Homeownership

14 articles

Gen Z individuals and young families celebrating achieving homeownership, highlighting the trend of buying over renting despite affordability challenges.
Real Estate

Majority Favor Buying Over Renting Amid Housing Affordability Trends

In Q2 2026, Gen Z accounted for a record 20% of home purchase rate locks, even as nearly a third of all homebuyers relied on family gifts or retirement savings for their down payments, according to Ho

Aaron Blake·July 7, 2026
A homeowner reviews a property tax assessment document with a concerned expression, symbolizing the challenges of understanding and appealing tax valuations.
Real Estate

How Property Tax Is Assessed and How to Appeal

In some regions, homeowners still pay property taxes based on assessments from decades ago, creating vastly unequal burdens for neighbors with similar homes.

Aaron Blake·June 22, 2026
Newly constructed homes in a suburban neighborhood with visible infrastructure, symbolizing the financial obligations associated with Community Development Districts.
Neighborhoods

What Are Community Development Districts and Their Property Value Impact?

In 2026, homeowners in numerous new residential developments across the region are discovering they are financially obligated to cover infrastructure costs for decades, a burden often spanning up to 3

Aaron Blake·June 4, 2026
Homeowner reviewing property tax assessment notice, contemplating an appeal with a gavel symbolizing legal challenge and a rising graph indicating potential savings.
Real Estate

How Are Property Taxes Assessed and Appealed?

Property owners typically have only 30 to 45 days from receiving their valuation notice to file a property tax appeal, a narrow window that can save thousands.

Aaron Blake·May 16, 2026
A young couple happily looking at their new, affordable home in a friendly Alabama neighborhood.
Real Estate

Alabama's Top Affordable First-Time Homebuyer Markets

Despite Alabama's reputation for affordability, the inventory of homes under $200,000, a crucial price point for many first-time buyers, has plummeted by 25% statewide in just the last year, according

Aaron Blake·May 10, 2026
A cityscape illustrating the impact of zoning on housing affordability, with modern buildings overshadowing older homes and signs indicating rising prices.
Real Estate

What Is Zoning and How Does It Affect Housing Affordability?

In 36 states, rising zoning regulations directly correlate with increasing real average home prices, making housing less accessible for millions.

Aaron Blake·May 6, 2026
A modest California home with a 'For Sale' sign, contrasted against a backdrop of luxury mansions, highlighting the state's severe housing affordability crisis.
Real Estate

California Homes Cost Double U.S. Average Amidst Affordability Crisis

In California, a bottom-tier home costs 30 percent more than a mid-tier home in the rest of the U.

Aaron Blake·April 30, 2026
Homeowner holding a property deed document in front of their house, with a cityscape in the background, symbolizing real estate ownership and legal implications.
Real Estate

What Are the Different Types of Property Deeds and Their Homeowner Implications?

While a deed legally establishes property transfer, simply holding it does not constitute unencumbered ownership without a clear title.

Aaron Blake·April 26, 2026
Young couple looking at a 'For Sale' sign with a large mansion in the background, symbolizing the difficulty for first-time homebuyers.
Real Estate

Housing Market Trends: First-Time Buyers Drop to Record Low 21%

The rate of first-time homebuyers in the US has plummeted to a record low of 21% of all buyers, a level not seen since 1981, according to Houston Agent Magazine and Fortune .

Aaron Blake·April 21, 2026
A new homeowner contemplates their property deed and title documents outside their new house, symbolizing the importance of understanding ownership.
Real Estate

What are property deeds and titles for new homeowners?

Title defects, often unseen at closing, can surface years after a home purchase, leading to complex and costly legal battles that threaten ownership.

Aaron Blake·April 17, 2026
A split image showing a historic, vibrant neighborhood street contrasted with a modern, gentrified street, illustrating the impact of displacement on community character.
Neighborhoods

The Impact of Displacement on Neighborhood Character

Black wealth in Richmond has seen a significant decline, with a loss of 3,600 Black homeowners, according to Nextcity .

Derek Molina·April 16, 2026
An image depicting a property tax bill, a calculator, and a stylized city skyline, symbolizing the assessment and calculation of local property taxes for homeowners.
Real Estate

How Local Property Taxes Work: An Assessment and Calculation Guide

Understand the complex process behind your annual property tax bill. This guide explains how local governments assess property value, calculate tax rates, and collect payments.

Aaron Blake·April 5, 2026
An aerial view of a thriving community with diverse homes, shared green spaces, and residents enjoying an affordable, sustainable lifestyle facilitated by a Community Land Trust.
Real Estate

How Community Land Trusts Work: A Complete Guide to Affordable Homeownership

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) offer a unique path to affordable homeownership by allowing you to purchase a house without buying the land it sits on. This nonprofit model helps reduce costs and preserves housing affordability for future generations.

Aaron Blake·April 3, 2026
A person's hand carefully holding an official property deed, symbolizing secure homeownership and the legal transfer of real estate title.
Real Estate

Property Deed vs. Title: A Homeowner's Guide to Understanding Ownership

Understand the fundamental difference between a property deed and a title. This guide explains what each term means and why it's crucial for protecting your homeownership rights.

Aaron Blake·April 2, 2026