Phoenix struggles to manage its vacant city-owned lots. “The Arizona Republic spent more than a year investigating the city’s land-management practices.” Among the key findings: “The city doesn’t keep track of how much vacant land it owns… Hundreds of those lots have sat idle for more than a decade, some with no use planned… Vacant city-owned lots often are a nuisance for nearby homeowners and businesses…” For a map of the vacant lots, plus more on why “many say [Phoenix’s] approach to managing its land needs a complete overhaul,” click it: http://bit.ly/2gPhtwa
SPEAKING OF ‘SITTING VACANT’… Council to interview two more city manager candidates Dec. 8. “John Kross, town manager of Queen Creek, and James V. Thompson, former city manager of Casa Grande, are additional candidates who will be considered for Scottsdale city manager. They [along with three others] will be interviewed…” But will “the council extend a job offer”? Or will the position remain vacant for a 19th straight month? Rose Law Group Land Use Lawyers say they know both of these two from Pinal County work very well…Interesting that Scottsdale once again is pulling from Pinal County Managers to fill their position (recall Fritz Behring was the Pinal County Manager). Stay tuned! — and, in the meantime, check out the brief bios for all the candidates in Scottsdale Independent. http://bit.ly/2gA6DWq
Pollack: Shortening things up. A shorter than usual edition of The Monday Morning Quarterback due to “only 3 working days last week.” U.S.: Manufactured Durable Goods, Consumer Sentiment Index, Existing & New Single-Family Home Sales. AZ: The FHFA Home Price Index. http://bit.ly/2gP7h6y
Federal mortgage loan limit increased in metro Phoenix. “Starting in 2017, borrowers can get a loan backed by mortgage giants Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac for… about $7,000 more than the previous limit, which has been in place since the housing crash.” For the new loan-limit figure along with what’s behind the increase, click to AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2gPfd83
New home sales backing down from recent highs. “[S]ales of newly constructed homes in October were…1.9 percent less than in September but 17.8 percent higher than in October 2015.“ For “[t]he median price of a new home sold during the month,” along with a breakdown of sales by region [only one of which saw “strong gains for both the month and the year”], see Jann Swanson’s report in Mortgage News Daily. http://bit.ly/2gyZycn
What we have to be thankful for in housing. “It’s a good time to be in the real estate business,” according to REALTORMag. Here are the five things it says we should be grateful for: (1) The improving economy (2) Powerful buying forces (3) Dwindling foreclosures (4) New-homes in the pipeline (5) Drones. Details here—> http://bit.ly/2fF1OtY |