Rent to own Homes in Surprise, AZ
Surprise, Arizona, is a small, but growing suburb of Phoenix. The founder of the city, Flora Mae Statler, named it Surprise in 1938 because she said she "would be surprised if the town ever amounted to much." These days, Surprise has over 115,000 residents living in houses, apartments, and rent to own homes. Surprise has a reputation for being a town for retirees, since it's home to Sun City Grand, an age-restricted neighborhood that feels like a resort. However, the town is full of people of all ages, and it's a safe and quiet alternative to living in Phoenix proper.
Surprise, AZ is a great place for affordable rent-to-own homes! With a median household income of over $71,192 and a median rent of $1,443, the Surprise, AZ rent-to-own market is more affordable than the traditional housing market which has shown tremendous growth across the U.S. and with it, aggressive competition for home purchases. With the current housing shortage trend it can make it harder to become a homeowner, including in Surprise, AZ. This means higher than average down payments for homes and higher qualification standards for conventional home loans. With a rent-to-own property, tenants are also buyers. You can live in the house for a set amount of time before you purchase it, meaning that you get to know the house, your neighbors, and your community before making the final purchase. This enables you and your family to make the right choice based on both information and experience. Rent-to-own is also a great alternative way to get into a home if you have bad credit or don't have enough saved for a down payment.
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Rent to own Homes in Cities Near Surprise, AZ
Neighborhoods in Surprise, AZ
Bellamy rent to own homes Martin Acres rent to own homes Mequite Mountain Ranch rent to own homes Mesquite Mountain Ranch rent to own homes Sun City Grand rent to own homes Arizona Traditions rent to own homes Ashton Ranch rent to own homes Bell West Ranch rent to own homes Canyon Ridge West rent to own homes Countryside rent to own homesPopular Zip Codes in Surprise, AZ
85387 rent to own homes 85374 rent to own homes 85388 rent to own homes 85379 rent to own homes 85378 rent to own homesBuying a Home in Surprise, AZ
Surprise, AZ is seeing rapid growth and Surprise, AZ's' housing market remains not optimal with an average home price that is 19% above the 2024 national average. Surprise, AZ is part of Maricopa county and taxes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a home whether through rent to own or a traditional purchase. The average tax rate as of 2024 for county Maricopa is 0.59% which is below the national average, which is 0.99%.
Median Home Price in Surprise, AZ
Median Rent in Surprise, AZ
Top Reasons to Live in Surprise AZ
Housing in Surprise Want a rental apartment or a home to buy in Surprise? You're in luck, since there's a diverse selection of homes here. About 65% of places are owner occupied in Surprise, while 15% are rented - so it might be easier if you want a purchasable or a rental house. But if you want a rental, you might be in luck, since the vacancy rate is at 18% right now (with an annual residential turnover of 39%), so there's a good chance you'll find just what you're looking for right away. The median gross rent in Surprise is $1,097, while the median home sale is $172,000 - both of which are relatively low for such a desirable destination. There have been 2,696 homes sold in the last 6 months, so Surprise is definitely a place on the rise.
Local Events and Festivals Surprise has great weather, and that lovely desert climate all-year round. That's why they have so many events in the beautiful outdoors regularly, like the Second Sunday in the Park Concert series, which are free and feature live bands and family entertainment. Surprise hosts an annual local talent show for participants of all ages, as well as an annual Surprise Party, which is a celebration of the town. The Surprise Party takes place over the course of two days and offers tons of activities for the whole family, like a Gingerbread House Contest and a Car Show.
Transportation and Commutes Most people who live in Surprise want to be able to get into Phoenix easily. For people that drive, the cities are connected by a main road, Route 60. That will get you into Phoenix, and also into Las Vegas. There is almost no public transportation in Surprise, so you'll want to have your own set of wheels. If a car's not your thing, get a bike. The city's not really a place for walkers, but it does have some areas where commercial destinations are reachable on foot.
Local Restaurants Residents of Surprise have access to all of Phoenix's restaurants, which are some of the best in the country. But you don't actually have to leave Surprise to get something delicious to eat. There are several highly-touted Asian restaurants, including Saigon Kitchen, a Vietnamese-fusion restaurant, and Thom Yum Authentic Thai. Vogue Bistro is one of the nicer spots in town; it features both French and American food in a chic and upscale atmosphere. Babbo Italian Eatery is also a local favorite, and it's a casual place to go for your Italian favorites.
Local Shopping There's no shortage of shopping options in Surprise, Arizona. The city has a number of fantastic shopping centers that cover pretty much everything you could want. The Bell Mar Surprise Plaza is a great place to start. It has a retail incubator program called Barnaby Street that gives small businesses a place to start out and develop their business over time. It also has a number of great restaurants. The Surprise Town Center is one of the best shopping areas. Here you'll find everything from Amish Hardwood to Office Max to Wal-Mart. The Hodge-Podge Resale shop is a great place to find used and vintage goods and the Two Hearts One Love Boutique has lots of fashionable women's clothing. The city is slated to get a new mall in the near future that will be the largest regional mall in Arizona.