Weekend Warrior | September 28 - September 29, 2024

Weekend Warriors - You Made It!

Ugh - well there went our cooler weather. If you are anything like me, it feels 10x hotter after we get a break from it for a few days but if we can just power through this weekend (and a few more days after that!), it is going to be well worth the wait. While everyone else in the country prepares to shovel snow, we're getting to some of the BEST times of the year for Fall events, holidays, and so much goodness in the last few months of 2024. Wild to think about isn't it?!

I'm always surprised this time of year to look back and see just how much we have done this year - as moms, business owners, community members, and friends - and that's just a few of the roles I know all of you play! You are running families, companies, neighborhoods, helping with your parents (we see you sandwich generation...we are you!) and so, so many more. We're so grateful to be on this journey of life with you and I hope if you can make it, you'll swing by our movie event tomorrow so we can tell you in person. I think we're down to our last couple rows in the theater, but if you can snag a spot today.

This weekend's edition is packed with all kinds of stuff - a bit of an update on our local market where we're seeing a teensy bit more inventory as more homes are coming to market than buyers who are out shopping giving buyers a good opportunity to pick the house they want. We cannot underestimate the advantage that a buyer has when they are able to get into a property with their agent and negotiate the terms of the property they want instead of having to compete against other buyers for the same property...which we'll see more of as rates continue to drop.

We've also got some fun upcoming events that our friends at East Valley Mom have rounded up for us in the Halloween edition, have a packed weekend of open houses and so much more! Take a few minutes to scroll through this Weekend Warrior with a cup of coffee or in between errands and let us know what you love most about it by commenting on our social posts at /amyjonesgroup on both FB and IG. Happy Weekending!

 📊 Market Update: Fall 2024 Opportunities for Buyers and Sellers 📊   

As we approach the final months of 2024, both buyers and sellers are in a unique position to make smart real estate moves. With a changing market and potential shifts on the horizon, now may be the perfect time to take action. Let’s dive into what buyers and sellers can expect this fall and why reaching out to us at the Amy Jones Group is your best step forward.

For Buyers:

It might be surprising to hear, but recessions often spark a housing market turnaround. Historically, home values have remained stable or even appreciated during recessions, except for the infamous 2008 downturn. Additionally, mortgage rates tend to decline during these periods, which creates favorable buying conditions. According to the Arizona Department of Economic Opportunity, private sector wages have been rising faster than inflation, increasing affordability as incomes grow and rates soften. However, the housing market moves slowly compared to the stock market. While August didn’t show much improvement in mortgage applications, the next few months could be key. As mortgage rates gradually decline, more buyers will feel confident applying for loans and making offers. Plus, with new listings up 11% in Greater Phoenix since rates began their descent in August, buyers have more options to explore.

For Sellers:

September and October are critical months for sellers to capitalize on increased market activity before the holiday season begins. Homes listed now have a better chance of selling by October, with the median marketing time currently sitting at 33 days. Sellers waiting until late October risk running into holiday slowdowns, which could extend the time it takes to find the right buyer. For those in the luxury market, it's a mixed bag. While lower mortgage rates won’t significantly impact sales above $2M, the luxury segment is benefiting from lower supply and high demand, especially in areas like Paradise Valley. No matter your situation, it’s clear that planning ahead is key. Whether you're looking to buy or sell, reach out to the Amy Jones Group today to discuss your real estate goals and take advantage of the opportunities this fall!

Last week 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. 

Candyland Skate Party - A Candyland-themed skate party is “rolling” on Sept. 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St. The FREE family event is BYOS (bring your own skates!) and includes the movie “Wonka” on the giant screen, plus food trucks and fun skating games presented by AZ Roller Girls.

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.

Our full roundup of all family-friendly Hispanic Heritage Month events happening across the East Valley is on the blog here.

😲 In Case You Missed It!