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This week’s market brief highlights the dynamic growth and evolving sophistication of Arizona’s premier masterplanned communities.
The Phoenix metropolitan area recorded 5,470 new home closings in the first half of 2025, with the median new home price reaching $545,000—a 4.2% year-over-year gain, even amid higher interest rates.
Scottsdale’s new luxury enclaves are embracing advanced home automation and ESG-ready features, while Queen Creek and Buckeye set new benchmarks in growth and multigenerational planning. Arizona’s competitive property tax regime remains a cornerstone for wealth management and legacy transfer strategies.
Local ordinances and state legislation increasingly prioritize sustainability, water stewardship, and green building standards, providing resilience against market volatility and enhancing long-term asset value.
Across the region, smart-city innovation and regulatory clarity support a secure, future-proof investment landscape for private clients and family offices.
The Phoenix metropolitan area recorded 5,470 new home closings in masterplanned communities during the first half of 2025, with communities like Eastmark, Vistancia, and Verrado continuing to attract strong buyer interest. According to recent ARMLS data, the median new home price in Greater Phoenix rose to $545,000 in May 2025, a 4.2% year-over-year increase, reflecting ongoing demand despite higher interest rates. Wealth management strategies now emphasize allocation in high-amenity, masterplanned environments for both value appreciation and legacy transfer. Arizona's property tax regime remains competitive, especially for primary residents and retirees. Local ordinances increasingly require communities to adopt water efficiency and renewable energy features, boosting long-term asset resilience and aligning with ESG investment preferences.
Scottsdale continues to draw affluent buyers to masterplanned communities such as Storyrock, Silverstone, and Sereno Canyon, with 2025 Q2 permit activity up 7% compared to the prior year, per Scottsdale city data. New projects integrate advanced home automation, EV-ready infrastructure, and reclaimed water irrigation as standard. For UHNWIs, these features add value by supporting ESG mandates and enabling favorable insurance underwriting. Recent state tax legislation maintains low effective rates on real property, while the city’s zoning updates further incentivize green building certifications. Future-proofing value is enhanced as buyers prioritize smart connectivity and regulatory alignment.
Queen Creek experienced a 12% increase in new construction starts year-over-year as of June 2025, with prominent masterplans like Barney Farms and Queen Creek Station expanding. Local government reports show a focus on water rights adjudication and infrastructure upgrades, both critical for long-term market stability. Wealth advisors note that family office clients are targeting Queen Creek for its growth trajectory and land value appreciation. Local tax incentives for primary residences remain favorable, while the community’s adoption of drought-tolerant landscaping supports sustainability objectives and future value resilience. Legislative clarity on groundwater use continues to be monitored.
Buckeye issued 1,710 single-family permits in the past 12 months, more than any other West Valley municipality. New masterplanned communities such as Tartesso and Verrado South are setting benchmarks in scale and amenities, with walkable commercial districts and school partnerships. For estate planning, the availability of larger homesites in Buckeye supports multi-generational strategies. Arizona’s favorable property tax framework is accentuated by Buckeye’s relatively lower assessed valuations. Regulatory focus remains on transportation and floodplain management, while future-proofing is enhanced through extensive green space and solar-ready homes. Sustainability is integral to the city’s 2024 general plan update.
Fountain Hills maintains a low-density development pattern with high per capita open space, recently reaffirmed in its 2025 master plan. New communities such as Adero Canyon and Firerock continue to attract buyers seeking exclusivity and views, with inventory absorption up 8% since January. Wealth preservation is bolstered by the community’s restrictive short-term rental ordinances and design guidelines. Local property taxes are among the lowest in Maricopa County, supporting long-term holding strategies. Regulatory frameworks emphasize hillside conservation and water resource management, increasing confidence in future stability. Smart irrigation systems and native landscaping further reinforce sustainability credentials.
Goodyear’s 2025 economic development report highlights robust absorption in masterplanned communities such as Estrella and PebbleCreek, driven in part by Fortune 500 relocations and new logistics facilities. Homebuilder confidence is reflected in a 9% increase in active subdivision filings year-to-date. Private wealth managers note that Goodyear’s workforce inflow supports rental and resale values, while Arizona’s state tax code allows for property tax predictability. Regulatory updates focus on water stewardship agreements with the Salt River Project, which enhances long-term value resilience. Smart community initiatives include fiber internet and energy-efficient infrastructure.
Eastmark and Cadence, two of Mesa’s premier masterplanned communities, collectively closed over 1,100 homes in the past 12 months, according to ARMLS and developer reports. New amenities, including co-working hubs and STEM-focused charter schools, appeal to high-income families and remote executives. Mesa’s municipal tax incentives and utility rate stability are attractive for estate and investment planning. Regulatory reforms streamline permitting for high-performance building designs, while resilience planning ensures robust infrastructure for future demand. Solar orientation and LEED-based standards are common, supporting sustainability goals and long-term asset protection.
Paradise Valley’s masterplanned enclaves, including the recently expanded Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley, report record median prices exceeding $3.2 million as of Q2 2025. Inventory remains constrained, with days-on-market dropping to 48, per local MLS data. High-net-worth buyers prioritize privacy covenants, private security, and enhanced energy standards. Arizona’s property tax model, coupled with Paradise Valley’s low municipal rate, remains a draw for wealth preservation. Recent regulatory ordinances address hillside protection and water use caps, further underpinning long-term value and appeal to ESG-conscious portfolios. Smart landscaping ordinances mandate native vegetation and efficient irrigation.
Casa Grande and Maricopa City are attracting both institutional investors and families with the launch of large-scale masterplans like Casa Vista and Rancho El Dorado. Yardi Matrix reports a 14% increase in build-to-rent units and a 6.5% median price growth over the past year. For wealth managers, these markets offer exposure to rental yield in fast-growing, lower-cost corridors. State tax incentives for new developments are leveraged by build-to-rent operators. Both cities maintain permissive zoning and emphasize infrastructure reliability, while community design guidelines promote desert-adaptive landscaping for future water security.
Masterplanned communities in Sedona and Prescott, such as Sedona Ranch and Deep Well Ranch, maintain strict density and open space requirements. Recent council minutes note a 20% allocation of new development acreage to natural preserve areas, which appeals to wealth clients seeking environmental alignment. Arizona’s unique property tax classification for conservation easements applies in select projects, presenting potential estate planning advantages. Local regulations continue to prioritize fire safety and water conservation, ensuring that new developments are positioned for long-term resilience. Sustainable infrastructure, including community solar and reclaimed water, is standard in new masterplans.
Sun City and Sun City West remain Arizona’s top active adult masterplanned communities, with occupancy rates above 97% and annual resales consistently outpacing new inventory. Census Bureau and city data indicate that over 30% of residents rely on income streams structured for tax efficiency, such as Roth IRAs and municipal bonds. These communities benefit from senior-friendly property tax exemptions and ongoing state-level regulatory support for age-restricted housing. Future-proofing is achieved through robust health infrastructure and smart mobility initiatives, including autonomous shuttle pilots and telehealth partnerships. Sustainability upgrades, such as solar community centers, are ongoing.
Payson and Show Low are experiencing a surge in demand for gated, masterplanned mountain communities, with average sales up 11% year-over-year. The BLS notes a strong influx of remote workers seeking second homes with climate resilience features. Wealth management advisers highlight the role of these assets in diversified portfolios and generational planning. State tax advantages are present, especially for primary resident status. Local authorities maintain strict wildfire mitigation and water allocation policies to safeguard long-term value, while new developments implement microgrid and well-monitoring technologies for sustainability.
Scottsdale is emerging as a quietly effective case study in how smart city financing can directly benefit private wealth holders.
Scottsdale is redefining location value through its emerging network of smart districts—urban zones enabled by real-time data, IoT systems, and
Thank you for joining this week’s masterplanned community market update.
Arizona’s evolving landscape continues to offer rare opportunities for growth, wealth preservation, and sustainable living.
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Nice to meet you! I’m Katrina Golikova, and I believe you landed here for a reason. I help my clients to reach their real estate goals through thriving creative solutions and love to share my knowledge—giving lots of freebies along the way.
See You Soon,
Katrina
You can listen right now to current news
You can listen to all AZique real estate news and insights on Spotify or any other preferred platform of yours: YouTube, Amazon, Audible, Apple Podcast. Daily Arizona real estate market pulse – straight from Sonoran Desert to you where ever you are!
Always fresh, smart, data-driven from Sonoran Desert straight to your mailbox
Click here to explore current mortgage rates. Rates may vary based on credit score, loan type, and lender policies. For the most accurate estimate, consult with a lender.
Realty One Group
Katrina Golikova
Real Estate Professional
License ID: SA696603000
17550 N Perimeter Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
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