☀️ Happy Tuesday, friends!

The first full week of the new year is already setting the tone for 2026 across the Valley. Big picture planning is ramping up, retailers are planting new flags, and West Valley momentum continues to build in a very real way.

We’re also getting our first clear look at how the housing market closed out 2025. The numbers tell a steady story with improving balance and early signs of renewed confidence as we head into the spring season.

📰 The Recap

Metro Phoenix kicked off the year with a mix of long range vision and near term action. Cities are thinking decades ahead on infrastructure and quality of life while private investment keeps flowing to the edges of the Valley.

The West Valley remains a focal point. From river corridor planning in Avondale to major land buys in Buckeye and everyday cost conversations in Goodyear, growth is happening on multiple layers at once.

On the housing side, December surprised to the upside. Closings were strong, prices held firm, and the market ended the year in better shape than many expected just a few months ago.

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.}

News & Developments

⚡ Avondale Advances River Corridor Vision

Avondale is seeking a planning firm to lead a long range master plan for the Gila River and Agua Fria River corridors. The effort is part of the broader Rio Reimagined initiative spanning more than 50 miles across metro Phoenix.

The selected firm will help identify land for acquisition or annexation, outline funding strategies, estimate costs, and create an implementation timeline. The plan also focuses on recreation, access points, ecotourism, and environmental restoration while coordinating with multiple agencies.

📍 Avondale
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🍔 Vallarta Supermarkets Opens First Arizona Store

Vallarta Supermarkets will celebrate the grand opening of its first Arizona location on January 14 in Glendale. The first 300 customers will receive bags filled with groceries as part of the opening festivities.

The California based Latino grocery chain is known for freshly made foods, in store tortillas, pan dulce, ceviche, aguas frescas, and a variety of specialty offerings. Company leadership says this is just the beginning, with plans to open 10 to 15 Arizona locations over the next five to ten years.

📍 Glendale
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🏗️ Burlington Buys 178 Acres in Buckeye

Burlington has acquired roughly 178 acres in Buckeye for just under $68.5 million, signaling a potential future distribution or warehousing operation in the West Valley.

The site sits near Buckeye Airport in an area largely made up of undeveloped farmland. City leaders have long planned major airport upgrades, and the surrounding area could see significant transformation as freight capacity expands.

📍 Buckeye
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🚧 Goodyear Approves Multi Year Utility Rate Increases

The Goodyear City Council approved a four year utility rate plan impacting water, wastewater, and solid waste services. Residential and commercial customers can expect annual increases ranging from about 5.5% to 8%, beginning in February 2026.

City staff cited higher treatment costs, reliance on CAP water, energy intensive processes, and inflationary pressures as key drivers. Officials emphasized the increases are tied to operating and maintaining the existing system, not growth related expansion.

📍 Goodyear
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🏘️ Chandler Moves Forward With Single Family Development

Chandler is poised to approve a 57 home single family development near Willis Road and McQueen after earlier rejecting a higher density duplex proposal.

City planners determined the original middle housing concept was not compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. The revised plan lowers density and adds buffers while still branding the homes as middle housing based on size. Estimated pricing based on current averages would place homes roughly in the $630,000 to $720,000 range.

📍 Chandler
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Real Estate Trends

Local Market Update

Supply pulled back through December, ending the year about 10% lower than November, though still 12% higher than this time last year. Buyers continue to have options, and more listings are expected to hit the market over the next several weeks.

December closings were strong, up more than 14% year over year, making it a clear win despite the holiday season. Average price per square foot rose modestly while median prices remained nearly flat, signaling stability rather than overheating.

The Cromford® Market Index continues moving toward a balanced zone. Most cities saw improving conditions for sellers in December, with notable gains in Gilbert, Peoria, Queen Creek, Phoenix, Glendale, and Goodyear.

National Trends

Nationally, housing markets are entering 2026 with cautious optimism. Interest rates are lower than most of last year, which could help support demand early in the year.

Compared with many large metros, Greater Phoenix continues to outperform expectations. Price growth remains modest, inventory is manageable, and affordability has improved slightly as incomes have grown faster than home values.

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

This week was a reminder that growth here shows up in many forms. Some of it reshapes skylines, some of it fills shopping carts, and some of it quietly stabilizes the market underneath it all.

As always, thanks for reading and staying plugged into what’s happening around the Valley.

– Brad