Arizona Housing Market Update: Why Q4 Could Surprise Buyers and Sellers Alike

By Sean Colón

As 2025 winds down, the Arizona real estate market is defying expectations — and savvy Realtors know it’s the perfect time to guide clients with precision. From mortgage rates dipping to the lowest levels in over a year to a wave of price adjustments in key segments, both buyers and sellers have new opportunities to act strategically this fall.

Mortgage Rates Drop — and Buyer Psychology Takes Over

Between mid-July and mid-September, mortgage rates slid from 6.85% to 6.1%, marking the sharpest two-month decline in over a year and lowering monthly payments by 7.5%. Yet buyer activity didn’t immediately spike. Many prospective buyers held off, waiting to see if rates would fall further. Once rates stabilized near 6.3%, activity finally picked up — reaching the highest October demand in three years.

For Realtors, this behavioral lag is a valuable insight. Buyers often hesitate during periods of volatility, creating a window for agents to educate and encourage them to act before competition ramps up.

Falling Prices Reshape the Entry-Level Market

Price drops have quietly made select price points far more attainable. Condos between $250K–$300K in Maricopa County have dropped 4.3% since July and sit 15% below 2022’s peak. Similarly, Pinal County single-family homes between $300K–$400K are down 6.7% from last April, while Maricopa County homes in the same range are 13% below peak pricing.

These aren’t temporary dips — they represent real affordability shifts. Realtors who stay informed about localized trends can help buyers identify undervalued neighborhoods before the market rebounds.

Seller Incentives Hit Record Highs

More than 56% of MLS closings in September included seller-paid concessions — typically around $10,000 per transaction. What began as a builder strategy has become a widespread tool in resale markets. As appreciation stalls, sellers with strong equity positions can still leverage concessions to move properties faster, especially before the holiday slowdown.

Timing the Market: Why Q4 Favors Buyers

Historically, the fourth quarter has been the best time for buyers in Greater Phoenix. Inventory rises, but buyer traffic dips during the holidays, creating prime negotiation conditions. Expect more price reductions before Thanksgiving and aggressive concessions from motivated sellers who want to close before year-end.

Realtors can capitalize on this seasonal pattern by re-engaging hesitant buyers and framing Q4 as a rare opportunity window — not a lull.

Shifting Dynamics for Sellers

It’s been a challenging year for many sellers, but not all markets are struggling. Homes priced between $500K and $1.5M saw a 19% year-over-year jump in sales this September, thanks to jumbo mortgage rates dipping below conventional loans for the first time in two years and an uptick in adjustable-rate mortgage popularity (around 5.8%).

While Greater Phoenix remains a buyer’s market overall, pockets of strength persist. Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Fountain Hills remain firm seller’s markets, alongside Gilbert, Chandler, and Anthem. Outlying areas like Buckeye, Queen Creek, and Casa Grande lean toward buyer-friendly conditions due to new home supply.

Positioning for What’s Next

For Realtors advising sellers, patience and precision are key. Those listing now should price competitively and prepare for longer days on market — but with the right photography, staging, and strategy, deals are still closing. For sellers waiting until Q1, expect increased competition as new listings flood the market in early 2026.

Ready to Help Clients Win in Q4?

If you’re preparing listings this season, the right visuals can make all the difference. Twilight photos, cinematic video, and sharp listing imagery attract serious buyers even in slower cycles. Visit SeanColon.com to elevate your marketing with expert real estate photography tailored to Arizona’s unique light, architecture, and buyer expectations.

Join the Conversation

How are you guiding clients through this shifting market? Share your experiences or predictions in the comments — your insight could help other Arizona Realtors navigate Q4 successfully.

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.

Crafting a Standout Real Estate Marketing Strategy in Arizona’s 2025 Market

By Sean Colón

When sellers are interviewing potential agents, one of the most important questions they can ask is: “What’s your marketing strategy to sell my home, and how do you plan to make it stand out from similar properties in my area?”

That question, highlighted by Adam Chahl, Owner and Realtor with Vancouver Home Search, is just as relevant here in Arizona as it is in Vancouver. In fact, it may be even more pressing in today’s shifting Phoenix-area housing market, where competition is heating up again as interest rates ease and buyers have more homes to choose from.

Chahl explains:

“Anyone can list a home on the MLS, but it takes a sharp marketing plan, professional photos, video tours, targeted social media, strong SEO, and a deep understanding of buyer psychology to actually get top dollar in today’s market.”

For Arizona realtors, this is a crucial reminder: the strength of your marketing strategy is what separates you from the average agent. Let’s break down what this means in practical terms for 2025.

Why Marketing Matters More Than Ever in Arizona

According to the Cromford Report, active listings across Greater Phoenix were up 19% year-over-year as of July 2025, while buyer demand has started to rebound with rates dipping closer to 6%. That means more competition among sellers—and more pressure on agents to prove their value.

In a market where inventory is climbing and buyers have options, cookie-cutter MLS listings simply won’t cut it. Sellers expect you to have a defined, data-driven marketing plan that maximizes visibility and positions their property as the best choice.

Key Elements of a Standout Real Estate Marketing Strategy

Today’s most successful Arizona realtors integrate multiple tools and platforms into their approach. Here are the core elements to prioritize:

• Professional Real Estate Photography:
  Listings with professional photos sell 32% faster and command up to $11,000 more on average, according to Redfin. Quality visuals are the first impression buyers get, whether on Zillow, MLS, or social media.

• 360 Tours and Walkthroughs:
  Virtual content isn’t just a pandemic trend. Zillow reports that listings with interactive 360 tours receive 2x the views compared to photo-only listings. In Arizona’s luxury and new construction segments, video is becoming a non-negotiable.

• Targeted Social Media Campaigns:
  Facebook and Instagram ads let you target hyper-local audiences, while TikTok has become a growing platform for showcasing listings to younger buyers. Arizona agents who adapt to these channels see stronger engagement and brand awareness.

• SEO and Online Visibility:
  Beyond the MLS, your own digital presence matters. Realtors who consistently publish content, like blogs on market trends or neighborhood insights, are more likely to appear in local Google searches and attract long-term clients.

• Buyer Psychology and Storytelling:
  As Chahl notes, understanding how buyers think is key. Highlight lifestyle benefits (like proximity to hiking trails in Scottsdale or top-rated schools in Gilbert), not just square footage and finishes.

Learning From Past Listings

Chahl emphasizes that strong agents can explain specific examples of what has worked before. In Arizona, this could mean:

• Adjusting marketing strategies when inventory surges in Chandler.

• Pivoting toward relocation buyers when job growth spikes in Mesa.

• Highlighting energy efficiency and solar features in Tempe homes to appeal to eco-conscious buyers.

Agents who can back up their plan with real-world results build trust and confidence quickly with sellers.

Takeaway for Arizona Realtors

If you can’t clearly articulate your marketing plan, from photography to SEO to social media, you risk losing clients to competitors who can. The question sellers ask—“What’s your strategy to make my home stand out?”—is really your chance to prove that you’re not just another MLS lister, but a true marketing expert.

Position Yourself as the Go-To Realtor in Arizona

If you want to consistently win listings in 2025, your marketing has to reflect today’s buyer behavior. That starts with professional real estate photography that tells the story of each home and positions it for maximum visibility.

If you’re ready to elevate your listings with photography and media that align with your marketing strategy, I’d love to help. Visit SeanColon.com to see examples of my work and connect with me today.

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.