Author: Tina L Campbell

It’s always exciting to see how our real estate market shifts as we move through the year. Early Q3 brought a slight 1.7% dip in US existing-home sales compared to the previous month, but sales are still up 0.7% from last year—so completed transactions are holding steady, even a touch above last summer. The median existing-home price has climbed to $434,100, marking 37 straight months of annual gains. That’s more equity in the pockets of homeowners—definitely something worth keeping an eye on! Inventory finished Early Q3 at 1.54 million homes, down 1.9% month-over-month and 0.6% year-over-year, so buyers really need to pay close attention to new listings in our still-tight market. Even as prices rise, housing affordability has improved nationally, which means there are opportunities out there for prepared buyers when the right home, price, and timing line up. With mortgage rates hovering in the high-6% range for a 30-year fixed, any decrease could make a big difference as summer continues. I always find it rewarding to guide clients through these changes—there’s a perfect home for everyone, and it’s all about staying ready for the right moment!

Ever notice how some things get more affordable, while others seem to skyrocket in price? In the US, prices rarely stand still—when we score big savings on technology, like those powerful smartphones in our pockets, we often see other prices (think hotel rooms, sports tickets, college tuition) creeping up. It’s not a simple give and take. There’s no magic button for true price stability, since our economy is shaped by millions of choices and global trends every day. Even if the dollar remained steady, investment dollars might move away from inflation hedges, pushing up prices for rare experiences and goods while lowering others. As someone who’s passionate about real estate and helping clients navigate these changes, I see firsthand that shifting prices can signal progress, not just problems. Change is part of the adventure—and I’m here to help you embrace it with confidence!

It’s exciting to see buyers finally getting some real negotiating power in our market! With competition cooling down, we’re noticing more opportunities for home shoppers to take their time and really explore different options instead of feeling rushed. Builders are stepping up too—offering incentives, mortgage-rate buydowns, and even making price adjustments to encourage those who may be on the fence. While higher mortgage rates are still making some buyers cautious, it’s nice to have more homes available and a bit more flexibility in the process. As someone who truly enjoys helping people find their perfect place to call home, I love seeing these positive shifts for buyers!

Labor Day in the United States celebrates the contributions of workers everywhere, while also unofficially marking the final big summer weekend before fall takes over.
It’s known for backyard barbecues, road trips, and that classic tradition of buying things you didn’t know you needed because “it’s on sale.”
Beaches, parks, and grills reach peak activity as everyone tries to squeeze every last drop of summer fun out of the long weekend.
Happy Labor Day! Wishing you a fun, easygoing weekend filled with good vibes, great food, and absolutely no thoughts about Monday.

Arizona's investment story centers on semiconductors, with Phoenix already holding >140K related jobs and demand expected to strengthen near North Phoenix and Chandler fabs.
A second fab near Phoenix had completed construction, with volume production expected in 2027, leaving some investors viewing today's price plateau as an entry window.
Arizona's Colorado River allocation supplies ~one-third of statewide water use, and discussions on rules beyond 2026 pointed to further cuts for Arizona.
Local water managers said cities could manage added cuts without service disruptions, though conservation, efficiency requirements, and possible drought surcharges looked increasingly likely.
Phoenix housing had cooled from boom-era highs, but analysts largely viewed it as normalization, with near-term price growth expected in a low-single-digit range.

AI models analyze vast datasets, from rates to neighborhood signals and online sentiment, uncovering patterns humans miss and sharpening housing and mortgage decisions.
For buyers and sellers, AI tools can flag future hot spots, suggest pricing, timing, and renovations, and add data-driven confidence to major decisions.
Trust remains central because many models work like black boxes, making strong predictions without clear explanations and raising questions about hidden bias in training data.
Widespread adoption could blur prediction and influence, as shared signals steer investor, lender, and buyer behavior, potentially reinforcing trends and amplifying market swings.
Across developed and emerging markets, adoption differs with data quality and oversight, making collaboration, education, and human oversight central to next steps.