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Weekend Warrior | October 30-November 1, 2026

The Amy Jones Group
Oct 30 34 minutes read




 Weekend Warrior: Happy Halloween Weekend! 🎃🏡💛

The costumes are ready (or being pulled together at the very last minute!), the candy bowls are filling up, and we're heading into one of our favorite weekends of the year! Whether you're trick-or-treating with the kids, getting together with neighbors, or just enjoying these beautiful fall evenings in Arizona, there's plenty to love about this time of year.

And we've got a packed edition of Weekend Warrior to go with it!

This week, we're talking about something we think matters a whole lot more than the latest housing headline: your life, your family, and what home actually means to you. We've got fresh Cromford market numbers, new blogs designed to help you make decisions instead of just watching the market, and plenty of real opportunities worth exploring.

Continued below...

 Of course, we've also got new listings with video tours, open houses to explore this weekend, and a growing calendar of community events as we head into the holiday season. From our upcoming Bunco Night of Giving and annual Pie Event to our newest Wrapped in Love initiative, there are so many ways to connect, celebrate, and give back.

And because it's Halloween weekend, we're sharing some of our favorite FREE places to play, dress up, and celebrate with the family, thanks to our friends at East Valley Moms! 👻

Whether you're here for the houses, the happenings, the market updates, or just looking for something fun to do with the kids, we're glad you're here.

Around here, it's always been about more than real estate. It's about the people, the places, and the community we get to call home.

Happy Halloween, friends! Let's make it a great weekend! 🧡


Inside this week’s edition:

🏡 New listings + recent closings
⚽ A fresh market breakdown in plain English
☀️ Fall 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. 💛


📊You Do Not Live in a Market Report

This week’s housing headlines were full of numbers. The Federal Reserve held its benchmark rate steady. Freddie Mac reported the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 7.24%, down from 7.32% the week before. And purchase mortgage applications rose 4% in the Mortgage Bankers Association’s latest weekly survey.

All useful information. But if you are trying to decide whether to buy a home in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, or anywhere else in the Valley, those numbers are not your whole story.

The House Still Matters

Most of us do not live in spreadsheets. We live in homes where routines happen, kids grow, family visits, and life changes. Unless you would be happy living in a cardboard box because the payment worked, the house has to fit your life as well as your budget.

That means asking a better question than “Are rates about to fall?” What would need to be true for moving to make sense for your family right now?

There May Be More to Explore Than You Think

The Cromford Market Index stood at 67.4 on October 29, signaling a buyer-leaning overall Phoenix-area market. That does not mean every home is negotiable, but it gives buyers a good reason to look closely at real options.

Our agents are exploring no-money-down new construction paths for qualified buyers, listed homes with potentially assumable loans carrying rates below 3%, and contracts where sellers agree to substantial repairs, including roof replacements. Each opportunity comes with qualifications and tradeoffs; none is a promise or a one-size-fits-all solution.

Clarity Beats Doom-Scrolling

The first step is not predicting the perfect mortgage rate. It is deciding what payment feels comfortable, what a home must offer, and which terms could make the two work together. Sometimes that leads to a move. Sometimes it leads to a smarter plan to wait.

We are not here to convince you that now is the time to buy. We are here to help you figure out whether now is the time for you. The market is the context. Your life is the big picture—and it has a whole lot more humans in it.

Have questions about what your options could look like? Reach out to the Amy Jones Group. We would be happy to talk through the possibilities with you.

Sources: Federal Reserve (October 28, 2026); Freddie Mac (October 29, 2026); Mortgage Bankers Association (October 28, 2026); Cromford Report (October 29, 2026).


 


📊The Numbers in the Story: More Choices, Fewer Contracts, and What It Means for You

We've been talking about how the housing market is only one piece of your story. Your life, your family, your finances, and the home you actually want to live in are the rest of it.

But the numbers still matter. And this month's Cromford Report gives us some interesting ones to work with.

More Homes, Fewer Buyers Making Moves

As of October 20, the Phoenix metro area had 27,427 homes for sale, up 6.8% from last year, while homes under contract were down 13.5%. Closed sales fell 9.8% compared with the same period last year, and the median sales price was $448,000, down 1.5%.

The Cromford Market Index was 70.1, putting the overall Valley firmly in buyer's market territory.

What does that mean for you? More choices, potentially more negotiating room, and less pressure to make a decision before you've had time to think it through.

There's More Opportunity at the Lower End of the Market

Here's something especially interesting for first-time buyers: The supply of homes priced under $400,000 has grown 25% since the beginning of September.

And average prices per square foot are down 4.9% from last October in the $300,000–$399,999 range, with even larger declines below $300,000.

That doesn't mean every home is a bargain. But it does mean that if you looked six months ago and couldn't find something that worked, it might be time to look again.

Continued below....

 ...Continued from above

Sellers, the Strategy Matters More Than Ever

Homes going under contract spent a median of 50 days on the market, compared with 37 days two years ago.

Interestingly, fewer new listings are coming on the market, too. Inventory is building because fewer homes are selling, not because everyone suddenly decided to list.

For sellers, that means the right price, preparation, marketing, and negotiation strategy matter. Buyers have choices, and your home needs to give them a reason to choose yours.

One Market. A Whole Lot of Different Stories.

While prices per square foot have declined in several lower price ranges, they're up 5.7% in the $1 million–$1.5 million range. That's a great reminder that the Phoenix housing market isn't one market. Your neighborhood, price point, and property type tell a much more useful story.

So whether you're buying, selling, moving up, downsizing, or just wondering what's possible, don't let the big picture make the decision for you.

Let's find the numbers that actually belong in your story. Because the right decision isn't necessarily what the market says everyone should do. It's what makes sense for you.

Source: The Cromford Report, October 2026. Phoenix metro statistics as of October 20, 2026.


 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. 💛



Community on Purpose: From Halloween Fun to Holiday Giving, There's So Much Happening! 💛


If October reminded us of anything, it's that community doesn't happen by accident. It happens when people keep showing up, bringing their friends, sharing their resources, and finding ways to make life a little better for someone else.

We closed out the month with one of our favorite traditions, a Halloween celebration at ICAN Galveston! Our Amy Jones Group and Community on Purpose volunteers came together with costumes, candy, giveaways, and plenty of fun for kids who deserve to feel seen and celebrated. ICAN has been part of our story for more than 20 years, and we're so grateful to continue supporting the incredible work they do providing free out-of-school programming for Arizona youth.

We also wrapped up our Halloween costume drive, delivering donations from EcoRoofing, Switch Brews & Hello Culture, and Content Ready to House of Refuge. Add in our recently completed Rhinestone Ranch transformation with Branching Out, and it's been a season full of reminders of what happens when businesses, nonprofits, and neighbors work together.

And we're just getting started on the holiday season!

🎲 November 12: Our 2nd Annual Bunco Night of Giving! We're replacing our final business mixer of the year with an afternoon of networking, giving, and a whole lot of fun at Expansive Chandler from 4–6 PM. As always, it's free to attend, but we're asking everyone who can to bring a $50 gift card benefiting ICAN's Boots and Bling gala. Come to play, come to socialize, come to give—but just come! RSVP here.

🥧 November 22: Our 11th Annual Fall Pie Event! Join us from 1–4 PM at Discovery Park in Gilbert for free Thanksgiving pies, family holiday photos, delicious food, games, giveaways, and time with some of our favorite people. We'll also be collecting nonperishable food donations for AZCEND Food Bank. It's one of our longest-running traditions and our favorite way to say thank you to the community that makes all of this possible. Reserve your pie and photos here!

🎁 Wrapped in Love Is Here! This year, Community on Purpose is bringing our holiday giving efforts directly to local families who could use a little extra support. We're organizing opportunities to sponsor families, shop for wish lists, wrap gifts, and help make holiday deliveries. Whether you want to give, volunteer, or get your family or business involved, we'd love to hear from you. Learn more and join our interest list here.

We're also looking forward to celebrating our friends at Branching Out at their November 7 gala, supporting ICAN as they prepare for their Boots, Bling & Big Dreams gala, and collaborating on the Hope Exchange on December 4 at Kiln in Gilbert, bringing local nonprofits and businesses together to turn connection into meaningful action. More details on that gathering are coming soon!

There's something pretty special about living and working in a community where there are this many opportunities to give back, celebrate together, and support people doing important work. And we know that none of it would be possible without the clients, friends, businesses, volunteers, and community partners who continue to believe in serving through real estate and community.

So grab a friend, save a few dates, bring the kids, and find something that speaks to you. Whether you're ready to volunteer, support a family, make a new connection, or just come enjoy a slice of pie, there's a place for you here.

And if there's a cause you care about or an organization doing great work that we should know about, keep telling us! Email us at [email protected], and let's keep finding ways to make good things happen together. 💛

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. 💙



Who do you know with real estate needs? 

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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