By Sean Colón
Arizona real estate in 2025 is defined by contrast. Many potential buyers remain stuck on the sidelines, holding back due to high mortgage rates, affordability challenges, and the ongoing “lock-in effect.” But while discretionary moves have slowed, one group remains active and highly motivated: must-move buyers.
These are clients driven by job relocations, family changes, or urgent life transitions that can’t wait for interest rates to improve. For Arizona realtors, understanding this group and adapting your strategy around them is key to thriving in today’s housing market.
Why Must-Move Buyers Are Driving Arizona Home Sales
Nationally, existing home sales are hovering near 30-year lows. Mortgage rates are expected to stay above 6% throughout 2025, and Arizona’s affordability index reflects the same strain as other major markets. Yet despite these headwinds, buyers with no choice but to move are keeping deals alive.
In fact, according to RCLCO’s Mid-Year Update, many master-planned communities in Arizona continue to outperform, thanks to strong school districts, lifestyle amenities, and community standards that preserve resale value. For urgent buyers, these qualities make a move not only possible, but appealing.
The takeaway for realtors: not everyone is waiting. The “life happens” buyer pool—those relocating for jobs, downsizing after divorce, or moving parents into multigenerational homes—represents a steady stream of opportunity.
Quick Move-In Homes: The Competitive Advantage Realtors Need
For must-move clients, time is everything. Construction delays are still common, with 13% of projects now taking longer than 13 months to complete, compared to just 9% in 2019. That’s where quick move-in (QMI) homes give you a powerful edge.
QMI homes allow realtors to present listings with certainty on:
Price
Finishes
Availability
Move-in date
For buyers juggling a job relocation, school enrollment deadlines, or a new family structure, that clarity reduces hesitation and accelerates decision-making. Arizona realtors who highlight QMI inventory are already seeing faster sales cycles and more satisfied clients.
The Must-Move Spectrum: More Than Just Relocations
Urgent buyers don’t all look the same. Here’s how Arizona realtors can spot and serve them:
Corporate transferees: Need to close before school starts or job deadlines.
Sandwich generation buyers: Balancing care for aging parents while maintaining privacy.
Budget combiners: Friends or siblings pooling resources in Arizona’s high-priced market.
Life-stage shifters: Clients navigating divorce, marriage, or retirement with non-negotiable timelines.
Each buyer type has unique priorities, and marketing that reflects those priorities builds trust quickly. For example, promoting dual-office floor plans speaks to remote workers, while highlighting private suites appeals to multigenerational households.
Smart Marketing Strategies for Arizona Realtors
How can realtors position themselves as the go-to solution for must-move buyers?
Lead with readiness – Showcase QMI homes front and center in your listings and presentations.
Target incentives wisely – Limited-time rate buydowns and lifestyle-specific packages (“Remote Work Ready,” “Sandwich Generation Suites”) often outperform broad incentives.
Streamline the process – Buyers under pressure value agents who provide clear steps from interest to closing, minimizing delays.
For many clients, the choice of realtor hinges on whether you can align their urgency with practical solutions.
Building Resilience in Arizona’s 2025 Housing Market
Arizona real estate agents who adapt to must-move buyers aren’t just closing deals today—they’re setting themselves up for long-term success. Every system you refine now, from inventory strategy to targeted messaging, strengthens your ability to thrive no matter what the broader housing market does.
Even in a high-rate environment, life doesn’t pause. For Arizona realtors, the agents who anticipate and solve for urgency will lead the way in 2025 and beyond.
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.