Weekend Warrior | October 12 - October 13, 2024

Hey, Hey, Hey Weekend Warriors - Let's Do This!

I'm going to skip the weather talk this month because, well, frankly I'm over it :). I just ran into some dear clients of mine and we chatted about how tired we are of going into overcompensating indoor hang out spots with FREEZING cold AC and being outside in these spicy temps - we just want some baggy sweater weather where we can be appropriately dressed indoors and out...but I know its coming. So while the rest of the country reels from from one disaster after another (check in on your friends from the fires to the floods), we are so very grateful that the temps are as bad as it gets out here. And if there is absolutely anything you can do to spread some of that Arizona sunshine love with those in disaster areas, do it! You can send hand written cards which we did recently, funds for local supplies, or much needed items for families getting resettled. There is so much to do, and always more to be done!

Here in Arizona though, we've got a year's worth of outdoor events just waiting for their debut  all in the next few months - this is the time that hotels start to fill back up, AirBnB prices start to raise, and we become THE destination spot for all things holidays...without the snow. From pumpkin patches to corn mazes, tree lightings and dreidel parties - this is the season to celebrate. And while the real estate market gets ready to hibernate in cooler parts of the country, it is just starting to bloom again right here at home. Don't mistake quiet for bad - here in Arizona, you are in the sweet spot where values are holding strong and yet....there's still room to get the house that YOU want, when you want it - as long as the numbers work out. We're busy catching up with folks who have put moving on the back burner for awhile now and we hope you'll give us a ring, too!

In the meantime, catch a breather, read on about all the fun things we've got going on from volunteering at ICAN and the Clothes Cabin, our Business Mixer for local businesses at our new home in Expansive, and our Annual Fall Festival which you guys have known and loved for nearly a decade - at a new home this year! We're so grateful to be in this community with you - now let us know what you've got going on this weekend so that we can tag along!

 📊 Market Update: There's Opportunity in the Quiet 📊   

In today’s market, buyers are gaining more negotiation power as supply rises faster than demand. The Cromford® Market Index (CMI) shows a shift, with only five cities seeing an increase in their CMI over the past month. Phoenix and Mesa are among 12 cities with declines, and the average CMI dropped by 3.3% across the region. Notably, Avondale, Chandler, Paradise Valley, and Goodyear experienced significant declines, while cities like Surprise remain buyer-friendly despite a 7% gain - but don't mistake a "decline" to impact values negatively. It simply means that sellers might need a little more time to get to their number and buyers might have a little more room...if there aren't any other offers in hand.

In fact, for buyers this means that there are more homes to choose from and that wiggle room might come in terms of cash to close, help with covering fees for service, rate buy downs, inspection period negotiations for repairs or other issues found during the process, or even sales price - it's all going to depend on your strategy and what you need to make it work for you. Sellers, on the other hand, can still find opportunities too. Home prices remain stable, with the median sales price in Maricopa County up 4.9% from last year, and Phoenix continues to hover above the balanced market zone. Patience is key for sellers in cities with rising supply, but values are holding strong in many areas which means your equity has been safe, a question we get all the time.

Most people want to know with active supply up 3.7% and interest rates sitting around 6.62%, is there really opportunity for them know and the answer is yes, if approached strategically. We love these kind of markets because we get to really roll up our sleeves and make the numbers work for our families - we get to advocate for your best interest, help you through the sticky spots, and get you to the finish line - something we've been able to do for more than 60 families this year alone and we're so grateful to each and every one of them for trusting us with their investment. If you've been wondering what the market shifts mean for you or want to start planning for 2025 moves and get all the details now on where we might be headed, reach out and let's chat!

Last month we announced the launch of our Community Heroes Appreciation Program with a special gift of gratitude for military members, veterans, educators, medical professionals, first responders, and government/civil servants when buying or selling a home with us. 

In recognition of these invaluable contributions, we offer a $1,000 credit towards closing costs as a thank you for the service to our country and community. This program was originally founded to honor our military heroes, inspired by Amy Jones’ late father, Richard (Mac) McGarrigle, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and we’ve since expanded it to include all community heroes who make a difference every day.

Additionally, we partner with title companies, lenders and even moving companies who offer special programs designed to assist community heroes with their moving and community connection needs. These programs can help make homeownership more affordable by offering lower down payment requirements, reduced interest rates, and other financial assistance to ease the burden of a big move.

If you or someone you know would qualify for this program, please reach out so we can share details with you and share our gratitude for your role in our community. 

Out to Lunch Concert Series - Mesa Arts Center's free Out to Lunch Concert Series starts Thursday, Oct. 24 with Guitarras Latinas from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Every week is a different sound, a different style. Relax and enjoy captivating live music and the marvelous Arizona weather in a beautiful, shady outdoor setting. The full fall concert schedule is at mesaartscenter.com.

Día de los Muertos Festival - Mesa Arts Center is proud to celebrate the memories of departed loved ones with the 18th annual Día de los Muertos Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free festival offers nonstop live entertainment, hands-on artmaking activities, traditional face painting, a wide variety of food options and a vibrant mercado marketplace showcasing traditional and contemporary merchandise, jewelry and Mexican arts and crafts from local artisans and vendors. Learn more at mesaartscenter.com.

Trick or Treat Trail at Epicenter: Join East Valley Moms for FREE trick or treat trail through Epicenter to kickoff our fall play date series and take advantage of outdoor play season! Plus, there'll be treats for moms as well–chances to win from Epicenter retailers.

For a full list of Halloween and Fall Fun events (especially for those kiddos who still nap) check out the East Valley Mom's blog here.

😲 In Case You Missed It!