DeDe Forwood | Heart of PHX Newsletter June 5 2026 – Year: 8 | Week 23 – Where do you want to Live? HOW do you want to Live?
1 – Something Personal | Beating the Heat with Garden Grit and Summer Nostalgia
I am trying to keep everything alive in the garden as the heat is coming on strong in the Valley of the Sun. I got some sunflowers to plant and some morning glories and some zinnias — singlehandedly keeping Winston, our local hummingbird, in good carbs. I’ve gotten rid of most of my spring crops and did a bulk pickup this week. It felt good to clear some stuff out and get some trees trimmed in time for the monsoons so I don’t end up with a mesquite branch crashing down on the block wall.
I went and saw the new He-Man movie today, Masters of the Universe. It was a lot of fun and very nostalgic for those of us who had to fight our brother to watch Jem when he wanted to watch He-Man… and Thundercats. It was a nice, fun distraction. Exactly what a summer movie should be.
I got to have dinner last night with one of my oldest and best friends — there are two of them actually, because he married well. It was wonderful to have Pete and Melaney in town. Pete is who I used to call the older brother I never wanted, but I can’t really call him that anymore since we don’t see each other enough. And I’ve got a new TV show I’m watching called Blue Ridge. Season two is just getting ready to start.
I’m also working on a project in the house with a new pocket door that’ll let some light into my dining room.
2 – A Client Story | Navigating Multiple Offers and Finding the Perfect Fit
Well, we got a home in Surprise under contract this week with three different offers, so it was fun advising them and giving them the pros and cons of each, and it’s looking good as we head through the inspection phase. And I met a new buyer client relocating from out of state and am working on finding them something that checks every single box. And we did say goodbye to one of our listings who has decided to expire. I’m also working with a client right now who is going through my Preparing Your Home for Sale guide and getting ready to list within the next month.
I’m looking forward to helping our sellers and buyers figure out exactly what they need and get them a win-win situation for all. Still working on revamping my website and policies and procedures, so I’ve had some chair time as I make it perfect and helpful. Hopefully more on that next week!
3 – Community Shoutout | Nerding Out at Phoenix Fan Fusion & Supporting Local Good Vibes
I’m interested in the luffa soap making class at the Arizona Worm Farm, but this weekend is the Super Bowl for nerds — the Phoenix Fan Fusion convention — and it is really fun. And my friends over at the Blue Ribbon Army are doing some wonderful fundraisers for some wonderful people.
So to all my friends at Phoenix Fan Fusion this weekend, I hope you have a wonderful time and get your meet and greets and get your panels. Hoping everyone stays safe, everybody is kind and that EVERYBODY wears deodorant!
4 – Real Estate Market Update | Buyers Are Responding to Value, Not Scarcity
May brought a modest improvement in sales activity across the Valley. Overall closed sales were up about 4% year-over-year even with one fewer business day than May 2025. Still, sales volume remains roughly 14% below what we normally see this time of year.
Active inventory declined about 5% from a year ago (the second month in a row of year-over-year drops), yet sellers continued making meaningful price adjustments to attract buyers. In May, 75% of homes that closed did so after a median price reduction of $25,000 from their original list price — higher than the typical May reduction of about $16,000 over the past 11 years.
Price reductions by property type: • Detached Single Family: 73% closed after a median $25,000 reduction • Townhouse/Condo: 84% closed after a median $24,900 reduction • Apartment: 85% closed after a median $22,750 reduction • Manufactured/Mobile Home: 79% closed after a median $17,700 reduction
New home sales in Maricopa County declined 14% compared to last year, extending the streak of year-over-year declines to 16 months. The $500,000–$700,000 price range experienced the largest drop, down 23%. Meanwhile, the median price gap between new construction and resale homes narrowed to just 7% — well below the historical May average of roughly 30%. This creates opportunities for buyers but also increases competitive pressure on nearby resale sellers.
On the business side, there are some positive underlying drivers. TSMC’s continued expansion in North Phoenix is bringing thousands of high-paying jobs, which is increasing housing demand in that area and surrounding corridors. Amazon Web Services recently signed a massive 1.2 million square foot industrial lease in Buckeye — one of the largest industrial leases in the metro this year — which supports long-term job growth and housing needs in the West Valley. We’re also seeing retail expansions like Trader Joe’s moving into North Phoenix and Din Tai Fung opening in Scottsdale. Broader reports show Arizona’s economic resilience continues to attract investment, particularly in industrial, healthcare, and mixed-use development.
Key takeaway: Buyers are responding to value, not scarcity. Homes that are priced competitively and well-prepared are selling, while builders and resale sellers alike are increasingly competing for the same pool of demand. At the same time, major job-creating projects and corporate investment are laying the groundwork for longer-term housing demand across the Valley.
Quick May 2026 Snapshot (ARMLS): • Sold Listings: 7,386 • Median Sales Price: $454,990 • Average Sales Price: $607,724 • Median Days on Market: 56 (Average: 83) • Active Listings: 25,159 • Month Supply: 3.41 months • New Listings: 9,363 • Under Contract: 8,462
Looking ahead, the June forecast shows Average Sales Price around $621K and Median around $450K — signs of continued stability with a slight upward tilt in averages.
5 – Friday Mortgage Talk |Rates Playing the Waiting Game
Mortgage rates have been stuck in a narrow range lately, but Friday’s stronger-than-expected jobs report put a little upward pressure on rates.
Quick current snapshot (as of June 5, 2026): • National 30-year fixed: 6.48% (Freddie Mac weekly average) • Arizona 30-year fixed: Approximately 6.41% – 6.75%
Big thanks to my trusted lender partner, Michael Chalker of Service First Mortgage, for this update:
“Mortgage rates spent most of the week doing what they seem to do best lately…going nowhere fast. However, Friday’s stronger-than-expected jobs report reminded investors that the economy may not be ready to cooperate with the rate-cut hopes many have been holding onto. Bonds sold off, Treasury yields moved higher, and mortgage rates felt a little upward pressure as a result. The market continues to play the ‘Will they or won’t they?’ game with future Fed rate cuts. For now, a strong job market is making it harder for the Fed to justify lowering rates anytime soon. Remember, markets move on expectations. Sometimes the rumor buys, and the news sells.”
6 – DeDe’s Featured Listings | Two Great Opportunities with Recent Price Drops
217 N 236th Ave, Buckeye, AZ 85396 Recent price drop. Amazing backyard, great bones, solar, and ready for your personalization.
15234 W Polk St, Goodyear, AZ 85338 Recent price drop. Great location (especially with the new Buc-ee’s opening soon), great pool, solar, and solid layout.
Want the full details or a private showing? Just reach out — I’d love to help. See another house you want to check out? Give me a call, let’s see if it fits your needs!
7 – Homeowner Home Value Snapshot | Do You Own a Home? How Does That Factor Into Your Wealth?
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 algorithmic value? It’s a simple way to keep an eye on your biggest asset and stay in control of your financial picture.
Each month you’ll see how your equity is building, what your loan balance looks like, current market trends in your neighborhood, and more. You can also run the numbers on extra principal payments or refinancing to see exactly how they could help you build wealth faster.
Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, renting, or remodeling, having this clear monthly view makes it easier to make smart decisions at the right time.
I’m always happy to update your value with a fresh CMA whenever you’d like — just let me know.
Go to: https://dedeforwood.com/HomeValue You’ll get a detailed analysis delivered straight to your inbox every month. It’s completely free, and I’m here to help you truly understand what you own.
8 – Upcoming Valley of the Sun Events | Get Out & Enjoy the Valley This Weekend & Beyond
Summer is here and there are some great ways to get out and enjoy our beautiful Valley. Here are a few happenings worth checking out:
Farmer’s Markets This Weekend • Arrowhead Farmers Market (West Valley) – Saturdays at Dream City Church (75th Ave & 101). Fresh produce, local vendors, food trucks, and a relaxed family-friendly vibe. • Uptown Farmers Market (Phoenix) – Saturdays at 5757 N Central Ave. Great selection of local goods in a convenient central spot. • Gilbert Farmers Market – Saturdays in downtown Gilbert. One of the Valley’s most popular markets with wonderful produce, baked goods, and artisans. • Roadrunner Park Farmers Market (Paradise Valley) – Saturdays at Roadrunner Park. Local farmers and makers with summer hours from 7–11 a.m. • High Street Farmers Market (North Phoenix) – Sundays at High Street. A nice, relaxed Sunday morning market with fresh finds. • Downtown Chandler Farmers Market – Saturdays in downtown Chandler. Another solid option for fresh local goods.
Other Events Worth Checking Out • Phoenix Fan Fusion (June 5–7 at the Phoenix Convention Center) – The big pop-culture convention featuring celebrity panels, cosplay contests, gaming tournaments, artist alleys, and fandom meetups across comics, sci-fi, anime, and more. • Aretha: Queen of Soul (June 4–6 at Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert) – A powerful musical tribute to the Queen of Soul. Great night out for music lovers. • Sonoran Sippin’ (June 5, 6–8:30pm at Desert Botanical Garden) – An evening of wine, craft cocktails, and bites in a beautiful desert setting. • Creedence Revelation (June 5–7 at The Showroom in Scottsdale) – A live tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival. Perfect for classic rock fans. • Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (June 5–7 at Tempe Center for the Arts) – A hilarious, fast-paced take on the classic vampire story. Lighthearted and fun. • Ever After (through June 10 at Phoenix Theatre Company) – The romantic musical retelling of Cinderella. Beautiful, heartfelt, and family-friendly. • Jake Shimabukuro’s Tradewinds & Rainbows Tour (June 9 at Mesa Arts Center) – The world-renowned ukulele virtuoso brings his joyful, genre-blending show to town.
For the full and most up-to-date list, visit my events page: https://dedeforwood.com/events
What are you most excited to check out this weekend? I’d love to hear!
9 – Featured New-Build Homes | New Construction Opportunities Across the Valley
Here are some of the newest quick move-in homes and communities that just hit the market. These are great options if you or someone you know is looking for brand-new construction with modern features and current builder incentives.
Quick Move-In Inventory Homes
• 
$641,995 – Tourmaline at Seasons at Haciendas at White Peak by Richmond American Homes) – 4 bed, 3 bath. Ready soon!
•
$616,314 – Surprise – Sea Bright II at Serenity at Sonoran Foothills by K. Hovnanian) – 4 bed, 3 bath interior unit.
• 
$669,990 – Phoenix –Embark at Salero Journey by Taylor Morrison) – 3 bed, 2.5 bath. • $800,000 – 3325 W Storm Cloud St, Phoenix (Monetta by Toll Brothers) – 6 bed, 5.5 bath. Spacious and impressive.
New & Featured Communities • Alamar & Alamar Landmark (Avondale) – New grand openings by DRB Homes and Taylor Morrison. • Upper Canyon by Pulte Homes (Phoenix) – New homes from the mid $600s to over $1M. • Seasons at Entrada Del Oro II by Richmond American Homes (Gold Canyon) – From the upper $300s. • Soleo by Mattamy Homes (San Tan Valley) – From the upper $400s. • Tirreno at IronWing by Beazer Homes (Litchfield Park) – From the mid $400s. • Redwood Valley at Prasada by Fulton Homes (Surprise) – From the upper $400s.
Current builder promotions include David Weekley Homes at Tavolo at Soleo and Century Communities’ 2026 Purple Tag Sale at The Foothills Collection at Rancho Vista.
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 those New Build contracts, represent you, have your back, get you the best perks and incentives, and fight to make sure you get everything agreed upon — on time and on budget. It is safe to search New Construction/new Builds on my site though: www.showingnew.com/dedeforwood
Want to see any of these in person or get more details? Just reach out — I’m happy to help.
10 – ADOT Weekend Closures | Plan Ahead — Several Major Freeway Closures This Weekend
If you’re traveling anywhere in the Valley this weekend, expect significant delays. ADOT has multiple construction and maintenance projects happening from Friday evening through Monday morning.
Key Closures & What They Mean:
• Southbound SR 51 will be completely closed between Indian School Road and I-10 from 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. Several southbound on-ramps (Glendale Avenue, Bethany Home Road, and Highland Avenue) will also be closed. Impact: This is one of the bigger disruptions. Expect heavy backups if you’re trying to get downtown or connect to I-10 or Loop 202. Detour tip: Use 7th Street or 24th Street, or take southbound I-17 as an alternate route.
• Eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) will be closed between Price Road and Arizona Avenue from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for widening work. Impact: This affects travel between the East Valley and Chandler/Gilbert area. Detour tip: Use Chandler Boulevard or Germann Road.
• Northbound I-17 will be closed between Cactus Road and Union Hills Road from 11 a.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Monday for overhead sign maintenance. Northbound on-ramps at Dunlap and Peoria Avenues will also be closed. Impact: This will affect northbound travel through the northwest Valley and access to Loop 101. Detour tip: Use the northbound frontage road and re-enter at Union Hills, or exit earlier and use 19th or 35th Avenues.
• Loop 101 (Price Freeway) — Both southbound and northbound sections will have closures and restrictions for pavement repairs, including full closures in some segments over the weekend. Impact: Expect significant delays on one of the Valley’s busiest freeways.
• Northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) will be narrowed to two lanes between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, with some ramp closures.
Bottom line: The SR 51 and Loop 101 closures will likely cause the biggest headaches. Give yourself extra time and check real-time conditions at AZ511.gov or the AZ511 app before you head out.
11 – Closing Remarks | Stay Cool, Stay Safe and I Appreciate You!
To all my nerd friends heading to Phoenix Fan Fusion this weekend — good luck and have an absolute blast! Drive safe, stay hydrated, and soak up every panel, cosplay moment, and meet-and-greet.
I appreciate your friendship, referrals, visits, and the food you share more than you know. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Take care out there.
Where do you want to Live? HOW do you want to Live?
With gratitude, DeDe Forwood REALTOR® | HomeSmart 480-818-9391 | Hello@DeDeForwood.com dedeforwood.com
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