Stop Waiting for Rates to Drop: What Arizona Buyers Need to Understand in 2026

One of the most common questions I hear right now sounds simple on the surface:
“Should I just wait for interest rates to drop?”

It’s a fair question. Rates matter. Monthly payments matter. And for many buyers in Arizona, affordability has been top of mind for the last few years. But here’s the part that doesn’t always get talked about enough: waiting for lower rates doesn’t automatically make buying easier, and in many cases, it can actually make it harder.

Lower Rates Often Mean More Competition

Historically, when interest rates come down, buyer demand goes up. Quickly. More buyers jump back into the market, inventory tightens, and homes start moving faster. In Arizona, that usually means multiple offers, higher prices, and buyers needing to bring more cash to the table to stay competitive. The payment might look better on paper, but the path to actually winning a home often gets more challenging.

Waiting Has a Cost Too

I’ve worked with buyers who waited months, sometimes years, hoping for the “perfect” rate. Many of them eventually came back feeling frustrated, priced out of certain areas, or wishing they had trusted their timing earlier. Home prices, rents, and life itself don’t pause while we wait. Timing the market perfectly is incredibly difficult, even for professionals who watch it every day.

Need and Means Matter More Than Rates

Here’s the truth I share with my clients: if you have the need and the means, waiting rarely works in your favor long term. Buying a home is about more than interest rates. It’s about stability, lifestyle, equity growth, and making a move that supports where you’re headed next. Smart decisions come from clarity and planning, not hesitation or headlines.

What Arizona Buyers Should Focus on Instead

Rather than waiting for a rate that may or may not come, a better approach is understanding your options. That could include creative financing strategies, rate buydowns, negotiating seller concessions, or simply choosing the right home in the right location for your season of life. Every buyer’s situation is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Let’s Talk It Through

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Arizona in 2026, you don’t need pressure or predictions. You need honest guidance, clear numbers, and a strategy that fits you. Whether you’re ready now or just starting the conversation, I’m here to help you make a smart, confident move when the time is right.

Tara Keator
Keator Homes | REAL Broker
📧 tara@keatorhomes.com
📞 (480) 703-3112