HLN Luxury Perspective: The Holiday Season Has Quietly Become a Power Window for High-End Sales
For most U.S. markets, the holiday season is slow—defined by travel, family gatherings, and distracted buyers.
But Scottsdale and Paradise Valley don’t follow national trends.
Every year, from early November through January, the Valley’s ultra-luxury real estate enters one of its stealthiest but strongest micro-seasons, powered by:
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Inbound high-net-worth migration escaping winter climates
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Year-end tax positioning
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Cash-ready buyers arriving for seasonal events
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Luxury travelers upgrading from resort suites to resort-style homes
Under the Hague Luxury Network (HLN), this season has become one of the most influential periods for trophy-home transactions.
Let’s break down how last year performed — and why 2026 is shaping up to be even more powerful.
How Luxury Sales Performed Last Holiday Season
Holiday 2024–2025 was one of the most active winter sales periods in recent memory for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Market data across top luxury brokerages and MLS patterns showed three clear trends.
1. Sales Volume Surged in the $3M–$10M Range
Luxury buyers coming from California, New York, Illinois, Washington, and Canada fueled a noticeable uptick in high-end activity.
Many arrived for holiday travel, golf events, and seasonal stays — and ended up buying.
Key themes:
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Multiple-offer situations on modern builds
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Increased cash purchases
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Shortened days-on-market for curated, turnkey homes
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Strong performance for homes with views, privacy, and resort-level amenities
HLN agents saw heightened engagement from clients relocating for lifestyle and tax reasons, especially around year-end portfolio planning.
2. Ultra-Luxury ($10M+) Sales Hit a New Benchmark
Paradise Valley, in particular, experienced a standout season.
Trophy homes continued to attract:
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Tech wealth from California
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Finance and private equity buyers from NY/NJ
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Second-home luxury buyers from the Midwest and Europe
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International investment groups seeking stable U.S. assets
New construction estates saw some of the most aggressive activity, with several modern compounds trading privately off-market.
3. Inventory Tightened as Buyers Jumped Ahead of Spring Competition
Last holiday season created a classic supply-demand squeeze:
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Buyers wanted to purchase before spring-season bidding
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Sellers hesitated to list during the holidays
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Result: fewer listings + stronger offers
HLN agents handled numerous private sales and pre-market placements, proving again that exclusive networks outperform traditional seasons.
How Luxury Sales Are Trending for the 2026 Holiday Season
With early buyer behavior, migration data, resort occupancy levels, and investor return patterns, all indicators point to a stronger 2026 holiday luxury market than last year.
Here’s what HLN is seeing already.
1. High-Net-Worth Migration Into Scottsdale/PV Is Accelerating
The inbound migration wave from:
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California
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New York
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Illinois
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Washington
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Colorado
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Canada
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UK & Western Europe
…is projected to increase into 2026, especially within the ultra-luxury segment.
Many are lining up now for holiday-season tours, aiming to secure homes before Q1 competition intensifies.
2. Resort-Branded Communities Are Drawing Early Interest
Luxury buyers increasingly request:
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Silverleaf
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Desert Mountain
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The Phoenician
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Paradise Valley’s new branded enclaves
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Next-generation wellness-focused communities
As more resort-branded properties come online, these will fuel a new wave of holiday-season relocations.
3. Cash-Heavy Buyers Are Again Dominating the Top Tier
Early indicators show a similar pattern to last year — but stronger:
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Wealthy buyers are preparing year-end wealth strategies
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Investors are targeting winter closings
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International capital is returning to the U.S. luxury market
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Buyers want fully furnished or turnkey homes ready for immediate occupancy
This aligns perfectly with Scottsdale/PV’s winter luxury lifestyle.
4. 2026 Is Trending Toward Record-High Demand for Modern, Curated Homes
Buyers want:
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Wellness suites
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Indoor/outdoor resort living
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Designer kitchens
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Privacy-enhanced floorplans
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New or nearly new construction
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Mountain, golf, or unobstructed city-light views
Homes meeting these criteria are expected to sell rapidly — and often off-market.
HLN’s private network is already showing more pre-holiday interest than last year.
What Sellers Should Expect for the 2026 Holiday Market
Luxury homeowners stand to benefit enormously:
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Higher buyer volume from inbound relocation
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More cash offers
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Strong resale premiums for modern, well-appointed estates
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Faster market activity for homes under $15M
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Continued demand for new-build and remodeled properties
If your home is architectural, turnkey, or located in an elite enclave, 2026 may be the strongest holiday season yet to list strategically.
FAQ — Holiday Luxury Market Trends
Do luxury buyers really shop during the holidays?
In Scottsdale and Paradise Valley — absolutely. It’s one of the most active luxury buyer windows of the year.
Will 2026 be stronger than last year?
All early indicators point to yes — higher migration, stronger buyer liquidity, and more demand for new construction.
Is now the time to prepare a home for the season?
Yes. HLN recommends prepping 60–90 days prior for maximum exposure.
HLN Luxury: Your Partner in Scottsdale & Paradise Valley’s High-Season Market
The holiday season is no longer a quiet month—it’s a strategic opportunity for elite buyers and sellers.
HLN’s unparalleled network, global reach, and white-glove service position you perfectly to take advantage of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley’s most exciting luxury sales window.
HLN Luxury — The benchmark for desert prestige.
