The Rim Club Real Estate Market Report Q3 2026

Golf-course and community views at The Rim Club in Payson, Arizona.

By Dennis Riccio, REALTOR® | West USA Realty | Rim Country Real Estate Specialist
Market activity through September 30, 2026 • Published October 2, 2026

The Rim Club real estate market in Payson, Arizona, offered buyers substantially more choices at the end of the third quarter of 2026 than it did a year earlier. September inventory stood at 17 active homes, compared with seven in September 2025. New construction represents a significant portion of the available properties, including completed homes, homes under construction, and proposed residences.

Sales tell a more measured story. Just one home closed during Q3 2026, compared with three in Q3 2025. Through September, however, the community recorded five home sales in both years. For buyers and sellers, the useful question is how individual properties compete in a market with more available inventory and a small number of completed transactions.

The Rim Club market at a glance

Q3 covers July 1–September 30. Year-to-date comparisons cover January 1–September 30. September inventory comes from the historical monthly summary; listing composition below comes from the October 2 export.

More Rim Club homes for sale means more competition

The increase from seven to 17 active homes represents approximately 143% more inventory than a year earlier. New residential listings also increased: 26 were recorded during the first nine months of 2026, compared with 10 during the same period of 2025.

That combination gives buyers more properties to compare while creating additional competition for sellers. A resale home may be competing with other established homes and with newly built or proposed residences offering different layouts, finishes, and completion schedules.

The September median asking price was $2,245,000. In the October 2 active-listing export, asking prices ranged from $1,195,000 to approximately $3.84 million. These are advertised prices, rather than evidence of what buyers will ultimately pay.

Five of the 17 active listings in that export were priced below their original asking prices. That shows some sellers have adjusted their expectations, but it does not establish that every property needs a reduction or that all sellers have the same negotiating flexibility.

New construction is a major part of the available inventory

Eight of the 17 active residential listings—approximately 47%—were marked as new construction in the MLS export. This is an important part of understanding the Rim Club housing market in 2026.

A completed new home, a home still under construction, and a proposed home are different buying opportunities. Several listings describe future construction or projected completion dates, including dates in 2027. Buyers should compare the stage of construction and the scope of the offering, rather than treating every residential listing as a finished home ready for occupancy.

For someone considering a new Rim Club home, useful questions include whether construction has started, what approvals have been obtained, which finishes and allowances are included, and what the builder expects for completion. A proposed residence may offer customization, while an existing home may offer a more immediate move-in timeline.

For resale sellers, the practical implication is clear: buyers have more alternatives. Condition, floor plan, views, outdoor living space, and price should be evaluated against the properties a buyer can actually choose today.

A home exterior illustrating the community’s residential setting; photo is not used to identify construction status.

What Q3 sales and prices really tell us

The single home sale during Q3 2026 closed for $2,292,000. The three Q3 2025 sales totaled $5,095,000 and had a median sale price of $1,800,000. With just one transaction in the latest quarter, the quarterly median is simply the price of that one home.

The year-to-date comparison provides a broader view, although it still consists of only five sales in each year. Residential sales volume increased from $7,834,000 in the first nine months of 2025 to $9,968,872 in the same period of 2026. The average sale price increased approximately 27%, and the median increased approximately 48%.

Those changes describe the homes that sold. They do not establish that every Rim Club property appreciated by those percentages. In a community with a small number of transactions, differences in home size, construction quality, lot location, views, and the mix of sales can materially change the average and median.

Average cumulative days on market for year-to-date closed homes increased from 79 to 112. That suggests the properties that closed in 2026 took longer to sell on average, even though the number of sales remained unchanged.

How much housing supply is available?

The September MLS summary reported approximately 22.7 months of supply, compared with 9.3 months a year earlier. This statistic relates available inventory to the sales pace used by the MLS calculation.

It is an indicator of substantial supply relative to recent closings, rather than a forecast that an individual property will take nearly two years to sell. In a market this small, a few additional closings can change the figure significantly. Buyers and sellers should consider it alongside comparable properties, pricing, and the stage of construction of competing listings.

The broader residential export also contained five pending homes at the time it was pulled. Pending transactions provide useful context for future activity, but they are not completed sales and may change before closing.

The Rim Club land market

Lot sales slowed considerably in 2026. Two lots sold during Q3, compared with six in the same quarter last year. Through September, four lots closed, compared with 19 during the first nine months of 2025.

The current land report showed 16 active lots, with an average asking price of approximately $303,088. Buyers should avoid comparing that asking-price average directly with the median price of the four lots sold this year. The available and sold properties may differ substantially.

For a Rim Club homesite, the purchase price is only part of the decision. Slope, building envelope, site preparation, utility connections, view orientation, and architectural requirements can affect the cost and feasibility of the intended home. Comparing a lot-plus-construction plan with existing and new homes can help buyers evaluate the full project.

Mountain views and forest surroundings are important considerations when comparing Rim Club properties.

HOA dues and club membership costs

Rim Club HOA dues are currently $875 per quarter, or $3,500 annually, based on the current information provided for this report. HOA dues and club membership costs are separate expenses.

The Sport membership initiation fee has increased to $10,000. Recurring club dues, staffing charges, taxes, golf membership options, and any applicable transfer or assessment costs should be confirmed for the property and membership being considered.

The membership flyer supplied for this report still shows the former $7,500 Sport/Trailhead initiation fee. Because that amount has changed and other changes have not been confirmed, its remaining prices are not reproduced here as current rates. Buyers should obtain an updated schedule directly from the club before budgeting for ownership.

Stay & Play properties and limited rental privileges

Certain Stay & Play properties at The Rim Club have limited rental privileges. Buyers should evaluate those properties separately from homes without the same privileges.

Rental eligibility should be confirmed for the specific property, along with the applicable program terms and restrictions. The existence of a Stay & Play offering does not mean every home in the community can be operated as a short-term rental. Buyers considering rental use should obtain the relevant written rules and program information before relying on projected income.

Recreation amenities contribute to the Rim Club lifestyle; access depends on applicable membership terms.

What this market means for buyers

Buyers shopping for Rim Club real estate have more choices than a year ago. The expanded inventory makes it possible to compare established homes, completed new construction, and future builds with greater attention to layout, location, finishes, and timing.

Negotiating opportunities will vary by property. A seller’s asking price, time on market, construction stage, and competing alternatives can all inform an offer, but a community-wide statistic cannot determine the right price for a particular home.

For a second home or future full-time residence, consider the total ownership budget alongside the purchase price. HOA dues, club costs, maintenance, and the property’s suitability for your intended use deserve attention early in the search.

What this market means for sellers

With 17 active homes and eight listings identified as new construction, sellers should expect buyers to compare properties closely. A compelling presentation and a price supported by relevant alternatives are especially important when completed sales are limited.

An established home’s advantages may include mature landscaping, a proven view, completed improvements, or immediate availability. Those features should be communicated clearly. At the same time, a seller should understand how the home compares with new construction in size, condition, design, and asking price.

The rise in the year-to-date median sale price is not a substitute for a property-specific pricing analysis. Recent comparable sales and current competition should guide the strategy.