No junk fees. Wholesale rates. And a team with genuine East Valley roots — Ken Turkington has lived in the Phoenix East Valley since 2019 and currently calls Gilbert home, right next door to Queen Creek. He knows this market from daily firsthand experience as a neighbor, investor, and active mortgage professional serving buyers across the entire Southeast Valley.
Queen Creek is one of the most compelling real estate stories in the entire Phoenix metro right now — and one of the most strategically important markets we serve. A massive wave of new construction buyers has entered this market over the past three years, many with builder-incentivized rate buydowns that will eventually expire. When rates drop and those buydown periods end, Queen Creek will generate one of the largest refinance waves in the entire East Valley. We are here now — planting our flag — so we are ready to serve those homeowners when that moment comes.
Get Pre-Approved — It's FreeFirst Commerce Financial co-founder Ken Turkington has lived in the Phoenix East Valley since 2019. He currently lives in Gilbert — Queen Creek's immediate neighbor to the north. He spent two full years living in Tempe before settling in Gilbert, and he still owns a rental property in Tempe today. Ken navigates the Southeast Valley market every single day — as a homeowner, investor, and active mortgage professional. Queen Creek is part of his daily world.
Ken Turkington — Co-Founder, First Commerce Financial | Gilbert, AZ
I live in Gilbert and Queen Creek is right in my backyard. I have watched this market transform over the past several years — from a quiet agricultural community at the edge of the Valley into one of the fastest-growing cities in the entire country. The infrastructure has followed the population: new retail, restaurants, employers, and amenities that simply did not exist five years ago.
What excites me most about Queen Creek right now is the refinance opportunity that is building quietly in the background. Builders have been offering significant rate buydowns — 2/1 buydowns, 3/2/1 buydowns, permanent rate buydowns — to move inventory. Those buyers got into homes at artificially low initial rates. When those periods expire, or when market rates drop below their permanent rate, every one of them becomes a refinance candidate. We are building our presence in Queen Creek now so we are the first call those homeowners make.
Kirk Chivas co-founded First Commerce Financial with Ken in 2007. Together they bring 60+ combined years of mortgage experience and a genuine commitment to zero junk fees across every market they serve.
The Queen Creek Refinance Opportunity — Why We Are Here Now
Most mortgage brokers chase today's purchase market. We think further ahead than that. Queen Creek has seen a massive wave of new construction over the past three years — thousands of buyers who purchased homes with builder-incentivized financing, including temporary rate buydowns that artificially lowered their initial payments.
Builder Rate Buydowns — What They Are and Why They Matter
When builders need to move inventory in a high-rate environment, they offer incentives — most commonly rate buydowns. A 2/1 buydown lowers your rate by 2% in year one and 1% in year two, then resets to the full note rate in year three. A 3/2/1 buydown follows the same pattern over three years.
These buyers paid a below-market rate for the first one to three years of their loan. When the buydown period expires and their payment jumps to the full note rate — or when market rates drop below their permanent rate — refinancing becomes immediately compelling. Queen Creek's new construction wave has created a large concentrated pool of future refinance candidates. We are positioned to serve them when that moment arrives.
If you purchased a new construction home in Queen Creek with a builder rate buydown — join our Rate Watch System today. We will monitor rates on your behalf and contact you the moment refinancing makes financial sense for your specific loan.
Queen Creek Communities and Neighborhoods
Queen Creek spans both Maricopa and Pinal counties and encompasses a diverse range of communities — from entry-level new construction to luxury custom estates. Here is what buyers and homeowners need to know about the key neighborhoods.
🏛 Hastings Farms & Barney Farms
Two of Queen Creek's most family-oriented master-planned communities — newer homes, massive neighborhood parks, and excellent school proximity. Consistently ranked among the best communities for growing families in the entire Southeast Valley. Strong demand and consistent appreciation make these communities among the most active in Queen Creek's purchase market.
🏛 The Pecans
Queen Creek's crown jewel — lush tree-lined streets, custom estates, and median prices that regularly exceed $1,000,000. A genuinely exclusive community that attracts executive buyers, luxury move-up buyers, and out-of-state relocations seeking the East Valley lifestyle at the premium end. Jumbo loan expertise is essential here.
🏛 Encanterra
A gated golf community with a Queen Creek mailing address — resort-style living with a spectacular clubhouse, private spa, and both all-ages and 55+ neighborhoods. One of the most desirable active adult and resort communities in the entire Southeast Valley. A consistent market for both purchase and refinance activity.
🏛 Cortina & Entry-Level New Construction
Queen Creek's most accessible entry point — newer construction at prices that remain competitive relative to Gilbert and Chandler. First-time buyers and young families priced out of the established East Valley markets consistently discover Queen Creek's newer subdivisions as the Southeast Valley option that delivers comparable quality at more accessible prices.
🏛 Orchard Ranch & Horse Properties
Queen Creek's agricultural heritage lives on in communities like Orchard Ranch — large parcels, equestrian infrastructure, and a lifestyle that attracts buyers who want the Arizona ranch experience with East Valley convenience. Properties here move more slowly than standard subdivision inventory but hold value with remarkable resilience through market cycles.
🏛 San Tan Valley Border Communities
The southern edge of Queen Creek — transitioning into San Tan Valley — offers some of the most accessible price points in the broader Queen Creek market while maintaining the Queen Creek lifestyle. Strong new construction activity and consistent in-migration make this one of the most active corridors in the Southeast Valley.
What Makes Queen Creek Different
Large Lots — The East Valley's Last Frontier
Queen Creek offers something increasingly rare in the Phoenix metro — large lots at prices that still make sense. Gilbert and Chandler are largely built out. Scottsdale's large lot inventory commands significant premiums. Queen Creek still has land — and the master-planned communities being built on it offer the square footage, outdoor space, and lifestyle amenities that families consistently prioritize but struggle to find at comparable price points elsewhere in the East Valley.
Top Schools — A Primary Driver of Demand
The Queen Creek Unified School District consistently attracts family buyers who prioritize school quality above almost every other factor. Homes within top-rated school boundaries command meaningful premiums and generate the most competitive offer situations in the Queen Creek market. This school-driven demand provides a structural floor for home values that insulates Queen Creek from the broader market fluctuations that affect less education-focused communities.
The Retail Revolution — Amenities That Arrived
The #1 reason buyers choose Queen Creek over neighboring cities in 2026 is amenities. The retail and restaurant infrastructure that buyers once had to drive to Gilbert or Chandler for has arrived in Queen Creek — creating the self-contained lifestyle that master-planned communities promise and few actually deliver. This transformation from bedroom community to destination community is still in progress — which means the window of opportunity for buyers who want to get in before the next appreciation leg is still open.
Arizona's No Transfer Tax Advantage
Arizona has no state real estate transfer tax — a meaningful cost advantage compared to most other states. Combined with no state income tax and First Commerce Financial's zero junk fee commitment, closing costs in Queen Creek are among the most favorable of any major growth market in the country. We build the full cost picture into every Queen Creek pre-approval from day one.
Mortgage Programs for Queen Creek Buyers and Homeowners
Conventional Loans
The most common choice for Queen Creek buyers with solid credit. Competitive wholesale rates across all price points — from entry-level Cortina new construction to move-up homes in Hastings Farms and Barney Farms.
Jumbo Loans
For The Pecans, Encanterra luxury, and custom estate properties above conventional loan limits. We work with multiple wholesale jumbo lenders and compete strongly on rates for Queen Creek's premium segment.
VA Loans
Arizona has one of the largest veteran populations in the country. Zero down payment, no PMI, competitive rates. We handle the Certificate of Eligibility and close VA loans throughout Queen Creek and the Southeast Valley regularly.
FHA Loans
3.5% down for first-time buyers and those with credit scores as low as 580. Available across Queen Creek's entry-level and mid-range price tiers — particularly in the newer subdivision communities along the Pinal County border.
New Construction Loans
Builder financing is not always the best financing. We compare your builder's offer to our wholesale network on every new construction purchase — the difference is often significant. Never sign a builder's preferred lender agreement without getting our rate first.
Refinance — Rate Watch Ready
Queen Creek's new construction wave has created a massive future refinance market. If you purchased with a builder buydown, join our Rate Watch System now. We will contact you the moment refinancing makes financial sense for your specific loan.
New Construction in Queen Creek — What Buyers Must Know
Queen Creek is one of the most active new construction markets in the entire Phoenix metro — and new construction purchases require a different approach than resale. Here is what every Queen Creek new construction buyer needs to understand before signing anything.
Never Use the Builder's Preferred Lender Without Comparing First
Every major builder in Queen Creek has a preferred lender — a captive mortgage company or banking partner that the builder steers buyers toward through incentives like closing cost credits or design center allowances. These incentives have real value — but they should be weighed against the full cost of the loan.
At First Commerce Financial we will run a side-by-side comparison of the builder's loan offer vs. our wholesale rate for your specific scenario — before you commit to anything. In many cases our wholesale rate saves enough over the life of the loan to exceed the builder's incentive. In some cases the builder's offer genuinely wins. We will tell you honestly either way — because we charge zero junk fees and have nothing to hide in the comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queen Creek a good place to buy in 2026?
For buyers with a 5+ year horizon, Queen Creek remains one of the most compelling value propositions in the entire Phoenix metro. Large lots, top schools, resort-style amenities, and prices that remain accessible relative to Gilbert and Chandler — combined with a market that is in balanced to slightly buyer-favorable territory — create a genuinely strong buying environment. The structural demand drivers — family formation, school quality, amenity growth, and East Valley in-migration — remain intact. Run your numbers, get pre-approved, and understand the full carrying cost picture before you start touring.
What is the median home price in Queen Creek in 2026?
Median sale prices in Queen Creek are running $640,000–$665,000 in early 2026, with approximately 1,000 active listings giving buyers real selection. The range varies significantly by community — entry-level new construction in Cortina and San Tan Valley border communities starts below $500,000, while The Pecans and Encanterra luxury regularly exceed $1,000,000. We can give you specific current data for any neighborhood or price tier you are targeting.
I bought a new construction home with a builder rate buydown — when should I think about refinancing?
The right time to refinance depends on when your buydown period expires, what your permanent note rate is, and where market rates are at that time. Join our Rate Watch System now — it costs nothing and obligates you to nothing. We will monitor rates on your behalf and contact you proactively when the math favors refinancing for your specific loan. Do not wait until your buydown expires and your payment jumps to start thinking about this.
Should I use the builder's preferred lender or an independent mortgage broker?
Always compare both before committing. Builder preferred lenders offer incentives — closing cost credits, design center allowances — that have real value. But those incentives need to be weighed against the full cost of the loan over time. A higher rate on a $600,000 Queen Creek home can cost you significantly more over 30 years than the value of any builder incentive. Call us first — we will run the honest comparison and tell you which option actually wins for your specific situation.
Does Queen Creek fall in Maricopa or Pinal County — and does it matter for my mortgage?
Queen Creek spans both Maricopa and Pinal counties — and yes, it can matter for your mortgage. Property tax rates, special assessment districts, and some loan program eligibility can vary by county. We check the specific parcel for every Queen Creek transaction we handle to ensure your pre-approval reflects the accurate carrying costs for the exact property you are purchasing. This is one of the details that gets missed when buyers work with lenders who are not familiar with this specific market.
Ready to Buy or Refinance in Queen Creek?
Talk with Ken — someone who lives right next door in Gilbert and knows this market from daily firsthand experience. Whether you are buying new construction, moving up to The Pecans, or getting ready for a refinance when your builder buydown expires — straight answers about what you qualify for and what your mortgage will actually cost. No pressure, no obligation.
Start Your Free Pre-ApprovalOr call or text us directly at (248) 459-5511
First Commerce Financial | Licensed Arizona Mortgage Broker | NMLS #137512 | AZ MB #1001354 | Serving Queen Creek, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, and all of the Phoenix East Valley
