Phoenix’s Solar-Powered Resurgence: An In-depth Look at the Solar Home Sales in July 2024

The real estate market in Phoenix continues to illustrate the growing demand and appreciation for homes equipped with solar technology. As of June 2024, the data reflects a nuanced landscape with variations in market dynamics, offering valuable insights for both home buyers and sellers.

Market Overview

In June 2024, the median sales price for solar-equipped homes in Maricopa County slightly decreased to $494,900, down from $500,000 in May. Despite this minor dip, solar homes remain a robust segment of the market, particularly notable for their variety based on solar arrangements:

  • Owned Solar Systems: Homes with owned solar systems commanded a median price of $560,000. This category continues to attract a premium, underscoring the market’s preference for fully owned solar installations.
  • Financed Solar Systems: These homes recorded a median price of $478,000, which indicates a willingness among buyers to invest in solar energy without the upfront costs of ownership.
  • Leased Solar Systems: Homes with leased solar systems fetched a median price of $459,950, reflecting a slight discount due to the ongoing financial commitments associated with leasing.
  • Prepaid Leased Solar Systems: These homes saw a median price of $521,442, positioning themselves as an attractive middle ground for buyers seeking the benefits of solar without future lease payments.

The market share of solar homes slightly declined to 8.8% in June from 9.1% in May, with a total of 559 solar homes sold. This decrease in volume, from 687 homes in May, indicates a fluctuating interest, potentially influenced by broader market conditions.

Pricing and Sales Efficiency

Solar homes in June 2024 sold for 100% of their asking price, a testament to their high demand and perceived value. In contrast, non-solar homes sold for 98% of their asking price. However, solar homes took slightly longer to sell, averaging 65 days on the market compared to 62 days for non-solar homes. This trend suggests that while solar homes are highly valued, buyers may take more time to finalize their decisions due to the higher price points and considerations related to solar systems.

Market Composition and Preferences

The distribution of solar home sales reveals interesting preferences among buyers:

  • Owned Solar Systems: 55% of the solar homes sold had owned systems, reflecting a strong preference for ownership and the associated long-term benefits.
  • Leased Solar Systems: 45% of the solar homes sold had leased systems, indicating a substantial segment of the market is still drawn to the immediate benefits of solar energy without the initial investment.

Comparative Market Analysis

The broader Phoenix real estate market in June 2024 presented a stable yet dynamic environment:

  • Total Home Sales: The market recorded 7,115 transactions.
  • Median Home Sales Price: The general market median sales price remained steady at $450,000.
  • Average Sales Price: The average sales price slightly decreased to $592,885 from $598,882 in May, reflecting minor fluctuations in market activity.
  • New Listings and Inventory: There were 8,115 new listings, contributing to a total of 17,833 active listings, indicating a healthy supply of homes.
  • Absorption Rate: The absorption rate increased slightly to 2.82 months from 2.36 months, highlighting the seasonality of the summer months in the local market.
  • Cash Purchases: Cash purchases represented 22.2% of the market, with a median cash price of $467,000, reflecting a competitive landscape among cash buyers.

Conclusion

The Phoenix real estate market for solar-equipped homes continues to show resilience and potential for growth. The data from June 2024 underscores the sustained value attributed to sustainability and energy efficiency by modern homebuyers. As solar technology becomes more widespread and accessible, its market appeal is expected to grow, driving an upward trajectory for solar homes in Phoenix.

For real estate professionals and buyers, understanding these trends is crucial. Considering the long-term benefits and potential value enhancements that solar technology brings to properties can offer significant advantages. Staying informed and adaptable will be key to leveraging the opportunities within Phoenix’s evolving real estate environment.

You can download a PDF version of the Phoenix solar statistics by clicking on: https://www.solarhomebroker.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Maricopa-Solar-Stats-July-2024.pdf

About the author, Rob Madden

Rob Madden is an experienced real estate broker in the Phoenix metro area, having worked in the industry for over 28 years. He has helped many home buyers and sellers navigate the local real estate market, and is considered a trusted expert in the field. Rob is committed to making the buying or selling process as seamless and straightforward as possible for his clients, and provides hands-on assistance at every stage of the transaction. In his free time, Rob enjoys being a Scoutmaster for a local Scouts BSA troop, hiking, backpacking, photography, and playing pinball.