Wednesday morning I had the opportunity to drive the longest six miles in Arizona to Estrella Mountain Ranch for a listing appointment. What makes this particular stretch of road the longest six miles in the state? Perspective and little else.

Just as the moon on the horizon only appears bigger than the moon in mid-sky because of the visual landmarks in the frame of reference (a true phenomenon, incidentally - view a newly-risen moon through a paper-towel roll and you'll see for yourself), the six miles connecting Estrella Mountain Ranch to the remainder of Goodyear and by extension the Phoenix metropolitan area seems far longer than they really are.

The primary cause is the Estrella Mountain Preserve, though which the Estrella Parkway runs. From the Salt River on there is virtually nothing but wide open spaces leading to the Estrella Mountains themselves. Throw in the lack of commercial development along the Estrella Parkway from Yuma south to the entrance to Estrella Mountain ranch, and a peaceful six-mile drive suddenly feels much longer.

And this isn't my opinion, incidentally. Time and again I have had clients who otherwise loved the homes and amenities in Estrella Mountain Ranch bemoan the "distance" from the interstate, even as they look at subdivisions more remote either to the north or to the west. Even setting the trip odometer isn't sufficient to overcome this perceived distance.

The shame of it all is at the end of the parkway, you will find the proverbial gold at the end of the rainbow - a unique master-planned community with one-of-a-kind amenities including a marina, waterslide and community center. There is golf and there are exercise rooms. And there are mountain views galore, the kind of views many within the main part of the metropolitan area of paying significantly more to enjoy.

So how do you defeat perceptions such as these? With a steady, healthy dose of reality. The value is there. The amenities are amazing. Just keep an eye on the odometer, see how short the distance really is, and you'll find your own private diamond in the desert rough.

(c) Jonathan Dalton, 2006 / Jonathan Dalton's Arizona Homes

It's often said that many people can't see the forest for the trees. In much of the Phoenix area, it's impossible to see the environment for all of the houses. When your best chance for a view is having a one-story home behind and possible slightly below yours, and when the night sky all but has been overwhelmed by the city lights, it's hard to remember what makes Arizona special.

That's what makes this stunning two-story home on the northern edge of Estrella Mountain Ranch so unique. We'll start with the neighbors beyond your back fence - no, you don't have to worry about someone whose idea of tranquility is lowering the levels on the sub-woofer. Try a more natural selection of neighbors, such as jackrabbits and ground squirrels. You see, there's nothing behind you except acre upon acre of Bureau of Land Management land. And the result is a one-of-a-kind set of views stretching to Buckeye and beyond to the west, and to Avondale and west Phoenix to the east.

Maybe you've heard about the beauty of an Arizona sunset. Now you can experience one for yourself, from the privacy of your own deck off the master bedroom suite. Or sit in the installed ramada and watch the sunset and the stars come out into the deep, dark night sky.

Should you retreat indoors there is plenty of space for everyone with separate living and family rooms, formal dining and a wide-open with an eat-in kitchen and breakfast bar. There are two downstairs bedrooms and a downstairs bathroom, designed with out-of-town guests in mind. And there are three additional bedrooms upstairs as well as a loft area between the secondary bedrooms that works perfectly as either an office or an entertainment nook.

Your options extend well beyond your property line as you also have the opportunity to enjoy the one-of-a-kind amenities that make Estrella Mountain Ranch one of the West Valley's most unique master planned communities - a water park, marina and community center are only the beginning. Throw in easy access to MC85 - the back road to I-8 and San Diego, and you have an ideal location a short 6 miles south of Interstate 10 off the Estrella Parkway.

Priced at only $410,000 for more than 2,400 square feet, this home is priced to sell and sell quickly.

More information on this home is available on its individual property page.

To schedule your personal viewing of this home, please call me at (602) 502-9693 or e-mail me at Info@DaltonsAZHomes.com.









 
(c) Jonathan Dalton, 2006 / Jonathan Dalton's Arizona Homes