The Recap

East Valley

Mesa’s Medina Station is bringing Dick’s Sporting Goods, Boot Barn, and new dining spots, making it one of the largest retail projects in the area. Meanwhile, Avalon Ranch near Power and Elliot will add EOS Fitness, Aldi, McDonald’s, and more to the growing intersection. Over in Arizona Mills, the new Bubble Planet experience is now open, offering an immersive attraction with virtual reality and interactive rooms. Queen Creek residents are also preparing for a 15% water rate hike, the first in over a decade.

West Valley

Glendale’s Andretti Indoor Karting & Games is bringing high-speed racing, VR attractions, and laser tag near State Farm Stadium, adding to the entertainment boom in the area. Surprise will soon welcome a new Home Depot as retail expansion continues in the Prasada district. Glendale’s largest affordable housing project has officially opened, offering 368 units and a commercial kitchen for small business owners. In Peoria, the Saddleback master-planned community broke ground a few months ago, and with 6,500 homes and 60 miles of trails planned, it’s still a major development to watch.

Real Estate Market Trends

Inventory is up 44% across Phoenix, giving buyers more choices, especially in the under $600K market. However, the shift toward a buyer’s market is slowing, thanks to mortgage rates dipping below 7%. While prices are holding steady, the luxury home market is outperforming, keeping average price per square foot higher than expected. Nationally, new tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods could push up construction costs, potentially impacting affordability down the line.

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_{Rates vary based on credit score, loan type, and lender policies. For the most accurate estimate, consult with a lender.}

East Valley News & Developments

🏋️‍♂️ Avalon Ranch Brings New Shops & Dining to Mesa/Gilbert Border

Big changes are coming to the southwest corner of Power and Elliot roads in Mesa! A new 14-acre commercial center, Avalon Ranch, is in the works, bringing an EOS Fitness Center, Aldi grocery store, McDonald's, 7/11, Taco Bell, and Valvoline to the area. This project has been in the pipeline since 2022, and while there’s no official opening date yet, development is well underway. There’s still one tenant spot left to be announced—so stay tuned for what’s next!

🏀 Dick’s Sporting Goods Anchors Massive New Retail Hub in Mesa

A major commercial project is coming to Southern Avenue & Signal Butte Road, and it’s shaping up to be one of Mesa’s biggest retail developments in years. Medina Station, a 64-acre mixed-use center, will feature Dick’s Sporting Goods as a two-story anchor store alongside a rumored Target, which, if confirmed, would be Mesa’s first new Target in 20 years! Other tenants include Boot Barn, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Hawaiian Bros, Café Zupas, GoodVets, and U.S. Bank. The project is already 70% leased, with fine dining options expected to be announced soon. Construction kicks off next week, with the first openings expected in summer 2026.

🫧 Bubble Planet Brings an Immersive Experience to Arizona Mills

Ever wanted to jump into the world’s largest bubble bath ball pit? Now you can! Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience has opened at Arizona Mills Mall, offering interactive rooms filled with virtual reality, LED underwater scenes, infinity mirrors, and, of course, bubbles! This unique attraction sits next to SEA LIFE Aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center, making it a fun stop for families and anyone looking for a bit of nostalgia. Tickets start at $21.90 for adults and $14.90 for kids.

📦 New Storage Facility Proposed for Casa Grande

A 120,000-square-foot indoor storage facility is in the works for Florence Blvd & Arizona Road in Casa Grande. The project, led by PSC Storage, would include climate-controlled storage and an 800-square-foot office, with a design that minimizes traffic impact on surrounding neighborhoods. The Planning & Zoning Commission will be reviewing the proposal this week, so local input could still shape the final approval.

🚰 Queen Creek’s First Water Rate Hike in 15 Years

If you live in Queen Creek, expect a 15% increase in water rates starting in June. This adjustment—the first since 2010—is aimed at covering rising costs and keeping up with the town’s rapid expansion. Queen Creek’s water utility has been running at a deficit, and this hike will help stabilize finances while funding critical infrastructure projects. While the increase might not be great news for wallets, QC residents will still be paying less for water than neighboring cities like Mesa, Gilbert, and Tempe. A public hearing is set for May 7, giving residents a chance to weigh in before the final vote.

West Valley News & Developments

🏎️ Andretti Indoor Karting is Racing into Glendale

The West Valley is getting even more exciting! Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, named after legendary race car driver Mario Andretti, is opening a massive, 96,000-square-foot entertainment center near State Farm Stadium and Loop 101 in Glendale. This $40 million project will feature multi-level electric go-karting, an arcade, laser tag, duckpin bowling, VR attractions, and a full restaurant and bar. Construction is set to start this year, with doors expected to open in early 2026. Glendale was chosen for its booming growth and vibrant entertainment district, joining other attractions like Topgolf, PopStroke, and the upcoming VAI Resort.

🌵 Saddleback Master-Planned Community in Peoria

Big things are happening in North Peoria with the launch of Saddleback, a 6,500-home community just minutes from Lake Pleasant. Developed by Castle Hill Partners, this project spans 5,300 acres and will include 60 miles of hiking trails, 60 acres of public parks, and thousands of preserved saguaro cacti to keep the natural desert landscape intact. Home prices will range from $700,000 to $3 million, and major builders like Lennar and Taylor Morrison have already signed on. With Vistancia Boulevard being extended to SR-74, Saddleback is positioning itself as the "gateway to adventure" for outdoor lovers.

🏡 New Affordable Housing Opens in Glendale

Affordable housing in the West Valley just got a boost with the opening of Centerline on Glendale, a 368-unit housing community aimed at supporting families, seniors, and veterans. Located at 67th Ave & Glendale, this development offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting at $476/month. Beyond housing, it will feature a splash pad, fitness center, walking paths, and an on-site commercial kitchen run by Local First Arizona to help entrepreneurs launch food businesses. Maricopa County invested $6 million into this project, making it the first in Arizona to use state low-income housing tax credits.

🔨 Surprise Welcomes a New Home Depot in April

Residents of Surprise won’t have to travel far for their next home project! Home Depot is opening a 109,651-square-foot store in the Prasada area near Loop 303 & Cactus Road this April. The company spent $8.4 million on the 18-acre site, which will also feature a garden center. Home Depot is expanding across Arizona, with plans to open another location in Buckeye at Buckeye Commons near Costco. The retailer is making a strategic push into fast-growing areas, with Prasada’s booming retail and restaurant scene proving to be a prime location.

🏡 Real Estate Trends

 📉 The Market is Tilting Towards Buyers—But Slowly

The Phoenix housing market is shifting more in favor of buyers, but the pace of change is slowing down. Over the past month, 13 cities saw conditions worsen for sellers, but 4 cities actually improved, showing that demand isn’t completely vanishing. Buckeye, Maricopa, Cave Creek, and Avondale all posted gains, with Cave Creek officially moving back into a seller’s market.

Mortgage rates have also eased slightly, dipping to 6.7%-6.8% after hovering above 7% for months. This small relief is helping more buyers step back into the market, but new listings are still coming in faster than demand can keep up—though the gap is narrowing.

🏠 Home Prices & Inventory Update

• Inventory is up 44% compared to last year, but active listings only grew 6.7% in the past month, a sign that supply growth may be slowing.

• The median home price is $459,000, up 6.7% from last year, but buyers in some areas are gaining negotiating power.

• Luxury sales (above $3M) remain strong, skewing average price-per-square-foot numbers higher. Excluding these high-end homes, the average price per square foot drops from $313 to $291.

• Areas with high supply, like Buckeye and Maricopa, are feeling more price pressure, while other parts of the market remain steady.

📊 National Real Estate Snapshot

• Pending home sales fell 6.4% nationally, showing that despite lower mortgage rates, buyers remain cautious.

• New listings are rising, with Phoenix leading the nation (+27.1%), meaning more choices for local buyers.

• Tariffs on Canadian and Mexican building materials could increase new home prices, as homebuilders pass rising costs onto buyers.

💡 What This Means for You

Buyers have more choices and negotiating power in some areas, but competition for well-priced homes remains strong. With mortgage rates trending downward, locking in a rate before potential economic shifts could be a smart move. Sellers still hold an advantage in key markets, but properly pricing a home is now more important than ever.
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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

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-Brad