Upcoming Events

Hop & Hops Easter Festival

April 3, 2026 from 5-8 p.m.
Goodyear Recreation Campus
FREE

Light @ Play

April 9–11, 2026 from 6:30–10:30 PM
Downtown Peoria
FREE

KidFest

Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 9 AM - 1 PM
Friendship Park
FREE

Local Market Update

February brought a clear shift in the West Valley: more homes for sale, a slower pace, and slightly softer sold prices.

Inventory moved up from 5,107 active listings in January to 5,631 in February, a 10.3% jump. At the same time, fewer new listings hit the market (1,812 vs. 2,304 in January), and fewer homes went under contract (1,003 pending vs. 1,269). That mix usually means buyers get more choices, and sellers have more competition.

On the sold side, closed sales increased (1,120 vs. 915), but pricing cooled a bit. The median sale price dipped from $407,990 to $405,000, and the average sale price fell to $433,368. Days on market also stretched out, with average CDOM rising to 94. Translation: homes are still selling, but it is taking longer, and pricing has to be tighter to win.

The negotiation signal also softened. The sale-to-list price ratio moved from 98.6% to 98.1%, and the sale-to-original-list ratio eased from 95.6% to 95.4%. That is not a crash, but it is a reminder that pricing and condition matter more when inventory climbs.

Where is the inventory? The biggest pool of active listings is in the $400,000 to $499,999 range (1,685 homes, about 30% of the market). Next is $300,000 to $399,999 (1,475 homes, about 26%). If you are shopping in those bands, you will see the most options and the most competition.

What this means for you

For buyers: you have more leverage than earlier this year. More inventory means more choices, more price reductions to watch, and better odds of negotiating repairs or credits when the home has been sitting.

For sellers: expect longer timelines than last year and more buyer sensitivity on price. If your home is in the $300,000–$499,999 range, you are competing in the deepest inventory bands, so presentation and pricing strategy need to be sharp.

If you want a quick, specific read for your neighborhood, reply with your city and price range, and I will tell you what is moving fastest right now and what buyers are pushing back on.

Fed holds rates steady, but inflation could stymie spring sales

The Federal Reserve kept short-term interest rates unchanged this month, and that part was no surprise. The bigger story is inflation. If prices keep rising, it can pressure mortgage rates and monthly payments, even when the Fed is standing still.

According to the Fed’s March 18 announcement, the target range for the federal funds rate remains 3.5% to 3.75%. Only one governor dissented, which signals the committee is largely aligned as it waits to see how global events, including the Iran conflict and oil prices, could affect consumer costs.

Inflation forecast moved higher

The Fed now expects inflation to run at 2.7% this year, up from its 2.4% forecast in December and still above its long-term 2% target. That shift matters for real estate because it suggests fewer and later rate cuts. The Fed’s projections point to just one cut in 2026, likely later in the year.

Recent data also supports the Fed’s cautious stance. A new inflation report showed wholesale prices rising more than expected in February, with the Producer Price Index up 3.4% year over year. Markets reacted quickly, with stocks dropping more than 1% that day.

Rate hikes and “stagflation” are still unlikely

During his press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell was pressed on whether surging oil prices could force the Fed to raise rates later this year. He did not rule out the discussion, but he made clear there are no plans to hike right now.

Powell also pushed back on the idea that the economy is entering stagflation, explaining that the term is better reserved for severe conditions like the 1970s, when unemployment and inflation were both extremely high.

What this means for spring buyers and sellers

For home shoppers, the takeaway is simple. Mortgage rates may be influenced less by the Fed’s meeting-to-meeting decisions and more by inflation headlines and geopolitical risks.

Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS, noted that if the Iran conflict is short-lived, mortgage rates could drift lower again even if the Fed holds steady. But if the conflict expands or lingers, higher inflation could also mean higher mortgage rates. That scenario could slow spring activity and change the pace of what many expected to be a housing rebound in 2026.

There is still a positive note for buyers. Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, pointed out that even with a recent uptick, mortgage rates are likely to stay below last year’s levels. That can improve buyer purchasing power compared to last spring.

Practical bottom line

If you are planning a move this spring, pay attention to inflation trends as much as interest rate announcements. For buyers, it reinforces the value of staying payment-focused and being ready when the right home shows up. For sellers, it is another reason pricing and presentation matter. In a market sensitive to affordability, buyers have less room for “overpriced and we’ll negotiate later.”

Attribution: Adapted from Real Estate News reporting by Dave Gallagher (March 18, 2026).

Household Tip: 10-minute shutoff valve check

Most home water damage starts with a small leak that turns into a big problem fast. This month, take 10 minutes to do one simple “shutoff valve” check. It is an easy way to protect your home and reduce stress if a leak ever happens.

Here is the quick plan:

• Find the shutoff valve under one sink, behind one toilet, and at your water heater.

• Turn each valve gently to make sure it moves.

• Turn it back to the original position.

If a valve will not turn, or it feels corroded, make a note to have it serviced. The goal is simple. If you ever have a leak, you want to be able to stop the water right away without guessing.