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s we reach the quarter mark of the 21st century, 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for news. The second Trump administration will take office in Washington, and the state Legislature's new session is expected to bring significant changes. Meanwhile, local issues such as a potential cellphone ban in schools, increased participation in high school sports, and new shopping centers are also on the horizon.

    The housing market remains a pressing concern, with home prices reaching historic highs in 2024 and showing no signs of slowing down. Realtors hope that recent interest-rate cuts will make homes more affordable, but inventory remains tight as would-be sellers struggle to buy new properties. In Westchester County, median single-home prices grew by 10% in the third quarter to $913,000.

    The apartment building boom in the Lower Hudson Valley may be reaching its peak, with developers favoring rentals due to their lower costs and easier financing options. However, this surge in supply hasn't led to a decrease in prices, and rents have soared since the pandemic. Weakened occupancy in some areas suggests that the rental market may slow down in 2025.

    Rent-stabilized apartments in Westchester County will see rent increases of 2.5% for one-year leases and 3.5% for two-year leases, affecting over 20,000 units. This will further exacerbate the affordable housing crisis in the county, where finding an affordable apartment is already a significant challenge.