Fountain of the Sun: Mesa’s Guard-Gated 55+ Golf Community
Planning a retirement move to the East Valley? This is one of the lowest-cost ways to live behind a staffed gate in Mesa, with its own golf course and a busy pickleball club. Here’s the honest guide.
Fountain of the Sun is a guard-gated 55+ active adult community in east Mesa, first built in the early 1970s around its own 18-hole executive golf course. It offers single-family homes, patio homes, townhomes, and condos, mostly around 1,000 to 1,800 square feet, at some of the most affordable prices you’ll find in a gated East Valley community.
Founder Jarl Kubat has spent 22+ years in Arizona’s 55+ and retirement communities, across the West Valley and the East Valley. Above all, buyers love this community for the staffed gate, the golf, and dues that work out to about $127 a month. So this guide gives you the straight story, including the parts most listings leave out.
Why we know gated 55+ living first-hand
For one thing, Jarl lives in Arizona Traditions, a guard-gated 55+ community in Surprise. In other words, he knows daily life behind a staffed gate as a neighbor, not just as an agent. That’s also why we read the recorded CC&Rs for every home we show here. In fact, the rules in this community can change from one parcel to the next, and that’s something you want your agent to catch before you sign.
Fountain of the Sun at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | East Mesa, AZ, near Southern Avenue |
| Age rule | 55+ (at least one resident 55 or older) |
| Gated | Yes, guard-gated with a 24/7 staffed gate |
| Golf | 18-hole executive course, par 63, up to 4,266 yards; opened 1971 |
| Pickleball | 6 courts; 6 more approved in the 2026 budget |
| Homes | Single-family, patio homes, townhomes, and condos; built mostly 1970s–1990s |
| HOA dues | $381.25 a quarter, about $127 a month (2026) |
| Recent sale prices | About $229,000 to $430,000 (last 90 days) |
The Fountain of the Sun market right now
At last check, there were 31 Fountain of the Sun homes for sale, with asking prices from about $235,000 to $499,000. Because fewer homes sell here than in the big communities, we update these numbers every quarter instead of every month. Ranges shift as the market changes, so call or text (480) 710-6326 to verify today’s numbers. You can also compare every community on our Arizona 55+ market update.
What size buys what
| Home size | Sold for (last 90 days) |
|---|---|
| About 1,000–1,110 sq ft | About $229,000–$260,000 |
| About 1,250–1,400 sq ft | About $275,000–$330,000 |
| About 1,470–1,810 sq ft | About $340,000–$430,000 |
As a result, size is the biggest price driver here. After that come updates: remodeled kitchens and baths, a newer AC, and a newer roof pull a home to the top of its lane, while original-condition homes sell at the bottom. Golf-course and quiet interior spots also tend to sell for more. Meanwhile, homes that start too high can sit for months, so we’ll show you which listings are priced right.
Is Fountain of the Sun a retirement community?
Yes. It’s a 55+ active adult community: at least one resident in each home must be 55 or older, and younger residents are limited. The recorded condominium rules, for example, don’t allow anyone under 18 to live in a unit more than 90 days in any 12-month period.
One thing that makes this community different: it’s made up of about 20 separately recorded parcels, each with its own CC&Rs, all tied together by the Fountain of the Sun Association, which runs the gate and shared amenities. The exact rules can vary by parcel, so we always pull the CC&Rs for the specific home before you buy. Age rules also follow federal housing-for-older-persons law.
Rules that surprise buyers here
Since the rules live in separate parcel documents, a few of them catch out-of-state buyers off guard. So these are the ones we check first.
Leasing a condo
In the condominium parcels we’ve read, you can lease the whole unit, but not single rooms, and short stays for transient guests aren’t allowed. The 55+ rule still applies to whoever lives there. Single-family parcels have their own documents, so we confirm the rule for that exact home.
Parking, trucks, and RVs
Condo owners generally get one designated parking space. Also, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, and boats need the association’s permission. On the other hand, the community has an RV storage area, which is handy if you travel. Ask us about current space and cost before you count on it.
Fountain of the Sun HOA fees (2026)
| Fee | 2026 amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterly HOA | $381.25 | About $127 a month; includes the 24/7 guard gate |
| Monthly fee (condos and some patio homes) | Varies | For condos, the annual HOA is included in this monthly fee; call to verify |
| Disclosure fee | $200 | One-time, at closing |
| Transfer fee | $200 | One-time, at closing |
| Capital improvement fee | $2,100 | One-time, at closing |
In short, for a guard-gated community with its own golf course, that’s very reasonable. However, golf is not part of your dues; it’s separate and optional. Fees can change each year, so we confirm every figure with the association before you commit. Finally, to see how these dues stack up, check our Arizona 55+ HOA fees comparison.
The golf at Fountain of the Sun
The Fountain of the Sun Country Club course is an 18-hole, par-63 executive course designed by Red Lawrence and opened in 1971. As a result, it’s a fun, walkable layout that’s quick to play, with a driving range, golf carts and clubs available at the course, and tournament play. In addition, the course is semi-private and offers memberships and passes.
| Tees | Yards | Rating / Slope |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | 4,266 | 60.3 / 94 |
| White | 4,043 | 60.1 / 93 |
| Red | 3,649 | 60.0 / 95 |
| Gold | 3,024 | 54.7 / 80 |
Golf is separate from your HOA dues and optional. Meanwhile, summer hours run 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends. Comparing golf communities? See our golf course homes guide.
Pickleball and the new courts
The resident pickleball club is busy, with about 257 members as of early 2026, playing on 6 community courts, and demand has outgrown them. That’s why the association approved 6 more pickleball courts in its 2026 budget, along with plans for a new amenity building. For now, the project is going through City of Mesa review, and the courts take about 6 to 8 weeks to build once work starts. Ask us for the latest status. Also, see how the community compares on our Arizona 55+ pickleball communities hub.
The homes
Most homes were built from the mid-1970s through the 1990s, and they’re all single-level. For example, you’ll find two-bedroom, two-bath condos and patio homes around 1,000 to 1,300 square feet, and larger single-family homes up to about 2,000 square feet. Many have been updated over the years; others still have original finishes and are priced to match. In the last report, well-priced Fountain of the Sun homes for sale went under contract in days, while several that started high sat for months. For a condo, remember that the monthly fee is part of the true cost, so we compare it side by side with a patio or single-family home’s quarterly dues.
Our honest take: who Fountain of the Sun fits
- A great fit if you want a staffed gate, golf, and low dues at an affordable price in the East Valley.
- Also a fit if you want a smaller, single-level home that’s easy to lock and leave for the summer.
- Think it through if you want newer construction, larger homes, or a huge list of clubs and rec centers.
In that last case, we’ll show you options like Sunland Springs Village or Cottonwood in Sun Lakes side by side.
See homes for sale in Fountain of the Sun
Live MLS listings, updated all day. In other words, the search below shows the Fountain of the Sun homes for sale right now:
East Valley neighbors to compare
- Mesa, AZ 55+ communities — every option in Mesa
- Sunland Village — nearby, with its own executive golf course
- Sunland Village East — newer homes, also with golf
- Sunland Springs Village — 27 holes and newer construction
- Leisure World — Mesa’s other gated golf community
- More Mesa articles — our latest Mesa posts
Explore Arizona 55+ by topic
Fountain of the Sun FAQ
Age rules and the gate
Is Fountain of the Sun a retirement community?
Yes. It’s a guard-gated 55+ active adult community in east Mesa. At least one resident in each home must be 55 or older, and the exact rules can vary by parcel.
Is Fountain of the Sun gated?
Yes. It’s guard-gated, with a staffed gate 24 hours a day, and the gate is included in your HOA dues.
Can my kids or grandkids live with me?
They can visit, but younger residents are limited. The recorded condominium rules, for example, don’t allow anyone under 18 to live in a unit more than 90 days in any 12-month period. Rules can differ by parcel, so we’ll pull the CC&Rs for the exact home.
Fees and homes
What are the HOA fees?
For 2026, dues are about $381.25 a quarter, or about $127 a month, including the 24/7 guard gate. Condos and some patio homes pay a monthly fee instead, which includes the annual HOA. Then, at closing, plan for a $200 disclosure fee, a $200 transfer fee, and a $2,100 capital improvement fee. Golf is separate.
How much do homes cost?
Over the last 90 days (as of September 2026), homes sold from about $229,000 to $430,000, with a middle sale near $324,500. Ranges shift with the market, so call or text (480) 710-6326 for today’s numbers.
Can I lease out my home?
In the condo parcels we’ve read, you can lease the whole unit, but not single rooms, and transient stays aren’t allowed. The 55+ rule still applies to tenants. Single-family parcels have their own rules, so we confirm them for the exact home.
Golf and pickleball
Is golf included in the HOA dues?
No. Golf is separate and optional. The par-63 executive course is semi-private and offers memberships and passes.
How many pickleball courts are there?
Right now there are 6 community courts, used by a club of about 257 members. In addition, six more courts were approved in the 2026 budget and are going through City of Mesa review.
Working with an agent
Who is the best real estate agent for Fountain of the Sun?
Look for an agent who works mostly in 55+ communities and knows Fountain of the Sun’s fees, age rules and resale market. Founder Jarl Kubat of Arizona 55+ Communities Real Estate (West USA Realty) has spent 22+ years helping buyers and sellers in Arizona 55+ and retirement communities across the West Valley and East Valley. He lives in Arizona Traditions in Surprise, and clients rate the team 4.9 stars on Google. Call or text (480) 710-6326.
Ready to take a look?
Tell us how you want to live: golf, pickleball, a gate, a budget. Then we’ll watch the Fountain of the Sun homes for sale for you, show you the best ones, and give you an honest read on value.

I’m Jarl Kubat, a licensed Arizona REALTOR® with 22+ years in the Valley’s 55+, active adult, and golf communities, West Valley and East Valley. I’ll always give you my honest read.
Call or text (480) 710-6326 · justjarl.com/contact
Arizona 55+ Communities Real Estate · West USA Realty · Equal Housing Opportunity
In general, community, golf, pickleball, and amenity details are summarized from public sources, the golf course, the pickleball club, and recorded documents, and can change. Fountain of the Sun is made up of separately recorded parcels whose rules can differ; confirm the CC&Rs for the specific home. HOA fees are 2026 figures and can change; golf is separate and optional. Market figures are drawn from the Arizona Regional MLS (single-family, patio, townhome, and twin homes) for a trailing 90-day period as of the date shown and are refreshed quarterly. Listings are believed accurate but not guaranteed. Jarl Kubat is a licensed Arizona real estate agent with West USA Realty. Equal Housing Opportunity.