By: Natalie Johnson
Understanding Real Estate Through Planning
Many real estate evaluations rely heavily on historical data—rent comparables, recent sales, population trends. While these indicators provide context, they don’t necessarily predict future market conditions. Ruthy Dahan-Portnoy, founder and CEO of RiseSpot, emphasizes the value of examining development plans and public initiatives to understand potential growth areas better. She explains, “It is not just about observing what’s already popular. It’s about looking at potential developments in the future.”
Local Development and Emerging Opportunities
Stakeholders often focus on markets after trends have already emerged, relying on historical data and recent activity to guide decisions. However, examining early indicators—such as publicly announced development plans, zoning changes, and infrastructure projects—can provide valuable insights into how communities may evolve. Portnoy and her team at RiseSpot dedicate significant effort to analyzing a wide range of factors that can influence trends in property value appreciation across different regions, including local government initiatives, public policy shifts, demographic trends, and planned commercial or residential developments. By studying these elements, they aim to identify patterns and emerging opportunities, highlighting how thoughtful consideration of planning decisions and local projects can serve as early signals of potential changes across neighborhoods and metropolitan areas. However, these opportunities are based on trends and may not guarantee future success or growth.
Models Tailored to Local Markets
Not every feature or development impacts each market in the same way, and understanding these differences is critical for accurately interpreting local trends. For example, a new transit corridor or major community project may significantly influence patterns of occupancy, property use, or regional interest in Atlanta, while a similar initiative in Phoenix might have a very different effect due to variations in population density, economic activity, or urban planning priorities. RiseSpot employs market-specific analyses to account for these local variations, examining each area’s unique characteristics, historical trends, and current initiatives. This approach helps users gain a clearer understanding of how planning decisions, infrastructure projects, and public policies can interact with local conditions in ways that are often highly specific to the area. As Portnoy explains, “Each area has unique characteristics. Understanding local context is key to interpreting data effectively.” By considering these distinctions, stakeholders can develop a more informed perspective on urban growth patterns and community evolution, grounded in the realities of each specific market rather than broad assumptions.
Aligning Planning Insights With Strategic Considerations
Portnoy emphasizes that development plans are just one of many factors stakeholders can consider when analyzing how a market may evolve. While historical data and recent activity provide context, examining local development initiatives adds another dimension to understanding potential changes in neighborhoods and cities. By combining insights from development plans with broader demographic patterns, economic indicators, infrastructure projects, and community trends, users can gain a more comprehensive and nuanced view of how areas may develop over time. This multi-faceted approach allows for a deeper understanding of urban growth dynamics and helps stakeholders make more informed observations about emerging patterns. Importantly, this analysis is intended solely to provide information and context—it is designed to support informed decision-making and urban planning considerations, not to serve as financial or investment advice.
Observing Growth Where It Emerges
Cities evolve in complex ways, influenced by planning, permits, population movement, and business activity. According to Portnoy, considering these elements alongside traditional market data can provide a richer perspective on urban growth patterns.
For more on this approach, follow Ruthy Dahan-Portnoy on LinkedIn and get to Risespot’s website at: https://www.risespot.com/
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no representations or warranties, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of this information. Use of this information is at your own risk.
