This article appeared in the Calgary Herald on May 29, 2010

Optima conditions for an Arizona love affair

Calgarians buy investment unit in Scottsdale project

By Kathy McCormick

Calgarians Corey and Carol Zahn say it best.

"When we bought our condominium unit in Optima Camelview Village in Scottsdale, Ariz., the plan was that it was for investment," says Carol. "We bought it two years ago and have rented it out since, but we like the building so much that we're getting our head around the fact that down the road, we probably would like to use it, ourselves."

The Zahns aren't alone.

Optima Camelview Village has been a popular choice for Canadian buyers since it first started building. Now in its third and final phase, the 5.3-hectare, resort-style community is even more appealing, with the 9.3 hectares of on-site landscaping maturing well.

"When we were looking, the realtor took us to golf course properties in outlying areas because golf was an important part of the reason my husband wanted to come to Phoenix," says Carol.

"They were beautiful, but so far away, especially for me while he was away golfing. Then we saw Optima and it clicked.

"The environment is beautiful and we love the Frank Lloyd Wright look and the amenities. We saw a lot of things we liked in different properties, but here, they were all in one spot."

The private green roof terraces and ample balconies are loaded with tropical plants, as are the many walkways and hard landscaping between buildings.

Flowers cascade down terraced decks and water features are plentiful -- it's like an oasis in the middle of the desert.

The complex is large, so there are many amenities scattered throughout the 11 seven-storey buildings, which have a total of 700 units.

From a concierge and a dog park to a 34,000-square-foot fitness clubhouse -- as well as indoor and outdoor pools and spas, along with a party room with a caterer's kitchen -- the amenities never stop.

Units range from 800 to 3,200 square feet, with 85 per cent of the community already sold.

"The community is just one block from Old Scottsdale and very central," says Carol.

It's also right across the street from one of the area's favourite malls, the Scottsdale Fashion Square.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

BUILDER/DEVELOPER: Optima.

PROJECT: Optima Camelview Village in Scottsdale, Ariz. It's a 5.3-hectare, resort-style community with 9.3 hectares of on-site landscaping. The complex -- which has 11 seven-storey buildings and 700 units -- is now in its third and final stage of development. Eighty-five per cent of units are sold. Units range in size from 800 to 3,200 square feet.

PRICES: Range from $350,000 to $2.5 million US for the penthouse suites.

INFORMATION: Check the website at www.optimacamelview.com.

THE BUYERS

Corey and Carol Zahn.

AGES: 45.

BACKGROUND: The Calgary couple bought a two-bedroom unit in Optima Camelview Village two years ago as an investment and has rented it out since. "We were set on the Phoenix area right from the start," says Carol. "The warm weather and abundance of golf courses, coupled with the convenient three-hour direct flight from Calgary made it an obvious choice for us." And it didn't take much convincing for the couple to choose Optima Camelview Village. "We both just knew it was right. The proximity to Old Town Scottsdale was a huge selling point." The investment has been a wise one, says Corey. "From a rental perspective, it has fared very well for us." Even so, the Zahns may utilize their place themselves, in future. "Our initial plan was to buy as an investment, but we like the building so much, we're getting our head around the fact that down the road, we may use it ourselves," says Carol.

PROJECT: Optima Camelview Village, Scottsdale, Ariz.

DEVELOPER: Optima.

POSSESSION DATE: Two years ago.

ABOUT THE DEVELOPER

David Hovey founded Optima in 1978. He wanted to reinvent residential housing by optimizing development, design and construction. Even more, he wanted to raise the design standard by building architecturally ambitious housing to accommodate modern people with contemporary needs. To date, Optima has completed 29 multifamily housing projects -- more than 4,000 units -- in the areas around Chicago and Phoenix.

Courtesy, www.optimacamelview.com