Heart, Homes & History – This Week in the Valley of the Sun

DeDe’s Life – Noble Steed’s in the Shop & Brewing Worm Tea This Weekend!

My trusted Steed, my BFF, my vehicle (Eddie) has had a “stutter” for a bit. He protected me and never left me on the side of the road, but he was hurting.  I love him and he’s never given me a minute’s problem since I drove him off the lot. Well, he’s at Tony’s Five-Star Transmission for some major surgery (torque converter and full transmission rebuild) and I hope to have him piloting me (and the Doggos)  safely again next week (Believe it or not, REALTORs drive quite a bit!). Thanks to Scott and Grok for the diagnosis and advice.  Rides, snack deliveries, and making fun of my subcompact rental car are all appreciated 😂  Also, sad depressed dogs request people to take them places as their daily car rides are suddenly absent!

On the bright side, I’m taking advantage of a Buy one Get one sale at one of my favorite nurseries (Elgin) and doing some planting this weekend. Also brewing a fresh batch of compost worm tea — bring your gallon jugs Sunday if you want some! Still angry at Outlander from last week, but looking forward to tonight’s episode (no spoilers please!).

DeDe’s Client Spotlight – One Closing That Brought Tears & One Buyer Hunt That’s Just Getting Started

On the listing side, Monday we closed escrow on one of the most important properties of my career. A beloved woman has passed and I helped her family complete the sale of her home, closing out a sad chapter of a wonderful woman taken from this world much too soon. It was my absolute honor to showcase her beautiful home, negotiate the BINSR repairs for the out-of-state sellers, and deliver the home on time, ready for its new buyers. I bawled my eyes out driving out of that driveway for the last time. This one both hurt and was the greatest honor.  Seeing the excitement of the Buyers was nice, but boy was this one bittersweet.

On the Buyer side, our Buyers hit a snag during their inspection period — lots of deferred maintenance, unpermitted additions, and a septic problem. We had to cancel that contract, but now the hunt is on for a home that suits their needs and is better maintained.

Local Spotlight – Own a Piece of Phoenix History This Saturday!

As you know, I’m a big fan of historic preservation. Marshall Shore (the Hip Historian) let me know about this one. After serving the community since 1929, the historic Coronado Hotel is having its closing sale this Saturday, April 25 from 8am–noon at 807 N 1st St, Phoenix. Antiques, home décor, furniture & more — cash and Venmo only. Coffee cart from @maleta.cafe on deck!

Check the video of what’s being offered here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Hv1QjevqA/  Own a piece of Roosevelt Row history!  Learn more about the Coronado Here:  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DvVBABopk/

Phoenix-Area Real Estate News – Valley Market: Steady, Shifting & Full of Opportunity

The Valley of the Sun market is holding steady but definitely shifting into a more balanced spring. According to the latest Cromford Report (straight from ARMLS data), our March closed sales jumped 11% year-over-year with 7,719 homes changing hands. Median sales price sits at $455,000 — down just a hair (1%) from last year but actually up 1.1% from February. Active listings are at 25,571 (up 2.3% YoY), giving us roughly 3.3 months of inventory. Homes are taking a little longer to sell — around 51-55 days on market — and we’re seeing more price cuts, especially outside the hottest pockets.

Phoenix Business Journal just reported the luxury segment is on fire though — $167 million in Valley high-end sales in the first couple weeks of April alone, with nine homes over $5 million. At the same time, they’re calling out a “K-shaped” market: interior cities like Chandler are still seller-friendly while some outer areas are cooling and giving buyers more breathing room.

What this means for you:
Buyers — you’ve got more choices and real negotiating power right now, especially on homes that have been sitting.
Sellers — price it right from day one and stage like your life depends on it.
Small investors — well-maintained, turnkey properties in solid neighborhoods are still moving fast and building equity nicely.

Locally, Cromford analysts summed it up perfectly on April 18: “The market is holding — but not running.”

To My Homeowners – Do you know how your home value stands in your wealth profile?  I can let you know monthly!

Did you know I offer a completely free monthly Home Wealth Snapshot through Homebot? Every month you’ll get a clear, personalized report straight to your inbox showing your home’s current value, how much equity you’ve built, your loans, local market trends, and more.

It’s like having a personal dashboard for your biggest investment — so you can see the real power of extra principal payments or refinancing at the right time, build wealth faster, and know exactly when to buy, sell, rent, remodel or rent it out to get the most out of it.

Super simple to set up and it’s 100% free! Just click here: https://get.homebot.ai/?id=0d739d58-fad7-449e-a0ff-da459dfc5e4a

I’m always happy to tweak things with a fresh CMA whenever you want — just say the word. Happy to help you really know what you own. ❤️

Mortgage Minute – Rates Just Got a Little Friendlier — Here’s the Real Scoop

Hey everyone, it’s that time again — let’s talk mortgages!

Rates got a little better this morning at the opening bell… and interestingly, it wasn’t driven by the big scary headlines. Yes, there’s still tension in the Middle East keeping oil slightly elevated, but the bond market didn’t flinch. In fact, bonds rallied and interest rates improved.  Right now (as of April 24), the national average for a 30-year fixed is sitting right around 6.32%–6.37%, with Arizona lenders showing some terrific options at 6.25%.

Jaime Kinman at Guaranteed Rate nailed it: “A key moment came from Kevin Warsh’s confirmation hearing… Inflation may actually be cooling faster than it looks on the surface. And the bond market liked that.”

This is one of those “window” moments. Less fear. More confidence. Slightly better rates. That’s a pretty solid combo.

Thinking about buying or refinancing? Text me — happy to connect you with one of my professional hard-working lenders.

DeDe’s Listings – Four Move-In Ready Homes Waiting for Their Next Chapter

These four beauties are move-in ready and waiting for their next chapter. Come take a look! I know a girl who can show them (and others) to you😉!

See All Listings & Schedule a Tour

Upcoming Events – Weekend Plans? Here’s What’s Popping Around the Valley

There’s so much happening around the Valley this weekend — perfect time to get out and enjoy some spring sunshine!

• Coronado Hotel Historic Closing Sale — Tomorrow! Sat Apr 25 • 8am–12pm • 807 N 1st St, Phoenix (see shoutout above!)
• Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market — Fri–Sun, Apr 24–26 • WestWorld of Scottsdale
• Spring Under Stars — Sat Apr 25 • 6pm–10pm • Downtown Mesa
• Wellness on the Green — Sat Apr 25 • 9am–12pm • Desert Ridge Marketplace
• Movie in the Park — Sat Apr 25 • 7:30pm • Fountain Hills
• Scottsdale Fair & Festival (final weekend!) — Through Sun Apr 26 • WestWorld
• Dutch Orange Day in the Desert — Sun Apr 26 • 2pm–5pm • Cave Creek

Full list & details: https://dedeforwood.com/events I update my list EVERY Thursday!

New-Build Spotlight – Brand-New Homes Ready When You Are!

If you’re dreaming of brand-new construction with zero surprises, I’ve got some winners for you this week!

Quick Move-In Inventory Homes

• $339,990 – Laurel at Manzanita at Teravalis by Century Communities – 3br/2ba
• $518,780 –Rutherford at Silverado at Escalante  by Fulton Homes – 3br/2.5ba
• $625,000 – Del Ray at Sterling Grove Arlington Collection – Toll Bros- 2br/2ba
• $368,990 – Lantana at El Rancho Santa Rosa by Centex Homes – 4br/2ba

Hot New Communities & Grand Openings
Solara by Ashton Woods (Laveen), Hazelwood by Keystone (Chandler), Fusion at Avalon Crossing (Mesa), Rosewood Heights (San Tan Valley), Allure Vista (Buckeye), Windstone Ranch North (Surprise), Paradisi Encore (Surprise), The Ridge at Sienna Hills (Buckeye).

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!

See All New Builds & Schedule Tours

ADOT Weekend Closures + My Tiny “Ford Speck” Rental Adventure

Hey friends, quick heads-up before you hit the road this weekend — ADOT has three big closures happening Friday night through Monday morning. Plan a few extra minutes and stay safe out there!

• Northbound SR 51 closed between Indian School Rd and Glendale Ave (9 p.m. Fri – 5 a.m. Mon)
• Westbound Loop 101 closed between I-17 and 51st Ave (10 p.m. Fri – 5 a.m. Mon)
• Eastbound Loop 202 closed between Arizona Ave and Gilbert Rd (10 p.m. Fri – 5 a.m. Mon)

Drive safe, everyone — I consider you all precious cargo and I’ll be doing the same, piloting my tiny little compact rental car around like a total “Ford Speck” (you know, that Ashton Kutcher honeymoon movie line 😂). My Steed is in the shop, so I’m feeling extra cautious out here. Let’s all get home happy!

In Closing – From My Heart: Let the People You Love Know You Love Them

Friends, let the people you love know you love them. I said a final goodbye to someone who means the world to me this week, had a beloved co-worker and close friend move away, and a dear friend and vendor partner lose a beloved cat. Life is so fleeting.

I just want you all to know — I love you, I appreciate you, and I care what happens to you. You’re ALL precious cargo to me.

Until next week… stay safe, keep planting, and I’ll see you out there!

— DeDe ❤️