By Sean Colón
The Phoenix housing market just hit another headline. According to a recent AZFamily report, Phoenix currently leads the nation in homes being pulled off the market. For Arizona Realtors, this trend is more than just a statistic — it’s a signal of shifting buyer behavior and seller strategy that could reshape how you approach listings this fall.
Why Are So Many Homes Being Delisted in Phoenix?
Sindy Ready, President of the Arizona Association of Realtors (AAR), explains that delisting can actually be a strategic move for sellers.
“In this market, it can help the seller with delisting because they can take it off the market and start over at the end of the summer just like it’s a new listing,” Ready said.
With high interest rates, record-breaking summer heat, and inflated home prices all cooling buyer urgency, some sellers see an advantage in “resetting” their listing later in the year. This allows them to re-launch with fresh photos, new positioning, and renewed attention from buyers once temperatures — and buyer activity — pick up in the fall.
What This Means for Arizona Buyers
For buyers, delistings are not necessarily dead ends. In fact, Ready encourages agents to see them as opportunities:
“If you saw a house delisted, tell your agent to call the other agent and see if the seller is still interested in selling… you might have a better opportunity to negotiate before it even goes back on the market.”
With sellers stepping back but still motivated, realtors who stay proactive can uncover off-market deals for clients — sometimes with stronger negotiating power.
Not Quite a Buyers Market… Yet
Despite the surge in delistings, Ready is hesitant to call the current landscape a true buyers market. Many sellers are still holding firm on price expectations. However, the Federal Reserve’s next meeting on September 17 could shift momentum if rate cuts are announced.
For Arizona Realtors, this means preparing for multiple possible scenarios:
If rates drop, expect renewed buyer demand and increased competition for listings.
If rates hold, delistings may continue to climb through late summer, creating both challenges and hidden opportunities.
How Realtors Can Adapt in 2025
To thrive in this environment, Arizona Realtors need to stay flexible and data-driven. Consider these strategies:
Educate Sellers: Share why relaunching with professional photography and updated marketing can make a listing feel brand new to buyers scrolling the MLS.
Track Delistings: Don’t ignore homes that disappear from the market — they may become tomorrow’s off-market wins for your clients.
Leverage Seasonality: The extreme Arizona summer heat has slowed activity. Position listings to shine in the fall when buyer demand naturally ticks up.
Watch Interest Rates: Market your expertise by staying ahead of Federal Reserve updates and guiding clients on how financing changes affect their decisions.
According to AAR, extreme heat was a top factor in slowing buyer activity this summer. With July hitting record highs above 118°F in Phoenix, buyer hesitancy has become as much about weather as it is about interest rates.
Final Takeaway for Arizona Realtors
The rise in delistings is not a sign of collapse — it’s a call for creativity. Realtors who treat this moment as a chance to refresh marketing strategies, re-engage clients, and use professional tools like real estate photography and virtual tours will stand out from the competition.
If you are an Arizona Realtor looking to elevate your listings with high-quality visuals that stop buyers mid-scroll, I can help. Visit SeanColon.com to see how professional real estate photography in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the East Valley can transform your marketing and help your listings sell faster when the market heats back up.
By the way, I help realtors improve their online and social media presence by providing beautiful photos of their listings. That is why I’ve created this FREE HOME PREP LIST for your clients to help your listings look their best. Feel free to share.