Money Matters - States Most Interesting in Investing in Real Estate

 ccording to a new study, Illinois is the most interested in investing in real estate. 

Real estate company New Jersey Real Estate Network investigated which US states are most interested in investing in real estate. They did this by calculating the average number of monthly Google searches relating to investing for 218 different keywords such as, ‘how to invest in real estate’, ‘how to invest in property,’ and ‘rental property investment for the first five months of 2024 and 2025.’  

States were then ranked by the highest rate of monthly searches per 100,000 residents between January to May 2025. The percentage difference in search interest between the first five months of 2024 and 2025 was also calculated.  

States most interested in investing in real estate – Top 10 

Rank	State	Average monthly searches per 100,000 residents (January - May 2025)	Average monthly searches per 100,000 residents (January – May 2024)	Percentage change in searches (January – May 2024 to January – May 2025)
1.	Illinois	515	510	1.01%
2.	Wisconsin	508	478	6.26%
3.	Minnesota	502	470	6.84%
4.	Ohio	500	482	3.75%
5.	Michigan	489	487	0.57%
6.	Georgia	487	492	-0.97%
7.	Indiana	473	451	4.74%
8.	Pennsylvania	470	444	5.93%
9.	Iowa	460	389	18.28%
10.	North Carolina	454	415	9.34%

 

According to the study, Illinois is most interested in investing in real estate, with a monthly average of 515 Google searches relating to investing in real estate per 100,000 residents. In 2024, the monthly average was 510 searches per 100,000 residents, with only a 1.01% increase in Google searches in 2025. In 2025, the most searched term is ‘houses for sale,’ with a monthly average of 28,300 searches. 

Second on this list is Wisconsin, with a monthly average of 508 Google searches per 100,000 residents. In 2024, the monthly average was 478, revealing a 6.26% increase in search interest from 2024. In 2025, the most searched term is ‘houses for sale’, with a monthly average of 14,260 searches. 

Minnesota is third on the list, with a monthly average of 502 Google searches relating to investing in real estate per 100,000 residents. In 2024, the monthly average was 470 searches per 100,000 residents, meaning there was a 6.84% increase in searches in 2025. The most searched-for term in 2025 is ‘houses for sale’, with a monthly average of 14,260 searches. 

Fourth on the list is Ohio, with a monthly average of 500 Google searches relating to investing in real estate per 100,000 residents. In 2024, the monthly average was 482, meaning that there was a 3.75% increase in searches in 2025. The state’s most searched term in 2025 is ‘houses for sale’, with a monthly average of 28,300 searches. 

Rounding out the top five is Michigan, with a monthly average of 489 Google searches related to investing in real estate per 100,000 residents. In 2024, the monthly average was 487, meaning that there was only a 0.57% increase in searches in 2025. The most searched term in Michigan is ‘houses for sale’, with a monthly average of 21,380 searches. 

A spokesperson from New Jersey Real Estate Network commented on the findings, 

“The US has seen a huge rise in house prices, with the average family home now costing around $503,800, which is over $100,000 more than the average cost in 2020. 

“Despite significant rises, many Americans are looking to invest in real estate as a source of passive income or even a sole income. Illinoisians are most interested in investing in real estate, with the average price for a house in the state costing around $282,909, the 17th lowest average compared to other states. 

“Six of the top 10 most interested states (Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Iowa) feature in the 20 lowest average costing states to buy a house.” 

 

Post courtesy https://www.newjerseyrealestatenetwork.com/

 

Source: 

Google Keyword Planner, Zillow, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 

 

Methodology:

1) Monthly average search volume data was taken from Google Keyword Planner based on searches over the 5 months since the beginning in 2025 and the same period in 2024, to reveal which US states are most interested in real estate investment, and which states/keywords have seen the most growth in the period.  

2) A list of 218 short-tail and long-tail keywords was selected, such as:  

  

• Real estate for sale  

• How to invest in real estate  

• Buy a second home to rent  

• Buy a rental property  

• Fix and flip  

• How to flip a house  

• Real estate investing strategies  

• Rental property investment  

  

3) Using this data, the total search volume for the listed terms can be observed nationwide and per state, and the keywords are ranked by highest average monthly search volume, descending. The states have also been ranked by their absolute and per-100k adjusted search volume for the selected terms, with the state with the highest normalized search volume for the chosen terms at the top, descending.  

 

Healthy Habits - What’s in Your Child’s Youth Sports Bag?

 According to the latest data, approximately 27-28 million kids (ages 6-17) participated in organized sports in the U.S. in 2023 and 2022. One of the key pieces of gear for any sport is the athlete’s sports bag and what’s inside. Having the right tools on hand can make all the difference and help them perform at their best. Below are tips and tricks from befree on what to keep in your sports bag. 

• Fuel up before, during and after. Before you even get to the field, make sure your youth athlete drinks the recommended amount of water before taking part in their sport to ensure they are properly hydrated. Then pack a Gatorade or similar sports drink to help replace electrolytes. It also doesn’t hurt to pack healthy snacks like fruit and granola bars to help keep their sugar levels up. 

• The right fit. Of course, your athlete needs his/her gear and uniform to participate in their activity. But before you just toss them into the bag make sure that they fit your child properly. Ill-fitting gear can cause issues while they are playing and can even result in injury. Make sure you are checking the fit of the gear at least once a month, even if your child doesn’t use it. No sense in carrying it around in the bag if it doesn’t work for your child anymore. 

• Pack layers. Kids can be fickle when it comes to temperatures. One minute they insist they will be fine with just their shorts or uniform and the next, they are complaining they are too cold. Make sure to pack a sweatshirt or light jacket as well as a pants that they can easily zip on and off without having to completely change clothes or take off their shoes or cleats, like zipOns from befree.  

• Have the necessities on hand. There’s nothing like getting to your game and hearing your child say, “I don’t have a hair tie.” And of course, there isn’t one stashed in the car or on your wrist. Make sure to pack extra hair ties and other accessories your child may need in case something like this comes up. It also doesn’t hurt to keep deodorant, sunscreen, bug spray and first aid supplies in the bag as well. 

• Keep it clean. Refresh smelly sports bags weekly if possible. Empty them out completely and throw the bag in the wash if possible. Also, make sure to take out old food and drink items to prevent mold issues. As a bonus tip, toss an air freshener or dryer sheets into the bag to help with odor issues. 

About befree

befree is dedicated to improving lives by addressing the real, everyday challenges of people living with limited mobility. befree is committed to making adaptive and inclusive fashion that really works. Though clothing is a basic human need, for millions of people with temporary or permanent disabilities, getting dressed can be an ongoing daily hardship. For more information, visit: www.befreeco.com

Amazing Art - Petah Coyne: How Much a Heart Can Hold (Miami, Through 3/14)

The Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami proudly presents Petah Coyne: How Much A Heart Can Hold, featuring more than a dozen expansive mixed-media sculptures spanning decades of work by one of America’s most celebrated contemporary sculptors.

Pulsing at the heart of this museum show is Coyne’s fascination with female identity, and her deep reverence for under-recognized women writers and historical figures, including Zelda Fitzgerald, Joan Didion, Zora Neale Hurston, Jane Austen, and more.

The exhibition focuses on the ways her artistic process is inspired by women’s creativity — especially her use of seductive materials to create towering sculptures that bring the viewer in, while confronting the barriers women face.

These extraordinary landscapes of physical forms are on view through March 14. The sprawling installations and tactile meditations honor the creative power of women through artistic transformation.

Several works are on tour for the first time, and some have never been shown in museums.

She is best known for the elaborate physicalities of her large-scale hanging sculptures and monumental floor installations, laborious and time-intensive to create.

The New York-based artist has been chosen for more than 45 solo museum shows throughout her career. In 2024, Coyne received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center.

Her national honors include awards from the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, three awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, the Joan Mitchell Foundation, the New York Foundation for the Arts, two International Association of Art Critics Awards, and more.

Her work is held in the permanent collections of several leading institutions, including: the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, and many others.

Read more about the artist at www.petahcoyne.org.

Founded in 1950, the Lowe Art Museum is home to nearly 19,000 works of art that, collectively, represent 5,000 years of human creativity from around the globe.

Its extensive permanent collection galleries are complemented by a robust schedule of temporary exhibitions and engaging public programs throughout the year.

Located on the University of Miami campus (1301 Stanford Drive), the Lowe is open Wed., Thurs., Fri., and Sat., 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The museum also has after-hour events and virtual programs and a dedicated YouTube channel where prior programs and lectures are archived.

General admission is free. Additionally, the Lowe is a member of the North American Reciprocal Museum Association, the Southeastern Reciprocal Membership Program, the College and University Art Museums Reciprocal Program, and is a Blue Star Museum. For more information visit lowe.miami.edu or call 305-284-3535.

About the University of Miami
The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of our diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world.

Healthy Habits - A Family Guide To Good Oral Health & How To Build Healthy Habits

As parents, ensuring the well-being of our children is a top priority. Oral health has an important role in the general health and wellbeing of families but it is often something we neglect, instead focusing on the benefits of exercise, a healthy diet and good sleep hygiene. However, oral health plays an important role in our overall wellbeing from a childhood age right through to adulthood. Here, microbiologist and co-founder of Luvbiotics Samangi Wijesena looks at how families can help nurture a child's oral health through the power of the oral microbiome and probiotics. 

Understanding Tooth Decay

Dental caries (tooth decay) remains one of the most common, yet preventable childhood health conditions worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, 60–90% of school-aged children in industrialized countries experience dental caries. Beyond discomfort, cavities can affect eating, sleeping, school performance, and overall well-being.

What is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay develops when certain bacteria,  particularly Streptococcus mutans  feed on sugars from the diet and produce acids. These acids gradually erode tooth enamel, eventually leading to cavities. Treatment can be costly, time consuming and stressful for both children and parents. Fortunately, prevention is highly effective and can be incorporated into simple daily family routines.

The foundations of good oral health habits for families

• Regular brushing and flossing

• A balanced, low-sugar diet

• Routine dental check-ups

However, growing research highlights another important factor: the oral microbiome!

So, what is the Oral Microbiome? The oral microbiome is the unique community of microorganisms that live on the teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks. In a healthy mouth, beneficial and potentially harmful bacteria coexist in balance. This harmony helps protect against tooth decay, gum disease, and inflammation.

When the microbiome is balanced; enamel is better protected, inflammation is reduced and harmful bacteria are kept under control. When this balance is disrupted  a state known as dysbiosis  where harmful bacteria can dominate, increasing the risk of tooth decay.

What Disrupts a Child’s Oral Microbiome? Modern lifestyle factors can disturb this delicate ecosystem, including:

• Frequent use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial oral care products

• Antibiotic exposure

• High-sugar diets

• Regular consumption of acidic beverages

Samangi comments: “Children are especially vulnerable because their oral microbiome is still developing. Early-life microbial balance plays a critical role in shaping long-term oral health. Oral probiotics can help as they are beneficial bacteria specifically selected to support a healthy microbial balance in the mouth. Unlike traditional antimicrobial products that aim to eliminate bacteria broadly, probiotics work by restoring harmony and balance”.

Research shows certain probiotic strains may:

• Reduce levels of cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans

• Support a healthier microbial balance

• Help reduce oral inflammation

• Contribute to fresher breath

Strains such as Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus paracasei have been studied for their potential benefits in oral health and immune support. By encouraging beneficial bacteria to thrive, probiotics help shift the focus from “killing germs” to supporting balance. As research continues to uncover the vital role of the oral microbiome, probiotics are emerging as an exciting complementary tool in preventive dental care. 

Choosing Gentle, Microbiome-Friendly Oral Care

Children’s oral tissues are delicate. Harsh ingredients can disrupt developing microbial ecosystems.It is wise to avoid products containing:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)

• Parabens

• Unnecessary broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents

Instead, gentle formulations designed to support  rather than disrupt  the oral microbiome may offer a smarter long-term strategy for growing smiles.

Supporting Healthy Smiles 

Luvbiotics formulations are thoughtfully designed with children’s developing oral microbiome in mind and are recommended for children over 12 years old. Their toothpastes, lozenges, and mouthwashes contain carefully selected probiotic strains that support oral health while being free from harsh chemicals such as SLS and parabens.

Importantly, all formulations are completely sugar-free and use xylitol as a natural sweetener,  a well-known ingredient in dental care that helps reduce cavity-causing bacteria and support overall oral health. In addition, the mouthwash is alcohol-free, making it a gentle and suitable option for children’s daily oral care routine.

By combining modern microbiome science with gentle, child-friendly formulations, probiotic oral care offers a complementary approach to traditional brushing and flossing,  helping families move from simply fighting bacteria to fostering balance.

A Preventive, Balanced Approach

Supporting your child’s smile is about more than preventing cavities,  it is about nurturing a healthy foundation that can last a lifetime. By combining good daily habits with a deeper understanding of the oral microbiome, parents can move beyond simply fighting harmful bacteria and instead foster balance and resilience. Gentle, microbiome-friendly care including the thoughtful use of oral probiotics offers a modern, science-backed approach to protecting growing smiles. When we care for the tiny ecosystem inside a child’s mouth, we are not just protecting teeth, we are supporting confidence, comfort, and overall well-being for years to come.

References

1. Dzidic M, et al. The oral microbiome in health and disease. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2018.

2. Kolenbrander PE, et al. Bacterial interactions and successions during plaque development. Periodontology 2000. 2006.

3. Hasslöf P, et al. Probiotic intervention on mutans streptococci in preschool children. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2010.

4. Stamatova I, Meurman JH. Probiotics and periodontal disease. Periodontology 2000. 2009.

5. World Health Organization. Oral health fact sheet.