New neighborhood taking shape in southeast Yuma

A whole new neighborhood has taken shape in recent years on the southeast edge of the city, proving the appeal of homes built by Hall Brothers Construction.

  Of the total 900 lots in Desert Ocotillo, many now have homes on them and families settled in. And the lots are continuing to sell, even with the current real estate market.

  For monthly mortgage payments of around $1,000, a family can get a nice-sized, comfortable home close to shopping, churches and parks and easy access to the heart of the city, said Realtor Linda Gaydusek of ER Matt Fischer Realty.

  She said the subdivision has been particularly popular with military stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, an easy 3-mile drive to the  main gate. It's also a handy location for personnel at Yuma Proving Ground.

  "We also get a lot of Border Patrol and Customs people," Gaydusek said, along with some people who are looking to move up to a larger home.

  The big appeal, she believes, is the price of the homes. Ocotillo Desert has three products in varying size: small, mid-range and luxury.

  Ocotillo Sunrise floor plans range from 1,070 to 1,717 square feet and from $121,900 to $162,900. Only 24 lots remain in that product.

  Ocotillo Classic floor plans range from 1,400 to 2,175 square feet, costing from $143,000 to $186,000. Twenty-size lots are still available.

  Ocotillo Luxury floor plans range from 1,782 to 4,000 square feet, costing from $204,000 to $350,000. About 100 lots remain.

  Standard features include oak cabinets, carpet throughout, built-in kitchen appliances, lots of storage, double-car garage, covered patio, brick wall, dual pane windows, extra insulation and front yard landscape package.

  Two things people really like, Gaydusek said, are the roomy master bedroom suites with walk-in closet and bathroom and the kitchen/dining/family room.

  The subdivision has a neighborhood park in a large retention basin with soccer fields, basketball, playground and walking trail. The developer also has donated land for a future elementary school, Gaydusek said.

  Ocotillo Desert is located just off Avenue 6E south of 32nd Street.

  Other subdivisions are going up "so the whole area is developing," she said. And the Foothills Wal-Mart Supercenter is only a mile away.

  First-time home buyers who purchase a house between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 could be eligible for a $8,000 tax credit when they file their income taxes - money the homebuyer can use to settle into the house or get ahead on payments, she said.

  In addition, the builder will contribute 3 percent of the sales price toward the closing cost when the homebuyer use Territorial Mortgage for their loan.

  Those using a VA loan don't need a downpayment while those obtaining a FHA loan would need a downpayment of 3.5 percent. "That's pretty much all we do is VA and FHA," she said.

  Model home hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For  more information about the Sunrise and Classic models, contact Gaydusek at 317-5064 or 210-9338. For more information about the Luxury models, contact Tamara Swecker at 329-8159.