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!

☎️ Schedule Your 2025 Equity Review ☎️
The first place to start if you own a home, is to figure out how much equity you've gained since you purchased it. It's yours but without a plan of how you'll use it, it's hard to know how it will work for you. Sitting down and talking about where you are coming from and where you might be headed is the BEST way to kick off the new year - there's no time better than now to set up a plan for those big goals you are planning on achieving this year!
♥️ Celebrating National Margarita Day ♥️
Celebrate National Margarita Day in the Valley of the Sun
National Margarita Day lands on a Saturday this year, giving you all the more reason to celebrate with the signature tequila-based cocktail. Chili's and Lifetime have even collaborated on a short film starring Taye Diggs and Maria Menounos called "I'll Be Home for National Margarita Day," which gives the make-believe holiday treatment on par with Christmas.
Curious What Yelp Thinks About Margaritas in Chandler, Arizona?
Check out the best Margarita Monday spots a few days early this year as we celebrate National Margarita Day right here in Chandler, Arizona!
Becoming a Tequila Snob - A Few Quick Tips from Expert Luann Lennox
Cost is not always equal to quality and taste; however, both will be affected depending upon the use of deep well water sources, original slow, baking ovens vs. fast processing. In addition, the longer the aging process (labor and time) usually equates to higher cost. If you are getting a bottle for less than $30 you are probably getting a quickly made product processed by a diffuser vs. baked traditional brick ovens. Just ensure the label says “100% AGAVE”!
📅 Upcoming Events Calendar 📅
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Gilbert Feeding Families Food Drive
Date: February 10-23, 2025
Location: Various Gilbert & Chandler Drop Off Sites (Including our offices at Expansive: 1820 E Ray Rd. Suite C4 Chandler, AZ 85225)
Overview: Gilbert needs your help to restock local food pantries after the demand from the holidays. Join us for our annual community-wide food drive from February 10-23, 2025 and help us feed Gilbert families in need. We're collecting food donations at several drop-off locations throughout Gilbert. You can also make a cash donation directly to a local food bank. Every $1 you donate can provide five meals or $30 worth of food.
Everything You Need To Know To Buy With Confidence
Date: February 27, 2025
Location: Virtual (ZOOM LINK PROVIDED)
Overview:Join us for an educational deep dive into the home buying process, designed to empower you with the knowledge you need to navigate your purchase with confidence. Taught by Mindy Jones with the Amy Jones Group and Hayley Hansen with X2 Mortgage.
Loan Programs That Will Help You Win
Date: March 7, 2025
Location: Virtual (ZOOM LINK PROVIDED)
Overview: In our first Community Connections series, we're talking about loan programs that will help you WIN in this market. Each week we'll have a different guest speaker talking about everything from financial independence, to budgeting, to school choice and so much more! This week we are joined by Rob Elder with the Elder Team at Wallick and Volk. Register for one session or the entire series at the link above!
Date: April 10, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Expansive Office Complex
1820 E Ray Rd, Chandler, AZ 85225Overview: After the success of our first Business Mixer of 2025, we’re excited to bring this event back! Partnering with Expansive Chandler, this event is perfect for networking, collaboration, and kicking off a successful year. You can expect a fun night of networking, collaboration and referrals, drinks and appetizers, and a big dose of community impact!
Date: April 15, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Garage East
3000 E Ray Rd #7 Gilbert, AZ 85296Overview: The Gilbert Chamber and the Women Empowered Committee invite you to pop in for our Spring Social, coming this April! Our socials provide an atmosphere where professionals both foster new connections and continue to build on existing ones in a fun and casual atmosphere, and build relationships. Spring is the perfect time to nurture growth both professionally and personally, so come join us! This event is open to everyone...All are welcome.
Fresh Starts: Your Guide to Home Buying in 2025
Conquer the Valley's 2025 real estate market with expert advice for first-time buyers...

Getting to Know Your Neighbors
In today’s fast-paced world, we often don’t know the people who live next door to us—and many of us aren’t sure how to even start making those connections. But building strong relationships...

7 Real Estate Myths You Can Finally Stop Believing 🏡💭
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.
🏡 Know Your Home Value 🏡
See how much your home would sell for, TODAY! It's totally FREE!
Curious about what your home is worth in today’s market? 🏡 Whether you're planning to sell soon or just want to stay informed, knowing your home's value is the first step. Click below to get a free, no-obligation home valuation!

📅 EVM Weekender 📅
FREE Events for Families

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!
EAST VALLEY MOMS & THE AMY JONES GROUP TRANSPLANT GUIDE
Motherhood is challenging enough in your hometown where you’re comfortable and have a great support system. Add in moving across the country, and it’s a whole new daunting challenge. First, welcome to the East Valley—we hope you fall in love with the lifestyle here that’s family-focused. Whether you’re from the Pacific Northwest, the East coast, or the Bible belt, welcome to your new home, our home state, Arizona. We hope this serves as a starting point to help you navigate the East Valley whether you’re still considering a move here, or if you’ve just unloaded the moving van and are already tired of being told about our “dry heat.”
🤔 DID YOU KNOW? 🤔

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.
📅 Ready to Start Planning Your Move? Let's Sit Down And Chat! 📆
Our team of full time real estate agents (and mommas!) are here to answer your questions and chances are, if you have them - we've had them to! The local Arizona real estate market can be tricky if all you've got to go off of is click bait and old news - we've got the most current stats and can share with you exactly what our clients are seeing...
🍹Liquid Wanderer: Margarita & Mocktail Recipe🍹

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!
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😲 In Case You Missed It!
We Listed It - We Sold it! Check Out Some of our Recent Amy Jones Group Home Sales!
After selling thousands of homes in the Valley, we know how to prep, price, and get your home sold on YOUR timeline. Take a peek at some of our recent home sales and get a feel for the kind of marketing YOU can expect from the Amy Jones Group - Professional, Eye-Catching, Well Staged - all with the guidance from our expert team!
When Is The Right Time to Buy a Second Home in The Valley
Buying a second home is an exciting milestone—one that opens the door to new experiences, investment opportunities, and lifestyle enhancements. But timing is everything. Whether you're dreaming of a vacation retreat, a rental property, or a future retirement home, knowing when to take the plunge can make all the difference. Here are some non-negotiables.
Building Equity in Your Valley Home: A Guide
Home equity isn't just a buzzword in the realm of homeownership—it's a cornerstone of financial stability and growth. Whether you're setting foot into your first home in the Valley or you're a seasoned homeowner here, getting a grip on how home equity works can significantly influence your financial planning. So, let's slice through the basics of home equity, its importance, and actionable tips for enhancing it in our dynamic real estate market...
How To Start An Indoor Garden in The Valley
Fresh herbs for your pasta, crisp lettuce for your salads, and juicy tomatoes ripening on the vine—all within arm’s reach, right inside your home. Starting an indoor food garden is a fun way to add fresh, homegrown flavor to your meals and bring a little greenery into your space while reducing your dependency on the grocery store (and those fluctuating prices). Plus, it’s easier than you think. Here’s how to get started, even if you’ve never grown a thing in your life.
If you LOVED working with us, please share the LOVE!
The Amy Jones Group prides itself on our commitment and service to our clients. Voted Best of Our Valley for nine years running, we appreciate the support from our past clients, vendor and community partners!

Weekend Events
Chandler Events This Weekend
Whether you’re into live music, outdoor recreation, family-friendly entertainment, performing arts and cultural events, or sporting events, there's plenty of things to do in Chandler this weekend. Stay another day and disconnect with a visit to top attractions and weekend events in and around the Chandler area. There's plenty to do here in Chandler. Find more ideas on our Things to Do page.
Mesa Events This Weekend
During the day, browse artisan vendors and local purveyors at pop-up farmers’ markets — such as the Downtown Mesa Farmers’ Market held every Saturday — or savor the global flavors of Mesa’s dynamic culinary scene at a street fair or food festival. In the evening, laugh it up with friends and family during an improv act at the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre, settle in for a stage production at the Hale Centre Theatre, or listen to live music at a local bar, craft brewery or concert hall.
Gilbert Events This Weekend
Gilbert is central to many of Arizona’s scenic attractions. Northeast lies the Superstition Mountains, the location of the legendary Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, as well as the Tonto National Forest which contains scenery ranging from rugged desert to cool pines. South lies Saguaro National Park...
Queen Creek Events This Weekend
There is always something happening in Queen Creek from Founder's Day to Garlic Week at the Olive Mill to the Holiday Festival and Parade to the Ice Cream Social - there are fun activities for everyone ALL year long!
Thinking about buying or selling a home?
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