One of the best ways to learn more about the real estate and housing market is to spend a dedicated amount of time each week reading respected blogs about the topic. Regardless of if you are a novice to the industry or if you are a well-versed expert, you will find a blog that fits your personal needs and interests.

There is no doubt that the real estate market is a fluid industry. Staying on top of the latest trends and news will ensure that you are equipped to make informed decisions.

What to Look For in a Blog

While finding the blogs that suit your fancy is a personal decision, there are a few elements to look for when deciding if you should invest your time with a particular source of information. Here are a few of the key features of the best blogs.

• Specific Niche - The best blogs are specific to the industry. You will find the most accurate and informed information if the blog caters to a specific niche. For example, if you are looking for information about investing in condos, you will be wasting your time with a blog dedicated to commercial real estate.



• Timely Information - Yesterday's news is old news. The best blogs deliver timely and accurate information. If the information that you are after is less time-sensitive, you may be able to get away with browsing blogs that are not updated as regularly.



• User-intuitive Design - All of the quality content and timely information in the world will not mean a thing if the blog is cluttered and clunky. You want to spend your time with blogs that are easy to navigate so that you can quickly find what you are looking for. Professional blogs will also load quickly and not get bogged down by too much advertising.



• Quality Content - Content is king. You will find out very quickly if a blog is not giving you the information that you need. The best blogs employ quality writers and experts in the field.

Now that you know what to look for, here are a few of the top-rated real estate and housing blogs to get you started.

BiggerPockets

If you are looking to grow your wealth through real estate, this is the blog for you. BiggerPockets is a meaningful source of information for real estate investors wanting to learn more about leveraging this ripe market. The site is also home to an active forum and a popular podcast, making it a great comprehensive source for all of your real estate investment needs. You will be able to read expert advice from some of the most successful investors in the industry.

Houzz

If renovating or decorating existing homes is your cup of tea, you need to indulge in the wealth of ideas and inspiration on Houzz. This blog is your one-stop-shop for all of your home ideas. Houzz is a great place to connect with other like-minded home enthusiasts, regardless of your specific interest. You can also buy products and furniture directly from the blog, making it easy to outfit your home with the ideas you find while browsing the blog.

GeekEstate Blog

This specialized blog is dedicated to real estate investors who want to learn how to leverage technology to grow their business. If you feel confident in your real estate knowledge, but are unsure about how to lean on technology to make the most out of your business ventures, you will find this blog to have a wealth of information.

HousingWire

HousingWire is a professional blog that details daily real estate news, trends, investment strategies, and open commentary from a variety of differing voices. This site always features up to date information on everything that you need to know about the US housing economy so that you can make informed decisions. HousingWire is an especially good source of information for real estate professionals.

There is no shortage of professional, informative, and fun blogs out there. Once you have found your favorites, be sure to bookmark them so that you can visit them regularly. Many blogs also allow you to sign up for email updates so that you are on top of all of the new information.