Luxury Land
What to know before you buy or sell in the luxury land segment of the Scottsdale market.
Buying land is a due diligence exercise, not a shopping exercise, and the four questions that decide whether a lot is worth its price are utilities, access, buildable envelope and approval timeline. A beautiful parcel with no water service, a shared easement dispute or a slope that pushes the build pad into a wash is not a bargain at any price. Shawn Shackelton works land purchases with the architect and civil engineer involved before the inspection period closes, not after.
What do I need to verify before buying land?
Water and how it arrives, meaning municipal service, a private well or a shared well with an agreement you will inherit. Wastewater, meaning sewer availability or septic feasibility confirmed by a percolation test. Power, gas and communications service points and the cost to extend them. Legal and physical access, including any easement across a neighboring parcel. Zoning and the buildable envelope after setbacks, slope restrictions, native plant protections and any hillside ordinance. Flood zone and wash locations. And the actual municipal approval timeline, which in hillside areas is measured in many months.
How much does it cost to build in North Scottsdale?
Custom construction cost per square foot varies widely by finish level, site difficulty and the current subcontractor market, and any number quoted without a specific plan and site is guesswork. The reliable approach is to get a builder's budget against a real schematic design for your specific lot. Site work on a hillside parcel can add a meaningful share of total cost before the foundation is poured.
Is land a good investment in the Scottsdale area?
Land carries no income and full carrying cost, so the case for it is either a personal build or a long horizon. Well positioned view parcels in constrained areas have historically held value, but liquidity is thinner than for improved homes and financing is harder. Treat it as a build decision first and an investment second.
Other property types
Luxury Land questions answered
Can I get a loan to buy land in Arizona?
Yes, but terms are stricter than for a home. Lot loans typically require larger down payments, carry shorter terms and higher rates, and construction to permanent financing is a separate product with its own approval process. Line up the lender before you write the offer.
What is a percolation test and do I need one?
A percolation test measures how quickly soil absorbs water and determines whether a conventional septic system is feasible. If the parcel is not on municipal sewer, you need one during your inspection period, because a failed result can change the build cost substantially.
How long does it take to get a custom home approved?
It varies by municipality and by site complexity, and hillside parcels take considerably longer than flat ones. Budget many months from design start to permit, and confirm the current review timeline with the specific jurisdiction rather than relying on a general figure.
Let's connect
Tell me what you are trying to accomplish and by when. I will reply personally, usually the same business day.
This form prepares an email draft. Send it from your email app to deliver your inquiry, or call 480.734.7277.