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:
What’s Stalling Data Center Projects? Public Opposition and Power Access Lead Delays.
Data center construction, once a bright spot in a sluggish building market, is now hitting roadblocks as developers chase gigawatt‑scale facilities. Projects have ballooned from 100 MW builds to over 1,000 MW, straining power grids and inflating equipment costs. Public opposition and emerging state legislation have caused cancellations to jump to 25 in 2025, up from six the prior year. As a result, developers are prioritizing sites with secured power and community‑benefit plans to keep projects viable.
Jax Apartment Investor Inks $50.5M Refi
Beachwold Residential has obtained a $50.5 million first‑mortgage loan to refinance Gran Bay Apartments, a 308‑unit garden‑style community in Jacksonville, Florida. The five‑year, non‑recourse loan was led by Mesa West Capital and arranged by Walker & Dunlop. Gran Bay, built in...
Mortgage Rates Poised to Climb Despite Low Oil
I find it interesting how many people think mortgage rates won't up from here. Despite $100 a barrel oil, total unknowns in the Middle East, and the fact that mortgage rates are historically HIGHEST in the months of May and June. Seems...
‘On Top Of All That’: US Housing In Limbo
U.S. housing activity showed modest improvement as the average 30‑year fixed mortgage slipped to 6.35%, the lowest level in more than a month. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported double‑digit growth in purchase applications, reflecting buyer response to the rate retreat....
OpenAI Stargate's Milam, Texas, 'Freebird' Data Center to Span 548,950 Sq Ft in First Phase
OpenAI announced the first phase of its "Freebird" Stargate data center in Milam County, Texas, a single‑story facility covering 548,950 square feet with four data halls. The project, built by SoftBank’s SB Energy, is budgeted at roughly $470 million and targets a...
Frédéric Duguay in Conversation on the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Shifting Mandate
In a Canadian Lawyer podcast, Frédéric Duguay, chief legal and information officer of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), outlined how the bank’s expanding $45 billion CAD (≈$33 billion USD) capital envelope is reshaping its mandate and risk appetite. The CIB is now...
ReSeed Deploys $125M, Launches Cohort 3 GPs
ReSeed Cohort 3 Launch Week: Boulder, CO Rhett came to me with the idea for ReSeed ("y-combinator for real estate GPs") in '22. We started the business with a fantastic team of co-founders and an incredible anchor investor in early '23. Since...
Haute Living Unveils 2026 ‘Slow Luxury’ Guide, Shifting Home Design Toward Enduring Minimalism
Haute Living released a 2026 guide declaring the rise of “slow luxury” in residential interiors. The trend favors natural materials, lasting craftsmanship and discreet technology, moving away from the all‑white, ultra‑minimal aesthetic that dominated the past decade.
OpenAI’s First San Francisco Loft Hits Market for $1.55 Million
OpenAI’s original 2015 loft in a Victorian house on 21st Street is on sale for $1,545,000. The listing, handled by Compass, draws interest from buyers who value both the floor plan and the startup’s historic connection, underscoring a niche market...
First Industrial REIT Posts $0.77 Q4 FFO, Lifts Dividend as Industrial Demand Surges
First Industrial REIT (FR) delivered fourth‑quarter 2025 funds‑from‑operations of $0.77 per share, up from $0.71 a year earlier, and announced a 12.4% increase in its quarterly dividend. The results reflect higher rental rates, solid lease‑up of 2026 rollovers and strategic...
Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol Powers AI‑Driven CRE Search in Mexico
Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) is now being used by AI agents to search, filter, and recommend commercial real‑estate listings across Mexico. The open standard, launched in November 2024, connects AI models directly to live property databases, cutting integration time...
The Importance of Access for Retail Tenants and Developers
Access is the linchpin of retail site success, dictating whether convenience‑driven tenants like c‑stores, gas stations, and QSRs can attract pass‑by traffic. Developers must evaluate vehicle movement, curb cuts, and cross‑access potential before committing to a parcel, often collaborating with...
CICT Leans on ‘Bold Acquisitions’ and Asset Recycling to Drive Growth
CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) is pursuing aggressive portfolio upgrades, highlighted by a S$3.9 bn ($2.9 bn) acquisition of Paragon Mall funded through debt, a S$600 m ($444 m) private placement, and the sale of Asia Square Tower 2 for S$2.48 bn ($1.84 bn). The REIT’s recent...
Chattanooga Selects Churches to Build up to 400 Affordable Homes
Chattanooga’s city government announced the first eight churches selected for its Faith‑Based Development Initiative, a program that lets houses of worship use or lease underused land for housing. The partnership with Enterprise Community Partners will provide training, technical assistance and...
$77 Million Tax Break, One New Permanent Job: JPMorgan Data Center Deal Sparks Backlash
JPMorgan Chase secured a $77 million tax incentive from the Rockland County Industrial Development Agency for a roughly $1 billion data‑center expansion in Orangeburg, New York. The subsidy, which amounts to about 8 % of the project’s cost, is tied to a plan that...
Law Firm McDermott Will & Schulte Negotiating 150K SF at BXP’s 343 Madison Avenue
McDermott Will & Schulte is negotiating a roughly 150,000‑square‑foot lease at BXP’s upcoming 343 Madison Avenue tower, which would occupy six of the building’s 46 floors. The Midtown tower, a $2 billion, 844‑foot net‑zero project designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, is...
More Than 50,000 Home-Purchase Contracts Fell Through in March
In March, nearly 53,000 U.S. home‑purchase contracts fell through, representing 13.4% of pending sales – up from 12.5% a year earlier and the highest March rate since the pandemic‑driven 2020 spike. Cancellations clustered in buyer‑heavy metros such as San Antonio...
Mortgage Rates Sink Again, and Homebuyers Jump Back In
Mortgage rates slipped to 6.35% for 30‑year fixed loans, marking a third consecutive weekly decline and a 55‑basis‑point drop from a year ago. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 7.9% jump in total mortgage applications, with purchase‑loan requests up 10%...
Strong Micro-Market Demand Set to Absorb New Self Storage Assets Across London
Savills warns that while London’s self‑storage pipeline is expanding rapidly, supply remains uneven across the city. Strong micro‑market demand—particularly in outer boroughs such as Croydon, Stratford and Hounslow—is expected to absorb the influx of new assets. Vacancy rates have slipped...
The Comeback of the Physical Store—And What It Means for Your Business
Retail analysts note a marked resurgence of brick‑and‑mortar locations in 2025, with foot traffic up 12% year‑over‑year after a pandemic‑driven slump. Stores are increasingly blending digital tools—such as in‑store AR, mobile checkout, and real‑time inventory data—to create seamless omnichannel experiences....
Create a Circle to Accelerate Real Estate Success
Build a circle that helps you level up. Follow @chasecalhoun.realestate for more on build-to-rent and real estate investing. #realestate #investmentproperty #buildtorent
How to Sublease Your Office Space
Businesses with excess office space can mitigate costs by subleasing, allowing them to retain the original lease while generating rental income. Subleasing differs from a lease assignment because the original tenant remains liable to the landlord, making landlord consent and...
₹1 Cr Flat Turns Into Cracked, Unlivable Nightmare
₹1 Cr flat… but the walls are cracked 😳 A buyer in Noida shared a video showing the poor condition of his expensive flat. He bought a ₹1 crore flat: 22nd-floor apartment Premium price But what did he get? – Cracked walls – Poor painting & finishing –...
Housing Supply Stabilizes While Demand Remains Tough
The supply trends in the housing market (both new and resale) have stabilized a lot this year even as demand continues to be challenging.
NYC Proposes $500 Million Tax on $5 Million‑plus Second Homes Owned by Non‑residents
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced a plan to levy a 1% tax on luxury second homes worth over $5 million owned by non‑residents, projected to raise $500 million a year. The proposal targets roughly 13,000 units in a market...
Homebuilders Cut Spec Inventory, Boosting Margins
Homebuilders like $DHI and $TMHC reporting sharp, swift declines in unsold finished homes during earnings so far is good news for the sector. Excess spec inventory has been one of the biggest drags on margins in recent years.
Keyton Launches Australia’s First Passive House Retirement Home
"One of the country’s largest retirement living developers, Keyton, has unveiled what it says is Australia’s first Passive House built within a retirement village, drawing industry attention after previewing the concept last year" #passivhaus #passivehouse https://t.co/MxFWA82cXY https://t.co/5AOoVlyEiM
Netflix in Talks to Acquire Radford Studio Center for $330‑$400 M
Netflix is negotiating with Goldman Sachs to buy the Radford Studio Center in Studio City for $330‑$400 million, far below the $1.85 billion price paid in 2021. The deal would give the streamer a flagship L.A. soundstage complex as it expands its...
Australia’s Tallest Build‑to‑Rent Timber Tower Gets Passivhaus Certification
"$330m Deal Clears Way for Australia’s Tallest Build-to-Rent Timber Tower - adaptive reuse, combining mass timber at scale with Passivhaus certification for the first time in Australia." #passivhaus #passivehouse https://t.co/LWTGVGpiC4 https://t.co/pIJyWjH0vc
BLDR Undervalued: Massive Cash Flow, Housing Shortage Persists
Market is throwing out the baby with the bathwater on $BLDR. Down 28% in 2025, another 20% in Q1 2026. Yet $875MM in free cash flow, 10-13% FCF yield, and zero growth priced in. Structural US housing shortage isn't going away. Pitch by...
Commercial Real Estate Market at Turning Point as Vacancies Drop: Report
Canada’s commercial real‑estate market shows its first simultaneous drop in office and industrial vacancy rates since the pandemic, according to Colliers International. Office vacancy fell to 13.6% in Q1 2026, a one‑point year‑over‑year improvement, while industrial vacancy slipped to 3.5%, the...
Barclays Sweetens Mortgage Deals as Interest Rate Decision Takes Focus
Barclays has joined a wave of UK banks cutting mortgage rates, trimming more than 20 products as the market eyes next week’s Bank of England decision. The moves follow similar reductions from HSBC, Halifax, Santander, TSB and Virgin Money, which...
Dave Ramsey’s 25% Home‑Affordability Rule Sparks Backlash Amid 6% Mortgage Rates
Financial guru Dave Ramsey urged Americans to limit mortgage payments to 25% of take‑home pay on a 15‑year fixed loan, prompting a wave of criticism. The advice clashes with a housing market where median prices sit at $534,000 and mortgage...
RBN Rewards Launches Loyalty Program Turning Home Purchases Into Luxury Travel Perks
RBN Rewards unveiled a referral‑based loyalty platform that awards points tied to the dollar value of residential transactions. A $1 million sale can generate 500,000 points—worth about $10,000 in travel or mortgage‑rate reductions—signaling a fresh way to monetize the biggest purchase...
Philippine Billionaire Jaime Zobel De Ayala’s Firm Halts Luxury Tower Construction, to Refund Buyers
Ayala Land, the real‑estate arm of the Ayala family, has halted construction and sales of the 67‑story Laurean Residences in Makati after generating more than PHP 10 billion (≈$170 million) in pre‑sales. The pause stems from soaring construction costs and timeline uncertainty linked...
10 Real Estate Scams You Should Know in 2026
The article outlines ten prevalent real‑estate scams threatening buyers, sellers, and agents in 2026, from wire fraud and mortgage‑relief schemes to moving‑company and title‑deed fraud. It cites recent data showing that 17% of title companies have fallen for wire‑transfer scams...
D.R. Horton Q2 2026 Earnings Beat Sends Stock 7.7% Higher
D.R. Horton reported fiscal Q2 2026 earnings of $2.24 per share, topping consensus, and net sales orders jumped 11% YoY to 24,992 homes worth $9.2 billion. The results sparked a 7.7% surge in the stock, underscoring the builder’s scale and pricing...
Impac Mortgage Teeters on Collapse Amid Audit, Data Breach
Impac Mortgage Holdings, once a billion‑dollar originator, is now facing a going‑concern warning after a Baker Tilly audit revealed $45 million in liabilities against $22.5 million in assets. The firm posted a $12.9 million net loss for 2025 and generated just $3.1 million in...
Bank of America, Appraiser Sued for Discrimination
Homeowner Darchelle Braxton has filed a federal lawsuit against Bank of America and Velox Valuations, alleging racial discrimination in the appraisal of her Richmond property. The bank’s $135,000 appraisal, which the complaint says was biased, led to a denied $100,000...
Controversial Hotel and Housing Complex Approved in West Hollywood
West Hollywood’s City Council approved the Bond Hotel & Residences, a mixed‑use development at 7811 Santa Monica Boulevard that will house a 45‑room hotel and a four‑story apartment building with 126 units, including 20 affordable units. The vote came after...
The Entertainer Outlines 2026 Store Expansion Plans
The Entertainer announced a three‑store rollout for the first half of 2026, including a 25% larger flagship at Cardiff’s St David’s Shopping Centre, a new outlet at Junction 32 in Castleford, and its biggest outlet to date – an 8,000 sq ft store at...
$900,000 Homes in West Virginia, Illinois and Arizona
A c. 1792 Federal‑style residence in Shepherdstown, West Virginia is on the market for $899,000. The 4,540‑square‑foot home offers three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and two separate guest apartments each with private entrances, kitchens and baths. Located within walking distance of...
You Cannot Build A High-Growth Economy While Taxing The Space It Grows In
The UK government’s new business‑rates rules will add roughly $750 million in taxes to the flexible workspace sector, stripping away small‑business relief that has kept rents affordable. Operators are already receiving back‑dated bills, prompting stalled investment and the threat of sudden...
NineSmart Showcases Property Technology at InnoEX 2026
NineSmart, a Hong Kong PropTech startup, showcased its upgraded Smart Property Management suite at the InnoEX 2026 exhibition. New features include a voice‑to‑text intercom that links to a resident app for remote door unlocking, QR‑code elevator access that directs multiple...
Inside the Mind and Investment Playbook of StripMallGuy (Repost)
In this episode of the Crexie podcast, host Shanti Ryle chats with Don Tepman, founder of Town Center Capital and the social media persona "Strip Mall Guy," about his unconventional path into commercial real‑estate investing, from a commission‑only broker role...
$1bn Microsoft La Porte Data Center Campus in Indiana Provides Updates on Potential Expansion Plans
Microsoft is investing $1 billion in a data‑center campus in La Porte, Indiana, and held an open house to outline a potential expansion across nine parcels south of Boyd Boulevard. Phase 1 construction is already underway, while the city council will vote on...
New Property Planning Report Service Aims to Reduce Fall-Throughs
Planning Decoder, a UK‑based startup, has launched a 48‑hour property planning intelligence report aimed at surfacing hidden planning issues that can derail residential sales. The service aggregates data from local authority records, appeal decisions, Companies House and policy documents, using...
SA Housing Market Shifts as Buyers Turn Cautious
The Adelaide housing market is cooling as prospective buyers grow cautious amid rising interest rates, fuel costs, and uncertainty over capital‑gains‑tax reforms ahead of the May 12 federal budget. Buyers are gravitating toward inner suburbs and properties close to public...
Stacked Store Opens First Standalone Shop in Singapore
Stacked Store will launch its first standalone shop on May 16 at The Factory in Singapore’s New Bahru, marking the brand’s shift from a purely digital platform to a physical presence. The 1,200‑sq‑ft space is billed as a hybrid retail‑and‑discovery concept, showcasing...
JPMorgan Sees China Property Stabilising, Boosting Outlook for Equities.
JPMorgan sees China’s property market approaching a turning point as price declines slow and secondary‑home values rise in dozens of cities. The bank argues that stabilising housing conditions could act as a tailwind for Chinese equities, helping them outperform other...