Downsizing in Anthem

Downsizing in Anthem is where most single-story searches in the valley begin, because Anthem has the largest concentration of single-story homes anywhere in it. They come in two forms. Sun City Anthem and Solera at Anthem are the 55-and-up communities, built almost entirely on one level with clubhouses, pools, courts and activity calendars. The rest of Anthem mixes non-restricted single-story homes into neighborhoods with two-story family plans. The list downsizers bring me fits Anthem well: one level, less yard, a payment and an HOA that do not need thinking about, doctors within a reasonable drive, and a decision you only make once.

The decision most downsizers have not made when they call is the age-restricted one, and Anthem is where it becomes concrete, because both answers are here within a few minutes of each other. That makes it the best place in the valley to drive both on the same afternoon and find out which one feels like your life.

The first conversation is about the list: whether an age-restricted community appeals to you, how much yard you want, and what you use most in a week. Age-restricted communities require at least one resident to meet the age minimum, usually 55, and limit how many homes younger residents can occupy. In exchange for quiet streets and amenities built for this stage you accept occupancy rules, higher dues and a smaller resale pool, and grandkids can visit but generally cannot live there. If the activity calendar sounds like your life, Sun City Anthem or Solera is where we start. If you want a street with kids on bikes, the non-restricted single-story homes are the answer. Neither is right. One of them is right for you, and Anthem lets you see both in an afternoon.

Then the house, where I check what one level on paper does not always deliver: a sunken living room, a step down to the garage, a raised entry, doorway and hall widths, a walk-in shower versus a tub, the garage depth if you drive a truck or want room for a golf cart, the lot against how much yard you actually want, and the age of the air conditioner and roof. The full checklist is here. Read the community documents before you fall for the house, not after.

On the selling side, the family house gets the real number and the marketing starts day one. Then the sequencing, which with the equity most long-time owners have is often easier than for a move-up family, and which I lay out with your numbers.