In partnership with

Good morning, Cleveland Real Estate Investors!

Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with friends (copy URL here)​

Home insurance rates up by 76% in some states

Over the last 6 years, home insurance rates have increased by up to 76% in some states. Between inflation, costlier repairs, and extreme weather, premiums are climbing fast – but that doesn’t mean you have to overpay. Many homeowners are saving hundreds a year by switching providers. Check out Money’s home insurance tool to compare companies and see if you can save.

Compare coverage

📬 In today’s edition:

• 🏢 Hough Apartment Tower Redevelopment

• 🏠 Just Sold Spotlight – Duck Island Modern Luxury

• 🏙️ Cleveland CRE Market Pulse | Q3 2025

📰 Cleveland Market Minute

Hough apartment tower transformed

Some said 9410 Hough Ave. couldn’t be saved. Others doubted the development team’s ability to move the rebuilding project forward. But Gina Merritt doesn’t succumb to those who doubt her or the endeavors she pursues.

Instead, she pressed ahead on a $47 million redevelopment of a 10-story tower of affordable apartments — a building that had been vacant for a decade.

 🔗 Read More

First W. 117th project south of I-90 in years

West 117th Street south of Interstate 90 hasn’t seen a lot of development in the past 20 years or so, unlike the areas to the north of the highway. But that may be starting to change for this portion of Cleveland’s Westown neighborhood.

After a long-closed White Castle fast food restaurant was repurposed as a Dunkin Donuts five years ago for $346,825, a neighbor across the street plans to greatly expand its business and footprint, according to Cleveland Building Department records.

🔗 Read More

A 5-mile-long lakefront redevelopment

Burke Lakefront Airport is an obstacle. You can’t build a decent-sized park on the lakefront because of it.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne asked members of Congress last week for help in bypassing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) red tape in closing Burke.

🔗 Read More

🏠 Just Sold Spotlight – Modern Skyline Luxury in Duck Island

📍 1916 Smith Ct, Cleveland, OH 44113

• 💰 Sold Price: $600,000

• 📏 Size: 1,672 sq. ft. (3 beds, 2 full + 1 half baths)

• 📅 Year Built: 2022

• 🛏 3 Beds | 🛁 2 Full, 1 Half Baths

• 🚗 Oversized 2-Car Attached Garage

• 🌳 Lot Size: 1,742 sq. ft.

• 🏫 School District: Cleveland Municipal School District

• 📝 Investor Takeaway

Expertly crafted by Berges Home Performance, this 4-level contemporary townhome offers top-tier efficiency, precision build quality, and true luxury finishes. A private rooftop deck with an integrated wet bar and Trex decking delivers panoramic skyline views.

The ultimate backdrop for modern city living. With 12+ years of tax abatement in place and a walkable Duck Island address, it’s a high-performing investment with solid resale potential and long-term savings built right in.

🏡 Neighborhood Insight

• 📍 Community: Duck Island

• 🏞 Nearby Landmarks: Abbey Park, West Side Market, Towpath Trail, Tremont Tap House, and several popular breweries

• 🧾 Tax Abatement: 12+ Years City of Cleveland (eligible through 2036+)

• 🚶 Accessibility: Walkable to Ohio City, Tremont, and Downtown; access to public transit and major freeway connections

📈 Recent Sales Nearby:

• 2106 Willey Ave – $540,000 | 3 Bed | 3 Bath | 1.8k sq. ft.

• 720 University Ct – $613,000 | 3 Bed | 3 Bath | 1.9k sq. ft.

• 2317 Scranton Rd – $510,000 | 2 Bed | 3 Bath | 1.8k sq. ft.

• 2108 Freeman Ave – $447,500 | 2 Bed | 3 Bath | 1.5k sq. ft.

• 3000 Monroe Ave – $598,500 | 3 Bed | 3 Bath | 1.9k sq. ft.

📌 Notable Features

• ✨ Rooftop terrace with Trex decking, built-in wet bar & garden

• 🔥 Chef’s kitchen w/ quartz waterfall island & premium appliances

• 🎧 Built-in speakers + smart home + Vacuflo system

• 🪟 Black Andersen ENERGY STAR windows

• 🚿 Luxury vinyl plank flooring & designer finishes

• 🛋 Open-concept living with high ceilings & fireplace

• 🧺 Upper-level laundry

• 💡 LED recessed lighting + custom storage systems

• ♻️ Energy-efficient construction and mechanical systems

💡 Insider’s Insight

🏙️ Cleveland CRE Market Pulse | Q3 2025

🏢 Office Market Overview

The Cleveland office sector saw a modest slowdown in Q3 2025, posting 47,048 SF of negative net absorption—the second consecutive quarterly loss after a strong 2024.

• Vacancy: Rose slightly to 23.3% (up 10 bps QoQ)

• Leasing activity: 732,189 SF, one of the strongest Q3 totals in years

• Asking rents: Up to $21.42/SF, marking 3.3% YoY growth

  Despite subdued absorption, rent growth signals steady tenant confidence in prime submarkets.

🏭 Industrial Market Snapshot

The industrial sector also softened this quarter with 517,583 SF of negative absorption, the second-largest decline since mid-2021.

• Vacancy: Up to 5.5% (still below 7.4% long-term average)

• Asking rents: Slight dip to $5.95/SF, down 3.9% YoY

• Trend: Continued wave of sale-leasebacks as companies unlock capital

  • Example: TCP’s 154,000 SF facility in Aurora sold for $9.8M ($63.64/SF)

  • Hyson Products’ South Central facility sold for $6.3M ($107.76/SF)

Despite short-term vacancy upticks, fundamentals remain resilient, with strong investor interest and favorable long-term positioning.

💡 Market Takeaway

Cleveland’s Q3 2025 real estate landscape shows short-term headwinds but long-term stability.

• Office rents are trending upward despite absorption dips

• Industrial vacancies remain well below historical averages

• Sale-leasebacks highlight ongoing capital efficiency strategies

Smart investors are maintaining a hold-and-optimize stance, preparing for a 2026 rebound in industrial demand and renewed downtown leasing.

🏠 House of the Week – Contemporary Elegance in Tremont

📍 720 University Ct, Cleveland, OH 44113

• 💰 Price: $613,000

• 📏 Size: 1,905 sq. ft.

• 📅 Year Built: 2015

• 🛏 3 Beds | 🛁 3 Full Baths

• 🚗 2-Car Attached Garage

• 🌳 Lot Size: 1,855.66 sq. ft.

• 🏫 School District: Cleveland Municipal School District

🧘 Vibes: Modern living meets showcase design in this custom-built townhome nestled in the heart of Tremont. Bathed in natural light, this home’s open-concept layout is thoughtfully crafted with luxurious finishes, clean architectural lines, and skyline views.

The entry level features a welcoming foyer, guest suite with private bath, and access to the attached garage. The second level serves as the heart of the home—with floor-to-ceiling windows, gas fireplace, balcony, and a chef-inspired kitchen equipped with quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances.

The third floor includes a serene owner’s suite with walk-in closet and spa-like bath, plus an additional bedroom, full bath, and convenient laundry. The crown jewel? A high-end Dec-Tec rooftop deck with impressive views of both downtown Cleveland and the iconic domes of St. Theodosius Cathedral—perfect for entertaining or quiet evenings above the city.

Additional perks include radiant in-floor heating, zoned HVAC, on-demand hot water system, and valuable tax abatement through 2030.

👉 Listed by: Carolyn M. Bentley & Keith Tisch | Howard Hanna

📞 (216) 470-1502 | ✉️ [email protected]

🛠 Tools & Resources We Recommend

• PropStream → Lead generation + property comps

• AirDNA → Short-term rental profitability data

• BiggerPockets Cap Rate Guide → Know how to calculate investment ROI

• Cleveland Housing Court Tracker → Spot eviction risks and distressed deals

• Cleveland Real Estate Investor Facebook Group → Share deals and insights with local investors

📣 Weekly Wrap-Up

🏙️ Cleveland Real Estate Weekly | November 2025

Cleveland’s economic and real estate engines continue to revitalize key neighborhoods—from historic Hough to the lakefront—and investors are taking notice.

🌆 Adaptive Housing Success in Hough

Developer Gina Merritt celebrates the transformation of 9410 Hough Ave. into a $47M affordable housing tower. Once an abandoned 10-story relic, it now stands as a beacon of community reinvestment—with 220+ units and a renewed sense of neighborhood pride.

🏢 Market Pulse | Q3 2025

Office Sector:

• Net absorption: -47,048 SF (2nd quarterly loss in a row)

• Vacancy ticked up to 23.3%

• Asking rents: $21.42/SF (up 3.3% YoY)

Industrial Sector:

• Net absorption: -517,583 SF

• Vacancy: 5.5% (below 7.4% historical avg)

• Asking rents: $5.95/SF (down 3.9% YoY)

💡 Investor Takeaway: Despite market softening, rent growth and strong fundamentals continue to support a strategic “hold-and-optimize” stance. Sale-leasebacks remain popular as firms unlock liquidity while staying operational.

🏠 Just Sold Spotlight – Modern Skyline Luxury in Duck Island

• 📍 1916 Smith Ct, Cleveland, OH 44113

• 💰 Sold for $600,000

• 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 1,672 sq. ft. | Built 2022

Panoramic rooftop views, energy-efficient design, and a 12+ year tax abatement—this Berges-built home is prime modern-city living with strong ROI potential.

🏡 House of the Week – Contemporary Elegance in Tremont

• 📍 720 University Ct, Cleveland, OH 44113

• 💰 $613,000

• 3 Beds | 3 Baths | 1,905 sq. ft. | Built 2015

Architectural craftsmanship meets modern functionality with radiant floors, custom Dec-Tec rooftop, and unforgettable skyline and cathedral views.

Until next week,

Cleveland Real Estate Investors

📩 Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with friends Forward the newsletter.