Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about buying, selling, and navigating the East Valley market. Don't see your question? Reach out to Pamm or Shane anytime.
Is now a good time to buy a home in the East Valley?
For many buyers, yes. Inventory has loosened and homes are sitting on the market longer, which gives you more room to negotiate on price and concessions than during the frenzied pandemic years. Tempe's rental demand has also surged, making it an especially strong window for investors. The right move always depends on your specific goals, so it's worth talking them through with an agent.
Should I wait for mortgage rates to drop before buying?
Rates have stabilized in the low 6% range, still well below the 50-year historical average of around 7.7%. Waiting is risky: the moment rates dip, sidelined buyers rush back in, competition heats up, and prices climb. You can always refinance a rate later, but you can never renegotiate your purchase price. As the saying goes, marry the house and date the rate.
What areas does Century 21 Seago serve?
We're based in Tempe and serve the Greater Phoenix and East Valley area, including Chandler, Ahwatukee, Mesa, Scottsdale, Arcadia, Phoenix, Gilbert, and the surrounding communities.
How do I find out what my home is worth?
The most accurate figure comes from a professional, hyper-local market analysis, not an automated online estimate. Those tools miss the neighborhood-level nuances that move value block by block. Request a home valuation and we'll prepare a tailored analysis for your property.
Why do some real estate transactions fall through, and how can I avoid it?
The most common culprits are financing surprises like private mortgage insurance (PMI), homeowner's insurance problems, appraisal gaps, and decisions made without an agent's guidance. The good news is that most fall-throughs are preventable. Staying in close contact with your agent throughout escrow is the surest way to catch small issues before they end a sale.
Do I need to get pre-approved for a mortgage before I start looking?
We strongly recommend it. Pre-approval tells you exactly what you qualify for, makes your offers far more competitive when you find the right home, and keeps you shopping in a realistic price range from the start, so you avoid falling for a home that's out of reach.
How long are homes taking to sell in the East Valley right now?
Recently, homes have been averaging more than 50 days on the market. That's a meaningful shift from the pandemic-era pace and it hands buyers real negotiating leverage, from price reductions to seller-paid closing costs and rate buydowns.
Can I rely on online home value estimates and AI tools?
They're a helpful starting point for research, but they don't know your local market, your contract deadlines, or the many human factors that move a transaction forward. The smartest clients use these tools to ask better questions, then bring those questions to their agent. Replacing an experienced agent with an algorithm is where things tend to go sideways.
How long has Century 21 Seago been in business?
The family brokerage has served the Valley since 1982. Today, agents Pamm Seago-Peterlin and Shane Peterlin rank among the top 10 Century 21 agents in all of Arizona, with decades of combined experience across every kind of market.
How do I get started or schedule a consultation?
Reach out to Pamm or Shane by phone, or book a free 30-minute consultation online. Visit our contact page to call, email, or pick a time that works for you.