Home Sweet Home
If you’ve been paying attention to real estate headlines lately, you’ve probably noticed a lot of mixed messages. Some people are waiting for mortgage rates to drop. Others are convinced home prices are about to fall. And many buyers and sellers are simply trying to figure out whether now is a good time to make a move. The reality is that the housing market hasn’t performed quite the way economists expected it would this year. At the end of 2025, many experts predicted that mortgage rates would come down, affordability would improve, and home sales would increase significantly in 2026. Instead, inflation has remained stubborn, economic uncertainty continues, and mortgage rates have stayed higher than most people hoped. As a result, many buyers are still sitting on the sidelines. That doesn’t mean the market has stopped. Homes are still selling every day. It just means buyers are being more selective, taking more time to make decisions, and paying close attention to monthly payment affordability. For sellers, the market is still offering opportunities, but pricing correctly is more important than it has been in several years. Today’s buyers are
comparison shopping, negotiating, and often passing on homes they perceive as overpriced. One bright spot for buyers is new construction. Many builders continue to offer incentives, closing cost assistance, and interest rate buy-down programs to help attract buyers. Depending on your situation, a new build may provide opportunities that aren’t available in the resale market. The bottom line is that today’s market requires realistic expectations. We’re no longer experiencing the frenzy of 2021 and 2022, but we’re also not seeing the dramatic price declines that many people predicted. Real estate remains local, and conditions can vary significantly from one neighborhood to the next. Whether you’re considering buying, selling, or simply keeping an eye on the market, understanding what’s happening in your local market is far more valuable
than focusing on national headlines. Submitted by Christie Giannetto,
REALTOR®, ΓEAL Broker
REACH OUT TODAY! The consultation is always FREE and without obligation. You should know what your home is worth in today’s market! Christie Giannetto | REALTOR ® Christie@AZLifestyleTeam.com SurpriseMatters.com
602.740.2313
July 2026 9
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