Real Estate Investing in Scottsdale, Arizona (85250)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Maricopa County • Population: 14,904 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 85250 (Scottsdale, AZ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (38/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 17.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Scottsdale, AZ (85250)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $620,266
Avg Monthly Rent $2,554
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $88,608
% Renters 23.9%

Market Analysis: 85250 Scottsdale

ZIP 85250 inside Maricopa County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $620K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 85250 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Nearby ZIPs in Scottsdale have seen price recovery that 85250 has not matched. Maricopa County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

A healthy renter share of 24% in 85250 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

The 85250 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Scottsdale:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,554/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
64 days
Average time to sell
Slow
11.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 85250

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+12.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$207,464/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $257,982 $1,830 5.1% +7.4% $257,982
2BR $472,243 $2,130 3.2% +6.5% $236,122
3BR $668,432 $2,840 3.1% +8.2% $222,811
4BR $829,854 $3,150 2.7% +8.8% $207,464
5BR $1,477,938 +12.5% $295,588

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$685K$576K$468K$359K$250K$142KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,806$2,452$2,097$1,743$1,388$1,034Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 85250 Compare?

Metric 85250 Scottsdale Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Arizona
Home Value $620,266 $860,406 N/A $419,643
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 4.7% N/A 6.5%
Avg Rent $2,554 $2,765 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 2.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 85250? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 85250 (Scottsdale, AZ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Maricopa County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Active Renter Property Management offers rental property management services in Phoenix, Arizona, including a 6-month tenant guarantee. summary from their website

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Arête Realty and Property Management, LLC offers property management services and real estate expertise in Glendale, Avondale, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Sun City, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, and Peori summary from their website

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Arizona Community Management Services offers a comprehensive suite of services for Association leaders, including board training, financial management, and covenants enforcement, with decades of exper summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $620,266
Monthly Rent $2,554
Price-to-Rent 20.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +13.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
17.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 85250

Population: 14,904

💰 Median Household Income
$88,608
This area
$88,608
State
$66,355
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.9%
This area
23.9%
State
28.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-23.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
53.5%
This area
53.5%
State
-1.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.7 years
This area
48.7 years
State
11.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.3%
This area
17.3%
State
19.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 83.2%
Other/Mixed 10.9%
Hispanic/Latino 4.5%
Asian 4.0%
Black/African American 2.0%
👶 Under 18
10.2%
This area
10.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.3%
This area
27.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 85250

B Avg School Grade
5 Schools
12.8:1 Avg Class Size
$64,809 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Mohave Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
798 Students
👨‍🏫
6.5:1 Class Size
💰
$12,713 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Pueblo Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
418 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$12,713 Per Student
B Good

EVIT - Saguaro High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$268,451 Per Student
B Good

Noah Webster Schools-Pima

📚 K – 06 School Charter Limited Data
👥
257 Students
💰
$17,454 Per Student
C+ Average

Saguaro High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,423 Students
👨‍🏫
19.0:1 Class Size
💰
$12,713 Per Student

Nearby Schools (3 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B+ Above Average

Laguna Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 10475 E LAKEVIEW DR, SCOTTSDALE
👥
363 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$12,713 Per Student
B Good

Cochise Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 9451 N 84TH ST, SCOTTSDALE
👥
642 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$12,713 Per Student
C+ Average

Great Hearts Academies - Cicero Prep

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter Limited Data
📍 7205 N PIMA RD, SCOTTSDALE
👥
492 Students
💰
$11,254 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 2,983 Off-Campus Students
C
Scottsdale Community College
6,875 students · 1.3 mi
C
The School of Architecture
6 students · 1.6 mi
D
Phoenix Seminary
312 students · 3.8 mi
C
Arizona Culinary Institute
157 students · 4.9 mi
C
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
66,062 students · 5.0 mi
C
Penrose Academy
390 students · 5.8 mi
D
Bryan University
2,108 students · 7.1 mi
C+
Xtylo Beauty College
35 students · 7.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,983 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do landlords charge for rent in Scottsdale, AZ?

Rents in Scottsdale, AZ run near $2,554/mo. Compared with median home prices of $620K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What is the median home value in Scottsdale, AZ?

In Scottsdale, AZ the median home value sits at $620K. Against the broader AZ market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Is Scottsdale in AZ worth investing in?

Scottsdale, AZ reports an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $620K and average rents around $2,554/mo. That combination puts it in the durable tier for investor interest.

How high is vacancy risk in Scottsdale, AZ?

Rental vacancy in Scottsdale, AZ is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What investment strategy works best in Scottsdale, AZ?

For Scottsdale, AZ, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

You know 85250 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 85250 ranks in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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