14 Jul Should You Sell Your Arizona Home Before School Starts?
Here’s What You Need to Know Right Now
If you’re thinking about selling your Arizona home before school starts and you’re reading this in mid-July, we need to talk.
I know what you’re thinking – “Is it too late? Should I just wait until after the holidays?” Look, I get it. The clock is ticking, your kids are asking about their new school, and you’re probably feeling a little panicked about the whole thing.
Here’s the deal: it’s not too late, but we’ve got to move fast.
The Reality Check You Need to Hear
Let me give it to you straight – the Arizona real estate market isn’t what it was a couple years ago. Remember when you could slap a “For Sale” sign in your yard and have three offers by the weekend? Yeah, those days are gone.
Right now, inventory is up 59.1% compared to last year. That means buyers have way more options, and they’re taking their time to decide. Plus, we’re dealing with Arizona summer heat, which makes everything a bit more complicated.
But here’s what I’m seeing with families who are making it work: they’re not messing around with wishful thinking. They’re getting real about pricing, they’re prepping their homes properly, and they’re moving quickly.
If You’re Going to Do This, Here’s What Needs to Happen
First things first – list immediately. And I mean this week. Every day you wait is a day closer to August, and trust me, you don’t want to be scrambling to find a rental while your house sits on the market.
Second – forget what your neighbor’s house sold for in March. I can’t tell you how many families I’ve seen price their homes based on what happened months ago. The market has changed, and if you’re not pricing within 2-3% of what’s selling RIGHT NOW, you’re going to be chasing the market with price drops instead of getting ahead of it.
I’ve watched too many families start with a price that sounds good to them, then drop it $10,000, then another $15,000, and by the time they get to a realistic price, they’ve missed out on peak buyer interest that comes with a listing is fresh on the market.
The Arizona Summer Challenge (And How to Beat It)
Here’s something a lot of people don’t think about – selling in Arizona summer is tough.
Your house needs to feel like an oasis when buyers walk in at 2 PM and it’s 115 degrees outside. If your AC is struggling, if your house feels stuffy, if buyers walk in and immediately start sweating – game over. They’re not going to stick around to see your beautiful kitchen renovation.
And showing schedules? Forget about those convenient afternoon showings. We’re talking more early morning or evening appointments, which means now is the time to be more flexible with showings.
But you know what? The families who understand this and work with it instead of against it are still getting their homes sold.
What I’m Seeing Work (And What’s Not)
What’s working:
- Pricing it right from day one (not what you want to get, what the market will actually pay)
- Making sure your house feels cool and comfortable during showings
- Being flexible with showing times (yes, even morning showings)
- Having realistic expectations about timeline
What’s not working:
- Waiting another week to “think about it”
- Pricing based on what you need to make your next purchase work
- Thinking buyers will overlook issues because “it’s a seller’s market” (it’s not anymore)
- Assuming you’ll get multiple offers over asking price
The Backup Plan You Should Consider
Look, I’m going to be honest with you. If you list today and everything goes perfectly, you might close by early-mid August. But “perfectly” doesn’t always happen in real estate.
So here’s what smart families are doing – they’re negotiating rent-back agreements. Basically, you sell your house to the buyer, but you rent it back from them for 30-60 days after closing. This gives you the security of a sold house without the pressure of having to be out before school starts.
Is it ideal? No. But it’s better than starting the school year in a rental because your house didn’t sell in time.
The Mistakes I See Families Make (Don’t Be These People)
Mistake #1: Waiting for the “perfect” time There is no perfect time. There’s only now and too late.
Mistake #2: Pricing based on emotions I get it – you love your house. You’ve put money into it. But the market looks at buyer behavior and that’s the data that matters now.
Mistake #3: Thinking they can DIY this In a market like this, with a timeline like this, you need someone who knows what they’re doing and is looking out for your best interests.
Mistake #4: Not preparing for Arizona summer showings Your house needs to be cool, comfortable, and welcoming when it’s blazing hot outside. If you haven’t thought about this, you’re already behind.
Here’s What You Need to Do Right Now
If you’re serious about selling before school starts, here’s your action plan:
- Call a real estate agent today (preferably one who knows the local market, seasonal trends, and family timelines)
- Get a realistic market analysis based on current sales, not old ones
- Address any obvious issues that will turn off buyers in this heat
- Price it to sell, not to test the market
- Be prepared to move fast on negotiations and inspections
The Bottom Line
Can you still sell your Arizona home before school starts? It’s possible. But only if you’re willing to be realistic about pricing, move quickly, and work with someone who knows how to navigate this market.
I’ve helped dozens of Arizona families make these tight timelines work, but it requires strategy, speed, and sometimes a little creativity with closing arrangements.
The families who succeed are the ones who stop overthinking and start taking action. The ones who don’t…well, they’re usually calling me in September asking if it’s a good time to list for a spring sale.
Ready to Make This Happen?
If you’re ready to get serious about selling before school starts, let’s talk. I’ll give you the honest truth about your timeline, your pricing, and your options – including backup plans that can take the pressure off.
Don’t spend the next week wondering “what if.” Let’s figure out if we can make this work for your family.
Call or text me any time at (602) 329-7782.