AI scams, Tucson market tea, and a vendor you need to know
You know that gut feeling when something's just a little off? Like when a text from 'your bank' has a typo, or a delivery notification shows up for something you definitely didn't order? Trust that feeling. Scammers have leveled up — AI has made it way easier for them to look and sound legit. I put together a quick rundown of what's circulating right now, because keeping my people informed is kind of my whole thing. Give it a read. Your future self will thank you.
And that's not all I've got for you this month — keep scrolling for my Tucson Housing Market update so you know exactly what's happening in our backyard right now, plus my Vendor Spotlight featuring someone worth knowing. Whether you're buying, selling, or just trying to stay in the loop, I've got you covered.
National Real Estate News
CPI steady in February
"Core" CPI (Consumer Price Index = inflation for you and me) was flat in February at 2.5% year-over-year. Flat is ok. But we're no closer to the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation goal, and the March CPI will almost certainly move higher due to the spike in oil prices as a result of the US-Iran conflict. Brent crude was priced at $72/barrel on Feb 27; today it's nearly $95/barrel. [Source: BLS]
Existing home sales improve
In February, existing home sales rose 1.7% month-over-month (-1.4% year-over-year) to 4.09 million units (that's a seasonally-adjusted, annualized rate). While that beat Wall Street expectations, it wasn’t terribly exciting overall. We’ve been stuck at a 4 million unit sales pace for more than three years - despite mortgage rates trending lower over the last year. [Source: NAR]
Rates stay in low sixes
War is almost always inflationary. In the case of the US-Iran conflict, it's been immediate and significant - with oil prices jumping as the transport of oil & gas through the Strait of Hormuz has effectively stopped. Rising inflation is bad for bonds, and by extension, mortgage rates. But while mortgage rates are no longer in the fives, they're still a lot lower than last year. [Source: Freddie Mac PMMS]
Local Market Trends
As of Friday, March 13, 2026
Here's your Southern Arizona real estate snapshot for March 2026 — and honestly, there's something in here for both buyers AND sellers right now.
The median sale price is sitting at $359,000, which is basically flat from last year (-0.3%). Prices haven't crashed, but they're not skyrocketing either. That's actually a good thing — it means we're in a more balanced, predictable market.
For SELLERS: Homes are still selling. Over 1,267 closed in February alone, and the listing success rate is around 77%. That said, homes are taking a bit longer to sell — about 48 days on market this February vs. 36 days last year. The takeaway? Price it right from the start. Nearly 46% of active listings have already had to drop their price, with an average drop of 6%. Don't be that listing.
For BUYERS: More inventory means more options. There are currently 5,617 active listings, and homes are selling below asking price on average (about 2% under). You have more room to negotiate than you did a couple years ago — that's a real shift from the frenzy we saw in 2021-2022.
Bottom line: This market rewards people who are informed and move with a strategy. Whether you're thinking about buying or selling, now's a great time to have a real conversation about what makes sense for YOU.
Questions? Reply to this email — I read every one.
Vendor Spotlight: Lisa Young — Desert Renewal Wellness & Esthetics
Okay, real talk — after a week and a half of flu that absolutely wrecked me, I was not okay. Functioning? Barely. Human? Debatable. Once I finally stopped being a blanket burrito of misery, I headed straight to see Lisa Young at Desert Renewal Wellness & Esthetics for their Desert Recovery IV therapy, and honestly? It was the reset my body desperately needed. Desert Renewal isn't your average medspa — it's owned and operated by an OBGYN and a Nurse Practitioner, which means the science actually backs up everything they do. From IV treatments and skin rejuvenation to body sculpting and women's health care, Lisa and her team are the real deal: medically grounded, genuinely caring, and zero percent about overdone results. If your body's been through it lately — flu, stress, just life — this is the oasis you've been needing. You deserve to feel at home in your own skin, and Desert Renewal is really, really good at helping you get there.
1101 N Wilmot Rd, Suite 125, Tucson, AZ 85712
520-367-4360
info@desert-renewal.com
desert-renewal.com
As always, I'm here when you need me — whether that's a real estate question, a trusted referral, or just someone to geek out with about Tucson. Don't be a stranger.
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Broker Associate | License ID: BR677408000
+1(520) 971-2832 | jennifer@mysteryhouserealestate.com