“Zombie” mortgages come back to haunt homeowners, a new low-carbon technology for cooling buildings, and more.
- In the suburbs of Phoenix, a 2023 moratorium on new groundwater-based housing halted the construction of nearly half a million homes, highlighting how the desert city’s thirst for development ultimately outstripped its water supply. The result is now a “bridge to nowhere” effect, pitting affordability against sustainability in the Sun Belt. ,high country news,
-
Debt collectors are reviving “zombie” mortgages from the 2008 era. These old, often forgotten second debts are now coming back to haunt homeowners as property values rise. ,bloomberg,
-
California renters recently got a cool new law: Starting in 2026, every rental unit will have to come with a working fridge and stove, meaning no more scouring Facebook Marketplace for basic necessities. ,Los Angeles Times,
Tasked with re-imagining a 1935 bungalow and adding an ADU in Austin’s historic Rosewood neighborhood, Side Angle Side used archival photographs and salvaged materials to reconstruct the original structure and weave in a contemporary addition.
Photo by Rob Gomez
-
Hospitals, schools, hotels and data centers are turning to “ice batteries” that freeze water overnight to cool buildings during the day, reducing energy use and costs. This technology provides a low-carbon way to maintain comfortable temperatures without putting a burden on the grid. ,ap news,
-
AIA Austin’s 39th annual Home Tour highlights 10 extraordinary residences that reflect the city’s evolving design DNA, from a concrete ADU tucked behind a preserved 1930s facade to a tree-top retreat perched on a hill. ,Settle,
Top photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images.
