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Real Estate

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

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

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.

Sponsored· 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
Indiana homeowner preparing to appeal property tax assessment before the June 15th deadline, holding documents near their house.

How to Appeal Property Tax Assessment: A Complete Guide

Homeowners in Indiana face a strict June 15th deadline to appeal their property assessment, a critical window many overlook due to complex local processes.

Aaron Blake· Sep 3· 4 min
Split image comparing a uniform HOA neighborhood with a diverse non-HOA neighborhood, illustrating differences in governance and property aesthetics.

What is the HOA role in local real estate governance and property values?

Homes in communities governed by homeowners associations (HOAs) typically sell for 5% to 6% more than comparable properties without such governance.

Aaron Blake· Aug 31· 4 min
A diverse urban neighborhood with a mix of housing types, including duplexes and townhouses, demonstrating the concept of Missing Middle Housing.

What is Missing Middle Housing and Why Do Zoning Reforms Matter?

In 2024, between 90 and 140 million Americans lived in counties where multi-unit housing could have been feasibly built and offered at an affordable price point to middle-income households, yet restri

Aaron Blake· Aug 28· 3 min
Split image contrasting affluent and diverse neighborhoods, illustrating the impact of zoning laws on property values and community composition.

How Zoning Laws Influence Local Property Values in 2026

In communities with stringent zoning, a greater share of residents are higher-income and non-Hispanic white.

Aaron Blake· Aug 18· 4 min
A homeowner reviews a property tax bill with a concerned expression, symbolizing the financial impact of local property taxes on residents.

How Do Local Property Taxes Affect Homeowners?

More than 40% of U.S. homes may be overassessed, with a median potential savings of $539 per year, according to Bankrate . While property taxes are a crucial, stable revenue source for local governmen

Aaron Blake· Aug 14· 3 min
City skyline at dusk with a glowing upward trend graph representing increased tax revenue, symbolizing the impact of property assessments on public services.

How Property Assessments Affect Local Tax Revenue and Public Services

In one state, a government intervention to address property assessment inequities boosted assessments by 32 percent.

Aaron Blake· Aug 8· 3 min
A cityscape with skyscrapers and older buildings, overlaid with a complex blueprint, illustrating the impact of zoning laws on urban development and housing.

What Is The Impact of Local Zoning Laws on Urban Development?

To build a new apartment complex in many US cities, a developer might first need to submit six physical copies of plans drawn to a minimum size of 11x17 inches, only to discover the land isn't even zo

Aaron Blake· Aug 7· 4 min
A bustling city scene at dusk, showcasing well-maintained infrastructure and happy residents, representing the positive impact of property tax-funded community services.

How Do Local Property Taxes Fund Community Services and Infrastructure?

A state government intervention once boosted property assessments by a staggering 32 percent, leading to a temporary 17 percent increase in local revenues, according to the Federal Reserve .

Aaron Blake· Jul 4· 4 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
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
Homeowner overwhelmed by building permit documents and blueprints for a home renovation project.

How to Get Local Building Permits for Home Renovations

Even a simple window replacement can land you in hot water.

Aaron Blake· Apr 23· 3 min
Homeowner facing a tax bill with symbols of legal appeal, highlighting the risk of increased assessment.

How Property Taxes Are Assessed and Appealed in 2026

An appeals board, legally mandated to determine property value, has the power to increase your property's assessed value, not just decrease it, even if you initiate the appeal.

Aaron Blake· Apr 23· 4 min
Diverse group of informed homeowners discussing community matters in a well-maintained neighborhood with clear HOA regulations.

What is an HOA's role in neighborhood resident rights and regulations?

In communities across the U.

Aaron Blake· Apr 22· 4 min
Aerial view of a city neighborhood with varied housing types and lot sizes, representing different zoning classifications and their impact on urban development.

What Are Common Types of Local Zoning Classifications?

In Kansas City, a single-family home might fall under an R-80, R-7.

Aaron Blake· Apr 21· 4 min
Young couple celebrating homeownership on a balcony overlooking a city skyline at sunset, holding keys to their new home.

How to Buy Your First City Home: A 2026 Guide

An income-eligible homebuyer could receive up to $50,000 through the Virginia Pilot Down Payment Assistance Program, potentially covering their entire down payment and closing costs, according to...

Aaron Blake· Apr 21· 4 min