Choosing a reputable homebuilder in Phoenix can be a challenge. A buyer can read reviews, but where’s the information about what makes a builder unique and, more importantly, the right one for their family?
Livabl is shining the spotlight on Richmond American, one of the largest and well-known builders in the country. Richmond American builds in 16 states (as well as Washington D.C.) and has nearly 60 communities in the Phoenix metro, with 217 active listings and 45 floor plans available.
Richmond American: A trusted name in real estate
In 1977, Mizel Development Corporation (MDC) established Richmond Homes Limited in Denver. This company would eventually become Richmond American.
The Richmond American companies across the country, as well as three MDC affiliates, HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc., and American Home Title and Escrow Company, respectively, build, finance and insure new homes for thousands of families across the country every year. More than 230,000 homes have been built from coast to coast. In 2023, Richmond American was ranked 11th on the Builder 100 list.
Richmond American’s motto is “With us, it’s personal.” The builder sets itself apart from other companies by offering a wide variety of personalization to its new homes. Prototypical selections such as cabinetry, flooring, and lighting are available. But homebuyers might be surprised to learn that Richmond American offers selection options for stair railings, plumbing fixtures, doorknobs, home technology, and more. The builder includes complimentary interior design assistance for all its buyers.
Richmond American prides itself on its design center (HG²) and has the acknowledgments to show for it. The builder was named the 2019 Silver Award recipient for best design center at the National Association of Home Builders.
Phoenix: A thriving real estate market
Why move to Phoenix? Count the reasons: A robust economy, job opportunities, affordable housing, fabulous weather, outdoor activities, lower taxes, and much more.
Phoenix’s economy has been buoyed by many heavy hitters choosing to shop in the metro. Companies such as Amazon have invested in the northwestern suburb of Surprise, and Taiwan Semiconductor is opening a $12-billion chip plant next year, located twenty minutes from Surprise.
In Tempe, you’ll find another Amazon warehouse in addition to Microsoft, State Farm, Go Daddy, and more. There’s also a thriving healthcare economy, thanks to Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital, Express Scripts, and Medtronic.
Surprise and Tempe hold just a handful of examples. Homebuyers will find a wealth of career options throughout the Phoenix metro.
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis places the median listing price for a home in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale at $529,450 for May 2023. By comparison, the median listing price for a home in Los Angeles County was $1,099,500 during the same period.
Arizona enjoys a lower tax rate, ranking 28th at 5.60 percent. Nearby California has the highest state taxes in the country, with residents paying 7.25 percent. Arizona also bests Nevada (6.85 percent) and other popular hot spots such as Texas (6.25 percent) and Florida (6 percent).
The population of the Phoenix metro just passed five million in May 2023. Pinal and Maricopa counties added 66,850 people in 2021 and another 72,850 in 2022, marking some of the most significant gains of any metro in the U.S.
The weather in Phoenix is appealing, especially to those looking to escape the snow. However, keep in mind that the desert can experience extremes, especially when it comes to the heat. Temperatures during summer often reach triple digits.
Richmond American’s Phoenix communities
With 59 communities scattered throughout the Phoenix metro, Richmond American has plenty of options for buyers. The builder specializes in single-family homes in one- to two-story layouts in the Phoenix area.
Community: Seasons at Vista Del Verde III
Location: Avondale, AZ
Square footage: 1,730 to 3,030
Price: From the mid-$400s
Three to six bedrooms, two to three bathrooms
Ranch and two-story floor plans are available in this community. Seasons at Vista del Verde III residents will appreciate an impressive array of amenities—including a playground and sports courts—and easy access to shopping, dining, the Westgate Entertainment District, Desert Diamond Casino, 1-10, and Loop 101.
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Square footage: 2,260 to 2,910
Price: From the low $500s
Three to five bedrooms, two-and-a-half to four bathrooms
Arroyo Seco is a master-planned community with four floor plans, one containing a separate guest suite, making it an excellent choice for multigenerational living. Residents will appreciate several master-planned amenities, including playgrounds, sports courts, and ramadas with picnic tables.
Location: Glendale, AZ
Square footage: 1,940 to 2,840
Price: From the mid-$500s
Three to five bedrooms, two to four bedrooms
Falcon Ridge in Glendale offers five ranch-style floor plans from Richmond American’s accommodating Modern Living and UltraGarage collections. Modern Living’s separate suites include personal kitchenettes, laundry rooms, and separate entrances, perfect for growing families or multigenerational living. The UltraGarage collections feature an attached garage large enough to accommodate an RV.
Location: Goodyear, AZ
Square footage: 1,810 to 2,630
Price: From the upper $400s
Four to six bedrooms, two to three bathrooms
Pradera contains an array of floor plans from Richmond American’s Seasons collection, each boasting nine-foot main-floor ceilings, three-car garages, and hundreds of design options. This neighborhood offers a range of amenities, including a community park with an amphitheater, sports courts, and a playground. Popular shopping and dining destinations are just minutes away.
Community: Seasons at Riverside
Location: Litchfield Park, AZ
Square footage: 1,590 to 2,630
Price: From the mid-$400s
Three to six bedrooms, two to three bathrooms
Homebuyers can choose from eight distinctive Seasons plans featuring open layouts, designer features, and ways to personalize finishes, fixtures, and flooring. Seasons at Riverside has many options, including three-car garages, multigenerational living suites, and attached RV garages.
Richmond American’s website contains many testimonials of their excellent customer service and commitment to quality builds.
Kevin R. from Surprise, AZ, wrote, “From start to finish, Richmond American Homes was the best!”
Marie C. from Avondale, AZ, wrote, “Our overall experience was great because of the wonderful staff employed by Richmond American Homes. The staff provided quality service throughout this entire process. We were given a great overview of what to expect with our home purchase, great follow-up, and timely service. The construction team was phenomenal. We had a great walk-through of our home. They took the time to show us the home’s features and answered our questions. The financial process was done in a timely manner and was more than we expected.”
Kurt H. from Coolidge, AZ, wrote, “Sales and construction crew very professional and kind. My overall experience with this crew was/is epic. Thank you.”
Margie S. from Tucson, AZ, wrote, “As first-time home buyers, we are grateful to Richmond American Homes for building our dream home. We thank all the staff who have been very friendly and responsive.”
Denis D. from Tucson, AZ, wrote, “We love the layout of our home. The large windows provide lots of natural light, which is very important to us. The open space layout gives freedom of movement. It’s not restrictive and helped the family bond more as we chat.”
Domenic G. from Vacaville, CA, wrote, “We could not be happier. Thank you so much, we are blessed and appreciative of your company and the team of people who helped make our home purchase a reality.”
Kevin H. from Washougal, WA, wrote, “Very good from start to finish. The team was very communicative, kept us informed of how home construction was progressing, what delays we could expect, and overall made it a stress-free endeavor for us.”
Richmond American’s commitment to sustainability
Richmond American aims for lower HERS ratings in their homes. HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System. RESNET created the HERS index, becoming an industry standard for rating home energy efficiency.
Each 1-point decrease on the index is designed to correspond to a 1% reduction in energy consumption compared to the baseline reference home (which has a score of 100).
A home scoring 70 on the HERS Index is 30 percent more energy efficient than the reference home.
According to RESNET, the U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical resale home has a HERS rating of 130. That’s 30 percent less energy efficient than the reference home.
Some features included in Richmond American homes reduce the HERS rating. Here are some of the benefits offered in the builder’s homes.
Efficient HVAC systems are designed to perform efficiently for each plan. More efficient HVAC equipment—up to 16 SEER air conditioning and mid- or high-efficiency furnaces—can also help lower the HERS rating. Variable-speed ECM furnaces can also use less energy.
Mechanically controlled ventilation promotes better indoor air quality by providing more outdoor air. Dedicated ventilators can help lower the HERS rating.
Advanced framing methods help reduce lumber used, increase effective insulation, and reduce waste.
Effective insulation solutions help balance temperatures throughout the house for increased comfort. Quality installed insulation can help improve energy efficiency and lower the HERS rating.
Radiant barriers reduce summer heat gain and lower cooling costs by reflecting radiant solar heat that the home would otherwise absorb.
Interior air sealing helps separate a home’s living space from the outdoors, reducing infiltration, drafts, dust, and pollen while reducing loss of conditioned air. Reducing air leakage can help lower the HERS rating.
Energy-efficient windows can affect a home’s HERS rating. Low-E coatings reflect infrared light to help keep heat inside in winter and outside in summer. A window’s U-Factor measures how well it can keep heat from escaping a room, while its Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) expresses how well it can resist unwanted heat gain. Lower numbers mean less energy spent on heating and cooling.
Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand, typically using less energy without sacrificing comfort and convenience. High-efficiency tankless water heaters can help reduce the HERS rating.
High-efficiency lighting, such as LED and CFL lights, provides comparable light while using less energy, which can contribute to a lower HERS score.
Programmable thermostats allow the homeowner to reduce home heating and cooling requirements when the home is not occupied and at night.
Energy-efficient appliances use less energy to perform the same function as standard appliances, leading to savings over the life of the device. Many appliances offered or available, such as dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and dryers are also Energy Star qualified.
Solar power systems can reduce a home’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources and lower its HERS rating by 20 points or more (based on a system size of 4 kW).
Financing options and affordability
Richmond American keeps the purchasing experience seamless for its buyers by offering the services of its lender, home title and escrow company, and insurance companies.
These incentives can make a massive difference for homebuyers already concerned with such a significant investment. The assistance from Richmond American eases the stress of final costs when homeowners want to concentrate on the joy of a brand-new space.
Richmond American helps buyers achieve their dream of living in Phoenix by building affordable housing in appealing areas. As of June 2023, the median listing price for a home in Scottsdale is $950,000. By comparison, Richmond American helps buyers achieve homeownership in highly desirable cities such as Buckeye and Glendale for nearly half the price.
Richmond American Homes is a great homebuilder for buyers in Phoenix to consider, and here are a few of the reasons why:
Experience: Richmond American Homes has a long-standing presence in the homebuilding industry. With decades of experience, they have developed a reputation for delivering quality homes.
Range of Options: The company offers diverse floor plans and design options to suit different lifestyles and preferences. Whether you are looking for a single-family home, townhouse, or a custom-designed property, they have something to offer.
Quality Construction: Richmond American is known for its commitment to quality construction. They use top-notch materials and work with skilled craftspeople to build homes that stand the test of time.
Energy Efficiency: In a hot climate like Phoenix, energy efficiency is crucial to keep utility costs in check. Richmond American incorporates energy-saving features into their homes, helping buyers save money on energy bills.
Fantastic Locations: The company carefully selects locations for its developments, ensuring easy access to essential amenities like schools, shopping centers, recreational areas, and major transportation routes.
Personalization: Richmond American Homes allows buyers to personalize their homes through various optional features and upgrades. This ensures that the home you purchase is tailored to your preferences and needs.
Warranty: They provide a comprehensive home warranty, giving buyers peace of mind and protection against potential construction defects.
Trusted Reputation: Richmond American has earned a trustworthy reputation in the homebuilding industry. Positive reviews from satisfied customers and a history of successful projects contribute to their credibility.
Customer Support: Their customer service team is responsive and attentive, assisting in homebuying even after the sale.
Financial Options: Richmond American Homes often partners with preferred lenders to offer financial options that make homeownership more accessible for buyers.
Ultimately, the combination of experience, quality construction, variety of options, and commitment to customer satisfaction makes Richmond American Homes an attractive choice for buyers in Phoenix looking for their dream home.
