There’s been a lot of buzz about data centers and their effects on local housing markets, so I took a close look at the latest research. Turns out, there isn’t a simple answer—how these massive facilities shape home values really depends on each community’s economy, infrastructure, and existing demand. Counties with 10 or more data centers did see stronger home-value growth and higher median prices, but keep in mind, many of those areas were already tech hubs with higher incomes and robust job markets before data centers moved in. In fact, over 90% of US counties don’t have mapped data centers at all, and the experience for buyers and sellers has been all over the map. Some clients are raising concerns about electricity costs, water usage, and infrastructure strain, which I hear echoed here in Baltimore as well. The biggest positive impact seems to be in local commercial real estate and economic activity, rather than a direct bump to housing values. As always, it comes down to understanding your local market—and that’s where I’m focused, helping Baltimore buyers, sellers, and investors sort through what really matters for your next move.
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