Today's Real Estate Pulse
Berkshire Hathaway to Acquire U.S. Homebuilder in $6.8B Deal
Berkshire Hathaway, now led by CEO Greg Abel, announced a $6.8 billion acquisition of a U.S. homebuilder, marking the conglomerate’s first major entry into residential construction. The purchase is intended to add stable, long‑term cash flow from the housing sector to Berkshire’s portfolio.
Also developing:
Primark to Invest More than 85 Million Euros in Spain and Portugal
Primark is committing more than €85 million (about $92 million) to expand and refurbish stores in Spain and Portugal as it marks its 20th anniversary in Spain. In Spain, €40 million will fund the renovation of eleven locations and the opening of a new store in Talavera de la Reina, bringing the chain to 68 stores nationwide. In Portugal, €45 million will support four new outlets and an expansion of the Forum Coimbra store. The investment is expected to generate over 300 jobs across the Iberian Peninsula.
Understanding China's Economy and the Housing Bust, with Tianlei Huang
On May 19, 2026, the Peterson Institute for International Economics hosted a virtual PIIE Insider LIVE chat featuring senior fellow Tianlei Huang. Huang discussed the evolution of China’s economy, from export‑driven manufacturing to the massive housing boom and its subsequent...
Communities Call for Transparency in AI Data Center Deals
Developers are racing to build AI‑focused data centers, but community opposition has blocked or delayed $64 billion in projects between March 2024 and March 2025. Activist groups now exist in 24 states, and high‑profile sites such as a proposed $4 billion AWS campus in...
Good PMs Prioritize Owner Interests Over Their Own Profit
Tension at the heart of property management: From a coldly rational perspective, the smart move for the owner of the PM business is to focus on maximizing revenue per unit managed. However, most of the best strategies for...
Tradepoint Atlantic and MSC Launch $1.2B Sparrows Point Container Terminal in Baltimore
Tradepoint Atlantic and Terminal Investment Ltd., the MSC‑BlackRock joint venture, broke ground on the Sparrows Point Container Terminal, a $1.2 billion, 168‑acre marine box hub with capacity for over 1 million TEU annually. The privately financed project aims to plug into an...
U.S. New Home Sales Jump 7% in March as Builders Offer Deep Incentives
U.S. new‑home sales accelerated 7.4% month‑over‑month in March, reaching an annualized 682,000 units—the fastest pace this year. The surge came as builders deepened incentives and discounts, pushing the median new‑home price down 6.2% to $387,400, the lowest level since mid‑2021.
PropTech Firms Rally with AI Tools to Curb $10 B Rental and Mortgage Fraud Surge
PropTech companies are rolling out AI‑driven verification platforms as rental and mortgage fraud spikes, with Vero securing $810,000 to expand its real‑time screening suite. The effort targets a $10 billion loss for U.S. consumers in 2023 and a $275 million hit to...
M Core Strengthens UK Retail Footprint with Four Regional Acquisitions
M Core, a London‑based commercial real‑estate investment manager, disclosed the purchase of four regional retail portfolios that together comprise roughly 1.2 million square feet of high‑street shops and leisure venues. The assets are located in well‑established trading districts across England and...
BSR’s Gateway 2 Approvals Hit 71% in 12 Weeks to May
The Building Safety Regulator reported that 71% of Gateway 2 applications were approved in the 12‑week period ending 1 May. During that window, 323 Gateway 2 decisions were made, with 62% of cases originating from London. The high approval rate signals that developers...
Small-Dollar Mortgage Market Has Vanished Since 2008 Crisis
"Since the 2008 financial crisis, the market for small-dollar mortgage loans has collapsed." https://t.co/VNL42Vui9C https://t.co/YZb58oQg2G
Dominus And Cheyne Capital Snag £250M Funding As Student Deals Hit £2.1B
Dominus and Cheyne Capital have secured a $317 million debt facility from Standard Chartered to convert the former 65 Fleet Street office block into a 875‑room student‑living development. The scheme will reserve 35% of rooms for affordable rents, include cultural spaces, and aim...
Private Activity Bonds to Fund Detroit Mixed-Use Developments
The Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $150 million private‑activity bond issuance for Bedrock TBP, Inc. to fund four mixed‑use developments in Detroit, including the Hudson’s Detroit skyscraper, Book Tower renovation, One Campus Martius expansion, and a COSM immersive‑reality venue. The bonds...
U.S. Retail Construction Completions Drop to 4.7M SF, Lowest Since 2005
CBRE said U.S. retail construction completions fell to 4.7 million square feet in the first quarter of 2026, the lowest figure since the firm began tracking the metric in 2005. The slowdown comes as building costs rise, labor remains scarce, and...
Cheval Collection Adds UK Branded Residences
Cheval Collection has opened its second branded‑residence project, Cheval Residences Knightsbridge Gate, in London’s upscale Knightsbridge district. The Grade II‑listed building houses 15 ultra‑luxury apartments ranging from one to six bedrooms, all offered for sale rather than short‑term booking. Owners will...
71% of U.S. Metros Post Price Gains as National Home Values Turn Negative in Q1 2026
The National Association of REALTORS reported that 71% of metro areas posted home‑price gains in the first quarter of 2026, yet the national median price rose only 0.5% year‑over‑year and inflation‑adjusted prices have been negative for four straight years. Investors...
‘It’s Pretty Brutal’: Why UK Landlords Have Been Rushing to Evict Renters
The UK’s Renters’ Rights Act, effective May 1 2026, outlawed Section 21 no‑fault evictions, forcing landlords to use Section 8 notices with legal grounds. In the days leading up to the change, many landlords rushed to serve a flood of Section 21 notices, creating a...
Citadel CEO Ken Griffin Doubles Down on Miami Expansion Amid NYC Tax Fight
Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin announced the hedge fund is "doubling down" on its Miami operations, expanding office space after New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani pushed a new tax on luxury second homes. The move underscores a strategic...
Residential Demand Outpaces Supply; Developers Add Luxury Amenities
Call it the #Wrey. #GFP not stopping at #conversion of #222Broadway to resi. Adding pool, film screen, spa. Nationwide 90K+ units in pipeline. 'Demand for resi, specially in this nabe, far outstrips supply' #NYC #LowerManhattan #FiDi #realestate #CRE https://t.co/x7MXBrH6Zd
Vietnam Real Estate Market 2026 Weathering Headwinds Embracing a New Cycle
Vietnam’s real estate sector is poised for a new growth cycle as the incoming government rolls out key legal frameworks that promise greater regulatory transparency and stability. Accelerating inter‑regional infrastructure and rapid urbanisation are reshaping demand toward genuine housing needs...
Hammerson Teams up with Waymap to Transform Central Birmingham Accessibility
Hammerson has teamed with Waymap to launch an indoor navigation app across the Bullring and Grand Central complex in Birmingham, covering more than 1.5 million square feet of retail space. The GPS‑free solution provides audio and on‑screen directions, allowing users to...
JTRE London on Being a Cheerleader for the South Bank Market
JTRE London’s managing director Nigel Fleming told Property Week that the firm is positioning itself as a champion for the South Bank office market. The developer is rolling out a new SE1 office project that aims to meet rising demand...
New Homebuyers Pay Double the Property Taxes of Longtime Owners in These 11 Cities
A new analysis by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence finds that in 11 U.S. cities, recent homebuyers face property‑tax bills at least twice those of longtime owners of comparable homes. The disparity...
Top Female Mortgage Originators of 2025
Women comprised roughly one‑third of entries in National Mortgage News' Top Producers survey, with three female originators exceeding $100 million in loan volume for 2025. Tammy Saul led the group at $235.7 million, a figure that would have placed her eighth overall...
British Supermarkets Want to Rein in the Expansion of Aldi and Lidl
British grocery giants Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Iceland have asked the Competition and Markets Authority to amend real‑estate licensing rules that currently give discounters Aldi and Lidl an advantage. The German chains now hold about 20 % of the UK grocery market...
Canada Retail Sector Nearing Turning Point as Rising Unemployment, Consumer Caution Signal Slowdown: CoStar
CoStar’s latest analysis warns that Canada’s retail sector, particularly in Toronto, is nearing a turning point as unemployment climbs toward 9% and consumer caution intensifies. Higher fuel and transportation costs are further compressing household budgets, especially for discretionary items such...
Asda Reveals Opening Date for New George Concept Store in Lincoln
Asda announced that its new stand‑alone George concept store in Lincoln will open on Thursday, 14 May. The location at Valentine Retail Park becomes the fourth independent George store in the UK and the second to launch in 2026, part...
Here’s Where Taxes and Government Fees Hit Homebuyers the Hardest
A new LodeStar study shows Delaware’s closing costs are the nation’s highest share of sale price, averaging $12,707 or 3.06% of a transaction. Transfer taxes and recording fees account for $9,098 of that total, driven by a $4 per $100...
Planning Consent Granted for Redhill Data Centre Project Near London
The Redhill data centre, slated for a 30‑acre site just south of London, has secured full planning consent from local authorities. The development will deliver roughly 1.5 MW of critical power and is expected to be operational by 2026. Its approval...
Bill Cosby Cuts the Price of His New York Townhouse to $5.99 Million
Actor Bill Cosby has reduced the asking price of his Manhattan townhouse to $5.99 million, a cut of roughly $750,000. The price drop comes weeks after a California jury ordered him to pay nearly $60 million in damages to a waitress who...
Brick Deliveries Surge 27% MoM, Fall 3% YoY
UK brick deliveries are a useful proxy for new house building starts in the absence of monthly starts data. As expected, deliveries in March 2026 were 26.7% higher than in February but 3.4% lower than a year earlier according to...
PROPTECH-X : If You Don’t Control Your Building Data, You Don’t Control the Future
Proptech‑X’s latest column warns that commercial‑real‑estate owners often lack control over the data generated by their buildings. While owners hold land, structures, and leases, vendors typically capture usage, energy, and security data, turning it into a hidden asset. The article...
Build Cost Feasibility Modelling for UK Residential Developments
Build cost feasibility modelling is essential for UK residential developers, offering a detailed breakdown of land, construction, professional fees and contingencies. In 2026, average construction costs range from $2,200 to $3,200 per square metre, while prime London land can exceed...
Milan’s Olympic Village to Reopen to Students in Just Four Months
Milan’s former Olympic Village is being transformed into Italy’s largest publicly supported student housing complex, with 1,700 beds slated to open in August 2026 after a four‑month conversion. The six mass‑timber blocks, built for the 2026 Winter Games, were delivered...
Where to Buy Real Estate in Canada 2026: Greater Toronto Area
MoneySense’s 2026 GTA real‑estate guide ranks the top neighbourhoods, with Tansley in Burlington leading at an average sold price of about $548,000 USD. Blackstock in Scugog follows, posting a 47% five‑year price gain and a $773,000 USD average price, while Headon in...
Boral Partners with Dexus to Build Major Logistics Hub in Ravenhall
Boral has teamed with property group Dexus to develop the Ravenhall Logistics Precinct, slated to become one of Australia’s largest industrial projects. The 630‑hectare site near Melbourne will be converted into up to 2.5 million sqm of warehousing with direct freeway and...
The Resort Retail Opportunity
Luxury brands are turning high‑end resorts and five‑star hotels into seasonal retail venues, turning vacation lobbies into pop‑up boutiques. The model, pioneered in European hotspots like Mykonos and Ibiza, now spans U.S. destinations from the Hamptons to Aspen, with Dior,...
Don’t Walk Away: How to Turn a Short-Term Sublease Into a Long-Term Win
Commercial subleases are prized for low rent, furnished spaces, and quick move‑in, but short lease terms often deter long‑term tenants. Choyce Peterson recommends two tactics to turn an 18‑month sublease into a multi‑year commitment: the “Blend and Extend” deal, which...
Florida Ends 13‑month Home Price Decline, Now Positive
Florida's 13-month streak of negative year-over-year single-family home prices just came to an end, with the latest Freddie Mac House Price Index posting a slightly positive reading This repeat-sales filters out mix-shift noise. Condos are NOT included. via ResiClub Terminal
Judge Approves $100M Borrowers Fund, $85M Settlement in Wells Fargo Diversity Quota Scandal
A federal judge approved two landmark settlements for Wells Fargo stemming from its 2022 fake‑interview diversity scandal. The bank will fund a $100 million borrowers assistance program that provides up to $10,000 for down‑payments and $5,000 for closing costs to low‑ and...
The Multifamily Operations Daily Huddle: Why Culture Eats Your Pricing Strategy
A multifamily property that cultivates a personal culture leased a unit in four days, while an identical unit without that culture sat vacant for forty days. The article argues that culture—personal interactions, attentive service, and a sense of community—is a...
Bhoon+ House / Anonym
Thai architect Phongphat Ueasangkhomset designed a 350 m² modern home that pivots around a planted central courtyard, physically and visually linking the new residence with the owners’ original house. The linear, east‑facing volume reduces direct sun exposure while glazed walls on...
The Spring Housing Market Has a Vibes Problem as ‘Fear of Overpaying’ Takes Hold
The spring housing market shows solid fundamentals—inventory rose 4.6% year‑over‑year, pending sales climbed for a fourth straight month, and mortgage rates eased to 6.2‑6.3%—yet consumer and builder sentiment have sunk to record lows. Economists say the market is resilient, beating...
Falling Home Prices Spur Sales Amid Southern Inventory Surge
New Single-Family Home Prices Drop Further amid Inventory Glut. But Lower Prices Beget Higher Sales. Inventory in the South still sky-high, up 60% from March 2019. But homebuilders understand what it takes: lower prices and big incentives https://t.co/fiwKwIBlMq https://t.co/6wTyZGUENq
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What You Need to Know About Shared Equity Mortgages
A shared equity mortgage pairs a lender or investor with a homebuyer, allowing both parties to own a percentage of the property and split any future appreciation. The arrangement lowers the buyer’s down payment and monthly payment, often in exchange...
Boston’s Home Prices Near $832K Prompt 26% of Young Workers to Plan Exit
Boston’s median home price hit $832,500 and median rent rose to $2,918, prompting 26% of residents aged 20‑30 to plan a move out of the metro area within five years. The outflow threatens the city’s innovation engine and puts pressure...
Pretium Hits $3 B Milestone in Homebuilder and Multifamily Financing
Pretium announced that its residential debt platform has deployed more than $3 billion in financing to homebuilders and multifamily developers since December 2024. The capital has funded the construction of over 13,000 housing units, highlighting the firm’s role as a leading...
Bregal Milestone Takes Majority Stake in Meteoviva, Boosting AI Energy Management
Bregal Milestone announced a majority growth investment in meteoviva, the AI‑powered building energy‑management platform, to fund rapid European expansion. The deal gives meteoviva access to capital and operational support while the private‑equity firm taps a market where AI and decarbonisation...
Seattle Council Moves Toward One‑Year Data Center Moratorium Amid Grid Strain
Seattle City Council members Eddie Lin, Debora Juarez and Joy Hollingsworth are drafting a one‑year moratorium on new data‑center projects after two developers pulled out of a combined 369 MW proposal, citing grid‑capacity worries and a flood of public opposition.
ATTAINABLE HOUSING AT SCALE WITHOUT LOWERING STANDARDS, GOCHA KALANDADZE’S VIEW
Gocha Kalandadze, CEO of Dream House LLC, has built a repeatable model for delivering affordable, high‑quality housing in Georgia. By enforcing strict feasibility checks, tight budgeting, disciplined procurement, and seamless schedule coordination, his firm has completed roughly 1,000 middle‑income apartments...
FrontView REIT Inc (FVR) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
FrontView REIT reported a strong Q1 2026 quarter, with occupancy climbing to 97.8% and total revenue rising to $17.6 million, up $1.3 million sequentially. The REIT resolved nine of twelve previously troubled assets, achieving over 89% recovery, and sold nine properties for...