée-Marie Plant, REALTOR®, GRI, EcoBroker® Certified
Ken Meade Realty
19509 N.Sunrise Blvd.
Suite 8
Surprise, AZ 85374
Cell: (602) 524-6586
Office: (623) 537-1515
EFax: (623) 505-4383
JoseeMariePlantRealtor.com
Joseemarieplant@gmail.com
Specializing in West Valley Adult Community Lifestyles.
For more information visit…http://www.joseemarieplantrealtor.com/
Offered at $289,900
With approximately 9500 homes making up its community, Sun City has become the largest retirement community in the entire country. Even though it is not an incorporated town, Sun City is completely self-contained and even has its own Sun City Fire District. However, it is dependent upon the county for services such as law enforcement, street repairs and zoning protection. Sun City real estate provides all the amenities an active adult could want: tennis, swimming, fishing, a day spa, walking trails, pet park and, of course, golf. There are 11 golf courses to choose from in the Sun City community alone. With so much fun at your fingertips, you can’t go wrong in choosing Sun City for retirement. For more information on the Sun City area, please contact me.
The sunshine isn’t the only reason to choose Sun City West as your retirement destination. Although it can brag about more than 300 sunny days a year, Sun City also offers a fabulous golf community with affordable homes, low property taxes, amazing recreational opportunities, many houses of worship of all denominations, a highly respected hospital (Del E Webb Memorial) and all the conveniences of a big city you would ever need…right in your own backyard. Since Sun City West real estate is geared towards the senior community, many homes don’t require you to even pay a school tax. The Maricopa County Events Center houses the West Valley Symphony and plays host to several different musical acts and artists throughout the year. Local performers stage shows at the Stardust Theatre, including theatrical artists and dancers. Several museums dot the Sun City landscape as well, including the Heard West and West Valley Art Museums, whose exhibits include Native American historical artifacts. For the sports fan, you can catch a football, baseball or hockey game within a 30 minute drive of Sun City West. For those active seniors looking for a place to retire to, Sun City West real estate is a great place to consider. Please contact me for more information about the Sun City area.
Since green living has come to the forefront in many American’s minds, especially with rising gas prices wreaking havoc with every aspect of the American economy, solar power in the home has started to become almost mainstream. What better place than the West Valley of Arizona to harness the sun’s natural power, helping preserve the earth while putting money back into your pocket at the same time? Because the demand for going green is becoming stronger, many builders are considering adding a solar upgrade to their new home construction. Solar panels are becoming more and more affordable and government subsidies have created a prime opportunity to utilize solar power in place of traditional electricity. For more information on using solar in the home, visit Realty Times.
