Heart of PHX, Vol. 8, Issue 40

Friday, October 2, 2026 | Volume 8, Issue 40

Bingley's Nose, Blood, and Cuss Words

This week I've been nursing Bingley's weird nose injury. He keeps licking off the Manuka honey.

I've also been trying to dig a particularly aggressive, super-thorny mesquite volunteer out of my vincas. There has been blood and cuss words. On top of that, I have two new home improvement items to put together and install, and I'm planting my fall veggies. I LOVE October, and not just because it's my birthday month!

Welcome Home, and What I'm Working On

This week I welcomed some out-of-state new homeowners to town with my famous moving survival bucket (with added Halloween candy, 'tis the season!).

I'm also helping get a beautiful new listing in the West Valley ready, working on a new project for my new side business, and showcasing a wonderful listing in my neighborhood to everyone I think may like it.

Play Ball! Arizona Fall League Opening Day

Opening Day for the Arizona Fall League is tomorrow, Saturday, October 3, and the season runs through the championship game on Saturday, November 14. It's where MLB teams send some of their top prospects to play in the fall, so you get to see tomorrow's big leaguers up close at our spring training ballparks. There are six teams: the Glendale Desert Dogs, Mesa Solar Sox, Peoria Javelinas, Salt River Rafters, Scottsdale Scorpions, and Surprise Saguaros.

I LOVE baseball. The Fall League is a really great thing for the Valley, and it's fun to have a great day at the park without giant crowds and lines for snacks. My favorite team is the Glendale Desert Dogs. The Desert Dogs open against Salt River on Saturday at 12:30 pm and play Scottsdale on Sunday at 1:30 pm. I'll be at the games Saturday and Sunday! If you're a baseball fan, I think you'll love it too. See the full season schedule

This Weekend in the Valley

• Maricopa Home and Garden Show , Fri 10/2 to Sun 10/4, 10 am to 5 pm, WestWorld of Scottsdale. A plant pavilion, home improvement ideas, and an artisan market. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is doing adoptions there all weekend, too.
• Glass Pumpkin Patch , Fri 10/2 to Sun 10/4, 9 am to 5 pm, Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, Carefree. Hand-blown glass pumpkins benefiting Foothills Food Bank.
• Oktoberfest at Pedal Haus , Sat 10/3, 11 am to 9 pm, Mesa. German music from 4 to 9 pm, food, and craft beer.
• Fountain Hills Oktoberfest , Fri 10/2 and Sat 10/3, 5 to 10 pm, Fountain Hills. Bavarian music, beer, and pretzels.
• Harvest in the Heritage District , through Nov 1, Gilbert. Ray Villafane's Great Gilbert Gourd Hunt.

See all this week's Valley events

ADOT Weekend Freeway Travel Advisory, Oct. 2 to 5

1. Westbound Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) closed between 51st and 75th avenues from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Oct. 5) for widening project. Westbound Loop 101 on-ramps closed at 27th and 35th avenues. Northbound and southbound Interstate 17 ramps to westbound Loop 101 closed. Detour: Consider using westbound Union Hills Drive to 75th Avenue to connect with Loop 101.
2. Westbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) closed between Arizona Avenue and Loop 101 (Price Freeway) from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Oct. 5) for widening project. Westbound Loop 202 ramps to Loop 101 closed. Westbound Loop 202 on-ramps closed at Gilbert, Cooper and McQueen roads. Detour: Consider using Pecos or Germann roads to travel beyond the closure.
3. Northbound State Route 51 closed between I-10 and Indian School Road from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Oct. 5) for pavement improvement project. Detour: Consider using 16th, 24th or 32nd streets to Indian School Road to reach SR 51.
4. Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) narrowed to one or two lanes between McKellips Road and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Oct. 5) for pavement maintenance. Note: Eastbound Loop 202 ramps to northbound and southbound Loop 101 closed from 8 p.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 3).
5. Westbound Loop 303 closed between I-17 and 43rd Avenue from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Oct. 5) for bridge construction. Detour: Consider using northbound I-17 frontage road to Dove Valley Road to 43rd Avenue to connect with Loop 303.
6. Southbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) narrowed to two lanes between Princess Drive/Pima Road to Shea Boulevard from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Oct. 5) for pavement improvement project. Expect intermittent ramp closures at times. Consecutive on- and off-ramps will not be closed at the same time. Detour: Follow posted signs or use next available ramp.
7. SR 347 narrowed to one lane in both directions between Casa Blanca Road and Mammoth Way from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (Oct. 5) north of the City of Maricopa for paving.

Real-time highway conditions: AZ511.gov, the az511 app, or call 511.

See ADOT's full advisory

The Valley by the Numbers

Greater Phoenix, Phoenix REALTORS data (via AZ Big Media, Oct 1):

City snapshots: Phoenix $490,000 (3.4 months of supply), Scottsdale $1.26 million (up 4.1%), Gilbert $599,450, and Buckeye $400,000 (down 2.4%).

Nationally, 42% of listings have had a price cut, above the normal 30% to 35% (HousingWire, Sept 28). "The market is still moving, just at a more measured pace," said Phoenix REALTORS Board President Sammy Glassman.

What this means for you

Buyers: You have more time and more room to negotiate on price, repairs, and closing costs. Well-priced homes still sell close to list, so don't lowball the good ones.

Sellers: Homes that are priced right are still getting about 98% of list. Overpricing is what leads to price cuts and long days on market.

Small investors: More listings are cutting price, so there's room to negotiate. Run your numbers at today's rates.

Friday Mortgage Talk: Rates Jump Again

Rates moved up again this week. Freddie Mac's weekly survey had the average 30-year fixed at 7.28% on October 1, up from 7.03% last week and 6.34% a year ago. Mortgage News Daily's daily 30-year rate was 7.54% the same day, and the Daily Temp I get from Michael Chalker at SFMC Home Lending had the 30-year conforming at 7.386% on Thursday. These are national averages, not anyone's quote.

On Michael's report, FHA (7.095%) and VA (7.083%) were still running a little lower than conventional, and the 15-year was 6.623%. Borrowers with credit scores over 740 were getting rates about two-tenths of a point lower than borrowers under 680.

Jaime Kinman of Rate, one of the lenders I trust, says September was a tough reminder that mortgage rates don't move with the Fed alone. Long-term Treasury yields have surged on inflation concerns, heavy government borrowing, and geopolitical uncertainty, and she notes the Fed also raised its benchmark rate by a quarter point this month. Her take for buyers: "Waiting for the 'perfect rate' may not be the best strategy." Instead, focus on what you can control: purchase price, seller concessions, buy-before-you-sell programs, bridge loans, home equity lines of credit, temporary buydowns, ARMs, and the right loan structure. "There are still opportunities in this market. We just have to be more strategic about finding them." She's watching this week's inflation and employment data for signs of relief.

If you were pre-approved even two weeks ago, let's refresh it before you write an offer, and talk with your lender about when to lock. If rates have you sitting on the sidelines, call me before you assume the numbers can't work.

Do you own a home? How does that factor into your wealth?

Did you know I offer a free monthly snapshot of your home's value? It's an algorithmic value, not an appraisal, but it's a great way to keep an eye on your home wealth: your equity, your loan, your value, and what the market is doing around you.

It can help you save money and build wealth faster. You'll see the power of making extra principal payments, or refinancing at the right time. It can also help you figure out when it makes sense to buy, sell, rent, or remodel. If you want a sharper number, I'm happy to tweak your value by updating a CMA (comparative market analysis) as often as you like.

Sign up and you'll get a really detailed analysis in your inbox every month, and it's free. Happy to help you know what you own.

Get my free home value snapshot

Community Shoutout: The State Fair and Seven Chances to Adopt

The Arizona State Fair opened Thursday and runs Thursdays to Sundays through Nov 1. And the Gin Blossoms are playing tonight at Veterans Memorial Coliseum (doors at 6, show at 7), and fair admission is included with your concert ticket.

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control October adoption events:

• Maricopa County Home Show Adoptions, Oct 2 to 4, 10 am to 5 pm, WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16602 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale
• Chandler PetSmart Adoption Event, Oct 6, 11 am to 3 pm, 2861 E Germann Rd, Chandler
• Fast and Furriest 5K, Oct 10, 8 am to 12 pm, Kiwanis Park, 101 W Baseline Rd, Tempe
• Bookmans Phoenix Adoptions, Oct 11, 12 to 4 pm, 8034 N 19th Ave, Phoenix
• Barks at the Beach, Oct 15, 11 am to 3 pm, Butcher Jones Beach Site, 3 E Butcher Jones Beach Rd, Fort McDowell
• Tempe PetSmart Adoption Event, Oct 16, 11 am to 3 pm, 1900 E Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe
• Cars and Canines, Oct 17, 8 to 11:30 am, D Pet Hotels, 15060 N Northsight Blvd Suite 107, Scottsdale

Adopt don't shop. Save a life and get a new best friend. Spay and neuter, we can't adopt our way out of this epidemic.

Maricopa County Pets on Facebook | See adoptable pets

Featured Listings

Help me find a new neighbor!

This isn't my listing, but there's a wonderful home for sale in my neighborhood, and I'd love to see the right person move in. It's in Sun Air Estates, a 55+ community: a lovely 3 bed, 2 bath home with a wonderful kitchen and dining area and a low HOA. See 9620 W Carol Ave, Peoria

19628 W Exeter Blvd, Litchfield Park (Verrado): $475,000

3 beds, 2 baths, plus an office/den, 1,808 sq ft, built in 2020, 2-car garage. A chef's kitchen with a big island and quartz counters, plus a private pool and outdoor kitchen out back. Walk to Verrado's town center, parks, and trails with White Tank Mountain views. HOA $146/month. MLS #7073767. See the home

8607 W Earll Dr, Phoenix (Contempo Del Este): $495,000

4 beds, 2 baths, 1,738 sq ft, built in 1976, 2-car garage. A corner lot with horse privileges, a pool, NO HOA, and three RV gates. Wood floors, a wood-burning fireplace, and a granite kitchen. MLS #7080290. See the home

Listed by Sheri Spirek, HomeSmart. Want to see one? Call or text me at 480.818.9391.

New Builds Around the Valley

Here's what's new this week in my ShowingNew feed:

Grand openings

• Sage Grove at Magma Ranch, San Tan Valley, by Century Communities: from $299,990
• Trailmark at Saddleback, Peoria, by David Weekley Homes
• San Madera, Buckeye, by Pulte Homes
• The Orchard at Olea, Queen Creek, by KB Home

Featured communities

• Entrada del Oro Classics, Gold Canyon, by KB Home: from $323,990
• The Highlands Collection at Skyline Village, San Tan Valley, by Century Communities: from $324,990
• The Residences Collection at Frontera, Surprise, by Risewell Homes: from $408,990
• Verdin Discovery Collection, North Phoenix (85085), by Taylor Morrison: from $700,990

Quick move-in homes

• $309,990: 37613 W San Clemente St, by Century Complete, 3 beds, 2.5 baths
• $464,990: 24425 W Long Ave, by Meritage Homes, 5 beds, 3 baths
• $542,706: 31077 N Calabasas Ln, by Taylor Morrison, 3 beds, 2 baths
• $1,024,990: 18045 E Fort Verde Rd, by Shea Homes, 2 beds, 2.5 baths

Builder promo: Laurel at Blossom Rock by Brookfield Residential is advertising a 4.99% fixed rate. Ask me for the details.

Browse new builds

Don't forget to take me with you and let me register you before you visit a new build model home community or register on their site (feel free to browse mine though), so I can translate New Build contracts (8 zillion pages on an ipad isn't conducive to major research) represent you, have your back, get you the best perks and incentives and fight to make sure you get all agreed-upon items on time and on budget!

This Week's Real Estate Headlines

Arizona

• Selling state trust land won't guarantee more housing, State Land Commissioner Robyn Sahid told lawmakers. Much of that land has no roads, wastewater, or water access yet, and an August poll found 82% of Arizonans oppose selling it to private developers. (Arizona Mirror, Sept 29)
• Dry wells in rural Chino Valley have hundreds of residents relying on water haulers. If you're looking at rural or well-served property, get the well records and water-source details before you commit. (Cronkite News, Sept 30)

Around the Valley

• Buckeye's Planning and Zoning backed Mattamy's 2,771-acre Cascade master plan, with up to 11,600 homes north of I-10. It goes to the City Council next. (AZBEX, Sept 25)
• Buckeye plans a nearly $30 million airport upgrade, including a new control tower and a runway extension. (AZBEX, Sept 30)
• Sonoran Row is bringing 259 rental townhomes near TSMC, by the Shops at Norterra. (AZ Big Media, Sept 30)
• The Lakefront at Scottsdale broke ground on dining, retail, and offices on the water near McCormick Ranch. (AZ Big Media, Oct 1)
• TSMC's North Phoenix campus is planned for 12 facilities, with about 70 cranes on site. (KJZZ, Sept 30)
• Worried about deed fraud? Maricopa County's free Title Alert emails you when a document is recorded in your name. (Maricopa County Recorder)

National

• Weekly pending home sales fell 4.8% and are down 9% from a year ago. (HousingWire, Sept 29)
• Home prices rose 1.9% from a year earlier in July. (HousingWire, Sept 28)
• New homes now cost less per square foot than resales nationally, $205 versus $212. (HousingWire, Sept 28)

Let's Talk

If something in here raised a question about your own home, I want to hear from you. I'd rather answer your question now than have you wonder about it for six months.

Call or text me: 480.818.9391
Talk to Ruby, my virtual assistant and office manager: (623) 255-4485
Email: Hello@DeDeForwood.com
Visit: dedeforwood.com and heartofphx.com
Find me on social: X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest

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See you next Friday,
DeDe