The Dealmaker: 9/20/2018

4 new neighborhoods selling 324 homes in The Village at Vistancia. David Weekley, Gehan, Richmond American and William Ryan are now selling in The Village at Vistancia. For a rundown on the neighborhoods — Sunset Ridge, Verde Vista, Senita Trails and Agave Ridge respectively —   visit the Vistancia news-release at AzBigMedia. http://bit.ly/2xxBVHu

Have a family? Buy a home here. “Looking at change in home values and rent, the share of housing costs as a percent of household income, the share of cost-burdened homeowners, and three other metrics, several Arizona cities came out on top.” A SmartAsset study; highlights in Professional Builder. http://bit.ly/2DiNXuK

Phoenix land sales slow in 2nd quarter. “Land sales increased more than 30 percent in 2017 but have slowed by approximately 25 percent during the first half of 2018.” That’s the main takeaway from this AZRE land-sales overview, a report which also highlights single-family and multi-family permitting. http://bit.ly/2prpE3U 

Builders warn trade war Is now hitting housing. NAHB Chairman Randy Noel: “With housing costs on the rise, this action translates into a tax increase on housing that will rise even more significantly on Jan. 1 when the tariff rate jumps to 25 percent.” Read on at REALTORMag. http://bit.ly/2pqpVnS

Here’s why a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home Is for sale in Phoenix. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Peter Sperling, Craig DeMarco, Andy Ogan and Jim Furcini in preserving the residential historical character of Arcadia.) Phoenix New Times looks at why the owner of the David and Gladys Wright house was unable to turn the home into “an education center focused on Frank Lloyd Wright” — much to the relief of neighbors in the area. http://bit.ly/2DoEdyO

Paradise Valley sharpens language as new Hillside Development Regulations emerge. Town Attorney Andrew Miller delivered a “formal update” last week that “served as an outline” for “defining Hillside code definitions, a new pre-application process and defined criteria for removing a property from the Hillside development designation.” Coverage of Miller’s presentation, with special focus on the “creation of the pre-application process,” in PV Independent. http://bit.ly/2QKNXWV

Take a look at progress on construction of the West Valley’s new Desert Diamond Casino. “Nine years after announcing its plan for a full-scale casino in the West Valley, and nine months after breaking ground, the Tohono O’odham Nation is making progress on its new Desert Diamond West Valley Casino.” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2poBBYb

First U.S. medicinal marijuana kitchen to open in Tempe; Rose Law Group Partner & Medical Cannabis Director Laura Bianchi buoyed by the ‘innovation.’ (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents The Mint Dispensary.) “For decades, pre-packaged food and snacks have been available at dispensaries, but The Mint Dispensary is now revolutionizing the edible experience.” Laura Bianchi tells RLGR: “It’s a delight to see Arizona’s medical marijuana industry advance and expand in such innovative ways.” Dish details along with snapshots, plus info on The Mint Dispensary in this FOX 10 report. http://bit.ly/2OMtakc

True Life likely to bid goodbye to Ahwatukee Thursday. “With a foreclosure slated for Thursday, the defunct Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course will return to Wilson Gee’s ownership. How long it will be in its current condition is anyone’s guess since Gee already is appealing a judge’s order to restore the site to a golf course.” AFN. http://bit.ly/2prhGb6

Phoenix district looking at plans for new schools due to overcrowding. With no new high schools constructed in over 10 years, “Phoenix Union High School District has been busy assessing whether new schools should be built or whether they should just redesign existing schools.” Overly crammed schools being considered for renovation include Trevor Browne, Maryvale and Alhambra. KTAR. http://bit.ly/2pr0673

Supervisors approve land sale to TEP and redevelopment plans for Foothills Mall. Pima County has approved selling land at Kino Pkwy and 36th St. to TEP, which has its sights set on a new substation. Meanwhile, a Foothills Mall rezone brings Bourn Companies a step closer to realizing its “vision” of creating a “mixed-use entertainment venue” and “destination area.” Details on both BOS approvals in RED News. http://bit.ly/2pnB8W2

NAU looks at buying Super Pawn/Mandarin Buffet parcel. “The 1.88-acre property is already bordered on two sides by the university, by Milton Road on its western edge and by the Embassy Suites by Hilton to the south.” So, if your NAU, might as well buy it, right? The price for the parcel, plus the purpose behind the purchase in Arizona Daily Sun. http://bit.ly/2QKN1BZ

THE PRICE OF POWER – Chandler paves way for power line work. “Chandler has spent the last six months and $5.6 million relocating water and sewer mains beneath a stretch of Price Road to make way for the underground installation of a 230-kilovolt power line by Salt River Project.” East Valley Tribune. http://bit.ly/2PSFHmn

10th Annual AZ DealMakers – January 11, 2019. Don’t miss out on the BIGGEST homebuilding industry event for real estate forecasting and analysis, featuring the best speakers in the industry, including Rose Law Group founder and president Jordan Rose and Lennar division president Alan Jones. Plus, Belfiore Real Estate Consulting president Jim Belfiore provides an Overview on Housing. For the full list of speakers & panelists, along with registration info for Arizona Housing: Growth, Its Costs, Challenges & Opportunities, tap on!  http://bit.ly/2LAvclq 

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

Secretary of State doesn’t have to update voter registrations. A federal judge refused to order Secretary of State Michele Reagan to immediately update voter registration addresses of 384,000 Arizonans who moved since the last election. But Judge James Teilborg did leave a legal door open, just wide enough that it could finally bring the state into compliance with federal voting laws. Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2DguDOu

Monsoon storms, key to recharging groundwater, may become less common. “If we accept as a general paradigm that monsoon precipitation is getting less frequent but more intense, how do we design capturing systems to recharge groundwater?” That’s the main question emerging from a new UA-led study. Tap on to NewsDeeply for the key findings. http://bit.ly/2ppSdP3

[OPINION] Billionaires can seem like saviors to media companies, but they come with risks. “At a moment when many print publications are struggling to survive, the largess of a wealthy owner can seem like a godsend. But there are also fresh concerns, some based on recent experience, that these individuals are assuming an unhealthy amount of influence.” The New York Times. http://bit.ly/2QMsUDs

The death of the school dress code. “Dress codes of yore are starting to crumble in the face of critiques about sexism and racial inequity.” Axios. http://bit.ly/2xDehcL

An alternate airport for Phoenix to Vegas? “Just when you thought we’ve stretched the limits when it comes to development, the idea of a new airport south of Las Vegas is taking off again. If approved, the airport would be built off Interstate 15, between Jean and Primm.” KSNV. http://bit.ly/2Deyb3K*|FACEBOOK:LIKE|