It was our final day to choose one out of the many Scottsdale condos and townhomes we viewed.  I viewed some units without my husband on day 2 and there were two I wanted him to see.  These two units were definitely on my short list and I wanted his opinion.

We had both liked two units we viewed together but found out that one of them was sold already.  Some buyers take 3 months or longer to choose a property, we had 3 days.

It wasn’t so bad as I had done a lot of homework while I was back home in IL.  I can quickly walk through a property and I know right away whether I like it or not.   Many buyers know if they like a property within seconds of walking inside.  That’s why it really doesn’t matter if a seller or listing agent or even the buyer’s agent points every nook and cranny out to a buyer.  They either like it and can imagine living there or not.  No amount of coercing or “selling” is going to change their mind.  My REALTOR was great as she let me do my own preview without saying too much but answered any questions I had.

We visited one new complex on this day which was Venu at Grayhawk and went back for a 2nd look at Las Hadas Villas Townhomes and Aventura Condominiums.  It was very exciting as this was the day we were out to narrow down our selection and decide which unit to make an offer on.

I learned that Aventura Condominiums were originally apartments and were converted.  There are several pools, hot tubs and more amenities including a clubhouse.  However, the monthly maintenance is high and we found out that what was listed on the MLS print-out was truly much higher (I see some listed at $251.00, we were trying to stay under $200.00/mo.).  We wanted a lower monthly maintenance but we were still interested in the 1st floor ranch unit we saw.

Like many condominium complexes, Aventura condos offer different floor plans.  The unit we liked was close to the entrance of the complex and was a single level 3 bedroom, 2 bath unit with no unit above.  It needed work but it was a very nice floor plan.  We put it on our short list.

When we went back for a second look we also viewed a 2nd floor unit.  It was interesting because it looked like there was a buyer there with workers (it was marked active in the MLS – not contingent or deal pending – this wouldn’t fly in Northern IL).  It was also a very nice unit but you did have to climb exterior stairs for entry and it was above another unit.  Both units were close to a pool.

The MLS print-out of the unit we liked mentioned it had been on auction but the date had already passed.  This unit would have been perfect for when my Mom visited since it was all on one level.

We chose Aventura because pets and renting were allowed.  They are located in North Scottsdale and the address is 9450 E. Becker Ln., Scottsdale AZ  85260.

If you’d like to search the Scottsdale MLS please click the link.

So my REALTOR and I had the Las Hadas Villas complex on the list.  This choice was an afterthought as our original search was only for 3 bedroom units.  I realized that some of the 2 bedroom units had an extra room (family room/den) and this one had a loft.  The pictures online were quite intriguing so I put it on the list.

This trip was heading north, away from downtown Scottsdale, the area I was hoping to find something.  I was going to an area of Scottsdale I had only visited briefly while watching our friend Steve Kostakes play piano at The Ocean Club, Maggianos and City Hall.  It was always at night and I never paid attention, but I knew it was quite a drive from Steve’s home in Gilbert.

So I was feeling a bit “lost” but was ready to view these north Scottsdale townhomes.  We pulled into a nice looking, ungated subdivision and I liked what I saw.  Stucco with tiled roofs and the pool located in the middle.

I’m not sure how my agent found this particular unit because it was set back and we had to walk past a couple of other units to get to this one – very private.  This is the only townhouse that had a garage and it was a two car garage.  That was a real plus, although most did have some kind of carport plus extra storage.  The pool was just around the corner and steps from the garage.

When we entered it was the most unique style we had seen so far.  And it was kind of beat up.  I learned what saltillo tiles were as they were on the entryway and inside.  There was a large, rectangular room that was the combination living room (with a fireplace) and dining area.  There was a galley kitchen, a laundry room and a main floor master bedroom with bathroom access plus a 2nd floor master bedroom with private bath.  The loft had it’s own closet.

There were many broken tiles on the floor which was a shame as I loved them.  There was no electricity on so it was difficult to see rooms without a window and the place just looked dark.  But there was something about this townhouse even though it needed some tlc.  It was unique and the bathrooms had beautiful original tile work.  The kitchen had beautiful tile but many were cracked.  I nicknamed this one the “bachelor pad” because the darkness made it look manly.

There was a private covered patio with a huge orange tree plus a little patio off the main floor bedroom and a small balcony off the 2nd floor bedroom.  There was ugly dark green carpet on the stairs and the upper level.

All in all, there was work to do on this one (as there was on others), but this was toward the top of our price range.  So I wasn’t sure if the work justified the price.  But I told my agent to put it on the list for a revisit with my husband.

Las Hadas Villas are located at 5640 E. Bell Rd., Scottsdale AZ  85254

I came prepared with my own print-outs where I put pictures of the location to the pool and wrote my own notes prior to even viewing the properties.  I started learning the different names of the Scottsdale condos that allowed pets and renting.  My REALTOR provided me with her print-outs and I combined them with my own paperwork.  When we viewed a property I wrote notes on my papers about each unit.

I have a note written for a Village Four condo located in McCormick Ranch at 9396 E. Purdue Ave., Scottsdale AZ  85258.  Yet for the life of me I cannot remember viewing this particular unit.  It was at the top of our price range and I wrote that it was a gorgeous area and unit but something (I’m guessing the pool) was a couple blocks away.

My mind is blank but the print-out states it was a 2nd floor condo (all rooms on the same level).  It also states that it was built in 1990 and had 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  I don’t have any other paperwork on it and I’m wondering if I wrote notes on the wrong sheet.

It sounded like a nice unit but I sure don’t remember seeing it and it wasn’t on our short list.  If you’d like to search Scottsdale condominiums click the link.

Our first stop was to the Presidio Condominiums which was the only gated complex we viewed.  Our agent was very knowledgeable and professional but I chuckled when she couldn’t find the entry to the complex.  She had been there before and I guess we drove past it.  I was glad that I’m not the only one who has trouble finding condo complexes sometimes.  Buyers assume we’ve shown every single property out there and every single subdivision/complex.  But a single agent can only show so many properties and an agent like me, who works in a very large area, can only view so many properties every year.

The address for Presidio Condos is 9600 N. 96th St., Scottsdale, AZ  85258.  We viewed this because it allows renting and pets.

I loved the gated and well maintained community and it had the style I wanted.  The unit was beautiful (and also at the top of our price range).  It was updated and neutral and I’m sure someone else appreciated it.  But to me it had no charm.  Looked like something I’d show back in Illinois.  I don’t want to be in Illinois, I want to feel like I’m in Arizona, even on the inside of my place.

I passed up this beautiful unit and I think my agent understood that we preferred older and/or unique places with charm.

If you’d like to search Scottsdale condos or homes or properties in any state, use the search box below.

That is, until we arrived at the Village One complex. These were built in 1983 and I guess that’s when the “southwest style” was being accepted, vs. the “bring the Midwest to the Southwest” building styles of the 60’s.

I was delighted when we pulled into a more modern looking complex with stucco buildings and the southwest feel I was hoping to find (although from what I’m reading lately a lot of Arizona natives are trying to get away from). I was really excited to view the Village One townhome for sale.

I wasn’t too happy when I saw the high, exterior staircase we’d have to climb just to reach the 2nd floor unit that was available.  Once we went in I was falling in love.  This was a 2 bedroom unit with a living room, dining room plus a nice sized family room/den with a fireplace and two bathrooms.  The kitchen was nicely updated and the layout made this townhouse feel more like a single family home.

But when I went to the balcony my heart fell.  I realized that the unit’s balcony faced a busy street (Via Linda).  The traffic was enough to make me change my mind.  We loved the unit though so it wasn’t completely off our list.

Before we left I had to do the pool check.  It was farther away from the unit than I preferred so although the unit was lovely we passed it by.  This was a nice sized complex and not all units were on the busy street side.  Some units are farther from the pool, some are closer.  The one we looked at just wasn’t in a location we wanted and there weren’t any others available at the time.

We viewed Villages One townhomes (I’ve seen them printed with and without an “s”) because they allowed pets and renting. They were in a great location with close access to the 101 highway.

Use the search box below to search for Scottsdale homes and condos and townhomes, or any area in the United States! The zip code for Villa One townhomes is 85258. The address is 9275 E. Mission Ln., Scottsdale, AZ 85258.

Casa Granada Townhomes

When we pulled into the complex I was drawn to the pinkish stucco and had mixed feelings of the fact that it reminded me of an old hamburger joint I grew up with called the Pink Castle.  That wasn’t a bad thing, although the stucco and buildings looked a bit old (built in 1965).  But there was definitely charm here and I liked it.

The unit was nice and interesting with an open staircase that had space under it for a blow-up bed (when needed) or bookcase or other furniture.  I believe the kitchen was updated.    It had 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms and was again located within walking distance to Old Town Scottsdale.  Although I don’t remember it well since we only saw it the one time, I do remember that we both liked it and it was on the list along with the Chateau De Vie townhomes.

Not only did we like the unit itself, but it was located right outside the large greenspace with the playground, which would be great for the grandkids.  On the other hand, did we want to be that close to the playground, especially when we didn’t have our grandkids around?  The pool was close to the greenspace to the left.

The unit was priced right and we found out afterwards that it was already sold.  Which brought us to a sore spot viewing Scottsdale real estate.  In our MLS in Northern IL, we are required to mark a listing as no longer being active (deal pending or a choice of contingencies) within 72 hours of an accepted contract.  It is ethical to also alert anyone setting appointments if a contract has been accepted.  Yet I found out it doesn’t work that way in AZ, or they do not uphold their rules.  Seems like we viewed more than one unit that had already been sold.

I guess in AZ back-up offers might be popular and we have them here once in a while, but to me it’s a waste of time for the buyers and their agents when they’re viewing properties they think are active only to find out that they would have to be a back-up offer.  We didn’t have the time frame to be a back-up offer.  We needed to find something during our visit.

The funny thing is, this was another one I threw in towards the end because I wasn’t attracted to the exterior when I first viewed it online.  I thought it looked like older apartments we have here in the southwest Chicago suburbs that have mansard style roofs and I just had a feeling that it was going to be junky looking.

So I did not have high expectations when we pulled in.  However, I did like the area as it was well kept and located on a dead-end street.  This unit was steps away from the pool but not right on top of it like the Heatherbrae townhouse was.  This was the first complex that made me feel good from the outside.

We nicknamed this unit the “coyote” townhouse because in the picture it showed a white storm door with a coyote on it.  It was actually a double door and the other one had pots.  I thought these doors were original and although they were cute I also thought it was a bit cheesy, even though I had no plans on changing them since I liked them.  Little did I know that these are special order storm doors that cost close to $1,000 each!

Not only did I love the exterior of the place, but I fell in love with the interior.  It did have a weird raised foyer where you had to step down into the living room and this step took up space and was a bit awkward.  The living room had a newer, neutral tile and there was a huge hallway from the living room to the kitchen that could fit a desk or something.  It would be perfect for a blow-up bed for extra guests.

The kitchen cooking area was open to the dinette area which opened to the large private cement patio that actually had a couple trees and plants.  There was a carport and storage.  The kitchen was somewhat updated with laminate floors and countertops that were tiled to look like granite.  There were white cabinets that weren’t too old like the ones in the Heatherbrae unit.  And there was a cute big window from the kitchen that slid open to the patio so you could actually pass food and beverages out.  Another plus was a cute half bath on the main level.

Upstairs were 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms, including a 3/4 master bath.  Although the carpet was said to be newer it must have been cheap as the stairs looked worn.  Each bedroom had stains on the floor so we would have wanted to change the carpet out.  The master bedroom had a vanity and was very large with a mountain view.

The place wasn’t perfect by any means and was the lowest priced place we were viewing as it was a foreclosure.  The windows were original metal and there was a big crack under the window in the master bedroom.  But it had a nice floor plan and good square footage and it was very charming.  We both loved it.

The pool was well kept and there was some kind of clubhouse.  It was located on Orange Blossom Ln. and was within walking distance of Chaparral Park and minutes from the downtown, Waterfront and Old Town areas of Scottsdale.  So it was a nice older unit (built in 1969) that was close to a lot of great places.

This was our favorite and our disenchantment dwindled and we could see ourselves living and entertaining in this unit.

When we pulled up to the complex I was a bit disappointed again.  There were rental apartments across the street and they didn’t look so great.  The condo complex was built in 1964 and I feel that when these older buildings went up in Scottsdale (in general, not just these particular condos) they used the old style from the east for the “new” west.  The complex seemed to be well maintained but the buildings were white painted block with little architectural detail.  To me it appeared older, sterile and blah looking. 

The good news was that it was near the Old Town area of Scottsdale and that was very appealing to me.  Truthfully, the Old Town area was what I thought about when I would think of Scottsdale.  That was the only place I really ever visited multiple times.  So I really wanted this one to work out.

The unit we viewed was literally right outside the door from the pool.  I wanted to be close to the pool but my husband said that was a bit too close.  It still didn’t bother me that much, especially since I felt we’d spend more time in the family room which was located in the back. 

We stepped into a tiled room that in my opinion was a living room but was being used as a dining room.  I thought it was too large for a dining room.  However, the floorplan was kind of weird in that I’m not sure where else you would put a kitchen table.  There seemed to be a large hallway next to the kitchen area that a table might have fit in but the staircase was also there.  We only viewed it one time so my memory is a bit fuzzy on that part.

The family room was a nice size and I believe there were sliding glass doors out to a large private patio.  There was 1 carport. 

Upstairs were 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms including a 3/4 bath in the master bedroom.  That was another negative.  There was no bathroom at all on the main level.  If my Mom visited she’d have a difficult time making the stairs without help just to go to bed.  Having to go upstairs everytime she needed to use the bathroom would be a pain. 

It was the best one we saw up to this point and made us feel there might be hope that we could actually find something we liked.  But we weren’t done for the day yet and our next stop was Chateau De Vie.

We didn’t have high expectations but we wanted to view them.  I figured if they were halfway decent, we could fix them up since they were priced so low.  It seemed to be a good investment, especially since the 3rd unit was priced much higher.

We were only able to view two out of the three units.  As we drove into the complex I was once again thinking that we just weren’t going to get what I hoped we could in our price range.   These buildings were very square and industrial looking, gray and nondescript.   It just didn’t seem like a very inviting complex.  In fact, I question whether these were a conversion, although townhouse style units have not normally started out as apartments, although maybe it’s different from AZ to IL (as so much is different with the real estate market in the two states).  They were built in 1973.

The first one we saw was the one I was most excited about as it was the one that kept reducing price.  From the online photos it didn’t look too bad.  Boy, were those pictures wrong!

This was the only occupied unit we had seen so far.  And it was in the worst shape of any property we saw.  These were two-floor townhouse type units and the first one was a real mess.  The owner was there working upstairs in his messy bedroom on a computer.  I’d be so embarrassed that I wouldn’t have shown my face!  But when some people live this way they don’t care.  No matter the price, I just didn’t see any redeeming qualities in the place. 

The other unit was also priced low and was vacant.  It was in better shape than the previous one we saw but I still didn’t like the complex and I can barely remember the unit itself now.  It just didn’t move me.  I realized we weren’t going to find any real bargains since these were the lowest priced units that had the amenities we wanted and allowed pets and renting.  Off to the next one!

Note:  The owner-occupied unit I saw made it sound like the seller was in distress and was losing his townhouse.  The other one we saw was already lender owned.  They are not currently on the market so I’m not sure if they both sold or the owner-occupied unit went into foreclosure.  There are currently 3 more available priced under $115,000 as low as $76,900 for 3 bedroom, 2 bath townhomes.   Two are bank owned and one is a short sale.  Seems like a lot of distressed units in one complex, but I guess that’s happening all over.  In IL I’m seeing more foreclosures and short sales coming on the market and I don’t think we’ve been hit as hard as Arizona.