Year 8 – Volume 14 – April 3, 2026
Garden harvests, client victories, puppy love, and real market talk from your Phoenix area Realtor
I hope this finds you enjoying this beautiful April weather! I’ve got some fun updates to share with you, from my garden adventures to what’s really happening in our Phoenix market right now.
🥕 Life Beyond Real Estate: The Vegetable Fairy Chronicles
My neighbor officially dubbed me the “vegetable fairy” this week, and I’m embracing it! I’ve been leaving fresh radishes and beets on top of our shared fence after pulling them from my garden. There’s something so satisfying about sharing the harvest with neighbors. Speaking of harvests, I hit a personal milestone this week – 80 pounds lost on my carnivore/ketovore journey!
I just finished the final season of “The Man in the High Castle” on Prime and Paradise Season 2 on Hulu (what a ride that was), and now I’m diving into April garden planning. I follow “Growing in the Garden” for timing and plant suggestions – if you’re thinking about starting a garden, April is perfect for so many things here in the Valley!
🏡 Client Spotlight: When You Know, You Know
I have to share this heartwarming story from this week. We’ve been working with an amazing couple since July who have very specific needs – they want to run a business from their property AND create space to help fellow RVers with proper parking and amenities. We’ve looked at dozens of properties, and yesterday we drove out to Surprise to see a couple of homes.
Not only did we find a property that made their eyes light up (I call it the “They saw their first Trans Am look” (am I dating myself?)- you know that expression when someone finds exactly what they’ve been dreaming of), but I got to meet the neighbor’s donkey, painted pony, and a whole gaggle of chickens! As someone just starting my own chicken adventure, this felt like a sign.
They put in an offer, and I’m crossing my fingers it works out. There’s nothing better than seeing clients get that look when they’ve found their perfect spot.
🐶 Community Love: Supporting Our Four-Legged Friends
Two of my favorite local rescues have amazing events coming up that I want to share:
Stealing Hearts Rescue is hosting Puppy Palooza on April 11-12th! For a low entry fee, you get to pile on with adorable puppies while supporting adoptions and fundraising. Check out all the details here: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWWhlAykXuS/
Poverty’s Pets (the rescue that brought my beloved Omega into my life – miss that sweet soul every day) is having their annual rummage sale in Central Phoenix’s historic district. This isn’t your average garage sale – we’re talking antiques, quirky treasures, and unique finds, all for an incredible cause. Find more info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/povertys-pets/povertys-pets-annual-rummage-sale/192864194535008
🎉 Upcoming Valley Events: Your Weekend & Week Ahead
Saturday, April 4th:
- Bunnanza – Civic Center, Scottsdale, 9am-12pm – Easter bunny photos, crafts, and egg hunts
- Easter Egg-Citement – Schnepf Farms, Queen Creek, 9am-4pm – Farm activities, petting zoo, and egg hunts
- The Berry Sweet Market – Vertuccio Farms, Mesa, 9am-2pm – Fresh produce and local vendors
- Music Fest – Fountain Park, Fountain Hills, 4:30pm-9pm – Live bands and food trucks
- Uncorked Wine Festival – Salt River Fields, Scottsdale, 5:30pm-10pm – Wine tastings and live entertainment
- Badfish – A Tribute To Sublime – Marquee Theatre, Tempe, 6:30pm – High-energy tribute show
- Rick Braun Plays Chuck Mangione – Mesa Convention Center, 8pm – Smooth jazz performance
Sunday, April 5th:
- St. Paul & The Broken Bones – Scottsdale Center, 7:30pm – Soulful live music
Tuesday, April 7th:
- Paint Nite: Butterfly in Purple Flowers – Delta Hotels, Mesa, 6pm – Creative evening with friends
Sports This Week:
- Phoenix Diamondbacks: vs Atlanta (4/2-4/5), then @ New York (4/7-4/8)
- Phoenix Suns: @ Charlotte (4/2), @ Chicago (4/5), vs Houston (4/7), vs Dallas (4/8)
- Phoenix Rising FC: @ Sacramento (4/4, 7pm)
Planning your Easter brunch? Make those reservations soon – it’s going to be a busy weekend across the Valley! For a complete listing of Valley events, visit: https://dedeforwood.com/events
🏠 Featured Listings: Homes Ready for New Families
Active Listing #1 – Buckeye Ready for space without the sticker shock? This 4 bedroom, 3 bath home on 236th Ave in Buckeye gives you 2,836 square feet of flexible two-level living with a fantastic great room and a kitchen that actually makes cooking fun (think big island and butcher-block counters). Built in 2006 and priced right around $495,000, it is perfect for families or anyone who wants room to grow in the West Valley. Take a look before it is gone.
Active Listing #2 – Litchfield Park If you have been waiting for that move-in-ready modern home on serious land, stop scrolling. This brand-new-construction 4 bedroom, 3 bath beauty on a huge 0.40-acre lot in Litchfield Park delivers open-concept luxury, high-end finishes, and room to entertain or just breathe. At roughly 3,000 square feet it feels like a private oasis without the private price tag. This one checks every box.
Active Listing #3 – Goodyear Great value alert in Goodyear! This charming 4 bedroom, 2 bath single-level home in the desirable Rancho Mirage community is updated, move-in ready, and priced at just $400,000. New flooring, refreshed kitchen, and a sparkling pool out back make it perfect for everyday living or weekend gatherings. Solid West Valley location with easy access to everything. Come see why this one feels like home.
📊 Real Talk: Your Phoenix Market Update
The market has shifted again, and honestly? It’s not the same frenzy we saw a couple years back – which is actually giving everyone some breathing room.
The Big Picture: Median sale prices are sitting around $455,000-$461,000 across the metro (depending on which platform you check), down roughly 1-3% from last year. Not a crash, just a healthy cooling.
What This Means for You: We’ve got about 25,000+ active listings on ARMLS right now, with roughly four months of supply. Translation? Buyers finally have real choices instead of fighting over the one decent house that hits the market on Tuesday! New listings are down year-over-year, but homes are taking 50-80 days to sell depending on price and location.
The Good News: Contracts and pending sales are up about 10% year-over-year in March, which tells me serious buyers are out there and ready to move.
By Area Breakdown:
- West Valley (Goodyear, Buckeye, Surprise, Litchfield Park): Best buyer leverage right now
- Southeast Valley (Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Maricopa): Seeing the biggest swing toward buyer-friendly conditions
- Central Phoenix/Historic neighborhoods: Holding steadier but sitting longer than before
- Scottsdale/Paradise Valley: Still premium, but fewer multiple offers
- East Valley (Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe): Solid family demand with room to negotiate
The Future Looks Bright: TSMC’s semiconductor expansion and projects like the massive Halo Vista development are bringing thousands of new residents and jobs to our area. This keeps long-term demand healthy even as the market balances out.
Bottom Line: This is the most balanced market we’ve seen in years. Sellers who price realistically are getting solid offers. Buyers have genuine negotiating power, especially in the suburbs.
If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or just want to know what this means for your neighborhood, shoot me a note. I pull fresh ARMLS numbers daily and I’m happy to run exact comps for your area!
💰 Friday Mortgage Talk: Market Volatility Continues
What a week it’s been for mortgage rates! Despite all the daily ups and downs, here’s the real story: mortgage rates are actually lower this week compared to last week.
Current Snapshot (as of Friday):
- 30-year fixed rates are hovering around 6.45-6.50%
- We’re seeing continued volatility from geopolitical tensions and economic data
What’s Really Happening: According to the latest from Mortgage News Daily, we’re dealing with “data and war headlines” that keep erasing overnight gains. The Iran conflict continues to create market whiplash – one day there are hopes for de-escalation, the next day tensions escalate again.
Key Market Insights:
- Mortgage applications have fallen for the third consecutive week
- The bond market had an early close today due to Good Friday, creating “ghost town” trading conditions
- Manufacturing PMI came in strong at 52.7%, showing economic resilience
- Oil prices and geopolitical concerns continue to drive daily volatility
The Real Talk: While daily rate movements can be dramatic, the bigger picture shows we’re in a period where rates are finding their footing. For buyers who are ready and qualified, there are still great opportunities with seller concessions and negotiating power that wasn’t available during the peak frenzy years.
Want to talk about what current rates mean for your specific situation? Let’s chat!
Sources: Mortgage News Daily – rates updated daily
🏘️ Featured New-Build Homes: Fresh Opportunities
IMPORTANT BUYER TIP: Before you visit any model homes or give your information to builders, reach out to me FIRST! I can make sure you get all the incentives and updates you’re entitled to, negotiate on your behalf, and ensure your new build home purchase goes smoothly.
Quick Move-In Inventory Homes:
- $439,990 – Ashton Woods (Buckeye) – 4BR/3BA –
- $449,990 – Century Communities (West Valley) – 3BR/2BA –
- $610,990 – K. Hovnanian Homes – 4BR/3BA –
- $770,044 – Taylor Morrison – 3BR/3.5BA
New Community Grand Openings:
- Palomino Ranch The Foothills Collection by Century Communities – Maricopa
- Estates at Alamar by Richmond American Homes – Avondale
- Alta Vida at Westpark by William Ryan Homes – Buckeye
- Regent Hills – Enchantment Series by Pulte Homes – Buckeye
Featured Communities with Price Ranges:
- Abel Ranch Reserve Series by Meritage Homes, Goodyear – from $432,990-$553,388
- Tyler Ranch by Mattamy Homes, Buckeye – from $368,990-$510,890
- North Shore at Acclaim by Fulton Homes, Avondale – from $575,900-$796,052
- Valencia at Citrus Park by Risewell Homes, Goodyear – from $392,990-$499,990
Explore all these options and more at: https://www.showingnew.com/dedeforwood
🐰 Happy Easter from My Heart to Yours
As we celebrate this beautiful Easter weekend, I want to wish you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays from the bottom of my heart. Whether you’re gathering with family, enjoying quiet reflection, or simply taking time to appreciate the renewal that spring brings, I hope your Easter is filled with joy, love, and all the blessings this season represents.
Thank you for being part of my community and allowing me to serve you. It truly means the world to me.
Stay awesome, DeDe Forwood
REALTOR® e-PRO® ABR® AHWD, C2EX HomeSmart 5225 N Central Ave #104 Phoenix, AZ 85012 480.818.9391 Hello@DeDeForwood.com https://dedeforwood.com https://heartofphx.com
P.S. If you see a pile of fresh vegetables on a fence somewhere, that might just be your friendly neighborhood vegetable fairy at work! 🧚♀️
