🏘️DEAL OF THE WEEK + Is Affordable Housing Really the Problem?

Deal of the Week

OFF MARKET Fourplex in 85020- $750,000

-Three 1bd/1ba units; One 2bd/1ba unit

-No work needed, fully rented

-Income currently at $52,200 annual with room to raise rents as leases expire (Unit 3 lease up for renewal in March)

-Newer HVAC (3 out of 4 units)

Get more information on this opportunity by scheduling a quick call with me or by contacting me here.

---

Buying season is officially underway in Greater Phoenix, and January is doing exactly what it tends to do—bringing a fresh wave of new listings to market. But what about affordable housing?

From a data perspective, here’s what matters most right now.

📈 Seasonal Patterns Are Playing Out

-January is historically the strongest month for luxury and retirement community listings

-March typically marks the peak for mainstream housing

-Buyer demand ramps up quickly in January, softens briefly, then peaks again in April–May

-This early-season window is when market direction becomes clear.

🏘️ New Listings: Slightly Lower, Still Healthy

-New listings are down just 2.5% year-over-year

-Still stronger than every January from 2020–2024, which marked the weakest stretch in 25 years

-Most price ranges are flat or softer, creating a more balanced supply-demand environment as we enter 2026 (though this varies by submarket and product type)

💰 The Big Shift: Homes Under $300K

This is where the data gets interesting.

-New listings under $300K: +15% year-over-year

-Nearly 3,800 active listings, representing 18% of total supply

-Prices in this range are down 2–3% from last year and still drifting lower

-Sales activity in this segment is up 7%

These homes are primarily:

-Condos & mobile homes in Phoenix and Mesa

-Single-family homes in outlying areas like Pinal County

📊 What the “Affordable Housing” Data Really Says

If affordability were purely a supply issue, we’d see:

-Rapidly declining inventory under $300K

-Rising prices in that segment

That’s not what’s happening.

-Inventory under $300K is rising

-Prices are softening (at this price point)

-Sales are increasing

Meanwhile:

-Sales over $500K: +7%

-Sales from $300K–$500K: flat

📌 Conclusion: The data suggests affordability strain today is less about availability and more about location preference. Buyers aren’t boxed out of homeownership—they’re resistant to leaving desirable areas.

As we begin 2026, Greater Phoenix is entering a more balanced market, with improving options at the lower end and stable activity higher up. Understanding where flexibility exists—and where it doesn’t—is the key to making smart moves this year.

If you want to dig into how these trends affect your specific buying or selling strategy, I’m always happy to break down the numbers.

Want local data or strategy by city?

I’ll send over a quick custom summary for your neighborhood or price point. Let me know what you'd like to see by scheduling a quick call with me or by contacting me here.