A fringe southeast Valley suburb, a posh neighborhood near Scottsdale and three affordable central Phoenix areas saw the biggest percentage point increases in home prices in 2018, according to The Arizona Republic’s Street Scout Home Values.
The Street Scout data comes from The Information Market, owned by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service.
Here's a look at the five Phoenix-area neighborhoods with the biggest overall percentage point increases in home prices last year.
Home prices in Casa Grande, on the outer limits of metro Phoenix’s southern border, jumped 36 percent in 2018.
The median home price in Casa Grande — a little closer to Phoenix than Tucson — shot from $117,500 in 2017 to $160,000 in 2018. New home prices in this affordable ZIP code helped push up prices.
But the area still hasn’t recovered from the crash. In 2006, the median home price in this ZIP code was $217,500, about 26 percent more than in 2018.
SEE OUR DATABASE: Home values in metro Phoenix: See how your ZIP code fares
This neighborhood, one of the last in the central Valley areas to see prices soar, posted a 25 percent increase in its overall median home price during 2018.
The median price went from $105,500 in 2017 to $131,500 in 2018, which is still less than half metro Phoenix’s median home price of $268,000.
Surrounded by freeways, the 85034 area has smaller neighborhoods with older homes that have drawn investors and flippers.
Noise from planes is a deterrent for some buyers, but the area close to downtown Phoenix, Tempe and Arcadia is seeing new apartment development.
Buyers looking for luxury home bargains or at least midcentury homes near the upscale Arcadia neighborhood drove up prices in this area during 2018.
Median home prices in the 85018 ZIP code jumped 24 percent from $550,000 in 2017 to $679,945 in 2018.
Most homes in the Arcadia neighborhood that straddles the Scottsdale border sell for seven figures. The area south and west of it called "Arcadia lite" has more affordable homes, though not as affordable as a year ago.
Flips and major renovations are the norm in this area with big and small ranch-style homes.
South Phoenix is drawing first-time, move-up and retiree buyers. The area, passed over for growth when Ahwatukee Foothills was launched on the south side of South Mountain, is coming back strong.
The 85040 ZIP code has some of the area’s most affordable homes. Last year, the median price jumped 22 percent from $165,200 to $201,000. The neighborhood also was one of the top Valley areas for the number of sales.
The drive from this area to downtown Phoenix and Tempe is typically less than 20 minutes.
Homes are more expensive in the golf course and gated communities closer to South Mountain.
RELATED: 5 neighborhoods that offer the best value for first-time homebuyers
This central Phoenix neighborhood overlaps part of downtown Phoenix and includes two historic neighborhoods. Garfield is more affordable than Coronado Historic District and has been drawing many buyers, including investors.
Home prices climbed 21 percent in the 85006 area from $211,500 to $255,000 last year. But home prices in Coronado can easily be double that.
Renovation dumpsters in front of smaller Spanish-hacienda and bungalow-style homes have been the norm. But it’s getting harder to find affordable fixer-uppers here.
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Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8040. Follow her on Twitter @Catherinereagor.
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