Weekend Warrior | March 1-2, 2025

Weekend Warriors: Springing Into Market Moves! 🌸🏡

March is officially here, and while the flowers are starting to bloom, the real estate market is shifting just as quickly! We’re seeing some cities swing in favor of buyers, while others (hello, Chandler and Gilbert) are holding their ground for sellers. Luxury is in its own league with skyrocketing sales, but across the board, inventory is growing, interest rates are adjusting, and opportunity is knocking—so let’s dive in!

Here’s what’s inside this week’s edition:
🌟 Market Update – Get the latest numbers and trends shaping our local market, from shifting seller strongholds to a massive luxury market surge.
🛝 Weekend Events - As always, thanks to our East Valley Moms hook up, we've got the best weekend events and tips for ALL ages!                 📢 Upcoming Workshops – Missed our Close with Confidence virtual session? We’ve got two more coming up: The Programs that Help You Win in This Market (3/7) and Budgeting for Your Goals (4/4) next month as part of our Community Connections Series hosted at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Catalyst Center.
🏡 New Listings – We’ve got nearly a dozen homes coming soon, including one that just hit the market in Ironwood Crossings, plus more in Ahwatukee, Gilbert, and Chandler over the next two weeks. You are going to watch closely as these come to the market, because they are in SUPER HOT 🔥 neighborhoods.
🤝 Business Mixer Alert – Local business owners, this one’s for you! Mark your calendars for a networking event designed to help you connect and collaborate.

Spring is in the air, and the market is moving—are you ready? Scroll through for everything you need to know, and as always, tag us at @amyjonesgroup in your weekend adventures! 🌿🏠✨

Market Trends: Spring Shift, Buyer-Seller Balance & Big Luxury Moves

We’re rolling into March with shifting tides in the real estate market—some areas are tilting in favor of buyers, while others (hello, luxury!) are seeing record-breaking sales. With inventory growing, interest rates adjusting, and demand holding strong, there’s a lot to unpack this week. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to move, this is your sign to take action.

What We’re Seeing Right Now:

📉 Market Momentum Is Slowing – While 15 cities have become less favorable for sellers, the speed of the shift is starting to ease. A slight drop in mortgage rates may be helping stabilize the trend.

📊 Luxury is in a League of Its Own – In just seven weeks, nearly $674 million has poured into luxury homes in only three ZIP codes. Sales in the $2M+ range are skyrocketing, with a 34% median price jump in the super-luxury sector.

🏘️ The Buyer-Seller Balance Is Shifting – We now have 8 seller’s markets, 4 balanced markets, and 5 buyer’s markets. Cave Creek just inched back into seller territory, and while inventory is growing, the pace is slowing.

💰 Price Growth Isn’t Equal Across the Valley – The overall market saw a modest 1.8% median price increase over the past year, which is below inflation. Areas like Sun City & Sun City West are seeing slower appreciation, while places like Wickenburg, Anthem, and Youngtown are outperforming expectations.

Should Sellers Wait?

The question we hear daily: “Should I wait?” The answer: It depends on your location.

🏡 If you’re in a high-demand area, there’s still time to capitalize on strong buyer interest.
🏡 If you’re in a shifting market, strategic pricing is more critical than ever.

The Bottom Line:

🔹 If you’re buying, move before competition ramps up further.
🔹 If you’re selling, position yourself NOW to get ahead of potential slowdowns.

Let’s chat about what makes sense for YOU. And don’t forget—our Programs That Help You Win in This Market workshop is coming up on 3/7. Sign up in this week’s edition!

🏡 Weekend Open Houses 🏡    

♥️ East Valley Moms Fun Family Events ♥️   

📅  Upcoming Events Calendar 📅  

When it comes to real estate, there’s no shortage of opinions—whether it’s from well-meaning friends, family members, or online “experts.” But just because something was true a few years ago doesn’t mean it still holds water today. The market evolves fast, and some of the most common advice we hear is stuck in the past.

Here are 7 real estate myths that deserve to be gently (okay, maybe not so gently) debunked:

1. Buyer Demand Is on the Decline

It was true that buyer demand dropped in 2022 and 2023, thanks to fluctuating mortgage rates and affordability challenges. But today? Not so much. Buyer demand has stabilized and is closely following last year’s trend, with minimal reaction to rate changes. Buyers are back—and they’re making moves.

2. There’s Nothing to Buy Under $300K

A few years ago, finding a single-family home under $300K was like hunting for Bigfoot—almost impossible. In February 2022, there were only 90 active listings under $300K across Maricopa and Pinal counties. Today? There are over 500, with most in Pinal County. Condo and townhome shoppers have even more choices, with more than 1,200 active listings in Maricopa County.

3. My Income Is Too High for Homebuyer Assistance Programs

Think you’re making too much money to qualify for help? Not necessarily. Some down payment assistance programs focus on location rather than income. Others have income limits as high as $150,000/year—or no limits at all. Working with the right loan officer can unlock programs you didn’t even know existed, saving you thousands.

4. I Must Be a First-Time Buyer to Qualify for Assistance

Surprise! “First-time homebuyer” doesn’t always mean what you think. According to HUD, you’re considered a first-time buyer if you haven’t owned a home in three years. Been renting? You qualify. Only ever owned a mobile home? You qualify. Bought a home with a former spouse and now flying solo? You still qualify.

5. Mortgage Rates Are Too High—There’s Nothing I Can Do

Yes, rates are higher than the rock-bottom lows of 2020, but buyers have more tools than ever to work around them. In January alone, 57% of sales between $200K and $600K included seller-paid incentives, with most going toward rate buydowns. Builders are offering permanent buydowns, and sellers with FHA or VA loans are offering assumable mortgages with rates below 5%. A little research can help hack today’s affordability challenges.

6. We’re in a Bubble, and Prices Are Going to Crash

Not true. While Greater Phoenix saw a significant price correction in 2022—dropping 12.3% from May to December—prices have since stabilized. In most areas, home prices are up just 1-2% year over year, below the current rate of inflation. Today’s market is far from the chaos of the last few years, and buyers are negotiating sales prices roughly 1.9% below list—a huge improvement from the 2022 bidding wars.

7. I’ll Sell My Home “As-Is” and Just Offer Buyer Incentives

In a mild seller’s market, you could get away with an “as-is” sale and buyer incentives. Not anymore. Today, condition matters more than ever. Well-maintained homes in excellent condition rise to the top of buyers’ lists, while those that need work often sit longer, even with aggressive pricing and perks. It’s all about presentation.

Ready to Separate Fact from Fiction?

The real estate market is full of opportunities if you know how to navigate it. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, seasoned investor, or thinking about selling, don’t let outdated advice steer you wrong. Reach out to our team, and let’s build a strategy that works for today’s market.

For Deals, Discounts, Don't Miss Events and HOT local picks for your whole crew, visit East Valley Moms! and subscribe to the EVM Weekender.

Last year 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. 

😲 In Case You Missed It!