The Verdes is a collection of age-restricted communities located north of Scottsdale in the town of Fountain Hills. They include the newest community, Vista Verde, as well as the communities of Rio Verde and Tonto Verde.

These “sister” communities welcome homeowners who are aged 55 and older. Much of daily life within them revolves around the Tom Lehman-designed golf courses, as well as other upscale amenities like the award-winning clubhouses and swimming pools. However, homeowners in The Verdes also have easy access to amenities and conveniences within the town of Fountain Hills itself.

The real estate market in The Verdes also offers a healthy combination of single-family homes, villas and townhouses for sale. There are also empty lots set aside for new construction custom home building as well. People who meet the age criteria for living in The Verdes can contact Carl Chapman REALTOR at West USA Realty to view the available properties for sale today.

Today, there are more than 700 home sites that make up the newest sister community, Vista Verde. Rio Verde and Tonto Verde are home to thousands more. The home prices in The Verdes likewise range significantly. The lowest of homes sell for around $200,000. The most expensive of The Verdes homes can sell for as much of $2 million, if not higher.

 The typical home for sale in The Verdes has two or three bedrooms, as well as two to three bathrooms. It may also occupy a quarter to a half-acre lot, on average.

Many homes in The Verdes spans around 1200 to 1800 square feet. It is not uncommon for single family homes to also have one or two attached garages.

Additional features that homeowners in The Verdes enjoy include:

• Central air conditioning systems
• Large master suites with walk-in closets
• Granite kitchen counters
• Stone tile floors
• Maple cabinetry
• Stainless steel appliances
• Brushed nickel hardware
• New tile in the bathrooms and hallways
• Utility rooms with space for full size washers and dryers

Many of the homes for sale in The Verdes also come with new hot water heaters. Houses listed for sale in these communities typically do not linger long on the market. It is not uncommon for houses to sell within two months after their owners put them up for sale.

People who move into The Verdes become automatic members of The Verdes Community Association and pay dues of about $223 a month to it. The dues are used to maintain and repair shared community amenities, as well as infrastructures like roadways and sidewalks.

The association comprises of five elected members who fill the positions of the president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and member-at-large. The members serve two-year terms, and elections are staggered every year.

Together, these elected members undertake a host of duties on behalf of The Verdes community's homeowners. These duties include:

• Establishing and enforcing missions and mandates in The Verdes
• Managing and maintaining assets in the community
• Approving annual budgets and overseeing use of community funds
• Enforcing community documents without bias toward community homeowners
• Responding to community members questions and concerns in a timely manner

The community association holds meetings every month that are open to people who live in The Verdes. People who are not able to attend the meetings can find minutes of them on the association's website. They can also find community documents, submit questions and concerns to the association and pay their monthly dues by using the association's website.

The community association also ensures that all homeowners in The Verdes have equal access to shared amenities. In particular, people who live in The Verdes communities can join the Tom Lehman-designed 18-hole golf courses, dubbed The Ranch and Peaks.

This course accommodates players of all levels and has its own 26,000 square foot clubhouse. The clubhouse is the site for community events and gatherings and has its own onsite dining facility, the Mesquite Bar & Grill. It also offers amenities like:

• A lounge
• A full size ballroom
• A catering kitchen
• The Cimarron dining room
• A Wine cabinet
• Several private dining rooms
• Multipurpose and game rooms
• A fully equipped library

The clubhouse also has its own pro shop where members of the golf courses can find supplies, such as clubs and balls, for all of their golfing needs. It is also the location of numerous community classes and activities for hobbies like card playing and crafting that are offered routinely throughout the year.

Additionally, The Verdes offers homeowners access to a resort-style swimming pool, biking, hiking and walking trails, an event lawn, outdoor patios and two scenic lakes for fishing, boating and other water activities.

Because The Verdes are age-restricted to homeowners 55 and older, people who live here typically do not need to worry about what the public school system is like or what public schools are close by for children. However, they may wonder about what educational facilities are close by that they can make use of if or when they want to pursue college or vocational degrees for themselves.

In fact, there are 29 colleges and vocational schools all within 50 miles of the town of Fountain Hills and The Verdes. The closest school is Scottsdale Community College, which offers a host of certificate and degree programs. Students can pursue classes in areas like:

• Applied technology
• Behavioral science and human services
• Business and management
• Computer and information technology
• Culture and society
• Education

Tuition is competitively priced, and students have access to financial aid sources like Pell grants and scholarships.

They can also enroll in nearby Arizona State University. This university offers both two and four year degrees. Some of the degree programs that ASU makes available include:

• Architecture
• Biology
• Business
• Communication
• Literature
• Computer science
• Foreign languages
• History

ASU also has numerous sports teams whose competitions are open to the public.