Are Tempe Lofts for You?
April 24, 2026
Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert with Pickleball
July 2, 20265 Ways to Spend Less for a Tempe Condo
Every buyer lands somewhere on a spectrum. On one end is the buyer who finds their perfect place and doesn’t think twice about the price. On the other is the buyer who will sacrifice time, flexibility, and preferences to get the absolute best deal. Most people fall somewhere in the middle — they want fair value without giving up what they care about most.
There are real reasons to avoid overpaying. First-time buyers build equity faster when they start at a lower price. Buyers who plan to stay only a few years don’t want to lose money when they sell. Investors need the numbers to make sense for rental income. Understanding your goals before you start shopping will shape how you approach the process. If getting a good price matters to you, here are some strategies worth considering.
Buy When Others Aren't
Market conditions shift year to year, but the fourth quarter is historically the slowest selling season in the Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert areas. Sellers who’ve had their condos on the market through summer without a sale are often more willing to negotiate by the time fall rolls around. A useful way to gauge this is by watching the absorption rate — also called “months of inventory”. This metric measures how long it would take for buyers to absorb all current inventory at the current sales pace. When the absorption rate falls below 15% buyer activity is typically sluggish, inventory begins to outweigh demand, and buyers often gain more negotiating leverage.
Add Some Sweat Equity
It’s tempting to gravitate toward the polished, move-in-ready condos — and understandable. But don’t overlook the ones that haven’t been updated. If the bones are good — solid location, smart floor plan, good natural light — an outdated kitchen, tired flooring, or a poor paint job might be keeping other buyers away. Those are exactly the kinds of things a new owner can fix affordably. Run the numbers: sometimes the cost of a few targeted upgrades is far less than the premium already baked into a remodeled unit, and you end up with both a better deal and a home that reflects your own taste.
Wait for Motivated Sellers
A condo that has been sitting on the market for a while often signals a seller who’s ready to deal. You’ll typically see this play out through a series of price reductions — each one a small indicator of flexibility. We advise our clients on how far below asking you can push an offer before risking the seller walking away entirely. That’s a nuanced call that depends on the property, the market, and the seller’s situation.
Distressed and probate properties can also present opportunities, though they come with their own complexities.
Combine Price with Concessions
Sometimes a seller won’t budge on price — whether for emotional or financial reasons — but may be more open to covering some of your closing costs. HOA transfer fees, title fees, and various mortgage-related costs can add up quickly, especially for first-time buyers with limited cash reserves. Structuring your offer to include closing cost concessions can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses even when the sale price holds firm.
Work With an Agent Who Knows Condos
How much should a unit be discounted if it backs to a busy road? Do second-floor condos command a premium over first-floor units in this building? Does the direction a balcony faces affect pricing? These are the kinds of questions a condo-specialist agent answers instinctively. We bring that expertise to every search and every negotiation.
Contact us to schedule a conversation about your goals and how we can help you find the right place at the right price.
