When is the best time of year to buy a house in Arizona?<\/h2>\n
Nationwide, summer is often cited as the most expensive time to buy a house<\/a>. For this reason, many industry publications will advise that you buy in January or February for a better price.<\/p>\n Arizona doesn\u2019t quite fit that mold, however. Much of the state is made up of low deserts that are extremely hot in the summer, but pleasantly temperate in the winter. This is a major draw for many people looking to escape colder climates, and makes shopping for and moving into a home much more appealing during the winter months.<\/p>\n Therefore, if you can put up with the heat, the dead of summer is an ideal time to buy a home in most of the state if you are looking for a deal. This is when many local markets tend to slow down a bit and homes are more likely to be offered at a slight discount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n HomeLight can connect you with the top agents in your selected Arizona city or town. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.<\/p>\n \n That said, there are beautiful high-altitude areas of the state, such as Prescott and Flagstaff, that can get quite frigid during the winter, resulting in a somewhat more traditional real estate season.<\/p>\n Keep in mind, however, your dream home won\u2019t necessarily be selling during an area\u2019s \u201coff-season\u201d when there is typically a smaller inventory of homes to choose from; so if you\u2019re looking for a particular product, timing the market may not be an option.<\/p>\n \u201cThe best time to buy is when you find the house,\u201d said Valerie Caro<\/a>, a top real estate agent with 37 years of experience selling property in Flagstaff. \u201cIf you see something that you love, and you can afford it, buy it. Don\u2019t wait for interest rates to come down a quarter of a percentage, because that house is going to be gone.\u201d<\/p>\n In this unique market, the best time to buy a house ultimately depends on your move timeline and goals. To pick the best time for you, the first step is to partner with an experienced agent<\/a> in your selected Arizona market.<\/p>\n Arizona has a diverse landscape, with low deserts and high forested mountains only a couple hours away from one another.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking at the deserts, then July is the best month to purchase<\/a> a home for a discounted price, according to HomeLight\u2019s housing transaction data. In the Phoenix area, for example, we estimate homes sell for almost 3% less that month than the yearly average. That can mean saving around $12,000 on a $400,000 home.<\/p>\n Conversely, the best time to go deal hunting in the high-altitude region of Flagstaff is in January, when homes tend to sell for around 9% less than the yearly average<\/a>. On a $600,000 Flagstaff home, you could save up to $54,000.<\/p>\n Unlike shopping for a television on Black Friday, there aren\u2019t really any specific days of the year that are best for capturing a good price on an Arizona property.<\/p>\n Rather, it\u2019s more important to know how to identify a deal when you see it, and to jump at the opportunity before someone else does.<\/p>\n For instance, if a property is clearly priced to sell quickly, then the best day to put in an offer is the first day it hits the market, Caro says.<\/p>\n Once again, this depends on where in the state you are looking to purchase.<\/p>\n For example, in Tucson \u2014 Arizona\u2019s second largest city located near the southern border \u2014 homes tend to be most expensive in March<\/a>. For the central Arizona city of Prescott, on the other hand, homes are priciest in December<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cEach community is going to have an ebb and flow,\u201d Caro says. \u201cYou can wait for more properties to come on the market or try timing it to maybe get a deal, but when you see the home you want, buy it. That\u2019s the key.\u201d<\/p>\n Since Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states<\/a> in the U.S., the inventory of homes for sale tends to be relatively tight compared to many other parts of the country.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone wants to buy here and not everyone wants to sell here,\u201d Caro says.<\/p>\n Many people find the state attractive due to its surprisingly diverse climate, she says.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter what a buyer is looking for, whether it\u2019s high-altitude living or the warm desert, Arizona can cover the whole gamut,\u201d Caro explains. \u201cI think that\u2019s what brings a lot of people here.\u201d<\/p>\n Though average mortgage rates have significantly increased since the peak of the pandemic housing boom, median sales prices have been dropping and the number of active listings has been increasing. This has resulted in what many consider a relatively balanced market.<\/p>\n Caro says not to be scared off by interest rates, for purchasing a home is typically a long-term commitment.<\/p>\n \u201cMarry the house and date the rate,\u201d she says. \u201cYou can always refinance later.\u201d<\/p>\n Once you have a clear idea of what sort of home you want and what you can afford, then it\u2019s time to find a real estate agent you can trust. One way to do this is by using HomeLight\u2019s free Agent Match platform<\/a>. We analyze millions of home sales to find the best-performing agents for your personalized needs.<\/p>\n \u201cSit down and do an interview with the agents you\u2019re considering,\u201d Caro says. \u201cAnswer a lot of questions. Let them know exactly what you\u2019re looking for. For someone who is experienced in that market, they\u2019re going to help narrow that search down, especially in a huge market like the Phoenix area.\u201d<\/p>\n Caro also suggests having all your funds available before you go shopping. For instance, if the money you intend to use is tied up in stocks or other investments, make sure to liquidate what you need ahead of touring any homes.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you find you step foot into the first home and are like, \u2018Oh my gosh, I love this house, and I want to buy it,\u2019 you want to be in a strategic position to move quickly,\u201d Caro says.<\/p>\n Planning tip:<\/i><\/b> Try HomeLight\u2019s <\/i>Home Affordability Calculator<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n Taking into account such things as home values, taxes, crime rates, the quality of local schools, and reviews from residents, Niche.com lists<\/a> the following cities as the best to buy a house in Arizona:<\/p>\n A large suburb of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Mesa stands out as a diverse, family-friendly community that falls within that sweet spot of relative affordability and reasonable proximity to entertainment and job opportunities.<\/p>\n \u201cMesa is a good value right now,\u201d Caro says. \u201cYou can still definitely get a property that’s reasonably priced, so that’s an area that is good for either purchasing your primary residence or maybe even an income property as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Considered one of the best places to retire in the U.S.<\/a> by some sources, Scottsdale is an attractive city just north of Phoenix. The area offers a suburban feel with many forms of casual entertainment, such as bars, restaurants, and parks. Its home prices and the general cost of living<\/a> are quite high, however, compared to much of the state.<\/p>\n Tucson provides a balanced feeling of urban and suburban. At its center is the University of Arizona, the state\u2019s oldest and second-largest university. Compared to other areas in the state, the city has some of the more affordable housing, with an average home value of around $330,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n Caro says Tucson can be especially appealing for people looking for a nice mix of what Arizona can offer. \u201cIt has some mountains, a lot of outdoor activities, and it\u2019s warm.\u201d<\/p>\n As Arizona\u2019s capital, Phoenix sits at the center of an expansive metropolitan area with ample opportunities for work and entertainment. Being home to more than 1.6 million people<\/a>, the city is by far the most populated and diverse in the state.<\/p>\n Home to Arizona State University\u2019s main campus, Tempe is a hotbed of youthful energy. Many of the businesses cater to college-age individuals, and about 60% of the residents rent<\/a> as opposed to owning their home.<\/p>\n Similar to any market, there are a few things to look for when shopping for a home in Arizona that might land you a sweet discount on the upfront purchase. These include the following:<\/p>\n People want what is wanted, so when they see that a home has been sitting on the market<\/a> for months, they often assume there is something wrong with it. That\u2019s not always the case, however. It may be that the home was simply overpriced and poorly marketed for too long. This can be an opportune time to swoop in and negotiate a deal without worrying about getting into a bidding war with other buyers.<\/p>\n The same can be said if you see a home come back on the market after being temporarily delisted<\/a> for either the above reasons or a contract falling through.<\/p>\n \u201cThat timing is a great opportunity to snag a deal for a buyer,\u201d Caro says.<\/p>\n These are homes priced based on their current conditions, and where the seller doesn\u2019t wish to make any repairs or updates as part of the sales agreement. Some such as-is homes<\/a> can require significant work, but others may only need some moderate TLC. Taking the time to inspect the property and the seller\u2019s circumstances can pay off. In some cases, for instance, these can be inherited estates where the sellers don\u2019t have the time or money to make significant upgrades prior to listing, so they\u2019re willing to take a hit on the price in order to liquidate quickly.<\/p>\n![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n Find a Top Buyer's Agent in Arizona<\/h3>\n
What is the best month to buy a house in Arizona?<\/h2>\n
Are there \u2018best days\u2019 to buy a house in Arizona?<\/h2>\n
Are there \u2018worst times\u2019 to buy a house in Arizona?<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s unique about the Arizona housing market?<\/h2>\n
Is it a good time to buy an Arizona house in the current market?<\/h2>\n
\n
Sit down and do an interview with the agents you’re considering. Answer a lot of questions. Let them know exactly what you’re looking for. For someone who is experienced in the market, they’re going to help narrow that search down, especially in a huge market like the Phoenix area.<\/q>\n
\n
![\"Valerie](\"https:\/\/media.homelight.com\/uploads\/agent\/picture\/2806086\/ac704d2a-d35f-4799-be63-8a78f18fe129.jpeg?width=121\")
\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n
![\"star\"](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/star-solid.svg\")
\n <\/li>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n Currently accepting new clients<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
What\u2019s the best way to get started buying a house in Arizona?<\/h2>\n
What are the best cities to buy a house in Arizona?<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
How else might I get a better deal on a home in Arizona?<\/h2>\n
\n
\n