Alaska is absolutely massive and contains few major cities, namely the largest city Anchorage and the capital Juneau, plus Fairbanks. More important is the fact that Alaska, like Hawaii, has a cost of living that leaves the 48 contiguous states in the dust. This makes Alaska a fascinating state to analyze in terms of wealth and property values. Read on to find out the most expensive ZIP codes in Alaska in 2024, based on the latest data from Zillow’s home value index. The Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Alaska Harnessing data from Zillow’s home value index, as well as the…

There’s no doubt commercial real estate faces significant headwinds as we look toward another year. The office sector continued to struggle in 2024, while an evolving economic climate, the growth of experiential consumerism and the ongoing quest to find tenants all challenged owners. Some saw 2024 as marking the conclusion of one economic cycle, with 2025 ushering in a new and more positive period for the sector. While the CRE outlook remains speculative, that hasn’t stopped those who monitor the industry from advancing a wide-ranging assortment of forecasts for the next 12 months. Office up The office market is likely…

‘Tis the season to be jolly. However, the Christmas holiday season is also a jolly good time to complete a variety of home improvement projects. Many homeowners are already off work the last two weeks of the year, and they also know if they’ll receive an end-of-the-year bonus to help fund home improvement activities. Of course, the priority during the holidays is to keep your home safe from the dual threats of fire and water. Once you’ve done that, Thumbtack identifies the 10 home improvement projects homeowners are tackling and/or gifting themselves during the Christmas holidays. Thumbtack identifies 10 projects…

When a developer wants to build a substantial project, the process often begins with obtaining governmental approvals. Perhaps the developer needs permission to deviate a bit from the rules that would otherwise apply. Perhaps the project will include certain uses (e.g., hotels) that are disfavored or have historically caused concerns. Perhaps the project will have effects on the nearby area, and the approving authority wants to think about those effects. Or maybe the project is just big. Regardless, the developer will often find it needs to master a multi-step process that can take months or years, giving elected officials multiple…

New York recently enacted a “good cause eviction” law, which says property owners cannot evict tenants without “good cause.” Although the statute lists over a dozen examples of “good cause,” the most important and interesting one refers to rent increases. If an owner wants to raise the rent beyond a formulaic amount and the tenant doesn’t want to pay the higher rent (which we can assume will always be the case), that’s presumptively not “good cause” to evict the tenant. The owner does have the theoretical option to try to convince a court that building expenses or other circumstances justify…

Technology has long played a role in home design, from the introduction of electricity in the 1800s to the increasing role of artificial intelligence in automation today. I reached out by email to leaders in the home design and technology worlds for their insights on what they see coming our way in the new year. This is the first of a four-part series covering their perspectives, starting with the top AI home trend predictions for 2025. Sustainability And Comfort Trends Josh Christian, CEO of the Home Technology Association, anticipates significant advances in climate control by the technology learning our preferences…

If you sign an apartment lease in New York City, you need to sign a daunting pile of separate documents, each disclosing something different. There is a disclosure about window guards. There is a disclosure about fire safety, both generally and about your specific building. Federal law requires some disclosures on lead paint, accompanied by a pamphlet with terrifying warnings about lead paint. Another disclosure goes into the history of any bedbug infestations. The landlord must disclose whether the apartment has sprinklers and whether they work. There’s a procedure that’s disclosed to report gas leaks. A separate disclosure describes the…

Retailers are fighting for the costumers — and therefore income — every single day. This is especially true during the holiday season. This year, shoppers are reportedly planning to spend $1,449 per person, 36% above initial holiday spending estimates in September. While more shopping activity is great news, brick-and-mortar retailers are contending with other storefronts, both physical and virtual, to capture shoppers and their dollars. By creating an unmatched experience anchored with events — and one that can be shared on social media—retailers will see more people and more spending at their properties. Here is how retail property managers can…

Most children’s character-themed decor, though charming, often falls short in sophistication. However, June St. George—a brand known for its custom rugs—is redefining this category with the launch of its Eloise collection, inspired by Kay Thompson’s cherished literary character. Featuring a variety of decor including rugs, pillows, pet beds, and blankets in several styles—the hard part is choosing what to buy. And while founder Ally-Catherine Trenary didn’t create Eloise, she is introducing the forever six-year-old Plaza Hotel resident to an entirely new generation. It’s also a new category for the brand which while not a household name yet is certainly on…

In one of our latest studies, we analyzed all ZIP codes in the state of Virginia and determined which ones are the most expensive in terms of home values. Now, we have moved our gaze from Virginia to its western neighbor, West Virginia. The places we found here were all closely clustered together and offer some stunning homes and views. So, read on to find out the most expensive ZIP codes in West Virginia in 2024, relying on data from Zillow’s home value index and the Census Bureau. The Most Expensive ZIP Codes in West Virginia Using data from Zillow’s…