Choosing a home in Desert Mountain often starts with one big question: which golf membership fits your lifestyle and budget. If you love the game or plan to entertain guests on the course, membership access can shape everything from daily routines to resale value. In this guide, you’ll learn how Desert Mountain memberships typically work, what to verify with the club, and how membership status can affect your purchase or sale. Let’s dive in.
Desert Mountain at a glance
Desert Mountain is a private, gated community in North Scottsdale known for championship-caliber golf, desert scenery, and custom homes. The lifestyle blends golf with resort-style amenities, social programming, and outdoor options like hiking and scenic vantage points. If access to top-tier golf and club life is a priority, membership details are central to your decision.
Membership is not one-size-fits-all. You will see different categories, privileges, and transfer rules, and each one can influence price, timing, and long-term enjoyment. A clear plan for membership will help you buy with confidence and sell with clarity.
Why membership matters
Membership defines who can play, how often, and with what priority, as well as family and guest privileges. In a golf-centric community, these differences can influence both the buyer pool and property value. Some homes are marketed with a transferable membership, while others are not tied to golf access at all.
Before you fall in love with a view or floor plan, map your playing needs, guest expectations, and budget to the available membership options. Then confirm the fine print directly with the club and in your transaction documents.
Membership types you will encounter
Membership categories and names change over time. Always verify current offerings with the Desert Mountain membership office. Here is the common framework you can use to understand the options and ask the right questions.
Full Golf
- Broadest access to the club’s golf courses and practice facilities.
- Priority tee times and full clubhouse privileges are typical.
- Ideal if you play frequently, host guests, or plan to join member tournaments.
Limited or Associate Golf
- Reduced access, such as limited days, restricted tee windows, or fewer available courses.
- Lower upfront and ongoing costs compared with full access.
- A fit if you play fewer rounds, split time in other locations, or prefer flexibility.
Social or Sports
- Access to dining, social events, fitness, pools, and court sports like tennis or pickleball.
- Golf may be limited or not included, depending on the specific category.
- Attractive if you prioritize wellness, dining, and community but want occasional golf exposure.
Resident vs. Non-resident
- Resident memberships are designed for owners within the community and may differ in pricing or privileges.
- Non-resident options serve members who live off-site and often carry added restrictions.
- Your residency plan will guide which category fits best.
Corporate, Junior, or Trial
- Specialty offerings for companies, younger players, or prospective members.
- Availability can be limited and may change year to year.
- Ask about eligibility, conversion paths, and any time limits.
Key mechanics that shape access and cost
Memberships involve more than category names. The mechanics below often determine how smoothly you can buy, sell, and enjoy the club.
Transferability
- Some memberships can transfer with the sale of a home, while others cannot.
- Confirm whether the seller can transfer, or if the membership must be surrendered back to the club.
- Ask who approves the transfer and what paperwork must be completed.
Initiation fees and annual dues
- Expect a one-time initiation or transfer fee plus recurring dues.
- There may be capital assessments or food and beverage minimums.
- Request a written fee schedule and billing timeline so you can budget accurately.
Caps and waitlists
- Clubs often cap full golf memberships to protect course access.
- If a cap is in place, a waitlist or reallocation process may apply.
- A home that includes a transferable full membership can be comparatively scarce, which may support premium pricing or faster interest from golf-focused buyers.
Tee-time and guest policies
- Policies define advance booking windows, priority order, and guest limitations.
- Clarify guest fees, frequency of play, and any blackout periods.
- Align tee-time access with your routine, especially if you host family or clients.
Resignation and re-entry rules
- Some clubs outline how a lapsed member can rejoin.
- Ask about timelines, fees, and whether your status affects future eligibility.
Amenities and lifestyle benefits
Desert Mountain’s appeal extends beyond the fairways. You will find multiple championship-level courses designed by top architects, along with robust practice facilities. Many members enjoy instruction, junior programming, and on-course services like caddies, bag storage, and locker rooms.
Clubhouses typically offer varied dining, from casual options to refined settings, along with event spaces and member lounges. Fitness and wellness centers, courts for tennis and pickleball, and an active calendar of classes and clinics round out the daily routine. Outdoor lovers lean into the Sonoran Desert setting with maintained trails, scenic overlooks, and community events, while social clubs and interest groups create year-round connection.
How membership status impacts buying and selling
Buyer preferences and pricing
- Homes that convey with a transferable full golf membership often attract a motivated buyer subset who want immediate playing access.
- Homes without golf access or with social-only memberships appeal to buyers prioritizing location or non-golf amenities.
- Scarcity of transferable full memberships can influence value and time on market when golf demand is high.
Marketing language and escrow timing
- Listings should clearly state whether a membership is included, available, or not offered, and which category applies.
- Transfers usually require club approval, fees, and specific forms, which can add time to escrow.
- Plan your closing timeline around the club’s process so access begins smoothly after funding.
Policies that influence decisions
- Rental rules can limit whether tenants may use member-only facilities.
- Club and community restrictions may govern renovations, signage, or exterior changes.
- Family and guest policies matter if you host multi-generational visits or frequent out-of-town guests.
A due diligence checklist for buyers
Use this checklist to confirm the key details before you release contingencies.
Documents to request
- Membership agreement, bylaws, or handbook for current categories and obligations.
- Membership transfer or assignment form and club transfer policy.
- Written schedule of initiation or transfer fees, dues, assessments, and food and beverage minimums.
- Statement on membership caps and waitlists if applicable.
- HOA CC&Rs, budgets, and reserve studies for community fees unrelated to club dues.
- Any rental policy addenda for your specific village or lot.
Questions to ask the club and listing agent
- Does the sale include a transferable membership, and which category.
- Is the transfer fully allowed, or does it require club approval or substitution.
- What are the current fees and dues, and are any capital assessments planned.
- Are there caps on full golf memberships, and how are new memberships allocated.
Steps to protect your interests
- Condition your offer on receiving and reviewing the membership agreement and written confirmation of transfer terms.
- Ask title or escrow to confirm any liens or encumbrances tied to the membership or property.
- Budget for both club dues and HOA fees, and confirm the privileges match your playing pattern, guest needs, and practice time.
Selling a Desert Mountain home with confidence
If your home includes a transferable membership, highlight it clearly and accurately. Golf-focused buyers often act faster when they understand immediate access and category details. Provide the membership status, transfer requirements, and current fee schedules up front to reduce friction and protect your timeline.
Thoughtful presentation can elevate the story your home tells. Design-forward staging, cinematic visuals, and precise marketing language help buyers connect the lifestyle to the membership value. Transparency on membership, paired with polished marketing, positions your listing for strong results.
Common scenarios to consider
You want full access on day one
Focus on homes that include a transferable full golf membership, and confirm no waitlist applies. Align your closing date with the club’s approval process to avoid a gap in play.
You split time seasonally
A limited or associate category could fit your play volume while keeping costs aligned with your usage. Confirm guest access for peak visits, as well as blackout dates.
You prioritize wellness and social life
A social or sports membership often provides dining, fitness, pools, and court sports. Ask whether any golf is included, and how guest policies work for visiting friends and family.
You are selling without a golf transfer
Market the home’s lifestyle strengths such as views, design, and proximity to amenities. Be clear that membership is available through the club, subject to current policies and availability.
Next steps
Membership is a central part of the Desert Mountain experience, and it deserves the same level of diligence as the home itself. Confirm the category, transferability, fees, and timing with the membership office, then match those details to your goals.
If you want a strategy that aligns your membership, property search, and resale outlook, connect with Brent Benger for a concierge consultation. You will get practical guidance on membership due diligence, contract structure, and design-led presentation if you decide to sell. Schedule your concierge consultation and move forward with clarity.
FAQs
Do Desert Mountain homes always include a golf membership
- No. Some homes include a transferable membership and others do not. Always verify the listing and the club’s transfer terms in writing.
Will a membership transfer happen automatically at closing
- Transfers usually require club paperwork, approval, and payment of initiation or transfer fees. Coordinate with escrow and the club to align timing.
Do club dues replace HOA fees in Desert Mountain
- No. Club dues and HOA or village assessments are separate, and both may apply. Request fee schedules for each.
Can I rent my home and let tenants use the golf facilities
- Rental and facility-use policies vary by the club and village. Many rentals carry restrictions on member-only facilities. Confirm rules in writing.
Are initiation fees refundable when I sell or resign
- Policies vary. Some initiation fees are refundable or partially refundable upon surrender or resale, while others are not. Ask for the current written policy.
How do caps and waitlists affect my purchase
- If full golf memberships are capped, a waitlist can delay access. A home with a transferable full membership may reduce that delay, subject to club approval.
How long does a typical membership transfer take in escrow
- Timelines vary by club workload and completeness of documents. Ask the membership office for current processing times and plan your closing accordingly.
