We usually focus most of our attention on the ARMLS home territory - what we refer to as Greater Phoenix. This comprises all of Maricopa County, most of Pinal County (except a few small villages near Tucson), and a few small communities in Yavapai. However, the listings on ARMLS do include out-of-area properties and in 2020 they have been doing some interesting things from a statistical perspective.

In July there were 602 out of area listings that closed. This is up a colossal 125% from July 2019 and by far the highest number of closings we have ever seen in a single month for out of area listings. It also surpassed June 2020 which had set the record of 494 a month earlier. June was up 105% from the year before.

This appears that this new trend represents an "Escape to the Country" where people crave locations far away from the big cities of Arizona and California. Many have a desire for larger lots that are more affordable in rural locations. A similar effect is taking place in the UK, where London is falling in popularity and the far-flung areas of the country are seeing a surge of demand for homes. A highly infectious pandemic can have such effects. Certainly there was no sign of this trend before March.

The most popular locations for these closings in July are as follows:

1. Sierra Vista 145 (2)
2. Prescott 56 (40)
3. Flagstaff 56 (31)
4. Payson 49 (45)
5. Overgaard 25 (22)
6. Show Low 23 (11)
7. Hereford 23 (0)
8. Prescott Valley 19 (20)
9. Douglas 16 (10)
10. Pinetop 14 (6)

The numbers in parentheses are the closings in July 2019. We can immediately see that Sierra Vista is responsible for the largest part of the increase. Until March 2020, Sierra Vista closed listings rarely exceeded 1 or 2 per month on ARMLS. We have already seen 45 so far in August and there are plenty more to come. Neighboring Hereford has also burst onto the 2020 ARMLS scene from nowhere.

Among the more traditional out of area spots for second homes, Flagstaff, Pinetop and Show Low have increased the most in popularity.

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You know Mike Orr (founder of the Cromford Report) is a Brit when he uses the phrase 'escape to the country' - Apparently in the UK they might say countryside, where Stateside we might  say 'rural'. You Brits can correct me on that if I'm missing it. But there's evidence in doing a Google search, as I just did, looking for more support for what Mike Orr's just published in the above Daily Observation. 

What I found was an abundance of British articles speaking to what appears to be an international trend, at least in the West - the desire for more space, as working from home with high-speed connections makes feasible. Here's an excerpt from one of those articles that might amuse you: 

EEveryone’s moving out of town and into the countryside, and no wonder. I did it myself five years ago. We were going away at weekends a lot, and whereas in the past I’d always come back to London and think ‘That was lovely and now hurrah, we’re home,’ I was now thinking, ‘Ugh, London,’ and immediately trying to work out how soon we could get away again. If lockdown has shown you an alternative way of living and you have that feeling too, listen to it. It doesn’t abate. All that happens is that you get older. Read on, and if you still fancy it — do it. (Hurry up — prices are rising by the week.)

Being a statewide company, locally we see some evidence of this in our internal email system, as more Valley agents have outbound clients seeking representation 'out-of-area'. 

In that regard, keep in mind our RELO department will help you find the right out-of-area; out-of-state; or even out-of-country agent for your buyer and / or seller referral. You can participate in the agent selection process and they'll keep you in the loop all the way, including managing all the details... with no charge to you!

RLSIR's RELO department is among the best in the nation and as such a phenomenal resource for you. In our Orientation classes (next one this Friday) I always love pointing out our V.P. and Director of Relocation, Connie Swenson, has won about every award there is in the relocation sector...more than once. Truth.

As our client's lifestyle preferences shift no other company is better suited to help those transitions than Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty. 

No small part of our job representing our clients is knowing about brand resources and metering out that knowledge as appropriate. Get to know Connie, her team and what they have to offer. They'll be thrilled to help and you and your client will be rewarded accordingly.

Btw, on the flip side, Zillow has recently reported that they DO NOT see a spike in suburban searches. They report both suburban and urban homes are selling fast. And we would also point out that for committed city-dwellers the Phoenix Metro has long been an attractive alternative to Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. One does need to keep perspective here.

It will be fascinating to continue to monitor buyer preferences in this so-called 'new reality'.