What is a good SF price for home in Casa Grande (Arizona City: for sale, new home)

[FrAZToCO]

I've been looking for a while and looked at many different site and I see from $58 to $100 per SF. I had held off making offers till I was ready to move but lately I have seen houses that were on the market for months even over a year that I liked get sold before I made offer. So I made offers on a couple houses at around $70 and $75 a SF. One didn't even counter and then house sold the other countered but when I countered back they said they accepted a full price offer from someone else. I don't know what they actually sold for but I assume it had to be more money. I had offered full list price if they paid closing cost on one I'm told that's pretty normal offer I had Financing approved with the offers.
Is just the case that I'm competing with people offering to much for homes?
Should I just be patient or change my expectations?
Is this a sign that the housing market is turning around?

[amatrine]

Casa Grande , is not as bad off as far as homes selling . I live in Arizona City, 8 miles away. They are still building new homes out here, and they are being bought. The prices have come down some, but they are still moving.

We just bought our house here two months ago, and the last three months I have seen the available homes available for sale go down each month. It is also the time of year here when homes start to sell.

Ama

[Ponderosa]

Get real. It's no wonder the sellers brushed you off. $70/sf was a good price 10 years ago. You will find some builders dumping inventory homes at that because they are going under water on overhead with slow sales, but they are not going to stay in business long selling below today's costs. Typical construction costs here are over $100 per sf one level for tract quality homes and it goes up sharply in more desirable areas due to land and regulatory costs.

[FrAZToCO]

For the record I was prepared to pay closing cost but was told it was pretty standard to ask for them in this market the negotiate from there. Otherwise I offered asking price on all the house I don't think I was lowballing anyone.
I think it may just timing other people just like me want to move and be set when there kids get out of school. I don't think the market in Casa Grande is as bad as some other places but you can find bargains.

In the end I guess I got nervous for nothing. I signed a contract on a house at about $75/SF. I guess my research wasn't that far off it was just a right place at right time deal. Yes it was a builder close out but we like the house and the area.I'll hire an inspector to hopefully make sure they didn't cut any corners. I suppose it's not good for the short term value of the house but I plan on be in this house a long time. I think longer term we'll be alright. So I guess they'll be another new family in Casa Grande.