The housing market across Maricopa County and Chandler, Arizona is entering a new phase. Mortgage rates have recently dropped to around 5.98%, the lowest level since 2022, and this change is beginning to influence buyer behavior across the region.

At the same time, inventory is rising to the highest level in the past four years, giving buyers more choices than they have had in recent years. However, demand is also increasing, which means the market is not collapsing—it is stabilizing.

In this weekly market update, we’ll break down three major trends shaping today’s market:

• Mortgage rate changes

• Buyer demand measured by homes going under contract

• Inventory levels across Maricopa County

We will also take a closer look at why Chandler, Arizona continues to behave differently compared to many other cities in the Phoenix metro housing market.

Key Market Highlights:

• Mortgage Rates Drop to the Lowest Level Since 2022: Mortgage rates recently dropped to approximately 5.98% for a 30-year loan, according to Freddie Mac data. This represents the lowest level since 2022 for standard conventional financing. Lower borrowing costs reduce monthly payments and are encouraging many buyers to return to the market.

• Buyer Demand Is Increasing Across Maricopa County: Recent data shows 8,396 homes went under contract in a single week, which is higher than the same time period in the previous two years. This suggests that buyers are becoming more comfortable with mortgage rates around 6% and are adjusting to the new normal.

• Inventory Levels Reach the Highest Point in Four Years: The number of active listings in 2026 is currently higher than the previous four years. More homeowners are listing their homes as confidence improves, which increases the number of available properties on the market.

• Rising Inventory and Demand Are Stabilizing Prices: Although inventory has increased, buyer demand has also risen. When both supply and demand increase at the same time, the result is typically price stabilization rather than a price crash, creating a healthier market environment.

• Home Prices Behave Differently Across Cities: Real estate conditions vary widely across Maricopa County depending on city, price range, local demand pockets, and new construction competition. Starter homes below roughly $450,000 tend to move quickly due to strong first-time buyer demand.

• Chandler Continues to Show Strong Seller Market Conditions: According to the Cromford Market Index, Chandler has remained primarily in seller-market territory, and early 2026 market conditions closely mirror those seen in 2025. This indicates stable demand and suggests Chandler home prices may remain steady or increase compared to other areas.

Buyer & Seller Insights

1. Buyer Demand Is Rising Again

Lower mortgage rates are pulling buyers back into the market. As rates dropped to around 5.98%, many buyers who had previously paused their search are now making offers again. Below is a simplified visualization of weekly homes going under contract in Maricopa County.

The data shows that 2026 demand is currently stronger than the previous two years, indicating buyers are adjusting to interest rates around 6%.

2. Inventory Is Also Increasing

Inventory across Maricopa County has risen to the highest level in the past four years, meaning buyers now have more homes to choose from.

Because inventory and demand are increasing together, home prices are likely to remain stable rather than decline sharply.

3. Why Chandler’s Market Is Different?

Several factors influence how prices behave across Maricopa County:

• City and location differences

• Price range demand

• Neighborhood-level buyer demand

• Competition from new construction

Chandler stands out because buyer demand remains strong and inventory levels remain balanced, preventing oversupply.