TagProperty Values(17)

NBER Working Paper No. 34431 by Florian Allroggen, R. John Hansman, Christopher R. Knittel, Jing Li, Xibo Wan, and Juju Wang (MIT, Tufts, University of Connecticut), October 2025. Estimates causal effect of aviation noise on U.S. housing prices using quasi-experimental variation from FAA performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures and runway reconfigurations at three major U.S. airports.

This document outlines several key challenges related to aircraft noise near Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Airport. It notes that existing noise measurement systems lack the precision needed by planners, residents, and courts, while federal FAA funds cannot be used to purchase noise-affected lands unless they serve specific airport purposes. Additional concerns include restricted HUD/VA mortgage financing in high-noise areas, the potential negative impact on local tax bases if the Port of Seattle acquires large amounts of noise-sensitive land, and widespread property owner anxiety over declining home values and marketability.

A property value study prepared by Saundra Mock of John L. Scott Real Estate examines how home values in King County and areas affected by Sea-Tac Airport air traffic compare to surrounding communities without an air traffic freeway overhead. Using data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, the study presents maps, zip codes, and median home values for affected and unaffected cities in the Seattle area, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions about the impact of airport noise on local real estate.

Bearse v. Port Of Seattle

This is a proposed court order from the King County Superior Court in the case of Kebede Admasu et al. v. the Port of Seattle, in which the Port sought summary judgment against plaintiffs based on express avigation easements tied to Sea-Tac Airport. The order lists the numerous declarations and filings considered by the court, including submissions from both the Port and affected property owners. The case centers on whether recorded avigation easements legally shield the Port from noise and property-related claims brought by neighboring residents.

A 2011 legal notice from law firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC informing Normandy Park and surrounding Seattle-area residents about a class action lawsuit against the Port of Seattle over damages caused by the airport's Third Runway operations. The notice warns that while the class action covers real property value losses, Washington law requires separate lawsuits to be filed within three years for other damages such as personal injury or annoyance. Residents were urged to contact the firm no later than November 10, 2011, to protect their legal rights.

A 1997 study commissioned by cities and institutions near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport found that airport operations depress nearby property values compared to similar homes elsewhere in King County, and that properties directly under flight paths suffer additional losses from noise, visual pollution, and reduced quality of life. Researchers compared single-family homes around Sea-Tac with comparable homes in Northwest King County (Shoreline area), using strict criteria to ensure fair comparisons. The study notes that while overall regional growth means nearby home values may still rise over time, they appreciate more slowly than they would without the airport's presence.