Knows every
corner of Rim Country.
Steve serves Payson, Pine, Strawberry, Christopher Creek, Tonto Basin, Verde Estates, Fountain Hills, Star Valley, and the surrounding communities along the Mogollon Rim. With 33+ homes sold across Rim Country and more than $3 million in annual sales volume in each of the past two years, he knows the land, the market, and the people who make this area home.
Payson
The heart of Rim Country.
Payson sits at about 5,000 feet elevation in the Ponderosa pines, roughly 90 miles and about a 90-minute drive north of Phoenix. With a population around 16,000, it offers four distinct seasons, a moderate climate, and a small-town atmosphere that draws people looking to escape the desert heat. The Tonto Natural Bridge, Green Valley Lake, and hundreds of miles of forest trails are right outside your door.
- Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
- Green Valley Lake
- Main Street shops & dining
- Payson Golf Course
Star Valley
Quiet mountain living.
Just south of Payson along the Highway 260 corridor, Star Valley is a peaceful residential community surrounded by Ponderosa pine forest. Residents enjoy larger lots, darker skies, and the quiet of mountain living while remaining minutes from Payson shops, schools, and services.
- Larger residential lots
- Dark sky viewing
- Quiet mountain atmosphere
- Minutes from Payson
Pine
Quiet mountain living among the pines.
Pine is a small, unincorporated community located along the Payson-Strawberry Highway (Highway 87) at about 5,800 feet elevation. Surrounded by towering Ponderosa pines, it offers a peaceful residential lifestyle just a short drive from Payson. The community is known for its larger lots, mountain views, and proximity to the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.
- Ponderosa pine forest
- Larger residential lots
- Near Tonto Natural Bridge
- Quiet mountain atmosphere
Strawberry
Historic charm in the high country.
Strawberry sits just east of Pine along Highway 87 at about 5,800 feet elevation. This small, historic mountain community is known for its rustic character, creek-side properties, and easy access to the Tonto Natural Bridge and Tonto National Forest. It is a favorite for those seeking a secluded mountain lifestyle with a tight-knit community feel.
- Historic mountain community
- Creek-side properties
- Tonto National Forest access
- Close to Tonto Natural Bridge
Verde Estates
Peaceful living in Rim Country.
Verde Estates is a residential community nestled in the Rim Country near Payson. With a mix of mountain properties and spacious lots, it provides a quiet setting while remaining convenient to Payson shops, schools, and services. The area is popular with those looking for a balance of rural mountain living and easy access to town.
- Spacious mountain lots
- Quiet residential setting
- Convenient to Payson
- Rim Country location
Fountain Hills
Resort-style desert living near the mountains.
Fountain Hills is a scenic community in the greater Phoenix metro area, known for its world-founding fountain, mountain views, and resort-style atmosphere. Located near the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, it offers a unique blend of desert beauty, upscale amenities, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Steve serves clients in Fountain Hills looking for a desert retreat with mountain character.
- World-famous fountain
- McDowell Sonoran Preserve access
- Upscale desert living
- Mountain and desert views
Christopher Creek
Rustic charm along the creek.
Christopher Creek is a small, unincorporated community along the Mogollon Rim at about 6,000 feet elevation. Known for its rustic cabins, creek-side properties, and proximity to the Tonto National Forest, it is a favorite for those who want a more secluded mountain lifestyle.
- Higher elevation living
- Creek-side properties
- Tonto National Forest access
- Rustic mountain cabins
Tonto Basin
Waterfront living near Roosevelt Lake.
The Tonto Basin area, including communities near Roosevelt Lake, offers a different side of Rim Country. With access to boating, fishing, and lakefront properties, this area appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for a more rural Arizona lifestyle.
- Roosevelt Lake access
- Boating & fishing
- Lakefront properties
- Rural Arizona lifestyle
Rim Country
The broader Mogollon Rim region.
Rim Country encompasses the communities along and below the Mogollon Rim in Gila County. From the forested highlands to the lower desert transition zones, this region offers diverse landscapes, property types, and price points. Steve knows every road, every view lot, and every neighborhood in between.
- Mogollon Rim views
- Diverse property types
- Multiple price points
- Year-round outdoor recreation
Common questions about the area.
What communities does Steve serve?
Steve serves buyers and sellers across Payson and Arizona's Rim Country: Payson and Star Valley, Pine and Strawberry along Highway 87, Christopher Creek on the Mogollon Rim, Tonto Basin near Roosevelt Lake, Verde Estates, and Fountain Hills at the edge of the Phoenix metro. If a community in Gila County is on your list, he has likely walked its streets, driven its view lots, and sold homes there.
How close are these towns to Phoenix?
Payson sits about 90 minutes from Phoenix via the Beeline Highway, with roughly 90 miles of easy highway between you and the metro. Pine and Strawberry are a short drive farther north on Highway 87, Christopher Creek runs along the Mogollon Rim, and Tonto Basin sits closer to the lower desert near Roosevelt Lake. Even Fountain Hills, the most metro-adjacent community Steve serves, keeps its own resort-style character.
Which area is right for you?
It depends on what you are looking for. Want town services, shopping, and four distinct seasons? Payson and Star Valley. A historic, forested retreat with creek-side properties? Strawberry and Pine. Secluded cabins and rim views? Christopher Creek. Boating, fishing, and lakefront living? Tonto Basin near Roosevelt Lake. Steve is happy to walk through your priorities, price range, and lifestyle goals, and lay out the pros and cons of each community so you can choose with confidence.
Why people move to Payson.
Payson, Pine, Strawberry, Christopher Creek, Tonto Basin, Verde Estates, Fountain Hills, Star Valley, and Rim Country offer a mountain lifestyle that is hard to find elsewhere in Arizona. At 5,000 feet elevation, summers are warm but comfortable, with daytime highs typically in the 80s and low 90s, a welcome relief from the Phoenix desert. Winters bring cool temperatures, occasional snow, and four genuine seasons.
The area is a gateway to outdoor recreation: fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and exploring the Tonto National Forest. The Tonto Natural Bridge, one of the world's largest natural travertine bridges, is a local landmark. Roosevelt Lake offers boating and waterfront living just a short drive away.
People move here for the quiet, the trees, the clean air, and the sense of community that comes from living in a small mountain town. Whether you are retiring, working remotely, or looking for a second home, these communities offer a lifestyle that is both peaceful and active.
“The average days on market is approximately 134 days, with nearly 19% of listings taking more than four months to sell.”