“The popularity of Rancho Sahuarita and the good press that they have received, has translated into one of the few bright spots in the housing market,” said John Strobeck, of Bright Future Business Consultants, in his monthly housing newsletter.
The 221 permits issued by Sahuarita in the first five months of the year is second only to Pima County’s 271. The two jurisdictions account for nearly 68 percent of the total 727 for all jurisdictions. By itself, Sahuarita accounts for 30 percent.
 NEW HOME SALES BY PRICE RANGE: MAY 2009, Source: Bright Future Business Consultants |
Strobeck says the aggressive pricing by new home builders seems to be having an effect on increased sales. There were 162 new construction closings in May up from the 151 in April. Of those, 69, or 42 percent, were priced under $200,000.
There were 44 homes closed in May that sold for between $150,000 and $200,000 and 25 that were priced below $150,000. All but seven of those priced below $150,000 were sold in one of three KB Home developments; Rancho Valencia, Sonoran Ranch or Presidio Del Cielo.
Foreclosure sales accounted for 29 percent of the 316 resale home sales in May, which is down from the 363 foreclosure sales in April when they accounted for more than 35 percent of resale sales. The median price for foreclosure sales was also down in May to $122,000, from $125,000 in April.
County changes fee method
Starting July 16, Pima County is changing the way it calculates fees for development services, zoning and construction permits. County officials say the change will be revenue neutral for them with no particular industry expected to see a significant increase or decrease.
The new system will use International Code Council methodology where fees for buildings are determined by the type of occupancy, type of construction and square footage.
The county’s current system requires building, zoning, electrical, mechanical and plumbing components to be itemized to determine the total building permit fee.
“For a complex building such as a hospital, the feeing process alone can take over 10 hours,” according to a letter to the Board of Supervisors from Yves Khawam, chief building official.
Development Services Director Carmine DeBonis, said the new fee calculation method “will help us better use our resources to do plan review and permitting work. It will also help our customers be able to better estimate the fees for a given project.”
The change was approved by a unanimous vote of the five-member Board of Supervisors.
Be heard about real estate
The Arizona Department of Real Estate is looking for real estate professions to fill openings on its 14-member Education Advisory Committee. The committee helps to set appropriate education requirements and initiatives to increase professionalism in the state’s real estate industry.
The department is looking for three people to represent real estate schools, two people from a commercial or business brokerage, and one each from industrial brokerage, real estate instruction, a lender, and an escrow officer.
Regular meetings of the committee are held every other month in the Department of Real Estate offices, 2910 N. 44th St., Phoenix, with other meetings scheduled as needed. Members are not compensated or reimbursed for expenses.
Anyone interested in serving a term from this year through 2011, should submit a résumé and letter of interest describing work experience and education to: Michael Hailey, education manger, via e-mail to mhailey@azre.gov or by postal mail to the Department of Real Estate, 2910 N. 44th St., Phoenix 85018. Deadline for applications is July 15.
New southside subdivision
Pepper Viner Homes broke ground last week on Sunnyside Pointe Homes, a 267-lot housing subdivision near Irvington Road and Park Avenue.
The lots will be developed for affordable senior housing and market rate homes by three nonprofits: La Frontera Center, Old Pueblo Community Foundation, and Tucson Urban League.
Each nonprofit partner has received funds from sources including Pima County bond funds and the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco’s affordable housing program. The funds will be used to reduce the prices of homes to buyers through substantial down payments.
The first phase of the project includes 90 homes for first-time buyers. The homes will have three or four bedrooms with two bathrooms and a single car garage.
The plan is for the first homes to available in March 2010.
Catalina thrift store
Construction is underway on a 15,000 square-foot retail store for the Golden Goose Thrift Store, a nonprofit corporation providing funding to SaddleBrooke Community Outreach and Catalina Community Services.
The project at 15970 N. Oracle Road, Catalina, is due to be finished in the fall. The architect is Bruce R. Call. The construction company is Giles Construction.
Worth noting
• State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Company leased 13,037 square feet 1745 E. River Road in Joesler Villiage from joint venture partners Mercado de Joesler I and Mercado de Joesler II. State Farm will relocate its claims and district office to the location in November. Nancy McClure of CB Richard Ellis represented the landlord. Rob Gillette of Gillette Commercial Inc. represented the tenant.
• Western Emulsions Inc. leased the 9,400 square foot building at 3900 E. Broadway from Eklund & Eklund Partnership LLC. Western Emulsions, which opened in 1977, produces and supplies specialty, patented and standard asphalt emulsions and raw asphalt. The company plans to use the building as its second Tucson location. Buzz Isaacson and Ike Isaacson of CB Richard Ellis represented the landlord. Tim Healy of CB Richard Ellis represented the tenant.
• Aaron Rents leased an 8,000 square foot space at Manzanita Plaza, 300 W. Valencia Road, from Community Centers of America- Glendale LLC. The company which specializes in sales and leasing of furniture, appliances, computers, electronic goods, jewelry and other related merchandise, will be Aaron Rents fifth location. David Hammack and Rick Borane of Volk Company Commercial Real Estate handled the transaction.
• United Fashions of Texas LLC, dba Melrose, leased 6,720 square feet of space at 3364 S. Sixth Ave. from Tucson Promenade LLC. This will be Melrose’s second location the first location. The retailer specializes in women’s apparel, jewelry, shoes, perfume, and related accessories. David Hammack and Brenna Lacey of Volk Company Commercial Real Estate represented the landlord. Pete Villaescusa and Jesse Peron of CB Richard Ellis represented the tenant.
E-mail items for this column to jpangburn@azbiz.com. Real Estate and Construction appears weekly.
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