Each retirement community has mandatory fees associated with the purchase of property. This allows them to maintain their fabulous recreational facilities. Below are the costs of some of our retirement communities: (Fees are subject to change--contact me or your Realtor to verify up to date fees)

Sun City: One time transfer fee of $300 upon purchase of property. One time Capital Preservation fee of $2,500 (as of 1/107) upon purchase of property. $380 yearly per household for Recreational membership (up to two memberships). Properties on Dawn Lake pay an annual fee of $240.00 and properties on View Point Lake pay an annual fee of $269.87.

Sun City West: One time transfer fee of $200 upon purchase of property. One time Asset Preservation fee of $1,700 upon purchase of property. $258 yearly fee per person for Recreational membership. Disclosure fee of $85, paid by seller.

Sun City Grand: Recreation fee of $925 yearly per household. Transfer fee of $100. Community and Resident Enhancement fee (one time) $575. Disclosure fee of $100 (paid by seller). Copy fee of $25. Architectural review fee of $200 (buyer cost)

Corte Bella: Homeowner's Association Assessment/Fee of $395.25 quarterly.  Reserve Fund Fee (one time) $724.50.  Disclosure Fee $130.  Resale Transfer Fee $75.

Westbrook Village: One time Resale Disclosure Fee of $740.00.  Recreation Fee $507.24 annually per household.  One time Capital Preservation Fee of $670.00.  CC&R Fee Income one time fee of $50.  Deed Fee of $50 (refunded when recorded deed is received by association)

Ventana Lakes: One time transfer fee to Ventana Lakes of $800 upon purchase of property.  Transfer fee to management company $50.  One time Dislosure Fee of $50.  Master Community fee of $183.00 quarterly per household for a single family home. Garden homes pay $453.00 quarterly.

Sun Village: One time Capital Preservation Fee of $1500.  One time transfer fee of $200. Disclosure fee of $300. Master Community fee of $78.75 per household. Additional fees vary depending on the village in which one lives.

Arizona Traditions: Homeowner dues of $92.00 monthly.  One time transfer fee of $90.  Disclosure fee of $130.

Average housing prices in Sun City start from around $85,000 for a smaller condominium. House prices begin at approximately $125,000 and continue on up to over $600,000 for larger homes on the lake or golf course. Living areas start at around 700 square feet for a one-bedroom, on bath condo and run up to 2,500, with a few homes over 3,000 square feet. Larger homes can be found in Sun City West and Sun City Grand, with prices from approximately $160,000-$1,000,000.

Taxes are relatively low in Sun City and in most of Sun City West. Property taxes on most homes run from approximately $320 to less than $1200 per year. The sales tax in Sun City is currently 5.5% and in Phoenix it's 6.8%. There is no sales tax on food.

The average utilities for a home in Sun City are as follows:

Water and Sewer--approximately $30-40 per month.

Trash Collection--$31.50 per quarter

Telephone--Private line basic service is $17.00.

Utilities--Heating and cooling in most Sun City and Sun City West homes is less expensive than in many parts of the country. Monthly costs would be dependent upon the size of home one owned.