real estate

Demand for homes in Kansas is high, but construction of new homes has been slow for more than a decade. Kansas saw a significant drop in home construction after the Great Recession, contributing to a housing shortage today that drives up prices.

The law went into effect July 1 after passing nearly unanimously in the 2024 legislative session.

Racially restrictive deeds and exclusionary covenants are still scattered across the Kansas City metro, embedded deep in the bylaws of homes associations and subdivisions’ rules, even though they can no longer be enforced. Now, property owners have a way to remove the language from the documents.

Owning a home today is more expensive than ever and disproportionately out of reach for people of color. Civic Saint in Kansas City wants to use tiny homes to help close the gap and protect the environment.

A group of Kansas City homeowners sued the National Association of Realtors in 2019 over what they said were inflated commission fees. The powerful trade group, which denies wrongdoing, agreed in March to pay $418 million in damages and to adjust its commission practices, which could transform the way Americans buy and sell homes.

As state and federal lawmakers propose measures to curb how firms like VineBrook operate, tenants continue to grapple with poor maintenance and customer service.

In Kansas City's increasingly tight housing market, large investors continue to buy up homes in the area and convert them into rental properties. It forces prospective local homebuyers to compete against out-of-state corporations.

This week, Jackson County assessment director Gail McCann Beatty fielded questions from the legislature about this year’s problematic property assessments, which saw the value of properties increase by an average of 30%.

Some Jackson County residents report their property tax assessments are up 90% from two years ago. On Friday, the Jackson County Board of Equalization extended the deadline to file formal appeals.

A steep increase in assessed property tax value has some Jackson County residents concerned they could lose their home. Experts share ways to challenge the assessment through individual appeals and legal action.

The Kansas City housing market outlook favors sellers and properties are still going quickly, despite inflation.

After the Federal Reserve started hiking interest rates, pending sales for new homes in Kansas City dropped by over 30%. But the market hasn’t gotten easier for prospective buyers, with home prices still at record highs.