Flood of home sales 3-11-15

The article, Flood of home sales may indicate Millennials diving in, from www.azcentral.com, reports that home sales across metro Phoenix are on track to jump more than 30 percent during the next few months, potentially signaling the restart of the area's stalled housing recovery, according to a new report released Friday. The number of Valley houses under contract to sell started to surge in early February, a special report from Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business indicated. The biggest increases in pending sales were for houses priced from $150,000 to $250,000 and from $250,000 to $400,000. That could signal more first-time buyers and that former homeowners who lost houses to foreclosure are purchasing again. "It's really encouraging for the housing market to see home sales climb the most at the lower end of the market," said Mike Orr, director of the Center for Real Estate Theory and Practice at W.P. Carey. "Millennials and boomerang buyers are likely behind much of the increase in sales." Less-stringent lending standards and the federally mandated cut to Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance may be attracting new buyers, especially Millennials, experts said. Valley home sales fell 14 percent last year. Housing-market watchers have said since the market started slowing in early 2014 that it would take less-stringent lending requirements and more Millennials and boomerang buyers to push home sales back up. The trend appears to be national, as pending home sales in the U.S. reached an 18-month high in January, according to the National Association of Realtors. The rising demand from younger buyers also appears to be helping Phoenix's new-home market. During the past two months, contracts to buy new houses in the region have climbed 12 percent, according to Belfiore Real Estate Consulting. "Consumers, relegated to window shopping for a new home as the economy has recovered over the last 24 months, are just starting to show their purchasing might," Arizona real-estate analyst Jim Belfiore said.

Here is the link to the entire article: http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/real-estate/2015/02/27/asu-report-look-percent-surge-home-sales/24126481/

2/27/15 Things to do this weekend Enjoy!

Events  Repertoire - Ballet Etudes  Fri. 02/27 & Sat. 02/28, 7pm Mesa Arts Center Ballet Etudes company members will present classic works as well as new choreography in this evening of dance. $17 more info   map  The Magic Flute  Fri. 02/27, 7:30pm Phoenix Symphony Hall Full  of charming, magical melodies, Mozart's final masterpiece is light-hearted and profound. $25-$135 more info   map  Owen Wingrave  Fri. 02/27, 7:30pm Evelyn Smith Music Theatre, Tempe Owen Wingrave, Lyric Opera Theatre's Spring Opera production is a spine-tingling ghost story based on the short story by Henry James. $8-$12 more info   map  Competitive Improv Comedy  Fri. 02/27 & Sat. 02/28, 7:30pm & 9:45pm National Comedy Theatre, Phoenix Hilarious, spontaneous, and interactive comedy. $12-$14 more info   map  Raphaella Smits and Adrien Brogna  Fri. 02/27, 7:30pm Katzin Concert Hall - Arizona State University, Tempe Belgian guitarist Raphaella Smits has long been an ardent advocate of the eight-stringed guitar. $8-$19 more info   map  Les Miserables  Fri. 02/27 - Sun. 03/01, times vary Arizona Broadway Theatre, Peoria The longest-running musical in history sets up it's barricades on the Arizona Broadway Theatre stage. $60-$92.50 more info   map  Arizona Railway Day  Sat. 02/28, 9am Arizona Railway Museum, Chandler Arizona Railway Day gives visitors a chance to see passenger railway cars, including privately owned ones, cabooses and locomotives rarely open to the public. more info   map  Phoenix Marathon - Full, Half, 10k  Sat. 02/28, 6:30am Rio Salado Sportsman's Club, Mesa Offering a 10k, half marathon, or full 26.2 miles on a fast, fun, and scenic new course. $0-$250 more info   map  3rd Annual Car Show & Swap Meet  Sat. 02/28, 7am Desert Ridge High School, Mesa Join the fun at this 3rd Annual Car Show and Swap Meet, "Cruisin' Thru the Decades". more info   FB   map  Wedding Fun Run  Sat. 02/28, 7:30am Arizona Falls, Phoenix Phoenix Brides and Grooms get ready to run for a free wedding. more info   map  9th Annual VisionWalk  Sat. 02/28, 8:00am Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix VisionWalk is a fundraiser for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Join fellow community members for a 5k walk/run. more info   map                                  Movies    In Theaters  Rated Focus R The Lazarus Effect PG-13 The Hunting Ground NR   New DVD Releases   Rated       Critics Say Big Hero 6  PG           Whiplash R           Beyond the Lights PG-13             Sports   ASU Sun Devils (M) @ Boulder, CO  03/01 @ 6:30pm  (W) vs Utah 02/27 @ 6:30pm  vs Colorado  03/01 @ 2:00pm ESPN  Schedule Arizona Wildcats (M) @ Salt Lake City, UT  02/28 @ 6:30pm  (W) vs Colorado 02/27 @ 6:00pm  vs Utah 03/01 @ 3:00pm ESPN  Schedule Phoenix Suns         vs San Antonio Spurs 02/28 @ 7:00pm FSAZ Schedule MLB   Arizona Spring Training  Schedule Arizona Coyotes     @ Bruins  02/28 @ 3:30pm  Schedule MLS Major League Soccer  Schedule  ESPN    PGA TOUR                       The Honda Classic              Palm Beach Gardens, Fl              02/26-03/01 @ times vary              Golf Network                          Schedule Weather    Friday  Clear  78º/52º Saturday  Chance of Rain   68º/52º Sunday  Chance of Rain    66º/48º

2/19/15 Things to do this weekend

Events  Aripex 2015  Fri. 02/20 - Sun. 02/22, times vary Mesa Convention Center The 57th annual stamp, postcard, and postal history show. This years theme is Native American Artists. $5 more info   map  International Sportsmen's Exposition and Arizona Boat Show  Fri. 02/20, 10am University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale Learn about and experience a wide variety of outdoor products and activities. $0-$12 more info   map  2015 Arizona Chinese Lantern Festival  Fri. 02/20 - Sun. 2/22, 5pm-10pm Rio Vista Park, Peoria A 1500 year-old tradition celebrating the lights, designs, and legends of hand crafted silk lanterns. $5-$15 more info   map  Disney's Beauty and the Beast  Fri. 02/20, 7:30pm Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre Enjoy a live production of this magical tale. $15 more info   map  Varekai - Cirque Du Soleil  Fri. 02/20 - Sun. 2/22, times vary US Airways Center, Phoenix This production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, and to the spirit and art of the circus tradition. $40-$100 more info   map  27th Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival  Fri. 02/20, 9am  Arizona Renaissance Festival, Gold Canyon  Enjoy games of chance, food, sword fighting, comedy, acrobatics, magic, duels, and more. $22  more info   map  Fountain Hills Arts Fair and Beer Garden  Fri. 02/20, 10am  Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills Served in the beer garden will be hot dogs, brats, chili, and chips for $6. There will also be live entertainment and raffles. more info   map  Yellow Bird Productions  Fri. 02/20, 5pm  Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale This 45 minute program offers an authentic cultural experience, including a variety of traditional Native American dances. more info   map  Raising Arizona Kids - Camp Fair 2015  Sat. 02/21, 10am  Tesseract School Shea Campus, Phoenix At camp Fair Arizona, parents and children can talk directly with staff members from various camps and ask questions. more info   map  From First Tooth to Loose Tooth  Sun. 02/22, 10am  Children's Museum of Phoenix "From First Tooth to Loose Tooth" is an educational program for parents that answers questions about caring for their child's oral health. $11 more info   map  Studio E435 Violin Recital  Sun. 02/22, 2:30pm  Katzin Concert Hall AZ State University, Tempe This recital will feature outstanding violin students of ASU professor, Danwen Jiang. more info   map                                  Movies    In Theaters  Rated McFarland, USA    PG Duff PG-13 Hot Tub Time Machine 2 R   New DVD Releases   Rated       Critics Say Felony  NR          Laggies    R              Gladiators of Rome PG           Sports   ASU Sun Devils (M) vs USC  Los Angeles, CA  02/22 @ 6:30pm  (W) @ UCLA Los Angeles, CA 02/20 @ 8:00pm  @ USC  Los Angeles, CA  02/22 @ 4:00pm ESPN  Schedule Arizona Wildcats (M) vs UCLA  Los Angeles, CA  02/21 @ 7:00pm  (W) @ USC Los Angeles, CA 02/20 @ 8:00pm  @ UCLA Los Angeles, CA 02/22 @ 2:00pm ESPN  Schedule Phoenix Suns         @ Minnesota Timberwolves 02/20 @ 6:00pm @ Chicago Bulls 02/21 @ 6:00pm FSAZ Schedule Arizona Coyotes     vs Lightning  02/21 @ 6:00pm  Schedule MLS Major League Soccer  Schedule  ESPN    PGA TOUR                       Northern Trust Open              Pacific Palisades, CA              02/19-02/22 @ times vary              Golf Network                          Schedule Weather    Friday  Partly Cloudy  85º/54º Saturday  Clear   80º/54º Sunday  Clear    77º/52º

Valentine's Day weekend things to do

Events  Valentine's Day Dessert Making Class  Fri. 02/13, 6:30pm Luci's Healthy Marketplace, Phoenix Learn how to make delectable chocolate desserts for the sweetest holiday of the year. $49.99 more info   map  Peter Pan Jr.  Fri. 02/13, 7pm Phoenix Center for the Arts The wonderful story by J.M. Barrie with Disney's magic touch. $15-$16 more info   map  Moonprince  Fri. 02/13, 7p, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa A magical tale about the eternal moon, and a woodland prince. A story for children of all ages. $11-$15 more info   map  Napoli  Fri. 02/13, 7:30pm Symphony Hall, Phoenix Ballet Arizona presents the U.S. premier of one of the most renowned ballets by choreographer August Bournonville.  more info   map  Valentine's Show  Fri. 02/13 - Sat. 02/14, 7:30pm & 9:45pm National Comedy Theatre Phoenix, Mesa Two teams of top notch comedians square off in a hilarious and totally spontaneous comedy showdown featuring Valentine themed games and songs. $12-$14 more info   map  27th Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival  Fri. 02/13. 9am  Arizona Renaissance Festival, Gold Canyon  Enjoy games of chance, food, sword fighting, comedy, acrobatics, magic, duels, and more. $22  more info   map  Me The Artist Valentine's "Works of Heart"  Sat. 02/14, 6pm  Me The Artis, Phoenix  The "Heart of my Heart' session includes appetizers, desserts, photo, a rose for the ladies, and a painting class. $45 or $80 per couple.  more info   map  Valentine's Day Cooking Class  Sat. 02/14, 7pm  Valley of the Sun JCC, Scottsdale Discover how easy it can be to create a romantic dinner for two. $100 more info   map  An Unusual Love Story  Sat. 02/14, 2pm  Phoenix Theatre's Hormel Theatre, Phoenix An original, full-length production by scorpius Dance Theatre's Director. $30 more info   map  Celebrate a Romantic Night  in Chandler at Social Box  Sat. 02/14, 5pm  Social Box  Meal includes an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. $75 per couple.  more info   map  2015 Chinese New Year Show  Sun. 02/15, 4pm  Chandler Center for the Arts Celebrating the Chinese New Year with performances from local dance school, Eastern Art Academy. $15 more info   map                                       Movies    In Theaters  Rated Kingsman: The Secret Service R Hits NR Love, Rosie R   New DVD Releases   Rated       Critics Say John Wick  R           The Lookalike    NR              Nightcrawler R             Sports    ASU Sun Devils (M) @ Washings State  Pullman, WA  02/13 @ 9:00pm  @ Washington Seattle, WA 02/15 @ 3:30pm (W) @ Oregon State Corvallis, OR 02/13 @ 7:00am  @ Oregon Eugene, OR 02/15 @ 5:30pm ESPN  Schedule Arizona Wildcats (M) @ Washington  Seattle, WA  02/13 @ 7:00pm  @ Washington State Pullman, WA 02/15 @ 4:30pm (W) @ Oregon Eugene, OR 02/13 @ 7:00pm  @ Oregon State Corvallis, OR 02/15 @ 12:00pm ESPN  Schedule Phoenix Suns         FSAZ Schedule Arizona Coyotes     vs Sharks  02/13 @ 7:00pm  vs Rangers 02/14 @ 6:00pm Schedule MLS Major League Soccer  Schedule  ESPN    PGA TOUR                       AT&T Pebble Beach              National Pro-Am              Pebble Beach, CA              02/12-02/15 @ times vary              Golf Network                          Schedule Weather    Friday  Clear 84º/56º Saturday  Clear   86º/61º Sunday  Partly Cloudy    81º/58º