Happy Tuesday, friends!

The Valley keeps moving full speed ahead into fall. From massive mixed-use projects and medical expansions to a new hotel and a major wage change coming in 2026, there’s a lot happening that affects both how we live and how we work here in Arizona.

The Recap

This week’s headlines cover every corner of metro Phoenix. In Goodyear, dirt is moving on the long-awaited Ballpark Village project. Mesa just landed a 500-job expansion from a data center cooling company. Chandler Regional is planning a new medical office building, while Phoenix will see a new Hilton hotel along Loop 101. On the policy side, Arizona’s minimum wage is officially crossing the $15 threshold in 2026.

And when it comes to real estate, local pricing looks to be stabilizing after a tough summer, even as national data shows buyers and sellers still adjusting to today’s higher rate environment.
_{Click here for live mortgage rates 
Rates vary based on credit score, loan type, and lender policies. For the most accurate estimate, consult with a lender.}

News & Developments

⚾ Ballpark Village Breaks Ground in Goodyear
Construction has officially started on Goodyear’s long-discussed Ballpark Village, a 7-acre mixed-use project next to the city’s spring training complex. The development will include Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s, Farmer Boys, Bruster’s Ice Cream, and the state’s first Rush Funplex—a 74,000-square-foot indoor entertainment center with bowling, laser tag, mini golf, and more. Nearly fully leased, the complex is expected to open by next year.
📍 Goodyear
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🏥 Chandler Regional Plans 100K SF Medical Office Building
The Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a new 100,200-square-foot medical office building on the Chandler Regional Medical Center campus. The four-story project will house outpatient rehab, orthopedics, trauma care, and more. The design integrates with the existing hospital campus and aims to meet rising healthcare demand in the East Valley.
📍 Chandler
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💵 Arizona Minimum Wage to Top $15 in 2026
Starting January 1, 2026, Arizona’s minimum wage will rise to $15.15 an hour, up from $14.70. The increase is tied to inflation adjustments under Prop 206, which voters approved in 2016. While many Valley employers already pay above that to compete for workers, this marks the first time the entire state will officially cross the $15 mark.
📍 Statewide
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🌐 XNRGY Expands Again in Mesa
Canadian-based XNRGY Climate Systems is expanding its U.S. headquarters in Mesa with a second facility that will add 500 new jobs. The 330,000-square-foot plant will manufacture AI-enabled air-cooled chillers for data centers and include a $10M testing chamber. This follows the company’s first Mesa facility, which is expected to create 900 jobs once fully operational.
📍 Mesa
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🏨 Hampton Inn & Suites Planned in West Phoenix
A new five-story 107-room Hampton Inn & Suites is planned near Loop 101 and Thomas Road in southwest Phoenix. The $66,000-square-foot hotel, developed by Sunridge Properties, will sit across from Banner Estrella Medical Center and be part of a larger wave of development in the Sheely Farms area.
📍 Phoenix
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🏡 Real Estate Trends

According to Redfin, 80.3% of U.S. homeowners still have mortgage rates below 6%, down from a peak of 92.7% in 2022. That “lock-in effect” is slowly easing, with more homeowners deciding to sell even if it means giving up their lower rates. Mortgage rates remain in the 6–7% range and were last recorded at 6.38%.

Local Market

• Average Price per SF: $284.42 as of Sept. 15, almost flat from August.

• Pending Listings: $316.41 per SF, suggesting stable pricing over the next month.

• Active Listings: 23,238, up 28% year-over-year but down slightly month-to-month.

• Monthly Sales: 5,900, up 3% year-over-year despite one fewer working day in August.

• Median Sales Price: $442,540, holding steady compared to last year.

Contract activity is picking up in the mid-to-upper ranges, while entry-level demand remains weak. The Cromford® Market Index shows momentum favoring sellers in some cities like Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Peoria, though others like Glendale and Paradise Valley are trending toward buyers.

Bottom line: The market looks to be stabilizing. Pricing has taken a hit over the past six months, but demand is showing signs of life again as rates ease slightly and buyers adjust.
Check current mortgage rates
_{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 it for this week’s Desert Real. From new jobs and healthcare expansions to wage changes and major projects breaking ground, the Valley continues to reinvent itself.

If you see something interesting in your neighborhood or have questions about any of these updates, just hit reply, I’d love to hear from you.

See you next week,
– Brad