by Paul Slaybaugh | May 10, 2010 | Scottsdale Neighborhoods
McDowell Mountain Ranch is a North Scottsdale master planned community nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains (inconceivable, I know). Originally developed in the mid ‘90s (with fill-in development continuing for the next decade) with subdivisions from well-known builders including Camelot, Shea, Woodside, Ryland, Del Webb, Edmunds, TW Lewis, etc, the once Northern outpost to Scottsdale has become much more centralized with the subsequent completion of the Loop 101 freeway and ensuing development. Home to some 4000 residences and 26 subdivisions, this model of low impact development has become one of the most sought-after communities in all of Scottsdale and features property styles for virtually every budget. From modest townhouses to gated enclaves of $1,000,000+ single-family homes, the community appeals to full-time and seasonal residents from all walks of life.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve Access Points (click Image to expand)
In addition to the ample choices of housing (comparatively newer by Scottsdale standards, I might add), McDowell Mountain Ranch has gained its name brand appeal through its amazing confluence of amenities. From the newly completed aquatic center (city park) to the various community pools, parks and centers sprinkled along the community-wide walking path system, there is little that is not offered here. Nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts will lose themselves in the raw beauty of the desert preserves which can be accessed through several trail heads. Boasting city and mountain views, the serendipitous challenge of the Sanctuary Golf Course is enjoyable to serious players and weekend duffers alike. Throw in the Alltel Ice Den (Phoenix Coyotes affiliate ice hockey center), Westworld (equestrian center), restaurants, shopping and conveniences, and McDowell Mountain Ranch is essentially a city unto itself.
As development continues in adjoining communities like Trails North at Horseman’s Park, Windgate Ranch and DC Ranch, this general area is where most Scottsdale home shoppers migrate for newer construction. Developed Northward from her shared border with Tempe, and essentially built-out save for a few isolated pockets, you either have to head North towards Pinnacle Peak (and beyond) or East towards Fountain Hills to find newer homes. Where many home buyers were once forced into the trade-off of an older property for a close-in location, the expansion of the Valley’s infrastructure has made that dilemma a thing of the past. With exit points at both Bell Road and Thompson Peak, McDowell Mountain Ranch enjoys the advantage of having two viable options for freeway access. Once on the 101, you can reach virtually any part of the Valley within 20-30 minutes.
For school information, community attractions and builder floor plans, please see below. Note that the floor plan library, while extensive, is by no means complete. We will be revisiting this post as we add additional builders/models to the list, so feel free to check back on occasion to keep tabs on our progress. Curious what the houses in this community are currently going for? Click on the map at the bottom of the page to view current active listings in McDowell Mountain Ranch.
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Schools:
Formerly bussed all the way down to Saguaro High School, McDowell Mountain Ranch high schoolers now attend Desert Mountain High on Via Linda just East of 124th St.
Younger kids don’t have far to travel as both Desert Canyon Elementary and Desert Canyon Middle School are located right in McDowell Mountain Ranch (SE corner of McDowell Mountain Ranch Parkway and Thompson Peak).
In addition to the public schools, the Notre Dame Preparatory High School campus lies just outside of the McDowell Mountain Ranch borders off of Bell Road.
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Community Amenities:
Alltel Coyotes Ice Den
McDowell Mountain Ranch Park and Aquatic Center
Westworld of Scottsdale Equestrian Center
McDowell Mountain Ranch Skate Park
McDowell Sonoran Mountain Preserves
Arabian Public Library
Sanctuary Golf Course
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Builders | Floor Plans:
Camelot Homes | Vista | Castle Dome | Plan 932| Plan 932-5 | Pinnacle | Mingus | Crest| Summit | Ridge
Cachet Homes |
Centex Homes | Plan 732 | 733 | 734 (1st level) | 734 (2nd Level) | 736 (1st Level) | 736 (2nd Level) |Ladera | Montana | Tierra
Del Webb (Coventry) | Dante | Lido | Medici
Edmunds |
Engle Homes |
Greystone Homes |
KB Homes |
Maracay Homes | Plan 700 | McDowell| Mesquite | Santa Rita | Sierra | Talima
Presley Homes | Aruba | Key Largo | Molokai | Samoa | Victoria
Ryland Homes | Plan 610 | Plan 616 | Plan 622 | Plan 624 | Plan 1744
Shea Homes |
TW Lewis |
UDC Homes |
Woodside Homes | Plan 2 | Plan 2X | Plan 3 | Plan 4 | Plan 4X | Plan 5 | Plan 5X
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Latest Homes for Sale in McDowell Mountain Ranch
by Paul Slaybaugh | May 1, 2010 | Home Buying, Neighborhoods, Scottsdale Neighborhoods, Scottsdale Real Estate
Preston Hills is a two phase custom home subdivision of North Scottsdale renowned for its beautiful architecture, large homes and generous lots at a more palatable price point than many neighboring subdivisions of similar caliber. Located along the Shea corridor near 104th St, the neighborhood is convenient to everything that Scottsdale has to offer.
Preston Hills Unit 1
- Home to 75 improved lots with properties built between 1985 and 1996, the average house size is just shy of 3300 livable square feet.
- The standard lot size is approximately 1/2 acre (22,000 sq ft).
- A whopping 74 of the 75 homes have private swimming pools.
- Composed of 73 single level homes and only two two-story houses, residents of Preston Hills are afforded ample privacy to enjoy their spacious backyards without prying neighborhood eyes looking down from on high.
Preston Hills Unit 2
- Home to 32 improved lots with properties built between 1985 and 1996, the average house size is nearly 3500 livable square feet.
- The standard lot size is approximately 1/2 acre.
- 30 of the 32 homes have private swimming pools.
- Composed of 29 single level homes to only 3 two-story homes.
Preston Hills (General)
Both phases of Preston Hills feature natural washes and views of the McDowell Mountains. Within the boundaries of the award-winning Scottsdale Unified School District, the schools include Anasazi Elementary, Mountainside Middle School and Desert Mountain High School. The lack of an active homeowner’s association (HOA) has not diminished the luxury home feel of the development in the least. On the contrary, the very lack of a governing body and exorbitant dues has contributed to its accessibility and comparatively affordable pricing structure. While nearby developments price many in need of a large custom home on a sizable lot out of the Scottsdale market entirely, Preston Hills offers all of this with homes currently for sale in the mid to upper $700,00s (as of March 2009).
If you have looked at some of the buzzword communities like Ancala, McDowell Mountain Ranch and DC Ranch, but can’t stomach the million dollar price tags for similar quality homes, you might want to give Preston Hills a perusal.
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Ready to start your Preston Hills Home Search?
View all Homes for Sale in Preston Hills
by Paul Slaybaugh | Mar 11, 2010 | Scottsdale Neighborhoods, Scottsdale Real Estate
Doing your Scottsdale home shopping from afar?
Already own a home in Scottsdale, but need a copy of your floor plan for remodeling purposes?
One advantage to working with a partner who was selling Scottsdale Real Estate prior the Gadsden Purchase (mild exaggeration) is a file cabinet full of old, forgotten floor plans. Trawling the catacombs for more of the oldies but goodies that are not readily attainable elsewhere, today’s booty is buried within Scottsdale’s second significant master planned community. Following in the groundbreaking footsteps of McCormick Ranch, Scottsdale Ranch incorporated the lake and walking path system that earned its predecessor such rave reviews.
Intertwined with the parks and shopping, Scottsdale Ranch offers a wide variety of housing that can accommodate most every need. From modest condos to lakeside patio homes and monster single family residences, this primarily mid 1980s – early 1990s built community should be on nearly every prospective home buyer’s short list. Just East of McCormick Ranch, the close in location is near most everything, and boasts larger lot sizes than some of the newer communities further North. While its sister community earns most of the name brand recognition, many people are lured to Scottsdale Ranch for the slightly newer architecture (cathedral ceilings and 3 car garages, anyone?) to go along with comparable amenities, excelling schools, etc.
By no means complete, please click on a highlighted subdivision name from the list below to view floor plans. If you don’t see the community you desire highlighted at present, no fear, this is an ongoing endeavor. We are just scratching the surface. Check back in to see if our progress has reached the apple of your buying eye.
Just don’t give me any sass for my snail’s pace, you bunch of ingrates. This is a major undertaking. 😉
Ready to claim your own Scottsdale Ranch home? Scroll to the bottom of the page for the latest Scottsdale Ranch Real Estate listings!
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Scottsdale Ranch Single Family Homes
Andalusia
Catalina
Ensenada Del Oro
Heritage Court
Heritage Place
Heritage Terrace II
Haciendas Del Lag0
Hillcrest
Mirador | The Concordia | The Elegante | The Finesa | The Seville | The Solara | The Tradicion
Mountain View Place
Mountain View Village
Ridgeview Estates
Sierra Linda
St. Tropez
The Estates at Scottsdale Ranch
Tierra Vista
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Scottsdale Ranch Patio Homes
Casa De Cielo
Heritage Village IV
Mission Monterey
Mission Santa Fe
Mountainview Lake Estates | The Antigua | Casa Del Lago | The Bahia Mar
Suntree East
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Scottsdale Ranch Condos
Scottsdale Bay Club
Scottsdale Bay Club Phase II
The Fountains
The Racquet Club
The Venetian
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Waterfront Communities (mixed classifications)
Bayview Estates
Charter Point
Lake Serena Estates
Lakeview Estates
Las Brisas
Monterey Point
The Island at Scottsdale Ranch
The Landings at Scottsdale Ranch
The Waterfront at Scottsdale Ranch
Scottsdale Ranch Unit 8
The Latest Scottsdale Ranch Homes For Sale
Ready to start your Scottsdale Ranch home search?
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New Scottsdale Ranch Listings
No one knows Scottsdale Real Estate like Ray & Paul.
by Paul Slaybaugh | Mar 11, 2010 | Scottsdale, Scottsdale Neighborhoods, Scottsdale Real Estate
Just North of the Shea corridor, the guard-gated community of Scottsdale Mountain is one of the city’s Easternmost sentinels. Nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, this planned community was originally developed in the 1990s. With close proximity to the renowned Mayo Clinic and bordering Fountain Hills, Scottsdale Mountain manages to balance a more secluded locale with convenient access to all of North Scottsdale’s abundant amenities.
Comprised of primarily single-family homes, both mass production level builders and custom home sites are evident within its gates. Boasting scenic desert arroyos and mountain views to the North, those high up the hill with Southern facing back yards are treated to city light views at night. Ideal for both primary residency and lock and leave second home ownership, this terrific community is a must see for all lovers of peaceful desert living without the all the “who do I call if my house is on fire?” and “sorry I’m late, there was a bobcat in my driveway” remote locational concerns.
While floor plans for the custom properties are not readily available for distribution, please select plans below for the subdivision/builder of your choice for perusal. I’m partial to the Montereys and Edmunds, though I do have a soft spot for the Golden Heritages that sit on the natural washes and stare up at the majestic McDowells. I’m into that sort of thing.
Ready to find a Scottsdale Mountain home of your own? Scroll to the bottom of the page to view the live stream of the latest listings to hit the market!
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Horizons at Scottsdale Mountain | Maracay Homes |Plans 901-903 | Plans 904-950
Renaissance at Scottsdale Mountain | Ryland Homes | Mozart, Bach & Beethoven Plans | Picasso, Da Vinci & Rembrandt Plans
Saddleback at Scottsdale Mountain | Saddleback | The Latilla | The Mirador | The Portales
Scottsdale Mountain Estates | Geoffrey Edmunds
Scottsdale Mountain Parcels 11A & 11B | Monterey
The Terraces at Scottsdale Mountain | Geoffrey Edmunds | Ocotillo | Saguaro | Cassia
Westwind Estates | Golden Heritage
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Latest Scottsdale Mountain Homes For Sale
Ready to start your Scottsdale Mountain home search? We’re your guys.
Nobody knows Scottsdale Real Estate like Ray & Paul
(480) 220-2337 | paul@rayandpaul.com
by Paul Slaybaugh | May 29, 2009 | Scottsdale, Scottsdale Neighborhoods, Scottsdale Real Estate
Got floor plans?
There aren’t too many extra copies of old floor plans floating around for some of the more established communities in Scottsdale. Fortunately, we happen to have a file drawer filled with original builder plans. Included in the mix is one of the more comprehensive collections of floor plans for McCormick Ranch homes that you will find anywhere. Whether you are a buyer admiring McCormick Ranch from a distance or a resident looking for a plan for renovation purposes, etc, you came to the right place.
Click on model names to view floor plans (Those without model hyperlinks are still to be added) or on subdivision names to view the neighborhood synopsis.
Unfortunately, a few builder plans have walked off over the 30 years that we have maintained these files. Have a copy of a floor plan that is not represented here? By all means, shoot it over to us and we’ll add it to the database.
Bear in mind that several subdivisions, such as Palo Viento I, Vista Del Lago, Estados De La Mancha and Los Tesoros, in addition to pockets of Paradise Park Trails and Palo Viento II are comprised of custom homes with no readily available floor plans.
Interested in owning a McCormick Ranch home? Scroll to the bottom of this page for live streaming results of the latest McCormick Ranch Real Estate listings to hit the market!
Visit our McCormick Ranch Home Page for a comprehensive community overview
Learn more about the McCormick Ranch Subdivisions
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Camelot Homes
Subdivisions: (Vista De La Tierra, Palo Viento II, Playa Del Sur, Estate Los Arboles, Paseo Village, Paradise Park Trails, Tierra Del Norte)
Models: The Embassy | The Lancelot | The Chateau | The Windsor | The Monarch | The Regal
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Camelo Vista
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Casa Dia Festivo
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Cavalier
Subdivisions: (Paradise Park Trails)
Models: The Briarcliff | The Chartercrest | The Frontera | The Whethersfield
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Dietz-Crane
Subdivisions: (Carriage Square, Villa La Playa)
Models: The Barcelona | The Hermosa | The Valencia | The Vallarte
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Dix
Subdivisions: (Tierra Feliz, Paradise Park Manor I & II)
Models: Dix-7600 | Dix-7604 | Dix-7605 | Dix-7700 (Tierra Feliz)
Dix-7901 | Dix-7902 | Dix-7903 | Dix-7904 (Bainbridge) | Dix-8001 (The Valencia) (Paradise Park Manor)
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Evans Wythycombe
Subdivisions: (Meridian at McCormick Ranch)
Models: The Apollo | The Aries | The Bella | The Gemini | The Juno
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Gateway
Subdivisions: (Paradise Park Trails)
Models: The Avanti | The Casa Rica | The Sierra | The Tempo | The Vista
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Geoffrey Edmunds
Subdivisions: (Cuernavaca)
Models: Casa Baja | Casa Redonda | Casa Rica | Casa Santiago | Casa Viejo
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Golden Heritage
Subdivisions: (Heritage Terrace, Heritage Village, Paradise Park Trails)
Models: Plan 40 (Heritage Terrace, Heritage Village 1)
Plan 243 | Plan 253 | Plan 263 | Plan 273 | Plan 283 (Heritage Village 2 & 3)
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JA Smith
Subdivisions: (Villa Hermosa)
Models: Plan 1675 | Plan 1953 | Plan 2380 | Plan 2600
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Jaeger
Subdivisions: (Country Horizon)
Models: CH-100 | CH-200 | CH-300 | CH-400 | CH-500 | CH-600
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Key West
Subdivisions: (Suggs Rancho McCormick)
Models: Casa Rica | Hacienda | Posada | Posada (Alternate)
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La Mariposa Villas
Models: Plan A | Plan B | Plan C | Plan C (Option)
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Lakeside Villas
Models: Atwater | Edgewater | Huntington
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Las Palomas
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Malouf Bros
Subdivisions: (El Paseo)
Models: La Elegancia | La Estancia | La Miranda | La Torre Alta
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Metropolitan
Subdivisions: (Villa Hermosa)
Models: Plan One | Plan Two | Plan Three | Plan Four
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Palm Cove
Models: Plan 1 | Plan 2 | Plan 3 | Plan 4 | Plan 5 | Plan 6 | Plan 7
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Pleasant Run
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Riggs
Subdivisions: (Mountain View East)
Models: Model A | Model B | Model C | Model D
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Santa Fe Construction Co / Ballard
Subdivisions: (Santa Fe)
Models: The Barcelona | The Coronado | The Domingo | The Montego
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Sandpiper
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Spanish Oaks
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Suggs
Subdivisions: (Paseo Village, Suggs Rancho McCormick)
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Tarrantini
Subdivisions: (Paradise Park Trails)
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The Villages
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The Villages Five (Starfire)
Models: The Aurora | The Bella | The Covington | The Desert Star
Latest Homes to hit the market in McCormick Ranch
View All Homes for Sale in McCormick Ranch
New McCormick Ranch Listings!
No one knows McCormick Ranch Real Estate like Ray & Paul. Whether Buying or Selling in the Ranch, we’re your guys.
(480) 220-2337 | paul@scottsdalepropertyshop.com
by Paul Slaybaugh | Apr 30, 2009 | Home Buying, Scottsdale, Scottsdale Neighborhoods
Lake Margherite in McCormick Ranch
Water is a precious commodity in the desert. Dependent upon the CAP (Central Arizona Project) and SRP canal systems to fill our taps and water our lawns with the liquid gold of the Colorado and Salt Rivers, we do not squander our lifeblood frivolously … with the notable exception of Slip-N-Slide Saturdays, of course. Given the grand total of naturally occurring lakes in the Valley of the Sun stands at exactly zero, we denizens of the creosote jungle are drawn to a droplet of water like mercury to the top of a Sonoran thermometer. We weekend at Saguaro Lake or Lake Pleasant. We make semi-annual pilgrimages to the sandy beaches of southern California. We float the Salt River amongst a throng of Memorial Day humanity that is equal parts Coppertone and the AC/DC Back in Black album. We secretly adore the rains that the summer monsoons bring.
Given our propensity to flock to that which is scarce, waterfront communities are highly desirable locales in the greater Scottsdale area. There are few communities within the boundaries of the West’s purportedly Most Western Town that boast lakes on the list of amenities, and there is a reason for that.
When McCormick Ranch was originally developed in the 1970s, it was to be the first master planned community in Scottsdale. Believe it or not, the Hayden and Indian Bend Rd intersection (where initial development of McCormick Ranch began) was considered North Scottsdale at the time. There was really nothing else around. To lure skeptical home buyers away from the downtown Scottsdale area (what we now refer to as “Old Town”), developers threw the entire kitchen sink at them: parks, greenbelts, walking paths, golf course and lakes. Including Lake Angela, Lake Nino and the crown jewel, Lake Margherite, the community is a veritable desert oasis.
When Scottsdale Ranch was developed a decade later, planners adhered to many of the same guiding principles. East of McCormick Ranch, it was built around a lake system, walking paths and parks in much the same fashion. Once again, developers knew they needed to give people a reason to venture a little off the beaten path to buy their product. They were selling a lifestyle as much as housing. That lifestyle revolved around a meandering 42 acre waterway by the name of Lake Serena.
Flash forward a couple of decades and developers, by and large, stopped providing such extravagant amenities. The area had become well established and new residents came in droves. Land values shot through the figurative roof and builders saw no literal need to plop a man-made lake down on a parcel of land that could instead be used to build and sell another 100 or so more houses.
As such, there are relatively few waterfront options in Scottsdale outside of these two master planned communities. They just don’t build’em like they used to. While properties along the water in both developments are typically quite expensive, there are patio home and condo options that fit less extravagant budgets. To help you get started with your waterfront search, following is a compilation of lake subdivisions located within McCormick Ranch and Scottsdale Ranch.
*You may wish to bookmark this page as each subdivision name will eventually include a link to detailed descriptions and current active listings. It’s a work in progress.
McCormick Ranch
Vista Del Lago
Island At McCormick Ranch
Palo Viento 1
Heritage Village
Las Palomas
Scottsdale Ranch
Landings at Scottsdale Ranch
Las Brisas
Lake Serena Estates
The Bay Club
Lakeview Estates
Bayview Estates
Waterfront
Monterey Point
Charter Front
For less costly options that are near the water, but not necessarily located right on it, there are a few older neighborhoods further South (closer to Old Town) that abut Chaparral Park. While the homes (and townhomes) in the area are far removed from the luxury market, it is a great option for those more concerned with location and amenities on a shoestring budget. For high end townhomes, there is the Scottsdale Waterfront option along the canal banks in downtown Scottsdale (Old Town). Pages dedicated to these neighborhoods will be added to the site over the coming weeks as well.
The right Scottsdale waterfront property is out there. We’ll help you find it.
Contact Ray & Paul Slaybaugh today to start the search for your Scottsdale AZ waterfront home!
(480) 220-2337 | paul@scottsdalepropertyshop.com
