Should You Buy a Resale in Sundance or Wait for the Next New Construction Phase?

For most buyers in 2026, a Sundance resale makes more sense than waiting for the next new-construction phase — because Sundance is already in its final build-out, resale inventory offers immediate entry with established amenities and mature landscaping, and "the next phase" in Buckeye is more likely to come from surrounding communities (Teravalis, Sundance-adjacent Century Communities phases, or nearby master plans) than from expansion inside Sundance itself. That said, if your priority is brand-new construction and you can be patient, the West Valley is adding new communities steadily.

You are in one of the more interesting buyer positions in Buckeye right now. Sundance is a mature, established master-planned community. The original Sundance (the 55+ golf community) has been well-established for years, and the newer Village at Sundance is now in its final phase with Century Communities and Centex marketing it as a "last chance" opportunity. Meanwhile, brand-new master plans like Teravalis are rolling out phase after phase just a few miles away. Choosing between those two paths is really a choice about what kind of buying experience you want — not which house you want.

What "Sundance" Actually Refers to in 2026

First — some clarification that matters for this decision. In Buckeye there are actually two communities commonly called "Sundance": the original Sundance, which is an age-restricted (45+) active adult golf community built around The Golf Club at Buckeye, and Village at Sundance, a newer family-oriented community that Century Communities and Centex have been actively selling. Village at Sundance is currently marketed as being in its final phase, with both builders positioning their remaining inventory as last-chance homes.

This matters because "waiting for the next phase of new construction permits" in Sundance specifically is not really on the table. Village at Sundance is closing out. If you want new construction that is adjacent to or similar to Sundance, you are actually looking at other Buckeye master plans or the handful of additional phases from other builders in nearby communities.

The Real Trade-Off: Resale in Sundance vs. New Construction Somewhere Else

Once you understand that, the trade-off sharpens. A resale in Sundance or Village at Sundance gives you an established community with mature landscaping and trees, a working HOA with known dues and documented reserve history, completed amenities (parks, trails, community features already in use), immediate move-in with no build timeline risk, and often a lower price per square foot than a comparable brand-new home a few miles away. A brand-new build in a different community gives you modern floor plans, current energy-efficiency standards, builder warranty coverage, customization options within the builder's menu, and the psychological clean slate of being the first owner — but with a long build timeline, potential construction delays, and the typical early-phase HOA unknowns. For a fuller treatment of that broader trade-off, this comparison of warranty, inspection, and long-term costs between resale and new build West Valley homes walks through the repair-cost piece specifically.

Why "Wait for the Next Phase" Is a Trap for Most Buyers

This is usually where I slow buyers down. "Wait for the next phase" is almost always an emotional decision disguised as a financial one. Buyers say they want to wait because they want a better lot, or a better floor plan release, or a lower base price. Here is what actually tends to happen. Base prices rarely go down between phases in Arizona master plans. Builders adjust with incentives and rate buydowns rather than listed prices. Phase two and phase three lot premiums often run higher than phase one for equivalent-quality lots. And the waiting period itself — six months, a year, sometimes longer — is a period during which your rent check keeps going out, your move-in gets pushed, and broader market conditions can shift against you.

If you have an actual structural reason to wait (your job does not start for nine months, you are selling another property, your kids' school year drives a specific move date), waiting is reasonable. If you are waiting because you hope prices will come down or a better floor plan will release, you are usually betting against the direction the market is moving. For a useful framework on how West Valley buyer timing plays out, this analysis of whether to buy now or wait for rates to drop further covers the same math that applies to the new-build-vs-resale timing decision.

When a Resale in Sundance Is Genuinely the Right Move

A resale in Sundance or Village at Sundance tends to be the better option when you want to move in a defined timeline (within 60 to 90 days), you value mature trees and established neighborhood character over new-build finishes, you want a documented HOA with a track record instead of a brand-new association still figuring out dues, and you care more about price per square foot than specific builder features. Resale homes in established Buckeye communities also tend to come with buyer-friendly contract advantages: the full AAR inspection period applies (10 days), you can do a full home inspection, and you can negotiate repairs or credits through standard Arizona contract channels. New-construction contracts often have narrower inspection windows and builder-favored terms that can be harder for individual buyers to push back on.

When Waiting for New Construction Is Genuinely the Right Move

There are cases where waiting makes sense. If you want a very specific floor plan that Sundance resales do not offer, if you are relocating in six to twelve months and can afford to time it, if you want to take advantage of aggressive builder rate buydowns that are common in 2026 on standing inventory, or if energy efficiency (HERS scores, solar readiness, heat-pump HVAC) is a priority that outweighs the established-community benefits. At this stage, I help clients narrow their focus to whether the benefits of new construction are worth the coordination work. For buyers who have never bought new construction before, the contract process is genuinely different — there are red flags to watch for in builder contracts, incentive structures to negotiate around, and design center selections that can quietly add tens of thousands to your final number.

What a Smart Buyer Does Before Deciding

The cleanest version of this decision involves a short, structured process. First, look at five to eight actual Sundance and Village at Sundance resale listings that fit your budget and needs, and physically walk through at least three of them. Second, visit the two or three closest active new-construction sales offices — Century Communities, Centex, and any nearby Teravalis or Mattamy phases — and get written quotes, incentive details, and realistic delivery timelines. Third, run the math on both paths, including the cost of renting for six to twelve more months if you choose the new-build route, versus moving in now and paying down principal from day one. For buyers comparing new construction against resale in adjacent Buckeye areas, this look at how new construction incentives stack up against resale price drops is a useful companion to the pure price comparison.

The Sundance-Specific Question: HOA and Age Restriction

One detail many buyers miss: the original Sundance community is age-restricted at 45+, while Village at Sundance is not. If you are under 45, Sundance (the golf/active adult community) is off the table regardless of how well it fits your budget or lifestyle. Village at Sundance is all-age. This is the kind of thing that is easy to miss from a Zillow listing and hard to undo after you fall in love with a floor plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Village at Sundance still selling new homes in 2026? Yes, but it is in its final phase. Both Century Communities and Centex are marketing remaining inventory as last-chance opportunities. Expect inventory to close out over the coming months.

What is the age restriction in the original Sundance community? Sundance is an active adult golf community with an age restriction of 45+. Village at Sundance is a separate, non-age-restricted community nearby.

Are there newer Buckeye communities I should look at instead? Yes. Teravalis is an active large-scale master-planned community with multiple builders, and there are other new-construction options throughout Buckeye, including Agave Trails, Bentridge, and Mountain View Estates, depending on your budget and priorities.

Do resale homes in Sundance come with any warranty? Generally no, but most resale homes in Arizona can be protected with a home warranty plan negotiated as part of the contract. Inspection protections under the AAR contract provide the primary buyer safeguard.

What inspection rights do I have on a resale in Arizona? The standard AAR contract includes a 10-day inspection period during which you can inspect the home and, if issues are found, request repairs, credits, or cancel the contract without penalty.

The Bottom Line

For most buyers in 2026, buying a resale in Sundance or Village at Sundance makes more sense than waiting for phases of new construction that are either not coming (in Sundance itself) or coming with their own trade-offs elsewhere. The real question is not resale versus new construction as categories — it is which individual house, at which total cost, fits your timeline and priorities. Both paths can work. Waiting without a structural reason usually costs more than it saves. Moving forward with clarity on your own timeline usually saves more than it costs.

Kasandra Chavez is a real estate advisor serving the West Valley of Greater Phoenix, Arizona, and has been recognized among the top 5% of real estate professionals in the Greater Phoenix area. She helps buyers and sellers align strategy with lifestyle and goals, providing clear decision-making support through the home-buying process. Her focus is on managing timing, inventory decisions, and builder negotiations so buyers can make confident moves in a shifting market.