#housing-market

#housing-market

We've known for several months now that San Francisco has the fastest-rising rents in the country, and that the sharp rent increases are because of the AI boom. But the New York Times has a new analysis of how AI companies are gaming the rental market in their employees' favor, in some cases with $1,000-a-month rent stipends, or in other cases, simply paying the employees' rent for them out of the company's VC-rich coffers.

Cash ISAs are not idle money. They meet real and practical needs, helping people to build financial resilience, save for a house deposit or manage their finances in retirement. They also provide the foundation for future investing and supplying essential funding for mortgages and other lending. The BSA's analysis suggests that a cut in the annual Cash ISA limit from £20,000 to £5,000 could lead to 17,000 fewer mortgage loans and reduce GDP by around £7 billion over five years, undermining economic growth and tax revenues.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

A growing sense of economic pessimism is taking hold in the U.S., as new Fannie Mae survey data reveals nearly 70% of Americans believe the economy is headed in the wrong direction. An even higher percentage (73%) say it's a bad time to buy a house. Coupled with mounting concerns about the housing market, the findings underscore the challenges facing would-be homebuyers, and paint an increasingly bleak picture for consumer sentiment as autumn begins.

"We have a unique opportunity to utilize the incredible breadth of talent across our companies, especially our world-class agents and franchisees, to deliver even more value to home buyers and home sellers across every phase of the home buying and home selling experience,"

Condos and townhouses are often considered more affordable alternatives to single-family homes, offering lower price points, reduced maintenance, and easier entry into homeownership. However, the long-term wealth potential of these property types varies based on location and market forces. Over the past decade, both condos and townhouses have shown significant equity gains, with subtle differences reflecting the evolving housing landscape driven by affordability challenges.

If you spent the week doomscrolling #RaptureTok and wondering whether to leave your houseplants a goodbye note, good news: the end times did not arrive on Tuesday. What did show up, however, were a bunch of very earthly headlines. One very famous network host is back (though not on every station-because why make anything simple in 2025?). Housing kept playing hot-and-cold depending on your ZIP code, retail nostalgia made a crafty comeback, and beverage brands learned that promising better guts requires better evidence.

Recent analysis from Moody's Analytics, led by Chief Economist Mark Zandi and Deputy Chief Economist Cristian deRitis, points directly to outdated capital gains tax caps as the culprit that is keeping millions of homes off the market and out of reach for families who need them most. According to the report, the problem starts with too many empty-nest seniors "locked in" to homes that no longer fit their needs. But instead of selling and downsizing to a smaller home, the prospect of steep capital gains taxes keeps them in their bigger homes.

As the housing market shifts toward favoring buyers, there are significant factors at play that may impact first-time homebuyers positively. The anticipated inflation adjustments to the IRS tax brackets for 2026 could potentially provide buyers with more financial leverage, making homeownership more attainable.

While summer is traditionally considered peak season for home-buying, Q4 emerged as the most active period last year, driven by declining mortgage rates in Q3, Waugh said in a statement. Buyers and sellers entering the market now through the end of the year are highly motivated. Navigating seasonal changes such as school schedules, inclement weather, and holiday commitments shows serious intent. Waugh noted that sellers who are keeping their homes ready for showings remain dedicated, even as mortgage rates hit their lowest point of the year and improved affordability draws more buyers back into the market.

Portugal has rapidly climbed the ranks of global dream destinations for expats, retirees, and digital nomads seeking sun, surf, historic charm, and an affordable European lifestyle. Its laid-back pace, beautiful coastlines, and relatively low cost of living make it appear like the perfect place to build a new life abroad. However, behind the Instagram-perfect images of tiled streets and sunset wine pours lie realities that few newcomers anticipate before arriving.

Zillow economists use an economic model known as the Zillow Market Heat Index to gauge the competitiveness of housing markets across the country. This model looks at key indicators-including home-price changes, inventory levels, and days on the market-to generate a score showing whether a market favors sellers or buyers. Higher scores point to hotter, seller-friendly metro housing markets. Lower scores signal cooler markets where buyers hold more negotiating power.

The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its 2025 fall forecast, and for Cuyahoga Falls, OH, cooler-than-usual days are ahead. While much of the western U.S. will feel warmer-than-normal, the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley regions-including northeast Ohio-are in for a brisker, drier autumn. While a cool down is headed for the area, the suburb is still enjoying being dubbed a hot market after landing one the Realtor.com® 2025 Hottest ZIP Codes list.

The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its Fall 2025 weather outlook, and for the Midwest, the season is shaping up to be brisk and dry. While much of the western U.S. will see warmer-than-average conditions, Wisconsin-including Sheboygan-will cool down early and stay that way. At the same time, Sheboygan is making housing headlines: the city has landed among 50 Hottest ZIP Codes of 2025 according to Realtor.com®, a signal that buyers are finding strong appeal in this lakeside market.

Indicative of the weakening job market, and in anticipation of a rate cut from the Federal Reserve, mortgage rates last week dropped to their lowest level since last October, with the 30-year fixed rate declining to 6.39%. Homeowners responded swiftly, with refinance application volume jumping almost 60% compared to the prior week, Mike Fratantoni, MBA's senior vice president and chief economist, said in a statement.

In August, inflation increased, posing concerns for consumers, though it is not expected to hinder an impending Federal Reserve interest rate cut due to alarming signals from the labor market. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report revealed a 2.9% rise in overall inflation compared to the previous year, with core inflation remaining steady at 3.1%. Despite these figures aligning with economists' predictions, the focus shifted to the labor market data, including a significant increase in weekly unemployment filings,

From the buzz of live music and new restaurants to the comfort of established neighborhoods, Nashville continues to attract buyers from near and far. In July 2025, the median sale price was $480,000, and homes sold in about 62 days on average. Upgraded kitchens, inviting outdoor spaces, and flexible guest rooms are among the features buyers are seeking, while sellers benefit from interest across both urban and suburban areas.

The housing market has transitioned to a more balanced state nationally, with a five months' supply reported in June, indicating a shift towards more buyer-friendly conditions as we head into fall. Seven of the top 50 U.S. metros have become buyer's markets, according to the latest report from Realtor.com economists. Miami leads the list with nearly 10 months' supply in June.