36601 N Mule Train Road Unit A36, Carefree
(602) 483-4665
DeLex Realty
Carefree is a small town in the northern Valley, known for its relaxed desert setting, boulder-strewn hills and custom homes. It sits just north of Scottsdale and next to Cave Creek, so shopping, dining and golf are all close. These are the newest homes for sale in Carefree listed in the MLS as condos, townhouses, patio homes, twin homes or lofts. Attached homes can be a simpler way to own, with the association handling some exterior maintenance.
With a single-family home you generally own the lot and are responsible for the exterior. With a condo or townhome you usually own the unit and share ownership of common areas, and the association takes care of items like landscaping and building exteriors. That trade-off usually comes with monthly dues and a set of community rules, including rental and pet rules.
Ask for the HOA documents, budget and reserve information early, and confirm the building meets the requirements of the loan you plan to use.
Every purchase is different, and I'm a strong negotiator who keeps negotiating until the keys are in my client's hands. On some homes you may also be able to take over the seller's existing FHA, VA or USDA loan; see my assumable mortgage guide.
Do I need a permit to rent out a Carefree condo as a short-term rental?
Yes, the Town of Carefree requires an annual Town license for each short-term rental property. The property must be registered with the Maricopa County Assessor before it is rented, and the owner needs an Arizona transaction privilege tax (TPT) license. The Town also asks for an emergency or management contact, a compliance inspection, notice to nearby residents and proof of liability insurance.
Do long-term condo rentals in Carefree have to register with the Town?
Yes, Carefree requires residential rentals of 30 or more days in a row to register with the Town. Each rental property also needs a TPT license, whether the owner manages it or uses a property manager. Guest houses and accessory buildings cannot be rented separately from the main home.
How do I stop water service when I move out of a Carefree condo?
If Carefree Water Company serves your condo, you ask the company to turn off your service, and it issues a final bill. Its rules allow it to ask for three working days of notice for a change of service, and the outgoing customer pays for service up to the turn-off date. The new owner or tenant applies for service separately.
What is in downtown Carefree near Easy Street?
Downtown Carefree is home to Carefree Desert Gardens, a four-acre public botanical garden at 101 Easy Street surrounded by shops and restaurants. The Town created the garden in 2002, and it has desert plants with a self-guided walking tour, sculptures, water features and the Carefree Sundial. Learn more in my Moving to Carefree guide.
What holiday events does Carefree hold?
Carefree holds a community tree lighting, Carefree Lights Up!, at Carefree Desert Gardens each December. The 2025 event, on December 6, included carols, a countdown to light the tree and a Christmas concert at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Check the Town for this year's date.
Learn more in my Moving to Carefree guide, browse homes by lifestyle and amenity, or compare all my Greater Phoenix city guides. Call Terry Day at 602-483-4665.
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