We created the We the People Summit in 2017 to help folks who have never been politically active to learn the basics about how to get involved.

While I was there for the beginning and I’ve done fundraising over the years, there is an amazing core group of women who have organized the details for all of the conferences.

This is a non-partisan, left-leaning conference. But the organizers welcome anybody who wants to learn as they have a general belief that people should feel empowered to participate in their government.

Civic participation is the key for this group of do-gooders.

This will be the last conference of the series. It will happen at a Desert Vista high school in Awhatukee on January 11th. So, just around the corner.

Have a look at this website to learn how to register. General admission is $20 or $10 for students. And that gets you access to a whole host of panels throughout the day.

I’ll be leading a panel on redistricting, as well as a panel on voter suppression tactics and how to combat them.

There are some workshop descriptions that are still being written, but check in here if you want to see what is being offered.

When you are trying to figure out what your home is worth, who can you trust?

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I don’t trust the big national companies like Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com.

These guys have skin in the game. They are in the business of buying and selling homes at the same time we are supposed to trust their “zestimates”?

Further, I regularly hear that people get estimates that end up being higher than the market, and they are disappointed later. Could this be that those companies are trying to entice you to sell by showing you a higher estimate?

You decide.

It was nice to see that AZCentral launched a home estimate tool, in collaboration with the Arizona Regional Multi Listing Service, called Street Scout.

See this article about it. It may be behind a paywall, FYI.

Now, to be sure, I still believe that the best way to get an estimate on the value of your home is to call me at 602-456-9388.

And here’s why: the automated services can’t really tell the difference between a home that has been recently updated, and one that never was –or was 10 years ago. I can look and see the difference.

And there is a price difference of easily $20/sqft, depending on the house.

Consumers are so used to these automated systems that we forget about the importance of talking with a real, live person. The sale of your home is worth the time.

Of course, if you don’t want to talk, you can just go to this web page and send me your address. I will personally do your comps.

Yep. Real live person!

But, let’s go back to Street Scout. The reason this is a game changer is because it uses the ARMLS system directly. Zillow and all those guys don’t have access to the same data as we agents get from ARMLS. They add all kinds of alchemy and conflict of interest.

So, you can get a better sense of what your house should be worth and know that the people behind the data are not also benefiting from the information. ARMLS is a company that we agents subscribe to. It is not run by the agents or firms that profit directly from the data.

This is the same data that I use to estimate the value of your home. The major difference is, of course, that Michelle and I have years of experience in a very specific market in Maricopa County and we will bring that knowledge to our estimate.

For this market update our friends at the Cromford Report are showing a continuation of what we have been seeing for much of 2019 — the number of active listings has been going down, prices are continuing to inch upwards, and the months’ supply has been decreasing.

By the way, when we talk about “months’ supply”, we are talking about how many months we could sell homes if no more homes came on the market today. So, we could continue selling homes for 2.4 months from today if no more homes were to come on to the market.

Notice on the graphic that it is down as compared to the last two months.

However, that can be misleading if you look at it out of context.

Have a look at this next graphic and compare 2019 to 2018. Sure, supply tends to go down at the end of each year. However 2019 has a significantly smaller number of properties on the market.

Were I to turn on 2016 and 2017 in this chart, it would be the same. 2019 has had the lowest supply since 2005.

So, as you might guess, this makes thing difficult for home buyers, especially in CenPho where there is hardly any new construction. We are seeing new construction in the suburban zones, for sure. But home builders are just not interested in the in-fill kind of projects that are needed in Central Phoenix.

Home builders would rather take huge tracks of land and put 200 homes on them, than find a couple acres in Central Phoenix where they may only be able to place 20 town homes.

Volume is the rule for these guys so that they can show a greater profit margin for their investors. So, whoever can figure out how to build in-fill at a profit will be king.

Or –and hear me out– maybe investors should not expect such high profit margins on in-fill constructions.

Boom! Mind blown!

More than 25% of people on our email list open our monthly newsletter.

That’s about 20% better than usual newsletters.

It’s because we only send once per month (with the exception of this one), and because we only put you on the email list if you signed up.

But, we still want to know what you like and don’t like about the Get Your PHX Newsletter.

Would you do us a real solid and take this 4-question survey?

It’s short. Like, really short.

We want to hear from you.

Oh, and if you know of somebody who might value this newsletter, please encourage them to sign up in the “Subscribe” box on the front page of the website.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board, I submit the following report for your consideration.

When I started Phoestivus in December of 2010, we had about 20 vendors and three food trucks. Attendees numbered in the hundreds. (Please see our video from last year.)

This year, we expect to see over 10,000 attendees over two nights. We have booked over 200 vendors. We have 18 food trucks.

The feats of strength is a regular event, and it changes every year.

The Airing of Grievances has become an annual story telling tradition.

The seasonal Phoestivus Ale continues to be a hit and is distributed around the state.

The Phoestivus Pole has been re-built and is still the tallest one, as far as we know.

Phreddy the Yeti is more popular than ever, and you can see him all around town this time of year.

People line up down the street to get a photo with the Hipster Santa.

In other words, the market is evolving, we raise more money than ever for the Phoenix Farmer’s Market and we are proud as punch.

In the last couple years, we’ve built a strategic partnership with the International Rescue Committee to help refugee-vendors to build their local businesses.

We have not lost our connection to our roots. The goal was always to support small and new businesses. Even as we moved to a flat fee for vendors (still lower than most markets), we created a grant program for first time vendors so that new business owners can have a crack at the market.

And, of course, we can’t thank Sara Matlin enough, the industrious and determined Market Director for the Phoenix Farmer’s Market. Every year she adds more to her plate, while still juggling my crazy “what if we do this?!” idea machine.

So, what do we see for the next ten years?

We are considering moving to two days back to back, rather than on successive Thursdays. This will save us a great deal of money in set-up and break-down.

We want to improve our sustainability score by doing a better job collecting recyclable materials, compostables and using more renewable energy.

As we grow, we may have to close down even more streets. But, from my standpoint, that’s fine. It is becoming more and more like the German Christmas markets which inspired me in the very beginning.

We are certain that when you buy a gift from the local craftsman who made it, you will have a richer story to tell and a more meaningful holiday experience.

So, I humbly submit to you, good people of the Board, that Phoestivus represents all the best creative and artistic bassasery that Phoenix has to offer.

Shall we take a vote now?

Unsurprisingly, the market is still strong. Prices, valley-wide, are inching upward, ever upward.

According to our friends at the Cromford Report, “For the monthly period ending November 15, we are currently recording a sales $/SF of $175.52 averaged for all areas and types across the ARMLS database. This is up 2.5% or $4.22 from the $171.30 we now measure for October 15.”

The number of active listings, valley-wide has been dropping dramatically since the middle of the year, even going as far back as the end of 2018 if you look at just the CenPho zip codes.

I like to look at the CenPho zip codes, because those are dominated by historic neighborhoods, density and urban living.

Even the Cromford Index has started moving upward again, after a slight stall in October.

For those of you who don’t know, the Cromford Index is a measure of whether it is a seller’s market or a buyer’s market, and by how much. Everything over 100 is a seller’s market. Under 100 is a buyer’s market.

The Cromford Index is a strong predictor of where the market is going. If it takes a tumble, be ready for price drops in the next couple months, even if prices are going up at the time the index begins to drop.

So, what does this mean?

First, we need more owner-occupied construction, generally, but particularly in Central Phoenix. The massive push under the last two mayors for downtown in-fill resulted in lots of apartments, but hardly any new owner-occupied construction. This was a major failure.

I’m not one of those realtors who thinks everybody needs to buy a house. But, there needs to be a healthy mix in any area so that people feel an attachment to a neighborhood.

I predict this lack of attachment to downtown will become a problem for Phoenix in the next 10 years.

Second, because there is such a shortage of inventory, seller’s who want to sell should take action. You will get top price for your listing.

Third, if you are a buyer on a tight budget, you are probably going to have to look a little further out of downtown.

There are many of us who believe that this shortage has been caused by large companies purchasing homes for short-term or long-term rental, thus taking them out of regular circulation.

This is a huge problem and will continue to be until there is some change to the dynamic.

Watch for the beginning of 2020 to bring more of the same.

If you need help building a strategy to buy or sell a home, contact us at 602-456-9388.

The debate over whether climate change is real is over. It just is.

We see more evidence every day of its immediate affects, let alone future ones.

But, we still seem trapped by our own human behavior, our paradox:

Do we wait for government or industry to lead the way, which will take a long, long time? Or, do we rely on personal change, which requires many more people to take action?

Let’s face it, as humans, we are really bad at changing short-term behavior to affect long-term goals.

But, this is a false dichotomy, which actually just leads to inaction.

So, I’m going to issue a challenge to you, dear reader, if you want to see a better world for future generations: take personal action while you demand more of politicians.

I used to calculate my carbon footprint every year and purchase carbon off-sets. This was back when I was the Energy Office Director for the State of Arizona.

Then, for some reason, I stopped. I can’t remember why. Maybe laziness, maybe I just thought we were making faster progress.

But after 13 years, I’ve come back to carbon offsets as a valuable tool.

I realized as I watched a debate on social media that people seem to be waiting for somebody else to tell them what to do.

Of course, then, when some politician suggests that we should pay marginally more through a carbon tax, people’s heads explode for asking them to do something we clearly need to do!

Meanwhile the world generated more carbon than ever in 2019 –when we need to be decreasing our output by at least 8% every year to prevent catastrophic change in the world.

So, I figured that it’s way past due for me to start purchasing carbon offsets again.

Why carbon offsets? Simple. The fastest thing we can do today is to plant more trees. The energy industry is already moving quickly toward renewables, since they are now competitive with or cheaper than natural gas and coal. (Don’t believe me? Just ask the lefties at Forbes Magazine.)

“But, if I’m already struggling financially, how can you ask me to do this?”

I agree. If you can’t afford the entire suggested annual offset, just do what you can.

Step One: Calculate your annual carbon footprint.

I used the Nature Conservancy’s website to calculate my annual carbon footprint. It took me about 10 minutes.

You can find the same calculator at the Arbor Foundation’s website.

I found that I have a carbon footprint of about 21 metric tons per year, and that I’m doing about 28% better than others like me.

Frankly, I thought I was doing better than that.

I have solar panels, drive a Prius and walk wherever I can.

But, at least I have a number to improve upon.

And, anyway, if the world needs to reduce its carbon by about 10% per year, then I do as well, right? Next year, I need to come in under 19 tons.

Step Two: Purchase Carbon Offsets.

First, what is a carbon offset?

Here’s a great definition. For me, the best way to think of it is that I am taking some action that will help undo the carbon emissions that that I generated.

As much as I love solar panels and wind energy, I see that as future carbon avoidance, rather than paying to undo the damage I did over the last year.

So, I believe that the best way to make an immediate difference is to plant as many trees as possible, as quickly as possible. Those eat up carbon as they grow. It’s magic!

Since 1630, the US has destroyed at least 25% of its carbon-eating, virgin forests, and that does not account for the carbon-eating other types of grasslands and environments that we’ve re-purposed. (US Forest Service publication, Pg 7)

So, frankly, I think that estimate is terribly, terribly low.

In short, we can’t wait for politicians (who are either afraid to ask their constituents to pay the true cost of carbon) to do the right thing, or corporations to think long term, or even for our own cultural behavior to change.

The best we can do as individuals is (1) plant more trees now, (2) become more aware of our own personal carbon footprint(s) and (3) demand change from elected officials.

Second, what does it cost?

Well, I was shocked to learn that my 21,000 tons of carbon costs $315 to offset. My jaw dropped.

But, I have to put my money where my mouth is. So, I’m going to contribute monthly to the Arbor Foundation’s carbon offset program.

“So, how can I trust that they are planting the trees?”

Well, the same way that you know that the Heart Association is using your donation wisely. We watch them. Get their reports and read up on websites who research their outcomes.

I’m going to report over the next year. Watch for updates through 2020.

If you’ve been hearing about potential 3rd and 5th Ave street changes between Washington and McDowell, you’ve also heard that there are some pretty strong opinions on both sides.

This could be an opportunity to make the city a more bike-friendly place. Or, this could cause even worse traffic tie-ups on streets in downtown.

Regardless, you might want to make certain you get your say.

There will be a public meeting on November 12th from 6pm to 8pm at Burton Barr Library.

Check out this link to see the proposals and a map of the changes.

I remember way, way back when there were not even speed bumps and traffic circles in the Willo neighborhood. It was downright scary! So, you can understand why neighbors in this neighborhood take these street changes very seriously, even though they are north of the planned changes.

Last week, we annoucned the sale of two properties, which can be renovated or are perfect as an infill opportunity. See the MLS here.

Each of the properties is about 4/10th of an acre. So, if jointly sold, they could provide about 8/10th of an acre for an in-fill project at about Thomas and 40th St.

If you’ve been in that area recently, you’ve seen a huge amount of new development, renovations and new attractions.

As we all know, there is a shortage of new, in-fill construction in Phoenix and a lot of this size could provide

If you’ve been looking for renovation opportunity, or an opportunity to work on an in-fill project, this may be for you.

Can you believe it’s been 10 years since we first launched Phoestivus?

I’m particularly proud of having founded the event and I’m proud that the Get Your PHX team not only sponsors, but plays a role in organizing it.

Over the years, we’ve made indelible friendships and we’ve had the support of amazing people as the event has grown.

It’s December 12th and 19th this year, from 5pm to 10pm each night. Here’s the Facebook event invite, for more details. You can also find us on Instagram by searching for Phoestivus.

We have just announced the winner of this year’s poster contest, Tom Burns. Just look at this thing! Tom has captured the joy and playfulness of the event.

Thank you, Tom!

The two nights of Phoestivus are the happiest days of the year for me. I walk around with a permanent grin on my face, as I watch people supporting local, meeting friends and exuding an infectious feeling of community and comradery.

You can purchase holiday gifts from the people who actually made them. A gift you give which has a story behind it is 1,000 times better than something you order on line.

Don’t believe me? Try it. Watch the reaction of the person you give a gift to when you tell them about where you got it and the people who made it.

Meet the craftspeople. Hear their stories. Feel their passion for what they doo.

If you’ve not been, you just need to feel it in person.

The event will be even bigger this year. We will have the feats of strength, airing of grievances, the Phoestivus pole, Phoestivus Ale. The footprint is even bigger so there is more room to shop, meet and eat.

Follow Phoestivus on Instagram, Twitter, yada, yada yada.

See you there!