Our November?December Newsletter is filled with Market Updates & Holiday Events. We also like to share a little bit about what is going on with us personally!
Business Market Update & Holiday Events from Kevin and Sabrina
🎁🍂 Hello Holiday Season! Let’s Wrap Up the Year with Gratitude and Joy 🎄✨
Can you believe we’re already in November and December? The year has flown by, and now we’re officially in that magical stretch filled with family, friends, good food, and twinkling lights! Between Thanksgiving gatherings, holiday parties, and maybe sneaking in a little early Christmas decorating (if you’re like me, the tree might already be up 🎄), it’s such a special time to slow down and soak it all in.
Here at Skaz Home Group, we’re feeling extra thankful for all of our amazing clients, friends, and community who made this year so wonderful. As we head into the holidays, we’ll be sharing home tips, fun local happenings, and ideas to make your space feel extra cozy this season.
And if buying or selling a home is on your wish list for the new year, now’s a great time to start planning! We’d love to help you reach your real estate goals and start 2026 in a home you truly love.
Wishing you laughter, love, and plenty of reasons to celebrate this holiday season — from our home to yours! Keep reading for Market updates and Holiday Events! 🏡❤️
Market Update by Realty One Group
Desert Life: Market Update & Holiday Events
Here’s how land use patterns are changing in Arizona
Industry-leading companies continue to choose Arizona as a worthwhile place to operate, creating new jobs and diversifying the state’s economy. These substantial investments act as a vote of confidence, making the market more tempting for other businesses. Arizona can capitalize on this surging interest thanks to having an abundance of the one resource nobody can make more of — land. Even with this natural bounty, where and how land is being developed is changing across the state.
Greater Phoenix has long been an attractive place for newcomers, but the trend of where exactly they’re moving to is evolving. According to Greg Vogel, founder and chairman of Land Advisors Organization (LAO), more than half of the population growth will occur in the West Valley.
This subregion is not only less built out than the East Valley, but it has recently added a slew of top-tier employers. According to LAO, TSMC, Microsoft, Amkor Technology, Amazon and Apple constitute around $175 billion in investment and will create more than 17,000 jobs by 2028.
“What we’ve created here has been coined the Silicon Desert, and we expect more investment to occur,” Vogel says. “It has become global news.”
These employees will need places to live, and homebuilders are trying to get out ahead of the demand. Vogel notes that within the last 12 months, 53% of all single-family permits in Greater Phoenix have been issued in the West Valley, up from 38% in 2010.
“We could end up hitting boundaries like the Gila River Indian Community, large regional parks and state land that will guide the future of development,” Vogel says.
Another bellwether for growth patterns is the number of finished lots on the market. Data from LAO shows that the Northwest Valley currently has 8,896 vacant lots available and the Southwest Valley has 8,761. Dividing the number of lots by the quantity of permits pulled in the last year shows how many months it will take to utilize that available land.
Using this equation shows that the Northwest Valley has 22.8 months of supply, and the Southwest Valley has 17.8, with anything between 18 and 22 months constituting a balanced market, Vogel explains.
“We’re at balance, but that’s with fewer permits being pulled in this recent slowdown, so the denominator effect is expanding what was a supply in the lower teens,” he continues. “We expect supply to contract again.”
When looking at the sum of all land transactions in Greater Phoenix and Pinal County over the last year, the West Valley captured 53% of all sales. Within that market share, Vogel notes that 43% of dollars spent was for industrial and data center projects, “which we’ve never seen the likes of before.”
Phoenix housing market outpaces national trends again in 2025
Numbers were up for single-family home sales in October, according to the latest year-to-date data from Phoenix REALTORS®. Phoenix once again outpaced the national housing market in several different categories.
“Year-to-date closed sales, pending sales, new listings and median sales price all increased,” said Christy Walker, board president of Phoenix REALTORS. “These data are indicators of the strength in the Phoenix market.”
The October data show Greater Phoenix with a 3.8% increase in closed sales compared to the first 10 months of 2024. Comparing October 2025 to the same month last year, locally, closed sales increased by 4.9%, compared to a 1.5% rise nationwide. Almost 52,000 homes have sold so far this year, with just over 51,000 pending deals posted.
Over the first 10 months of 2025, compared to 2024, new listings rose 8% and pending sales were up slightly at 0.5%. Nationally, the data for the same period show new listings decreasing 0.8% and pending sales plummeting 27.1%.
Greater Phoenix homeowners again saw their home equity increase in year-to-date numbers, with the median price of a single-family home matching the national average at $480,000. While the national median price remained flat, locally it increased by a slight 0.4% over 2024. Despite the increase in home prices, the housing affordability index improved from 69 to 71. This means that through October, 71% of the households could afford the median-priced home, up 2.9% from a year earlier.
“These are two markers of very good news,” Walker said. “Homeowners are seeing values rise, increasing their personal equity. At the same time, rising incomes mean more households can buy that median home compared to last year.”
How to speed up your home sale — insider tips for sellers
Selling a home quickly takes more than luck—it’s about presentation, pricing, and making strategic decisions that attract the right buyers. Whether you’re relocating, downsizing, or simply eager to move on, these expert tips can help you sell your house fast without compromising value.
Price It Right from the Start
One of the biggest factors in a quick sale is pricing your home competitively. Overpricing can make your property linger on the market, while underpricing could leave money on the table. Research comparable properties (“comps”) in your area and set a realistic asking price that reflects market demand. A professional valuation or consultation with a real estate agent can give you an accurate picture of your home’s true worth. Remember: in a fast-moving market, the first few weeks are crucial—pricing right from day one maximises exposure and interest.
Boost Curb Appeal and First Impressions
Buyers often decide within moments whether they’re interested in a property, which is why curb appeal matters so much. Simple improvements can make a huge difference—fresh paint on the front door, trimmed hedges, clean windows, and well-kept lawns all create an inviting first impression. Inside, aim for a bright, neutral look that helps potential buyers picture themselves living there. Small touches like fresh flowers or the smell of baked goods can create an emotional connection that speeds up offers.
Phoenix Living: Holiday Events
Inaugural Tianyu Lights Festival
Oct. 25 – Jan. 5
The Tianyu Lights Festival, an enchanting nighttime walk-through experience for all ages that brings nature and art together through awe-inspiring visual, cultural, and light effects, is coming to the Valley for the first time ever from Oct. 25, 2024 to Jan. 5, 2025.
Camelback Ranch – Glendale
Cruise ZooLights
Jan. 18
From the comfort of your car, drive through our immersive 200-foot-long light tunnel, experience millions of twinkling lights and dazzling animal sculptures and enjoy the Lake Lights Shows on our main lake! Indulge in holiday treats and beverages, receive a souvenir photo, purchase glow and Zoo souvenirs all without leaving your vehicle!
World of Illumination Cosmic Sleighride
Nov. 14 – Jan. 4
Climb aboard your cosmic sleigh with your host Shiny the Star on a mystical holiday adventure that is out of this world at Cosmic Sleighride produced by World of Illumination. Shoot past the sun, race among the stars and pass through Kris Kringle’s celestial portal where toys prepare for launch. Orbit around a team of astro elves hoverboarding through the cosmos as you enter the stratosphere of Santa City, where all the holiday magic happens. Hold on to your seat — you’re in for one stellar ride.
World of Illumination Rockin’ Christmas & Enchanted Safari
Nov. 15 – Dec. 29
World of Illumination, the producer of the world’s largest drive-through animated light show, presents all-new theme parks in the Phoenix metro area, featuring spots in Tempe and Glendale.
Desert Diamond Casino & Tempe Diablo Stadium
What’s happening on the Westside?!
New! All the latest Upper West Side news by area
COMING SOON & WHAT’S OPEN
This is where you’ll find all of the latest happenings in our area from what’s coming to what’s open to what we are still hoping to see in our beautiful communities. Find your area of interest and click below to find out more!
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ OUR November/December NEWSLETTER ON Desert Life: Market & Events. STAY TUNED FOR NEXT MONTH’S NEWSLETTER.
