Last week’s economic reports were in short supply due to the Christmas holiday. Events reported included Case-Shiller home price indices, pending home sales and weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Consumer confidence was also released.
Case–Shiller Readings Indicate No Slowdown in Home Price Gains
Case-Shiller’s October readings for its home price indices showed continued growth in home prices. In spite of rising home prices and mortgage rates, high demand for homes and slim supplies of homes for sale continued to fuel higher home prices.
According to Case-Shiller’s national home price index for October, home prices rose 5.60 percent on an annual basis as compared to September’s reading of 5.40 percent. The 20-city home price index rose to 5.10 percent from September’s reading of 5.00 percent. Case-Shiller’s 10-city index also gained 0.10 percent in October with a reading of 4.30 percent year-over-year.
Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon and Denver, Colorado had the highest year-over-year home price gains in October with readings of 10.70, 10.30 and 8.30 percent respectively. David M. Blitzer, Managing Director and Chairman of the S&P Indices Committee, said that “Home prices and the economy are both enjoying robust numbers,” but he also cautioned that rising mortgage rates and home prices growing faster than wages continue to pose obstacles for some home buyers. The Federal Reserve is expected to raise its federal funds rate in 2017, which is expected to prompt rising mortgage rates.
Mortgage Rates Mixed, Pending Home Sales Fall
Pending home sales fell 2.50 percent in November. Analysts said that post-election reaction helped to drive mortgage rates higher, which made homes less affordable for first-time and moderate-income buyers; Sellers and buyers may have postponed decisions to sell or buy as they waited for volatile post-election responses to ease.
According to the National Association of Realtors®, pending home sales fell to their lowest level in almost a year with an index reading of 107.30 in November. September’s reading was 110.00. The holiday season and rising mortgage rates were seen as contributing to fewer pending home sales.
Freddie Mac reported the ninth consecutive week that fixed rate mortgages rose. In the final mortgage rates survey for 2016, the average rate for a 30-year mortgage rose two basis points to 4.32 percent; the average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage was three basis points higher at 3.55 percent. 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage rates averaged 3.30 percent, which was two basis points lower than the prior week. Discount points averaged 0.50 percent for all three mortgage types.
New jobless claims were lower last week with a reading of 265,000 new claims filed. Analysts had expected 270,000 new claims filed based on the prior week’s reading of 275,000 new claims filed.
In spite of rising home prices and mortgage rates, consumer sentiment was higher than expected in December with a reading of 113.70 as compared to expectations of 110.00 and November’s reading of 109.40.
What‘s Ahead
Next week’s scheduled economic reports include Labor Department releases on Non-Farm Payrolls, and the national unemployment rate. ADP payrolls and weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims will also be released. Financial markets are closed today in observance of New Year’s Day.
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6235 W Almosta Ranch Road
Prescott, AZ 86305
$2,085,000
4
Beds
5
Baths
5,774
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6787685
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
This contemporary home is a true masterpiece, offering a lifestyle of privacy and serenity. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Arizona landscape while enjoying all the comforts and amenities of modern living. This home is a testament to uncompromising quality and attention to detail. The interior boasts an open-concept design with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. High-end finishes, including custom cabinetry, hardwood flooring, and designer lighting, create an atmosphere of understated luxury. The chef's kitchen is a masterpiece, featuring top-of-the line Viking and Sub-Zero appliances. Click ''more'' to for additional details... More...
12322 E Black Rock Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
$2,082,995
3
Beds
3.5
Baths
3,353
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6763950
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
*NEW CONSTRUCTION: SPRING 2025 COMPLETION. Interior Finishes have been added!* This modern Irini floor plan is under construction on an elevated home site! Features include an attached Casita with a separate entry, a private Courtyard, Great Room with a 90 degree sliding glass doors and 60'' linear fireplace, SS Wolf appliances, double wall ovens, 48'' Sub Zero Fridge and large study with wet bar. This is the low-maintenance, LUXURY, lock & leave home you have been waiting for! Located in the stunning guard-gated community, Sereno Canyon. The ultimate resort lifestyle community in North Scottsdale by Toll Brothers. Come take a tour today!
3412 E Kachina Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85044
$2,075,000
3
Beds
4.5
Baths
4,639
SqFt
Status
Active Under Contract
MLS #
6778176
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
This luxury Ahwatukee Custom Estates home is truly unforgettable, Enter into the private, serene front courtyard with gorgeous landscaping & fountain. You'll be amazed as you enter this home with its open floor plan, high ceilings, beautiful wood beams, four propane fireplaces, & three gathering/sitting areas. Oversized windows throughout the home frame the backdrop of South Mountain. All bedrooms have a private entrance, own bath, and walk-in closets. Chef's will delight in the gourmet kitchen complete with Viking and Subzero appliances & large butler's pantry. Your backyard oasis is perfect for entertaining with a sparkling pool, turf lawn, mature landscaping, BBQ and several seating areas all while backing to the preserve with stunning views. Don't miss this spectacular opportunity! Lastly, the expansive backyard includes a covered patio, extended flagstone seating area, a built-in BBQ, and a sparkling blue pool w/a rock waterfall! What are you waiting for? Act now!
5316 E Osborn Road
Phoenix, AZ 85018
$2,075,000
5
Beds
3.5
Baths
3,189
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6783926
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
This beautiful Arcadia ranch home is in the highly desirable Arcadia Osborn neighborhood within walking distance of Arcadia Park, Ingleside Middle School and Veritas Preparatory Academy. It is a short drive to Old Town Scottsdale and conveniently located near some of the best restaurants and shopping in Phoenix and Scottsdale. This gem offers 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bath plus a 560 SF Guest House with 1 bedroom/1 bath making this property a very rare offering. The Kitchen was meticulously updated 2021 by the current owner and features an oversized island with beautiful leathered granite, a gas cooktop, and provides space for plenty of counter top seating; the updated custom cabinetry in this kitchen provides ample storage for anything you may need. The Kitchen opens up to the Dining Room, Living Room and Library nook where the total space is under high vaulted ceilings that makes the home feel open and spacious. The private split Primary Bedroom features a vaulted ceiling, large closet and backyard views. The Primary Bathroom was updated in 2024 including a secluded water closet, dual vanities and a zero-entry shower with a heated towel bar. On the west side of the house sit the other 4 bedrooms. Two bedrooms share a Jack & Jill bathroom with a bathtub and shower as well as dual-sink vanity. The other two bedrooms have easy access to another full bath. Both bathrooms were fully remodeled in 2024 with granite countertops and new tile that surrounds the bathtub and showers. The powder room is conveniently located off the Kitchen, close to the Laundry Room. A very rare oversized side-entry 3 car garage offers an abundance of space for cars, toys, and plenty of storage. Off of the generously sized driveway is an RV gate with a concrete pad that leads to to a lush green back yard with a bubbling water fountain and an outdoor gas fireplace perfect for entertaining friends, family, and guests in the cool Arizona evenings. This is a very special property that offers a vignette view of Camelback Mountain & sits back from the street with a meandering grassy irrigated front yard plus a side courtyard & garden. Planted throughout the property are numerous mature shade and citrus trees that takes you back to a time when Arcadia was an active citrus grove, making you feel that you are in a special place. Come and make this one of kind a property your own!
9130 N Hummingbird Trail
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
$2,075,000
4
Beds
3.5
Baths
3,100
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6752059
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
New construction with amazing views of Four Peaks & Redrock Mountain nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac near to Firerock Country Club! 3100 sf contemporary southwest home on 1+ acres. Open concept plan with soaring 12' ceilings in the great room, Bosch SS appliances with full size refrigerator, shaker style cabinetry, large kitchen island. Step outside to the sparkling pool and enjoy the beauty around you. In addition to the master suite there are 2 additional fully suited bedrooms and a den that is perfect for an office or additional bedroom. 4 car garage with 10' ceilings. Don't miss out on this opportunity to own a truly unique and beautiful property!
7120 N Clearwater Parkway
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
$2,075,000
3
Beds
4.5
Baths
3,204
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6617694
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Rare offering in coveted Clearwater Hills! Find an unexpected pocket of natural beauty and safety in this mountainous guard-gated community. Clearwater Hills is a refuge from the traffic and sound of city life, where you are more likely to hear a coyote howl than a honking horn - yet it is just minutes from Arcadia and Biltmore restaurants, and less than 20 minutes from Sky Harbor. From the pool, look up at a ring of mountains. From the picture windows in the home, enjoy a view of distant city lights. This location is truly unique, and the home offers so many possibilities. This mid-century home offers 3 bedroom suites - a very spacious master with jetted tub and split shower, and two guest bedrooms with full bathrooms. (Continued in supplement...) Two powder rooms serve the main living areas. The master bedroom has a westward view of Piestewa, sitting area, dual closets, and opens to a balcony room enclosed by sliding doors. This flexible space is currently set up as a gym, but is just as easily used as a conservatory, a workspace or private lounge. This room overlooks a thriving natural wash area. The kitchen is updated with shaker cabinets, beautiful granite and newer appliances, including an induction cooktop and professional range hood. There is a seated peninsula and a kitchen table area. The formal dining area has a southward view which captures city lights at night; it is a dedicated space yet open to the large living area. From the front entry, you can look out on to two living spaces separated by back-to-back brick gas-burning fireplaces. The living areas are spacious with high ceilings and great natural light. The far side of the main living area a nice wet bar area for entertainment purposes, complete with beverage fridges. Large sliding glass doors open out on to a full-length covered veranda from every space along the back of the home, so you never lose view of your beautiful surroundings. Motorized roller shades offer privacy on the north facing windows at night. The powder room in the living area doubles as a pool bathroom as it opens onto the patio. The spacious pool deck is a step down from the home itself, offering privacy to swimmers while still feeling very open. A large pantry, laundry and utility room are right off of the kitchen, leading to the 2 -car garage. A large storage room runs along the back of the garage. The home has a newer roof as of 2019, and new flooring, stucco, & paint as of 2020. More recent upgrades include new HVAC units, new gas tankless water heater, plumbed gas to two fireplaces with remote fire controls, upgraded dishwasher, & new pool pump. While the character and quality of this home are lovely as-is, it would also be a great candidate for expansion or remodel. Buildable lots in the community garner high pricing and and a square footage addition or even a scrape and rebuild would be profitable in this location for a buyer with the right resources. 2nd story views from this location are easy to imagine by standing in the driveway looking out over the home - incredible!
3007 E Lowell Avenue
Gilbert, AZ 85295
$2,070,000
6
Beds
4.5
Baths
5,460
SqFt
Status
Active Under Contract
MLS #
6779219
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Step into a luxurious modern masterpiece on one of the largest lots in The Retreat—1.1 acres, a rare find in Gilbert, near San Tan Village Mall! This upgraded home blends elegance with functionality, featuring new flooring, custom limewash paint, and a striking iron staircase. The remodeled gourmet kitchen, equipped with $25k in premium appliances, flows into spacious living areas, ideal for entertaining. Outdoors, enjoy an enclosed kitchen for year-round gatherings, a beautiful stone fireplace, and a unique stone shower for a private oasis. Four new AC units ensure comfort, while a large sliding wall connects indoor and outdoor spaces. With a private theater, spa-inspired bathrooms, custom closets, and top-tier pool equipment, this residence is designed for sophisticated living.
13108 N 76th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
$2,050,000
4
Beds
2.5
Baths
3,184
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6787026
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
JUST LISTED IN 85260 - POOL just RE-PEBBLED/TILED. Newer ROOF. Newer TRANE AC Units in 2020 & 2019. This home is in the MIDDLE OF ALL that is HAPPENING in SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA! Located 2 min. from Kierland/Quarter & 10 minutes from Fashion Square. The PRIVATE LOT stretches 35,415 SF with a DETACHED GARAGE that holds 6 CARS! Maybe a Future CASITA? The home is 3,184 sf with GORGOUS WOODEN BEAMS on beautifully vaulted ceilings. The grand DINING ROOM opens to a SPACIOUS COVERED PATIO & oversized SPARKLING DIVING POOL! The patio has several entertaining areas with lots of OUTDOOR BAR-SEATING, a FORMAL DINING space with TV & a quaint COZY AREA to relax! RHINOSHIELD Ceramic Warranty. RV GATE & plenty of RV PARKING! Potential AirBnB Ready to Go! All furnishing available on a separate bill of sale
9998 E Taos Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
$2,050,000
3
Beds
3.5
Baths
3,460
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6694885
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Golf Membership Available- Nestled within the serene embrace of Desert Mountain, this exquisite property in Renegade Trail embodies the essence of easy living and timeless elegance all year, as well as a perfect lock and leave for shortened stays. Proudly offered by its original owners, this meticulously crafted residence boasts a prime location, mere moments from the front gate, New Renegade Clubhouse and the Sonoran Fitness Clubhouse, ensuring effortless access to all the community has to offer. Stating a timeless Arizona contemporary style, this home welcomes you with its one level living, adorned with stacked stone accents and sleek metal facia showcasing clean lines and captivating angles. Step through the private gated courtyard, where tranquil cactus gardens and inviting sitting areas set the tone for the serenity found within. Geometric ceiling designs grace the central living spaces, where open wood plank ceilings soar from 9 to 17 feet, complemented by dropped perimeter ceilings with expansive clerestory windows, infusing the interiors with radiant natural light. The heart of the home unfolds seamlessly, inviting gatherings and fostering cherished moments. The great room, with a prominent fireplace, reclaimed barn wood floors, and expansive windows framing picturesque views, invites relaxation and conversation. Adjacent, a sophisticated office space awaits, offering a serene retreat with a slider to the patio, mitered corner windows, and a niche with built-in furniture piece. The expansive kitchen with stone tiled floors, spacious island with seating for 4 and plenty of storage will delight any chef. Enjoy casual meals and outdoor vistas within the kitchen space with table space for 4 and the slider to patio. For larger gatherings the adjacent dining space with continued geometric ceiling detail provides a pleasing as well as intimate backdrop for sharing meals with family and friends. The L-shaped wet bar ensures libations flow, adding to the ambiance of any gathering. Retreat to the private Primary Ensuite, a sanctuary of luxury and tranquility, presenting a two-sided fireplace, scraped hickory floors, and a slider to the serene patio oasis with raised cactus gardens and a soothing fountain. The ensuite bath pampers with dual vanities, a spa-like tub with stone surround, and a spacious walk-in shower, while the expansive walk-in closet ensures ample storage. Two additional ensuites offer comfort and privacy, each appointed with its own unique charm and character. Outside, the L-shaped patio beckons with its covered living areas, grilling station, and linear salt pool, offering the perfect setting for outdoor entertaining or serene relaxation. Enjoy vistas of blazing sunsets, the surrounding mountains and Sonoran Desert landscape, creating an idyllic backdrop for year-round privacy and outdoor enjoyment. Renegade Trail presents an unparalleled opportunity to partake in the world-class amenities of Desert Mountain, including 7 clubhouses, 7 golf courses, 20 miles of hiking trails, and a variety of dining options, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sonoran Desert landscape. Discover the epitome of desert luxury living in this remarkable Desert Mountain residence.
12459 N 116th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
$2,050,000
5
Beds
4
Baths
4,271
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6745021
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
FINALLY A FAMILY FRIENDLY FLOOR PLAN to satisfy family members & guests. UPDATED with new hardwood floors, kitchen & family room transforming this home to a light, bright, welcoming home perfect for everyday living & entertaining. Spacious Primary Suite boasts a sitting room & updated bathroom with two separate sink areas & 2 walk-in closets. That wing of the house features a Large bedroom or Bonus room plus another bedroom currently used as an office. Opposite are two additional large bedroom & 2 bathrooms. Bedroom # 5 bathroom also serves as a pool bathroom. Remodeled Kitchen has top of the line stainless steel appliances, double sinks, walk-in pantry. Family room also updated has a linear fireplace & wet bar opens to outdoor living. Entertaining is a Must Do with covered patio, built-in BBQ, heated spa & pool, plus a Gazebo with fireplace for day & evening dining. Multiple areas to lounge and plenty of place for children & family pets to romp. In Prestigious 24 Hour Guard Gated Ancala Country Club with true sense of community. Ancala HOA is very active with a variety of social activities to get to know your neighbors. Close to sought after Scottsdale & BASIS Schools, biking & hiking trails, shopping malls, theaters, a variety of dining choices and access to freeways. Ancala Country Club is PRIVATE & membership is OPTIONAL. Membership is required to enjoy the Country Club's tremendous array of programs & events and to play on the par-72 Championship Perry Dye golf course. You'll LOVE Living & Playing in ANCALA! HOME UPDATES 12459 North 116th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 2021 Remodel kitchen, new appliances, hearth room fireplace & bar hardwood floors and baseboards, added custom door to hallway, new pool bath door New lighting and can lights kitchen, hearth, dining room, hallways, living room, New central vacuum system Bathroom counter tops and sinks, faucets New tile roof and exterior paint New outdoor lighting, rock, Irrigation and landscaping Pool cleaned out and new tile New cool deck painting New outdoor grill March 2024 new blinds, some with remotes, July 2024 two new water heaters June 2024 new pool filtration system New pool heater
9633 E Quarter Circle Loop
Gold Canyon, AZ 85118
$2,050,000
4
Beds
3.5
Baths
3,894
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6730396
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Beautiful new custom home located in Gold Canyon East at Barkley Ranch backing Golf Course on the 10th Green of the Dinosaur Course. Incredible views of the golf course. Fantastic finishes and details in the cabinetry, wood flooring, wood boxed beams on ceiling, marble tiled master bath, firepit and built in barbecue. The home surrounds a resort style pool with tiled Baja shelf and spa, stone finished columns with copper scuppers pouring waterfalls into the pool. Travertine pavered patios and pool deck with synthetic grass and firepit inside the fenced yard overlooking the 10th green of the golf course with beautiful views.