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:
One in Six: How Rocket Swallowed America's Mortgage Market
Rocket Companies completed a $15.95 billion series of deals—acquiring Redfin for $1.75 billion and Mr. Cooper for $14.2 billion—creating a vertically integrated homeownership platform that now services roughly one in six U.S. mortgages, about 10 million borrowers and $2.1 trillion in unpaid principal. The combined entity spans home search, loan origination, servicing, title and closing, making Rocket the largest mortgage originator by loan count and the biggest independent servicer. Its refinance recapture rate is three times the industry average, turning the servicing book into a powerful revenue flywheel. Integration is underway but faces workforce cuts and multiple regulatory lawsuits.
Popular Convenience Store, 99 Years Old, Closing Over 600 Locations
7‑Eleven’s parent, Seven & I Holding, announced it will close 645 North American stores by February 28, 2027, while simultaneously opening more than 200 new locations. The closures represent the fifth consecutive year the chain has net‑closed more stores than it opened,...
Boston City Council Members Float Eliminating Parking Minimums For All Housing Development
Boston City Councilors Sharon Durkan and Henry Santana introduced a 35‑page amendment to eliminate off‑street parking minimums for all new residential construction. The proposal would rewrite the city’s base zoning code and every neighborhood article, aiming to reduce development costs...
FN House / Anonym
FN House, a 650 m² residence completed in 2024 on Bangkok’s Prachauthit Road, was designed by lead architect Phongphat Ueasangkhomset. The narrow 500 m² site prompted an elevated floor plan 1.2 m above ground, creating visual separation and capitalising on a neighbour’s garden...
Housing Benefits Gain Ground as Employers Like BNY Pledge Down Payment Assistance
Employers are increasingly turning to employer‑assisted housing (EAH) to help workers afford homeownership. In April, Bank of New York Mellon announced a $6,500 down‑payment assistance program for U.S. employees earning $100,000 or less. Major mortgage firms such as Fannie Mae...
Mortgage Rates Dip as Oil Eases Despite Hormuz Shutdown
Why are mortgage rates falling with the Strait of Hormuz still closed, and oil priced around $95 barrel? - Ceasefire and oil prices off their highs (was ~$110) - Hope of a peace deal or resolution (talks ongoing) - Labor is still a...
Price Cut on The Block Daylesford
A Daylesford property featured on the 2025 season of “The Block” has been relisted at $2.9 million AUD (≈ $1.9 million USD), $90,000 below its original reserve. The house, owned by Han & Can, was passed in with a $3.1 million AUD vendor bid in...
Mortgage Fraud Vulnerabilities Dip to 43.7% in Q1
The FundingShield Fraud Analytics Report shows mortgage file errors fell to 43.7% in Q1, the lowest rate since Q2 2022. Issues per transaction dropped to an average of 2.2, down from 3.2 in the prior quarter. Closing‑protection letter (CPL) defects remain...
Charlotte Studios Surge Fivefold Since Financial Crisis
Over the last half century, the *kind* of apartments we have built has changed Post GFC, developers have shifted towards building more, smaller units In the City of Charlotte (not metro) the SHARE % of new units built as Studios has gone...
Job Fears Push American Workers to Rethink Homebuying
A Redfin survey of 1,005 U.S. adults found that 36% of workers are postponing or canceling big‑ticket purchases, including homes, because of job‑security concerns, while 31% are accelerating purchases for the same reason. The poll also revealed that 7% missed...
Unlock Hidden CRE Strategy: Secure National Tenants Early
In this episode, Cherif Medawar breaks down one of the most overlooked commercial real estate strategies today, how to control deals, secure national tenants, and create massive upside before you even close. Tune in now: 📺 : https://youtu.be/DI2HYxsH6vc 🍏 : https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/raise-the-bar/id1543049208
Data Centers Hit the Ballot This Year
A first-of-its-kind ballot measure in Port Washington, Wisconsin, passed with 66% support, requiring voter approval for tax increment financing (TIF) districts exceeding $10 million—a tool often used for data center projects. The initiative, driven by the grassroots group Great Lakes Neighbors...
New York’s Pied-À-Terre Tax Would Be Economic Self-Sabotage
Governor Kathy Hochul proposes a new annual levy on high‑value second homes in New York City, aimed at affluent part‑time residents. The pied‑à‑terre tax would add to existing property, transfer, and sales taxes, targeting owners who use their units intermittently...
Milwaukee's Stalled Edison Tower May Become Middle‑Income Apartments
Milwaukee Development Commissioner Lafayette Crump said the stalled 31‑story Edison luxury tower could be repurposed for middle‑income renters. The developer, Neutral, faces an $11.3 million unpaid‑bill lawsuit and a $25 million funding shortfall, prompting talks with new partners.
California Homeowners Still Locked Into Sub‑4% Mortgages
Everyone keeps talking about lock-in going away, saying the share of mortgage rates above 6% now exceeds those below 3%. Maybe in Alabama. In California, most still can't/won't move as evidenced by 34% of homeowners holding a rate between 3-3.99%...
Electrical Contractor Raiden Electric Inks 7K-SF Deal at 45 West 45th Street
Raiden Electric, a privately owned union electrical contractor, signed a 10‑year lease for 6,577 square feet on the entire 15th floor of AFIAA’s 45 West 45th Street tower in Midtown. The move relocates the firm from its Financial District address...
Square Yards and RBIH Digitise 100 Million Indian Property Records
Square Yards, India’s largest integrated real‑estate platform, announced it has digitised more than 100 million property registration records and signed a Platform Service Provider Agreement with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub. The partnership will deliver e‑valuation and title‑search services through RBIH’s...
Basel III Proposal Could Boost CMBS Demand
The Federal Reserve, FDIC and OCC have re‑proposed Basel III capital rules that lower risk weights for commercial‑mortgage‑backed securities (CMBS). Senior positions will see the minimum risk weight drop from 20% to 15%, while overall CRE risk weights could fall to...
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Says 'Woke' Buyer Forced Factory Relocation
MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell told Steve Bannon’s War Room that a “woke” firm purchased the company’s building, compelling him to shift production to a new site. He is now selling inventory from semi‑truck trailers while promising discounts and...
More Coming Soons
The article argues that pocket listings thrive only when buyer demand outstrips housing supply. It notes that if supply were abundant, agents would prioritize maximum exposure for each property. Currently, the market faces strong demand but many buyers are priced...
TBA Bidding, HELOC, DSCR, CRM, HMDA Analysis, MI Tools; Events Throughout 2026
Curinos’ proprietary index shows March 2026 funded mortgage volume jumped 35% year‑over‑year and 30% month‑over‑month, while refinance and purchase rates fell 5‑6 basis points month‑over‑month and about 73 basis points from a year ago. A modest market rally trimmed borrower...
Part 2: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for Mid-April 2026
The housing market entering mid‑April 2026 shows months‑of‑supply above pre‑pandemic levels while sales remain flat at 2025 volumes—the lowest annual pace since 1995. Prices are feeling downward pressure, especially where inventory is high, but widespread distressed sales are unlikely because...
Solve the Electrification Equation (BOMA 2026 Preview)
The 2026 BOMA International Conference & Expo will host a panel on building electrification, moderated by JLL’s Josh Toothman and featuring leaders from MetLife, Leading Edge Consulting, Southern California Edison, and BXP. Panelists will dissect the financial, regulatory, and technical...
The Big Risk
Canadian housing markets are showing a tentative rebound as prices have slipped up to a third since 2022, prompting a surge in buyer activity despite higher mortgage rates and economic headwinds. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI)...
Savills Publishes High-Value April Catalogue Featuring 300 Lots
Savills released its April auction catalogue on 16 April 2026, showcasing more than 300 lots across residential and commercial sectors. The catalogue’s headline asset is a free‑hold development in Kingston upon Thames priced at £4.75 million (≈ $6.1 M). Other notable listings include a 312‑acre...
Investment in European Serviced Apartments Hits €1.2bn as Demand Strengthens
Investment in European serviced apartments surged to €1.2 billion (≈$1.3 billion) this year, according to Savills. The sector’s demand growth is now outpacing the broader hotel market across key cities. Investors are attracted by higher yields and longer‑term leases, while developers scramble...
Mortgage Applications Plunge; Sellers Must Slash Prices
Mortgage applications to buy a house fell again. They're back down to an index level of 159, which is more than 50% below the pandemic peak in early 2021. Not only that - they're now declining year-over-year, reversing a slight positive trend...
Trump Targets ‘Bureaucrat Tax’ to Build More Homes
A new White House analysis by the Council of Economic Advisers estimates that cutting state and local zoning, building‑code and affordability mandates could add 13.2 million homes, boosting the U.S. housing stock by roughly 9 %. The report says regulatory compliance—dubbed the...
Why Is SEO Important for Multifamily Property Developers? 6 Reasons It Impacts Occupancy Rates
Multifamily developers are increasingly dependent on online visibility as renters begin their search on digital platforms. Search engine optimization (SEO) ensures properties appear early in organic results, shaping first impressions and attracting renters with genuine intent. By leveraging local SEO,...
US Homebuilder Depression Enters Second Year
The NAHB builder‑mood index fell to 34, a seven‑month low and the 24th straight month below the optimism threshold. The slump follows the Federal Reserve’s aggressive inflation‑fighting measures and is compounded by the Iran war, rising energy costs, and weak...
Sales Rise Thanks to $400‑500K Volume Surge
We have slightly more sales in 2026 compared to 2025 in the Sacramento region, and the x-factor has been higher volume between $400K to $500K this year. Why do you think we've seen more sales in this price bucket?
Canada Embraces Tall Towers, California Limits to Midrise
While Canada is fine with high-rise residential even in otherwise low-slung residential areas, California insists on chunky midrise even in other highly urban areas. What explains this? https://t.co/2L7ha4W3Uw
Antler to Take Big Retail Step Forward with Regent St Flagship
Antler opened a flagship store on Regent Street on April 21, covering 2,400 sq ft over two floors. The design‑led space, created with Checkland Kindleysides, features natural materials, a six‑metre layered table, and a floral art installation by Hamish Powell. Lower‑ground areas convert into...
Demographics, Not Growth, Fuel Housing Demand; New Builds Lag
"Demographic change—not population growth—is the main driver of housing demand. And while the surge in new construction [in California] is welcome, it has not yet translated into meaningful relief for households struggling with high costs." https://t.co/SvBbqFg8yx
CPACE Emerges as Leading Low‑cost CRE Financing
#CPACE fast becoming go-to source of capital for public benefit projects in #CRE. Avg deal size grown from $800G to $40M. 'A flexible+low-cost part of the capital stack' #Nuveen #realestate #mortgage #financing #TheGeneva #DC #Tampa #hotel #condo https://t.co/0YqS0B42NQ
Boomers Own the Housing Market. Everyone Else Is Getting Priced Out
The National Association of REALTORS released its 2026 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report, revealing that first‑time buyers fell to a record low of 21% of all home purchases. Baby Boomers dominate the market, making up 42% of buyers...
NYC Developers Exploit 99‑Unit Loophole, Merge Buildings
In 2024, NYC offered tax breaks & regulatory relief (labor regs, especially) for new apartment buildings with some "affordable housing" & fewer than 100 units. So, NYC developers built dozens of "99-unit" buildings & then... stitched them back together. LOL.
Massive Property Tax Hikes Target Second Homes, Everyone Affected
Two WSJ cover page story on (massive) property tax hikes. They may well come to a house near you... - fixed property can't flee the state; and - the wealthy shall pay (NY's proposal is to tax second homes) https://t.co/1aVfRG9TR9
Builder Sentiment Posts Notable Decline on Economic Uncertainty
Builder confidence for new single‑family homes slipped to 34 in April, the lowest reading since September 2025, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The decline reflects persistent high mortgage rates, rising material costs tied to higher fuel prices, and...
Quant Investor Suneil Setiya Purchases Nick Candy’s Chelsea Home
Suneil Setiya, the co-founder of quant investing firm Quadrature Capital, is the buyer of Nick Candy’s family home in London’s Chelsea district, according to people familiar with the matter. https://t.co/Sf9i5nsJ4C
Upzonings Spur Massive Housing Growth in High‑Demand Areas
Just released paper from @urbaninstitute examining upzonings in New York and Philadelphia argues that upzonings can lead to a major increase in housing production, particularly in areas with strong demand https://t.co/fwejSrMjF8
Share of First-Time Buyers Sinks to Record Low
The National Association of Realtors reports that first‑time homebuyers now represent just 21% of recent purchasers, the lowest share on record dating back to 1981. Younger millennials saw the steepest decline, with their first‑time share falling from 71% to 60%...
NY Governor Targets Billionaires with $5M Second‑Home Tax
A baby step. Just tax the damn billionnaires. New York Governor Proposing Tax on Second Homes Worth $5 Million or More https://t.co/bhuVmaQ3or
Small Builders Keep 2019 Sales Levels Steady
Not the March of Dimes, but still maintaining the 2019 sale levels. Of course, these are smaller builders who take this survey. https://t.co/9r6kBHAazv
Mortgage Activity Picks up for First Time in Five Weeks as Rates Fall
Mortgage demand in early April rose 1.8% after five weeks of decline, driven by a modest dip in 30‑year fixed rates to 6.42%. Refinance activity jumped 5% and now accounts for 45.5% of all applications, while purchase applications slipped 1%...
Builders Struggle Pricing Homes Amid Rising Energy Costs
"Energy costs make up approximately 4% of residential construction material input and service costs. With near-term economic risks elevated, 70% of builders reported challenges pricing homes given uncertainty about material costs."
Q1 Sales Volume Up Only 0.3%, Essentially Flat
Sales volume is slightly ahead of last year. Technically, we could say it was the best first quarter of volume since 2022, but volume is really only up 0.3% from last year (basically flat). https://t.co/UW13FjQ48p
NY Gov Pushes Higher Taxes on Luxury Vacant Homes
If you c/afford a 2d home, you c/afford to pay more #tax, sez #Hochul. #NY guv wants to raise $500M in bid to close deficit. 'If you c/afford a $5M 2d home that mostly sits empty, you c/contribute like every...
Single-Family Home Sales Index Drops to 37 in April
JUST IN: The NAHB index for single-family home sales dropped to 37 in April from March's revised 41, previously 42.
Cleveland Transforms Historic Downtown Into Modern Apartments
Nobody does resi #conversions like the #mistakeonthelake. Renters move back to the future as #Cleveland, a nat'l leader in the space, reimagines its historic downtown stock as modern apts. #realestate #CRE #retail #multifamily #mortgage #OH https://t.co/vSGJrrowfU via @WSJ