Blackstone at Vistancia, an elegant, private country club community with a charming informality, offers an upside to the tough economic times with greater value on prime real estate and golf memberships.

Recently, natural desert home sites and initiation fees on golf and social memberships have been adjusted according to market indicators making the club more accessible to consumers who’ve always wanted to live the private club lifestyle.

Prices have been lowered on 21 custom home sites situated between two picturesque fairways of the award-winning Jim Engh golf course at the 590-acre community tucked into the Vistancia master plan in the serene desert of north Peoria.

Ranging from nearly three-quarters to more than one acre, most of these natural desert home sites back up to the course and offer mountain and city light views. Prices start from $145,000.

“The value is terrific,” said Blackstone Marketing Director Sandy Esmay. “We have reduced pricing on all of the lots by at least 50 percent and as much as 65 percent on some, so if you’ve always wanted to live in a private community, now is definitely the time to buy. One prime, one-acre site in the collection is currently $189,000.”

Esmay pointed out that five custom home sites sold in recent months, a positive sign that buyers are recognizing the value that is available to them at the community.

Sales are also underway on the move-in ready Villas at Blackstone. As an incentive, a $7,500 Blackstone Country Club golf or social membership option is included in the listing price.

Priced from the low $200,000s, three floor plans offer single- and two-story space, each with two bedrooms, a spacious den that can be converted to a third bedroom and a minimum of two baths. Among the fine design elements are rotunda entries, expansive gourmet kitchens with cozy morning rooms and a centrally-located “planning center” that can be utilized as a computer work station, craft and hobby area or miscellaneous work space. Villas also have two- and three-car garages.

And in June, K. Hovnanian Homes will debut The Estates at Blackstone, a premier collection of energy-saving designer homes up to 3,250 square feet.

A property purchase is not required to become a member of the Blackstone Golf Club. In a recent restructuring of the membership program, new equity golf memberships are available for $15,000 and non-equity memberships for $7,500. There are a limited number of equity social memberships, which allow members access to the clubhouse amenities with the exception of golf, are available for a $2,500 initiation fee.

Also, for a limited time, individuals belonging to private golf clubs or groups of private club members throughout Arizona can schedule tee times on the Blackstone course through their club professional. Guests of members are also welcome. Tee times can be made 14 days in advance and are taken on a space available basis. Special program rates include green fee, cart and practice balls.

In addition, the course is available on Mondays for customized golf outings and tournaments. For information, contact Director of Golf Todd Cernohous at 623.707.8710.

The Jim Engh layout was built around the land’s natural features resulting in wildly undulating fairways, cavernous bunkers and natural outcroppings.

Other Blackstone amenities include the elegant yet unpretentious Hacienda clubhouse featuring a main dining room with an eclectic contemporary menu created by Executive Chef Ben Lesnick, three private dining venues for intimate gatherings and the outdoor Cantina.

Three pools cater to fitness swimmers and those seeking a resort feel. The lap pool has six wide lanes, the resort pool has private cabanas and the children’s play pool has a variety of water features. Members can also enjoy four lighted tennis courts and plush play lawns for picnics, croquet and social gatherings.

Blackstone’s facilities can also be booked for weddings. For information, contact Elizabeth Todd at 623.476.2923.

For more information on real estate and memberships, contact Vistancia Realty at 623.476.2923 or visit www.blackstonecountryclub.com.