Desert Highlands

Desert Highlands is a foundational luxury community in North Scottsdale, known for establishing the standard for desert-integrated residential living. This exclusive, guard-gated enclave sits at the base of Pinnacle Peak and offers a private, secure environment for its residents. The architecture here prioritizes a low-profile aesthetic that complements the natural granite boulders and native Sonoran flora.

Desert Highlands Market Update

Before diving into the community-wide numbers below, know that we also track these same stats broken down further — by home type (Custom Estates, Hillside Villas and The Heights) and by renovation status (price per square foot for redesigned, remodeled and unremodeled homes) for this same nine-month period. If you’d like that detail for your specific home type or situation, please contact us directly.

Desert Highlands carried strong momentum through the first three quarters of 2026! We saw 31 home sales year-to-date — up from 20 during the same period last year, a 55% increase. The average sales price rose about 5%, showing demand for our community remains healthy.

The average price per square foot slipped about 3%, continuing a trend we’ve flagged throughout the year: a larger share of this year’s sales have been un-remodeled homes — 52% year-to-date, up from 40% at this point last year. Inventory also tightened to 7 active listings, down from 11 a year ago, so well-prepared homes have less competition on the shelf.

Average days on market actually improved versus last year, dropping from 151 to 118 days. As we’ve noted before, a handful of individual listings — four of them this year — sat well over 300 days before going under contract and pull that average up. Set those outliers aside, and the typical Desert Highlands home is selling in about 84 days, virtually identical to a year ago. Well-priced, well-prepared homes continue to move quickly.

Remodeling remains one of the smartest ways to boost both appeal and value in our luxury desert setting. If you’re thinking about a refresh or wondering how to best position your home for a future sale, we’d love to help — whether that’s a custom market analysis, a renovation budget review, or just a conversation about where things stand.

The Golf Experience

The community is anchored by the Desert Highlands Golf Club, which features a par-72 course designed by Jack Nicklaus. This course was the original site of the first two Skins Games and is recognized for its dramatic elevation changes and desert-target layout.

• Putting Course and Tennis: Beyond the championship course, Desert Highlands features an 18-hole Gary Panks-designed grass putting course. The racquet club is equally prestigious, offering grass, clay and hard court surfaces to its members.

• Clubhouse Amenities: The clubhouse serves as the social heart of the community, providing sophisticated dining, a fitness center and views of the surrounding valley and city lights.

Local Amenities and Accessibility

Residents benefit from a secluded location that remains minutes from the top-tier services of North Scottsdale.

• Shopping and Grocers: The community is situated near AJ’s Fine Foods at Pinnacle Peak and Pima, providing easy access to high-end provisions and a curated wine selection.

• Nearby Dining: High-caliber dining options like Spiga Southern Italian and Sassi are located just outside the gates, offering refined Mediterranean and Italian cuisine.

Why Julie and Jeff for Desert Highlands

As residents of Desert Highlands, Julie and Jeff work with buyers and sellers across Desert Highlands regularly, and know how much membership status and club fit affect value here. If you’re weighing a purchase in this community, they can walk you through what’s currently available, including listings that haven’t hit the open market.

Buying in Desert Highlands: Two Things to Read First

Two questions come up on almost every showing here, and both change the math on a purchase. We’ve answered each in full on its own page.

• Desert Highlands Golf Club Membership: A golf membership is mandatory with every home purchase here, and it’s paid at close of escrow. What it costs, what the dues cover, what happens to it when you sell, and why there are no separate HOA fees.
• Homes and Price Tiers: Custom Estates, Hillside Villas and The Heights compared side by side. Typical size, lot, closed price ranges over the last 12 months, and what actually moves value between two homes of the same square footage.

For current sales, average price and days on market, see the Desert Highlands Market Update, refreshed every quarter. Curious what’s currently available in Desert Highlands? See the Private Listings or explore current listings below.

Education and Nature

The educational landscape and outdoor access are primary draws for residents who value a quiet, sophisticated lifestyle.

• Schools: Desert Highlands is served by the Scottsdale Unified School District. For those seeking private alternatives, the community is conveniently located near Notre Dame Preparatory High School.

• Pinnacle Peak Park: Residents have immediate proximity to Pinnacle Peak Park, which features a moderate 3.5-mile trail with some of the most iconic views in the region.

Also Exploring Nearby Communities

See Troon, Estancia and Pinnacle Peak.

Social Proof

See what past clients have to say on our Testimonials Page