October in Scottsdale: Halloween, Local Events & Scary Mortgage Rates

We're already into October, and you know what that means... it will hopefully cool off, and Halloween is just around the corner! This month’s newsletter has a little bit of everything, from my favorite holiday and some fun October outings to a look at whether an ARM might help take some of the sting out of today’s scary mortgage rates. Plus, I’ve rounded up the latest local news in The Scottsdale Scoop and, because it’s October, we’re taking a spooky detour through Haunted Arizona.

Here's the September lineup:

My Favorite Holiday
October Outings
You Might Want to Consider an ARM With Today's Scary Mortgage Rates
The Scottsdale Scoop
Haunted Arizona

My Favorite Holiday

Halloween is, without question, my favorite holiday. I’ve always loved the fun and silliness of Halloween, especially seeing the creativity people put into their costumes and decorations. My husband and I have won a few contests for our costumes.

As a kid, of course, it was all about the candy. These days, I’m still pretty sure the candy is one of the best parts. Some things never change!

The photo above is the only Halloween picture I have as a kid. My friend is the creepy turtle on the left and I'm on the right. The weather must have been decent on this particular October in Illinois.

October Outings

The Haunted Graveyard House in Scottsdale - this was the outside; you can also go in

With milder weather and Halloween coming up, there are a lot of activities available for October 2026. Unlike most months when I post my email newsletter to my blog, some of the outings have already occurred. Although a couple of them started already, they are running all month long, with the Arizona State Fair going into November.

Arizona State Fair - Oct 1 - Nov 1
Entertainment, food, games, and rides.
1826 W McDowell RD. Phoenix, AZ 85007

Spook-Track-Ula - October 1-31, 6 - 9:30 pm
Hop aboard the Paradise & Pacific Railroad for a thrilling ride through a haunted world filled with spooky surprises. Enjoy carousel rides, a charming story train, a haunted walkthrough, and more family-friendly fun.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Taste of Cave Creek - Oct 14 & 15, 5 pm - 9 pm
Tastings from over 25 local restaurants - live music, dancing, beer garden.
Stagecoach Village
7100 E Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek 85331

Phoenix Greek Festival - October 16th-18th - different times
Eat, shop, dance, and play.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
1973 E. Maryland Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85016

Fifth Annual Desert Foothills Book Festival - Oct 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free admission - 1st 100 people receive a gift valued at $60.00!
The Holland Center
34250 N 60th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85266

Taco Fest at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick - Oct. 17-18, starts at 11:00 a.m.
Awarded "Best Culinary Event" by Arizona Foothills.
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
7555 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Sonoran Fine Art & Wine Festival - October 23-25 - 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The 17th Annual Stagecoach Village Fine Art & Wine Festival, a popular Art event in the heart of Cave Creek with stunning desert views & vibrant artistry.
Stagecoach Village
7100 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival - October 23-25
Fun and safe trick-or-treating for the whole family with candy, contests, and more!
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
7555 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas 2026
Saturday, October 24th, 1 pm -10 pm
Free! Live music, culture, and food (for purchase). We went one year and loved it!
Scottsdale Civic Center
3939 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Haunted Graveyard Arizona
No Scare nights October 25th and 26th, 6:30 p.m. To 10:00 p.m.
Scary Nights October 27th through the 31st, 6:30 p.m. To 10:00 p.m.
Free, but they appreciate a $5.00 donation. We went on a No Scare Night.
8414 East Valley Vista Dr., Scottsdale, Arizona 85250

a taste of az - Saturday, October 31st, 2026 -VIP 12 PM, GA 1:30 – 5 PM
Enjoy unlimited food samples, 15 drink tickets, and access to local retail vendors. Now with more vendors than last year. This event is expected to sell out.
Location: Salt River Fields East Lawn
7555 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Are Today’s Mortgage Rates Scary? An ARM Might Help… But There’s a Catch

If you’ve been watching mortgage rates lately, you already know they aren’t exactly giving buyers warm, fuzzy feelings. That’s one reason adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, are getting more attention.

An ARM can offer a lower interest rate than a traditional fixed-rate mortgage for a set period of time, which can mean a lower monthly payment upfront. But an ARM isn't the only way to lower your payment.

Another option is buying down your interest rate at closing. And here's something buyers may not realize: the money for that buydown doesn't always have to come out of your own pocket.

Buy Down the Rate or Choose an ARM?

With a traditional fixed-rate mortgage, you can sometimes pay additional money at closing to reduce your interest rate. These are called discount points.

You're essentially paying more upfront in exchange for a lower rate for the life of the loan. But a buyer can also ask the seller to contribute toward a rate buydown as part of the purchase negotiations.

Depending on the loan program, the seller's contribution limits and the terms of the transaction, a seller concession could potentially be used toward discount points or other allowable closing costs. This can be particularly interesting in a market where sellers are more willing to negotiate.

For example, rather than simply asking a seller to reduce the purchase price by $10,000, a buyer might negotiate for a $10,000 seller concession that could be used toward closing costs or a rate buydown. Which option makes more financial sense depends on the buyer's loan, interest rate, how long they expect to own the home and the lender's rules.

That's a conversation worth having with your lender before deciding how to structure the offer.

Here's the simple comparison:

Buy Down the Rate

Pros:

✔ Lower interest rate for the life of the loan

✔ Lower monthly payment

✔ Payment remains predictable with a fixed-rate mortgage

✔ Can make sense if you plan to keep the mortgage for many years

✔ Seller may be willing to contribute toward the cost

✔ Can preserve some of your own cash if the seller pays the concession

Cons:

✘ If you pay for the points yourself, you need more cash at closing

✘ You need to keep the loan long enough to recover the upfront cost

✘ If you sell or refinance soon, you may not recover what you paid for the points

✘ Seller concessions are negotiable, not guaranteed

✘ There are limits on how much a seller can contribute, depending on the loan type and circumstances

ARM

Pros:

✔ Usually a lower initial interest rate

✔ Lower initial monthly payment

✔ May require less money upfront than buying down a fixed rate

✔ Can make sense for buyers who expect to sell before the adjustment period

✔ May be attractive for buyers purchasing a more expensive home

Cons:

✘ The rate can increase after the initial fixed period

✘ Your monthly payment could increase significantly

✘ Refinancing later isn't guaranteed

✘ If the home's value falls, refinancing could become difficult

✘ You need to be comfortable with the possibility of a higher future payment

So which one makes sense?

There isn't one answer that works for every buyer.

If you're planning to stay in the home for a long time and have the cash available, buying down a fixed rate may give you more long-term payment certainty.

If you're buying in a market where the seller is willing to negotiate, asking for a seller concession toward a rate buydown could be another strategy to explore.

And if you expect to move within a few years and want to conserve cash at closing, an ARM might be worth considering.

But don't make the decision based solely on today's payment.

I'd want to look at the whole picture: the upfront cost, monthly savings, how long you expect to own the home, what happens if you refinance, and what could happen if an ARM adjusts.

And there's one more number I'd want to know:
How long does it take to break even on those discount points?

If you're paying $10,000 upfront to save $200 a month, for example, it takes 50 months just to recover that $10,000 through the monthly savings. If you sell or refinance before then, the math may not work in your favor.

The same kind of analysis should be done when you're comparing an ARM with a fixed-rate loan and a buydown.

That's why I always tell buyers: don't just look at the payment. Look at the whole picture.

Because when it comes to mortgages, the scary part isn't necessarily the interest rate. It's choosing a loan you don't fully understand.

The Scottsdale Scoop

Multiple Water Ideas on the Table in Scottsdale as City Hall Debate Continues
How do you feel about recycled wastewater?

New Dog Park Features Woof! Art
Your dogs should enjoy the new Thompson Peak Dog Park. And you might enjoy it too, with a new art installation by Arizona-based artist Shachi Kale, which is the newest addition to the Scottsdale Public Art Permanent Collection.

Parents Ask Scottsdale Unified Governing Board to Choose the Least Impactful School Closure Option
Last month I posted about four Scottsdale schools facing closure. Over 400 parents came out to voice their opinions.

Center Court Pickleball Club Opens Its Fourth Valley Location in Scottsdale
The free grand opening day is over, but you might want to check out this club.

Maricopa County Measles Cases Reach 30-year High Following Scottsdale Pharmacy Exposure
I know I had the measles as a kid, but my children never had them.

Scottsdale Keeps Cameras On Despite 'Flock Fury'
They're still watching...

­Arizona’s Haunted Places: Where the Ghosts Might Still Be Hanging Around

Think Arizona is all sunshine, hiking and snowbirds? Not so fast. We also have our share of ghost stories, haunted hotels, and old mining towns with some seriously creepy histories.

If you're looking for something different to do this Halloween season, here are a few Arizona spots where the past supposedly hasn't quite left the building.

Jerome is probably one of the best-known haunted towns in Arizona. This former mining boomtown is perched on the side of Cleopatra Hill, and even getting there can feel a little spooky if you're not a fan of steep, winding roads. Every time we go there, I say, "This is the last time!" But we always go again. The Jerome Grand Hotel, once a hospital, is said to be haunted by several spirits. Guests have reported hearing voices, seeing apparitions, and even hearing what sounds like hospital carts rolling down the halls.

And then there's the Haunted Hamburger, where employees have reported flickering lights, moving objects, and the feeling that someone is watching them. I've eaten there, and thankfully my burger was the only thing that disappeared!

Tombstone has plenty of history to fuel a ghost story or two. The famous Bird Cage Theatre was a theater, saloon, gambling hall, and brothel during the Wild West days. It also saw its share of violence. Visitors have reported strange sounds, shadowy figures, and other unexplained happenings.

Bisbee is another former mining town with a spooky reputation. The historic Copper Queen Hotel is said to have several resident ghosts, and some guests have reported unexplained noises, apparitions, and other strange experiences. The old mine tunnels add another layer of mystery.

Closer to home, the Superstition Mountains have their own legends, most famously the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. We've visited Goldfield Ghost Town and Tortilla Flat, although I've never been brave enough to go searching for the Lost Dutchman's gold. Some legends are probably better left alone!

Even Phoenix has its haunted spots. The historic Rosson House Museum and the Hotel San Carlos have both been the subject of ghost stories and reports of unexplained activity.

So, whether you're a true believer or a complete skeptic, Arizona's haunted places offer something pretty interesting: a chance to explore the state's colorful history while getting just a little creeped out along the way.

And if you hear footsteps behind you in an old hotel hallway this October... well, maybe don't turn around.

Want more? I've put together the full list of haunted Arizona towns and places, including Flagstaff and Vulture City.

September Market Activity for Scottsdale, Carefree, and Cave Creek Real Estate

We now have a new program that will provide exact statistics directly from the Arizona Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS). I've tried other sources in past reports, but I've noticed they're all a little different. That is because these are 3rd party sources, and they do their own calculations. I liked the looks of my prior resource, but the data was given from the day I asked for it, which was usually after the month in question. So although this is to give you an idea of what is happening in the current market, these stats should be closest to the month in question, which is always the month prior to the blog post.

Carefree Real Estate

Market Takeaway for Carefree Real Estate: Carefree is a boutique, low-volume market where a few sales significantly move the needle. With only 6 closings in September against 58 active homes, the absorption rate sits at 9.18 months of inventory (a clear buyer's market). Homes that closed took a median of 141.5 days on market, and active sellers are positioned substantially higher on price ($1,137,500 median ask) than what closed in September.

Cave Creek Real Estate

Market Takeaway for Cave Creek Real Estate: Cave Creek saw steady transaction volume with 47 closed sales and a median close price near $1M ($999,000). The market is functioning in a balanced state with 4.43 months of inventory and a median DOM of 68 days. However, buyers are negotiating aggressively, reflected by a lower close-to-list ratio of 90.82%, and nearly half (49.32%) of all currently active properties have implemented price reductions.

Scottsdale Real Estate

Highlights of the September 2026 Scottsdale Real Estate Data:

• Volume Ratio: 923 new listings were taken during September, against 484 closed transactions (an absorption rate of ~52.4% of monthly inflow).
• Pricing: The median closed price was $950,000 (average $1,333,319, median $431.68/sq. ft.), while new properties were brought to market at a median list price of $1,075,000.
• Days on Market: Closed properties spent a median of 68.5 DOM and an average of 89.8 DOM.

Key Takeaways

Market Balance: With 4.22 months of inventory based on September's closing pace, Scottsdale sits in a balanced-to-modestly buyer-leaning market (3 to 6 months typically indicates balance).

Pricing Negotiation: Homes closed at an average of 96.94% of list price, showing that buyers are negotiating roughly 3% off asking prices on average. Additionally, 30.79% of closed transactions included seller concessions (with a median concession amount of $10,000).

Pace & Reductions: Closed properties spent a median of 68.5 days on market, while nearly 44% of active listings have had at least one price reduction, indicating sellers need to be well-positioned on price to capture demand.

And Finally…,

As you can see, the real estate market in Scottsdale, Cave Creek and Carefree continues to be a mixed bag. There are opportunities for buyers, but sellers need to be realistic about pricing and understand what the current competition looks like. The numbers can tell us a lot, but every home and every situation is different, which is why local knowledge still matters.

Thanks for reading! If you found something useful, interesting or maybe even a little spooky, please share this post with a friend, neighbor or someone who might be thinking about buying or selling. I always appreciate you passing it along!