Why Cash Buyers Keep Winning in Arizona Real Estate
by Olga Boyke–Your Trusted Arizona Realtor
If you have been watching the Arizona housing market this year, you have probably noticed a familiar trend: cash buyers are everywhere. In fact, about one out of every three homes sold in Arizona so far in 2025 has been a cash purchase.
That is not just a national headline, it is happening right here in our own neighborhoods, from Phoenix to Tucson, and even in smaller cities where investors and out-of-state buyers are active.
Why Cash Buyers Have the Advantage in Arizona
Cash buyers stand out for a simple reason: they can close quickly and avoid the hurdles of financing. Sellers love that certainty, especially in a market that still has limited inventory.
Here is who I am seeing make all-cash purchases locally:
Equity-rich Arizona homeowners downsizing or moving within the state and using proceeds from their last sale.
Out-of-state buyers relocating here from higher-cost areas like California or Washington, many of them selling a home elsewhere and arriving with cash in hand.
Investors targeting affordable properties, rentals, or flips, especially in areas just outside the Valley.
And it is not just the million-dollar homes. At the luxury level, yes, cash is common, but we are also seeing it on more modest homes under $100,000 where financing can be harder to secure.
The Numbers Closer to Home
National trends are one thing, but what really matters is what is happening right here in Arizona. Let’s take a closer look at how cash buyers are influencing our local market
Arizona statewide: About 33 percent of sales so far this year have been cash.
Phoenix metro: Around 29 percent.
Tucson: Higher than average at nearly 35 percent.
That means if you are shopping in the Valley, roughly one in three buyers around you is coming to the table with no financing at all.
What This Means If You Are Buying
It can feel intimidating competing against cash buyers, but you are not out of the game. Here are a few strategies I coach my clients on:
Get fully pre-approved before you shop, not just pre-qualified.
Keep your offer clean and simple with fewer contingencies.
Be flexible with terms like closing dates, sometimes that matters more to a seller than a few thousand dollars.
Work with a local agent who knows how to position your offer so it gets noticed.
And here is the good news: if mortgage rates ease up, financed buyers will gain ground again. That shift could create more balance.
What This Means If You Are Selling
If you are on the selling side, cash offers can sound like a dream. They usually mean fewer headaches and a quicker close. But here is the catch: sometimes the financed offer is actually stronger when you look at the full picture. That is why it is so important to have someone in your corner helping you compare terms, not just the dollar amount.
Cash buyers continue to have an outsized impact on Arizona’s housing market, and I do not see that changing overnight. They are shaping everything from pricing to how quickly homes move, and that reality is something both buyers and sellers need to be prepared for.
If you are thinking about making a move, let’s talk about how cash buyers could affect your next step. Every situation is unique, and I would love to help you navigate it with confidence. Together, we can look at the current market in your neighborhood, weigh your options, and build a strategy that works for you.
Ready to make your move? Schedule a consultation with me today, and don’t forget to follow me on my other social media channels for the latest Arizona market updates, tips, and insights.
