An article from Forbes.com, reports that Phoenix was ranked the #2 metro showing long-term promise for homebuyers. 

The ranking was based on the following:

1. How evenly distributed is sales activity;
2. Price per square foot;
3. Transaction rates (i.e., how active is the market). 

Home sales in Phoenix are fairly evenly distributed showing proportionate activity.  The price per square foot decreased 0.7% from Feb. 2009 to March 2009.    Transactions increased 28.7% from March 2008 to March 2009.

West Valley single family homes, condos and townhouses sales reports for February 2009 including: Avondale, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Laveen, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Tolleson.

East Valley single family homes, condos and townhouses sales reports for February 2009 including: Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek and Tempe.

With a newly announced solar plant set to come online in about four years, Arizona soon should get solar-related jobs, albeit in the construction industry.

Last week’s announcement that Lockheed Martin Corp. and Starwood Energy Group Global LLC were collaborating on a 290-megawatt facility about 75 miles west of Phoenix means Arizona contractors will get some of the work, said Chris Myers, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for energy programs.