The median U.S. home-sale price hit a record $383,725 during the four weeks ending April 21, up 5.2% from a year earlier—one of the biggest jumps since October 2022. That’s according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. The Phoenix Metro area saw a 25.8% year-over-year increase in new listings in this period. The average weekly mortgage rate hit 7.1% this week, its highest level since November 2023, as it became clear the Fed would keep interest rates high longer than expected. High prices and mortgage rates drove the median monthly housing payment to a ..read more

Christopher Todd Capital has completed its first purchase of a newly-completed Build-to-Rent (BTR) community in Avondale, Arizona, part of Phoenix metro. The company, with offices in Arizona and Florida, purchased the community for approximately $57 million, which is well below what it would cost to build from the ground up today. The Class A fully amenitized community includes 217 one- and two-bedroom homes. It is adjacent to the City’s 90-acre Friendship Park. The seller is WS Avondale 1, LLC. Christopher Todd Capital is a privately held family office and a sister company of Christopher T ..read more

One Step Beyond, Inc., a Phoenix-based non-profit organization that provides comprehensive programming and services for adults who have intellectual disabilities, officially opened its fifth Phoenix location on Wednesday, April 17. The new 13,601 square foot Southwest Phoenix location will serve 200 individuals who live in Phoenix, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Tolleson, Litchfield Park and Glendale. One Step Beyond’s new Southwest Phoenix location underscores a commitment to inclusivity and empowerment across the Valley. With its comprehensive suite of educational, recreational, and employmen ..read more

As has been widely reported, a significant shift is taking place in the workforce. Many employees who had grown accustomed to the flexibility and comfort of working from home are now being encouraged to return to the office full-time. While this transition initially faced resistance, a recent survey commissioned by Wealth of Geeks reveals that once employees settle back into the office routine, they are experiencing a renewed sense of happiness and fulfillment. The survey, which polled 3,000 workers who have returned to the office full-time, asked participants to rate their happiness on ..read more

HealthyU Clinics, a provider of integrated primary and specialty care services has announced it has reached 100+ employees across its clinics in Metro Phoenix, a milestone marking the company’s consistent growth since its inception in 2021. HealthyU Clinics is focused on elevating the standard of care for diverse communities through personalized healthcare solutions for Arizona residents. The startup healthcare organization has 109 employees in Arizona at ten Valley clinics offering next-day appointments, 40-minute doctor-patient consultations, access to integrated behavioral health and spec ..read more

Created to serve the growing need for training in the construction industry, Small Giants has announced the launching of an ambitious educational program, called the Academy for Construction Excellence. Developed with the guidance of an advisory council that has more than 200 years of combined construction education experience in all facets of the construction industry, this is designed to help construction professionals reach their full potential through tailored training programs and expert guidance. “There are several forces impacting the industry’s increased need for training—the current ..read more

Chicanos Por La Causa, a leading Arizona-based nonprofit empowering communities in six U.S. states, proudly announces the appointment of Alicia Nuñez as its new President & CEO. Nuñez has more than 23 years of financial and operational management experience in both for-profit and non-profit business. She is now the organization’s first female leader in its 55-year history. “We are thrilled to name Alicia Nuñez as the President and CEO,” said Delma Herrera, Chair of Chicanos Por La Causa Board of Directors, which made the appointment on Wednesday. “Her visionary leadership, strategic acume ..read more

PHX Beer Co. is teaming up with The Nile Theater to craft a distinctive can design honoring the iconic music venue’s remarkable 100-year legacy that will be available on May 1. This specialty can will be filled with one of PHX Beer Co.’s signature refreshing Lagers. The unique artwork on the canned beverage will pay homage to the rich history of the Nile Theater, infusing elements of the theater’s vibrant music culture with nostalgic and celebratory elements. “We crafted a timeless yet familiar look for this commemorative design, drawing inspiration from vintage beer can art of the 1950s and ..read more

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced new actions helping support communities to increase resilience to extreme heat. For the first time in its history, HUD published a webpage on Extreme Heat that serves as a hub highlighting actions communities can take to prepare and respond to extreme heat events and available resources to help fund climate resilience projects. HUD also shared two new technical assistance products, an Extreme Heat Quick Guide, to help communities plan for extreme heat and identify mitigation strategies, and a webinar on E ..read more

With Moore’s Law being stretched to its maximum, research and innovation are turning to advanced packaging to make electronics more powerful and enhance the capabilities of the tiny devices that drive the technology-based products consumers enjoy and that national defense systems rely on. Arizona State University is a key partner for the semiconductor packaging industry helping develop innovations that create more dynamic packaging opportunities. The university is one of a few in the country that teaches advanced packaging to its students, creating the skilled workforce that industry will nee ..read more