Are Mortgage Rates Too High?

by Michael Dingman

Understanding Today’s Mortgage Rates in Arizona

History, Misinformation, and What’s Actually Working Right Now

If you’ve been watching the market, you’ve heard it:

“Rates are too high.”
“Homes aren’t selling.”
“The market is slow.”

There’s some truth in that…

But there’s also a lot of misunderstanding.

Let’s break down what’s really going on—and more importantly, what’s actually working in today’s Arizona market.

The Truth About Today’s Interest Rates

Most people are comparing today’s rates to one moment in time:

2020–2021

When rates dropped into the 2%–3% range, it felt like the new standard.

But historically?

1980s: 15%+
Early 2000s: 6%–8%
2021: ~3% (historic anomaly)
Today: ~6%

Today’s rates aren’t unusually high—
they’re historically normal.

The difference is perception.

The Misinformation That’s Slowing Buyers Down

Here’s where the market gets stuck:

Buyers are waiting for rates to “come back down”
Sellers are still pricing based on peak market conditions
Agents are telling clients what worked 2–3 years ago

That combination creates hesitation—and hesitation slows everything down.

Why Homes Are Sitting Longer in Arizona

It’s not that homes aren’t selling.

It’s that many homes are not positioned correctly.

What’s changed?

Buyers are more payment-focused than ever
They have more options
They’re negotiating again
They’re not rushing into decisions

And here’s the hard truth:

You can’t just list a home in the MLS anymore and expect it to sell.

That worked in 2021.

It doesn’t work today.

What’s Actually Working Right Now

In today’s market, homes that sell are the ones that are:

Positioned correctly
Marketed aggressively
Strategically priced and structured

At ADT Realty, we’re not relying on old playbooks.

We’re using strategies built for this market.

Strategy #1: Zillow Showcase Exposure

Most listings look the same online.

Zillow Showcase changes that.

Instead of blending in, your listing:

Stands out visually
Gets more attention and engagement
Attracts more serious buyers

When buyers are scrolling, you don’t want to look like every other home—you want to dominate attention.

Strategy #2: Mortgage Rate Buydowns

Today’s buyers care about one thing more than anything:

The monthly payment.

That’s where one of the most powerful tools comes in—a rate buydown.

Instead of cutting your price, you can:

Lower the buyer’s interest rate
Reduce their monthly payment
Make your home more affordable instantly

And often, it costs less than a price reduction while creating more demand.

👉 Want to see how this works in detail? Read more here:
https://arizona.adthomes.com/blog/Home-Not-Selling-In-Arizona--Consider-Offering-a-Rate-Buydown

Strategy #3: Positioning Over Price Cutting

Too many sellers go straight to price reductions.

But price is only one lever.

The better approach:

Improve visibility
Improve perceived value
Improve affordability

That’s how you create momentum without giving away equity.

The Bottom Line

The market hasn’t stopped.

It’s just changed.

Rates are not “too high”—they’re normal
Buyers are not gone—they’re more selective
Homes are not unsellable—they’re just often mis-positioned

And the biggest shift?

Marketing and strategy now matter more than ever.

Final Thought

In today’s Arizona market…

You don’t win by doing what everyone else is doing.

You win by understanding the market—and adjusting to it.

Let’s Build a Strategy That Works

If your home isn’t selling—or you’re thinking about making a move—
let’s put together a plan that actually works in today’s conditions.

Because in this market…

You can’t just list a home.
You have to position it to win.