Rim Country Real Estate Blog | October 20, 2026 | Guy Pfister, Realtor (CDPE), DeLex Realty

Housing was the big local story this past week. Two new ideas could add homes in Payson, and CAAR took a fresh look at how buyers are acting as mortgage rates climb.

125 Homes Proposed at Payson Golf Club

The Payson Roundup reports that a plan to build 125 manufactured homes on leased lots at Payson Golf Club moved forward on Oct. 5, when the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-1 to recommend it. Owner Bob Jackson says the homes would help offset the property's losses and keep the public course open.

According to the commission's meeting record, the homes would be about 1,000 to 1,300 square feet, set on permanent foundations, in a gated community with a pool and fitness area. The applicant described it as a 55-plus community, but the zoning papers don't currently make that age limit a requirement. Neighbors raised concerns about traffic, evacuation routes, property values and what happens to residents' leases if the land is ever sold. The Town Council will make the final decision.

What this means for you: If you're thinking about downsizing, this could become a new option. Just know that buying a home on leased land is different from owning your lot. Financing, resale and long-term costs all work differently, so ask lots of questions before you sign anything.

Habitat Pitches "Starter Homes" for Local Workers

The Roundup also reports that Habitat for Humanity pitched the Town Council on a new way to create starter homes. "We had to think outside the box," said Eric Wolverton of Habitat for Northern Arizona. KNAU reports that Habitat is working with Community Presbyterian Church in Payson on a two-home pilot and hopes to break ground this spring.

The need is real. In a separate story, the Roundup reports that Payson employers are struggling to hire and keep workers because of housing costs.

What this means for you: The nurses, teachers and first responders we all count on need a place to live here. Starter homes help keep our town running.

On the Market

CAAR's Oct. 13 report looked at local MLS records for Rim Country and nearby areas. It found 210 listings that went under contract from July through September, down from 254 in the same months last year, a drop of about 17%. CAAR calls these numbers preliminary and says they don't prove higher rates are the cause. It also notes that many retirement and second-home buyers can simply take their time.

For sellers, that means pricing and preparation matter more than ever. For buyers, it can mean more time to choose.

Around Town

The Roundup reports that Rim Country Artists will hold Square Off For Art, a public art fundraiser, on Friday, Oct. 23, 5 to 8 p.m., at National Bank of Arizona in Payson.

Wondering what these changes mean for your home or your next move? Call or text me, Guy, at (928) 978-2838. Richard and I are always happy to talk Rim Country, with no pressure at all.

Guy Pfister, Realtor (CDPE) | DeLex Realty | 404 S Beeline Hwy, Suite B & C, Payson, AZ 85541 | (928) 978-2838

Sources:

• Payson Roundup, "Payson Golf Club housing plan advances," Oct. 16, 2026: https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/payson-golf-club-housing-plan-advances/article_3a7f26de-0d1f-4fb5-822b-8178b1a35f89.html
• Payson Planning and Zoning Commission, Oct. 5, 2026 meeting record (Open Publica): https://www.openpublica.com/meetings/payson-arizona-town-council-planning-and-zoning-2026-10-05-6ac489d0c7b3923902a23567
• Payson Roundup, "Habitat seeks Payson's help in building 'starter homes,'" Oct. 15, 2026: https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/habitat-seeks-paysons-help-in-building-starter-homes/article_74076045-6f7b-4951-8f80-508b65c87003.html
• KNAU, "Habitat for Humanity expands starter home program to rural communities in northern Arizona," Oct. 14, 2026: https://www.knau.org/knau-and-arizona-news/2026-10-14/habitat-for-humanity-expands-starter-home-program-to-rural-communities-in-northern-arizona
• Payson Roundup, "High housing costs have big impact on Payson employers," Oct. 16, 2026: https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/high-housing-costs-have-big-impact-on-payson-employers/article_ab909249-7f72-49c0-b778-ea93862e2b5a.html
• CAAR, "Mortgage Rates Rise as Buyer Activity Slows," Oct. 13, 2026: https://caaraz.com/mortgage-rates-rise-as-buyer-activity-slows/
• Payson Roundup, "Rim Country Artists turn a bank into a gallery for public art fundraiser," Oct. 19, 2026: https://www.paysonroundup.com/events/rim-country-artists-turn-a-bank-into-a-gallery-for-public-art-fundraiser/article_9c1bc0bb-def3-423d-9a25-3f32b6a45b4b.html

Rim Country Real Estate Blog | October 13, 2026 | Guy Pfister, Realtor (CDPE), DeLex Realty Fall is one of the best times of year up here. The air is cool, the leaves are turning, and it's a good moment to think about two things that shape life on the Rim: being ready for wildfire, and getting out on our trails. The Red Cross Needs Rim Country Volunteers The Payson Roundup reports that American Red Cross leaders came to the Payson Public Library for a session organized by the Rim Wildfire Awareness Team (RIMWAT) and made a strong appeal for local volunteers. According to the Red Cross, Payson currently has just two active Red Cross volunteers. Volunteers would help with school presentations, work with homeowners associations, encourage neighborhood "firewising," help with evacuation plans and staff evacuation centers. The Roundup notes that when the 2021 Backbone Fire forced Pine and Strawberry to evacuate, shelters in Payson were put together in a hurry and mostly staffed by volunteers from the Valley. If you'd like to help, the Roundup lists Red Cross volunteer recruiter Michelle Birmingham at michelle.birmingham@redcross.org or (480) 679-0011. What this means for homeowners: Wildfire readiness isn't just a public-safety issue. It's part of owning a home here. Clearing brush and pine needles around your house, keeping gutters clean and knowing your evacuation route are simple steps worth taking this fall. If your neighborhood or HOA hasn't talked about becoming a Firewise community, this is a great time to start. And if you're buying, ask your insurance agent about coverage early in the process, not the week before closing. A "Banner Year" for Trails Around Pine and Strawberry On a happier note, the Roundup reports that trail groups are wrapping up a big year, with key connections planned for December. Years of work have built a 21-mile network of trails around Pine that connects to the Arizona Trail and the Highline Trail. Two projects stand out: Buckshot Trail: This 2-mile trail starts at the Pine Trailhead. Once it's fully connected to the Highline, it will create a 5-mile loop. Volunteer work days are Oct. 13, 20, 27 and 31 at 8 a.m. Bring gloves and water, and wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Details are on the Pine Strawberry Fuel Reduction group's Facebook page. Strawberry Mountain Trail: An Arizona State Parks grant is paying for the heavy work on this long-awaited trail, which will eventually connect to Fossil Creek Road with views of the Mogollon Rim, Pine, Payson and Fossil Creek. Hikers are asked to avoid the north end Tuesday through Friday while crews are working. The Roundup reports the Rim Country Trail Fund has helped bring in $3.4 million in grants over the past 18 months. Those trails also serve as fire breaks that help protect the community. What this means for homeowners: For many buyers I work with, trail access is a big reason they choose Pine, Strawberry or Payson. Great trails support our tourism economy and the outdoor lifestyle people move here for. On the Market CAAR hasn't posted its next Rim Country closed-sales update yet. I'll share the real numbers as soon as it does. Around Town The Roundup reports that Time Out Shelter's annual Lanterns on the Lake is Thursday, Oct. 15, at Green Valley Park. Folks gather at 4 p.m., with an Awareness Walk around the lake at 5 p.m., followed by candlelit lanterns launched on the water. Have questions about your home, your neighborhood or what your place might sell for? Call or text me, Guy, at (928) 978-2838. Richard and I are always happy to talk Rim Country, with no pressure at all. Guy Pfister, Realtor (CDPE) | DeLex Realty | 404 S Beeline Hwy, Suite B & C, Payson, AZ 85541 | (928) 978-2838 Sources: Payson Roundup, "Red Cross recruiting Rim Country volunteers to prepare for disaster," Oct. 9, 2026: https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/red-cross-recruiting-rim-country-volunteers-to-prepare-for-disaster/article_7bd98c2c-f926-4b96-9752-dc6249f77164.html Payson Roundup, "'Banner year' for trail building will conclude in December," Oct. 9, 2026: https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/banner-year-for-trail-building-will-conclude-in-december/article_c9c9a7db-02b0-4009-a75a-3a206820db7a.html Payson Roundup, "Time Out Shelter's annual Lanterns on the Lake event on Thursday," Oct. 8, 2026: https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/time-out-shelter-s-annual-lanterns-on-the-lake-event-on-thursday/article_3e44cf96-50e0-420a-a32c-36ea5c0e4719.html

When it comes to selling a home, it's easy to get confused by the number of things you need to get done and have in place for the process to go through properly. Today, we're throwing out some pointers to get you on the right track to selling your home.

Preparing the house: Curb appeal of the house plays a crucial role in the selling process. Before the "FOR SALE" sign even goes up the house must ready. Proper repairs of any damage will make the property more attractive to buyers. Renovation of your home also has an impact on what kind of buyers you will attract and how quickly your home sells.

Home Marketing: To draw the right buyers it is important to create a marketing plan to get your listing in front of as many eyes as possible. Print advertising, open houses, and social media are a few ways to get the word out. With the right realty team, you may be able to have them help you with or completely take care of these tasks altogether, giving you more time to devote to your move.

Quick Fact: did you know that the cost of your Realtor© can often be added to the asking price?

Deciding on when to sell: One of the most important factors in getting the best price for your home is to know the local market. The optimum selling season will likely vary depending on the area, so researching this will help you maximize your sales price. The time of the market is different in every state. In Payson, Arizona the best time to sell your home is generally April through November.

Pricing your home: The price of your home is determined by a lot of factors. Because of the current market in Payson, you might not realize how much your house is actually worth. Check out websites like paysonguy.com and Zillow to find the closing prices of homes in your area to get a ballpark estimate. A reliable Realtor© is essential to ensure you get the most for your property. Getting your sale price correct is critical to getting “top dollar”!

Appraisal: If a loan is required, then so is an appraisal. Depending on the loan type, this will determine what will be required. VA, FHA, USDA, conventional, or cash, all will require different approaches and requirements.

Inspection: Home and termite inspections are a common piece of a purchase contract. After your home is inspected, buyers often request repairs or ask for a reduction in the sales price in lieu of repairs.

Paperwork and Disclosure requirements: Just like every buying and selling process in real estate, the escrow process requires the signing of paperwork to be completed by both the buyer and the seller.

Additional Tips to Help You Through the Process:

•When you have a buyer interested and you receive an offer, be sure to request proof of funds so you don't tie up your property only to find that the buyer can't close escrow.

•Ask yourself these questions: How much earnest money should I require? Can I keep earnest money if they don't close on time? Am I covered if the buyer discovers mold? Termites? An airport nearby? Liens or taxes? If they don't have an unrepresented buyers form?

Buyers can hold the seller accountable for up to 5 years!

•Disclose, disclose, disclose. Be sure to disclose everything you know about the property in writing. Realtors© are armed with the forms to protect their sellers!

•Make copies of all “signed” documents.

•Be ready to negotiate with buying Realtors©.

•Will you offer a commission, for example 3%?

•Are you prepared to negotiate with a professional who has learned the ins and outs of the Arizona purchase contract?

Be very careful when selling “by owner”!

Make Your Life Easier

Besides taking the confusion out of documents and details, a Realtor© also acts as a buffer between you and potential buyers, protecting you from a plethora of legal issues and uncomfortable negotiations.

Be very careful when selling “by owner” as a plethora of issues can come up! But fear not, your local Payson Guy team is here to help at every turn. Call us any time to help! 928.978.2838

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