Happy Tuesday, friends!

We’re cruising into November, and the Valley is buzzing with everything from new housing and restaurant expansions to massive infrastructure projects and energy updates that could reshape how Arizona powers its future. The local market is showing more life as we move past the summer slowdown, and pricing is once again trending upward. Let’s dig in.

The Recap

Someburros, a longtime Arizona staple, is ramping up for major expansion with new locations planned in Maricopa, Peoria, and Surprise. Mesa is growing again too, with Lennar proposing more than 300 new homes at Hawes Crossing, while Apache Junction could soon see a 300-unit affordable housing project.

In Phoenix, a $100 million luxury apartment complex called The Amara is in the works downtown, and APS just announced plans for a new 2,000-megawatt natural gas plant near Gila Bend to keep up with the surge in demand from data centers.

Add in a local win on the global stage Moxie Coffee Co. in Phoenix took home gold at the Global Coffee Awards and you’ve got another strong week of growth, energy, and hometown pride across the Valley.
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Rates vary based on credit score, loan type, and lender policies. For the most accurate estimate, consult with a lender.}

News & Developments

🌯 Someburros Expands to Maricopa, Peoria, and Surprise
Arizona’s beloved family-owned Mexican restaurant chain Someburros is in the middle of a major growth spurt. Three new restaurants are planned for Maricopa, Peoria, and Surprise — all set to open in 2026. These locations will feature dining rooms, drive-thrus, and covered patios, expanding the chain’s already strong community presence.
📍 Maricopa, Peoria & Surprise
🔗 Read More

🏘️ 300-Unit Affordable Housing Project Planned in Apache Junction
Roers Companies is looking to bring a 300-unit affordable housing community called Roers 88 North to Apache Junction. The project will serve residents earning up to 60% of the area’s median income and will include open space, a clubhouse, and 14 three-story buildings. The plan was recommended for City Council approval in late October.
📍 Idaho Road & Scenic Street, Apache Junction
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🏡 Hawes Crossing Adds 342 New Homes in Mesa
Lennar Homes is planning another addition to the fast-growing Hawes Crossing master community with Hawes Village 5, a 342-home development featuring open spaces, a pool, a dog park, and sports courts. The 60-acre project will also include future commercial space and ties into a new mixed-use development nearby.
📍 East Warner & South Hawes Roads, Mesa
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🏢 $100 Million Luxury Apartments Planned in Downtown Phoenix
New York-based Gallium LLC and Elevate Companies are teaming up for The Amara, a seven-story, $100 million luxury apartment complex planned near 6th and Grant streets in downtown Phoenix. The project will feature ground-floor retail, a pool, a wellness center, and even a padel court. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026.
📍 602 E. Grant Street, Phoenix
🔗 Read More

⚡ APS to Build New 2,000-Megawatt Power Plant Near Gila Bend
Arizona Public Service announced plans to build the Desert Sun Power Plant, a massive two-phase natural gas facility west of Phoenix. The first phase will serve residents, while the second will power the growing number of data centers moving to Arizona. The new plant could power more than 320,000 homes and is expected to be operational by 2030.
📍 Near Gila Bend
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☕ Phoenix’s Moxie Coffee Wins Gold at Global Coffee Awards
Local roaster Moxie Coffee Co. took home gold for “Best Filter Coffee” in the U.S. and Canada edition of the Global Coffee Awards. Founded in 2021, Moxie is known for sourcing rare, small-batch beans and building connections between Phoenix coffee lovers and farmers around the world.
📍 4626 N. 16th St., Suite 101, Phoenix
🔗 Visit Moxie Coffee Co.

Real Estate Trends

Local Market Snapshot
The Valley’s market is showing subtle but positive movement. According to the Cromford® Report, six cities remain in seller’s markets, five are balanced, and seven now favor buyers. Overall, the pace of decline in market strength has slowed over the past two weeks, suggesting the bottom may be near.

Scottsdale’s luxury sector continues to dominate — for the first time ever, it surpassed Phoenix in total dollar volume, generating more than $6.3 billion in closed sales year-to-date. Paradise Valley isn’t far behind, up 30% year-over-year. Luxury homes over $2 million now account for 17% more total sales volume than last year.

Meanwhile, overall prices are inching higher. September’s median sales price for Maricopa County came in at $488,772, up 3.6% year-over-year. Supply remains elevated, but demand is improving slowly as mortgage rates drift slightly lower.

National Market
According to Redfin, luxury home prices rose 5% year-over-year, nearly double the pace of non-luxury homes. Case-Shiller data shows national prices up 1.6%, though Phoenix remains one of the weaker markets month-to-month at -0.9%.

The Federal Reserve’s latest remarks pushed rates slightly higher, but analysts expect potential easing if economic data softens by December. Mortgage News Daily reports the typical 30-year fixed loan at 6.36%, and inventory continues to rise nationwide — now up 17% year-over-year, according to Realtor.com.

Mid-Month Forecast
The Cromford® mid-month pricing forecast shows average sales at $287.85 per square foot, up 1.2% from September. Pending listings are up 2.5%, pointing to higher closing prices next month. The report projects $295.17 per square foot by mid-November, signaling that pricing should continue improving as we move past the summer slump.
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_{Mortgage rates vary based on individual qualifications, including credit score, loan type, and lender policies. For a personalized rate estimate, it’s best to consult with a lender.}

🌵See You Next Week in the Desert

That’s a wrap for this week’s Desert Real. From new housing projects to coffee gold medals and big power plays, the Valley continues to grow in all directions. As we head deeper into fall, the market looks ready to end the year stronger than it started.

See you next week,
– Brad