Weekend Warrior | October 2-4, 2026

 Weekend Warrior: Fall Is Here ... and We’re Moving With It 🍂🏡

Wow — Arizona really rolled straight into fall without missing a beat, and somehow our calendar did too.

On the real estate side, we’ve had a couple of reminders lately that getting to the closing table isn’t always perfectly linear. Two of our clients had appraisal issues in the last few weeks, meaning the homes came in below the agreed purchase price. If you’re financing, that matters — but it also doesn’t mean the deal is dead. We’ve worked through negotiations, adjusted loan structures, and helped both sets of clients keep moving forward. That’s the part of real estate you don’t always see in the listing photos: problem solving, options, and knowing what to do when something unexpected shows up.

We also have two new East Valley listings coming soon, and both are getting a little pre-market glow-up before they hit. If you’re thinking, “My house isn’t ready yet,” that is exactly why we want you to call us early. You do not have to have it all figured out before we walk through the door. Vendors, repairs, staging, landscaping, paint, prep, suggestions — we can help with all of it, and we genuinely love this part.

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Curious what YOUR HOME would look like as a Zillow Showcase Listing by the Amy Jones Group?

With a 2D and 3D Walk Through, Virtual Staging, Custom Video and Photography, Feature Placements and LIVE Transfer to agents, you can't lose with this extra marketing support of your listing.

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And if you’re not ready to buy, sell, or do anything at all right now? That’s okay too. We’re constantly researching new loan programs, looking ahead at the market, building resources, and thinking about what families may need next — because sometimes the best move starts with a conversation months before anything actually happens.

Meanwhile, the community calendar is FULL. We’ve got Verde events three times a month, Queen Creek Playdates with East Valley Moms, three ICAN volunteer opportunities in October, the Sound Bath event, two trick-or-treat events, and more already coming behind them.

It’s busy. It’s fun. It’s meaningful. And there is a whole lot of joy in it.

Scroll on for this week’s market update, listings, resources, events, and all the ways to jump in. We’d love to have you with us. 💛

 One Less Upfront Cost: Desert Financial’s Free Appraisal Offer

Buying a home comes with plenty of expenses, so anytime there’s an opportunity to remove one of those upfront costs, it’s worth paying attention.

For a limited time, Desert Financial is covering the appraisal fee for qualifying mortgage borrowers. The offer applies to completed loan applications received between September 1 and December 31, 2026, as long as the loan closes by February 15, 2027. 

That matters because an appraisal is one of the standard costs buyers typically encounter during the mortgage process. Having that fee covered can help reduce the amount of cash needed along the way and make the process feel a little more manageable.

Desert Financial is also highlighting local mortgage support, competitive rates, and flexible terms as part of the program. For buyers who participate in its Home Plus program, there may also be an opportunity for up to $7,500 in closing-cost credit, subject to the program’s terms and participating broker requirements. 

As always, the important thing is not just asking, “What’s the rate?” but looking at the full picture: interest rate, monthly payment, cash needed at closing, available credits, appraisal costs, and which loan structure best fits your goals.

If you’re thinking about buying before the end of the year, this is one more program worth comparing as part of your overall strategy.

At the Amy Jones Group, we’re happy to help you look at the options side by side so you can understand what actually saves you money - not just what sounds good on the flyer.

📊Market Watch: “How’s the Market?” Is Only Part of the Question

We get asked “How’s the market?” all the time.

And it’s a fair question — but it’s also a little like asking a mechanic to explain everything happening with your alternator when what you really need to know is whether your car will get you where you’re going.

We can absolutely talk about supply, demand, mortgage rates, the Cromford Market Index, contract ratios, days on market, and pricing trends. We should know those things. But without the context of what you need, where you want to live, how much you want to spend, and what you’re trying to accomplish, all that information can quickly turn into noise.

So yes, here’s what the market is doing.

The Balance Has Shifted Toward Buyers

September was a meaningful month for Greater Phoenix.

The average Cromford Market Index across the 18 major cities fell sharply, and for the first time since November 2023, all 18 cities are moving in a buyer-favorable direction.

Supply increased in 17 of the 18 cities, while demand weakened in 15. Across Greater Phoenix, homes available for sale rose about 7% in 30 days, while under-contract activity plus recent closings fell about 9%.

That combination gives buyers more choices and, in many areas, more negotiating room.

We now have 5 cities in seller’s markets, 5 balanced, and 8 in buyer’s markets. Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, and Avondale are all currently balanced, while Peoria and Tempe have moved into buyer-market territory.

But “Buyer’s Market” Still Doesn’t Mean the Same Thing Everywhere

This is where context matters.

Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Chandler, and Cave Creek are still technically seller’s markets even after the recent decline.

Meanwhile, communities like Maricopa, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley are much more firmly tilted toward buyers.

Even within those cities, the picture can change dramatically by neighborhood, price point, property type, condition, and competition.

That’s why a headline saying “Phoenix is becoming a buyer’s market” may be directionally true — but it still doesn’t tell you whether your house will sell quickly or whether your dream home is going to have three offers on it.

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Land Scarcity Near Phoenix Is Driving Up Competition in Chandler and Gilbert

Six cities in the Phoenix Valley are in a seller’s market. A short drive south, in Maricopa, inventory has accumulated to a degree that could take years to absorb. The difference has less to do with demand, which remains relatively healthy across both areas, and more to do with where new homes can physically be built.

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💛 The Big Picture

Yes, the market has shifted. Buyers have more leverage than they did a few months ago, inventory is growing, and higher rates are putting pressure on demand.

But the market is still only one part of the decision.

The bigger picture is your life: what you need, what you can comfortably afford, where you want to be, and whether the move gets you closer to the way you want to live.

That’s why we don’t believe in making decisions from headlines alone. We believe in understanding the market, putting it in context, and then building a strategy around you.

The numbers matter.

But they only matter once we know what you’re trying to make possible.

Elevating the Luxury Real Estate Experience

Luxury real estate is about much more than a home with a higher price tag. It's about thoughtful representation, strategic marketing, trusted relationships, and understanding that every client's definition of luxury is different. That's why we've expanded the luxury resources on the Amy Jones Group website—to give buyers and sellers a place to explore not only Arizona's exceptional properties, but also the expertise, global connections, and personalized service that make a difference when navigating the luxury market.

As members of the Luxury Real Estate network, our clients benefit from far more than a designation behind our name. Sellers gain access to one of the world's largest luxury real estate platforms, connecting their home to qualified buyers both locally and around the globe. Buyers gain access to an extensive network of luxury professionals, exclusive opportunities, and experienced guidance throughout every step of their search. Combined with more than two decades of experience serving the Phoenix metro area, these relationships allow us to deliver local expertise backed by international reach.

Whether you're considering the sale of a luxury property, searching for your next home, relocating to Arizona, or simply exploring what's available in our market, we invite you to browse our Luxury Real Estate resources. Our goal has never been to impress clients with credentials alone. It's to show how those relationships, designations, and partnerships translate into better marketing, stronger representation, broader exposure, and an elevated experience from beginning to end. 💛

One of our favorite things about this time of year is seeing how many different ways this community continues to show up for one another. 💛 We’re officially wrapped up our Rhinestone Ranch project with Branching Out, and what started as a big idea turned into more than $5,000 in donations, incredible partners helping with the work inside the home, and so many people contributing time, resources, furniture, supplies, and heart. We are so excited to know the girls will be moving in soon and that these spaces were created with so much care behind them.

And we are definitely not slowing down from here. Fall is packed with opportunities to connect, serve, celebrate, and spend time together. We’ve got First Sips on October 6, Girls’ Night Out at Verde with Mummies Day Out on October 14, Hocus Pocus on the Green and EcoRoofing’s annual Trunk or Treat on October 16, Tiny Pumpkins Play Date on October 20, a healing Sound Bath at The Village Athletic Club in Chandler on October 24, and an ICAN Harvest Party on October 27. Then we roll right into another First Sips on November 3. Whew!

There’s a little bit of everything ahead - volunteer opportunities, family events, women’s events, community gatherings, and plenty of chances to simply get together. Around here, community is never a side project. It’s woven into how we do business, how we build relationships, and how we make sure the people and organizations doing important work around us feel supported.

So save a few dates, bring a friend, bring the kids, volunteer where you can, and keep telling us about the causes that matter to you. We’ll keep doing our best to connect the people who want to help with the places that need them most and if you see something you want to come to, email us at [email protected] and we'll get you signed up!

We’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes, event updates, and ways to get involved over the next few weeks - so if you’re not already following along on Instagram, that’s the best place to stay connected and see it all unfold in real time. 💛

Around here, events aren’t just things to attend - they’re how we build relationships, strengthen families, and create lasting memories together. If you’re looking for a way to plug in, serve, or simply spend time with great people, there truly is something for everyone this season. 💛

Weekend Events