The average buyer’s agent commission was 2.40% for homes sold in the first quarter, according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That’s up slightly from 2.37% in the fourth quarter of 2024 and 2.36% in the third quarter of 2024—when the new National Association of Realtors (NAR) commissions rules went into effect—but down slightly from … [More]
8 in 10 Hiring Managers Say Recent College Grads Didn’t Work Out on the Job
Managers report excessive phone use, lack of professionalism, and poor initiative among recent graduates
Resume.org, the leading platform for building a resume, has released new findings from an April 2025 survey assessing how hiring managers view recent college graduates. The survey of 1,000 U.S. hiring managers reveals that 8 in 10 say a recent college graduate didn’t work out at their company in the past year, and 65% say they had to fire at least one. Managers also report … [More]
New Tariffs Reshape Economic Landscape, Highlighting Commercial Real Estate’s Stability
Sweeping tariff policy heightens uncertainty. The recent introduction of the “Liberation Day tariffs” marks the most significant shift in U.S. trade policy in more than a century, propelling the net effective tariff rate from about 2.5 percent last year to well above that for most countries. A 10 percent blanket tariff now covers nearly all imports. Initially, 90 countries … [More]
Arizona Is the Sixth-Best State to Work In for Wage Increases, Study Finds
A new study finds that Arizona experienced the sixth-largest wage increase between 2020 and 2023, recording an 18.4% increase. This wasn't too far behind the state with the largest percentage increase, Montana, which saw a 20.7% rise. According to the data, only four states saw wage increases that outpaced inflation. Work management experts Asana analyzed Bureau of Labor … [More]
Greater Phoenix Housing Market Gains Momentum with Sales Increase
The number of residential home sales rose for the second month in a row. Year-over-year closed home deals increased 4.1% compared to the first four months of 2024. “With all the questions about the economy, it’s reassuring to see closings rise again,” said Christy Walker, board president of Phoenix REALTORS®. “New listings are also up again, which gives us a diverse range of … [More]
Optimize Your Business: Time Milestones for Your Business Exit
Selling your business is a milestone, both personally and financially—but it also takes a well thought out plan to maximize the sale proceeds and to prepare yourself personally for the business exit. The more time the business owners have in crafting and executing their business exit plan will result in a higher probability of them to achieve their desired outcomes. … [More]
Their Take: Q2 Economic Check-In – We’re in a Fiscal Pickle
As we have been expecting, 2025 is indeed proving to be the year of uncertainty and volatility. The global tariff storm is building with new developments almost daily. We’re calling Q2 ‘the fiscal pickle’ as the Fed grapples with high and increasing Inflation, while simultaneously dealing with a decelerating economy. Here’s What’s Happening Interest rates pushed steadily … [More]
Construction Safety Week: Prioritizing Safety on Megaprojects
The greater Phoenix Metro area is a growing destination for large-scale megaprojects, many of which are focused on technology-driven growth like data centers and colocation facilities. JLL’s North America Year-end 2024 report indicates that data center/colocation construction in Phoenix alone has grown nearly 200% since 2020. JE Dunn, ranked ninth for semiconductor … [More]
Small Business Week (This Week) Puts Digital Innovation Front and Center
Small Business Week (May 4–10) is the perfect opportunity to highlight how small businesses across Greater Phoenix are turning technology challenges into growth opportunities. Whether it’s a local restaurant embracing online ordering or a professional office moving operations to cloud-based collaboration platforms, technology is no longer just about keeping things running — … [More]
Jobs Report: Labor Shortages Continue to Constrain Small Business Job Growth
NFIB’s April jobs report found that 34% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in April, down six points from March, the lowest since January 2021. “Small business owners remained open to hire and grow their workforce in April,” said Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “While the percent of open positions decreased a bit, Main … [More]
Their Take: Leadership Is a Long Game
ESPN hot take veteran Stephen A. Smith says Mat Ishbia is on the verge of being the “worst owner in NBA history.” Here in Arizona, we see something different: an owner who’s invested more in his teams, his players, and his city in two years than most do in a lifetime. Let’s be clear: the Suns didn’t fall apart overnight, and no one’s above criticism — not even Mat. But to … [More]
Their Take: Powering the Future of the West Valley
The West Valley is booming. Our growing population and major economic drivers like TSMC, tech companies and data centers are fueling this expansion, requiring thoughtful planning to ensure we have the infrastructure to support it. WESTMARC recently revised our strategic plan to prepare for the next decade of economic growth with advanced industries and new companies and … [More]
Their Take: Economic Uncertainty Is the Time to ‘Prepare for the Best’
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]
7 Reasons Why Optimal Health Matters More than “Normal” Health
Most people want to be healthy, but one of the issues they face is what it means to reach that status. If they follow the typical advice, they will strive for what is considered "normal" health. Instead, they must strive for “optimal health” to get the most out of their lives and careers. It's optimal health that will help people in all facets of their lives and help them reach … [More]
Mastering the Ultimate Leadership Skill – Coaching
In today’s complex, fast-paced, multigenerational workplace, one leadership skill stands above the rest - coaching. In their new book Coaching Power, Tom Preston and Luciana Nunez, partners at the renowned executive coaching firm The Preston Associates, argue that a leader’s ability to coach—not just command—is the key to unlocking potential, navigating change, and supporting … [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]
Leadership and the Challenges of New Technology, Global Teams, and Hybrid Work
In an era where traditional leadership models are crumbling under the weight of technological change, remote work, and global competition, leaders need a new playbook. In the groundbreaking, Leading in the Age of Digital Disruption, author Mike Peterson delivers exactly that — combining powerful storytelling with battle-tested strategies for building resilient, high-performing … [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]
