Inside the Numbers: How to Read the Metro Phoenix Housing Update

Each month, Michael Hankerson—Designated Broker for the Luxury Division, Mortgage Broker with First Link Mortgage (NMLS #2664119), and team lead for the Hankerson Team—tracks and publishes the Metro Phoenix Housing Update, a report featuring 15 key national economic and local housing indicators.
The report captures a snapshot of current market conditions on the first of each month by tracking six key indicators: days on market, active listings, coming soon listings, inventory, homes under contract, and the supply/demand ratio. Then, the report analyzes the month being reported by adding five national economic indicators and four Metro Phoenix housing statistics related to sales. These figures are then compared to the previous month and the same month one year prior to identify trends and market shifts. By analyzing these trends, we gain a clear view of where the market stands today—and where it may be headed.
Clients and followers use this data to make more informed decisions about buying, selling, or investing in Metro Phoenix residential real estate. A standout example is the May 2022 report, which warned that housing inventory had more than doubled in just 60 days. Based on that insight, I advised an investor to delay a purchase and encouraged a seller to list in May instead of waiting until July. These strategic decisions helped avoid losses—and in some cases, saved tens of thousands, if not over $100,000.
Meanwhile, iBuyers who continued paying full price into the summer suffered major losses by fall, as inventory quadrupled and the average sale price dropped nearly $80,000.
Questions?
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📊 Why This Report Matters to You
Most housing reports you see in the news are backward-looking. They tell you what happened last month or last quarter—but they don’t tell you where the market is heading. That’s like trying to drive forward while looking in the rearview mirror.
This report is different. It doesn’t just explain the past—it helps forecast what’s next.
Whether you’re planning to buy, sell, or invest, understanding momentum in the market can help you:
- Avoid overpaying or overpricing
- Spot good opportunities before others do
- Time your move with more confidence
- Make smarter decisions backed by facts, not fear
🧠 Behind Every Stat Is a Smart Strategy
Each of the 15 indicators in this report has a purpose. They help answer questions like:
- “Will mortgage rates rise or fall?”
- “Is now a good time to list—or should I wait?”
- “Are buyers gaining leverage—or are sellers still in control?”
- “How quickly are homes selling—and how long might mine sit?”
- “Are luxury buyers active—or holding back?”
These aren’t just numbers—they’re tools. When you understand them, you can see what others miss.
Questions?
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Here are the 15 Key Indicators—and why they matter to real estate agents, buyers, sellers, and investors in the Metro Phoenix housing market:
Mortgage30US (30-year fixed mortgage rate)
Why it matters: This directly impacts buyer affordability and monthly payments. Higher rates can reduce demand, slow sales, and lower prices. Investors calculate cash flow with this rate, and agents use it to gauge urgency.
DGS10 (10-year Treasury yield)
Why it matters: A benchmark for mortgage rates. Rising yields signal future rate hikes, potentially slowing buyer demand. It’s a leading indicator for market shifts.
DGS2 (2-year Treasury yield)
Why it matters: Reflects short-term economic sentiment. If the 2-year yield exceeds the 10-year (an inversion), it can signal a potential recession—impacting buyer caution, investor strategies, and seller pricing.
DJIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average)
Why it matters: A broad measure of economic health. Luxury buyers and investors often react to stock market performance. Strong markets fuel confidence; downturns cool high-end sales.
Bitcoin
Why it matters: In high-net-worth circles, Bitcoin serves as a liquidity source. When prices surge, cash home purchases often rise—especially in the luxury sector.
SFD-# Homes Sold (Single Family Detached)
Why it matters: A measure of buyer activity and market health. Lower sales can indicate waning demand or affordability issues. Helps agents and sellers track market competitiveness.
SFD-Sale Price
Why it matters: Shows price trends. Buyers assess market timing, sellers set listing strategies, and investors monitor appreciation or decline.
SFD-Sold Volume
Why it matters: Represents the total dollar value of homes sold. A drop might reflect fewer high-end sales or an overall market slowdown.
SFD-Price/Ft
Why it matters: Levels the field across home sizes. Buyers evaluate value, sellers price strategically, and investors run projections for flips or rentals.
SFD-DOM (Active) – Days on Market
Why it matters: Indicates how long listings sit unsold. Rising DOM can mean declining demand or unrealistic pricing—helpful for setting expectations and negotiation strategies.
SFD-Active Listings
Why it matters: A snapshot of available homes. An increase can suggest a shift to a buyer’s market, prompting sellers to adjust pricing or incentives.
SFD-Coming Soon
Why it matters: Offers insight into future supply. Buyers and agents can act early. Sellers can time their listings better, and investors may spot early opportunities.
SFD-Inventory (Months of Supply)
Why it matters: Shows how long it would take to sell all active listings at the current pace. Under 3 months = seller’s market. Over 6 = buyer’s market. Vital for timing and strategy.
SFD-Contracts
Why it matters: Reflects how many homes are going under contract in real time. Often a leading indicator before closed sales show the trend. Helps forecast shifts in demand.
Supply / Demand Ratio
Why it matters: This metric defines the market dynamic. When supply exceeds demand, buyers gain leverage. When demand exceeds supply, sellers hold the advantage. Critical for all real estate decisions.
Questions?
📅 Book a call with Michael Hankerson
Metro Phoenix Housing Market Updates

Phoenix zip code 85028
Since the peak in 2020, when 409 SFD homes were sold, sales of homes in 85028 are down 45%, primarily due to the rise in interest rates on the 30-year mortgage. However, despite the sharp decline in the number of homes sold, the average sale price increased 7.88% in 2024 to $875,287.

Metro Phoenix Housing Update July 2024
It’s no surprise that the average sale price of a single family detached home in the Metro Phoenix Area dropped by $28,625

A Look into the Arizona Luxury Home Market – July 29th 2024
The shocking development over the past three weeks is that half of the homes under contract for $14 million or more have been canceled.

The Location of Luxury Homes in Arizona
If you’re a builder looking to maximize your final sale price or a homeowner searching for a high-appreciation area, the location of your investment matters.

Luxury Home sales in Arizona – July 7th, 2024
Over the past couple of weeks, 43 more homes sold for $3 million or more in Arizona, bringing the total to 419.

Metro Phoenix Housing Update June 2024
Two things stand out to me: the number of homes sold in June and the number of homes under contract at the beginning of July.