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Weekend Warrior | October 23-25, 2026

The Amy Jones Group
Oct 23 31 minutes read




 Weekend Warrior: Was that hail?! What in the actual!

This week gave us a pretty good snapshot of what we keep saying about the market: people are still moving, and the right strategy still matters.

We had a brand-new Queen Creek listing go live, while our Chandler listing on an oversized cul-de-sac lot went under contract its very first weekend on the market. We also kicked off this weekend’s open house schedule today at Ocotillo Lakes, with the weather finally showing off again after that wild hailstorm had Phoenix looking more like somewhere much farther north for a minute.

That contrast feels pretty fitting for this season. The market can feel unpredictable, the weather can apparently do whatever it wants, and yet people are still making decisions, taking action, and moving forward. Our job is to help make sure the plan around those moves is thoughtful, well-prepared, and grounded in what is actually happening right now.

Continued below...

 

This weekend is also a meaningful one for our community. We’re gathering for our Sound Bath event in honor of two women in our community who are currently fighting breast cancer, and next week we’ll be volunteering together at ICAN for their Harvest Festival. If you’ve been looking for an easy way to plug in, we would truly love to have you join us.

And before we know it, November will be here, which means our 11th Annual Fall Pie Event is right around the corner. Free pies, free family photos, food, games, and plenty of community fun — so make sure you RSVP and save the date.

Scroll on for this week’s listings, open houses, market updates, events, and all the ways to get connected. There is a lot happening, and we’re grateful to be in the middle of it with all of you. 💛


 

Inside this week’s edition:

🏡 New listings + recent closings
⚽ A fresh market breakdown in plain English
☀️ Summer opportunities for buyers (AND Sellers!)
⚽ Upcoming events and ways to get involved
🎉 Open houses happening this weekend across the Valley

And wherever your weekend takes you, be sure to tag us - we love seeing what you're up to. 💛


📊Market Watch: Buyers Have More Leverage — But Context Still Matters

This week’s market data gave us one of those headlines that sounds dramatic on its own: the Cromford Market Index for Greater Phoenix fell below 70 for the first time since 2009.

That absolutely tells us something important. A reading below 90 favors buyers, and at 69.9, buyers have more leverage today than they’ve had in quite a while. But it is also a perfect example of why context matters so much.

The last time the index was this low, supply was dramatically higher and the market was climbing out of the housing crisis. Today, supply is only modestly above normal. The much bigger issue is weak demand, driven in large part by mortgage rates that are keeping many buyers on the sidelines.

So yes, the balance has shifted toward buyers. No, that does not mean we are replaying 2008.

🏡 The Buyer’s Advantage Is Growing

Across the 18 major cities we track, the average Cromford Market Index is now down 15.1% from a month ago, and all 18 continue moving in a buyer-favorable direction. Supply is higher in every city, while demand is weaker in 17 of the 18.

We are now down to just three seller’s markets: Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Chandler. Seven cities are balanced, and eight favor buyers. Even Fountain Hills and Cave Creek, which had been hanging onto seller-market status, moved into balanced territory this week.

For buyers, that means more choice and more room to negotiate in many parts of the Valley. That can show up as a better purchase price, seller-paid closing costs, repairs, rate buydowns, or simply more time to make a thoughtful decision without feeling like every home will disappear overnight.

Continued below....

 ...Continued from above

💰 Rates Are Still Driving the Conversation

Mortgage rates remain the biggest drag on demand, but there was a small bit of relief this week when the 30-year fixed moved from about 7.4% to 7.3%. That may not sound like a huge change, but when affordability is already tight, even small improvements matter.

More importantly, we continue to see why the headline rate is not the whole conversation.

There are still buyers getting rates below 4%, but those deals are not coming from a broad market-rate drop. In 2025, 82% of purchase mortgages below 4% came through builder-affiliated mortgage companies, usually because builders were paying heavily to buy the rate down.

There is another route too: assumable VA and FHA loans. A qualified buyer can sometimes take over a seller’s existing loan at its original rate, although these transactions remain relatively rare.

That’s why our conversation with buyers is not simply, “What is today’s rate?” It’s, “What options exist for this specific property, this specific loan, and this specific buyer?”

🏗️ New Construction Still Has a Competitive Edge

Builders continue to have one major advantage in this environment: they can use their financing arms to create monthly payments that resale sellers often cannot match on their own.

That does not automatically mean new construction is the better deal. A builder may be using part of the purchase price to fund that attractive rate, so buyers still need to compare the full picture: price, incentives, closing costs, HOA, taxes, upgrades, and long-term equity.

But for buyers who are payment-sensitive, builder financing remains one of the most important opportunities in the market right now.

📍 Your ZIP Code Matters More Than Ever

The broader Phoenix number is useful, but it can hide huge differences.

Scottsdale remains a seller’s market. Chandler is still seller-favorable, though closer to balanced. Gilbert is balanced. Queen Creek and Maricopa remain firmly buyer-favorable. And within the City of Phoenix itself, the Cromford Report is now tracking individual urban villages because conditions vary so much from one part of the city to another.

That means a buyer shopping Ahwatukee may be having a very different experience from someone shopping Central Phoenix, just as a seller in Chandler may have a different strategy from a seller in Queen Creek.

This is exactly why we keep coming back to the same point: there is no single Greater Phoenix market.

💛 The Big Picture

Buyers have more leverage right now. Inventory is building because homes are taking longer to go under contract, and weaker demand is giving buyers more options and more negotiating room.

For sellers, that means preparation matters even more. Homes that are priced thoughtfully, staged well, easy to show, and marketed aggressively can still move — our own listings are proving that. But the market is less forgiving of overpricing or waiting too long to adjust.

For buyers, this may be one of the better windows we’ve had in a while to negotiate, especially if you can pair today’s softer conditions with seller concessions, builder incentives, or an assumable loan opportunity.

The market is shifting, but that does not mean everyone should make the same move.

It means the people who understand the options have more ways to create a good one.

 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.

 


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. 💛



🔥 UPCOMING EVENTS & OPEN HOUSES 🔥 


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 had the best time at EcoRoofing’s annual Trunk or Treat on October 16, the Tiny Pumpkins Play Date on October 20 at Verde, and this weekend is a healing Sound Bath at The Village Athletic Club in Chandler on October 24 - there are still spots left, so come join us! Can't make it this weekend? Join us next wee to volunteer together and an ICAN Harvest Party on October 27 or join us next month at our annual pie event with free photos, pies, and community activities!

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. 💛


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.

Moving to the East Valley soon?

In partnership with East Valley Moms, we've released the East Valley Relocation Guide just for you! With tips for new moms, where to take your kiddos for swim lessons and more - you are not going to want to miss this guide! Download your copy below or message us for details on how to get a hard copy!

Download Here



💬 Your Story Is Our Impact

We’re still feeling incredibly grateful after being recognized with the Gilbert Chamber Impact Award - but the real impact we care about is the one we make in your lives, every single day. If we’ve helped you navigate a move, connected you to the community, or simply made you feel seen and supported, we’d love for you to share your experience in a Google review. Your stories help others find us - and remind us why we do what we do. 💙



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The greatest compliment you could give, is the referral of your friends or family. Trusting us with their real estate needs is an honor and a compliment we take very seriously! Click the link below to refer them and be assured that they will be well taken care of!


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