The Dealmaker: 5/8/2018

Americans haven’t been this optimistic about house prices since just before the crash. A new Gallup survey finds that the “level of optimism is edging closer to the 70% of adults in 2005 who said prices would continue rising.” See exactly HOW close and get other poll results at Realtor.com®. http://bit.ly/2I12SLM

Homebuilder: Building net zero homes provide best value to buyers. Then why don’t “more people buy solar and net-zero homes?” The answer plus other insights on the matter in this Orange County Register Q&A with Meritage Homes VP of environmental affairs, C.R. Herro. (via Builder). http://bit.ly/2I26nl6

Home with pool, fire pit most expensive in Maricopa last month. It sold “for $9,500 under its asking price and was on the market less than three months.” The rundown on this “13-year-old Engle home,” plus info on the four other top sellers, at inMaricopa. (And on the flip side, a tap-through will get you this item: “Least-expensive home no frills in Senita.”) http://bit.ly/2KJOMME

As Toys ‘R’ Us closes Arizona stores, brokers move quickly; Eric Termansen, Founding Partner & President of Western Retail Advisors, comments on adaptive reuse or charter schools. “In Arizona six out of the 18 stores will be emptied.” AzBigMedia takes look at some of the ideas being floated for the “prime pieces of real estate” that “Toys ‘R’ Us is leaving behind.” Reached for comment on how these big-box empties might be refilled, Eric Termansen tells Rose Law Group Reporter: “With the circulation, visibility and parking, these locations would be a good fit for many charter school operators.” http://bit.ly/2rtsneH

Commercial real estate brokers optimistic about Phoenix area. That’s the “overarching takeaway” from a poll of “200 commercial real estate brokers” in a survey “conducted by the Center for Real Estate Theory and Practice at the W. P. Carey School of Business.” KTAR has the “whopping” findings. http://bit.ly/2rtladO

Phoenix retail sector posts strongest 1st qtr. absorption in a decade. The past three months marked the strongest first quarter performance since 2008 as retailers ramped up activity in response to continued economic growth and an accelerating housing industry. Colliers says this sets the stage for what is forecast to be a very active 2018. Read the FULL report in Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2I6Owpi

Public sounds off on proposed Diamondbacks deal with Maricopa County. “Though no one showed up to voice any thoughts in person at a public meeting Monday afternoon, submitted comments were read aloud to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, which will vote Wednesday to approve or strike down the deal.” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2FWKb63

GPEC earns prestigious economic development award. “The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) has been named a recipient of the 2018 Mac Conway Awards for Excellence in Economic Development by Site Selectionmagazine.” GPEC President and CEO Chris Camacho comments on the “incredible honor” in AZ Business Magazine. http://bit.ly/2FUSLCv

State: No signs of health concerns in air around egg farms in West Valley.“[O]fficials say there are no signs of health concerns in Tonopah and Arlington, where residents have complained for years of chemical emissions from operations at Hickman’s Egg Farms.” Still, some in this AZCentral report have the view that there’s something rotten — and not just in the air around Hickman’s, but also with the test results. http://bit.ly/2I0mksk

State orders Sedona to stop requiring licenses for short-term vacation rentals. “The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is telling Sedona to stop licensing short-term vacation rentals or lose half of its state aid.” And Capitol Media Services’ Howard Fischer reports in Arizona Daily Star that the city “has 30 days to rescind the licensing ordinance” — or else. http://bit.ly/2rt1Wox

[OPINION] Our View: Arizona’s water fight earned it a black eye. Can we rebuild our reputation? “Two major Arizona water agencies have reached a truce on handling Lake Mead levels. But other states don’t trust us, and that needs to change. Now.” From The Republic editorial board. http://bit.ly/2IoYntW

Pollack: Good news and bad news. Despite mixed news on the jobs front, the Monday Morning Quarterback’s “bottom line is that the economy continues to do very well.” Check out MMQ’s data for these ‘Snapshots’ —> U.S.: Unemployment, Wages, Labor Productivity, Manufacturing & Non-Manufacturing, Construction Spending, Vehicle Sales. AZ: Sky Harbor – Enplanements & Deplanements, Housing – Phoenix. http://bit.ly/2ruI3OA 

Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2KIQhuu