The Dealmaker: 9/6/2018

ACC to consider stripping Johnson Utilities of its monopoly. “Arizona Corporation Commission staff has filed a recommendation that a hearing be held to consider revoking Johnson Utilities’ certificates of convenience and necessity.” What a revocation could mean, not only for Johnson and its customers, but also for area development — in San Tan Valley Sentinel. http://bit.ly/CLuWfn

Nationwide pays $83 million for Scottsdale land, plans regional headquarters. “Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. was the top bidder at a Wednesday auction for 134 acres on the [NW] corner of Hayden Road and the Loop 101.” The property is “part of a bigger 1,000-acre state land site” that was recently rezoned “to include offices, hotels and homes.” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/EsQtZt

Dozens of new energy-efficient homes to hit market in Gold Canyon. • 37 homes • In the Peralta community • A David Weekley Homes development • A bit more info in San Tan Valley Sentinel in what is perhaps the briefest new-homes report EVER. http://bit.ly/F9mdg8

2018’s best real estate markets. “WalletHub compared 300 cities of varying sizes across 22 key indicators of housing-market attractiveness and economic strength.” And GILBERT once again rises above the pack of Arizona cities and towns! http://bit.ly/CrjLwQ

COFFEE HOUSE PRICES – Starbucks found to increase home values. “And not by an insignificant amount… That’s the finding of a Harvard study of what happens… when a Starbucks moves into the neighborhood.” Direct cause and effect? Or is it because “more affluent” coffee drinkers have “moved into the area”? Whatever the case, perhaps Starbucks should update its mission statement by incorporating the following underlined portion: “To inspire and nurture the human spirit and increase home values — one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.” Via Builder. http://bit.ly/EsxYjd

NAHB study on multifamily regulatory burdens spurs Capitol Hill hearing. “The report acted as the catalyst for the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance to put a spotlight on the issue and hold a hearing [yesterday] on regulatory burdens on multifamily housing development.”The “headwinds” multifamily developers are facing and what policymakers can do to “help ease regulatory burdens and improve housing affordability,” in NAHBNow. http://bit.ly/Bh8KwM

Top towns for an ‘affordable’ retirement. One southern Arizona town flirts with the No. 1 spot in a Realtor.com® analysis titled, “Early Bird Specials! America’s 10 Most — and Least — Expensive Retirement Towns.” Find out where in REALTORMag. http://bit.ly/ChWpwL  

Hotel major element of Copper Sky commercial plans. “Maricopa could have a hotel in place by 2020 if a newly signed agreement with Commercial Properties Inc. goes according to plan.” It’s the kind of project that Maricopa Economic Development Director Denyse Airheart says has the “potential to be a destination.” InMaricopa. http://bit.ly/2wXdUKP

MORE MAYO – Mayo Clinic doubling size with $648M expansion. “The Arizona Forward Project will add 1.4 million square feet of building space (to the existing 1.7 million) with expanded clinical capacity, support services andinfrastructure at the campus located near Loop 101 and 56th Street…” Expansion highlights and rendering in AZ Business Magazine. http://bit.ly/2NgyQWv

Scottsdale hosts a special party in October to ‘Celebrate ’68.’ “That’s the year Scottsdale’s City Hall and Civic Center Library opened on a brambly landscape that would grow to become the Civic Center Mall. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of these iconic landmarks, Scottsdale is throwing a party — a modern day take on the original community celebration held when the buildings opened in 1968.” Scottsdale Independent. http://bit.ly/2M4Bfib

Study: Tempe is the top spot in Arizona to launch a career. “Zippia, a job-search website, pulled together the ranking with Census data in four major areas: • Population • Unemployment • Percent of the population that are millennials • Cost of living.” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2Nl66f4 

Florence partners with Subex to cyber-secure infrastructure. “As part of this partnership, Subex will provide end-to-end cybersecurity to detect, repel and remediate advanced threats to Florence’s most basic and vital technological systems.” AZ Business Magazine. http://bit.ly/2M4VT1v

Wilson Gee owns Club West Golf Course again. “Wilson Gee on Tuesday regained ownership when an Ahwatukee man’s last effort to keep the site expired with a terse order from U.S. Bankruptcy Court.” Ahwatukee Foothills News. http://bit.ly/2wNZXh7

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 and a mixer with the finest in AZ Real Estate! Includes an Overview on Housing provided by Jim Belfiore, President of Belfiore Real Estate Consulting. For the full list of ten keynote speakers & panelists plus registration info for the event titled Arizona Housing: Growth, Its Costs, Challenges & Opportunities, tap on! http://bit.ly/2LAvclq