Northeast Valley Real Estate Insights – November 2025

November marks the start of real estate “high season” in the Valley. The snowbirds are back, vacationers are arriving, and listing activity typically builds through April and into May.

One of the most common questions I hear from sellers is, “What do you think my house is worth? How much will it sell for?” Quite often, they already have a number in mind—usually influenced by online estimates from sites like Zillow, Redfin, or Realtor.com. Those algorithm-based valuations can be a useful starting point, but they have clear limitations.

These estimates rely heavily on public records and recent comparable sales, yet they can’t account for the features that truly drive value. In the luxury market especially, I’ve seen pricing estimates vary by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Keep two key points in mind:

1. An algorithm has never walked through your home. It can’t assess the quality of custom finishes, a spectacular view, unique architecture, your home’s condition, or deferred maintenance.
2. An algorithm can’t measure emotion. Buyers make decisions emotionally, then justify them logically. Someone might pay more to live next to a close friend, to recapture the feeling of a childhood home, or simply because a property or neighborhood resonates with their sense of identity.

Beyond algorithms and emotion, other factors influence pricing—such as proximity to busy roads, potential future construction, and the seller’s level of urgency. If the goal is a faster sale rather than maximum profit, that affects the price strategy.

One word of caution: avoid the temptation of “aspirational pricing.” Thinking “let’s try this higher price; we can always reduce it later” can backfire. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, only about 10% of potential buyers will view a home if it’s perceived to be priced 15% above current market value.

Accurate pricing still depends on the insight and experience of a skilled real estate professional. It takes time and expertise to conduct a thorough market analysis—and that analysis is part of the real value of working with a seasoned REALTOR®.

Even with all the data and expertise in the world, no one can predict the exact sale price. A good agent who understands the process can identify a realistic range, and exceptional marketing can help achieve a result near the top of that range.

Effective marketing takes effort, expense and expertise. But that is a subject for another article.

This content is sponsored by Darrell Doepke, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties. He can be reached at 480-440-6946 or darrell.doepke@bhhsaz.com.

Darrell Doepke is a full-time, RealTrends Verified Top 1% Realtor® in Arizona (2024), specializing in Carefree, Cave Creek, and North Scottsdale luxury homes. With a background in marketing and journalism, Darrell tells each home’s story to grab buyers emotionally. His narrated property videos showcase this strategy, and he invests more in marketing than most agents. He lives by his motto: “I don’t wait for buyers — I pursue them.” Darrell is VP of Community Partners and founder of Community Fest, an October event supporting local nonprofits. He is known for his SRES® designation assisting seniors; his Midwest values, and community leadership. Clients often say he’s the best Realtor® they’ve worked with.