Real Estate

30 articles

Diverse group of young professionals enjoying a vibrant, developing urban neighborhood with modern architecture and lively atmosphere.
Neighborhoods

Top 5 Developing Neighborhoods for Young Professionals

In a city where average 1-bedroom rent soared 18% in two years, 'The Rail Yards' neighborhood offers a vibrant tech scene and cultural amenities for $1,800 a month – 30% below the city average, accord

Derek Molina·June 28, 2026
Top 5 Tampa Bay Real Estate Professionals to Know in 2026
Real EstateSponsored

Top 5 Tampa Bay Real Estate Professionals to Know in 2026

Navigating the Tampa Bay real estate market requires local expertise and cutting-edge tools. For buyers, sellers, and investors, choosing the right professional is a critical first step. Sheen Real Estate Professionals ,…

Aaron Blake·June 28, 2026
A stark visual contrast between overcrowded, neglected housing and exclusive, modern high-rises, symbolizing the impact of zoning laws on segregation and property values.
Neighborhoods

What Are Zoning Laws and Why Do They Affect Property Values?

Zoning regulations, which dictate what can be built where, have deeply rooted racist and classist origins that continue to shape housing costs and segregation patterns today.

Aaron Blake·June 26, 2026
Hollywood sign at dusk with financial overlays, symbolizing the impact of the proposed property tax on local businesses and the film industry.
Real Estate

Hollywood's 2026 property tax proposal to fund essential services

A small, independent film studio on Sunset Boulevard, already grappling with rising production costs, estimates an additional $50,000 annual property tax burden under the new proposal, forcing it to c

Aaron Blake·June 25, 2026
The J.J. Walser House, a historic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence in Chicago, captured in a sunlit exterior view.
Best in City

Austin nonprofit buys Frank Lloyd Wright's J.J. Walser House

A West Side Chicago nonprofit, Austin Coming Together, purchased a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home for just $125,000.

Hannah Pierce·June 25, 2026
Chicago skyline with a gavel hovering over an abstract Airbnb logo, symbolizing the city's lawsuit against the short-term rental platform.
Best in City

Chicago sues Airbnb over illegal short-term rentals

A single Chicago short-term rental operator, Slumber Stay LLC, allegedly amassed nearly 200 violations by using one hotel license for multiple properties, challenging existing regulations for short-te

Hannah Pierce·June 24, 2026
A vibrant historic street in Baltimore with well-preserved row houses and active community members, showcasing economic and social benefits.
Neighborhoods

Historic Preservation Districts: Economic Value & How They Work

Properties located within Baltimore's designated local historic districts currently hold an average value more than twice that of properties situated in other parts of the city.

Derek Molina·June 23, 2026
Split image: a courthouse representing tax appeals and a suburban home symbolizing financial relief for homeowners in New York and Indiana.
Real Estate

How to Appeal Property Taxes in New York and Indiana

In Nassau County, New York, homeowners have a narrow, specific window from January 2 to March 2 to file property tax appeals online, emphasizing the critical importance of timely action.

Aaron Blake·June 23, 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
Modern data center facility in Ohio with a city skyline in the background at dusk, symbolizing economic growth and technological investment.
Best in City

Ohio's New Rankings: Affordable Cities and Growth

A $1.3 billion Vultr data center is coming online in Springfield, Ohio, a city just ranked fifth most affordable in the state, signaling a quiet economic boom in unexpected places. This massive high-t

Derek Molina·June 18, 2026
The Chicago skyline at dusk, highlighting the Greyhound bus station, symbolizing urban development and a new chapter for the city.
Best in City

City Acquires Greyhound Station for $19.2 Million

With a 38-10 vote, Chicago aldermen approved a $19.

Hannah Pierce·June 18, 2026
Modern luxury apartment and townhouse complex approved by Avondale City Council, featuring high rental prices.
Best in City

Avondale City Council Approves New Rental Complex

Get ready, Avondale! Rents for the newly approved rental complex, featuring townhomes and apartments, are set to start at an eye-watering $6,000, according to Block Club Chicago .

Hannah Pierce·June 18, 2026
Community members and city officials discuss zoning maps and property development plans during a neighborhood rezoning meeting.
Real Estate

How to Rezone a Property or Neighborhood: A Complete Guide

To change a property's zoning classification, applicants must personally invite owners and tenants of all parcels within 500 feet to a neighborhood meeting, a single step in a process that can

Aaron Blake·June 18, 2026
Springfield, Ohio cityscape featuring a new data center and affordable housing, symbolizing economic growth and opportunity.
Best in City

Springfield: Ohio's Rising Value City for 2026

A single data center investment in Springfield, Ohio, is bringing $1.

Hannah Pierce·June 17, 2026
A homeowner reviews a property tax bill with a city skyline in the background, symbolizing the connection between property ownership and local taxation.
Real Estate

How are local property taxes assessed and calculated?

On a $300,000 home, a millage rate of $0.

Aaron Blake·June 17, 2026
Diverse group of people looking at a dense city skyline, symbolizing the impact of zoning laws on housing availability and affordability.
Neighborhoods

What Are Zoning Laws and How Do They Impact Neighborhoods?

In the New York City metro region, current residential zoning allows for less than half (45%) of the housing needed by 2040, creating a deficit of approximately 680,000 units, according to Zoning Atla

Derek Molina·June 16, 2026
Chicago skyline with a large construction site in the foreground, representing the Foundry Park megadevelopment and its extensive infrastructure.
Real Estate

Chicago Panel Approves $200M Public Funding for Foundry Park

Developers of Foundry Park, a megadevelopment on Chicago's former Lincoln Yards site, are set to receive over $200 million in public funding for infrastructure.

Aaron Blake·June 10, 2026
Scenic view of South Burlington, Vermont, showcasing its beautiful homes, green spaces, and happy families enjoying the city's vibrant atmosphere.
Best in City

South Burlington: Top-Ranked City, Strong Education

South Burlington, a vibrant city of 20,756 residents, recently earned the top spot as the best place to live in Vermont on Niche's 2026 list, according to Burlingtonfreepress .

Hannah Pierce·June 9, 2026
Magnifying glass examining an antique deed document with a historic Brooklyn brownstone in the background.
Neighborhoods

Verifying Historic Home Claims: The Brooklyn Heights Case

In Brooklyn Heights, two homes, long celebrated as the neighborhood's oldest, are for sale.

Derek Molina·June 8, 2026
Aerial view of a city showing a stark contrast between low-density residential areas and high-density apartment buildings, illustrating the impact of zoning laws.
Neighborhoods

What is the impact of local zoning laws on urban development?

In the United States, low-density residential zoning predominates, effectively limiting housing opportunities for millions who cannot afford large homes, according to PMC .

Derek Molina·June 7, 2026
Homeowner examining a property tax assessment document with a magnifying glass, seeking to understand and appeal the valuation.
Neighborhoods

How Property Tax Assessments Work and How to Appeal

A successful property tax appeal for a missing exemption can put a refund check in a homeowner's hand within 3-4 weeks.

Derek Molina·June 4, 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
Charming upstate New York town with historic architecture and fall foliage, ideal for a peaceful retirement.
Real Estate

Top 5 New York Towns for Retirement Quality of Life

In Saratoga Springs, retirees can attend a world-class ballet performance, soak in historic mineral baths, and participate in over 50 weekly senior activities, all within a town boasting a crime rate

Aaron Blake·June 3, 2026
A cityscape showing a contrast between modern skyscrapers and older buildings, symbolizing the complex impact of zoning ordinances on property development.
Neighborhoods

What Are Local Zoning Ordinances and How Do They Impact Property Development?

Between 2000 and 2019, 1,136 cities across eight metropolitan regions implemented 180 distinct land-use reforms.

Aaron Blake·June 3, 2026
Nieves de Alaska LLC: Your Trusted Real Estate Connection for Buying, Selling, and Relocating in Alaska
Real EstateSponsored

Nieves de Alaska LLC: Your Trusted Real Estate Connection for Buying, Selling, and Relocating in Alaska

Nieves de Alaska LLC offers a unique real estate referral and relocation support service, connecting clients with trusted local REALTORS® across Alaska. They streamline the process for buying, selling, and relocating in Alaska's diverse and challenging market.

Aaron Blake·June 2, 2026
Diverse group of Illinois homeowners celebrating outside their homes, symbolizing protection of their equity after new legislation.
Real Estate

Illinois lawmakers pass bill to protect homeowners' equity

Cook County was recently found liable in a class-action lawsuit, ordered to pay damages to 2,500 property owners.

Hannah Pierce·June 1, 2026
Split image contrasting a redeveloped urban area with a traditional neighborhood, illustrating the impact of rezoning on property values.
Neighborhoods

What is neighborhood rezoning and how does it affect property values?

In Minneapolis, houses within city limits saw a 3-5% increase in sales price compared to those just outside, immediately following a major neighborhood rezoning initiative where 87% of high redevelopm

Derek Molina·May 30, 2026
A happy family enjoying a sunny day in a beautiful, safe neighborhood park with modern amenities and welcoming homes.
Neighborhoods

Best Family-Friendly Neighborhoods in Our City

While Maplewood consistently tops lists for its 9/10 school ratings, its property values have stagnated for three years due to limited park expansion and an aging community center.

Aaron Blake·May 29, 2026
A diverse community interacting within a modern mixed-use development, highlighting the blend of residential, commercial, and green spaces.
Neighborhoods

Mixed-use developments boost urban areas, but affordability remains a challenge

One community faces a critical void in essential services.

Aaron Blake·May 29, 2026
A 'For Sale' sign in front of a Moscow, Idaho home, with a dramatic sky reflecting the city's housing market challenges and affordability crisis.
Real Estate

Moscow Idaho Housing Market Sees Prices Surge Amid Affordability Crisis

The average listing price in the Moscow, ID metro area surged by over $76,000 in just one month, from March to April 2026, reaching nearly $690,000, according to Fred data .

Aaron Blake·May 27, 2026