Category Archives: Uncategorized

What is happening? Researchers at Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University say 15 housing markets are overvalued by at least 50%. Boise, Idaho — 72.6%Austin, Texas —  67.70%Ogden, Utah — 64.73%Las Vegas —  61.48%Atlanta — 58.01%Phoenix — 57.94%Provo, Utah — 57.02%Fort Myers, Florida — 56.26%Spokane, Washington — 56.25%Charlotte —  55.25%Lakeland, Florida — 53.22%Tampa — 52.41%Raleigh, North Carolina — 51.70%Detroit — 51.16% Why is this important? Increasing interest rates and […]

What is happening? Neighbors in Geneva, Switzerland get together and plan their edible gardens so that they can trade Why is this important? Each house has a vegetable garden and fruit trees. How will this be important? Diverse vegetation benefits the flora, fauna, air quality. @sunnythefarmer

What is happening? Community Land Trusts are “mostly nonprofit organizations that operate within a specific neighborhood facing development pressure.” Why is this important? When a community land trust owns the land it protects the land from being scooped up by developers and makes home purchasing more accessible. How will this be important? In 2020, California […]

What is happening? Pennsylvania is considering a grant program for home owners and small landlords for property repairs that promote energy efficiency. SB 1135 ( 2022 | PA) Why is this important? By addressing home repairs for energy efficiency, the state would lower energy usage (good for climate change advocates) and make efficient housing more […]

What is happening? In 2018 Minneapolis’ single family zoning ban turned the clock to pre-zoning where duplexes and triplexes are nearly indistinguishable from their single family home neighbors. Why is this important? This helped address housing shortages, but permitting for these multi family units are not at the numbers some supporters would like. How will […]

What is happening? Louisiana is considering repealing license requirements for some construction skilled labor when the homeowner works without a general contractor and has direct contact with the subcontractor. Supporters include The Louisiana Home Builders Association and the Louisiana Realtors Association Why is this important? The exception to licensing would apply to “a specialty classification […]

What is happening? In Southern California some home owners are being incentivized to replace their grass. Xeriscaping chic. Turf. It’s 2022 there are options. Why is this important? Drought it’s in a lot of headlines right now, including in Texas. How will this be important? Some say drought will be an on-going issue, and perhaps […]

What is happening? The digital age has arrived for property appraisers. Welcome to the year 2022 from 1985. Johnson County, Missouri is using LIDAR, Google Maps, and digital photos to improve and streamline their appraisal process. Why is this important? The County estimates going digital will save $2 million. How will this be important? Every […]

What’s happening? Meet the  The Rethinking Revenue initiative, a project with national planning association and municipal association. They say data supports changing land use regulations to allow for more municipal revenue. Why is this important? Recommendations are to move away from traditional development practices, provide decision makers maps with revenue per acre, build up, and […]

What is happening? Missouri Legislature for several sessions has been passing a bill to give county commissioners veto power of transmission lines. It stems from the Grain Belt line which will move renewable power through Missouri but will not service the state nor will the renewable power come from within Missouri. Why is this important? […]