What to Look for in a Real Estate Development

Finding a new home is kind of like putting together a puzzle. It’s exciting, it takes time, and ultimately, you need all the pieces to fit together. You need to make sure your next home fits you (and your family) as perfectly as possible.

It’s pretty easy to find a luxury home you adore and fall in love with the idea of living there. It’s sometimes more challenging to look at the bigger picture. Saguaro Ranch is here to help you take a step back and think about the real estate development itself. Consider each of these real estate development factors while you’re looking for your next home.

Location

Image of sunset over Tortolita Mountains in the desert with pink clouds hanging over the mountaintops

Location practically goes without saying in terms of looking for a house. You want the real estate development itself to be in a spot that best suits your needs and lifestyle. 

But one of the more overlooked considerations is location within the development. Is the house or lot positioned in a way that’s conducive to heating and cooling (i.e. south-facing vs. west-facing)? Will those gorgeous views still be there five years from now? Or are a bunch of other new home builds going to block those perfect vistas? Is there a lot with existing partial shade that you know your garden will love?

These are just some of the questions to ask yourself (and the real estate development) as you’re searching for a new home. While Saguaro Ranch prides itself on leaving 80 percent of the land untouched — ensuring those breathtaking views remain intact for every homeowner — that’s not usually the case for other developments.

Age Demographic

The age demographic of a real estate development is another important factor to consider. Families with young kids typically want a real estate development where there are other kids of similar ages in the neighborhood. Adults whose kids are out of the house might want to downsize (or upgrade to a luxury home — you deserve it!). Grandparents might want a spot to host the grandkids (like the Owners Club at Saguaro Ranch), but otherwise are looking for some peace and quiet.

Figure out what it is that you’re looking for in a real estate development, and take time looking for one that can truly meet your needs. Again, don’t be afraid to ask your agent or tour the area to get a sense of what the community is like.

Security

For some homebuyers, security doesn’t pose much of an issue past locking their doors at night and maybe installing a home security system. Others want an added sense of security and safety. If you fall into the latter category, you probably want to look into a development that’s also a private gated community.

Real estate developments should have no issue answering your questions about security. In fact, they should be fully transparent. At Saguaro Ranch, we have 24-hour front desk staff and security, not to mention you can only access our real estate development by driving through a 600-foot long tunnel! We don’t let unexpected visitors pop in — everyone is welcomed first at the entrance gate. Very few (if any) real estate developments can compete with the levels of security we offer.

Amenities & Add-Ons

Who doesn’t love some perks? Average real estate developments or subdivisions don’t typically offer a ton of amenities, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Things like a pool, fitness center, or even proximity to hiking trails are all a bonus — they can even help your resale value later. 

It’s also good to check if you’ll be part of an HOA before buying, and to get a sense for what those fees will look like.

We’ve mentioned it several times now, but only because it’s so important: keep on asking questions when you’re looking to buy or build in a real estate development! You want the best possible place and it never hurts to ask. If a real estate development is reluctant or even refuses to answer any of your questions, that could very well be a sign of underlying issues.

Surprises are great for birthday parties or your boss telling everyone they can go home early on a Friday. They’re not nearly as fun when purchasing your next home. For as much research you take on for building or buying a house itself, give real estate developments the same amount of attention.