What Does It Really Cost to Own a Second Home in Verrado, Arizona?

You've found the house.

You can already picture yourself drinking coffee on the patio in January while your friends back in Washington are texting you pictures of rain.

The purchase price works.

The mortgage payment works.

So you're ready...right?

Maybe.

Because when you're buying a second home in Verrado, there's another number I want you to understand before you make an offer:

What will this house actually cost to own?

Not just the mortgage.

The whole house.

HOA fees. Property taxes. Insurance. Electricity. Landscaping. Pest control. Pool service. Internet. Maintenance.

And then there are the expenses that come with owning a home 1,400 miles away from your primary residence.

None of this means owning a second home in Verrado is prohibitively expensive.

My husband and I own a second home here ourselves.

But I think the best second-home purchase is one where you understand the entire financial picture before you get the keys.

So let's build that picture.

Start With the Expenses You Already Expect

Most buyers begin with four numbers:

Purchase price

Down payment

Mortgage payment

Property taxes

That's a great start.

But for a second home, I want to go several steps further.

Because there are really two categories of expenses:

1. What it costs to own the property.
2. What it costs to operate and maintain the property while you're in another state.

That second category is the one buyers sometimes underestimate.

How Much Are Property Taxes in Verrado?

If you're coming from Washington, don't try to estimate Arizona property taxes by simply multiplying the purchase price by a percentage you found online.

Arizona property taxes don't work quite that way.

Verrado is located in Maricopa County, and Arizona generally calculates property taxes using a property's Limited Property Value, or LPV, rather than simply taxing you on what you paid for the home.

That means two similarly priced homes can potentially have different tax bills.

When we're evaluating a specific Verrado property, I want to look at the actual tax history for that property rather than make a broad assumption.

And if you're looking at new construction, we need to be especially careful.

The tax information associated with a new property may not yet reflect the completed home.

That's one of those little details that can make a big difference when you're trying to estimate your future expenses.

Yes, There Are HOA Fees in Verrado

Verrado is a master-planned community, and the community amenities and common areas don't maintain themselves.

Homeowners pay community assessments.

But this is another place where I don't want you relying on a number you saw in an old blog post.

Assessments can change.

And depending on the property, there may be additional neighborhood or service-area assessments.

Victory at Verrado also has additional association considerations because of its active-adult amenities.

So when we're comparing homes, we're going to verify the current assessments for each specific property.

And I don't think of this simply as:

"Ugh, another fee."

I want to ask:

What are you getting for it?

If you're buying in Verrado because you love the parks, trails, pools, community spaces and overall environment, those things are part of the lifestyle you're buying.

The question isn't whether there's an HOA.

The question is whether the lifestyle and amenities are worth the cost to you.

Your Arizona Electric Bill Deserves Its Own Conversation

If you're moving from Western Washington, this may require a mental adjustment.

In Arizona, your air conditioner isn't simply something you turn on during a random hot week in August.

It's infrastructure.

And during the summer, your home needs cooling even if you're back in Washington.

That's important for second-home owners.

You can't simply turn everything off in May, lock the door and come back in October.

Your home still needs to be maintained at an appropriate temperature while you're gone.

Your actual electric bill will depend on things like:

• Size of the house
• Age and efficiency of the HVAC system
• Insulation
• Thermostat settings
• Whether the house is occupied
• Pool equipment
• Solar panels, if applicable
• Time-of-use and utility plan choices

So if we're seriously considering a resale home, one question worth asking is whether the seller can provide recent utility information.

I would much rather see real numbers from the actual house than give you a generic Arizona estimate.

What About Water?

Water usage will also vary dramatically from one property to another.

A low-maintenance desert-landscaped home without a pool is going to have a different usage pattern from a larger property with extensive landscaping and a private pool.

And rates themselves can change.

Buckeye approved new water and wastewater rates that took effect in June 2026, which is a good reminder that utility expenses aren't static.

Again, our goal isn't to guess.

It's to investigate the house you're actually considering.

Now Let's Talk About the Pool

For some buyers, this is non-negotiable.

"We're buying a house in Arizona. Of course we're getting a pool."

I understand.

A pool can be wonderful.

But your pool doesn't know that you're in Washington.

It still needs attention.

You're potentially paying for:

Pool service

Electricity for the equipment

Water

Chemicals

Repairs and equipment replacement over time

That doesn't mean I want to talk you out of a pool.

Quite the opposite.

If sitting beside your own pool is part of the reason you're buying the house, then let's buy the pool. We put one in and I’ll have a post on that coming soon.

I just want it in the budget.

And if you're thinking, I'm not even going to be there during the hottest part of the year, that's worth considering too.

Verrado has community pools, so a private pool isn't automatically necessary to enjoy the Arizona lifestyle.

Landscaping Doesn't Stop When You Leave

This is another difference between vacationing in Arizona and owning here.

Your plants continue being plants while you're in Washington.

Irrigation systems need to work.

Landscaping needs attention.

Weeds appear.

Things break.

A low-maintenance desert landscape can make second-home ownership much easier, which is one reason I pay attention to the yard when I'm touring homes with seasonal buyers.

The most beautiful backyard isn't necessarily the best second-home backyard.

Sometimes the winner is the one that's beautiful and easy to leave.

Pest Control Is Part of Desert Living

Let's just say it.

Arizona has critters.

It's the desert.

Routine pest control is something many homeowners choose to include in their maintenance budget.

And when the house is going to sit unoccupied for stretches of time, having regular eyes on the property becomes even more valuable.

Which brings us to an expense I think second-home buyers should seriously consider.

Who Is Watching the House While You're in Washington?

Imagine you're back home in Skagit Valley and something happens at your Verrado house.

There's a leak.

The air conditioner stops working.

A storm causes damage.

An irrigation line breaks.

A refrigerator decides it's done refrigerating.

How quickly would you know?

This is where technology helps tremendously.

Smart thermostats.

Leak detectors.

Security cameras.

Smart locks.

Garage-door notifications.

All of these can make remote ownership easier.

But technology doesn't replace having an actual person nearby.

Some seasonal homeowners use a professional home-watch service.

Others have trusted neighbors or local contacts who periodically check the property.

Whichever route you choose, I think you need a plan before you leave Arizona for the summer.

Homeowners Insurance May Surprise You

Insurance is another expense I wouldn't estimate casually.

Arizona's insurance market, like many states, has changed considerably in recent years.

Your premium can be influenced by the home's replacement cost, age, construction, roof, coverage selections, claims history and other factors.

And second-home occupancy can matter too.

That's why I recommend getting an insurance quote for the actual property you're considering before your inspection period is over.

Don't wait until three days before closing.

Know the number.

Don't Forget Internet and Subscriptions

This category isn't huge individually, but it adds up.

Internet.

Streaming services.

Security monitoring.

Smart-home subscriptions.

Maybe a golf membership or fitness expense (even though Verrado does have a fitness center we all get to enjoy).

Perhaps you decide to have a golf cart.

None of these are necessarily major deal breakers.

But we're trying to build the real second-home budget.

That means counting the $60 and $100 expenses along with the big ones.

What About Furnishing the House?

This one can sneak up on you.

You close on your beautiful Verrado home.

And then realize:

You need another sofa.

Another dining table.

Beds.

Linens.

Towels.

Dishes.

Cookware.

Patio furniture.

A coffee maker.

A vacuum.

And apparently seventeen phone chargers because somehow they're never in the house you're currently occupying.

Essentially, you're creating another household.

This is one reason furnished or partially furnished resale homes can be interesting for second-home buyers.

It doesn't mean you want someone else's entire decorating scheme.

But if certain pieces can be included or purchased separately, it may make getting the home operational considerably easier.

And Then There's Travel

This isn't technically a housing expense.

But it's absolutely part of the lifestyle budget. If you are still at working age like we are, traveling is a huge part of this lifestyle. Since my husband works a traditional job M-F in WA, and I’m working in both states, we have to plan how long we can be apart and how much it will cost us to fly back and forth.

How often are you planning to travel between Washington and Arizona?

Are you flying?

Driving?

Will you leave a car in Arizona?

Will you rent cars?

What happens when family visits?

Again, this isn't an argument against buying.

It's simply part of answering the bigger question:

What does our two-state lifestyle actually cost?

Here's the Second-Home Budget I Want You to Build

Before buying, I would create a monthly or annual budget that includes:

Housing

• Mortgage principal and interest, if applicable
• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• HOA/community assessments

Utilities

• Electricity
• Water/sewer
• Gas, if applicable
• Internet

Property care

• Landscaping
• Pest control
• Pool service, if applicable
• Home-watch service
• HVAC servicing
• Routine maintenance

Remote-home protection

• Security system
• Smart-home devices/subscriptions
• Leak detection

Lifestyle

• Travel between Washington and Arizona
• Golf or club expenses
• Golf cart, if applicable
• Furnishings and household setup

And then I'd add one more line:

Reserve for the unexpected.

Because every house eventually needs something.

How Much Should You Budget for Maintenance?

There are all kinds of rules of thumb online about setting aside a certain percentage of your home's value every year.

I'm less interested in giving you a magic percentage than I am in understanding the specific property.

A brand-new lock-and-leave home with desert landscaping and no pool has a very different maintenance profile from a twenty-year-old larger home with mature landscaping and a pool.

That's another reason the cheapest house isn't always the least expensive house to own.

We're buying the whole property.

Not just its purchase price.

Does This Mean a Second Home Is More Expensive Than You Thought?

Maybe.

But this exercise can also do the opposite.

Once you see all the expenses on paper, you stop wondering.

You know.

And then you can make a decision based on reality instead of anxiety.

Maybe you discover that the lifestyle fits comfortably into your budget.

Maybe you decide you'd rather buy a smaller home.

Maybe you skip the private pool.

Maybe a low-maintenance quick-move-in home suddenly becomes more appealing.

Or perhaps you realize you're perfectly comfortable spending more because this is something you've worked toward for years.

There isn't a correct amount to spend on a second home.

There's an amount that supports your life without becoming a burden.

The Question Isn't Just “Can We Afford the House?”

This is the distinction I want second-home buyers to make.

You may qualify for the mortgage.

You may have plenty for the down payment.

But I want you asking:

Can we comfortably own this house when we're not in it?

That's the real question.

Because your Arizona home should feel like freedom.

It should be the place you can't wait to get back to.

It shouldn't be the place you're constantly worrying about from Washington.

What I Would Do Before Making an Offer

If we were seriously considering a particular Verrado home, I'd start assembling the ownership picture.

I'd want to know:

What were the most recent property taxes?

What are the current HOA and any additional assessments?

What does the seller know about utility costs?

How old is the HVAC system?

What's involved in maintaining the landscaping?

Does it have a pool?

What insurance quotes can we obtain?

What services will you need while you're away?

And if it's new construction, what expenses will you have after closing to get the house completely set up?

Now we're no longer asking whether you can afford a $700,000 house.

We're asking whether this particular $700,000 house makes sense for your life.

That's a much better question.

Buy the Lifestyle With Your Eyes Open

I love the idea of owning a second home in Arizona.

Obviously.

My husband and I did it ourselves.

But I also believe one of the best things I can do for a buyer is talk about the things that aren't nearly as fun as touring model homes.

Property taxes aren't sexy.

Neither is pool maintenance.

Nobody has ever made an Instagram Reel that went viral because they explained their HVAC servicing schedule.

But understanding those things gives you confidence.

And confidence lets you enjoy what you actually bought the house for:

Sunshine.

Community.

Golf.

Time outside.

Family visits.

Dinner on the patio in February.

That's the part that makes it worth it.

Thinking About a Second Home in Verrado?

If you're beginning your research, start with my Complete Guide to Buying a Second Home in Verrado from Washington.

Then read When Is the Best Time to Buy a Home in Verrado? for a look at seasonality and buyer opportunity.

If you're deciding where within Verrado you belong, I've also written Verrado vs. Victory at Verrado: Which Community Is Right for You?

And before deciding between a builder and an existing home, read New Construction vs. Resale Homes in Verrado.

I'm Tammy Cannon, a real estate agent licensed in both Washington and Arizona. I specialize in helping Washington buyers explore second-home opportunities in Verrado—and part of that job is helping you understand what you're buying before you buy it.

If you'd like to start exploring the numbers for a Verrado second home, let's talk. I can share some of my personal knowledge with you. Send me a message on Instagram @thetammycannon to get the ball rolling!

You don't need to be ready to buy. You just need to be ready to find out what's possible.