Tempe Homes with Guest Quarters or In Law Suites

Guest or In Law Suite Homes in Tempe Enjoy Other Benefits

A Tempe home that provides a separate guest quarter and entrance may be the perfect solution for a family with an aging parent.  The decision to locate in Tempe benefits from the strong mass transit system that can provide a safe way to travel throughout the valley. One element of that system is the Phoenix Light Rail System.   Of the 28 stations, 8 of them are located in Tempe.  The light rail is also wheelchair friendly, and passes right in front of the Disability Empowerment Center in Phoenix.

Tempe Homes with Guest or In Law Suite

Tempe, unlike other cities further removed from employment centers provides close access to freeways and more developed transportation infrastructure so nothing is really very far away and  commuting time can be significantly reduced.

For more Tempe housing information please contact me at 480-326-8571.

Ventana Lakes offers active adult living in lake community setting

Ventana lakes waterfront homes in Sun City and Peoria offer active adult lake community propertyActive Adult Retirement Community is part of Peoria and Sun City

The Ventana Lakes Active Adult community is not the largest retirement community in the Phoenix valley, but it does have the distinction of being the only community  in the Phoenix valley that is part of two cities, Peoria and Sun City, and part of two zip codes, 85373 and 85382.  Those residents that live west of 107 Ave. are in Sun City,  85373.  The Ventana Lakes residents east of 107th Ave. are part of Peoria,  85382.  Regardless of the city or zip code, all homeowners belong to the Ventana  Lakes Property Owners Association. Ventana Lakes , situated on 480 acres, has been recognized as the “Adult Community for the Young-at-Heart”.

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Arizona MLS System Adds Accessibility Features Search

Added Search Fields Enhance Wheelchair / Handicap Accessibility Search Fields For Phoenix Homes

Just recently the ability to search for Phoenix Az homes with accessibility features  improved significantly.  Previously, the only way to search for homes with wheelchair or handicap features was through a search of the description for certain words such as “roll-in shower”, “ramps”, “wide doorways”, or  “wheelchair accessible”.  This was unreliable because you depend on the listing agent to accurately describe these features in the remarks section of the listing.  The new fields are a tremendous improvement, but  still rely on the listing agent to recognize and properly input the features. Below is a list of the new fields.

Enlarged Accessibility features

The added fields help define the various degrees of accessibility.  Accessibility is not a “yes” or” no”  question.  Some potential buyers may require a roll in shower and 32″ wide doorways while others only need  a zero grade entrty and tile or hardwood floors. The 21 fields provide a more complete picture of the features that a buyer may need or desire, and allow the seller to better exposure.

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Gilbert New Home with 2 Masters, Guest Suite or Casita

Flexible Floor Plan offers Casita, Guest Suite and 2 Master Bedrooms in Gilbert

Bach Front ViewYou can tell when the east valley real estate market is picking up.  The new home builders are coming back into the market.  I stopped into the  models of a new home builder in east Gilbert looking for multi-generational homes that offer a casita, in law suite or two master bedrooms.  I was pleasantly surprised by what I found, especially in one floor plan that is extremely versatile.  If a buyer is willing to wait, the house could be customized to include a downstairs and upstairs master and a casita / guest suite downstairs.   The casita would include a separate outside entrance where the guest suite access is from the house.

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Trilogy At Power Ranch - Gilbert Casita Homes

Award Winning Trilogy at Power Ranch in Gilbert

Trilogy at Power Ranch ClubhouseTrilogy at Power Ranch is the recipient of the Gilbert Excellence Award Neighborhood of the Year for 2009. This age restricted active adult community has an endless supply of amenities which include tennis courts, swimming pool and spa, pool tables, cyber cafe, and planned social activities to name a few.  The list would not be complete without mentioning the Trilogy Golf Club with a 18 championship  par – 71 golf course that stretches over 6,800 yards.  Trilogy at Power Ranch  has all the amenities that could keep you entertained and busy without having to leave the community.

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Gilbert - A Safe Place for Families

Gilbert Receives High Ranks As A Safe Arizona Community

Welcome to GilbertCQ Press released its annual City Crime Ranks and Gilbert ranked as Arizona’s safest city and 24th safest nationwide.  The ranking was based on data from 6 categories reported by local law enforcement agencies during 2008.

This information can be invaluable to those families that find themselves in the situation where they are caring for elder parents and raising their own children.  A recent study by Communispace reported that over 20 million Americans find themselves as part of the “Sandwich Generation“; simultaneously taking care of aging parents while raising children and/or teenagers.  This population demographic will continue to grow as people live longer and recent economic developments force couples to become multi-generational caregivers.  Multi generational or extended family housing needs will therefore also increase.

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Active Adult Community Profile - Province in Maricopa

Province active adult lake communityAward Winning Active Adult Retirement Community in Maricopa

Even from the entrance you begin to understand why Province was voted the Best Active Adult Community in 2006 by the National Association of Home Builders’ 50+ Housing Council.  It is one of the best maintained communities in Arizona and offers residents a wide range of amenities.  This guard gated active adult lake community includes 50 acres of man made lakes, 125 acres of parks and greenbelts and a clubhouse second to none with over 30,000 sq.ft.   The clubhouse and recreation center is awesome. Read on.

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A Critical Task During The Inspection Period

The Most Important Part of the Due Diligence May Not Be The Inspection Report

Front of HouseYou’ve found a house that you believe is a perfect fit, it has that rare  two master bedroom or  ideal in law suite layout. Your offer was accepted and you begin your due diligence. Now you need some confirmation that it’s everything you wanted and there are no unwanted surprises.  The inspection period, typically 10 days, is the time do to just that. The Arizona Department of Real Estate has published the  Buyer Advisory to help buyers investigate the  condition of the property,  and assist in evaluating the area surrounding the property.  There is a tremendous amount of information to review and the check list of items to investigate can be overwhelming.   The Department of Real Estate has even created the Home Buyers’ Bill of Rights to help buyers be aware of  material issues of the property.  I also created a page on my website in order to educate buyers on the home buying process. Finding a qualified home inspector will be a major part of the activites during the inspection period.  But there is more to a thorough home inspection.

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Arizona Bridge to Independent Living - Phoenix

Disability Empowerment Center Is The New Home To The Arizona Bridge To Independent Living

Disability Empowerment Center picture

Earlier this year, the Disability Empowerment Center (DEC) held it’s open house to introduce this facility to the public. One of the tenants is the Arizona Bridge to Independent Living.  Besides ABIL, other note-worthy occupants include Arizona Autism United, Raising Special Kids, Valley Center of the Deaf, and the Arizona Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to name a few.

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Wheelchair accessible homes - Roll in showers

How Common Are Roll-In Showers?

451px-Handicapped_Accessible_sign_svgIn Phoenix there is a surprising low number of homes on the market with handicap accessibility that offer a roll in shower in the bathroom.  When a home for sale advertises a wheelchair or handicap accessible home, that description can have a different meaning depending who wrote it.    To some owners or Realtors,  a wheel chair or handicap accessible home  may be a zero step entry and tile floor throughout the home.  To others, it may be these features and 36″ wide door ways, grabs bars, lever doors, recessed cabinets under the sinks,  pull out cabinets and a roll in shower in the master bathroom.  There is a range and varying degrees of features to describe handicap and wheelchair accessibility.

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