If there’s anything most people agree on, it’s that spring is the best time of the year to be in Arizona, and specifically Verrado and Phoenix’s West Valley. Thanks to a great community and gorgeous weather, there are plenty of fun things to do in Verrado this Spring.

Things to do in Verrado this Spring (and nearby)

There are so many things to do in Verrado this spring, or any spring for that matter, and there’s no better time to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Hike the trails

Verrado features a whopping 66 parks, which is about 10 times more than the average community, according to the Verrado.com. As it is tucked into the White Tank Mountains, there are 21 miles of walking, hiking and biking paths and trails.

Hit the courses

The scenic Verrado Golf Club offers a variety of packages and options, as well as unique dining experiences.

Tucked in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains in Buckeye, Arizona, stretching to more than 7,000 yards, the Verrado Golf Club is an exceptional West Phoenix Valley golf experience that can accommodate golfers of all levels. Golfers can also enjoy the views and meals at the Verrado Grille.

The Phoenix area overall is well known throughout the country for its exquisite golf courses.  The 10 best golf resorts in the nearby area, according to About Travel, include the Goodyear’s Golf Club of Estrella Mountain Ranch, Litchfield Park’s Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa, and more.

Spend Fridays on Main Street

If you’re looking for things to do in Verrado on Fridays, you don’t need to go any farther than Main Street. In addition to the shops and restaurants, a farmer’s market, open house and Music on Main concert series will entertain residents and guests. Entertainers scheduled to perform in the “Music on Main” series are the Arizona Blues Company on March 12, the Thaddeus Rose Band on March 26, and the Western Fusion Band on April 9.

Enjoy the Founder’s Day Celebration

One of the highlights of the things to do in Verrado this spring is the 11th Founder’s Day Celebration, scheduled for April 15-17. Singer and songwriter Rachel Platten is slated to rock this year’s block party on Main Street with chart toppers like “Stand by You” and “Fight Song.”

Cool off at the Heritage Swim Park

The all-new Heritage Swim Park is the perfect place to have some fun with friends and family. The park features a resort pool and splash pad. The Park and Grand Lawn are complete with shaded areas, changing rooms, community fire pit, barbecue grills, birthday party area, and pavilion.

Go out to the ball game

Living in the West Valley is a sports fan’s dream. You can enjoy seeing your favorite baseball teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres and L.A. Dodgers at one of the three major Spring Training stadiums in the area.

Things to Do in Verrado this Spring (and nearby) – INDOORS

There are also many things to do in Verrado and nearby communities indoors.

The Sundance Towne Center in Buckeye, for example, has a collection of boutiques, national retail anchors, unique eateries and traditional restaurants.

The Arizona Broadway Theater, located in nearby Peoria, offers many live performances this spring and throughout the year. Playing now through April 3 is “Fiddler on the Roof,” a musical set in the early 1900s that centers on a father and his five daughters and his attempts to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural traditions.

Comerica Theatre in Phoenix is the place to be for live music, comedy and other entertainment. In April and May, performances will include Magic Men Live!, Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance – Dangerous Games, Puscifer, Bill Maher, M83, Kirk Franklin, and Ellie Goulding.

For sports fans, this area also hosts the home of the Arizona Cardinals, University of Phoenix Stadium, touted as the best venue in the NFL. A stone’s throw away is Jobing.com Arena, home ice of the Phoenix Coyotes and a venue for concerts and expos.

Because selling a home can be a stressor on your mind and on your budget, you’ll likely want to sell it fast and move onto the next phase of your life. If you’re in the market to sell a house in Verrado, this guide will help.

How to Sell a House in Verrado Quickly

Follow these proven strategies to sell your house fast.

The First Impression

Potential home buyers will only visit your house once – unless they are interested.

Another good way to sell a house in Verrado, of course, would be to make sure your buyers love the community. Make sure they know about all that there are many things to do in Verrado all year long. After all, people are buying the community as much as they are buying the house, and Verrado is well known as one of the most beautiful states in the entire country.

Be Prepared

When you’re looking to sell a house in Verrado, be on your toes. Anyone could be a potential homebuyer, and you never know when the perfect opportunity will arise to show off your current house. So keep it clean, neat, and inviting, especially on days when you expect that shoppers will be out browsing for houses.

An article published in Reader’s Digest suggests, “Don’t make it difficult for agents to get their clients into your home – if they have to make appointments way in advance, or can only show it during a very restrictive time frame, they will likely just cross your place off the list and go show the places that are easy to get into.” 

The Kitchen is Everything

From long conversations over the kitchen table to cooking the perfect meal together, the kitchen is the heart of a home.

Kitchens are integral to entertaining, and in today’s age of open floor plans, they’re a focal piece of many family rooms,” as stated in an article on Realty Times. “It’s because of this that kitchens play such an important role in the buying and selling process.”

Don’t go overboard with expenses to upgrade your kitchen, but some basic upgrades could be worth it when it comes to specifically this area of the house.

Take the Home out of your House

According to U.S. News & World Report and many other sources, sellers should take down family photos, religious items and political posters so prospective buyers can envision their family in the house, not yours.

Watch the Budget

It’s wise to give your house curb appeal; make sure it’s clean, neat and organized; assure that basic items such as the doors work as they are supposed to; and repair any apparent, serious damage. Spending too much on improving the house, however, means you might not get that money back after you sell the house.

As you’re considering how to sell a house in Verrado, by the way, Fox News recommends these “curb appeal” suggestions:

– Power wash siding and walkways.
– Hang easy-to-read house numbers.
– Plant blooming flowers and fresh greenery.
– Mow the lawn and reseed or add fresh sod as needed.
– Wash the front windows.
– Repaint or stain the porch floor as needed

Several sources also recommend painting the interior of the house a neutral color, both as a relatively inexpensive aesthetic upgrade and to take “you” out of the house. 

Hide the Pets

Prospective buyers might not like pets, or worse, could be allergic to them. When potential buyers visit your house, try to keep the pets in another place and remove any signs that pets live in the house. Clean out any pet hair, remove the kitty litter box, and try to remove any scents of pets.

Let it Shine

Make the interior of your house look welcoming. Your buyer’s first impression includes how he or she feels in the house, so make sure they feel like they are in what will become their beautiful, warm new home.

Declutter your Closets

Closets that are too full look too small, and beyond that, they simply look messy. Organize your closets, remove some of the clothing, and reduce the clutter in your closets to contribute to the organized and spacious appearance of the house.

You have to clear out your closets anyway when you finally move out, right? So kill two birds with one stone by simplifying your moving process and making your house more desirable to shoppers at the same time. 

Price it Right

According to U.S. News & World Report, sellers often think they should start the asking price high and then lower it later if the house fails to sell. But that can result in a slower sale – sometimes even at a lower price. If the price is too high, many buyers and their agents will stay away, assuming you’re not serious about selling or you’re unwilling to negotiate.

Ask for Help

If selling houses is not your forte, you don’t have to do it yourself. Experienced Verrado realtors can help you prep and price your house to sell fast. The right agent will be knowledgeable about your needs, the value of the house, and the Verrado area in general. They will guide you through closing and make the entire home selling process less stressful and costly.

We know… we know… We talk a lot about Verrado. If you’ve ever wondered why we are so in love with life in Verrado, keep reading. (more…)

Whether you love golf or simply enjoy living in a spectacular setting, a home near a scenic course might be a dream come true. With so many Arizona golf communities to choose from, picking the right one can be difficult.

Top Arizona Golf Communities

Arizona is known for its luxurious golf courses, especially those in and around Phoenix’s West Valley.

Our recent blog post about real estate trends in 2016 explains that 2016 might be the ideal year to buy a home because prices are not expected to increase rapidly.

If living in specifically one of the resort-style golf communities is an option for you, you also might want to consider one of these top seven Arizona golf communities, which have been recognized by a variety of sources locally and nationwide.

1. Desert Mountain

A Golf.com site lists Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona, among America’s ten best golf communities.

Among its features are six Jack Nicklaus courses, five separate clubhouses, personal trainers, and planned nature hikes. It is on 8,000 acres in the high Sonoran Desert.

2. Blackstone Country Club

Travel and Leisure.com has recognized Blackstone Country Club at Vistancia in Peoria, Arizona, as one of America’s top 100 golf communities. The clubhouse and award-winning Jim Engh-designed golf course is surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, offering mountain vistas at every angle.

According to Blackstone’s website, members enjoy resort-style amenities and a wide selection of fitness and dining experiences, such as a 24-hour fitness center, lighted tennis courts, pool with private cabanas and children’s play area with water features. Golf tournaments, wine dinners and children’s camps are among the offerings for members.

3. Desert Highlands

Located in Scottsdale, Desert Highlands also is a Jack Nicklaus course.

The golf community features an award-winning clubhouse with formal and informal dining, pool and fitness facility, all nestled into Pinnacle Peak.

In addition to the many golf community options, the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, has one of the most sought after real estate in the country due to its pairing of charm and history with the amenities and lifestyle of a thriving metropolis.

4. Estancia

Opened in 1995, the Estancia Club is located at the northern slope of Scottsdale’s landmark Pinnacle Peak. The Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course offers 7,314 yards of golf.

Golf Digest recognized Estancia among America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses for 2015-2016.

5. Mirabel

Homes at the Mirabel golf community, also in Scottsdale, Arizona, are in Tuscan, prairie and Spanish-colonial style. The community features a Tom Fazio-designed golf course, 38,000-square-foot Desert Lodge Clubhouse with a variety of activities and dining options, a health spa, salon, pool and fitness facilities.

6. Silverleaf

Located in North Scottsdale, Silverleaf is tucked into the canyons of the McDowell Mountains and surrounded by the Sonoran Preserve. Silverleaf boasts a Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course, custom estate home sites, and a 50,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse with spa facilities, resort and lap pools and fine and casual dining.

7. The Boulders

The Boulders in Carefree, Arizona, is one of the first standout luxury residential golf communities, according to a post on Forbes.com naming the 12 best private golf communities. The Boulders features two Jay Morrish-designed desert golf courses, a spa, fine dining and even an entire village, El Pedregal, full of shops, galleries, additional restaurants and a museums.

Arizona Golf Resorts

If you’re just visiting Arizona, you’ll definitely want to check out some of our incredible golf resorts. According to About Travel, the 10 best golf resorts in Scottsdale and Phoenix, include Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa in Litchfield Park and the Golf Club of Estrella Mountain Ranch in Goodyear.

 

Potential buyers and real estate investors looking to purchase property in a new area usually research the school district, recreation, cost-of-living, proximity to resources in the community, and safety. Anyone considering Verrado real estate as a possibility will quickly realize that this place has it all.

Nestled within Buckeye, Arizona, Verrado is its own community, complete with its own schools, shops, recreation areas, restaurants and a variety of services.

As it provides a small hometown feeling in a growing suburb of Phoenix, homebuyers who are considering a move to Verrado may also want to know this information.

Main Street

The community provides pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, allowing residents who live here to walk or ride bicycles to Main Street. On Main Street and in the surrounding area, neighbors and friends gather at the restaurants, cafes, shops and convenience stores, all set in a quaint, serene atmosphere. For a more lively experience, residents can enjoy a concert, festival and farmer’s market. Lofts, apartments and townhomes are above the shops and eateries, offering a bird’s eye view of the activities.

Verrado Schools

While sharing the same values that make Verrado a unique community, Verrado Elementary School, Verrado Middle School and Verrado High School boast an A-plus ranking and national recognition.

Parents are closely involved in the district, which features student-centered environments. The schools are a short walk from many of the Verrado neighborhoods.

Parks and Recreation

The community features a whopping 70+ parks, which is about 10 times more than the average community. As it is tucked into the White Tank Mountains, there are 21 miles of walking, hiking and biking paths and trails. The newly opened Heritage Swim Park and Grand Lawn, which features a resort-style pool, is open to residents of the community.

Dining

Several dining establishments are located within the community, including Ciao Grazie Pizzeria and Wine Bar; Tempo Urban Bistro and Coffee Bar; the Verrado Coffee Company; and the Verrado Grille.

Ciao Grazie offers Tuscan-style Italian food, including pizzas and pastas, while Tempo Urban Bistro and Coffee Bar offers American cuisine. The Verrado Grille is located in the Verrado Golf Course’s clubhouse, and it features casual and gourmet dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Convenience & Proximity to Employment

With its amenities and unique design, you would think you’re a world away here. But that’s not so, as Verrado is approximately 40 minutes away from Phoenix and all that the big city has to offer.

The community itself is located within Buckeye in Maricopa County. Buckeye is the westernmost suburb in the metropolitan Phoenix area, and its population has grown exponentially over the past 15 years. According to Value Penguin, Buckeye was the third safest city with a population greater than 50,000 in all of Arizona.

Verrado is less than an hour away from Tempe, where residents can find one of the state’s three largest universities, Arizona State University.

It is also adjacent to the City of Goodyear, one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona, and where the largest employers include Abrazo Health-West Valley Hospital, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Amazon.com, and Snyder’s of Hanover manufacturing.

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council lists the largest employers in the overall region as Banner Health, Walmart, Wells Fargo, Fry’s Food and Drug Stores, Intel Corp., Bank of America, Honeywell, JPMorgan Chase & Co., McDonald’s, Bashas, Walgreen Co., Home Depot, Safeway Stores, Mayo Clinic, American Express, US Airways Inc. and Scottsdale Healthcare.

Fabulous Weather

The lowest average temperature can be seen in December and January: 68 degrees. The average temperature in February, March and November is in the 70s. April, May and October temperatures are in the 80s and 90s, and the above 100 degree temperatures Arizona is known for come in the summer months of June, July, August and September. Overall, the average temperature is 70.8 degrees. With normally blue, sunny skies, the average rainfall is 7.89 inches in an entire year.

Affordable Verrado Real Estate Options

Houses in the area come in variety of styles, including Western farmhouse, Spanish and Craftsmen designs. Home buyers have many options, and a number of sites are available for those wanting to have a custom built home in Verrado.

Verrado real estate is well priced and affordable. The experienced local realtors at TK Luxury Group, can help you determine a fair price for your current or potential property.