The Perkins Group at Homesmart

10/22/2026

Confused by Home Price Headlines? Here’s Why.

National headlines can’t tell you what your home is worth or how much room you have to negotiate. Local data can. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, let’s look at how prices are moving in your area, so you can set your price or make your offer with confidence.

Whether you own a house already or you’re looking to buy one, you probably care about home prices.

10/21/2026

🌵 EASTMARK LIVING. A HOME WORTH A CLOSER LOOK. 🏡

Imagine enjoying the parks, trails, recreation, and lifestyle that make Eastmark in Mesa such a desirable place to call home. Now imagine finding a home that offers the space you need, plus a financing opportunity worth exploring!

✨ Introducing the Rubidium Avenue home in Eastmark!

And here's another reason to take a closer look: a 2/1 temporary rate buydown featuring projected monthly principal and interest payments of:

🏡 Year 1: $3,716/month
🏡 Year 2: $4,137/month
🏡 Year 3+: $4,576/month

That's $860 less per month in Year 1 and $439 less per month in Year 2 compared with the Year 3+ payment.

Imagine what that initial payment difference could mean as you settle into your new home!

📩 Want the property details and financing information? Send us a message or comment EASTMARK to learn more about this opportunity.

📍 Rubidium Avenue | Eastmark, Mesa, Arizona

The Perkins Group at HomeSmart
Helping you discover the right home and the right opportunities.

10/21/2026

Newly built homes now cost less than existing ones in about a third of major markets.

And nationally, the gap is pretty big. A newly built home typically sells for about $35,000 less than an existing one.

Prices can look very different from one area to the next, though. So, what neighborhoods do you have your eye on? Let’s tour a new home and an existing one, and see how they compare.

10/20/2026

New Homes Cost Less in 1 in 3 Major Markets

Newly built homes now cost less than existing ones in about 1 in 3 major markets. How much less, exactly? Nationally, a newly built home typically sells for about $35,000 less. So, brand-new could be more budget-friendly than you think. Want to see how newly built and existing homes compare where you’re looking? Let’s tour one of each.

10/19/2026

Home sales may be slower than last year. But that doesn't mean buyers have disappeared.

At the current pace, almost 4 million homes are expected to sell this year. That's about 11,000 each day, 450 an hour, and nearly 8 every minute.

Why? Because even in this market, there are still buyers out there who have a reason to move.

People get new jobs, families grow, people retire, downsize, and move closer to the people they love. And those changes create buyers and sellers in every kind of market.

In fact, the latest report from NAR shows sales actually ticked up slightly in September, even though they're still below last year's pace.

So, don't let a headline convince you no one is buying. You don't need every buyer. You just need the right one – and a strategy that helps your house get their attention.

If you're thinking about selling, let's talk about how to make yours one of the homes that sells.

10/18/2026

Same time of year. 2 very different stories. And mortgage rates are a big reason why.

Last fall, mortgage rates came down and the number of homes for sale barely budged. This fall, rates have climbed above 7%. Some buyers have pulled back, homes are taking longer to sell, and instead of coming off the market, more listings are sticking around.

Since August, the number of homes for sale has grown by about 25,000. So, what does that mean for you?

Buying? You’ve got more homes to choose from and potentially more room to negotiate on price, repairs, or closing costs.
Selling? Buyers have more options, so you’ve got to give them a reason to choose your house. That means getting the price right from day one and making sure your house stands out from the competition.

Want to know what this shift looks like where you live? Drop a comment or send me a DM, and let’s look at the local numbers together.

10/17/2026

Do You Know How Much Equity You Have?

The low mortgage rate you locked in a few years ago might make moving feel off the table. But your equity could put it back on.Homeowners with a mortgage have an average of $310K in equity right now. That could go toward a bigger down payment, so you borrow less at today's rates. Or, you may be able to buy your next place in cash – without needing a mortgage at all. So, don’t write off a move just yet. Let's find out how much equity you have and what it could do for you.

10/16/2026

Hoping mortgage rates will come down soon? The latest inflation report just made that outlook a little more complicated.

Inflation climbed to 3.7% in September, higher than economists expected. And while rising gas prices were a big driver, costs increased across several other categories too.

Why does that matter for housing? Because stubborn inflation makes it harder for the Fed to justify lowering their Federal Funds Rate. It could even increase the chances of another hike.

Now, the Fed doesn't directly control mortgage rates. But inflation and Fed expectations influence them, which means there's no guarantee mortgage rates will move lower anytime soon.

If you're planning to buy or sell, don't let a hoped-for rate drop be the only thing driving your timeline.

Let's look at what today's market means for your move and build a plan around the numbers you can actually work with.

10/15/2026

Worried you might regret buying a home right now?

Even though rates are still higher than buyers would like, everyday costs are up, and the economy feels uncertain, a recent NerdWallet survey found most buyers who’ve already made the leap say they’re glad they did. Only 3% actually regret it.

That’s a good reminder that homeownership isn’t really about whether you bought at the “perfect” time, rate, or price. It’s about what owning a home can do for you over time.

As home values rise and you pay down your mortgage, you build something called equity. And that equity can eventually give you more flexibility, more financial options, and more freedom when it’s time for your next move.

So, if buying is something you still want, don’t let today’s uncertainty automatically talk you out of it.

Let’s look at what’s possible and whether there’s a path that makes sense for you.

10/14/2026

Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop? Check These New Home Builder Incentives

Some new home builders in the Greater Phoenix Area, Arizona, offer special financing incentives, reduced mortgage rates, and thousands of dollars toward closing costs. Depending on the home, loan program, and buyer qualifications, these offers could make a significant difference in your monthly payment.
In this video, Mark Perkins of The Perkins Group at HomeSmart illustrates how a lower interest rate could change the payment on a $500,000 home with 5% down.

The takeaway? Don't just wait for rates. Look at the incentives!
Builder offers change frequently, and advertised rates may require a preferred lender, qualifying credit, select homes, and specific terms. Always compare the APR, total loan costs, and full offer details before deciding.

Want to know which Greater Phoenix communities are offering incentives? Contact Mark Perkins to explore your options and make a more informed home-buying decision.

Want to know which new home communities in Greater Phoenix are offering special financing or buyer incentives? Contact Mark Perkins at The Perkins Group at HomeSmart. Subscribe for more Arizona real estate tips and home-buying strategies.