First a little history. It wasn’t that long ago when Toll Brothers, “America’s luxury home builder,” was in full command of its residential real estate home-building empire. The company had a well-deserved gold-plated reputation, demanding and getting premium prices for their well-designed homes in great locations with lots of community amenities.

In those heady days the company opened one of its the most desirable remaining parcels, Windgate Ranch in north Scottsdale, AZ. This beautiful acreage sits on the west face of the McDowell Mountains, between the existing luxury master planned communities of DC Ranch and McDowell Mountain Ranch.

Windgate Ranch was conceived as a community with an emphasis on an active family lifestyle. As a result, planners included all sorts of family-friendly things—a ball court, event lawn, three pools, two spas, cabanas, clubhouse and recreational facilities, etc., with excellent hiking and biking trails nearby.

Buyer interest was initially very high and Windgate Ranch sold briskly, but as the real estate market contracted sales fell off.  Resistant to adjusting prices downward at first, as the market slide continued Toll Brothers eventually recognized the reality of the situation and began cutting prices.

But the latest wave of price decreases just announced for Windgate Ranch are enough to put the community’s homes into the category of a genuine “steal.” Prices have been lowered (again) on all new-build floor plans, and now start in the mid $500,000’s (plus lot premiums and upgrades).

They are also making terrific deals at Windgate Ranch on so-called “quick delivery” (move-in ready) homes. Here are some typical examples, which include nice upgrades plus front and rear landscaping (but no pool).

At these larcenous prices Windgate Ranch really should be on the “must see” list of anyone considering a change of residence in the north Scottsdale area.