Tag Archives: Historic Central

Mansion by Former Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice is on the market

This Phoenix mansion designed by former Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice is on the market for $8.75 million

May 6, 2016, 8:15am MST

A Phoenix mansion designed by Vernon Swaback, one of the last living former apprentices to famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is for sale. View pictures.

And the 13,365-square-foot home can be yours for a cool $8.75 million, one of the priciest homes for sale in the city of Phoenix, according to Realtor.com.

The property at 15 Biltmore Estates Drive sits on about 1.67 acres and includes seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. The home abuts the Adobe Golf Course in the Biltmore neighborhood and features resort-like grounds, custom-made limestone columns and surfaces as well as Brazilian hand-scraped cherry wood floors, an expansive master suite, bar, pool and whole slew of other high-end amenities and features.

The property previously was on the market with a price higher than $9 million, but it was de-listed roughly a year ago before going back up for sale earlier this year.

North Encanto Historic District In Central Phoenix

NORTH ENCANTO HISTORIC DISTRICT

The purpose of North Encanto Neighborhood Association (NENA) is to preserve & enhance the historic character of the North Encanto Neighborhood & to improve the quality of life for its residents  by creating a safe, vibrant & engaged community. Period of Significance: 1939-1956.

French Provincial Ranch North Encanto

A 1947 French Provincial Ranch In North Encanto

North Encanto Historic District is generally bounded by 19th Avenue on the West, 15th Avenue on the East, Thomas Road on the South, and Osborn Road on the North housing almost one square mile of historic homes. This neighborhood is close to freeways, I-17, I-10, a very short drive to downtown Phoenix and even a shorter drive (or walkable) to the light rail. There are 456 homes in this this district. North Encanto illustrates the residential development trends of the 1939 -1956 period.

North Encanto is my personal, current historic district residence. I can tell you first hand that it is one of the most wonderful historic districts this city has to offer! On a daily basis, you’ll see residents walking their dogs, walking with their kids (and more dogs), jogging, playing and just hanging out for a good, friendly chat. So many of us neighbors know each other and continue to get to know each other. We have many neighborhood functions from Groundhog Day parties, Christmas & New Year’s gatherings, Halloween parties, joint neighborhood block yard sales and a bunch of other street festivities where we actually block off a street while food vendors attend along with our local fire fighters and more. Games are played by all the wonderful children while the adults hang out, laugh, eat, drink and get to know each other more & more. We look out for one another, watch each others pets, homes and whatever is needed and wanted which keeps a tight knit community.

North Encanto Historic District Homes For Sale

Architectural Styles and Square Footage: North Encanto is red brick heaven loaded with 1940’s and 1950’s Mediterranean Ranch Style Homes, Mid-Century Ranches ranging from less than 1,000 square feet to 2,800 square feet. This district is predominantly comprised of Transitional Ranch-style houses with the largest concentration of intact Transitional/Early Ranch-style homes in metropolitan Phoenix, perhaps even in all of Arizona. But, there are also has a variety of Pueblo Revivals plus three Art Moderne homes. Many of these gorgeous homes have 1 to 2 car detached garages, detached studios, guest houses and lot sizes with room to make it your own. Many of these homes still boast the 2-color, original tile combo with colors that you just don’t see anymore like peach and black, pink and black, powder blue and black, pink and green and peach and green. There are also many, many homes here that have extremely modern interiors while keeping historic integrity. These are must see homes.

If you like North Encanto, you’ll probably like Campus Vista Historic District which is just east of 15th Avenue, Del Norte Place near 15th Avenue and Encanto Blvd., and, Country Club Park Historic District near 7th Street and Thomas Road.

Homes For Sale In North Encanto Historic District

History of North Encanto Historic District

THE MORTGAGE TRICK THAT COULD SAVE YOU $100,000 OR MORE

Should you switch to a 15-year mortgage?

If paying off your house is a priority, you’ve obviously considered it. “One of the biggest benefits of a 15-year mortgage term is the ability to quickly pay off your home loan,” said Money Crashers. “This option is perfect if you plan to stay put and don’t want to pay your mortgage for a lengthy period of time.” 15 year mortgage

But even if you’re not planning to live in your home forever, a 15-year mortgage can be a great way to go because of the money saved. And we’re not talking about pennies. We’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“The 30-year fixed mortgage is practically an American archetype, the apple pie of financial instruments. It is the path that generations of Americans have taken to first-time home ownership. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, 86% of people applying for purchase mortgages in February 2015 opted for 30-year loans,” said Investopedia. “But many of those buyers might have been better served if they had opted instead for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, the 30-year’s younger, and less popular, sibling. A shorter-term loan means a higher monthly payment, which makes the 15-year mortgage seem less affordable. But, in fact, the shorter term actually makes the loan cheaper on several fronts.”

The savings is substantial

“Imagine a $300,000 loan, available at 4% for 30 years or at 3.25% for 15 years,” they said. “The combined effect of the faster amortization and the lower interest rate means that borrowing the money for just 15 years would cost $79,441, compared to $215,609 over 30 years, or nearly two-thirds less.”

According to The Mortgage Reports, going with a 15-year mortgage translates to a reduction in “the amount of mortgage interest paid over the loan’s life by $44,000 per $100,000 borrowed as compared to a 30-year loan. For loans at the conforming loan limit of $417,000, then, a homeowner would save $183,000 by using a 15-year mortgage to finance the home instead of using a 30-year one.”

That’s a lot of money. But it’s that higher monthly payment that is often the sticking point for many borrowers. The monthly payment on a 15-year loan will cost more than one that’s double in length for obvious reasons—you’re paying off more money in less time. But the two loan terms do not offer an apples-to-apples comparison because the interest rates for 15-year mortgages tend to be lower.

“15-year-loans are less risky for banks than 30-year loans, and because the money banks use to make shorter-term loans costs them less than the money they use to make longer-term loans, consumers pay a lower interest rate on a 15-year-mortgage — anywhere from a quarter of a percent to a full percent (or point) less,” said Investopedia. “And the government-supported agencies that finance most mortgages impose additional fees, called loan level price adjustments, which make 30-year mortgages more expensive.”

The monthly payment on the 30-yer mortgage referenced above is $1,432. On the 15-year loan, it comes out to $2,108. That steep increase is often a deterrent for borrowers – especially those who are more concerned with their current monthly input and output than potential long-term savings.

Doing it on your own

Of course, a 15-year mortgage isn’t the only way to pay your house off sooner. Making additional principal payments can eat away at your balance without tying you to a higher monthly payment. Even one extra payment per year can make a big difference.

“Making an extra mortgage payment each year (totaling 13 payments in a 12-month period) could reduce a 30-year mortgage loan to approximately 22 years,” said Nationwide.

“The most budget-friendly way to do this is to pay 1/12 extra each month. For example, by paying $975 each month on a $900 mortgage payment, you’ll have paid the equivalent of an extra payment by the end of the year.”

Overpaying also offers a shorter path to an equity position, so when you are ready to sell, you have more equity in your home and are in a greater buying position. And if you do get into a situation where you need cash you can always pull the equity out of your home.

If you’re on the fence and are thinking about buying a historic home in Phoenix, please call Laura B. Browse all historic Phoenix Districts and their homes for sale.

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Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District In Central Phoenix

ENCANTO-PALMCROFT HISTORIC DISTRICT

Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District runs from Seventh to 15th Avenues, and McDowell Road to the Encanto Park and Golf Course. It was recently ranked the wealthiest neighborhood in Phoenix.

Encanto-Palmcroft Homes For Sale

Encanto-Palmcroft Today

Encanto Palmcroft Historic DIstricrt Home Phoenix

A stunning example of an Encanto-Palmcroft Historic Home In Phoenix

Encanto-Palmcroft is one of Phoenix’s priciest historic neighborhoods. Fortunately for those who like to fawn over early-20th-century Tudors and colonial call-backs, a walk through this European-style setup of abodes is not only open to the public, but also is absolutely free. Dating back to 1927, this (technically) West Phoenix pocket of 330 homes is situated along circular drives, winding roads, and the 222-acre Encanto Park. For newcomers and non-residents, this maze-like area is easy to get lost in, but you’ll hear little complaint from pedestrians who like to take in the suburban scenery. Here, well-manicured lawns and rose gardens highlight all styles of residence, from Pueblos to Ranch Revivals. Whether it’s a home tour, a film crew, or simply a nearby neighborhood dog walker, residents are sure to find their fair share of window shoppers in Palmcroft-Encanto.

Today, the Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District is still significant for its architectural diversity, picturesque homes and landscapes which are excellent representations of an early design philosophy which successfully integrated landscape and building. Architecturally, the district is one of the most important because it is an intact collection of the finest historic Phoenix homes in the city and one of the most desired historic districts in downtown Phoenix. Well appointed, designed by prominent early architects, built of high quality materials and distinguished by detailing and craftsmanship of a bygone era, the harmonious mix of diverse architectural styles in Encanto-Palmcroft create one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in Phoenix.

Architectural Styles and Square Footage: The Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District features a distinctive, wide variety of architecture like Monterey/Colonial Revival-styles, Spanish Colonials, Ranch Style, Tudor Revivals, Period Revivals, Spanish Revivals, Spanish Colonial/Ranch combos, Spanish Colonials, Mediterranean-style,  Contemporary American International-style, English Cottage Revivals, two-story Spanish Colonial Revivals, two-story Monterey Colonial Revivals, Brick Regency Revival-styles, Single-Story Regency Revivals, Two-story Brick Mediterranean-styles, New England-style homes,

These 1920’s and 1930’s homes in this vicinity have mature trees and well kept landscaping by proud neighbors. Combine this with a curving line of 80-year-old Mexican Fan Palm trees street side and you get some of the most beautiful and spacious historic homes in all of downtown Historic Central Phoenix!

Most of the estate like homes here flaunt large living spaces, swimming pools, guest houses and amenities not commonly found in many of the other historic Phoenix districts. From wine vaults, servant’s quarters and second stories, the homes are definitely unique & artsy. Many have large backyards and many do not. However, Encanto-Palmcroft offers other amenities. The neighborhood has its own security company, lingering sidewalks layered with dog walkers and stroller moms, Encanto Park which is one of the largest public parks in Phoenix, a highly desirable & admirable address, close & direct access to downtown life, walking to shops, restaurants & night life and a Hollywood type lifestyle right here in downtown, historic Phoenix!

Fun Facts: Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District – Period of Significance 1920-1939.
Encanto-Palmcroft was voted the 2009 Best Places to Live – Phoenix Magazine (May 2009) and BEST NEIGHBORHOOD TO WALK THROUGH (2015).

The Neighborhood Association is tight and offers many perks such as Its own security company.

Getting Around In Encanto Palmcroft, Getting Lost and Getting Home

To get a real feel for downtown Historic Phoenix, take a jaunt to the Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District but know that this jaunt comes at a price. Smaller houses and fixer-uppers in Encanto-Palmcroft (if you can find one) fetch about $275,000 on up, while more finished out homes attract urban professionals who have no problem spending $500,000 and up. This is one of the priciest historic districts in downtown Phoenix but there are SO many wonderful reasons why.

Let’s Get a Little Lost for Fun

I live 2 blocks away from Encanto-Palmcroft. Not long ago, I took my dog for a walk in the neighborhood as I adore strolling in the winding streets of this exclusive district. Well, to no joke, we DID get lost even though I’ve been through there a thousand times! From one Coronado Street to one Palmcroft Street to another…round & round we went. It was embarrassingly hysterical. Let’s just say both my dog & I got an excellent workout in that evening. Neighbors know their way around and they have no trouble spotting visitors (like me that evening) who look a little tired at the intersection of streets named Palmcroft Way, Palmcroft Drive, Palmcroft SE, Palmcroft SW, Palmcroft NE, Palmcroft NW.  Even though we were pretty tired, we never stopped admiring the gorgeous Bungalows, Spanish Colonials and Cape Cods as they just don’t stop reeling you in. The layout, not the norm for a downtown Phoenix neighborhood, keeps traffic away and creates much privacy in Encanto-Palmcroft.

Encanto-Palmcroft is an elegant, beautiful historic neighborhood near downtown Phoenix and is surrounded by other classy, historical Phoenix neighborhoods.

If you ever want to get lost for fun, mosey on over to Encanto-Palmcroft with your dog. Just be sure to bring lots of water.

If you like Encanto-Palmcroft, you’ll like Willo Historic District and Roosevelt Historic District as well.

Read the History of Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District

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