So, the Clark Report is a little late this month. 

I know! You were sitting in front of your computer like a pooch at the front door, weren't you?

I have an excuse. The dog ate my website.

OK. Really, I've upgraded to a new website. Now you can:

1) Find more information about Get Your PHX events.

2) More blog posts, news and analysis.

3) Log on and instantly to search the real estate market in the entire valley. There is sooooo much more power in this website! 

4) Access pre-made searches for everything from historic homes to those super-cheap condos around town.

I'm even opening up the blog to contributors who want to share thoughts ideas and experiences about how they "Get Their PHX".  

So, have a look. Poke around. Send me your thoughts!

Cheers,

Ken

April Get Your PHX:

Thanks again to Modified Director Kim Larkin and Associate Director Adam Murray for hosting our March Get Your PHX. Thanks also to David Lindsley from Valley Pizza Downtown for supplying the nosh. It was a pleasure to support this Downtown Anchor establishment as they transitioned to a new direction. 

February saw the highest sales volume in recorded history.

In short, homes below $100,000 are moving very quickly, but they are so competitive that the low prices are skewing all of the data to obscure the fact that higher priced homes are actually moving upward.

I was reading this hilarious post today by an agent sharing the ABCs of what she's learned over the years. It's probably funnier if you are a Realtor or if you've bought a house. But, basically, don't trust Zillow estimates. Talk directly to an agent. I'm happy to help you estimate the value of your home for "$FREE.99."

If you've read my blog much you've seen that I have a more positive view of where the market is going than, say, the Arizona Republic. Follow the link for some data-based reasons why you should feel comfortable buying a house this year. This information is based on The Cromford Report, which is data aggregated directly from the Multi-Listing Service, the most accurate account of sales in the mark.

I can't let this article go by. Fortune Magazine says that it is time to get bullish about the housing market again. Read the entire thing here. It is worth a read!

It sounds like a cross between slip n' slide roulette and a medical marijuana grower's convention....but its not. It is a huge potluck that incorporates art. Watch the video to see how the group sought to break the world record for largest potluck. So, the Slideluck Potshow is partnering with the Phoenix Public Market for a wonderful evening of locally-grown, organic food and art. Join in on Saturday, April 30th at 7pm. See the press release here.  
 

A couple years ago the City of Phoenix got a $25 million grant from the Federal government to improve energy efficiency in a specific area around light rail. Their goal is to "shrink home energy consumption by up to 30 percent, reduce commercial energy use by up to 18 percent, eliminate carbon emissions by as much as 50,000 metric tons per year, and retrofit 2,000 homes and 30 million square feet of office and industrial space for greater energy efficiency."

In practice, that means doubling the incentives that APS pays for efficiency upgrades in certain areas. The program is starting to roll out and will include partnerships with local businesses.

My friend Mick Dalrymple is helping through ASU "to measure how much energy is saved, and how people's attitudes affect those savings. Watch for Mick at future Get Your PHX events with surveys about how you use and save energy. 

I admire the work that Angela Hughey and friends over at One Community do every day. Their message is simple: the biggest strength that the LGBT community has is its buying power. But she is taking it further on April 19th with a Multicultural Conversation with the Mayoral Candidates. She has built a broad coalition of groups who all want to hear from the Phoenix mayoral candidates. See the huge list of participants here and drop by. Phoenix has a long way to go, despite our recent successes. We need a leader who is ready to meet the challenge.

The Parks and Recreation Department is providing free Tree Care Workshops to residents. This free, half day, hands on workshop, educates residents on the fundamentals of proper tree design and care. Residents that complete the Tree Care Workshop will be given a $25 off coupon that can be used at a local nursery.

The City is also looking for people to become Citizen Foresters.

It seriously chaps my hide that we all work our collective tushes off to pay taxes and the largest companies in the country find ways to pay nothing, zero, zilch, nada. Then they run to Congress and complain about how taxes are too high. See this report and be ready to be absolutely appalled.