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2025 Week 24 - HOAs Can Take Your Home?! Zillow’s AI Bot & the Rise of Mass Timber

Introduction

Week 24, all the kids should be out of school, and summer is so much closer! Okay, the latest updates are going to be great for developers, and a new story that surprised me as a homeowner regarding what HOA can do! Seriously, once you learn about you are going to think twice!

Watch the full episode now, or scroll down to read the full transcript and linked resources!

Time Stamp

  • 00:00 Introduction

  • 00:20 A New Bill has Passed,  Labor Peace Agreement

  • 01:38 Home Owners Association,  Can they really take your house?

  • 02:45 Technology Trend  Zillow drops EliseAI chatbot

  • 03”19 The Latest Housing Market to Explode?? is  Puerto Rico

  • 03:48 The latest Construction Method Game Changer is??  Mass Timber

  • 04:40 Egypt’s new capital city? It’s now powered by China

  • 05:49 Affordable housing meets arts & culture

  • 06:40 The Next Development is Charlotte’s Brooklyn Village

  • 07:24 Wrapping it up

Transcript:

Welcome back, This is week 24 of 2025. My name is Anne, and this chananel is Achlab. I hope you all are enjoying the day! As usual, I have a few topics to keep you informed. Here is the Market Industry News. We are covering real estate, housing, and a peek into the Economic Indicators that are shifting the market.

A New Bill has Passed,  Labor Peace Agreement

Alright, so here’s something that happening in Montgomery County, Maryland. There’s a new Bill 22 dash 25 could change the way hotel projects with public backing are done Basically, if a hotel is getting any kind of County support such as land leases, financing, or even tax incentive then a Labor Peace Agreement, or LPA must be in place. and if you are wondering What is a LPA? It’s a deal where the employer agrees not to fight unionizing efforts, and in return  the union promises no strikes or boycotts. This is important because we all know in hospitality, where one protest can result in lost profits due to canceled bookings.

There was recent blow-up at the County’s own Marriott-run conference center.

So now, the County’s trying to get ahead by seeking an labor peace agreements in place before project moves forward. There are a few ways for developers to bypass an LPA but the county is pushing pretty hard. However if an LPA is requested, the developer has 60 days to get it signed or risk the deal getting blocked. Public hearing for this bill is set for July 8th  if you are in hospitality development, this is something to keep on your radar.

Home Owners Association,  Can they really take your house?

This one surprised me, according to Redfin. Did you know that your HOA can slap a lien on your house if you miss a few payment dues. Wild, right! Well,  In most states, they can . For example places like Texas or Florida, HOA can even foreclose without taking it to court. Yikes! 

So if you thought you could just ignore those fines for painting your front door the wrong shade of red, or not cut the grass for several weeks, maybe reconsider.  It’s a good reminder: always read your CC&Rs. CC&R well that Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs) are the rules that homeowners in planned communities must follow. They cover property maintenance, use, appearance, and fees. and if you get a lien notice, do not igono it. I advised you to Lawyer up or work out a payment plan. If you are wondering what the deal is for Maryland? I gotta say do not cross the line with the HOA it totally  enforceable including foreclosing.

Technology Trend  Zillow drops EliseAI chatbot

Zillow’s diving deeper into AI with a chatbot named EliseAI. This new tool can answers renter questions, schedules tours, and follows up 24/7. If you’re a landlord or property manager, this is big win for you: EliseAI can handle those repetitive inquiries like “Is this still available?” I know we ask that default question. The data already shows 37 million unique visitors a month utilizing EliseAI, this is another positive step in right direction

The Latest Housing Market to Explode?? is  Puerto Rico

From Realtor.com Home values in Puerto Rico are up 11.6% in Q1 alone. And comparing to last year numbers Some areas saw over 22% jumps. What’s fueling this boom? A cocktail of tax incentives, post-hurricane rebuilding, tourism, and a flood of wealthy investors. 

If you are looking for your next vacation home? Consider Puerto Rico Housing Market. 

THe latest Construction Method Game Changer is??  Mass Timber

Alright, Let’s nerd out a bit. I actually love Mass timber, something about it carries so much elegance. Mainly because engineered wood like Cross Laminated Timber aka CLT and glulam has been gaining ground as a real alternative to concrete and steel. Check this out!  Globally, this market is expected to hit $1.3 billion by 2030 that within the next five years. 

Europe’s already ahead, but North America we are catching up. Mass timber buildings are popping up in waves, and with carbon reduction becoming a legal and financial incentive, you’re going to see a lot more of it.  Therefore to all my Developers aiming for net-zero buildings? Mass timber is your next right move, backed by the Woodworking Network.  Next topic, speaking about Global Impact. 

Egypt’s new capital city? It’s now powered by China

Zooming out for a second—big international development update. Egypt just handed over operations of its brand-new central business district to a Chinese state-owned company called CSCEC. We're talking property management, day-to-day operations, and yep—even Africa’s tallest tower is now under their umberlla.

This isn’t just a real estate handoff—it’s a $3.8 billion dollar deal. Egypt’s leaning hard into China for infrastructure, financing, and political support. And let’s be real—this isn’t just a deal. It’s a chess move. A strategic one that sidesteps the usual Western lending playbook.

Now you might be thinking—cool story, but what’s that got to do with me?

Well, this build-finance-transfer model China’s using? It’s becoming the blueprint for how big public projects might get done—especially in places where money’s tight or politics are unstable. We’re watching a global shift in who builds, who funds, and who runs the future

Affordable housing meets arts & culture

Let’s bring it back to Maryland! Come on back. A report by Bethesda Magazine. A big win for Wheaton, Here is a community-based development: Montgomery Housing Partnership is building 272 apartments and 39 townhomes in the Wheaton area which will include an arts and cultural center to boot. The plan sets aside 25% of units as moderately priced dwelling units, doubling the county’s requirement. Whoo hooo!! 

Envision theaters, gallery space, and classrooms integrated right into the complex of the overall masterplan. If all goes well, construction is projected to starts by mid-2026, with move-ins around 2029.  I’ll keep this project on my radar as it countes to develop. 

The Next Development is Charlotte’s Brooklyn Village

According to the Real Deal, Don Peebles who is by the way one of the greatest developers of our time! Okay back to the story, his long-awaited Brooklyn Village project in Charlotte hit a snag. The city turned down a $13.5 Million affordable housing funding request. As a result,  Peebles’ team had to pull back part of their phase-one plans. This delays 250 affordable units in a historically Black neighborhood’. I do not know exactly why the city turned it down but It’s a tough blow for the project that’s been in the works since 2016. I'm still rooting for Peebles Team and the community to push this project through.

Wrapping it up

Whether it’s a new capital in Egypt or a new chatbot helping you rent your next apartment, the real estate market keeps evolving fast — through tech, law, policy, and design.

This week’s takeaway:

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