Scottsdale VA loans

Mike Certo · Cornerstone First Mortgage · NMLS #260555 · Updated May 30, 2026

Scottsdale is one of Arizona's premium markets, with destination shopping, golf, mountain views, and top restaurants. For VA buyers, Scottsdale often means VA jumbo financing above the $832,750 conforming limit. Many of the Veterans we work with here are retired senior officers, defense professionals, or Veterans moving into high-income civilian careers. You can buy with $0 down on full entitlement, even on a jumbo purchase.

Scottsdale basics

Median home price 2026: ~$925,000 (varies $500K South Scottsdale to $5M+ Paradise Valley fringe)
2026 VA loan limit: $832,750 baseline (jumbo available to $4M+ with full entitlement)
Maricopa County property tax effective rate: 0.51%
Average insurance: $1,500-$2,500/year (higher value homes)
HB 2792 disabled Veteran exemption: Fully applicable

Scottsdale areas for VA buyers

South Scottsdale (~$500K-$900K)

Older 1980s-90s neighborhoods + condo conversions
Walkable to Scottsdale Downtown, ASU Tempe
Most accessible price for VA buyers
Old Town Scottsdale, Papago Buttes, Scottsdale Ranch

Central Scottsdale (~$700K-$1.5M)

Mature communities, mid-century to 2000s construction
Strong family + retirement appeal
Gainey Ranch, McCormick Ranch, Pinnacle Peak

North Scottsdale (~$1M-$5M+)

Premium luxury, golf-oriented
DC Ranch, Troon, Desert Mountain, Estancia
Mostly jumbo VA territory

Paradise Valley fringe (technically separate)

Ultra-high-end, $2M+ typical
Limited VA inventory

Scottsdale-specific advantages

Premium amenities: Golf, dining, shopping, healthcare
Strong long-term appreciation: Historically outperforms the Arizona average
Top private schools plus good public schools (Scottsdale Unified)
VA jumbo capacity: Cornerstone can finance up to $4M VA with full entitlement
Active retiring senior-officer community

Scottsdale-specific challenges

High insurance on luxury homes
HOA and CFD fees in many premium communities, which can add $300 to $1,000 per month
Premium pricing that limits the VA buyer pool to higher-rank retired Veterans or dual-income families
Some land-lease and complex ownership structures in select Scottsdale communities

VA jumbo in Scottsdale: how it works

With full entitlement, you can finance $0 down on a Scottsdale home well above the $832,750 conforming limit. Here is the path:

Verify your entitlement is fully restored (no prior unpaid VA loans).
The lender and VA approve the jumbo amount.
The funding fee applies to the entire loan amount. First use with no down payment is 2.15%, and it is waived at a 10% or higher service-connected disability rating.
Pricing on a VA jumbo runs a little higher than a standard VA loan. For your specific number, get your custom rate quote →

Mike has placed VA jumbo loans on Scottsdale homes up to $3.4M. The deals are real, they just take a specific lender pool.

Scottsdale neighborhoods and ZIP codes

Scottsdale runs roughly 30 miles south to north, so the ZIP code shapes both price and the kind of VA financing that fits. Use this as a quick map before you start touring.

85251, 85257 (South Scottsdale and Old Town): The most VA-friendly prices. Many homes here sit under the $832,750 conforming limit, so a standard $0-down VA loan often works without going jumbo.
85258, 85260 (Central, Gainey Ranch and McCormick Ranch): Mature golf and lake communities, frequently in jumbo territory.
85255, 85262 (North Scottsdale, DC Ranch, Troon, Desert Mountain): Almost always VA jumbo, with HOA and community facilities district (CFD) fees to budget for.
85266, 85259 (far North and the Pinnacle Peak corridor): Larger lots, custom homes, jumbo VA with full entitlement.

Commute to Luke Air Force Base from Scottsdale

Luke Air Force Base sits in Glendale on Scottsdale's far west side. From South Scottsdale the drive runs about 30 to 40 miles via Loop 101, roughly 45 to 60 minutes in normal traffic, and longer from North Scottsdale. If you are reporting to Luke and want a shorter commute, compare these neighborhoods against options on our Luke AFB VA loan page before you commit to a Scottsdale ZIP.

Scottsdale property tax, HOA, and CFD notes

Maricopa County keeps an effective property tax rate near 0.51%, which is low for the home values here. The bigger monthly line items in Scottsdale are HOA dues and, in several North Scottsdale master-planned communities, a community facilities district (CFD) tax that funds local infrastructure. Together those can add $300 to $1,000 per month, so we factor them into your debt-to-income and residual-income math from the start. Residual income is the VA's number one underwriting factor, and Scottsdale's carrying costs make it matter even more.

If you carry a service-connected disability rating, Arizona's HB 2792 can lower your property tax. A 100% service-connected rating qualifies for a full primary-residence exemption; a partial rating is prorated (about $4,873 for tax year 2026). You apply with Form 82514 (plus 82514B for the disability certification) at the Maricopa County Assessor, from the first Monday in January through the last business day of February (confirm your county's exact date). Details are on our HB 2792 disabled Veteran tax guide.

Pairing a VA loan with Arizona down payment assistance in Scottsdale

Yes, you can. A VA loan already gives you $0 down on the first mortgage, so when you pair it with a qualifying Arizona down payment assistance (DPA) program, the assistance goes toward your closing costs instead of the down payment. Eligibility depends on the program, your income, and the purchase price, which can be tight in Scottsdale's higher price brackets. DPA programs do not stack with each other, so you pick one. Mike will tell you honestly when a DPA program is not the right move for your purchase.

Want to run your Scottsdale numbers? Use the BAH and affordability calculator, then start your pre-approval →