The Dealmaker: 2/16/2017

Another developer buys land at growing freeway, light rail hub. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Aspirant.) Phoenix Business Journal notes that “the area [at the 202 and Washington] is becoming a new hub of development and construction.” And the latest player jumping into the mix? “Scottsdale-based Aspirant Development, [which] bought 8.5 acres… from the Marusiak-Remaklus Family Partnership.” Click through for deal and development details. http://bit.ly/2lbVsH4

Grand Canyon University expansion has enhanced the area, officials say. “‘To see a 30 percent increase in home values while subsequently seeing a 30 percent decrease in crime is just incredible…’ Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says.” And what do Mayor Greg Stanton, Elliot Pollack and others have to say about the new facilities? Find out at AZCentral. Plus, slideshow your way through what the report calls “8 projects to watch in [GCU’s] expansion.” Among them, the university’s new “6,000-seat soccer stadium” and a “Jerry Colangelo museum.”—> http://bit.ly/2lo8vY9

Superstition Vistas: Past, present and visions for the future. “Vacant desert land larger than Mesa, Chandler, Tempe and Gilbert combined… [T]he potential to become a desirable place to live and work… [A] region [expected to] grow to 15 million in population by 2060… ” Yet the area “still awaits groundbreaking after years of analysis and planning.” So what’s the holdup? What’s it going to take before we finally see activity in Superstition Vistas? A lucky rabbit’s foot?? (BTW, that’s a term that has always struck us as somewhat of a misnomer. How can anyone call a poor rabbit that’s lost a foot “lucky”?) Pinal Central. http://bit.ly/2lSZ6W5

Airbnb hosts in Arizona earned $51M in 2016. “The number of guests in 2016 was a whopping 152 percent increase compared to the year before.”  See who deserves credit for “[s]ome of that growth, (other than than hosts and guests). Plus, find out what city can brag about having “the most guests” and which one can boast “the most income,” in Phoenix Business Journal. http://bit.ly/2kCqF4s

RISING, FALLING, CLIMBING, TUMBLING: U.S. private housing permits rose to highest level in 14 months. “[I]n a sign of healthy demand amid steady job creation… [t]he number of permits climbed 4.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.285 million, the Commerce Department said.” Other key takeaways from this WSJ report? “Housing starts fell; single-family construction climbed, multiunit tumbled.” More here: http://bit.ly/2lmqTkl

Will rental homes depress new home sales in 2017? Here’s more on a topic we brought to your attention yesterday, this time from Real Estate Economy Watch editor Steve Cook who gives us his take on why the “study [from] the Research Institute for Housing America… raises… reasons to be worried,” about “the recovery of new home construction.” At Inman. http://bit.ly/2lXoHwe