Weekend Warrior | December 6-7, 2025

Weekend Warriors: Closings, Community & Countdown to the New Year 🎬🏡✨

If this week had a theme, it was movement - and a lot of it! We kicked things off with four closings, each one completely different, and each one a reminder that people move for all kinds of reasons and in every kind of market. One family downsizing in under 30 days, two first-time homebuyers stepping into homeownership for the very first time, and one client transitioning into active adult apartment living. Who’s moving right now? Everyone.

On top of that, we hosted three listing consultations, and we’re already gearing up for what’s shaping up to be a very busy first quarter with a dozen new listings teed up for early January. (Yes, Q3 may be the “sleepiest” season in Arizona real estate, but Q1 is where things snap back into gear, and we are READY.)

Community didn’t slow down either. We raised $1,200 at our Bunco Night for Community on Purpose, our family photos from the Pie Event hit inboxes (let us know how you’re using yours - holiday cards? framed gifts? mom’s mantelpiece?), and we celebrated the Verde grand opening with popcorn, candy, and another magical movie night under the lights.

The Holiday Home Fit Check List

December in the Valley has its own rhythm - cooler weather, visiting friends and family, and suddenly busier homes in Arcadia, Gilbert, North Scottsdale, and Ahwatukee. It’s the perfect time to see how your home truly functions when life shifts into holiday mode. The open floor plan that feels spacious during a quiet week may feel tight when everyone’s home and the kitchen is working overtime. That’s why many homeowners start thinking about a possible move in the new year, especially if 2026 is on the horizon. Before making any big decisions, it helps to observe how your home performs during the holidays.

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 This upcoming week keeps the fun going: more closings, stocking stuffers for House of Refuge, finishing up our Branching Out gift drive, and another Tuesday Playdate - bring the littles, bring the energy, we’ll bring the fun.

And while we know December moves FAST, this is also the perfect time to get ahead of your plans for next year. If you’re thinking about selling in January or considering a move in 2026, let’s set aside 30 minutes for a planning session (we’ll even bring the hot chocolate). Your future self will THANK you for it.

Scroll on for real estate updates, community events, year-end giving opportunities, and everything happening across the East Valley this week — it’s a lot, and we love every bit of it. ✨

📊 Market Watch: December Is Off to a Surprisingly Strong Start

If the market has felt a little busier these last couple of weeks, there’s a reason - the numbers for early December are in, and they’re telling a much more encouraging story than anyone expected heading into the end of the year.

Let’s break it down in real-people language:

Supply took a sharp turn… in a good way.

Active listings are still higher than this time last year (up about 14%), but - and this is the important part - supply actually dropped 5% in just one month.
Why?
More cancellations (up 20%) and a huge jump in expirations (up 43%) pushed a lot of listings off the market.

And here’s the fun twist:
👉 Buyers still have more choices than last year
👉 But sellers now have less competition

In other words, both sides are getting a little of what they want - rare, but we’ll take it.

Demand is climbing too - and not quietly. Under-contract listings are up 12% from last December, and pending contracts are up almost 9%. Mortgage rates also ticked down again, which absolutely helped. Sales look lower than last month, but November had three fewer working days than October — so that comparison is basically useless. Looking year over year, closings are actually up 4.7%, which is the more accurate picture.

Bottom line:
👉 More buyers are writing offers
👉 More contracts are getting accepted
👉 Demand is officially on an upward trend

This is a very different tone from the sluggish spring and summer. So… what does this mean for pricing?

Prices are doing exactly what we want them to do in a stabilizing market:

• Average price per sq ft: up 1.6% from last year

• Median sales price: up 1.1% from last year, holding steady month over month

Here’s the interesting part - when you factor in inflation, prices are actually down slightly, and interest rates are lower than this time last year. Combine that with rising household earnings, and homes are more affordable today than they were last December. That’s not a headline you see often, but it’s true.

🙋‍♀️ So...What's the Bottom Line? 

The market is ending 2025 healthier than anyone expected three months ago. This was a low-volume year overall, with luxury carrying a lot of the weight but Greater Phoenix seems determined to finish on a high note. More demand. Less supply. Stable pricing. Better affordability. Not a bad way to close out the year.

What a morning at the Turkey Trot for Tiny Warriors! Our incredible Community on Purpose board member, Jen Glaab from Homestretch, and her husband Jim organized this heart-filled event benefitting three brave kiddos currently battling cancer and together, the community raised more than $1,000 to support them. Families, vendors, runners, walkers, and neighbors filled the courtyard at Bottle & Bean in Chandler, creating the kind of energy and connection that reminds us exactly why we show up. We’re so grateful to everyone who attended, donated, and cheered on these tiny warriors. This is community in action. 💛

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