The Dealmaker: 6/25/2018

Are metro Phoenix home prices ‘overheated?’ No, say housing experts. “A new report [from Fitch ratings] calls metro Phoenix one of the most overvalued housing markets in the U.S.” However, real estate consultant Jim Belfiore “doesn’t believe the report at all.” For Jim’s take, along with views from other experts, tap on to AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2lz60kF

Sold in Peoria: 2 parcels for $2.7M. “7.51 [total] acres adjacent to the P83 entertainment district. Both parcels lie between 83rd Avenue and Loop 101.” What’s behind the city’s “land banking” purchase? Find out in Peoria Times. http://bit.ly/2K6Gt0B

Trilogy at Encanterra named best of the best. Congrats to “La Casa, The Club at Encanterra in Trilogy at Encanterra” in Queen Creek! Based on “data points, including number of amenities, uniqueness of amenities, square footage, and visual appeal,” it has been selected by 55places as No. 1 among twenty-five “best active adult community clubhouses in America.” AZ Business Magazine. http://bit.ly/2lzvLB8  

Scottsdale is most expensive Arizona city to rent a home in. Findings from a Zumper study show that, despite a drop in average rent over the last month for one and two-bedrooms, Scottsdale still is the most expensive of any city in Arizona — “by far.” KTAR. http://bit.ly/2trKP8o

SRP, homeowners fight over land bordering Phoenix canals. Salt River Project officials say that “fences, landscaping and other items” along the Grand Canal near 32nd St. & McDowell “are encroaching on land owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation…” But nearby homeowners say that it’s THEIR property. It’s a dispute that has parties involved “reviewing deeds and records more than a century old.” Read/WATCH at abc15. http://bit.ly/2KkQ9Ec

Steller column: Celebrate Tucson’s infill projects but question the details. “[F]or decades, Tucsonans and planners have hoped for development to move from the edges of town into the center…” Now, with projects such as The Gateway and The Trinity, those hopes are being realized. And while some in Tucson are unhappy with what they “wished for,” Arizona Daily Star columnist Tim Steller makes the case that such investment is “a good thing to be channeled, not dammed.” http://bit.ly/2ttEdqa

Tiny homes grow in popularity, but where can you put them? “Despite the popularity of the tiny home movement — driven by shows on TV networks such as HGTV — fans find that it isn’t easy to find a place to situate one around” Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey/Humboldt. The Daily Courier. http://bit.ly/2MWUlbC

The history behind the Rio Salado Project. “In 1966, ASU dean James Elmore and his architecture students decided that something needed to be done about the large and barren dry bed of the Salt River. The students began working on design concepts to better utilize the vacant space.” Today, Rio has been “reimagined” as a “grand vision for civic identity,” a “restoration” that could turn a “scar moving through the Valley” into “an international destination.” AzBigMedia. http://bit.ly/2MkyCJI

Gilbert may operate the shuttered Big League Dreams ballpark. “The proposal is for the town to operate the eight lighted ballparks and indoor soccer pavilion at Elliot District Park, near Power and Elliot roads, and contract with an operator to oversee concessions.” Meanwhile, AZCentral reports that legal costs continue to “mount” as the town remains “knee-deep in litigation with the former operator” of Big League Dreams. http://bit.ly/2MWpyfb

Paradise Valley Town Council candidates discuss virtues of municipal leadership. Vice Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner is “unopposed” in the run for mayor. Meanwhile, these “council candidates are seeking one of three seats”: Ellen Andeen, a Police Department volunteer • James Anton, a member of the Planning Commission • Paul Dembow, a member of PV Town Council • Anna Thomasson, a member of the Board of Adjustment. PV Independent chats with the candidates on qualities each would look for when selecting a city manager. http://bit.ly/2MpTrDF

Goodyear set to replace Osborne in city council. West Valley View: “[Joanne] Osborne, who resigned to run for the Arizona House of Representatives, served the city of Goodyear for 17 years — six as chairwoman of the planning and zoning committee, and 11 as councilwoman.” The appointment to fill the vacancy is expected sometime this week. So stay tuned! http://bit.ly/2tE0FMk

Don’t miss anything… follow multiple winner of the Arizona Republic’s tweet of the week contest, and Senior Partner at Rose Law Group and Director of RLG Renewable Energy Department, Court Rich. http://bit.ly/Court_RichTwitter