BofA opens debate on lowering mortgage down payments

(Reuters) - The head of Bank of America Corp (BAC.N), the United State's fourth-biggest mortgage lender, said on Thursday banks would be able to supply a bigger share of funding for home purchases if the standard down payment for buyers was cut to 10 percent from 20 percent.

Read more... https://www.google.com/amp/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN18E37J#ampshare=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-bank-of-america-mortgages-idUSKCN18E37J

Luxury homebuyers can get more home for the money in Peoria, West Valley

Deep-pocketed homebuyers looking for luxury homes have long turned to Paradise Valley, Scottsdale or Phoenix's Biltmore area. But in recent years, the West Valley has seen more homes sprout with desert views, big lots, exclusive amenities and price tags approaching $1 million.

Read more... http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/peoria/2017/05/23/luxury-homebuyers-can-get-more-home-money-peoria-west-valley/319088001/

Can Zillow 'Uber-ize' the hundred-billion-dollar real estate brokerage?

Earlier this month, when Zillow announced a record high quarter, projecting to surpass a billion dollars in revenue by the end of this year, many wondered whether the company, with its 75 percent online real estate audience market share and 171 million monthly users, can "Uber-ize" real estate agents, cutting out traditional brick-and-mortar brokerage middlemen in the same way Uber bypassed taxi dispatchers.

Read more... https://venturebeat.com/2017/05/20/can-zillow-uber-ize-the-hundred-billion-dollar-real-estate-brokerage/

31-story, $100M apartment tower planned for downtown Phoenix

A Florida developer is buying land at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix with plans for a 31-story, $100 million apartment tower.

Read more... https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2017/05/16/31-story-100m-apartment-tower-planned-for-downtown.amp.html#ampshare=http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2017/05/16/31-story-100m-apartment-tower-planned-for-downtown.html

How a slab of Chandler asphalt ended up owing $90K in back taxes

Sometimes mysteries arise from the quiet cubicles of the Maricopa County Assessor's Office, giving real-estate analysts a chance to practice Sherlock Holmes-like sleuthing.

Read more... http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2017/05/12/how-slab-chandler-asphalt-ended-up-owing-90-k-back-taxes/313637001/

Developer buys Mesa's Fiesta Mall, plans makeover into health, education campus

Fiesta Mall in Mesa, once a giant in the southeast Valley shopping scene, has been sold to a duo of developers who plan to transform the withering mall into a campus focused on health and education.

Read more... http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa/2017/05/19/developer-buys-mesa-fiesta-mall-plans-makeover-into-health-education-campus/331598001/

VA loans up 100 percent in Phoenix area as veterans settle down, buy homes

The many men and women who fight for our country must move often and be far away from loved ones for long stretches.

Read more... http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/real-estate/catherine-reagor/2017/05/19/va-loans-phoenix-military-buy-homes/328188001/

Tesla’s Solar Roof Pricing Is Cheap Enough to Catch Fire

Tesla Inc. has begun taking orders for its remarkable solar roof tiles to be delivered by summer at a price point that could be transformative for the U.S. solar market. 

Read more... https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-10/tesla-s-solar-roof-is-finally-ready-for-you-to-buy

Leading Index for Commercial Real Estate Decreases in April

Note: This index is a leading indicator for new non-residential Commercial Real Estate (CRE) investment, except manufacturing. 

Read more... http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2017/05/leading-index-for-commercial-real.html

Million-dollar home sales climb in metro Phoenix

Baseball hall of famers George Brett and Ryne Sandberg, PGA golfer Pat Perez, NFL defensive end Jared Allen, as well as hundreds of company executives, lawyers and doctors have bought and sold million-dollar homes in metro Phoenix's poshest neighborhoods this year.  

Read more... http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/real-estate/catherine-reagor/2017/05/07/catherine-reagor-million-dollar-home-sales-climb-metro-phoenix/310223001/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=