Scottsdale real-estate glossary

A community legally permitted (under the federal Housing for Older Persons Act) to restrict residency to households with at least one occupant 55+. Examples in Scottsdale: Terravita and Trilogy at Encanterra.

In The Scottsdale Collaborative, the lead featured partner in a category — receives prominent placement on the category card, in editorial content, and inside the Buyer’s Guide PDF.

The HOA committee that approves exterior changes (paint color, landscaping, roof material). Master-planned Scottsdale communities have especially strict review boards; expect 30–90 days for approvals.

Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service — the primary MLS for Maricopa County listings. Most Scottsdale homes for sale flow through ARMLS before they appear on Zillow or Realtor.com.

A private-bank loan secured by your investment portfolio rather than a traditional W-2 income. Often saves 30–60 bps versus retail jumbo for liquid clients buying in Scottsdale.

Short-term interest-only financing used to buy a Scottsdale home before selling your current primary residence. Typical Scottsdale bridges run 8–11 months at higher rates than permanent financing.

Pre-paying mortgage interest at closing to lower the rate on the loan, either temporarily (2-1, 3-2-1) or permanently. Negotiated in the offer when interest rates are elevated.

A detached guest house, common on Scottsdale luxury lots. Often used as a home office, in-law suite, or short-term-rental income unit (verify the HOA permits STRs first).

Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions — the recorded rules governing what an HOA can require of its homeowners. Always read before writing an offer; CC&Rs cover everything from rental restrictions to roof color.

The combined fees due at closing on top of the purchase price: title, escrow, lender fees, appraisal, HOA transfer, prorated taxes. Allow 1.5–3% of purchase price for a Scottsdale closing.

An ARMLS status that lets a listing be advertised but not yet shown for up to 7 days. Used to build pre-MLS buzz; serious Scottsdale buyers should have an agent monitoring this status.

A 4,400-acre master-planned community in north Scottsdale, anchored by the private DC Ranch Country Club. Known for its village-style layout, Country Club at DC Ranch, and acres of preserved Sonoran Desert.

A 13-square-mile master-planned community in north Scottsdale famous for its seven Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses. One of the largest equity-membership clubs in Arizona.

The good-faith deposit a buyer puts up after offer acceptance, typically 1–3% of purchase price in Scottsdale. Refundable per contingencies in the AAR contract.

A golf-club membership in which the initiation fee is partially refundable when you resign (subject to a wait-list). Examples: Desert Mountain, DC Ranch Country Club.

The neutral third party (typically a title company in Arizona) that holds funds and documents from contract acceptance through closing.

A 640-acre, members-only community in north Scottsdale built around a Tom Fazio golf course. One of the most private and exclusive clubs in Arizona.

A 1,600-acre master-planned community in north Scottsdale featuring two semi-private golf courses (Talon and Raptor). Popular with families due to A+ Pinnacle High School zoning.

A required document set delivered to the buyer during escrow, containing the CC&Rs, current budget, reserve study, recent meeting minutes, and any pending special assessments.

The one-time fee to join a private golf club. Scottsdale range in 2026: roughly $50K (Pinnacle Peak CC) to $250K+ (Silverleaf, Estancia).

A mortgage exceeding the conforming loan limit (~$766K in Maricopa County 2026). The majority of Scottsdale luxury purchases are jumbo or super-jumbo (>$2M).

The window during which your lender guarantees the quoted mortgage rate. Standard locks are 30–60 days; longer locks (90–120 days) cost more in fees or rate.

A large-scale, comprehensively designed community with shared amenities, architectural standards, and a unifying HOA. Scottsdale has 14+ true master-planned communities.

The mountain range rising along the eastern edge of Scottsdale. Many premium communities (DC Ranch, Silverleaf, Troon North) are built into the McDowell foothills.

Special-district financing used to pay for community infrastructure, paid annually as a tax-line item. Arizona uses Community Facilities Districts in some newer Scottsdale developments.

A Non-Qualified Mortgage — a loan that doesn’t meet the federal QM rule, used for borrowers with bank-statement or asset-depletion qualification. Common for Scottsdale self-employed and snowbird buyers.

A property being marketed privately rather than listed on the MLS. Top-tier Scottsdale buyers source 30–40% of their deals off-market via agent networks.

A pool finish made of small aggregate pebbles bonded to plaster. The Scottsdale standard for luxury pools; durable and lower maintenance than traditional plaster.

A lender-issued letter stating the maximum loan amount you qualify for based on a credit-pull and document review. Required to accompany an offer on most Scottsdale luxury homes.

Maricopa County effective property tax averages 0.51%–0.66% of assessed value — about half California’s rate and a third of Texas’s. On a $2M Scottsdale home, expect roughly $11K/year.

An open-sided shade structure in a backyard, common on Scottsdale luxury lots. Often built with stone columns, exposed wood beams, and an outdoor kitchen.

Becoming an Arizona tax resident requires more than half the year in-state plus documented intent (driver’s license, voter registration, primary doctor, banking address in AZ).

The iconic columnar cactus of the Sonoran Desert. Mature saguaros (50+ years) are protected by Scottsdale ordinance; relocation requires a permit and runs $1,500–$5,000+ per cactus.

A 1,200-acre ultra-luxury enclave within DC Ranch, built into the McDowell Mountains. Home to Silverleaf Club, a top-five Arizona equity club with $250K+ initiation.

A part-time Scottsdale resident who lives here during winter months (typically Nov–Apr) and elsewhere in summer. The single largest demographic segment for Scottsdale second homes.

The North American desert ecosystem covering southern Arizona, southeastern California, and parts of Mexico. Defines Scottsdale’s landscape: saguaro cactus, ocotillo, ironwood, and dramatic monsoon storms.

A current member writing a letter of recommendation required for application to a closed-membership Scottsdale club (Silverleaf, Estancia, some Desert Mountain memberships).

A desert-golf design philosophy where fairways are carved through native desert terrain rather than wall-to-wall turf. Defining style of Scottsdale courses like Troon North and Desert Mountain.

The Tournament Players Club hosting the WM Phoenix Open. The Stadium Course’s 16th hole is the loudest in golf.

A 36-hole semi-private golf community in north Scottsdale (Monument and Pinnacle courses). One of the original target-style desert courses, opened 1990.

A dry desert streambed that fills during monsoon storms. Many Scottsdale lots back to a wash; bordering one can be a view amenity but also requires elevation-certified construction.