Scottsdale · First-Time Buyers
First-Time Home Buyers in Scottsdale
Every step explained in plain language, from pre-approval to keys, by someone who answers before you have to ask.
Photo: Ray Redstone, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A first home in Scottsdale is possible, with the right plan
First-time home buyers in Scottsdale often assume the city is out of reach. Some of it is. But Scottsdale also has condos and townhomes, and communities at more accessible price points, and knowing where to look changes what’s possible.
Based on my recent market review, condos and townhomes in DC Ranch start around $465,000, and McDowell Mountain Ranch offers north Scottsdale living at more accessible prices than the golf communities farther north. Prices shift over time.
Ask me your first questions
Why first-time buyers work with me
I’m Valerie Moe, with Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living. With a first purchase, I explain each step before you take it, and I answer questions without making you feel rushed. Twenty years in real estate means I can tell you plainly when a home isn’t right.
Your first Scottsdale purchase, step by step
- Talk to a lender. A pre-approval shows what you can borrow. Ask your lender which programs and down payment options you may qualify for. See getting ready to buy.
- Know the full monthly cost. In Scottsdale, HOA dues can be a meaningful part of the payment, especially for condos and townhomes, so we factor them in from the start.
- Confirm the school district. Three districts serve Scottsdale, and the address decides which one.
- Offer, inspect, close. Earnest money is typically up to 3% for most of my buyers, held by the title company, and the inspection period is usually 10 days.
Scottsdale trade-offs for a first home
A condo or townhome in a walkable community like DC Ranch puts shopping and dining close by, with HOA dues that cover shared areas. A single-family home in a community like McDowell Mountain Ranch gives you a yard and the park nearby. Older neighborhoods in the south put Old Town close at hand. We compare them on what matters to you.
Start with questions
Read my guide for first-time buyers or explore Scottsdale neighborhoods. When you have questions, contact me, or return to the home page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a first-time buyer afford Scottsdale?
Often, with the right target. Condos and townhomes, and communities like McDowell Mountain Ranch, offer more accessible price points than north Scottsdale’s golf communities.
Do HOA dues matter for a first home in Scottsdale?
Yes. They can be a meaningful part of the monthly cost, especially for condos and townhomes, so we include them in your budget from the start.
How much earnest money will I need?
For most of my buyers it’s typically up to 3% of the price, negotiated case by case and held by the title company.
Scottsdale
What first-time buyers looks like in Scottsdale
Golf and desert communities in the north, older neighborhoods to the south, and everything in between.
Scottsdale runs from golf and desert communities in the north to older neighborhoods near Old Town in the south.
- Schools people ask about
- Three districts serve different parts of Scottsdale: Scottsdale Unified, Paradise Valley Unified and Cave Creek Unified.
- Getting around
- Loop 101 (the Pima Freeway) is the main north-south freeway; Scottsdale Road and Pima Road are the main surface roads.
- Nearby
- Old Town Scottsdale and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve trail system.
- The trade-off
- North Scottsdale offers newer golf and desert communities; the south has older neighborhoods closer to Old Town.
Free guide
Your First Home, Step by Step
What happens from pre-approval to keys, what it costs, and the questions to ask at every step.
First-Time Buyers: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Valerie Moe?