I am selling my prepper home of 62 years near Stapley and Southern in Mesa. Originally built in 1963, it was redesigned, gutted, and rebuilt as a totally new structure in 1988, both times by the original owners. Now occupied by the oldest son, who helped build the house twice, this is a 5-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath dream home with more space than any other house in the neighborhood. Realistically, the home has approximately 4,300 square feet of living space, so it is uniquely set out that everything is convenient and well organized.

This is not an average house, and it will appeal most strongly to a person/family who can understand its endless possibilities and security.

The main floor features a large, hand-crafted kitchen and dining nook that includes an oversized, real butcher-block island and Formica countertops in a U-shaped configuration, giving easy access to all cooking and entertaining needs. Custom-crafted cabinets and drawers provide tons of storage in this kitchen, and the breakfast nook centers on a large divided light bay window with a built-in window seat.

The living area, centered within the floor plan, is an oversized family room/entertainment space with a true wood-burning fireplace and tons of hand-crafted built-in cabinets. A sitting area and pool table will fit within this room with lots of space to spare. The faux wood beams and directed light skylights set a very comfortable mood, and the space includes a ceiling fan and many hand-crafted knick-knack shelves. Opening directly off the living area is an oversized laundry room/craft room that has doubled as a gym for the present owner. Also opening directly off the living area is a game room that serves as an in-home soda shop or a pub/bar, with countertops, built-in stools, tons of shelving, and several very large divided light windows.

The very large master suite is also located on the main floor with faux beams, a ceiling fan, custom hand-crafted knick-knack shelves, and an impressive walk-in closet with a built-in chest of drawers and shelving. The master bath features double sink counters, a walk-in double-headed shower, and a full garden/jacuzzi tub with redwood surround. Directly off the master suite is a very private, handcrafted den space that includes raw wood floors, barn wood, tin wall siding, divided light windows, and an exterior door to the backyard.

Two large bedrooms, one of which features several full walls of hand-crafted built-in bookshelves and natural, raw wood floors, and a full hall bath off the formal entryway complete the main floor plan of this spacious, comfortable home.

Then there’s the upper floor, a quaint, almost cottage-like bedroom/bath combination that is the size of many studio apartments. It features three dormer nooks/windows and raw wood floors, giving it a warm, restful atmosphere. The upstairs includes absolutely massive walk-in storage/attic space with two entrances, one of which climbs down into the enormous woodshop/work space that opens onto the two-car, enclosed carport in the front and very large concrete porch space in the back.

The house sits on a lot and a half of the Poinsettia Estates neighborhood, with various outbuilding sheds in the backyard providing storage unheard of in most properties. The yard features multiple covered porches and decks that can seat dozens of guests. These entertainment spaces are hand-crafted and built in a style one could only call “Texas Baptist church camp” Adirondacks with tin roofs and hand-crafted rails and decks. There’s even a small, dedicated barbecuing pavilion with an attached, double-doored storage shed.

The yards and lawns include flood irrigation and built-in sprinklers, and the landscaping is well-maintained with multiple rose gardens and tons of shade trees. The fully fenced backyard opens onto an alleyway the City securely locks. A hand-crafted white picket fence surrounds the front yard, and the driveway/carport area includes a separate vehicle/RV parking pad. The front elevation features a long covered porch, and the roof is covered in light grey asphalt shingles. The style of this house could be said to be “Southern Victorian,” with light blue walls and white trim.