by Bob Adelfson | May 19, 2026 | Divorce, Selling your home
If you’re thinking about selling your home in Arizona, timing can play a major role in how quickly your home sells and how much money you ultimately walk away with.
In most Arizona markets, the best time to sell a home is typically during the spring and early summer months, especially from March through June. During this period, buyer activity is usually at its highest as families look to move before the next school year and many buyers want to settle in before the extreme summer heat arrives.
Why Spring Is Often the Strongest Selling Season
Arizona’s spring market tends to bring:
* More active buyers
* Increased competition between buyers
* Faster sales timelines
* Stronger pricing opportunities
* Better curb appeal due to ideal weather and landscaping
Homes also tend to show better during Arizona’s mild spring weather, making open houses and private showings more appealing to buyers.
Is Summer a Bad Time to Sell?
Not necessarily. While Arizona summers can slow buyer traffic due to extreme temperatures, serious buyers are still actively searching. Proper pricing, professional marketing, and excellent presentation remain critical regardless of season.
Fall and Winter Can Still Offer Advantages
Although buyer activity often slows during the holidays, fall and winter can still be excellent times to sell because:
* Inventory is often lower
* Serious buyers remain motivated
* Competition from other sellers may decrease
Arizona’s mild winter climate can also attract seasonal residents and relocation buyers from colder states.
The Real Key: Market Conditions Matter More Than the Calendar
While seasonality matters, the “best” time to sell ultimately depends on:
* Current inventory levels
* Interest rates
* Buyer demand
* Your neighborhood
* Your home’s condition and pricing strategy
A well-prepared home priced correctly can sell successfully during almost any season.
If you are considering selling your Arizona home, working with a knowledgeable local REALTOR® can help you determine the ideal timing and strategy based on current market conditions in your area.
For personalized guidance on selling your home in Queen Creek, Gilbert, San Tan Valley, Florence, or the surrounding Phoenix metro area, contact Arizona Divorce Agent for divorce-related real estate guidance.
by Bob Adelfson | May 4, 2026 | Uncategorized
When most homeowners think about selling, they focus on one number: the list price.But there is another number that can have a major impact on your bottom line: carrying cost.
What Is Carrying Cost?
Carrying cost is the total cost of owning your home while it is listed for sale.
These expenses continue every day your home remains on the market.
Typical Carrying Costs Include:
- Mortgage payments
- Property taxes
- Homeowner’s insurance
- Utilities
- HOA fees
- Maintenance and landscaping
- Ongoing repairs or upkeep
The Hidden Math Most Sellers Miss
Let’s say your monthly carrying cost is $3,000.
That equals approximately $100 per day.
If your home takes 60 extra days to sell, that could mean:
$6,000 in additional costs
And that is before any price reductions.
How Carrying Cost Affects Your Selling Price
Many sellers enter the market thinking, “Let’s price a little higher and see what happens.”
While that may sound reasonable, it can create a costly cycle.
- The home is priced above market value.
- Buyer activity is limited.
- The home sits longer on the market.
- Carrying costs continue to add up.
- Price reductions become necessary.
- The seller may net less than expected.
The Real Goal: Net Proceeds, Not Just Price
A higher list price does not always mean more money in your pocket.
What matters most is your final net.
Sale Price – Carrying Costs – Concessions – Time on Market = Your True Net
A smart pricing strategy can help you:
- Attract stronger buyers
- Generate faster offers
- Reduce holding costs
- Create competitive demand
- Protect your final net proceeds
Strategic Pricing vs. Testing the Market
Option 1: Price High and Adjust Later
Pros:
- Leaves room for negotiation
- Tests buyer response
Cons:
- Slower buyer activity
- Higher carrying costs
- Risk of becoming stale on the market
- Greater chance of price reductions
Option 2: Price Strategically From Day One
Pros:
- Stronger initial interest
- Higher likelihood of qualified offers
- Faster sale
- Lower carrying costs
- Often stronger net proceeds
Cons:
- Requires accurate data and strategy upfront
- Less room for overpricing experiments
Why This Matters in Today’s Arizona Market
In a changing real estate market, pricing and timing are critical.
Homes that sit too long can lose momentum, invite lower offers, and cost more to hold.
Homes priced correctly from the beginning are more likely to attract serious buyers,
create urgency, and sell with stronger terms.
A Smarter Way to Sell
Selling your home is not just about getting an offer. It is about making informed financial decisions.
Carrying cost is one of the most important factors sellers often overlook.
When you understand your carrying cost, you can make better pricing decisions,
avoid unnecessary losses, and sell with confidence.
Want to Know Your True Cost to Sell?
Before you list your home, it is important to understand your estimated daily carrying cost,
projected net proceeds, and the pricing strategy that protects your equity.
I can provide a custom home value analysis and seller net sheet so you can see exactly how timing and pricing impact your bottom line.
by Bob Adelfson | Apr 22, 2026 | Divorce, Selling your home
From
DivorceNet: If you’re like most couples who own a house or condo together, that property is probably one of your most valuable marital assets. And if you’re getting divorced, you’ll need to divide your interest in the property. The most straightforward way to do that is to sell the property and split the proceeds. Before you decide to do that, you should know the benefits and drawbacks, as well as what you’ll need to do before and after the sale.Â
Read more
by Bob Adelfson | Apr 12, 2026 | Divorce, Quit Claim, Title
LegalZoom describes the Quit Claim Deed as follows: “A Quit Claim Deed in a divorce or legal separation gives one party the sole ownership of the property. This allows that party to sell or mortgage the property without the other party’s approval or consent. It also allows that party to execute a will to give the property to anyone he or she desires.” In a divorce, the Quit Claim Deed is most often used to transfer property from joint ownership (such as a married couple) to sole ownership.
Before signing a Quit Claim Deed, you must understand that signing removes you from any ownership or control of the property, but DOES NOT remove you from any mortgage tied to the property. That mortgage is a contract between you and the bank, and the court does not have the authority to nullify that contract. The court can order that one spouse refinance the home, but it cannot force a bank to grant refinancing if that spouse does not meet their lending criteria.
Therefore it is essential that before signing the Quit Claim Deed that the spouse retaining the home has been fully qualified to refinance the house.  Otherwise, you have given up ownership in a property for which you remain financially responsible.
If you are the spouse who intends to keep the home, it’s critical to speak with a lender early in the divorce process. Many lenders will not consider alimony as part of your income until there is a history of on-time payments. This can range from 6 months to a couple of years. The same applies to child support. Many lenders require that you receive support for a minimum of three years if you intend to use child support as a source of income. If your child is 16, that income may not qualify if the support is ordered until he/she is an adult (2 years).
The bottom line… speak to your attorney before you sign a Quit Claim Deed.
Here are some helpful resources on this subject
LegalZoom: Understanding the Use of Quit Claim Deeds in Divorce
Divorce Mortgage Advisors:Â Should I Sign A Quitclaim Deed During (Or After) Divorce?
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