The first article, How will the USA cope with unprecedented growth?, from the USA TODAY, reports that the USA is growing faster than any other industrialized nation in the world and is expected to add 100 million more people around 2040. The next 100 million people will create 73 million new jobs, about 70 million new homes and 100 million square feet of non-residential space, according to the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech. The article discusses where all these new residents will live and the growth patterns that will come into play. Urban town centers was one of the growth trends discussed, so that people can work closer to where they live. Redeveloping brownfield sites, promoting infill development, going vertical and increasing rail lines and transit villages were also cited. The article states that the percentage of American households that will want and will get their single-family detached house on a lot will remain high.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-10-26-100-million_x.htm?POE=click-refer
The second article, Luxury-home sales soar around Valley, from the Arizona Republic, reports that luxury homes are selling well and at higher prices across the Valley. There has been a sharp spike in the number of million-dollar properties sold since 2000, but the bigger story is the increasing number of deals for $3 million, $5 million and much higher. Land is a key piece of the price equation. With land prices rising and larger, more elaborate houses set in super-elite areas, the entry level for luxury in now more like $3 million. Many of the most desired areas are built out or have few available lots. There were 440 sales of houses costing at least $1 million in 2000. Through Oct 10th this year, there were 2,031, an increase of more than 360 percent.
http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/print.php?referer=http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/1030luxury1030.html