If you count the individual Chandler waterfront communities, you’ll easily be in excess of 25 Chandler lake communities.  Many of them are part of the overall Ocotillo Community Association.  Many of these are well know Ocotillo lake communities such as Balboa Point, Embarcadero, Cantabria Shores, Bridges at Ocotillo The Vista at Ocotillo, The Penisula, and Crown Point.  This post will give anyone interested in Chandler waterfront homes a good overview of the available options.

The Ocotillo Community Association

The Ocotillo Community Association deserves special notice since it has such a significant impact on south Chandler.  While many community associations are mainly residential in nature, the Ocotillo Community Association includes over 1,900 acres and its members include residential communities and commercial and business, recreational,  apartments and retail. 

Many of the communities are beneficiaries of the views provided by the Ocotillo Golf Resort and surrounding lakes. This Top 50 Golf Resort as rated by Golf World Magazine 2009,  provides lush green fairways next to man made lakes where residents enjoy scenic views.

Waterfront homes in the Ocotillo Community Association for Sale

Ocotillo Satellite View

Communities in the Ocotillo community association include Balboa Point at Ocotillo, The Peninsula, Ocotillo East, Ocotillo Lakes, The Vistas at Ocotillo, Crown Point, The Island at Ocotillo, Cottonwood Springs,  Carmel Bay at Ocotillo, Monterey Bay at Ocotillo, Spyglass Bay, Watermark at Ocotillo, The Bridges at Ocotillo, Cantabria Shores , Embarcadero, Windward,  Laguna  Cove at Ocotillo, and Catalina Shores.

Fulton Ranch Lake Community in south Chandler

Fulton Ranch is ranch is one of the newest lake communities in Chandler. Residential housing options include  townhouse / condo communities by Cachet homes,  residential single family homes by Fulton and 1/2 acre custom homesite in The Islands at Fulton Ranch.

Fulton Ranch Townhouses & Condos  for Sale

 Fulton Ranch Waterfront Homes for Sale            

 Fulton Ranch Homes for Sale

Fulton Ranch opened at the height of the market and as a result the community has been slow in buiding out.  An example of the swings it has endured can be seen in the custom home waterfront lots in the exclusive community, The Islands at Fulton Ranch.  In 2007, lots in The Islands at Fulton Ranch around 6/10’s  of an acre sold for $550,000  to $625,000. In the first half of 2010, two custom built homes of 5,859 sq.ft. and 6,206 sq.ft.  in the same subdivision sold as short sales for $950,000  and $1,150,000.  It was necessary for Fulton Homes to reduce its prices and focus on smaller floor plans.   This is an attractive community with excellent proximity to amenities and the freeway.

Pinelake Estates Lake Community

Built between 2003 and 2005, Pinelakes Estates features homes built by Trend, Shea, Schuler and D.R. Horton.  Being less than 10 years old, Pinelakes Estates homes also have a more updated and contemporary feel.

Homes for Sale in Pinelake Estates

Pinelake Estates Waterfront homes for sale

One of the comparative advantages of Pinelake Estates is the length of the waterfront behind the houses.  There are some waterfront communities where 70 feet from the backyard shore to the opposing shore is common.  In Pinelake Estates it is not uncommon to find homes with at least 150 feet from the backyard shore to the other side.  In terms of length of waterfront view, this community is one of the best in the valley.

The Springs, Pecos Ranch, Wellington Estates,  & Lagos Vistoso

Other Chandler lake communities include The Springs. This community is unique with terraced lakes that use waterfall to transfer water from one lake to the next. The community also never received the memo that said you had to use palo verde and mesquite trees in the common area landscaping so much of the scenery utilizes pine trees, a welcome change to the typical desert landscaping in many developments.  Also, no need to worry about a private pool, The Springs has its own community pool and tennis court. Homes for sale in The Springs

Pecos Ranch, a family friendly lake community in Chandler includes 120 waterfront homes, a community pool and tennis courts and a nearby city park.  It is located just south of the 202  on Dobson Road. Pecos Ranch Homes for Sale

Lagos Vistoso, a newer lake community in Chandler has a high number of waterfront homes compared to the total homes in the subdivision.  Lagos Vistoso Homes for Sale  The lakes in Lagos Vistoso are some of the more narrow of valley lake communities, with typically 70 from one shore to the opposite shore, a disadvantage in my opinion.

Wellington Estates is a secluded, gated luxury home subdivision with only 20 homes.  Understandably, the lots are larger, the smallest being 15,000 sq.ft.(1/3 acre).  Wellington Estates Homes for Sale   These custom homes range in size from 2,900 to 4,900 sq.ft.

Waterfront Condos in Chandler

Another popular residential option, especially for those looking for lower maintenance responsibiites or a second home are townhouse and condos in lakeside communities.

Bridges at Ocotillo is part of the master Ocotillo community association and features condos built by Starpointe Commuities.   Condos for sale at the Bridges at Ocotillo

Cantabria Shores in Chandler is surrounded by water and golf, perfect for a vacation home.  Driving through this gated community you’ll observe license plates from all over the country reflecting the popularity of this Chandler waterfront condo community.   Condos for sale in Cantabria Shores  Click on this satellite view to see what  I mean about being surround by water and golf.

Another popular and affordable community on Ray road isLakeshore at Andersen Springs. With the recent drop in prices, many buyers are taking advantage of prices that have dropped below $100,000, making this community very affordable.

Chandler Waterfront Bank Owned and Short Sale Properties

While not as prevalent as last year, here are the Chandler bank owned waterfront homes

Short sale waterfront homes can also present an opportunity, Chandler Short Sale Waterfront Homes, however buyers must be patient and understand the process can be frustrating.  On the other hand, the two luxury homes sold in the first half of 2010 in The Islands at Fulton Ranch were short sales at signifcant discounts. 

With sooo many attractive Chandler lake communities and waterfront properties to choose from, let me know what interests you and I’ll be glad to e-mail you any new or revised listings.   For information regarding listing a Chandler short sale.

How do schools near waterfront / lake communities rank?

The other day the Tribune featured an article that discussed the number of schools that attained each level of the Achievement Profile as reported by the Arizona Department of Educaton. That made me wonder how the schools that serve the Phoenix area waterfront homes and communities are ranked.  I should have stopped at that point since that simple question led to hours worth of searching, copying, pasting and creating hyperlinks.  The best way to answer the question was to go the Arizona Department of Education website and find the rankings for each elementary school and the corresponding community.  The page School Report Card page is invaluable with the amount of information it contains. Unfortunately, 2007 is the last year for which it will be available.  Starting in 2008, the format is greatly condensed and I believe does not have as much information.  If you want to how the Jr. High and High Schools rank for a specific neighborhood, just e-mail or hopefully you’ll have visited the department’s website and learned how to use this useful tool.  I’m also convinced that what follows is the most complete list of waterfront / lakefront homes and communities for the Phoenix area by city.

Elementary Schools that correspond to waterfront / lakefront communities by city

Cave Creek

Cave Creek Metes and Bounds     Black Mountain Elementary

Chandler Waterfront / Lakefront Communities

Ocotillo Lakes / Oakwood Hills  Basha Elementary Anna Marie Jacobson Elementary

Oakwood Hills    Anna Marie Jacobson Elementary

The Springs  Rudy Bologna Elementary

Lagos Vistoso   Santan Elementary

Chandler Elementary School Boundaries

Gilbert Waterfront / Lakefront Communities

The Islands        Islands Elementary Shumway Elementary

Val Vista Lakes    Val Vista Lakes Elementary

Playa del Rey Estates / Crystal Point Estates    Playa del Rey Elementary

Santan Lakeside Estates       Ryan Elementary (not available)

Stonebridge   Burk Elementary

Wind Drift   Sonoma Ranch Elementary

Lago Estancia   Gilbert Elementary

Mesa Waterfront / Lakefront Communities

Dobson Ranch   Washington Elementary

Superstition Springs  Superstition Springs Elementary

Tempe Waterfront / Lakefront Communities

Oasis at Anozira   Kyrene del Norte

The Lakes   Rover Elementary

Scottsdale  Waterfront / Lakefront Communities

Scottsdale Ranch  Laguna Elementary

Desert Mountain  Black Mountain Elementary

Gainey Ranch      Cochise Elementary

McCormick Ranch   Kiva Elementary

Scottsdale Country Club    Cochise Elementary

Glendale Waterfront / Lakefront Communities

Arrowhead Lakes  Legend Springs Elementary

Arrowhead Ranch  Arrowhead Elementary

Palomino / Sierra Verde   Sierra Verde Elementary

Phoenix Waterfront / Lakefront Communities

The Foothills ( Ahwatukee Foothills)    Kyrene de la Sierra

Miralago (Ahwatukee Foothills)    Kyrene de la Sierra

Lakewood  Kyrene de los Lagos Elementary

Center Court Lakefront   Kyrene de la Colina Elementary

Peoria Waterfront / Lakefront Communities

Harbor Island   Desert Harbor Elementary

Ventana Lakes   Adult Community

Avondale Waterfront / Lakefront Communities

Garden Lakes     Garden Lakes Elementary

Crystal Gardens   Rio Vista Elementary Canyon Breeze Elementary

Goodyear Waterfront / Lakeside Communities

Reflection Bay      Westar Elementary

Litchfield Waterfront / Lakefront Communities

Laguna Royale   Litchfield Elementary

Casa Grande Watefront / Lakeside Communities

Casa Grande Lakes   Cottonwood Elementary

For additional information regarding schools in the Phoenix area, visit the Schools page of my website.  If you have any questions about specific communities or subdivisions,  e-mail or call and I’ll find the answer.

Three times a week my son has swim practice as part of the Rio Salado Swim Club.  Practices are long; 90 minutes in the water and when he’s done he’s looks like a raisin.  But he’s getting some good exercise and not in front of the T.V.!   Practices are held at the Hamilton Aquatic Center located right next to Hamilton High on Arizona Ave.   It’s a perfect combination; a high caliber swimming program taking place at an Arizona Parks & Recreation Outstanding Facility Award recipient.  The San Tan Sun newspaper has given it the “Best of South Chandler for Family Fun” award, so it’s definitely worth visiting.  The facility includes 8 competition swim lanes, 2 water slides, two 1 meter diving boards, a zero depth play pool, SCS interactive water feature, water vortex and current river.

Nearby lakefront commmunities in South Chandler

The list goes on and on of waterfront communities that are within close proximity to the Hamilton Aquatic Center.  Pinelake Estates is less than a mile way to the east.  The newly developed Fulton Ranch lake community is just on the other side of Ocotillo to the south.  To the west within 2 miles you’ll find Ocotillo Lakes subdivisions including Catalina Shores at Ocotillo, and The Estates at Ocotillo.  The custom luxury subdivision of Oakwood HIlls is 2 miles to the south.  The Hamilton Aquatic Center is one of the many amenities that makes south Chandler waterfront and lake communities a great place to call home.

Aerial view of Hamilton Aquatic Center

For more information on Chandler waterfront homes, e-mail or call me for more information.

One of the newer Chandler lakefront communities

Those who appreciate homes on larger lots and enhanced curb appeal with a great selection of single story and two story luxury waterfront homes must add Pinelake Estates to their itinerary.  It is complemented by the Chandler city park that creates a gathering place where families can enjoy the playground, volleyball and basketball court.

Hamilton High School is less than a mile way and the 202 freeway is just 3 miles to the north.  You won’t have to venture far with the recent addition of retail shopping at the intersection of Arizona Ave. and Ocotillo.  The ever popular Chandler Fashion Center is a quick 7 miles away.  The south Chandler area has become home to many high tech semi conductor companies including Intel which are major employers in the Phoenix area.  Again proximity to work with a 3 mile commute from Pinelake Estates to Intel is extremely enticing.

The perfect Chandler home

It is an interesting process to observe clients as they initially sift through property information and select those houses that “look good”.  Then after a couple of hours on the road visiting the lake communities and homes, the true favorites become obvious. This is what happened to Doug and Cheri when they were looking for a waterfront retirement home.  Pinelake Estates quickly rose to the top, and the area offered the life style the desired; lake communities, abundant amenities, golf courses,  easy freeway access, and an upscale feel. In Pinelake Estates they found a single story home with a negative edge pool on 1/3 acre with a fantastic lake view and the house was barely 5 years old.  They are now one of 90 waterfront homeowners. 

To learn more about the available properties in Pinelake Estates, don’t hesitate to call me at your convenience.

Listings of homes in Pinelake Estates for sale

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