Investor Quarterly™ Issue 1 - May 2015 | Page 17

17 Without further ado, the hottest markets in 2015 are going to be Phoenix, AZ and here’s why we’ve come to this conclusion. As we discussed earlier, it's not just about the market or the particular strategy but more importantly about the operator. In Phoenix, we have seen consistent results. We’ve also traveled around the US, but haven’t seen anything like what’s been happening from these markets. Arizona, and Maricopa County in particular, is one of the fastest growing populations in the country, with a yearly average of 1.25%. Phoenix, the state capitol, has a projected population of 6.6 million by 2030, an increase of more than 400%. This type of rapid growth is a reflection of Arizona’s low unemployment rate, affordable cost of living, entrepreneurship, range of industry, tourism, sunny climate, and lack of natural disasters. A few specific large corporations following the migration trend are Insight, Go Daddy, Intel, Zenefits, and Apple just signed a deal to move into town as well. All these companies MOVING INTO town and not OUT are a big deal. They provide tax revenue and stable jobs due to their size; they are considered anchors for a market. Those that currently own land in Arizona will be in a great position as the metropolis growth continues to exceed the rate of new construction. The key word for Arizona’s real estate market in 2015 would be ‘stable’. That’s a word we haven’t been able to use in real estate in quite some time. According to the Home Buying Institute, “Inventory levels are normalizing. Housing markets are normalizing.” We’re seeing steady growth year by year, limiting the amount of risk involved in real estate investment here in Arizona. A July report from ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business cited a “7.5 percent rise in residential rents over the past year in metro Phoenix.” With three generations either not ready for or steering away from home-ownership, 2015 is a great time to invest in, buy, and hold real estate.