RealEstateJournal | Regional News:
It’s not clear whether real-estate fever will translate into long-term gains for poor urban neighborhoods. Some buyers are absentee landlords who hope for quick profits and may not be much more willing or able than their predecessors to invest heavily in renovation. Moreover, a spike in interest rates could cool investors’ interest in marginal neighborhoods.

This is a great article showing many of the benefits of the recent real estate boom, particularly in Baltimore. When the market is allowed to operate freely, most often, good things will happen.