DeDe Forwood • REALTOR® • HomeSmart • Newsletter Volume 8, Issue 18
Hey friends, lots to celebrate this week with Derby Day, the Home & Flower Show, Cinco de Mayo, and more — but it’s also a week to mourn and remember the bright lights we’ve lost. It’s time to get in the garden before the heat hits, and I just want to say what an impact you all have on my life. I’m truly grateful.
1 – Something Personal- From Demon Washer to Purring Kitten (and Other Small Wins!)
This week I turned into a DIY warrior! My old washer was banging like a demon and walking across the laundry room. After 137 YouTube videos, new suspension rods, and my friend Rob bleeding while helping me (thanks, Rob — you’re the best!), she now purrs like a kitten. I didn’t even know we were in the spin cycle during the test run!
Got Eddie on the Edge (my Trusted Steed) back from Tony’s Five-Star Transmission – he’s purring again too. Pups were VERY happy to get a visit to their Grandpaw after a week of NO RIDES!
And I finally got my Dad hooked on The Man in the High Castle. Small wins feel big sometimes. Alexa has been very helpful keeping track of time and space for him!
2 – A Client Story Buyers on the Hunt & REO Treasure Hunts
Buyers are still on the hunt for their dream homes, and those must-have / can’t-stand checklists are making all the difference. I had a couple of price drops on listings this week that got everyone excited, plus strong weekend traffic. Right now I’m walking a Buyer through an REO property — there are landmines to dodge, but if it works out it could be an incredible value. Helping folks navigate these opportunities and make smart moves is what lights me up🎆.
3 – Community Shoutout – Remembering a Shining Light: Debie
This week my heart is full remembering one of my second moms, Debie. She has been in my life since I was a 16-year-old stray my friend Cheryl brought home from work (at Wherehouse Records). Her guidance, her humor, her soul, and her light affected so many people. She was a life coach to me before I even knew what a life coach was — a true lightworker in every sense of the word. She was woo-woo, made it accessible. Made it real. Made the world BETTER.
Debie and Ira at one of my old famous Halloween parties
I remember the last time I saw her. We went to the Roadrunner Farmer’s Market. I was marching through there like a soldier with a mission, and she would stop and speak to somebody with nobody at their booth, so excited about what they had made. She taught me that day to stop and look around, to smell the roses as it were. We got the best breakfast burrito, sat by the water, and watched the world go by — and she slowed my roll.
She was a shining beacon of light to me! This was at their 50th Anniversary party!
She was my first Broker, a mentor, and (along with her amazing daughter) so integral to my 2nd act career-wise. And at 83 she was still doing CrossFit three times a week! She was such an inspiration to so many. I know she was called home, and I will grieve, but I’m a better person for having known her. This world lost one of its brightest shining lights on Tuesday. Sending love, light and strength to everyone who is grieving this week, Especially Ira, Cheryl and Brian.
4 – Real Estate Market Update – Valley Market Holding Steady – More Breathing Room for Everyone
The Valley market is holding steady and finding balance. Latest ARMLS/Cromford & Redfin data (March closings):
- Median Sales Price: ~$455K–$460K (down ~1% YoY)
- Months of Inventory: ~3.3–4 months
- Days on Market: 51–54 days
- Closed sales: 7,719 (+11% YoY)
- Active listings: ~25,500 (modest +2% YoY)
- Pending activity: up 5–7.5% YoY
Cromford analysts say the market is “holding up well.” Buyers have more choices and negotiating power (great for those REOs!), sellers — price it right and stage strong. Investors, value-add opportunities are there if you’re patient.
5 – Friday Mortgage Talk – Fed Meeting Split Wide Open – What It Means for Your Rates
Wednesday’s Fed meeting wasn’t your typical “hold and move on.” They held rates steady but the 8-4 split was the real story — biggest disagreement in decades. Some wanted easing on the table, others said absolutely not, one even pushed for a cut. Translation: no clear path right now.
As of today (May 1), Bankrate shows Arizona 30-year fixed rates around 6.48–6.50% and Mortgage News Daily reports rates recovering some of yesterday’s losses but still volatile. The 10-year jumped, mortgage bonds sold off, and rate cut expectations continue to fade. Rising oil prices aren’t helping inflation worries either.
From one of my great lender partners: “Mortgage rates moved up slightly this week, with the average 30-year fixed rate now around 6.3%. Even with the small increase, buyers are still active as more homes come on the market and rates remain lower than they were a year ago. Experts expect rates to stay fairly steady in the coming weeks while markets continue to monitor inflation and decisions from the Federal Reserve.”
Big takeaway: The Fed is reacting, watching, waiting — and that creates volatility. Waiting for “lower rates” is getting riskier. Pricing and payments can shift quickly. I’m having more conversations around strategy over speculation: structure the deal today and position to refinance later. Let’s win in the market we have, not the one we’re hoping for.
VA LOANS JUST GOT EASIER
New property guideline updates effective May 1, 2026 are removing common approval issues and helping transactions move more smoothly. What’s changing:
- Peeling paint: For homes built after 1978, peeling paint is now considered cosmetic and no longer a required repair.
- Sheds & fences: Detached structures like sheds and fences are no longer reviewed in VA appraisals, reducing issues—especially on rural properties.
What this means for you: Using your VA benefits is now more streamlined, with fewer appraisal hurdles and a smoother path to homeownership. I have some AMAZING VA lender specialists that can walk you through using every program you have EARNED!
6 – Featured Listings – Fresh Price Drops & Smart Opportunities This Week
217 N 236th Ave, Buckeye – Fresh price drop! Seller open to paying off solar with acceptable offer. See it →
15234 W Polk St, Goodyear – Sharp and ready to go. Details →
5684 N 178th Dr, Litchfield Park – Beautiful home in a fantastic location. Tour here →
17340 W Bridger St, Surprise – Price drop alert! Charm and warmth abound. View now →7 – Homeowner Home Value Snapshot – Do You Own a Home? Let’s Track That Wealth Together
Did you know I offer a free monthly snapshot of your home’s value? It helps you track your home wealth, equity, loans, market trends, and more. See the power of extra principal payments or refinancing at the right time. Build wealth faster. Know exactly when to buy, sell, rent, or remodel.
I’m happy to update it with a fresh CMA anytime. Go to https://dedeforwood.com/HomeValue — detailed analysis in your inbox every month, free! Happy to help you know what you own.
8 – Upcoming Valley of the Sun Events – Derby Hats, Cinco Fun & Flower Show Vibes – Get Out There!
Plenty happening! Maricopa County Home & Flower Show, Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival, multiple Derby Day celebrations, and more. Full list at dedeforwood.com/events.
9 – Featured New-Build Homes – Quick-Move-Ins & Grand Openings – Let’s Get You the Best Deal
Quick Move-In Inventory Homes
$871,324 – Greyrock at Meridian at Northpointe at Vistancia by David Weekley Homes – 3BR / 2.5BA
$452,990 – Onyx at Artisan at Asante Discovery Collection by Taylor Morrison – 3BR / 2BA
$389,990 – Violet at North Copper Canyon by Ashton Woods – 3BR / 2BA
$481,430 – Mason at Paloma Creek – Estate Series by Meritage Homes – 4BR / 2BA
Community Grand Openings in Your Area
- Portfolio at Highlands at Northpointe by Richmond American Homes – Peoria
- Saddleback Passage by Taylor Morrison – Goodyear
- Festival Foothills by Pulte Homes – Buckeye
- Ironwood Station by Bela Flor Communities – Apache Junction (from $349,900 – $399,900)
Featured Communities
- Legado Summit Collection by Taylor Morrison – Queen Creek (from $849,990)
- Palms Collection 53s by Century Communities – Buckeye (from $371,990)
- Sterling Grove – Providence Collection by Toll Brothers – Surprise (from $500,995)
- Alta at Verrado Regent Hills by David Weekley Homes – Buckeye (from $934,990)
New Builder Promotions
- Blossom Rock Reserve Series by Meritage Homes: Fixed interest rate of 3.75% (4.58% APR) + 1% toward closing costs on select homes!
- Ironwood Station by Bela Flor: 3.99% 30-year fixed FHA/VA loans on select homes — modern gated living at an incredible rate.
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!
10 – ADOT Weekend Closures – Drive Safe – You’re All Precious Cargo to ME!
Big closures this weekend on SR 51, Loop 202, and US 60. Plan extra time. Full details at azdot.gov.
11 – Sign-off – Grateful for You – Let’s Celebrate & Remember This Week
A Gentle Note About Loss
When someone we care deeply about passes away, the pain hits hard and fast. In those raw moments, it can feel natural to reach for social media to share memories or pay tribute. But please pause and think first.
Families are often scrambling — calling loved ones, making arrangements, trying to reach the people closest to the one they lost. Seeing the news for the first time on a Facebook wall or Instagram feed can be incredibly shocking and hurtful.
It’s not about being first. It’s about respect and care. If you truly want to honor them, wait until a family member has shared the news publicly. Then your post becomes a beautiful addition instead of an unintended wound.
You don’t need to be the first to prove you cared. Your love was already known. Let the family lead. Thinking of everyone navigating loss this week.
Thanks for being part of my world. Whether you’re celebrating, grieving, gardening, working a checklist, or house hunting — I’m here for you. Let’s make this week a good one.
With gratitude,
DeDe Forwood
