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Alamo Heights 5-Story Apartment Plan Draws Backlash

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What the Alamo Heights Project Includes The proposal centers on a 150-unit apartment development in the Broadway commercial corridor in central Alamo Heights. It would add 175,000 square feet of residential space in a four- to five-story building shaped by the site’s slope. Plans also include 5,100 square feet of ground-floor retail and 7,000 square feet of amenity space for residents. The apartments are expected to include in-unit laundry and hardwood flooring among common home features. Similar housing efforts in Florida have highlighted workforce housing as a way to expand options for working families. The parking strategy calls for 276 spaces. Only 21 spaces would sit above ground or outside the underground garage. The remaining parking would be placed below grade to limit visible surface parking. Site circulation is linked to requested changes involving parts of Ellwood Avenue and all of Ausway Lane. The project moved through a special use permit process approved by City Council...
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Seattle Iconic Building Hits the Market

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Why Is Smith Tower for Sale Now? Amid a weak downtown office market, Smith Tower was put up for sale as Seattle landlords faced rising vacancy and stalled leasing demand. Seattle office vacancy reached 22% in the first quarter, and more than 25% of downtown space was vacant or offered for sublease in 2023. Rising development uncertainty, including a 400M funding gap affecting major Seattle projects, further weakened confidence in large-scale downtown real estate bets. That backdrop reduced confidence in a hold strategy and made a sale or repositioning more rational. Smith Tower, a designated Seattle Landmark since June 12, 1984, carries historic significance that can complicate major redevelopment decisions. Pandemic Fallout and Conversion Pressure The property had been acquired before expectations for an office upswing, but pandemic fallout undermined that thesis. Its large office footprint left it exposed as downtown recovery lagged. Reports indicated roughly half the tower’s offic...
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New York Staten Island Victorian Lists for $1.1M

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Why Does This 1887 Staten Island Victorian Stand Out? Perched high above the harbor, this 1887 Staten Island Victorian stands out for its rare mix of late-19th-century architecture, commanding water views, and a remarkably large footprint. Its elevated setting gives the house sweeping harbor and city vistas, along with the privacy and scenic distinction associated with high-ground siting in Stapleton Heights. That placement sets it apart from more typical inland Victorians. Preserved Character and Scale The home also stands out for its period integrity. Original woodwork, bay windows, soaring ceilings, once-working fireplaces, and a double parlor preserve its Victorian character. Staten Island’s historic residential appeal was shaped in part by communities like New Brighton, an early suburban retreat praised for its planning and villa development in the nineteenth century. At roughly 3,072 square feet, with six bedrooms and 2.5 baths, the layout is notably generous. A separate family ...
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New York Hamptons Mansion Seeks Record $162M

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Why 43 East Dune Lane Is Asking $162M Few Hamptons properties combine this level of scale, frontage, and scarcity in a single oceanfront offering. At 43 East Dune Lane, the asking price reflects 3.6 acres in East Hampton Village and 225 feet of direct Atlantic frontage. Brokers describe that combination as increasingly hard to replicate. The site also sits between the ocean, Hook Pond, and expansive golf course land. That setting reinforces both privacy and rarity. Like elite estates on the Northeast coast, it reflects the appeal of waterfront views paired with exceptional seclusion. The valuation also rests on a planned pre-completion compound, not merely the existing house. Marketing describes a roughly 21,000-square-foot program with a 17,500-square-foot main residence and a 3,500-square-foot guesthouse. Permits are expected soon. The current ask follows a March trade at $72 million, making the price leap a central part of the property’s market story. Just as important, the propos...
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10 Laws That Impact Short-Term Rental Investors

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You can’t underwrite an STR like a normal rental anymore. In LA, you must host from your primary residence 183+ days, keep one active listing, and register before you advertise. Then you must display the registration number in every title. You’re capped at 120 unhosted nights (sometimes 90). RSO, deed‑restricted, or ineligible ADU units can kill eligibility. You’ll price in 14% TOT, fees, and $1M insurance. You’ll also account for SB 346 platform data‑sharing, audits, delisting, and $2,000‑a‑day fines. Stay for the playbook. Can You Legally Run a Short-Term Rental in LA? Inside the City of LA, the Home-Sharing Ordinance generally governs stays of 30 days or less in residential dwellings. You’ll need a Host Registration Certificate from the Los Angeles Department of City Planning to list. Your registration number must be displayed prominently in all listings and advertisements. In unincorporated county areas, you’re looking at a separate Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate throu...
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Texas Boomtown Sees 79% of Home Sellers Take Losses

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How Much Have Austin Home Prices Fallen? Austin home prices have dropped sharply from their pandemic-era peak, with several measures showing a market that has materially reset. Available data indicates a steep price decline from May 2022 levels. One estimate shows Austin values down about 24.5% through February 2026. Realtor.com-linked reporting similarly placed asking prices nearly 25% below the peak. Zillow-based analysis found Austin’s typical home value at $500,627 in February 2026, a 6% annual drop from a year earlier. Disrupted Value Trends Current pricing varies by metric, which shapes how value trends are interpreted. Typical home value estimates ranged from $414,950 to $490,209 in early 2026, while median list prices were reported near $473,500 to $479,000. In Texas markets, rising housing inventory has also increased buyer leverage and added pressure on sellers to adjust expectations. Year-over-year measures also point lower. Reports showed declines of roughly 3.8% to 9.8%,...
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Arizona HOA Foreclosure Powers Curbed by New Laws

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When Can an Arizona HOA Foreclose in 2025? Often, an Arizona planned-community HOA in 2025 may foreclose its assessment lien only after a sharply higher statutory threshold is met. Effective September 26, 2025, the association’s common-expense lien may be foreclosed only when any assessment or portion of an assessment has remained delinquent for 18 months, or unpaid assessments total $10,000, whichever occurs first at filing. This replaced the former 1-year or $1,200 standard. It is widely described as a major curb on planned-community foreclosure timelines. Amounts That Count Only unpaid assessments count toward the $10,000 threshold. Late fees, interest, attorney fees, collection costs, fines, and penalties do not count. The association must also give advance notice, make reasonable communication efforts, and offer a reasonable payment plan before filing. These notice and communication steps reflect broader 2025 compliance trends that emphasize consumer protection and clear disclosu...
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