Are there any homes in Phoenix with character?

In this newsletter:

Have a great weekend!

When most people tour a home, they focus on the obvious things: the kitchen, the primary suite, the backyard, or whether the paint colors need updating. Those things matter, but they're only part of the story.

What you're really buying is the life you'll live once you move in.

Before making an offer, spend some time exploring the neighborhood like you already live there. Drive the route to the grocery store. Find the coffee shop you'll stop at on Saturday mornings. Notice where the pharmacy is, where you'll grab takeout after a long day, and whether there's a park, walking trail, or restaurant you'll actually enjoy visiting.

Pay attention to the little things, too. Is the street quiet? Do neighbors seem to be outside? Is there a lot of traffic during the times you'll normally be coming home? These details often have a much bigger impact on your happiness than whether the countertops are granite or quartz.

A house is where you sleep. A neighborhood is where you live.

The best home isn't always the one with the fanciest finishes, it's the one that fits the lifestyle you want to have every single day. Before you decide if you love the house, make sure you love the life that comes with it.

Mortgage rates saw some welcome improvement over the past couple of days after briefly moving higher earlier in the week. While day-to-day fluctuations are normal, rates continue to respond to changes in the bond market, inflation expectations, and investor sentiment rather than moving in a straight line.

While higher rates can impact affordability, they also create opportunities for buyers. A slower market often means less competition, more room to negotiate, and a better chance of securing seller concessions. If rates decline in the future, increased buyer demand could quickly drive competition, and home prices, back up.

Curious what your rate would be in today’s market? Reach out to my lending partner, Aaron Alvarez with West American Mortgage, at (602) 705-9835.

1320 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. The finishing touches are being completed on this 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo unit in the heart of Central Phoenix. Located in a gated community with wonderful grassy open areas, this unit will have new floors & fresh interior paint.

6903 W. Kimberly Way, Glendale, AZ 85308. This home has brand new kitchen, new flooring on the first floor and new vanities in all of the bathrooms. It is located on the 15th hole of Arrowhead Country Club.

Listed at $775,000 and we had interest from multiple buyers. 6903kimberly.com

Life is busy, and the level of maintenance and upkeep that comes with being a homeowner can be daunting for many. This is the beauty of a condo. You own your space, but you are not on the hook for pulling weeds or worrying about roof repairs.

This unit at Thunderbird Paseo is a great option if you’re looking for this type of situation. The community is walking distance to Banner Thunderbird hospital, and is listed for just $180k.

Beautifully updated, spotless 2nd-floor condo in a prime Glendale location--an ideal investment property or low-maintenance home. This bright, open layout features neutral finishes and an updated kitchen with modern cabinetry, generous storage, and a breakfast bar flowing into the living area. Step out to your private balcony overlooking a peaceful stretch of Thunderbird Paseo Park--perfect for morning coffee or sunset views. Enjoy in-unit laundry, a well-maintained community, and resort-style amenities. Close to Arrowhead, Loop 101, Arrowhead Towne Center, top-rated shopping, dining, entertainment, parks, and medical facilities. Strong rental demand makes this a smart, turn-key opportunity.

See all the pics & info here.

Property listed by Amanda Margaret-Marie Espinal with Coldwell Banker Realty

Referrals are the backbone of any realtors business, and mine is no different. Many of you have sent your friends & family my way over the years, and it is always fun to get that call ‘they said you’re the best, so I’m calling to get your help!’

If you know anyone thinking of buying or selling in 2026, I’d love the opportunity to connect with them and see how I can help.

The knock on Phoenix is that it is a desert wasteland, everything is brown and nothing has any character. And yes, most of the neighborhoods here in the Valley are suburbs of urban sprawl, full of box shaped homes in a varying shade of beige. But that doesn’t mean there are not some unique homes with character & charm.

This home in Historic Garfield neighborhood of Downtown Phoenix fits the bill if you’re wanting a home that isn’t like everyone else’s.

Experience the energy of Downtown Phoenix from the Historic Garfield Neighborhood. Walk, bike or rideshare to Roosevelt Row, First Fridays, Chase Field, Footprint Center, The Van Buren, Arizona Financial Theatre, acclaimed restaurants, breweries, coffee shops and local boutiques. Quick access to light rail, ASU, Banner Health, Phoenix Children's and major freeways. Flexible floor plan offers 4 beds/3 baths or a 3 bed/2 bath home with a separate-entry 1 bed/1 bath guest suite or ADU. Recent updates include owned solar, foundation stabilization and numerous system improvements for modern peace of mind.

See all the photos here.

Property listed by Raleigh Dombek with Compass

It might be the heat of summer, or just my phase of life, that has me wondering what it would be like to move off to the middle of nowhere and live in a log cabin house on a huge acreage.

I found a cool option in Northern Oregon, near the town of Joseph. This handcrafted log home was built in 1961 and sits on 112+ acres!!! That would work…

A rare legacy property on the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road, this handcrafted log home has been in the same family since it was built in 1961 by the award-winning, published Western writer Glenn R. Vernam, whose work was inspired by the very landscape surrounding it. The offering includes 112.78 total acres with 102.06 of mature, unharvested timber, untouched for more than 70 years located on the east side of the Loop Road, providing exceptional privacy, wildlife habitat, and long term resource value. On the west side of the road, the homesite encompasses 10.72 acres with the original log home, outbuildings, and Little Sheep Creek running directly through the property. The creek fronts the land and also fingers around the opposite side of the house, creating a serene, flowing backdrop that enhances the home's rustic charm. The home carries the unmistakable character of its era-solid timber construction, wide-open gathering spaces, and the quiet authenticity of a life lived on "The Divide" and close to the mountains. Set on an expansive site with classic Wallowa County scenery in every direction, the property offers room to breathe, create, and reconnect. Mature trees, open sky, and the peeking views of the Wallowas frame the home, giving it the feel of a private retreat while still offering convenient access to Joseph, Enterprise, and the full Wallowa Mountain Loop. Inside, the home reflects decades of careful stewardship. Original log craftsmanship blends with thoughtful updates, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for year-round living or seasonal escape. Large windows bring in natural light and mountain views, while the generous layout provides flexibility for hosting, working, or simply enjoying the quiet. Properties with this kind of provenance-built by hand, rooted in local history, and preserved by one family for over 60 years-rarely come to market.

See all the pics & info here.

Because if we didn’t laugh…we’d cry

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