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Important Steps for Purchasing Single Family Homes for Sale in Gilbert, AZ

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Aerial panoramic shot over Discovery Park in Gilbert, Arizona

Welcome to Kindness USA!

With more than 300 days of sunshine annually, a strong economy, access to a top-performing public school district, and a wealth of exciting recreational options, it’s easy to see why Gilbert, AZ attracts new residents year after year.

Located around 20 miles southeast of Phoenix, Gilbert is a vibrant community that combines big-city amenities with a small-town charm, offering the best of both worlds. Recognized by CNN/Money Magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the United States,” the town has so much to offer from award-winning restaurants, top-quality education, a thriving Heritage District, excellent real estate options, fun community events, a plethora of exciting outdoor activities, and so much more. 

If you’re in the market for single-family homes for sale in Gilbert, AZ, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll take a closer look at what makes Gilbert such a special place to live. You’ll also get an insider’s look at the local real estate market, along with the different steps involved in purchasing a home to make your home buying experience as efficient and seamless as possible

Gilbert, AZ at a Glance

Gilbert's Water Tower along N Gilbert Rd.

History

During its early days, the town of Gilbert was primarily an agricultural community fueled by the rail line, the development of the Eastern and Consolidated Canals, and the Roosevelt Dam. It was named in honor of William “Bobby” Gilbert, who aided the Arizona Eastern Railway in 1902 by providing land for a rail line connecting Phoenix and Florence, AZ. 

Incorporated in July 1920, Gilbert retained its identity as a farming community throughout most of its early years, earning the moniker “Hay Capital of the World,” which lasted until the late 1920s.

In the 1970s, the Town Council approved plans for a strip annexation encompassing 53 square miles of county land, marking a significant turning point in Gilbert’s history. While its population in the 1970s was only a little under 2,000, the Town Council saw Gilbert’s potential to develop and flourish alongside neighboring communities such as Chandler, Mesa, and Tempe.

Gilbert has experienced stellar growth in the past three decades, increasing in population from around 5,700 in the 1980s to more than 267,000 in 2020. The town has won numerous awards and accolades over the years, making it a terrific choice for those looking forward to enjoying an exceptional quality of life. 

Awards & Recognitions

Gilbert has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions throughout its history. Some of the town’s most recent achievements include:

For a complete list of Gilbert’s awards and recognitions, visit this page

Gilbert Transportation Master Plan

Gilbert’s Transportation Master Plan was designed to provide an efficient and effective transportation network that accommodates the unique needs of the town’s residents, businesses, and visitors. 

An integral part of Gilbert’s Transportation Master Plan involves examining the town’s current transportation system and shaping a vision for what it should be like in years to come. By reviewing best practices and considering emerging trends to identify gaps in the existing system, the plan serves as a guide for short- and long-term improvements addressing the transportation needs of the town. 

For complete information on Gilbert’s Transportation Master Plan, visit this page.    

Fun facts about Gilbert, AZ

  • At 69 square miles, Gilbert is large enough to be a city but is still technically a town. Its population of over 267,000, however, makes it the largest town in the country.  

  • When most of the US experiences cold weather every January, Gilbert remains warm. Even in January, 67 degrees is the average temperature in Gilbert. And like other communities throughout Arizona, Gilbert has a lot of sunny days, with over 300 days of sunshine each year.

  • The historic 230-foot Gilbert Water Tower is one of the town’s most interesting landmarks. Completed in 1927, the tower was constructed to store water for drinking and supply for firefighters’ use. Although the tower is no longer used for this purpose since 1985, it remains standing today as a town icon, source of pride of the community, and main highlight of the Water Tower Plaza. 

  • Mail addressed to “Kindness USA” goes straight to Gilbert! The town’s nickname was adopted in a resolution by the Gilbert Town Council as part of their plans to promote kindness during Gilbert Kindness Week, an annual event every April.

  • Gilbert once had an airport, which was built in 1946 and remained in operation until 1959. The airport featured a packed-down dirt runway and was mostly used by a crop-dusting business. 

  • One of Gilbert’s beloved long-standing traditions is Gilbert Days, a fun-filled three-day celebration commemorating the development of downtown Gilbert. The event is highlighted by the Gilbert Days Parade along with exciting activities like a rodeo, a carnival, and a 1-mile and 5k run. Event organizers have also recently added a brand new event: The Gilbert Days Music Festival, which will feature live bands, food and drink vendors, and a variety of family-friendly games and attractions.   

  • Theater lovers and enthusiasts will be able to enjoy spectacular performances every year at Gilbert’s own Hale Centre Theatre. This one-of-a-kind theater features a round structure and seats arranged in a full circle surrounding the stage, offering a unique experience for audiences. 

  • Gilbert’s Town Hall is home to a 9/11 Memorial, which features a steel girder beam that was once part of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. The memorial was created through the fundraising efforts of former Gilbert Fire Chief Collin Dewitt, who worked for three years to make it a possibility. Dewitt and former Assistant Fire Chief Jim Jobusch drove to New York City to Arizona themselves to collect the eight-foot steel beam for the memorial. 

Luxury Real Estate Options in Gilbert, AZ

Luxury desert home patio with dining table after sunset

An impressive selection of stylish and well-built homes is available for anyone in search of the finest single-family homes for sale in Gilbert, AZ. 

And if you’re looking forward to a luxurious and laidback lifestyle, Gilbert features an array of stunning luxury homes designed to provide a seamless combination of privacy, sophistication, and convenience.

Luxury homebuyers can choose from a broad range of elegant architectural styles such as Ranch, Santa Fe, Contemporary, Mediterranean, Pueblo Revival, and Tudor Revival, among others. Luxury single-family homes in Gilbert are also located in a variety of locations that can accommodate any type of lifestyle, giving buyers a wide variety of options to choose from.

Whether you’re looking for a stunning lakefront home, a gorgeous estate nestled along the rolling fairways of a championship golf course, or an expansive ranch home in a scenic suburb close to top-rated amenities, Gilbert’s enticing selection of luxurious single-family homes are sure to impress even the most discerning buyers. 

Typical features of Gilbert luxury homes

Luxury homes in Gilbert offer an unparalleled lifestyle, with designer finishes and state-of-the-art features and upgrades found in many modern high-end homes today.

Some examples of features you can find in luxury homes in the area are:

  • Beautiful courtyard entryways with water fountains
  • Well-manicured landscaping
  • Large resort-style swimming pools
  • Custom floor plans with separate entrances for casitas/guest suites
  • Elegant formal living and dining rooms
  • Gourmet kitchens with granite counters, center islands, and top-quality stainless steel appliances
  • Sprawling backyard patios with kitchen nooks and BBQ areas
  • Spacious master suites with oversized windows, his and her walk-in closets, and ensuite bathrooms with soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and separate vanities
  • Expansive storage rooms that can be converted to a home office, exercise room, or guest room, or workshop

Ready to begin your search for the best high-end single-family homes for sale in Gilbert, AZ? Be sure to take a look at our Featured Listings!

6 Steps to Buying a Single-Family Home in Gilbert, AZ

While buying a new home is exciting, the process can be overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers. There’s a lot of important things to consider — your current financial situation, the local economy, and Gilbert’s housing market are just some of the many factors that impact the single-family home you purchase and how much it will cost.

Taking time to familiarize yourself with the home buying process will make it easier for you to navigate your choices as you search for single-family homes for sale in Gilbert, AZ.

  1. Examine your financial situation

    Many buyers make the mistake of rushing headfirst into their home search before taking an objective look at their goals. The best way to start off on the right foot is to examine your financial situation and set clear goals. This will set the foundation for when you need to make important decisions along the way.

    Take a look at your financial statement and think about your goals for the next two to five years or so. You can take it a step further and plan even further out by creating a projected financial statement, and then take a look at it from time to time to see if your finances are on track and whether you need to make any adjustments to fulfill your goals.

  2. Create a budget

    Assessing your current financial situation helps you make a budget and determine how much you’ll be able to afford. Before taking a look at single-family homes for sale in Gilbert, AZ, be sure to ask yourself a few financial questions such as:

    • How much am I willing to pay monthly for homeownership, including costs such as mortgage, insurance, utilities, repair and maintenance, and other necessary expenses?

    • How much down payment will I be able to afford?

    • What is the maximum amount I can afford in case the expenses go beyond my limit?

    When you’re planning your budget, also consider other monthly costs unrelated to your home such as health insurance, car loans and insurance, student loans, and internet and mobile phone subscriptions. As much as possible, you want to avoid purchasing a property that will push your finances to their limits and leave you no other option but to sacrifice other necessary household services.

  3. Get preapproved

    Mortgage lenders will take a look at several criteria to determine how big of a loan a buyer will be able to qualify for. For example, they’ll examine credit score and debt-to-income ratio, two significant factors that serve as an indication of whether you’ll be able to pay back your loan each month.

    After getting preapproved, you’ll be able to narrow down your search for a single-family home that falls within the loan amount the lender is willing to offer. This will help you save more time on your search, as you’ll be able to avoid considering properties that fall outside of your price range.

    To help you prepare for the preapproval process, avoid any major financial expenses that might adversely affect your credit score or debt-to-income ratio. Do not take out new loans or credit cards, and avoid opening any new accounts. You want to stabilize your financial activity while you’re trying to get preapproved and throughout the home buying process, all the way towards closing.

  4. Find an ideal neighborhood

    After following the steps above, you should already have a good idea of your budget. The next step is to research recent sale prices in different neighborhoods to help you trim down your list of options.

    Looking at previous home value trends also provides information on how much a particular home’s value can appreciate over the years. Your goal is to find a neighborhood that meets your budget but can also net you a substantial return when you decide to sell in the future.

    Once you’ve created a list of potential neighborhoods that are a good investment, the next step is to determine how each community will accommodate your lifestyle. Consider neighborhood features and amenities such as:

    • School districts
    • Crime rates
    • Walkability
    • Nearby parks, restaurants, and other amenities
    • Access to major roads and transportation options
  5. Home viewing

    Taking a look at homes in person is one of the most exciting parts of the home buying process. However, keep in mind that you’ll have to make the big decision at some point. 

    Think about all of the things you want your new home to have and jot all of them down on paper or on your smartphone or computer’s notepad. Knowing exactly what you want will be extremely helpful not only for you but your real estate agent as well as you shop for potential homes.

    While this part of the process is certainly exciting, remember to differentiate between your “wants” and “needs.” For example, an expansive backyard patio might sound enticing, but is it actually a non-negotiable feature?

    Perhaps there are some items that you’ll be willing to do without, so make sure to go through each item several times before finalizing your list. 

  6. Make an offer

    Once you’ve found a home that meets your budget, requirements, and preferences, it’s time for you to make an offer. Timing is key, and you want to make sure your offer is as enticing as possible.

    Moving fast is a smart move. Know how fast homes are selling in the area so you can avoid waiting too long before placing an offer. In Gilbert, AZ, homes are currently averaging 38 days on the market before receiving an offer. So in case you’re considering a particular single-family home that has stayed on the market for the same time period, it may be best to make an offer as soon as possible.

    In some situations, a higher price isn’t the only factor that can convince a seller to accept an offer. For example, you can sweeten the deal by not including any contingencies in your offer. Or if the home you’re planning to purchase requires costly repairs, you could ask for repair credits instead so the seller does not need to spend on repairs and wait for contractors to finish the job.

    Consult your agent to discuss ways that can help make your offer more enticing.

Work with the best Gilbert, AZ Realtors today!

If you’d like to choose from the best selection of single-family homes for sale in Gilbert, AZ, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more experienced, capable, and trustworthy team than Carol Royse and her team of real estate experts from The Carol Royse Team.

The team specializes in luxury homes in the communities of Gilbert, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Paradise Valley, and is the best of the best when it comes to providing efficient, first-class service guaranteed to deliver results.

As one of Keller Williams Realty’s top-producing luxury Realtors, Carol brings over three decades’ worth of experience, along with extensive knowledge of the local market to help clients navigate towards their real estate goals. 

Start your search for the finest single-family homes for sale in Gilbert, AZ today! Get in touch with Carol and The Carol Royse team at 480.776.5231, or send an email to carol(at)carolroyse(dotted)com.



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