The Dealmaker: 7/3/2018

[VIDEO] First time buyer market update with Catherine Reagor. The Arizona Report talks with AZCentral real estate reporter Catherine Reagor about the “headwinds for first time home buyers around metro Phoenix.” Video running time just over 4 minutes. WATCH here: http://bit.ly/2z9WldY

Millennials take extreme measures to afford a home. Selling cryptocurrency. Working multiple jobs. Dipping into retirement funds. Those are just some of the actions millennials are taking “to build financial stability in order to buy their first home,” according to results from a recent Redfin survey — and REALTORMag has the findings. —> http://bit.ly/2u2Kp7Q

29 design features that helped starter homes sell for more than expected.The website RealEstate “poured over listing descriptions for millions of entry-level homes” in order “to see how certain home features, amenities and design styles affected sale price.” The results? Starter homes that mentioned certain features “sold for as much as 29 percent above expected values.” http://bit.ly/2lQBqTC

NAHB files amicus brief in Supreme Court ‘takings’ case. The case is Knick v. Township of Scott. The issue “deals with access to federal courts for just compensation claims,” i.e., “the legal hoops” that “plaintiffs have to jump through… before bringing a takings claim in federal court.” NAHBNow calls the case one that “may have a profound effect on land use lawsuits.” http://bit.ly/2u3fVm6

LCS-Westminster Partnership IV will develop Horse Lovers Park.Modernization plans for the 50-acre equine facility at 19224 N. Tatum include “a covered riding arena, covered stalls, establishing spectator walking and parking areas…” Mark Perry of LCS-Westminster Partnership IV says these and other future enhancements will “ultimately” create “a landmark for the community.” http://bit.ly/2IPZ2B0

Ground breaks for new Fort McDowell Casino. Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council President Bernadine Burnette: “This exciting project will set a new standard for quality entertainment in the Northeast Valley while providing economic security to our tribal government.” Interior rendering, project-team info, dirt-turning pic, and more — in AZRE. http://bit.ly/2tQszpv

You have arrived: Paradise Valley sets out to expand its identity. PV wants to “create a differentiating experience to the public when they enter” the town — with “showcase corridors” (including one particular “wow-factor”) that give “a sense of ‘arrival’ and also ‘destination’ for residents” and “visitors.” It’s called the “Visually Significant Corridors Master Plan”— and “20 months of work [and then some!] have gone into” it. PV Independent. http://bit.ly/2zdYgye

Scottsdale community on political EDGE as July signature deadline looms. “At issue: proponents of the Desert EDGE say the Preserve itself is not enough for visitors to appreciate the McDowell Sonoran Preserve while detractors say the proposed facility… is nothing more than a pet project for a handful of the community’s elite. The July 5 deadline is the culmination of a series of events put into motion by community members, but formalized by Scottsdale City Council in November 2017.” Scottsdale Independent. http://bit.ly/2tS13I1

Fountain Hills Town Council passes emergency ‘nuisance party’ measure. “The residence that has raised the questions is a short-term rental property where neighbors say every weekend it becomes party central,” complete with “out of control drinking, obscene language and excessive noise.” So Town Council took “emergency action” — right in time for the 4th! The Fountain Hills Times. http://bit.ly/2Ku6vLI 

Excelsior gets first permit for a copper mine in Arizona in over a decade. RED News reports the EPA “has issued an operating permit” to Excelsior Mining for “an advanced staged, low cost, environmentally friendly in-situ recovery copper extraction project” in “Cochise County near Patagonia in southeastern Arizona.” http://bit.ly/2tZ8H2L

Pollack: Economy lookin’ good. And it’s “likely to continue,” says the Monday Morning Quarterback, who backs up this forecast with data for these and other ‘Snapshots’ —> U.S.: GDP, Income & Consumption, Consumer Confidence, Corporate Profits, Manufacturing, Home Sales & Prices. AZ: Sky Harbor Operations, Home Prices – Greater Phoenix. http://bit.ly/2IPBqwp

Know your candidates: 7 running for Maricopa City Council. “Seven people are competing for three seats… Vice Mayor Peg Chapados opted not to run this year, but Henry Wade and Vincent Manfredi are seeking re-election. They face five candidates, none of whom has held elected office but all of whom have provided varying degrees of community service to Maricopa.” Get to know ‘em NOW, at inMaricopa!  http://bit.ly/2NlXp1a

Interview with Carolyn Mullany-Jackson, Vice President, Brand Strategy, Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auctions. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Carolyn Mullany-Jackson.) Carolyn Mullany-Jackson is also Chairman of the 2018 Phoenix Heart Ball. Carolyn recently launched a bold yearlong charitable initiative, Driven Hearts, in an effort to fight heart disease. She talks about the initiative in Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2MLBq2u 

Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2Nl74W1 

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 

As a supplement to the Dealmaker, we thought you might enjoy these articles!

Laura Bianchi, partner and director of Rose Law Group Medical Cannabis Department quoted in msn, MarketWatch regarding Arizona cannabis extracts case. Those two high-profile news sources — msnand MarketWatch — have picked up the comment from Laura Bianchi on the recent Arizona Court of Appeals ruling that hashish “isn’t protected by the 2010 Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.” Here’s just some of what Laura has to say about it: “If this ruling is upheld, it would be an enormous miscarriage of justice that undermines the cornerstone of Arizona’s medical marijuana program, which is to protect our patients.” You can read Laura’s entire comment by accessing either report— msnhere, MarketWatch here: http://bit.ly/2NjXbHT

I ran like a scared rabbit after threat over news story. With only small-town reporting under his belt at the time, Senior Reporter/Writer Phil Riske took a radio news job at KKAM in Pueblo, Colo., a steel town called “The Pittsburg of the West.” It was also where an arm of the Denver mafia was organized.” Read the rest of Phil’s story in Rose Law Group Reporter. (Related: “Annapolis newspaper victims had no time to escape.”) http://bit.ly/2KtBMOX 

Grand Canyon University returns to nonprofit status. “Grand Canyon Education sold Grand Canyon University to a nonprofit entity that will retain the GCU name. The transaction returns GCU to its historical roots as a nonprofit university and ensures the long-term legacy of both GCU and GCE.” AzBigMediareports that the “purchase price, following post-closing adjustments, will be approximately $875 million.” READ ON: http://bit.ly/2INVi2X

Plenty of initiatives on Arizona ballot, more to be filed with Thursday deadline. Including by the Arizona Association of Realtors which “is expected to submit petitions Tuesday to impose a constitutional ban on expanding the state sales tax to include services.” For other “initiative drives likely to file signatures,” tap to Howard Fischer’s report in Arizona Daily Star. (Related: “Question on merit-based judge selection will be on November ballot in Coconino County.”) http://bit.ly/2KJniK2 

AG takes over investigation of Johnson’s alleged threat against Florence town manager. Indicted water utility owner George Johnson is now being investigated by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for allegedly threatening the Florence town manager, Brent Billingsley. More in Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2u3lAIS