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Real Estate

Find your dream home in our city with the best real estate agents and properties.

Suburban street with numerous 'Open House' signs, indicating a shift towards a buyer's market in housing.

Rising Rates Create Buyer's Market in Suburban Housing

In March, sellers outnumbered buyers by a staggering 43% nationwide, marking the largest buyer's market gap since 2013, according to Fortune .

Aaron Blake· Apr 26· 4 min
A neighborhood with houses under a sky showing a sharp increase in interest rates, symbolizing the impact on the local housing market.

How Interest Rate Hikes Impact Local Housing Markets in 2026

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage swung from just under 6% in late February to 6.

Aaron Blake· Apr 23· 5 min
Young couple looking at a 'For Sale' sign with a large mansion in the background, symbolizing the difficulty for first-time homebuyers.

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· Apr 21· 4 min
A picturesque suburban neighborhood showcasing new homes, green parks, and community facilities, illustrating the positive impact of local infrastructure investments.

Local Infrastructure Investments Boost Property Values and Housing Demand

Remote work has prompted a significant migration, leading buyers from dense urban centers to suburban or rural areas.

Aaron Blake· Apr 15· 4 min
Diverse citizens collaboratively discussing urban development plans around a holographic city map in a modern community center, symbolizing local planning and zoning board work.

What Are Local Planning Commissions and Zoning Boards? An In-Depth Guide

Local planning commissions and zoning boards are volunteer bodies that significantly shape urban development, influencing everything from property values to community character. Understanding their distinct roles is crucial for any citizen wanting to participate in their community's evolution.

Aaron Blake· Apr 10· 7 min
An aerial view of a diverse city skyline at dusk, illustrating the varied architectural landscape shaped by local zoning laws and urban planning.

A Guide to Understanding Local Zoning Laws and Their Impact on Property Development

Local zoning laws are the invisible rules shaping our communities, dictating everything from building heights to business locations. This guide explains their impact on property development, values, and quality of life for residents and developers alike.

Aaron Blake· Apr 10· 7 min
An aerial view of a city at dusk, showing distinct zones of single-family homes, apartment buildings, and commercial areas, illustrating the impact of local zoning laws on urban development and community structure.

What Are Local Zoning Laws and How Do They Shape Our City?

Local zoning laws are a powerful, often invisible force shaping our cities, influencing everything from housing costs to neighborhood character. Understanding these regulations is crucial for homeowners, renters, and investors alike.

Aaron Blake· Apr 8· 9 min
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.

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· Apr 5· 9 min
A picturesque street in a historic preservation district, featuring beautifully maintained Victorian and Craftsman homes under warm golden hour light, showcasing architectural heritage and community charm.

How to Create and Manage a Historic Preservation District: A Complete Guide

Historic preservation districts help communities maintain their unique character and protect architectural heritage. Understanding how these districts are established and managed is crucial for homeowners and developers.

Aaron Blake· Apr 4· 7 min
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.

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· Apr 3· 8 min
A person's hand carefully holding an official property deed, symbolizing secure homeownership and the legal transfer of real estate title.

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· Apr 2· 7 min
A homeowner meticulously reviewing property tax documents and a high bill at a desk, symbolizing the process of appealing property taxes and challenging an assessment.

How to Appeal Your Property Taxes: A Homeowner's Guide

Understanding how to appeal property taxes is crucial for homeowners facing high bills. This guide provides a step-by-step process to challenge your property's assessed value effectively.

Aaron Blake· Apr 1· 8 min
A person reviewing a property tax assessment notice, with a pen and calculator nearby, symbolizing the process of understanding and potentially appealing property valuations.

How Property Taxes Are Calculated in Our City — A Complete Guide to the Appeal Process

Understanding your property tax assessment can be complex, but homeowners have a clear path to appeal if they believe their valuation is incorrect. This guide breaks down the calculation and appeal process.

Aaron Blake· Mar 30· 9 min
Split image: a courthouse representing tax appeals and a suburban home symbolizing financial relief for homeowners in New York and Indiana.

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· Jun 23· 4 min
A homeowner reviews a property tax assessment document with a concerned expression, symbolizing the challenges of understanding and appealing tax valuations.

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· Jun 22· 4 min

Chicago considers renaming street outside Trump Tower

Over 24,000 people have signed a petition to rename the street in front of Chicago's Trump Tower 'Barack Hussein Obama Way'.

Aaron Blake· Jun 18· 3 min
Nieves de Alaska LLC: Your Trusted Real Estate Connection for Buying, Selling, and Relocating in Alaska
Sponsored

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· Jun 2· 4 min
Birmingham City Council chambers with a gavel suspended over documents, symbolizing the delayed decision on short-term rental regulations and the ongoing housing debate.

Birmingham delays short-term rental rules amid housing debate

After two years of extensive debate, the Birmingham City Council again delayed a decision on short-term rental regulations, pushing the vote to at least May 2026.

Aaron Blake· May 14· 3 min
City skyline with prominent Airbnb signs, contrasted with residents facing long commutes due to short-term rental housing conversions.

Short-term rental regulations: Housing affordability challenges

In Cape Town, a staggering 70% of downtown housing is reportedly used for tourists, according to The New York Times .

Aaron Blake· May 13· 3 min
Community members and city officials discuss zoning maps and property development plans during a neighborhood rezoning meeting.

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· Jun 18· 4 min
A homeowner reviews a property tax bill with a city skyline in the background, symbolizing the connection between property ownership and local taxation.

How are local property taxes assessed and calculated?

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

Aaron Blake· Jun 17· 4 min
Aerial view of a city divided by zoning, showing contrast between dense, diverse neighborhoods and uniform single-family housing areas.

What is Zoning and How Does it Impact City Development?

Cities in California with over 96 percent single-family-only zoning are nearly 55 percent white, starkly contrasting with the state's overall 35 percent white population, according to the California Z

Aaron Blake· May 10· 4 min
A diverse cityscape with various building types, overlaid with subtle zoning maps and legal documents, representing the complexity of local zoning ordinances.

What Are Types of Local Zoning Ordinances and Their Effects?

In 2023, North Carolina forbade local governments from restricting building-design elements on residential structures with up to four units and precluded cities from requiring parking spaces larger th

Aaron Blake· May 8· 4 min
A cityscape illustrating the impact of zoning on housing affordability, with modern buildings overshadowing older homes and signs indicating rising prices.

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· 3 min
A restored historic building seamlessly integrated into a modern cityscape, showcasing the synergy between heritage and contemporary development.

How Historic Preservation Status Benefits Properties and Drives Economic Growth

By 1966, half of the historic places documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) had already been destroyed or damaged beyond repair, according to NPS .

Aaron Blake· Apr 30· 4 min
A homeowner looking concerned while holding a property tax bill, with a house and setting sun in the background.

Factors Influencing Property Taxes and Homeowner Impact

Last year, homeowners in Delaware faced an 18% property tax hike, significantly outpacing national inflation.

Aaron Blake· Apr 30· 4 min
A meticulously restored historic building facade, emphasizing its architectural beauty and the positive economic impact of preservation on property owners and local communities.

What Are The Benefits of Local Historic Preservation for Property Owners?

In fiscal year 2022, Connecticut projects utilizing the Federal Historic Tax Credit generated $150.

Aaron Blake· Apr 29· 4 min
A homeowner looking stressed at property tax bills in their home, symbolizing the financial challenges and need for tax exemptions.

How Do 2026 Property Tax Exemptions Work for Homeowners?

In Allegheny County, homeowners must have continuously occupied their primary residence for a decade to qualify for a property tax exemption, a stringent requirement that can cost thousands in missed

Aaron Blake· Apr 28· 4 min
Homeowner holding a property deed document in front of their house, with a cityscape in the background, symbolizing real estate ownership and legal implications.

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· Apr 26· 4 min
A modern, sustainable home with solar panels and lush landscaping, representing local green building certifications.

What Are Local Green Building Certifications for Homes in 2026?

In Austin, Texas, homes with a 5-star 'Austin Energy Green Building' rating consume 20-30% less energy than standard homes, translating to significant annual savings, according to Austin Energy.

Aaron Blake· Apr 25· 4 min