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🏠 📈 Your Philly housing market forecast for this year | Morning Newsletter

And the schools scrambling to keep students safe

    The Morning Newsletter

    Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Welcome to Tuesday. The snow is gone but temps only in the 30s remain.

Today we look at the state of Philly-area real estate in 2022 where it’s estimated that home sales could hit record levels.

And yesterday’s snowfall, coupled with rising coronavirus cases, has many schools scrambling to return students to class safely.

— Kerith Gabriel (@sprtswtr, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

For the last two years, a lack of available homes has led to increased competition and bidding wars.

It’s also led to record prices, not just in our region but nationwide — and we’re talking numbers higher than they were before the Great Recession.

The rise won’t be nearly as rapid, but 2022 is expected to also see significant gains. Although this might be ideal for sellers, affordability is a big concern — in addition to housing gaps based on race and socioeconomic status.

Our reporter Michaelle Bond takes a look at the state of housing and what you can expect if you’re looking to buy or sell this year.

What you should know today

  1. Snow pounded many parts of South Jersey. Philly? Not so much.

  2. COVID-19 testing tents are popping up across the city, with operators claiming that they’re backed by FEMA. They are not.

  3. Philly DA Larry Krasner was sworn in for his second term, promising gun-violence prevention in addition to reform.

  4. A man who served 37 years may be freed after an informant said cops provided sex for false testimony.

  5. The future of Center City and what fills its lofty skyscrapers isn’t looking great.

  6. Meet the Philly start-up that manages extras for major Hollywood studios.

  7. Our columnist Will Bunch on the document and the Trump insider with insight on what sparked the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

  8. The Eagles’ final game of the season against the Cowboys has been moved up to Saturday night as the playoff picture becomes clearer.

  9. Local Coronavirus Numbers: Here’s your daily look at the latest COVID-19 data.

Yesterday, I received two emails from my child’s pre-K — within an hour of each other — that a pair of teachers had tested positive for the coronavirus. Classes were canceled and parents with children in those classes were asked to get their kids immediately.

It’s something many school districts across the region are struggling with as COVID-19 concerns, staffing shortages, and winter weather disrupted reopening plans.

In Philly, the teachers’ union asked Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. for another week “to ensure that scientifically recommended mitigation strategies are ready for implementation in every work location.” Students returned to school with some outcry that mitigation measures against the omicron variant simply aren’t enough.

Our reporters Kristen A. Graham, Maddie Hanna, and Melanie Burney look at the issues many districts are facing and what parents can expect.

🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠

Here’s a bit of an oxymoron for Tuesday. Today’s question: Do you know why SEPTA’s Suburban Station is located in the heart of the city? Find out the answer.

What we’re…

  1. 🎄 Suggesting: Here’s where you can take your Christmas tree so it doesn’t end up in a landfill.

  2. 🎧 Catching up on: Some of these Inquirer Live episodes I missed in 2021. To ensure you don’t miss any in 2022, sign up for the newsletter.

  3. 📚 Reading: How Johnny Doc conspired to ruin tow truck magnate Lew Blum over $10.

Photo of the day

Thanks for starting your Tuesday with The Inquirer. We’ll see you tomorrow. ✌️