Should You Still Buy a Home in Scottsdale With Rates Over 7%?

Mortgage rates going above 7.5% with a home in Scottsdale in the background with a calculator on the bottom

Quick Answer

Mortgage rates jumped past 7.5% at the end of September 2026, the highest level since April 2024. That raises monthly payments and shrinks buying power. But more homes are for sale and fewer buyers are shopping, so prepared Scottsdale home buyers may find better deals. The key is building a budget that works even if rates move.

If you've been watching mortgage rates lately, you might feel a little like you're checking the temperature in Phoenix in July. You already know it's going to be high. You just don't know how high.

I get a lot of texts that start with "Judy, did you see rates today?" Yes, I did. And I want to walk you through what's going on in plain English,…

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What Can You Negotiate When Buying a Scottsdale Home?

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Quick Answer: In 2025, 62.2% of buyers nationwide paid below the list price, and the typical buyer who did saved $31,592.  Price is only part of a Scottsdale home negotiation. You can also ask for a seller concession (money the seller credits you at closing to help cover your closing costs, the fees you pay to finalize your loan), a mortgage rate buydown, repair credits after inspection, and a flexible closing date. Buyers who look at the whole deal, not just the sale price, usually end up with more value.

If you're getting ready to buy a home in Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Carefree, or North Phoenix, this is worth understanding before you write an offer. Here's what's actually on the table.

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Cartoon of white Scottsdale homes for sale in 2026

Quick Answer: The best time to buy a home in Scottsdale in 2026 falls between November 1 and November 7, according to Realtor.com. That week, the Phoenix metro area, which includes Scottsdale, sees about 16.4% more active listings than a typical week. Listing views per property drop nearly 39.1% from their yearly peak, so fewer people are competing for each home. Right now, the median listing price in Scottsdale sits around $916,000, and homes take about 80 days to sell.

When Is the Best Week to Buy a Home in Scottsdale in 2026?

Scottsdale buyers get their best shot the first week of November, not late September like most of the country. Realtor.com studied eight years of housing data across the 50 largest U.S. metro areas and picked a "best…

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Apples, almonds, a clip and September spelled out on wood squares 

September is here, and this month’s newsletter has a little bit of everything - from the never-ending surprises (and expenses!) of homeownership to fun things to see and do around town. I’ll share what Americans continue to see as one of the best long-term investments, catch you up on what’s happening in Scottsdale, and wrap things up with a rather unusual question: Who’s the smelliest? Trust me, you’ll want to see what ChatGPT has to say about that one!

Here's the September lineup:
One Thing After Another
September Sights
Americans Say This is the Best Long-Term Investment
The Scottsdale Scoop
Who's the Smelliest?

One Thing After Another

About two months ago, we discovered that one of our split HVAC units wasn't working in the basement. It…

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