Scottsdale Real Estate City Guide

A Scottsdale Homebuyer’s Guide

The U.S. Conference of Mayors founded Scottsdale, Arizona in 1894 and named it after William Scott. Scottsdale lies in the east portion of Maricopa County. Its western side borders Phoenix and Paradise Valley. With warm and sunny weather throughout the year and a list of scenic opportunities across town, Scottsdale is gaining fame in the tourism industry. Scottsdale is fast becoming a leading destination for those looking for a picturesque destination with diverse shopping and dining opportunities.

Apart from being famous for everything already mentioned, Scottsdale is one of those rare locations in a hot real estate market, making it the ideal destination for those looking for a change.

Our city guide will tell you a bit about this oasis in the desert. We offer information on the area neighborhoods and take you on a tour of the many activities Scottsdale has to offer. This guide will also provide a bit of insight into the burgeoning Scottsdale’s real estate market.

Why Scottsdale?

Anywhere you look in Scottsdale, you are sure to find beautiful scenery, lavish homes, and much to do. In the last few years, Arizona as a whole has welcomed over 100,000 new residents. Why the massive move towards Arizona, Scottsdale in particular?

For starters, let us know when you find a list of America’s Best Cities that does NOT put Scottsdale near the top. Scottsdale also earned the moniker of the “West’s Western City.” Scottsdale is home to more than 100 galleries and centers of culture and has an extremely lively nightlife that appeals to a wide range of discerning homebuyers.

Moreover, Scottsdale has a massive vacation home and rental market, which allows locals to invest in a second home to create an extra revenue stream.

Living in Scottsdale

Scottsdale breaks up into four geographic regions: North Scottsdale, South Scottsdale, Old Town, and Central Scottsdale (often referred to as Shea Corridor, named after its close proximity to Shea Boulevard). When looking for a home, it is important to understand the differences between areas, as subtle as they are.

Whether you’re tired of school, work, or just the day-to-day grind, Scottsdale offers you an abundance of serene activities that are sure to appeal to help. Thanks to the significant growth in the tourism market, Scottsdale has gone through a revolution of new residents, thanks in no small part to its numerous shopping facilities, exotic menus, and culturally driven recreational activities.

Scottsdale is an ideal location if you’re looking to relocate, even if you’re a first-time homebuyer or just looking to upgrade or downsize. It truly has it all.

Neighborhoods in Scottsdale

Scottsdale is rife with bustling neighborhoods of all types. Whether you desire luxury living or an area teeming with recreational activities, Scottsdale has you covered.

Desert Mountain

In Desert Mountain, you will find custom homes with an average square footage of 4,336 and an average price of $1,500,000. You will find luxury homes with stunning views, along with six clubhouses, each offering restaurants, and other amenities; a true blend of desert and luxury homes at its finest.

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Estancia

In Estancia, you will find luxury homes with an average square footage of 4,377 and an average price of $2,000,000. You will find luxury homes with panoramic views of Pinnacle Peak and the Estancia Golf Club. It is one of the most prestigious communities in Arizona, making it a great place to call home.

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Gainey Ranch

In Gainey Ranch, you will find homes interwoven with the fairways of the Gainey Ranch Golf Club. Gainey Ranch has several different communities that range in price and design. You will see condominiums that sell in the $200,000 range and custom luxury homes that sell for $2,000,000. Thanks to stunning views and resort style living, it’s easy to see why so many people call Gainey Ranch home.

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DC Ranch

In DC Ranch, you will find homes with an average square footage of 3,082 and an average price of just over $933,000. Homeowners enjoy a plethora of nearby shopping and restaurant options. DC Ranch is famous for its recreational lifestyle, which includes private clubs, tennis courts, neighborhood trails, a fitness center, and a clubhouse.

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Terravita

In Terravita, you will find homes with average square footage of 2,269 and an average price of $537,239. A master-planned community by Del Webb in 1993, its vision is to preserve the lifestyle surrounding the Sonoran Desert. You will also find The Terravita Golf & Country Club, designed by PGA Hall of Famer Billy Casper.

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Optima Camelview Village

In Optima Camelview Village, you will find homes with average square footage of 1,442 and an average price of $617,348. Located in the middle of Scottsdale, you will find resort style amenities intertwined with urban living and architectural beauty. Optima is LEED silver certified and has a terrace planting system build in conjunction with Arizona State University. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer panoramic views of the Mummy and Camelback Mountains.

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Grayhawk

Grayhawk is one of the most sought-after communities in North Scottsdale. The homes in this area include condominiums, affordable residential properties, and luxury custom-built homes. In this area, you will find a mix of full-time residents, vacation renters, and returning visitors that have purchased a second or third home. Grayhawk is famous for its renowned Golf Courses and for its recreational activities, which include a trail that is perfect for biking, walking, and running.

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Things to Do in Scottsdale

Scottsdale is home to several professional golf players and numerous golf courses for players of different levels. Troon North Golf Club is one of the best courses anywhere; you cannot go wrong when it comes to golfing in Scottsdale.

You can also play a round at TPC Scottsdale before the annual Waste Management Phoenix Open tees off in early January. At this annual event, you will see a lively crowd coupled with professional golfers vying a purse in excess of $6,000,000.

Gliding across the peaks and valleys of Scottsdale, hot air balloon rides offer a breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The aerial views of the mountains and of the desert are spectacular.

Locals enjoy the area’s beautiful trail adventures, one of which is the climb up Camelback Mountain. Scottsdale is rife with nature walks and strenuous hiking trails, showing you the wilder side of Scottsdale. Have fun and make sure to exercise extreme caution when hiking in the desert, especially in the warmer months.

Visit the Barrett-Jackson auction to enjoy some of the rarest autos in the world. If you’re in the market for a new ride, you can even participate in the auction. It’s a must-see for anyone who appreciates automobiles.

Enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the desert by taking a tour of Taliesin West, designed and lived in by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Scottsdale is also home to some of the most amazing resorts, including The Royal Palms, The Phoenician, and The Fairmont.

Shopping

Old Town Scottsdale is a metropolitan area that offers a selection of upscale shopping options, along with restaurants of all types. Alongside Camelback Road, it features sophisticated, high-end shops, including those in the Fifth Avenue district. Scottsdale’s Fashion Square is here as well, as the region’s largest retail area. In North Scottsdale, you will find two large outdoor shopping malls that are right across from each other: Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter.

Restaurants

Scottsdale is home to a diverse selection of cuisines that are sure to please even the most discernible palate. Listed below are a few restaurants to get you off on the right foot.

• Noci Cafe has breakfast all day and great paninis for lunch.
• A family run restaurant, Franco’s Italian Caffe will delight your taste buds, offering the best Italian food in town.
• Mastro’s Steakhouse is a must for anyone with a discerning taste for steak or seafood. Highly acclaimed cuisine and live entertainment make Mastro’s a great option for date night.
• Another fun restaurant that resembles a New York Style Parisian bistro is Zinc Bistro. Make sure to try the onion soup, the zinc burger, and the truffle parmesan fries.
• Second Story is an acclaimed restaurant that has won awards for its cuisine. The atmosphere is much like the old speakeasies, featuring a collection of whiskey and old-school cocktails that are second-to-none.

Housing Market Trends

The average price of a home based on annual sales is $635,000, and the average size of a home is 2,749 square feet.

Currently, there is 2.8 months worth of supply with 85 days of inventory on the market, indicating that the supply is lower than a balanced market and houses are in high demand.

Scottsdale is one of the best places to live, in terms of recreation as well as job opportunities. It has one of the best current real estate markets in the country. With its unique and picturesque destinations and a list of culturally artistic locations to visit, Scottsdale’s tourism industry has enjoyed a major boost in the last few years and shows no signs of slowing.

Scottsdale is extremely fruitful in terms of investment opportunities as well. So, if you’re looking for a home in a lively, vibrant, and economically stable city, Scottsdale is certainly worth consideration.