Scottsdale is a vibrant growing city with long geographic borders of approximately 20 miles north to south and 8-9 miles east to west. The population is complemented with many tourists and snowbirds who also maintain a second or third home here. Scottsdale Az homes for sale can range from $300,000 to millions however there are many great homes in great locations available in the $400,000 to $1 million range.

 

Among the questions I ask clients, outside of work or school considerations which will play a role in some homeowners decisions on where to live, is do you prefer the desert lifestyle or the lush green tropical look? 

The desert lifestyle is more prevalent in parts of Paradise Valley and areas north of the highway 101 in Scottsdale and to the east along the Shea Road corridor going into Fountain Hills.

Carefree Arizona homes for sale are mostly embracing the desert lifestyle and the landscaping often employs Xeriscape water conservation principles.

 

For the areas that are green and where grass is more common I suggest looking at the Biltmore area (24^th and Camelback) in North Phoenix and then continue going east on Camelback Road which will encompass north Phoenix real estate with the Arcadia area on the south side and homes on Camelback Mountain to the north side including the Royal Palms and Phoenician Hotel area. In the Arcadia area homes are typically priced from $700,000 to $2 million and higher. This is a great central location and tends to attract residents who appreciate the location and often times they live and work full time in the Valley.

 

On the north or back side of Camelback Mountain is Paradise Valley and this is a wonderful centrally located small town with appx 15,000 population. Paradise Valley real estate is unique in that it commands a significant investment to live there. In Paradise Valley homes generally start at $1 million and go to $15-20 million on the high side. The bulk of homes are more in the $2- 4 million range  with the median home price being $1.62 million. This is a tony address and is known as such throughout the country. It is not uncommon to have celebrities, sports figures, writers and heads of corporations as your neighbor. Paradise Valley is an address that speaks of affluence and those that enjoy and can afford the best.

 

Continuing east on Camelback Road once you get to Scottsdale Road you are at the Fashion Square Mall which is middle and high end retailers. To the immediate south on Scottsdale Road is Old Town Scottsdale which encompasses loft style living along with single family homes. This area is popular with those who appreciate the ability to walk to over 100 great restaurants and nightlife and is the original downtown Scottsdale which now houses many art galleries and boutiques along with upscale hotels such as the Mondrian, the W and the Valley Ho.

 

If you continue north along Scottsdale Road you will pass many enclaves that are home to snowbirds and full time residents. A bit further north you will come to Gainey Ranch which is a community built in the 70’s and 80’s on the site of the original Gainey Ranch.

Along with its great central location Gainey Ranch real estate is sought for its high security guard gated communities, desired by many second home owners, its great golf courses and impeccable palm tree lined entrance and lush landscaping. Gainey Ranch homes and townhomes which are in the $400,000 to $2 million range with many Gainey Ranch homes in the $500,000 to $1 million range.

 

If you continue north on Scottsdale Road you will encounter the Kierland area 1-1/2 miles north of Gainey Ranch. The Kierland area is marked by great upscale shopping, restaurants and its Scottish style golf course. Kierland homes typically range from $400,000 to $8-900,000 with some lofts overlooking the shopping area going for much higher amounts. Most of the Kierland area is green and landscaped with a more non desert look.

 

If you were to go parallel to Scottsdale Road on Hayden Road ( another major n/s road in Scottsdale) you would encounter McCormick Ranch and other great greenbelt subdivisions that have lock and leave patio homes and single family homes. McCormick Ranch real estate is valued for its central Scottsdale location and access to the greenbelt hiking and biking trails along with its own golf course. McCormick Ranch homes are often 15- 30 years in age having been developed in that time frame.

 

If you were to continue a bit further north, say 1 mile you would then encounter the Highway-Loop 101 which once we go north of you will more typically see desert lifestyle living/landscaping. This area is often referred to as North Scottsdale. North Scottsdale homes are located where much of the new growth in Scottsdale has occurred.

 

Before heading north if we were to take Shea Road east of highway 101 we would after appx 7 miles enter the town of Fountain Hills. Before reaching Fountain Hills we would encounter Ancala a guard gated golf course community located a little north of Shea Road and near Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. Ancala homes for sale are generally in the $700,000 to $1.4 million range. Some Ancala real estate can go in the $2 - 4 million range, especially the custom homes on the mountain side.

 

Directly east of Ancala is Scottsdale Mountain Ranch. Scottsdale Mountain Ranch real estate is priced similar to Ancala but does not have a golf course per se however the custom home sites on the mountain base provide panoramic city lights views of North Scottsdale and Camelback Mountain.

 

Fountain Hills real estate affords some of the best views in the Valley with sweeping panoramas of the mountains east which in winter actually have snow capped peaks. Fountain Hills homes run the gamut in taste and price with two premier guard gated golf course communities recently developed affording homes in the million dollar plus range. Much of Fountain Hills Az homes for sale employs desert style landscaping with most of the greenery being the golf courses.

 

North of the Highway 101 loop we will see start seeing more of the desert landscaping which is the norm, with any green being the golf courses or an individual home’s lawn.

 

Among the great communities north of the Scottsdale Loop101 are:

 

 

Many of these communities can be viewed by clicking the videos on my community videos page 
 

 

DC Ranch homes for sale run from $300,000 for a condo style unit to several million dollars for a country club custom home. DC Ranch real estate has been a favorite with many families as it affords many family amenities including walking and biking trails, a great golf course and country club and self contained shopping and restaurants.

The more exclusive area of DC Ranch is Silverleaf which is guard gated and boasts a great golf course and one of the best country clubhouses in the country. Silverleaf real estate boasts many custom home sites with great views and close access to the local airport and highway 101. Silverleaf homes for sale are typically priced from the $1 million mark and go to $7,8,9 and even some are $10 million plus.

 

A bit south and east of DC Ranch nestled at the base of the McDowell Mountains is the master community of McDowell Mountain Ranch. McDowell Mountain Ranch real estate is sought for it close proximity to the Loop 101 and central Scottsdale location not to mention the great mountain or city light views many McDowell Mountain Ranch homes for sale have. McDowell Mountain Ranch homes are priced from $300,000 to $2 million with most homes being under $1 million.

 

Grayhawk is directly west of DC Ranch and north of McDowell Mountain Ranch and is one of the first North Scottsdale master developments. It comprises several sub communities among which several are guard gated.

The two 18 hole Grayhawk golf courses are the site of PGA tour events and are surrounded by Grayhawk homes that typically range from $800,000 - $1.5 million. Many of the Grayhawk homes are affordable and priced under $1 million.

 

Continuing north on Scottsdale Road or Pima Road you will encounter the North Scottsdale area referred to as Pinnacle Peak. Pinnacle Peak real estate is varied and consists of several other areas including Desert Highlands, Troon and even the Sincuidados and Whisper Rock communities. North Scottsdale real estate is well represented by these communities as most are designed with the desert lifestyle in mind.

 

Sincuidados is a guard gated community where most of the homes reflect the traditional territorial syle and large private lots. Sincuidados homes are genrally priced from $750,000 to $ 1.5 million. 

 

Among north Scottsdale real estate Whisper Rock stand out as one of the more elite North Scottsdale developments. Whisper Rock is a guard gated community located between Scottsdale and Pima Road and north of jjjjjj Road.

Whisper Rock was designed to attract affluent clientele and boasts a world class, private invitation only, male oriented golf course which is among one of the best in the area and often will be where pro golfers will be found practicing or playing socially. Whisper Rock homes are usually situated on 1 acre lots and are typically priced between $2 million and $5 million with some even higher.

 

North and slightly west of Whisper Rock is Terra Vita which boasts a guard gated community with its own members only golf course. Terravita homes range in price from $400,000 to   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and are ideal for low maintenance and lock and leave second homeowners. Homes are relatively close and lots are smaller yet they retain a sense of individuality. Tera Vita real estate, as has most North Scottsdale real estate,

undergone recent market price adjustments and provides a relatively modest price to allow home ownership in North Scottsdale.

 

To the east of Tera vitta lies the Winfield and Legend Trail communities.

 

 

Farthest north is Carefree, Arizona ( 11 – 13 miles north of the Loop 101 ) which backs on the north side to the Continental Mountains and after that nothing but rugged wilderness exists. Carefree real estate is sought for its tranquil setting, slow pace of life, great views and friendly fellow residents. Many of the Carefree Az homes for sale are maintained by retired affluent owners among which a high  percentage are second homes. Carefree homes range in price from $500,000 to multi million dollar homes that are architectural masterpieces.

 

Also located in Carefree, Arizona is The Boulders, an upscale guard gated 27 hole golf course community which boasts the world famous Golden Door Spa and The Boulders Resort. The Boulders real estate is secluded and enjoys great views of Black Mountain and the Valley from a distance. The Boulders home prices run $700,000 to $3 million with many homes priced from $800,000 to $1.5 million. Some townhomes are also available at reduced prices.

 

I focus on Scottsdale real estate and luxury homes in Carefree, North Phoenix, Paradise Valley and Fountain Hills, Arizona. If I can be of service please let me know.