DeDe Forwood’s Weekly Heart of Phoenix Newsletter May 15, 2026
Life Lately: Sourdough Wars, Robot Vacuum Chases & Outlander Tears
Hey friends, life’s been a beautiful whirlwind lately! Last weekend we had fantastic open houses in Litchfield Park and Buckeye, and this Sunday we’re throwing the doors open at our gorgeous listing on Bridger in Surprise — come say hi if you’re out!
On the home front, on Sunday, poor Darci was licking and licking her paw pad and we realized she had something in there. After a neighbor helped wrastle her, we found a palm frond thorn imbedded and broken off. A little tweezer surgery a spray of perixide from Mean Mommy and I got this smile of relief!
I finally got my garage organized thanks to a huge assist from the amazing team at Addicted to Clean. Then the yesterday I’m watching the delivery driver on the camera — he pulls up with my giant box of dog food, sets it on the porch, then heads to the driveway (I had authorized garage delivery). Next thing I know he’s chasing Evel Knievel (yes, my robot vacuum) down the driveway toward the sidewalk!
I completely forgot I’d turned him loose in the garage to clean. Poor guy would’ve vacuumed the whole neighborhood until the battery died and I’d never have known what happened to him. We all had a good laugh! I’m ordering him a sticker so he can cosplay Evel Knievel when he cleans!
I’m also winning (I think?) my ongoing argument reviving my dormant sourdough starter. Tonight I’m baking sourdough discard lemon bars — if they turn out amazing you’ll have to swing by the open house and try one! I finally found the perfect door for my pocket door project — “Let There Be Light” in that dark corner of the house starts next week.
Oh, and I treated myself to a new living room rug. The dogs are obsessed; it’s so soft they keep flopping on it like it’s their new full-time job. I got back on my way of eating after falling off the wagon and getting dragged for a couple weeks — already feeling better and the inflammation is finally calming down.
On the couch I watched Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris on Netflix — highly recommend, but DO NOT watch the preview, it gives away the entire movie (I hate when they do that!). And late last night I stayed up way too late for the Series finale of Outlander. I’m still dehydrated from all the crying… Outlander friends, did you catch that post-credits scene?! Thanks for a decade of romance, adventure, history and fun cast and crew (and composer!)
A Client Story: Short-Term Rentals, Roadies, and Flaming Golf Carts
One of my favorite parts of this job is helping people land exactly where they’re meant to be. Recently I found my buyer the perfect short-term rental in the exact neighborhood he wants to buy in this winter — and it’s even right by a great dog park so his pups are already happy too. Watching him light up as he started to really feel the area has been so rewarding.
At the same time I’m on the hunt for one of my old road friends who’s coming to settle in Sun City. I spent 23 years on the road in the entertainment industry, so a lot of my road family are wonderfully alternative — and this guy is going to rock Sun City! He looks like a straight-up Bad Religion roadie, and I already know he’s going to roll in with a golf cart decked out in flames… and probably fuzzy dice. I can’t wait to help him find his perfect spot and watch him shake things up in the best way. These full-circle moments never get old.
Last weekend we had fantastic open houses in Litchfield Park and Buckeye, and this Sunday we’re throwing the doors open at our gorgeous listing on Bridger in Surprise — come say hi if you’re out!
Community Shoutout: Spring Arizona Restaurant Week is HERE – Let’s Eat!
It’s one of my favorite weeks of the entire year — today kicks off Spring Arizona Restaurant Week! Woo hoo!
I’m a huge foodie but I’m also on a budget (and currently in a carb deficit, so I’m sticking to steak and seafood). This is seriously the funnest, most cost-effective way to try amazing new chefs, experience gorgeous restaurant spaces, and get out there without breaking the bank.
We’ve got 272 (and counting!) restaurants participating with those fantastic prix-fixe menus at $33, $44, or $55. Check it all out here:
https://arizonarestaurantweek.com/
Full list → https://arizonarestaurantweek.com/all-restaurants/
Where have YOU been dying to try? Drop your picks in the comments — I’ll be sharing my reports next week!
Phoenix & Valley of the Sun Market Update: Balanced & Full of Opportunity
Friends, here’s the latest straight from ARMLS (April 2026 data):
- Median Sales Price: $449,000 (down 1.32% MoM, up 0.90% YoY)
- Months of Inventory: 3.37 months (very balanced)
- Median Days on Market: 55 days
- Active Listings: ~25,547
- New Listings: 7,581
What this means for YOU:
Buyers — more choices and negotiating power.
Sellers — price right and stage well.
Small investors — steady rental demand + balanced supply = good opportunities, especially West Valley.
National Insight (Fannie Mae, May 2026): Home prices expected to rise moderately (~3.2%) with rates stabilizing.
Friday Mortgage Talk: Rates Jumping on Oil & Inflation Worries + Big Fed Leadership Change
Hey friends, mortgage rates have been a little feisty this week — and my partner Jaime Kinman at Rate.com just sent me the inside scoop:
“Rates moved sharply higher this week, and once again, oil is driving the conversation. With Brent crude near $109… More than ever, strategy matters. Seller concessions, buydowns, and creative financing are becoming critical tools.”
And speaking of big changes — today is Jerome Powell’s last day as Fed Chair. Kevin Warsh was just confirmed as the new Chair, so we’ll be watching closely. I am going to miss Not Jerome Powell‘s antics on X though!
Bottom line in the Valley: 30-year fixed bouncing in the mid-6% range. Let’s get you connected with a great lender!
Our Featured Listings – Come See These Gems This Weekend!
This well-maintained home has so much character and personality, and the neighborhood is just awesome. Great bones, move-in ready… Fingers crossed the sourdough discard lemon bars turn out — swing by and grab one!
See Details →
Big price drop! AMAZING backyard, great bones, cool neighborhood. Talk to Sheri or me about solar or carpet allowance.
Check it Out →
GREAT location, LOVE the cabinets! Tons of solar already in place, low-maintenance backyard with perfect-sized pool. Might do an open house Sunday.
See the Full Listing →
BRAND new home (family never really moved in). HUGE lot, backyard full of possibilities, AMAZING RV garage, downstairs bedroom/bath for multi-gen. I’d love to show you!
Take a Look →
Do You Own a Home? Let’s Talk About What That Really Means for Your Wealth
Hey homeowners, Did you know I offer a free monthly snapshot of your home’s value? It’s like having a personal financial dashboard for the biggest asset most of us own.
Go to → https://dedeforwood.com/HomeValue
You’ll get a really detailed analysis in your inbox every month — completely free!
Upcoming Valley of the Sun Events – Get Out & Enjoy! It’s a fantastic time to get out in the Valley!
Arizona Restaurant Week is in full swing (May 15–24)!
Ever After – The Musical at Phoenix Theatre Company (I really want to go see this before it’s over!)
More great happenings this weekend and next:
- Who Want The Smoke with OhGeesy, Mike Sherm & more – Saturday, May 16 at Desert Diamond Arena
- Demi Lovato with Adéla – Tuesday, May 19 at Desert Diamond Arena
- We Them Ones Comedy Tour with Mike Epps – Friday, May 22 at Desert Diamond Arena
- Pitbull with Lil Jon – Wednesday, May 27 at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
- Sunset Yoga on the Lawn – multiple dates at Mountain Shadows Resort, Scottsdale
- International Museum Day at S’edav Va’aki Museum – Monday, May 18
- Downtown Mesa Sunset Market & Downtown Chandler Third Thursdays – coming up soon
- Adrenaline Night Runs at McDowell Mountain Regional Park – May 23 (50K, 25K, etc.)
- Overland Expo West, Bikefest 2026, and more Route 66 celebrations happening around the state
For the full curated list and links, head over to my events page (I update every Thursday!: https://dedeforwood.com/events
What are you planning to do this weekend? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear!
Featured New-Build Homes: My Weekend Insider Update
I’m a total New Build fanatic, so here’s the freshest inventory and communities hitting the Valley right now!
Quick Move-In Inventory Homes
$504,990 – Lavender at StoneBridge Manor by Ashton Woods in Waddell – 4BR/3BA
$579,301 – Rockaway at North Shore at Promomade by Fulton Homes in San Tan – 3BR/2.5BA
$514,990 – Bartlett at Montana Vista by Beazer Homes in Buckeye – 4BR/3.5BA
$529,334 – Nina at Fusion at Blossom Rock by Richmond American Homes in Apache Junction – 4BR/2.5BA
Community Grand Openings
- Saddleback Discovery by Taylor Morrison – Goodyear
- Verde Trails by Oakwood Homes – Tolleson
- Rosewood Heights by Mattamy Homes – San Tan Valley
- Laveen Farms by Starlight Homes – Laveen (from $409,990 – $539,990)
Featured Communities
- Willow at Teravalis by Century Communities – Buckeye (from $374,990)
- Artisan at Asante by Pulte Homes – Surprise (from $416,990)
- Sterling Grove – Providence Collection by Toll Brothers – Surprise (from $500,995)
- Laurel at Blossom Rock by Brookfield Residential – Apache Junction (from $458,000)
Builder Promotions
- Rancho Mirage Reserve Series by Meritage Homes – National Sales Event through May 15th (monthly payments as low as $2,090 on select homes!)
- Highland Mariposa at Alamar by Brookfield Residential – Model Grand Opening – come tour!
Don’t forget to take me with you and let me register you before you visit a new build model home community (but you can always browse my site here: https://www.showingnew.com/dedeforwood)… so I can translate those 8 zillion-page contracts, 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!
ADOT Weekend Closures: Heads Up, Valley Drivers – It’s a Busy One!
Traffic is going to be extra spicy this weekend (May 15-18). ADOT has several big closures and lane reductions, so plan ahead and give yourself extra time!
Here’s what’s happening:
- Southbound SR 51 closed between Northern Ave and Highland Ave (south of Camelback) from 9pm Friday to 5am Monday — big pavement project. Use I-17 as your detour.
- Southbound Loop 101 (Agua Fria) closed between Indian School Rd and I-10 in the West Valley from 9pm Friday to 5am Monday — plus on-ramps at Cardinals Way and Camelback closed. Detour via 91st or 99th Ave.
- Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) narrowed to just two lanes both directions between Shea Blvd and Princess Dr all weekend.
- I-10 closures Friday night and Saturday night for tunnel maintenance — eastbound and westbound sections near the Stack interchange.
- Other restrictions on Loop 202, Loop 303, and more.
Full details and detours here: https://azdot.gov/weekend-freeway-travel-advisory Or just dial 511 or use the AZ511 app — it’s a lifesaver.
Drive safe out there, everyone!
That’s all folks!
