Sun City West is an affordable Golf Retirement Community located in the West Valley of Phoenix Arizona. I’m a realtor there who has sold properties for over 10 years in the community. So you can imagine, I’ve worked with a lot of buyers and sellers there. Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that you might not know. If you are considering buying a retirement home in the community, you will find these 5 tips to buying Sun City West real estate helpful.
Here’s what you need to know about Sun City West Real Estate
1. Right Retirement Community
There are many retirement communities to choose from in the greater Phoenix area. Finding the right one can be a daunting task. You have zeroed in on Sun City West so be sure the community size, location, amenities, and homes are a good fit for you. Below is a snapshot of Sun City West for your review. Double-check you are happy with what you see.
| Sun City West | |
|---|---|
| Age: | 55+ |
| HOA: * There are exceptions | No |
| Acres: | 7,100 |
| Population: | 28,385 |
| Gated Community: | No |
| S.F and Patio homes, duplexes & garden apartments (condo's) | 17,000 |
| Builder: | Del Webb |
| Years Built: | 1978 - 1997 |
| Type of Sale: | Resale Only |
| Prices Ranges: | $180k to $1million+ |
| HOA Dues: (Assumes 2 people on title) | $84.83 Month |
| Floor Plans: | 120+ |
| Golf Course(s): | 9 |
| Recreation Center(s): | 4 |
| Pool(s): | 6 |
| Restaurant(s): | Several |
| Rating | 4.7 out of 5 stars (based on 3 reviews)
|
2. Type of Homes
Many homebuyers who want reasonably priced homes in a large amenity-rich community choose Sun City West. Once that decision is made the next step is to choose the type of home within the community. There are 3 types of home choices (living options) single-family houses, apartments (condos), and duplexes in Sun City West. The majority of the homes are single-level, two-bedroom, two-bath with two-car garages. Whether you are a full-time resident or a snowbird here for only the winter months, there’s a home and a floor plan that will fit your criteria and lifestyle.
2. Sizes of homes and floor plans
There are 16,900 homes with over 120 floor plans to choose from. Single-family detached homes make up the majority of homes in Sun City West. They range from 900 Sq.ft. to more than 3,500-sq.ft. You will find varying lot sizes, mature landscaping, and many golf course lots to choose from, as there are 9 golf courses. Buyers often have strong feelings about whether they want a pool or not or a golf course lot. If you have a dog you may want a walled-in yard. There are a few 2 story homes in the community so eliminate those if you don’t want stairs.
3. House Price ranges
Homes in Sun City West range in price from $90,000 to over $700,000. Apartment homes or condos are the most affordable starting at $90,000. Single-family homes start at around $100,000. Homes on the golf course start at about $230,000. Pool homes start at about $210,000. When a low budget or home price is a consideration, knowing about the low property tax areas can be helpful. We’ll explore that next.
4. Low Property tax area in Sun City West
About two-thirds of the homes in Sun City West are located in the unincorporated area with no school tax. As a result, residents benefit from one of the lowest property taxes in the nation. Although low real estate taxes, these homes are not a good fit for every buyer. They are the older homes built when the community was first started. Most have the air conditioning on the roof and shingle roofs. The expansion area of Sun City West was the last phase of Sun City West. It has the newer open floor plans and tile roofs.
As a homeowner, you can expect to pay about $1,250 per year on a home that is valued at $250,000. If you are interested in only the low tax area, your REALTOR should be able to eliminate the taxed area in your home search. Sale taxes is one of the lowest in the state at 6.3%. Typical living expenses and cost of living in Sun City West (not including the mortgage) are quite reasonable and for an average-size home of 1,600 sq ft, you can expect to pay under $700 a month.
5. Do you want to be in an HOA?
Surprising to most and, yes, confusing, most of the homes in Sun City West are not in an HOA. The recreation fee is just that a fee to use the amenities and keep the community looking nice. They also have CC&R’s for homes. Think of it as a country club. The organization that manages the recreation centers and the community is called PORA. Everyone that purchases in Sun City West pays the yearly recreation fee and a one-time asset preservation fee. Below are the fees for buying in Sun City West in addition to regular closing costs.
Sun City West Fees (HOA 623-544-6100)
| Fee | Amount | Occurrence | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resale Transfer Fee (per each resale) | $275.00 | One Time | Buyer |
| Annual Recreation Fee (per person on title) | $509.00 | Annual | Buyer |
| Asset Preservation Fee | $4,200.00 | One Time | Buyer |
| Disclosure Packet Fee | $125.00 | One Time | Seller |
| Tenant Activity Card (1 to 6 months) | $91.00 | Per Month | Tenant |
| Tenant Activity Card (7 to 12 months) | $509.00 | Annual | Tenant |
| Guest Card (per person) | $3.50 | Daily | Buyer |
| PORA (Property Owners & Residents Association) Voluntary | $20.00 | Annual | Buyer |
Some homes, however, have a true HOA. There are over 30 HOA’s in the community, so when buying a home it’s important to read the CC&Rs (Conditions, Convents, and Restrictions) for that particular home. Some HOA’s charge a monthly fee other than the recreation card for things like landscaping, exterior maintenance, water, cable, etc. This can be convenient if your Sun City West home is a second home.
Sun City West Real Estate right for you?
In conclusion, I hope you found this article on the 5 Tips to Buying Sun City West Real Estate helpful. I hope you got some questions answered. If not contact me at any time.
If you are ready to buy, keep in mind Sun City West, as well as, all the Phoenix Retirement Communities are very active during the snowbird season. When is that you ask? Snowbird season is considered good weather time in Arizona, which is winter for almost everyone else in the country except Florida. January through the end of March is high snowbird season with a couple of months before and after a softer shoulder season. That being said, Sun City West’s housing market is active all year long. The best deals, however, seem to be towards the end of the season, as sellers start to get anxious if their house hasn’t sold by the end of April.
Did you like this article? Here is another article you might also enjoy the Top 5 Reasons to Retire in Sun City West.
