Date Night in Tucson: How to Spend Your Valentine's Day in Arizona

This year, it’s likely that your Valentine’s Day plans are looking different than they usually do. However, just because not everything is open, doesn’t mean that you can’t have a romantic date night to celebrate the one you love. In fact, much of the Tucson area is ready for you and your sweetheart to come mingle!

Here in Tucson, there are plenty of opportunities for romance everywhere. Here are our top 5 recommendations for an incredible V-Day date, courtesy of our real estate development team. 

Board & Brush

This is a creative date night idea that lets you create decor for your luxury home in Tucson. With Board & Brush, you get to DIY your woodwork to create a unique sign. This Valentine’s Day, the shop is offering 2 for $100, a great deal for you and your artistic sweetheart. 

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum offers a gorgeous array of desert landscapes that are perfect for a romantic date. We love that this date gets you out into nature for a peaceful Valentine’s Day where you can stroll through the beauty with someone you love. Due to COVID-19, you must register tickets and advance and of course, wear a face mask at all times. 

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

There’s nothing like a staycation to celebrate your love. The Loews Ventana Canyon Resort is a gorgeous luxury resort off the beaten path that would be lovely for a night away from it all. Features include two swimming pools, a jacuzzi, three tennis courts, two 18-hole golf courses, a fitness center, a 1/2-mile nature trail that leads to an 80-foot waterfall, a ping pong table, and access to the Ventana Canyon Trail.  

Tucson Bike Tours

If you and your sweetheart love biking, this is the perfect Valentine’s Day date for you. Tucson Bike Tours offers a historical city tour, a taco tour, or a mural tour. Personally, we think the mural tour is the most date option, but maybe you and your sweetie find tacos more romantic! Either way, this is an informative and fun date idea for Valentine’s. 

Tanque Verde Ranch

If you and your partner love spa days, you have to check out this gorgeous ranch in Tucson. Spend the day participating in one of their many fun activities, such as slingshot rentals, watercolor classes, yoga, and Jeep adventures, then wind down for the day with a couples massage. 

We hope that these ideas help you celebrate your love. If you’re looking for real estate development in Tucson, give us a call to learn more about our gated community.

Unexpected Benefits of Living in a Private Gated Community

Private gated communities like Saguaro Ranch offer a variety of benefits that attract many prospective home buyers to our real estate development in Tucson. There are many obvious advantages of living in a private gated community, such as greater security and more privacy. However, if you are still on the fence about joining a gated community, you may need to hear a few more benefits that are less apparent before you make your decision. 

What is a Gated Community?

A gated community is a neighborhood or subdivision with extra security. It typically has one entrance point that requires special access (such as a code or checking in with an attendant). Saguaro Ranch is a gated community, meaning that there is virtually no public access. This is one of the main appealing features of our community of luxury homes. 

Unexpected Benefits of Living in a Private Gated Community

Better Sleep

It may not be the first thing you think of, but generally speaking, you will sleep better when you live in a private gated community. A big part of this is because there is significantly less traffic — when the general public can’t access the roads, there are very few cars or trucks (beyond your neighbor’s occasional Amazon packages). Private gated communities in Tucson are simply quieter. Not only that, the increased security can leave you feeling safe, making it easier to catch some z’s. 

At Saguaro Ranch, our luxury real estate community is 1,100 acres, 80 percent of which will remain as undisturbed desert. This means that it is an especially quiet gated community. 

Better Neighbors

At the end of the day, gated communities aren’t about who you let out; it’s about who you let in. Saguaro Ranch offers a wonderful sense of community because there are many opportunities to connect with other residents in our Owners Club. 

It has a world-class lap pool and spa, fire pits, recreational areas (such as two pickleball courts, horseshoe pits, and bocce ball court), a workout facility and so much more. Not to mention we have miles of private biking and hiking trails — perfect for exploring with a neighbor or couple you met down by the pool. There are ample opportunities to meet your neighbors and build community here. 

Better Relationships

Private gated communities can be particularly impactful for families. This is because the peace of mind granted by the privacy and security of the community mean that your children can safely explore their home without you needing to worry. There are ample opportunities to connect with your family when you live in a gated community like Saguaro Ranch. This, in turn, improves your connection, leading to healthier and happier family relationships all around. 

Are you ready to take the leap? Take a tour of our luxury real estate development community to see if it’s right for you. If you’re in town, give us a call, or you can go on a self-guided tour and experience it for yourself. 

Should You Get a Pool?

It’s the age old question that every homeowner in Tucson considers at least once. Is owning a pool worth it? Or should you sign up for a membership somewhere? The good news is that at our real estate development, you have both options available when you purchase a lot for sale.

Owning a Pool: Pros

We won’t cover too much info here because everyone who’s dreamed of having a pool already knows them. Owning a pool in the Tucson area is invigorating and makes the summers much more tolerable. If you’re reading this and you’re not from or currently living in Arizona, just know that access to a pool here is a necessity.

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages to installing a pool is the privacy. With your own pool, the only extra guests are the ones you invite. No crowding, no fighting for a chair in the shade, no surprise cannonballs — just cool and refreshing dips or opportunities for fitness at your own leisure.

You should get a pool if…

• You cherish privacy.

• You plan on staying in your home for a while.

• You (or loved ones) will use it regularly.

• You can keep up with the maintenance (or can pay someone to).

Owning a Pool: Cons

It goes without saying that putting in a pool is expensive. On average, homeowners spend $50,000 installing an in-ground pool. For many people, it’s well worth the price, especially for those who plan on staying in their house for awhile.

The second disadvantage to getting a pool is the maintenance. You’ll have to put in some research to learn how to take care of your pool, but at the very least it will require weekly cleanings and water testing. Opening or closing a pool usually takes a few hours.

You shouldn’t get a pool if…

• You won’t be able to keep up on the maintenance.

• It will go unused.

• You don’t see yourself staying in your current home for more than a few more years.

That last point is a good indicator of whether installing a pool makes sense. Even if you desperately want a pool, you know you’ll use it and you’re fine with managing it, getting a pool might not be worth it if you plan on moving in a year or two. You might not see the ROI to make it a worthy investment.

get the best of both worlds at Saguaro Ranch

If you’re apprehensive about a massive home renovation and would almost rather start from scratch, if you’re in the market for a luxury home for sale, if you’re ready to finally construct your dream abode at one of our Tucson lots for sale, our real estate development is just what you need. And when it comes to pools, Saguaro Ranch has every option you could possibly hope for.

You can easily add a pool onto one of our spacious lots for sale — all you have to do is make the decision before construction begins. But if you want the benefits of a world-class pool without the pool maintenance or upkeep, you can simply become a member at the Saguaro Ranch Club. The club life offers a pool experience that rivals that of a 5-star resort.

Whether you build a pool at your new Saguaro Ranch home or opt for our unparalleled club membership (or both), you can experience the best of both worlds at our real estate development. Schedule a visit to see our available lots for sale today.

Tips for Holiday Home Decorating in the Desert

Holiday decorating looks a little different in the desert. We don’t have the white snow, we have to travel north to find some (natural) pine trees, and it’s usually a balmy 70 to 85 degrees out. But plenty of people want to get in the holiday spirit all the same! Read on for decorating tips from our real estate development.

How to Hang Christmas Lights on Stucco

Hanging lights in a house with wood framing and drywall is pretty simple: use adhesive hooks, or a hammer and a nail. However, many houses in Tucson and other regions in the Southwest are made with stucco.

Stucco is a very hard material made of cement and sand. There are a few strategies you can take when hanging Christmas lights on stucco.

Hot Glue

Whether hanging lights outside your stucco home or inside, you can use hot glue to adhere the cord to the wall. Make sure your hot glue gun is loaded and connected to an outlet (you’ll likely need an extension cord). Place the light string onto the wall, then put hot glue over it — hold it close to the cord, but don’t make direct contact. Hold in place for about 30 seconds or until the glue dries.

Mounting Clips

You can also hang lights by attaching clips to your exterior stucco wall. These clips will stay up year-round, even after the lights come down, but will make for easier hanging in the future.

1. Figure out where each clip will go (where you’re going to hang the lights).

2. Using a caulk gun with construction adhesive, put a little bit of adhesive onto the correct spot.

3. Place the mounting clip onto the adhesive and stick to the wall until it’s firmly in place.

4. Hang your lights up once the adhesive is dry and can bear weight.

Hanging Other Holiday Decorations

For interior decorating, you might not want (or even need) to put clips up, especially since they’ll stay on the walls. Screws and anchors might be your best bet — particularly if you can hang another decoration in the same spot after the holidays.

1. Use a pencil to trace on the wall where your screw(s) will go.

2. Attach a masonry bit to a drill and go into the stucco, just a little longer than the length of the anchor.

3. Fill the hole with silicone caulk and put the anchor into the hole. Hammer it gently until it’s flush with the wall.

4. Put corrosion-resistant screws into the anchor(s).

5. Hang your decoration.

Keep in mind, you might have to do more work for larger and heavier objects. If your home has synthetic stucco, talk to a professional for anchor installation tips.

Cactus Light Decorations

Driving around in southern Arizona cities and real estate developments and you’ll see plenty of cacti strung up with lights. Here are a few tips for doing the same thing at your home:

• Get gloves: Find gloves that will protect you from spines and needles.

• Use the right tools: With its many arms, a ladder is sometimes hard to set up next to a towering saguaro. Order a reaching tool that will make setting lights up easier.

• Consider light alternatives: Net lights are easier to set up than stringing lights around a cactus. You can also set up a holiday spotlight, which is probably your easiest and safest option.

One thing to remember (especially for anyone who’s new to Arizona): while many people elsewhere in the country go out and cut down their trees, it’s a felony to cut down a saguaro. Go to a tree farm or get a fake tree instead.

HOA Restrictions

Real estate developments often have a homeowners association (HOA), and these HOAs typically have rules on what your home’s exterior can look like. Before doing a holiday decorating overall, it’s best to first consult your HOA guidelines.

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Make no mistake — we may lack the snow and the cold in Tucson, but we still have the holiday spirit! Interested to see what decorations are going on at Saguaro Ranch? Contact us to set up a driving tour to visit our real estate development. With houses going up in Moonlight Canyon and estate lots being bought, it won’t be long until Saguaro Ranch turns into a (desert) winter wonderland.

Real Estate Daily News Says Saguaro Ranch Offers "Best of the Best"

We at Saguaro Ranch are thrilled and honored that Real Estate Daily News & RED Comps has written about our real estate development in Marana!

Writer Karen Schutte recently toured Saguaro Ranch and wrote about her experience, as well as some of the history our luxury real estate community. Schutte mentions how Aqua Design International and Robinette Architects, Inc. are both instrumental in constructing the state-of-the-art pool and Owners Club, respectively.

“From the moment you enter the 1100+ acre majestic Sonoran Desert community… you know you are entering a unique, resort-style living community.”

We are so thankful for the review and praise, and encourage all who are interested in our luxury homes for sale to come see Saguaro Ranch themselves. You can sign up for a self-guided driving tour by contacting Mike Conlin. Tours are social distance-friendly and you can make a day of it if you like — bring folding chairs and a picnic to really enjoy the breathtaking views.

Thanks again to Karen Schutte at Real Estate Daily News & RED Comps for taking the time to visit and write about Saguaro Ranch. We’re so glad you enjoyed your time at our real estate development! Visit the site to read the article in full.

Why Move to Tucson?

Tucson is one of those cities that many people are familiar with, but not many have visited. It’s a name that rolls around in the back of your head and occasionally pops up in conversation, but unless you live in Tucson and/or Arizona, it’s not usually a city that gets much thought.

Ask anyone living in Tucson, however, and they’ll be the first to tell you how incredible their city is. It’s a great place to visit, but it’s an even better place to move to. Take a look at our real estate development’s top 5 reasons to move to Tucson.

#1 Tucson is surrounded by nature.

Hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and anyone who loves a gorgeous desert sunset, you’ve come to the right place. The city itself has a stellar mountain backdrop, but the proximity to parks and hiking trails can’t be beat. Tucson sits right between Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain Park, Santa Catalina Natural Area, Coronado National Forest — the list truly goes on.

A move to Tucson means moving to one of the most diverse natural areas in the US. It’s not often that an hour-and-a-half drive can take you from desert to mountaintop. If you’re worried about the lack of seasons, know that it’s only a short drive to find autumn leaves and winter snows, before coming back to desert bliss.

#2 Tucson is a college town.

Living in or near a college town has plenty of perks. Families can go to Wildcat games at the nearby University of Arizona, or check out shows put on by the renowned theater department. Tucson is a vibrant and youthful city that’s highly influenced by the U of A — as such, it’s a city full of new ideas, trendy restaurants, and endless things to do.

But if you’re not about the city life, fear not — there are plenty of ways to enjoy Tucson and its city perks without living in the heart of the action. Our real estate development is a short drive (40 min to U of A) to the city but has all the peace and privacy of living in nature.

#3 Tucson is an affordable place to live.

People love California but hate California prices. Despite only being a day’s drive from CA, Tucson is way more affordable (it’s why a lot of people move from California to Arizona in the first place).

But California aside, Tucson is affordable even by national standards. Food and groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, and cost of living as a whole are all less expensive in Tucson compared to the US average. A move to Tucson could save you thousands in the long run.

#4 Tucson winters are a dream.

Shoveling snow and scraping your windshield < basking in the sun. No more parkas, no more snow boots, just easy, enjoyable desert winters that are what Arizona is (rightfully) known for. Especially in a time where social distancing is crucial, imagine the benefits of living in a climate where you can have regulated outdoor patios and safe outdoor gatherings all year long.

#5 Tucson is growing.

Forbes recently posted an article about upcoming “capitals of influence” and included Tucson as a city of choice, ranking at #10. The housing market is about as hot as the desert temps in summer, and Arizona as a whole is ranked as the fourth fastest-growing state in the US. You can expect big things to come from moving to Tucson — it’s better to get there sooner rather than later.

Feeling ready to take the next step? Want to build a house that’s more like your personal desert oasis? Saguaro Ranch is the place to be. Our real estate development has estate lots for sale and is unlike any new home community you’ve seen before. Move to Tucson, build at Saguaro Ranch, and see firsthand how living here is truly spectacular.

Saguaro Ranch Partners With Miramonte Homes

Saguaro Ranch is excited to announce our partnership with Miramonte Homes in Tucson! In addition to our estate lots for sale for AZ homeowners to build on, our real estate development is working with Miramonte Homes to offer new houses for sale. These houses will be available to purchase as part of our Moonlight Canyon real estate development.

About Miramonte Homes

Miramonte is an award-winning home construction company serving Flagstaff, Tucson and Sedona. Since their start in 1992, Miramonte has expanded across Arizona and continues to create homes that reflect the diverse landscape of the state. Recognized for their custom-built craftsmanship and expertise, we at Saguaro Ranch are honored to bring Miramonte artistry to our real estate development.

Moonlight Canyon

When trying to decide between home building vs. buying, it’s great when you find a real estate community in an incredible location that offers both. Saguaro Ranch is excited to expand options for homebuyers in the Tucson and Marana area.

Moonlight Canyon is our most recent real estate development. Most of our luxury homesite for sale range from 1 to 2 acres and promise stunning views of the mountains. Miramonte will construct a few homes to start on some of these lots.

What’s Currently Available

Saguaro Ranch still has a limited number of estate lots for sale. Since we’re committed to preserving the surrounding environment, our estate developments (Moonlight Canyon included) are all pre-designated spaces — we’re keeping 80% of the land untouched. See what’s available and schedule a tour to visit a site in person!

We would like to thank Miramonte for partnering with us and we’re excited to move forward. Check out their site to see their incredible work!

What Is a Building Permit?

You have the exact estate lot in mind that you want to purchase. You’re ready to hit the ground running with construction. But before breaking ground, you need a building permit. There are tons of laws and building codes to understand and obtaining a building permit is the first step.

What is a building permit?

Before you can start building something, you need an official approval from the local government in which you reside. While our real estate development is minutes away from the downtown Tucson area, we’re actually located in the Town of Marana. When you want to build something here, the permit process goes through Marana.

Building permits ensure that everyone is in compliance with local zoning, construction, and land use laws. Some rural areas don’t require building permits but that’s because there are so few people. When planning for more people, such as in a town or city, things like city water and the sewage system need to be included in building plans.

Having consistency and building permits also allows for better visuals and curb appeal, as well as safety. Curb appeal might seem like a silly reason to follow building permits, but when you’re ready to sell your home, trust that you’ll struggle to get your money’s worth (or even offers) if your home isn’t up to code or doesn’t look like it’s in great shape.

What is the process of getting a building permit in Marana?

There are a few things specific to Saguaro Ranch that lead into the process of getting a building permit in Marana.

1. Visit our real estate development. See what estate lots are still available by setting up a visit. Someone from Saguaro Ranch will meet with you and set you up with a copy of our design guidelines.

2. Submit blueprints to the DRC. Once your architect has come up with a plan that also follows those guidelines, you’ll submit the building plan to our Design Review Committee.

3. Submit to the Town of Marana. You’ll hopefully get approval within 2 to 3 months.

Town of Marana Permit Guidelines

Permit Required

• Demolition work

• Construction on a structure more than 200 square feet

• House building

• In-ground pool

• Temporary trailers

• Utility connection

• Replacing windows

Permit Not Required

• One-story storage shed or playhouse, no more than 200 square feet

• Prefab swimming pools no more than 18 inches deep

• Painting interior walls

Permit Sometimes Required

• Exterior repairs

• HVAC replacements

• Fencing or walls

• Temporary canopy or tent

What is the penalty for building without a permit in Arizona?

There are a few things you can expect to happen if you build without a permit in Arizona.

• City citation

• Fees

• Withdrawn homeowners insurance coverage

• Asked to take down construction and pay out of pocket for removal

If you don’t comply with the above list, you could be charged with a misdemeanor. Other legal consequences could ensue.

Don’t worry too much about not following code, however. Especially when you come to our real estate development we will provide you and your architect and/or team of builders everything you need to be successful. We’ve been in this industry for decades and are well-versed with the permit process in Tucson and Marana.  Set up an estate lot tour at Saguaro Ranch today to get started!

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Speaking of building permits and construction, take a look at the progress our real estate development is making on the Clubhouse! Check in with the Saguaro Ranch YouTube channel to see how construction is going.

Home Building vs. Buying

Most homeowners have asked this question at one point or another: is it better to buy a home or build one? Our real estate development in Marana, Arizona weighs out some of the biggest considerations to keep in mind when making your decision.

Building vs. Buying a House: Timeline

It usually takes longer to build a house than to buy one — custom homes take an average of about 9 months to complete. 

However, this isn’t a guarantee. In highly competitive housing markets it can take months for prospective home buyers to find the right place. Not to mention, if you find a house that needs a lot of work, it can take just as long or longer to fix it up. A lot of homeowners who end up building say the extended timeline to move into their dream home  is ultimately worth it.

Building vs. Buying a House: Cost

On average, building a house costs more than buying — but that’s only the total costs. According to Realtor.com, the median price per square foot is $148 when buying and $103 when building.

One thing to keep in mind: when buying a house, you’re buying everything that comes with it. Regardless of if you don’t like the siding or crumbling deck, it’s part of the package — you’re not only paying for it, you’ll likely pay more to change or get rid of it. Buying a “steal” of a house can come with tons of baggage as well. There’s a good chance that the deal you thought you got ends up costing as much or more to fix than if you had built your house from the start.

With that in mind, it’s good to remember that a cheaper price tag doesn’t mean a better bargain. Plus, if you build in a place like Saguaro Ranch, you’ll gain access to private hiking trails and a clubhouse. If you bought a house with these amenities (or close to breathtaking vistas and trails), you’d have to pay an arm and a leg!

Building vs. Buying a House: Process

A huge draw to building a house is getting to customize details. While customizing an already-bought house is possible (and homeowners do it every day), it’s more time, work, and it can easily cost more. 

Something else to keep in mind in the era of social distancing: it might be easier to social distance and minimize health risks with building a house rather than buying. Visiting and closing in-person is practically a necessity, whereas hiring builders to work on your house happens at a distance — regardless of COVID-19.

Additionally, visiting a house could put the homeowners at risk, even if proper safety precautions are taken and masks are worn. Builders might have less risk working outside in smaller crews (and certain parts of the job require masks anyways). But as a general reminder, it’s important to think of your safety and the safety of others, regardless of whether you buy or build a home.

Build (or Buy) at our Arizona Real Estate Development

Saguaro Ranch has premier estate lots for sale that offer unbeatable desert and mountain views. You can build your dream oasis in the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains, just a short drive from downtown Tucson.

But if you’re pretty set on buying, we have new options coming your way! Our Moonlight Canyon development is partnering with Miramonte to build some spectacular desert homes, available for purchase in 2021. Stay tuned for our upcoming houses for sale, or schedule a visit to look at our estate lots today!