Making the Grade: How to Research Local Schools Before Buying Your Next Home

There are so many things involved in moving into a new home in a different neighborhood that it can be easy to forget about the proximity of many nearby amenities. However, if you have children, the local schools available can make-or-break the decision on whether or not to invest in a house. If you’re wondering how you can find out more about the local school, let the following tips be your guide.

Utilize My Website!!

Click HERE to access information about schools and school districts in Arizona both public and private.  Simply click on the name of the school to get the website, enrollment numbers and other demographics.

Take a Web-Search To SchoolMatch.com

One of the benefits of so many things being online these days is that local schools are no exception, and SchoolMatch.com is a great resource that puts this information at your fingertips. While you’ll have to pay a fee to get the details on many public and private institutions, this resource features ratings on schools throughout the country which can make it worth the price.

Contact The NAEYC

With a wealth of information on preschools, kindergartens and elementary schools located throughout the country, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is another helpful website to visit. While the organization offers informational pamphlets that can help you decide a school’s benefits, you can also call in if you want to speak with someone directly about a particular institution.

Make A Visit To The Neighborhood

While it can take a lot of time to visit the schools in the neighborhood you’re considering, this is a great way for you to get a sense of the area you’re moving to and what it affords. By taking a walk through the hallways to view the building’s upkeep and even visiting the office to talk with the Principal, you’ll be able to decide whether it’s a good fit.

Talk To An Agent

It might seem a bit strange to talk to a realtor about local schools, but real estate agents are responsible for providing a multitude of information to potential homebuyers so they have to be in the know. Whether they’re able to help you with a house or not, it’s certain they’ll have some of the basic details about your neighborhood’s educational offerings, whether it’s good or bad.

There are a variety of amenities that can improve the appeal of a new neighborhood, but good schools are a necessity when it comes to the kids. If you’re currently searching for schools and are interested in local neighborhoods, give me a call for more information – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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Sort by: Select Price, Low to High Price, High to Low Newer Listings First Older Listings First Open House Date

8795 S 167th Lane Goodyear, AZ 85338

$474,900

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,760 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6696621

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This great single story home in sought after Estrella sits on a premium 7K plus square foot lot with mountain views and no neighbors to the north or east! Light and bright open concept kitchen and main living space with lots of windows and bright, modern color scheme! Three bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, 1760 square feet - primary suite offers en suite bath w/ dual sinks, separate tub/shower and walk in closet. Kitchen offers an island, pantry, lots of cabinets, upgraded stainless steel appliances, gas stove, farm sink, RO drinking water & quartz countertops! Resort style living at its best with tons of amenities - walking/hiking/biking paths, community centers, residents clubs, golf - less than a mile to Cafe Bebida and even closer to new park w/ splash pad and more!

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15106 W Home Run Drive Surprise, AZ 85374

$474,900

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,936 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6674026

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Open and airy! Rare to find Valencia II, sought after floor plan in superb location! Near The Grand Softball Field! Take in a game from the charming courtyard. Eco friendly SOLAR!!!(Resulting in Lower Energy Bills) Gas cooking at kitchen, stainless kitchen appliances, kitchen Island, granite counter tops, cherry cabinets. Laundry has ample cabinets and granite countertop (Washer/Dryer included). Primary Suite has a bay window and dual sinks in bathroom. Bedrooms, Office and Guest Bath have white window shutters. Handsome crown molding throughout, stained shutters in kitchen nook. Nice looking custom wood patio doors. Raised panel doors. Extended Patio is epoxy stamped and has a awesome extended pergola covering, pony walls and natural gas hookup. Newer HVAC. Move in Ready!

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15631 W Bethesda Court Surprise, AZ 85374

$474,500

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,889 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6651863

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Price Improvement!! Stunning Palo Verde Model complete with all the bells and whistles! New Roof, Owned Solar, New HVAC, New Windows, New Exterior Paint, Cool Deck on Driveway, Walkways and Patio. Interior Upgrades, including SS Appliances...just move right in! Don't miss this excellent opportunity to live in a Premier 45+ Community! Priced far below market value!

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1522 W Hadley Street Phoenix, AZ 85007

$474,500

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,540 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6675363

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Home, sweet home! Comfort meets convenience in this fully fenced 4-bed, 2-bath residence in Phoenix! You are greeted by the large & bright living room graced with tile flooring in all the right places. The impeccable eat-in kitchen features recessed lighting, ample white cabinetry, built-in appliances, a handy pantry, and glossy granite counters. The sizable primary bedroom offers a walk-in closet for all your belongings and a private bathroom with a combination of shower & tub. PLUS! Secondary bedrooms provide well-sized closets. The 2-car garage includes attached cabinets. In the spacious backyard, you'll find a storage shed and an RV gate. This gem won't disappoint you! Hurry before it's gone!

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29388 N 123rd Glen Peoria, AZ 85383

$474,500

3 Beds

3 Baths

2,498 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6691976

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Resort Style Living at its best! Stylish low maintenance turnkey home just steps away from community pool & jacuzzi. This 3 bedroom 3 full bathroom home shows like a model home. Spacious office downstairs with a huge loft upstairs. Parking in the garage or street parking is available. Large open floor plan w 9' flat ceilings & sliding glass doors that flow into an inviting courtyard w plush landscaping & paver patio. Perfect for entertaining one or many! Kitchen includes granite counter tops, breakfast bar, walk-in pantry, cabinets galore, stainless steel appliances w natural gas range. Owner's suite includes walk-in closet, walk in shower w dual shower heads & balcony. Laundry has washer & dryer, fire protection sprinkler system. The 2-car garage w 2 large overhead racks! Come see us!

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23393 W Winslow Avenue Buckeye, AZ 85326

$474,213

5 Beds

3 Baths

2,624 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6638299

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Perfect Layout!! Finished 5 Bedroom 3 bathroom + HUGE loft upstairs! Large Kitchen With covered patio! Stop by and ask about our whole house air purification system incorporated into the architecture of this home, or home automation that saves money on utility bills, bringing you peace of mind and unlimited freedom.

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5069 N Atwood Court Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

$474,197

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,307 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6694713

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

A beautiful Capstone Home in the most sought after community in Prescott Valley ''Jasper'' This home is MOVE-IN-READY. This home features 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a tandem 3 car garage. White shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, luxury vinyl plank flooring and 12'' by 24'' tile in the bathrooms and primary shower. A great room fireplace with tile surround makes this open floor plan comfortable and cozy. Come see this home today!

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17639 W Hatcher Road Waddell, AZ 85355

Open House

$474,030

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,052 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6674701

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This Gorgeous sprawling floor plan has 2052 SF , w/3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a 3 car tandem garage! Almost ready for you! Est COE in Jun/Jul 2024. This home features a fresh, neutral color palette, offering 36'' white shaker cabinetry, a large kitchen island, white quartz countertops, 9' ceilings and tile flooring. It also includes features you'll love like a soft water loop, under cabinet lighting in the kitchen, dual pane low-E windows, multi-zone thermostat, and a smart home system. The exterior features front yard landscaping, a covered patio and private backyard. Conveniently located off the 303, this gated community is near Costco, Walmart, and shopping. **Finishes may vary from sample photos and virtual tour.

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41906 W Solitare Drive Maricopa, AZ 85138

$474,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,896 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6694815

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

You will fall in love with this Yukon model where no expense has been spared. When you pull up, you will notice the ungraded exterior and the enclosed front patio with water feature. The upgraded security door opens to the entry with 15' diagonal tile with Belcaro walnut finish lighting. The entry to the den has Italian drapes called Veneto and are on rods with granite fineals. The den has the same drapery and rods with Hunter-Douglas roman shades. The same quality continues into the great room overlooking the extended covered patio. The kitchen has a special stone sinks, large granite counters with glass backspalsh and pull out shelves in all cabinets. Best of all - all applicances stay. The pendant lights match the Belcaro chandelier in the dining room which has sun shades on the side windows. Both bedrooms have upgraded carpet and room darkening roman shades. Both the walk-in closet and the guest bedroom closet have extra shelving. Did you notice the bay window in the master overlooking the oversized backyard? Master bath has an oversized garden tub and separate shower with rain glass. The patio has extended pergola covering with a privacy wall at one end. You have a TV jack and natural gas stub, all overlooking the extra large, perfectly landscaped backyard. The laundry room has cabinets above the washer/dryer and the owner is leaving these appliances for you. The extra length garage has a utility sink, cabinets on two walls, overhead storage, the floor has an epoxy coating and you have a side door to the outside. All of this in the 55+ guard gated lake community of Province; where you can fish in the lakes, walk on one of the 5 miles of walking paths throughout the community, practice your putting, play a game of pickleball or tennis is nothing short of retiring like you mean it! To wrap it all up, inside the 32,000 square foot club house, you have a fitness center, lap pool, library, billiards room, ceramic, sewing, and computer center besides the quaint, gorgeous outdoor pool for perfect solitude or fun gatherings with friends and family. What more can you ask for... all for an affordable price in an incredible community awaiting your arrival !!

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7300 E Earll Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85251

$474,000

1 Bed

1 Bath

864 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6607436

Property Type Apartment

Price Type --

Welcome to Inspire on Earll, a gated community perfectly situated in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale putting you incredibly close to some of the best restaurants, stores, galleries, and more! At home, you'll enjoy this ground level single bed & bath corner unit with one of the few large, oversized outdoor back patios in the complex, and with only one neighbor. Beautiful white shaker cabinets and quartz counter are accented by a gray subway tile backsplash and stainless steel. You and your guests can relax by the pool with shaded Ramada area, firepit, and hot tub, or take advantage of other community amenities such as the fitness center, lounge area, ping pong table, and outdoor grill. Most furniture is available on a separate Bill of Sale. Don't miss this opportunity!

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2135 Northwind Drive Pinetop, AZ 85935

$474,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,790 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6645676

Property Type Apartment

Price Type --

Beautifully updated condo in the gated Pinetop Country Club community of High Country Village. This open-concept floor-plan features 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms and plenty of space for you & your guests! The kitchen has ample cabinets, eat in nook and built in drink fridge! The kitchen opens to the open concept family room with vaulted ceilings and a cozy rock surround fireplace, perfect for entertaining. The primary bedroom boasts an en-suite with dual vanities and a large walk in closet. The additional two bedrooms share a hall bathroom. Don't forget the expansive panty & laundry room before heading outside to your large, covered back deck to enjoy the views & fresh mountain air. One car detached garage and extra parking slab make this low maintenance property perfect for your mountain getaway. Being sold furnished and move in ready! Schedule your showing today!

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9315 W Mariposa Drive Phoenix, AZ 85037

$474,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

2,157 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6656598

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome home! 3bed/2bath single-level home with a study/bonus room, nestled on a corner lot, large living area perfect for gatherings, accentuated by an open and inviting layout. Kitchen is a chef's delight, featuring granite countertops, a pantry, and modern stainless-steel appliances. Main bedroom serves as a private retreat, with an ensuite showcasing dual sinks and a spacious walk-in closet. Backyard is a true extension of this home's charm with an extended patio cover, a built-in BBQ island, a custom pool, an above-ground spa, and a cozy fire pit for memorable nights under the stars. Recent enhancements include an exterior paint job in 2022, a new air conditioning system installed the same year, and thoughtful updates to the kitchen, bathrooms, and pool area. This gem will sell fast.

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