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!

Best Hiking Trails Near Tucson

Most people who don’t live in Arizona  think “sunshine” and “desert” when they hear of Tucson. What they don’t realize is that Tucson is a hotspot for incredible hiking. 

While there are countless benefits to buying a real estate lot for sale at Saguaro Ranch, the access to these trails and the great outdoors is undoubtedly one of the best. Take a look at some of the best hiking trails near Tucson — just make sure you bring plenty of water.

Desert Hiking Tips

Desert hiking is beautiful and unforgettable. However, the dry climate and intense heat means you need to take precaution — often in ways that differ from hikes through forests or on flat land. Here are 5 tips to keep in mind before setting off on the trail.

1. Pay attention to climate. Desert hikes in the summer should be done with extreme caution, in the early morning. Mountainous hikes are often closed in winter. Keep the climate of where you’re hiking in mind.

2. Lots and lots of water. Hikers are airlifted out of trails every year in Arizona due to dehydration and exhaustion. Bring more water than seems necessary and take sips throughout. Never let your mouth get dry.

3. Limit exposure. Wear sunscreen (and pack extra), sunglasses, and a hat to prevent extra glare. For mountainous hikes, bring an extra layer — there might be snow at the top!

4. Prepare for elevation. If you’ve never been higher than 5,000 feet above sea level, you could very well experience altitude sickness. Many hikes in Tucson go well above 7,000 feet. Take things slow, gradually increase the elevation you hike up to if you’re worried, bring plenty of water, and consider talking to a doctor before you go.

5. Watch for wildlife. Rattlesnakes (and sometimes scorpions) are a common occurrence on the trails. Keep an eye out and as a general rule of thumb, respect all wildlife around you. Leave things better than you found it and take all trash out with you.

6. Time it carefully. From late spring to early fall, start your hikes early. Research how long it might take you to complete the hike so that you’re done before the hottest part of the day.

One other thing to keep in mind, especially right now in 2020: continue following social distancing procedures when hiking. Give other hikers ample distance, don’t get too close, bring a mask just in case and some hand sanitizer, if available.

Waterfall Trails

Waterfalls in the desert? You bet! Tucson has a number of trails that lead to gorgeous waterfalls. These hiking trails are great for photo ops and even better for a quick way to cool off.

• Tanque Verde Falls Trail: 1.8 miles, out-and-back. Rated as moderate, just 40 minutes outside of downtown Tucson.

• Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools: 5.5 miles, out-and-back, 900 feet of elevation gain. Part of the Catalina State Park, $7 entry fee per vehicle (no more than 4 adults). No dogs allowed.

• Seven Falls: 5 miles, out-and-back, 917 feet of elevation gain. Part of the Coronado National Forest, you can take a $4 tram up to the trailhead. A great place to take a dip! No dogs allowed.

Out of the Desert Trails

No one can deny the beauty and otherworldly nature of the desert, but sometimes it’s nice to get out of dodge. Try these trails for a blissful escape (especially in the summer).

• Aspen-Marshall Gulch Trail: 3.7 miles, loop, top elevation is around 8,150 feet. Gorgeous aspens, wildflowers, several creek crossings, and significantly cooler than desert hikes.

• Chiricahua National Monument: Multiple trails to choose from, slightly further from Tucson (just under 2 hours away). Unique rock formations from a long-ago volcanic event offer an unforgettable visit.

Mountain Peak Trails

Mountains are an integral part of the Tucson landscape and are a gorgeous backdrop to the city. When you want to get to the top of those peaks, these are the trails for you.

• Wasson Peak: 7.7 miles, out-and-back but with a loop option at the end, almost 1,900 feet elevation gain. Part of the Saguaro National Park, will need to pay admission or have an NPS membership. Closed during the summer, no dogs allowed.

• Mt. Kimball: 8 miles, out-and-back, ranked difficult. Gorgeous views at the top, but the terrain gets tougher as you go on. There are springs you can stop at for a break (or a good turnaround point if you’re not feeling the peak this time).

• Mt. Lemmon: 9.5 miles, out-and-back, almost 3,500 feet of elevation gain. The highest peak trail in the area, you’ll reach an elevation of 9,131 feet at the top. This trail has beautiful wildflowers and is actually a great hike from April to October. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.

Saguaro Ranch Trails

We have miles of desert hiking trails available to homeowners in Saguaro Ranch. When you buy a real estate lot for sale with Saguaro Ranch, you’re gaining exclusive access to private trails. Plus, these trails can also work for running and mountain biking.

Building a home at Saguaro Ranch means you’re close to the action of Tucson while feeling completely removed, in a peaceful, private desert oasis. You can easily travel to any of the hiking trails we mentioned (we also back right up to the Tortolita Mountains, another great hiking locale), or you can stay close to home and enjoy our unique trail system (and then cool off at the clubhouse when you’re done). Set up a visit to look at an estate lot and enjoy the great outdoors with ease.

Benefits of Moving From California to Arizona

Long before it even became a state, there’s always been a rush to move to California. From the Gold Rush to the Summer of Free Love in the ‘60s, from aspiring actors and musicians hoping to “make it” to snowbirds looking for sun, millions have chosen California as their dream relocation.

As neighbors of the state, us Arizonans understand the appeal but find it kind of baffling. We know there’s so much more to Arizona than cactus and desert tumbleweeds. Anyone can benefit from moving to AZ, but for those already living in CA, the benefits of moving here are priceless.

What are the benefits of moving from California to Arizona?

1. It’s much, much less expensive.

What’s the point of living in your “dream state” if you can’t afford to enjoy all that it has to offer? California is notoriously expensive. Compared to Arizona, you could save money in almost every aspect of life by moving here.

From house prices to grocery bills to everything in between, California has a significantly higher cost of living. By living in Arizona, you can still get many of the benefits of the Sunshine State, without having to break the bank.

2. It’s much less crowded.

With all that’s gone on in 2020, it makes sense why people crave open spaces. Countless people have quickly seen the pros of city living turn into cons when having to shelter in place.

California has a population density of 251.3 people per square mile. Arizona, by contrast, has 63. Buying a house here means a yard, privacy, access to nature but without all the crowds. Especially at Saguaro Ranch, we’re leaving 80 percent of the land undisturbed — a true nature preserve and desert sanctuary. Trading in the feeling of being packed like sardines has never felt so good.

3. You still have amazing city life.

Tucson has a flourishing arts scene, is home to some of the best Mexican food in the country (as well as countless other cuisines), has all the benefits of a college town, and is only a short drive away from Saguaro Ranch. Whenever you crave the city life, it’s not far away — but far enough to still have the peace and quiet of our desert and mountain sanctuary.

4. The access to nature is incomparable.

Both California and Arizona are home to some unbelievable national parks. But what a lot of people don’t know is that the Grand Canyon State is home to some gorgeous sandy beaches as well. Here in Tucson, we’re just over an hour away from Patagonia Lake State Park, a great place for wildlife viewing and — you guessed it — sandy beaches. 

The outdoor fun doesn’t stop there. Arizona has miles upon miles of stunning hiking trails. At our luxury desert real estate development, we have designated hiking, running, and mountain biking trails in one of the most breathtaking parts of the country. The only difference from California is that they’re reserved for our guests — you won’t spend your hike trying to pass people or get out of their way.

5. It’s still close to California!

From Tucson, you’re about 4 hours away from the CA border. It’s easy to take a weekend trip to San Diego or Disneyland, without having to deal with all the headaches that come from living in California. But we’re pretty sure once you’re here, you won’t be in any rush to leave.

Saguaro Ranch has estate lots for sale designed for homeowners who crave a desert oasis, who want the sunshine without the soaring housing prices. You can build the house of your dreams here, but if you prefer to buy at our Moonlight Canyon real estate development, that’s an option too.

Look through our photo gallery, plan your visit, or even take a self-guided driving tour if you’re in the area! Call us to get things going — we guarantee you’ll find that the benefits of moving from California to Arizona are practically endless.

Building Guidelines at Saguaro Ranch

One drive through the 600-ft tunnel and subsequent Sonoran desert oasis and it’s clear to see why Saguaro Ranch is a picture-perfect location to build a house. Take a look at five important Saguaro Ranch building guidelines and start planning your dream home.

1. We’re all about nature.

Saguaro Ranch is located in one of the most beautiful, naturally preserved locations in the country. We plan on keeping it that way. We talk with builders about cleanup, working hours (which vary by season) and other best practices to help SR stay as undisturbed as possible. In fact, if a protected plant (such as saguaro) is threatened in building your house and is of a certain size, it will be transplanted instead of cut down.

2. We want homes to reflect the area…

Our design guidelines outline materials that are permitted for building. We want homes to use natural colors that occur in the landscape while still maintaining a contemporary Arizona feel. The same for materials — no wood siding, but adobe and stone and other materials are permitted (and encouraged).

3. ...but there are still a lot of custom measures you can implement.

We encourage uniqueness! For our estate lots, there’s infinite potential for how you can build in this space. Solar panels, large panoramic windows, fireplaces — the world (desert?) is your oyster.

Homes must have at least 2,700 square feet and we maintain certain height restrictions (we don’t want to block anyone’s view), and if you’ve got ideas that comply with the surrounding environment, we’re all ears.

4. You can choose your own builders.

When you’re getting ready to purchase one of our residential lots for sale, we’ll drive to the site you have in mind with you and your architect. You’ll share your vision with us and submit your building concepts. Once your plans are reviewed and approved by our Design Review Committee, you’re good to go. But don’t worry — we’ll share our design guidelines with the builders and architect so they know what to expect.

5. We have a limited number of residential lots for sale.

In such a pristine setting, it’s no wonder we currently have a limited number of Estate Lots available. We invite you to come visit and check out our self-guided driving tour to check these Estate Lots out. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us — we’re happy to help.

Take the Saguaro Ranch Driving Tour

Social distancing is important and necessary, but let’s face it — being cooped up can get boring. You can only binge Netflix or scroll through social media, or even take the same walking route for so long. 

Saguaro Ranch is here to break the monotony. Our real estate community in Tucson is now offering a self-guided driving tour! Located in the stunning Tortolita Mountains, Saguaro Ranch has build lots for sale with sensational views. See what this tour entails, and stop by today.

How it Works

Getting to Saguaro Ranch is easy. We’re just over 20 min north of downtown Tucson and a little over an hour away from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

First, while there’s no need to make an appointment or schedule a time, please call Mike Conlin at (520) 429-4773 or email him at MConlin@saguaroranchaz.com so your name will be on the guest list. He’ll have a packet waiting for you when you arrive.

1. Once you get here, let the front gate know you’re here for your self-guided driving tour.

2. You’ll receive a package that tells you exactly where to go (driving is all on paved roads).

3. Drive on out, and feel free to get out and explore the lots!

4. Follow the tour directions and they’ll lead you back out to the exit.

What to See

Incredible vistas. Look through our gallery for a sneak peek! Our limited number of estate lots for sale all have amazing views of the desert and mountains. And since we’re committed to keeping 80% of the land undisturbed, the views you see now are the same that your future home will have.

Desert flora and fauna. At the very least, you’ll find views that are definitely worthy of a photo and a Facebook or Instagram share (make sure to link to our site so others can come visit!). But out here in the Tortolita Mountains, you might spot a desert tortoise or even a gila monster. Depending on when you come, you might also catch some saguaros in bloom.

Estate lots for sale. We have a limited number of homesites for sale, and these residential building lots are going fast. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Don’t miss out on this building opportunity — pop by today to pick out your lot!

Who Should Come

Brokers

Brokers, thank you very much for your support, so far more than 50 brokers have come through Saguaro Ranch. Keeping social distancing in mind, however, you might want to plan on taking two cars and having potential buyers or builders follow you. Or just visit us on your own and send your clients to enjoy the self-guided tour of Saguaro Ranch on their own.

Interested Buyers

Are you currently looking at houses for sale? There are plenty to choose from in the Tucson area, but nothing as custom and unique as what Saguaro Ranch has to offer. Call your favorite broker and have them schedule a self-guided tour to see what we mean. Even if you don’t end up purchasing one of our homesites, it’s always good to weigh out your home buying options!

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Saguaro Ranch is like nothing else you’ll find in the Tucson area. But, hey, you don’t have to take our word for it. Come on by for a self-guided driving tour, take things at your own pace, and see the magic of this desert oasis firsthand.

Why Choose Saguaro Ranch?

Building a house is a huge investment. You want to research all your options and find the best possible location before diving in. So out of all the homesites for sale in Tucson, why is Saguaro Ranch the best? What does our real estate community offer that makes us stand out above the rest?

We’re glad you want to find out. Take a look at what makes Saguaro Ranch so unique (and why you should build with our real estate community).

Privacy & Peace in the Great Outdoors

We’re close to the city and simultaneously, far from it. This 1,100 acre reserve is desert living at its finest — and 80 percent of this land will remain undisturbed. Hike, bike, or run on one of our many trails, sit outside and take in the stunning sunsets, or marvel at the wondrous flora and fauna. You can do it all here.

Saguaro Ranch is a luxury real estate development and gated community that, while close to downtown Tucson, offers space and privacy. This is a sanctuary for people looking for serenity, away from the hustle and the bustle of the city.

Location, Location, Location

Saguaro Ranch is in the heart of the Tortolita Mountains, a location that makes you feel more like you’re living in a national park than a real estate community. At the same time, we’re just a short drive (about 20-25 minutes) from Dove Mountain and Oro Valley and less than 40 minutes from downtown Tucson. 

When you build at one of our esteemed homesites for sale, you’re close to the action and can dine out or explore all that Tucson has to offer with ease. But if you feel like staying in and enjoying the tranquility of Saguaro Ranch, you don’t need to leave your doorstep. Our premiere location truly gives homeowners the best of both worlds.

Breathtaking Vistas

Desert tortoises, gila monsters, blooming cacti, and the stunning Tortolita Mountains, all in one spot. Know this: the breathtaking vistas that surround you aren’t likely to change. 

Saguaro Ranch isn’t like another super developed area where your views of the mountains are suddenly blocked by a new house or building. Since we’re keeping 80 percent of the land untouched, what you see is what you’ll get — and what you see is guaranteed to impress.

Countless Amenities

Once finished, our owner’s club will include the following:

• 25-yard lap pool

• Hot tub

• Firepits

• Patios

• Gorgeous workout facility

• Tennis court

• Bocce ball court

• Pickleball courts

• Venue space for events

And that’s not even counting our proximity to highly esteemed golf courses, downtown Tucson, and the surrounding wildlife and nature. Once you purchase and build on one of our homesites for sale, you won’t want to leave.

real estate development options

Whether you’re interested in building or buying your next house, both options are available for you at our Marana, AZ real estate development. In addition to our estate lots, you can also buy a high-end, Miramonte-designed home at Moonlight Canyon. You don’t even have to have your mind made up right now — take a self-guided driving tour of the property to see what piques your interest.

It goes without saying that Saguaro Ranch is an unparalleled, outstanding real estate community. You belong here, and you deserve to build your dream home at one of our incredible estate lots. Fill out our contact form to set up a visit or request more information!