Second homes: Rain, rain stays away almost every day in Scottsdale, Ariz.
— -- Scottsdale has a lot to offer the second-home owner, but much of the appeal can be summed up in one word: sunshine. That is the forecast for as many as 330 days each year, coupled with famously low humidity — which, combined with easy air access, attracts buyers from all over the country. "Everyone is escaping winter somewhere," notes real estate agent Terry Ray, owner of the Ray Group.
The natural beauty of the mountainous Sonoran desert offers a wealth of outdoor activities. Biking, hiking and especially golf are very popular here. Less strenuous activities include a vast array of spas, abundant shopping and dining, and a high concentration of cultural activities, art galleries and an extensive charity event circuit.
The city flaunts its resort lifestyle to the extent that "if you see someone wearing a tie in Scottsdale, you know they're an attorney," says Ray. One local restaurant, the Pinnacle Peak Patio, famously cuts off guests' ties and nails them to the ceiling.
Along with Tempe to the south, Scottsdale is part of Phoenix's sprawling East Valley, famed for its ample golf offerings (there are more than 50 courses in Scottsdale proper). While Phoenix has many older golf courses planted with wall-to-wall grass, Scottsdale is known as the birthplace of dramatic "desert golf," incorporating cactuses, ravines, rock and elevation changes of more than 2,000 feet.
Because there are so many communities aimed at second-home buyers, and due to the current market conditions, some local developers are offering dramatic incentives. For example, Encanterra, a golf community east of Scottsdale, is offering rebates, such as $155,000 off of a $483,000 new home. Property taxes in the area are also low.
More urban South Scottsdale attracts the non-golfers. This includes the pedestrian-friendly Old Town, filled with art galleries and shops emphasizing Southwestern culture. In recent years, there has been a proliferation of condos here for buyers more concerned with nightlife, arts and dining than living on a course. North of Scottsdale, much of the land is protected wilderness.
