Weekend Warrior | February 22-23, 2025

Weekend Warriors: Sippin’ on Market Moves This Week! 🍹🏡

It’s National Margarita Day, and whether you’re shaking up a classic, going for a mocktail, or just here for the chips and guac, we’ve got something for everyone in this week’s edition—including the best places to celebrate (with or without the tequila! 😉).

But that’s not all—while margarita season may last all year, peak selling season in real estate won’t! If you’re thinking about buying or selling, now is the time to get ahead. Inventory is shifting, buyers are out in full force, and for those in active adult communities, this window is even shorter before summer slows things down.

Here’s how we’re helping you take action:
🍹 Market Updates & Open Houses – Get the latest insights on what’s happening NOW in the market.
🍹 Virtual Buyer’s Workshop – Thinking of making a move? Get prepped, get prequalified, and get your strategy in place!
🍹 Community & Networking Events – Whether you’re looking to connect, grow, or give back, we’ve got you covered.

And speaking of growth—we’re expanding our team! If you or someone you know recently got their real estate license (or is licensed but trusts our team’s experience), we want to meet them. Send your best referrals our way—we’re committed to serving our community at the highest level through real estate and beyond.

So, whether you’re toasting with a margarita or a mocktail, cheers to new opportunities, big moves, and a community that always shows up! Keep tagging us in your adventures at @amyjonesgroup—we love celebrating with you!

PS. Scroll through for this week’s recipes, market insights, and all the local events you won’t want to miss!

Market Trends: More Buyers, More Competition, More Opportunity

We’ve got buyers in cars, sellers prepping homes, and the market heating up—if you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. We’re officially in peak selling season, and while it won’t last forever, we’re already seeing increased activity leading to more competition (and yes, that means prices will follow).

What We’re Seeing Right Now:

🚗 Buyers Are Moving! We just got a 22-year-old into his first home with NO out-of-pocket costs—he even got his earnest money back. These opportunities are out there, especially in the outer markets, if you know where to look.

💰 New Forgivable Grant Program! A fully forgivable 4% bond program just launched this week, giving first-time buyers a huge advantage by covering part of their down payment and closing costs. If you thought affordability was out of reach, this could be your moment.

📊 Prices & Inventory Are Shifting
The latest data confirms what we’re seeing in real time:

• Prices jumped over 1% this past month, with some areas seeing more volatility than others.
• Luxury sales are booming, which is keeping the average price per square foot high, even though the median home price has stayed around $450K since October.
• Foreclosure activity? Still low. Despite what the headlines say, distressed sales make up less than 2% of the market.

Should Sellers Wait?

We’re still getting this question a lot. The short answer? It depends on your city.
If your area doesn’t have enough inventory, it’s a great time to list. Interest rates are settling around 6% and likely staying there all year, meaning buyers are adjusting, not retreating.

The Bottom Line:

🏡 If you’re buying, act before competition gets stronger.
🏡 If you’re selling, make sure you’re positioned correctly to take advantage of demand.

Let’s chat about what makes sense for YOU. And don’t forget—our 7 Myths About the Market article is a must-read in this week’s edition!

♥️ Celebrating National Margarita Day ♥️   

📅  Upcoming Events Calendar 📅  

When it comes to real estate, there’s no shortage of opinions—whether it’s from well-meaning friends, family members, or online “experts.” But just because something was true a few years ago doesn’t mean it still holds water today. The market evolves fast, and some of the most common advice we hear is stuck in the past.

Here are 7 real estate myths that deserve to be gently (okay, maybe not so gently) debunked:

1. Buyer Demand Is on the Decline

It was true that buyer demand dropped in 2022 and 2023, thanks to fluctuating mortgage rates and affordability challenges. But today? Not so much. Buyer demand has stabilized and is closely following last year’s trend, with minimal reaction to rate changes. Buyers are back—and they’re making moves.

2. There’s Nothing to Buy Under $300K

A few years ago, finding a single-family home under $300K was like hunting for Bigfoot—almost impossible. In February 2022, there were only 90 active listings under $300K across Maricopa and Pinal counties. Today? There are over 500, with most in Pinal County. Condo and townhome shoppers have even more choices, with more than 1,200 active listings in Maricopa County.

3. My Income Is Too High for Homebuyer Assistance Programs

Think you’re making too much money to qualify for help? Not necessarily. Some down payment assistance programs focus on location rather than income. Others have income limits as high as $150,000/year—or no limits at all. Working with the right loan officer can unlock programs you didn’t even know existed, saving you thousands.

4. I Must Be a First-Time Buyer to Qualify for Assistance

Surprise! “First-time homebuyer” doesn’t always mean what you think. According to HUD, you’re considered a first-time buyer if you haven’t owned a home in three years. Been renting? You qualify. Only ever owned a mobile home? You qualify. Bought a home with a former spouse and now flying solo? You still qualify.

5. Mortgage Rates Are Too High—There’s Nothing I Can Do

Yes, rates are higher than the rock-bottom lows of 2020, but buyers have more tools than ever to work around them. In January alone, 57% of sales between $200K and $600K included seller-paid incentives, with most going toward rate buydowns. Builders are offering permanent buydowns, and sellers with FHA or VA loans are offering assumable mortgages with rates below 5%. A little research can help hack today’s affordability challenges.

6. We’re in a Bubble, and Prices Are Going to Crash

Not true. While Greater Phoenix saw a significant price correction in 2022—dropping 12.3% from May to December—prices have since stabilized. In most areas, home prices are up just 1-2% year over year, below the current rate of inflation. Today’s market is far from the chaos of the last few years, and buyers are negotiating sales prices roughly 1.9% below list—a huge improvement from the 2022 bidding wars.

7. I’ll Sell My Home “As-Is” and Just Offer Buyer Incentives

In a mild seller’s market, you could get away with an “as-is” sale and buyer incentives. Not anymore. Today, condition matters more than ever. Well-maintained homes in excellent condition rise to the top of buyers’ lists, while those that need work often sit longer, even with aggressive pricing and perks. It’s all about presentation.

Ready to Separate Fact from Fiction?

The real estate market is full of opportunities if you know how to navigate it. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, seasoned investor, or thinking about selling, don’t let outdated advice steer you wrong. Reach out to our team, and let’s build a strategy that works for today’s market.

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.

Last year 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. 

If you have been to one of our Business Mixers at Expansive, you have gotten to taste the cocktail (and mocktail!) options that Liquid Wanderer provides in their amazing mobile bar set up. This month, in honor of National Margarita Day, we are bringing you one of their incredible recipes WITH and WITHOUT tequila:

𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚
Ingredients:

• 2 oz @ghosttequila (Spiced Blanco or Reposado)
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 0.5 oz Orange Liqueur
• 0.5 oz Agave Syrup
• Tajín or chili salt for the rim
• Garnish with a dryed red pepper and dehydrated lime wheel

Mocktail Version:

• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice• 0.5 oz Orange Juice
• 0.5 oz Homemade Jalapeno Simple Syrup
• Rim the glass with Tajín or chili salt for a festive touch
• Garnish the same way for a stunning celebration-worthy sip!

😲 In Case You Missed It!