On April 5, 2025, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) Economic Policy Uncertainty Index, which provides a daily uncertainty index based on news, forecasting, and tax codes for the United States, reported its1 highest score (992.75) in the past 12 months. In this context, uncertainty means a situation where the outcomes are increasingly hard to measure. Since that time, … [More]
44% of Home Sellers Are Giving Concessions to Buyers, Just Shy of the Highest Level on Record
Home sellers gave concessions to buyers in 44.4% of U.S. home-sale transactions in the first quarter, according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That’s up from 39.3% a year earlier, and is just shy of the 45.1% record high at the start of 2023. This is based on an analysis of data submitted by Redfin buyers’ agents across the … [More]
Average Property Tax Amounts on Single-Family Homes Is Up, Not in Arizona
ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property data, and real estate analytics, released its 2024 property tax analysis for 85.7 million U.S. single-family homes, which shows that $357.5 billion in property taxes were levied on single-family homes in 2024, down 1.6 percent from 2023. Eight of the 10 states, including Arizona, with the lowest effective tax rates for … [More]
24% of Americans Are Scrapping Plans to Make a Major Purchase Like a Home or Car Due to Tariffs
Nearly one in four (24%) U.S. residents are canceling plans to make a major purchase, such as a home or a car, because of President Trump’s new tariff policies, according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. An additional one in three (32%) are delaying plans to make a major purchase. That’s according to a Redfin-commissioned survey … [More]
More than 300,000 Fans Enjoyed Spring Training Games in Mesa This Year
Nearly 1.7 million baseball fans attended 224 games across the Cactus League
Mesa celebrates the culmination of a successful 2025 Spring Training season with the Chicago Cubs leading attendance for all Major League Baseball (MLB) spring training and for the 12th straight season in the Cactus League. The Athletics saw a nearly 11 percent increase in attendance. Nearly 1.7 million baseball fans attended 224 games across the Cactus League this year, … [More]
Their Take: Report Addresses Consequences of Potential Small Business Tax Hike in Arizona
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, released a new report outlining the benefits the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction will bring to Arizona if made permanent. The report also spotlights that the 678,000+ small businesses in Arizona could face significantly higher taxes if Congress does not make … [More]
From Turbulence to Traction: How to Parlay Market Volatility into Industry Dominance
The financial markets today are a swirling vortex of uncertainty. Inflationary pressures, geopolitical tensions, and the lingering echoes of recent economic shifts have cast a long shadow over consequential sectors. Even the private credit landscape—once a haven of relative stability—is increasingly suffering the winds of market volatility. For institutional investors … [More]
Federal Cuts Put Arizona at Risk
After helping win $116 million for rural and tribal communities, Local First Arizona now fights to protect it
An innovative grant assistance center launched by Local First Arizona has helped rural communities, Tribal Nations and nonprofits across the state win more than $116 million in grant funding. But recent federal government grant cancellations and illegal funding freezes threaten to crush new jobs and economic revitalization that Arizona communities were counting on. The … [More]
Phoenix’s Build-to-Rent Surge: A 309% Increase over the Last 5 Years
Phoenix, Arizona, has emerged as a national leader in the build-to-rent (BTR) housing sector, reflecting a significant shift in the local real estate landscape. In 2023, the Phoenix metropolitan area completed over 4,000 BTR units, marking a 10-year high and solidifying its position at the forefront of this trend. Here, we highlight some of the key findings from the latest … [More]
Poll: Strong Bipartisan Support for Axon Campus Project
A new poll shows that Arizona voters overwhelmingly support Axon's proposed international headquarters project and legislation to boost economic development through campus-based housing, and that includes voters in Scottsdale. According to a Cygnal poll of likely general election voters, three-in-four (75%) of Arizona voters—including 79% of Republicans, 76% of … [More]
74% of Import-Reliant U.S. Companies Plan to Hike Prices in Response to New Tariffs
Most increases expected by mid-2025; companies also freezing hiring, delaying raises, and cutting jobs
A new survey from ResumeTemplates.com finds that nearly three-quarters (74%) of U.S. companies that rely on imports plan to raise prices following the sweeping tariffs announced by President Trump on April 2, 2025. The survey, which polled 735 business leaders, indicates that most price hikes will take effect before the end of Q2 — and that consumers aren’t the only ones likely … [More]
1 in 5 Homebuyers Expect to Sell Stocks to Fund Down Payment in Time of Uncertainty
One in five (20%) prospective homebuyers expect to sell stocks to help fund their next down payment, according to a new survey from Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. When it comes to people who own homes, roughly one in eight (13%) homeowners report selling stocks to help fund their down payment. One in 10 (10%) homeowners have sold … [More]
Small Business Optimism Slips
Main Street continues to ank taxes as a top business issue
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined by 3.3 points in March to 97.4, falling just below the 51-year average of 98. The Uncertainty Index decreased eight points from February’s second highest reading to 96. “The implementation of new policy priorities has heightened the level of uncertainty among small business owners over the past few months.” said NFIB Chief … [More]
NFIB Poll Shows Strong Support for 20% Small Business Deduction
A new poll released yesterday by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, shows broad, bipartisan support for America’s small businesses along with overwhelming support for keeping the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction in the tax code. ““Small businesses account for 99.5% of all businesses in Arizona … [More]
Latest Arizona Economic Insights Dashboard Findings Announced
The Greater Phoenix Chamber and BOK Financial have released the latest Arizona Economic Insights Dashboard findings. This enhanced tool provides access to real-time, interactive data updates on Arizona’s ever-changing economic landscape. The public can access detailed insights into key indicators such as unemployment, GDP, job projections, population changes, average income, … [More]
Arizona Homeowners Faced 48% Increase in Homeowners Insurance Premiums over the Past Three Years
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has released a new report that shows American homeowners saw their insurance premiums increase by an average of 24% over the past three years. Nationally, CFA found homeowners saw their insurance premiums rise twice as fast as inflation between 2021 and 2024, which amounts to a $21 billion total price hike for Americans. However, CFA … [More]
Small Businesses Actively Hiring for Current Vacancies
Labor quality remains a challenge for small businesses as job openings persist
NFIB’s March jobs report found that 40% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in March, up two points from February. A seasonally adjusted net 12% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, down three points from February. The last time hiring plans were this low was in April 2024. “With qualified workers in … [More]
Insatiable Demand Keeps Metro Phoenix Third in U.S. Data Center Absorption
In a year where data centers faced their toughest power challenges yet, the industry didn’t just survive – it thrived. JLL’s new North America Data Center Year-End 2024 Report reveals a sector charging full speed ahead, with metro Phoenix remaining a top choice based on its location, infrastructure and cost. The market’s current inventory of 804 MW is also about to skyrocket, … [More]
