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Real Estate Industry

“All the news that's fit to print,” or to click, as the case may be, can be found right here at your favorite real estate social networking site, ActiveRain. And here you thought it was merely a great place to chat with colleagues and slap up a blog post or two.


We know you're busy – whether it's trying to fill your pipeline or following up on what's already popped out of the bottom of it. Who has time to read? And, while real estate market news geared toward consumers is easy to round up on the Internet, news for brokers and Realtors is a bit harder to come by.


Your friends at ActiveRain understand how important each of those 168 hours in every week is so we've made it easy for you by consolidating everything you need to know to keep up-to-date with the real estate industry right here, in one place.


How are housing starts looking? Has the FHFA launched any new efforts? How's that Fannie and Freddie loan limit rollercoaster doing?


You've got the questions and your colleagues here at AR have the answers. It's at your fingertips – finally.

Recent blogs on Real Estate Industry
By Jennifer Graff, Realtor serving the Las Vegas Valley
(The New Home Experts at Simply Vegas)
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday.First time since 2023. Unanimous. Twelve to zero.And if you were waiting for the part where they hint that this is a one-time thing and relief is coming — that part didn’t happen. Sixteen of the eighteen officials on that committee think there’s another hike coming this year. The projections run through 2027.So let’s say it plainly, because you’re not going to hear it said plainly anywhere else this week: clearer skies are not ahead.Builders knew this. Now you do too.Did the Fed Raise Interest Rates in September 2026?Yes. On September 16th, the Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to raise the federal funds rate by a quarter point, to a target range of 3.75% to 4%. It was the first increase since 2023, and the committee p...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
This post is/was inspired by Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! question on 09/18/2026 as well as the September Active Rain monthly challenge. The challenge is "You Bring The Topic, We'll Bring The Roundtable". The entire purpose is to boost participation in our Active Rain Zoom call Tuesday. My suggestion for a Tuesday Zoom call is to discuss with both experienced and rookies views and experiences with brokerages that we have had experiences with. During my career I worked with three independents and one national brokerage.I realize that a lot of opinion will be based on the Broker more than the brokerage but let's let it rip!The one national brokerage I worked under was RE/MAX.My broker was a young inexperienced man. While I liked and respected him we were not a good match. He built a be...
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By GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net
(Arizona Elite Properties )
 Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post to Re-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by William today, and worthy of our daily Re-B. Gilbert AZ  GILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / Helping Arizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026 Market, Chandler  #Sellmyhouse #whatsmyhomeworth #homevalues#2026market #ArizonaEliteProperties #ChandlerAZ#yourValleyProperty #GilbertRealtor #AZVHV#buyingaHome #LiveinSunnyAZ #BillSalvatore 🚨 IS THE FED TRYING TO SAVE THE ECONOMY… OR COULD IT MAKE THINGS WORSE?Let’s talk about what happened this week.The Federal Reserve raised interest rates another 0.25%, bringing the target federal funds rate to 3.75%–4.00%.The vote was unanimous.12–0.And if you’re an average American, a homeowner, a home...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🚨 IS THE FED TRYING TO SAVE THE ECONOMY… OR COULD IT MAKE THINGS WORSE?Let’s talk about what happened this week.The Federal Reserve raised interest rates another 0.25%, bringing the target federal funds rate to 3.75%–4.00%.The vote was unanimous.12–0.And if you’re an average American, a homeowner, a homebuyer, or a small business owner, you might be asking:HOW MUCH MORE ARE WE SUPPOSED TO ABSORB?Go fill up your gas tank.Walk through the grocery store.Open your electric bill.Price a house.Finance a car.Look at your credit card statement.Try borrowing money to hire another employee or buy another piece of equipment.You don’t need an economist standing at a podium to tell you that life is expensive.WE ARE LIVING IT EVERY SINGLE DAY.Here’s what the Fed is trying to accomplish:When interest ...
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By Kurt Bogart, US Navy Veteran
(Endless Summer Realty)
When buyers and sellers search for a real estate agent in Northeast Florida, they have plenty of choices. But real estate is local, and understanding the differences between communities can matter just as much as understanding the contract.We are Kurt and Gavin Bogart, a father-and-son real estate team with Endless Summer Realty, based in St. Augustine, Florida, and serving buyers and sellers throughout Northeast Florida.Our goal is straightforward: combine local knowledge, strong communication, technology, and real-world real estate experience to help our clients make informed decisions.Who Are Kurt and Gavin Bogart?Kurt Bogart is a Northeast Florida real estate professional, Broker Associate with Endless Summer Realty, and Mortgage Loan Originator based in St. Augustine.Before buildin...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
Election cycles can create uncertainty, especially for buyers making major financial decisions. Mature leadership means acknowledging that uncertainty, relying on data, and helping clients evaluate timing based on their individual circumstances—not pressure or false optimism. In a market that tests patience, honest guidance and thoughtful strategy matter most.I want to talk about something that is happening in the Bay Area real estate market right now that I think deserves honest acknowledgment.October is coming.And with October comes the full weight of an election cycle that has been creating a low hum of uncertainty all year but is about to get significantly louder. The buyers who have been quietly watching the political calendar all summer are going to feel that calendar more acutely...
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By Christopher Webster, Columbia South Carolina Real Estate For Sale
(Epique Realty)
Welcome to the NEWLY Rebranded Northeast Columbia 29229 Real Estate Group!This group was started back in 2008, but we just cleaned house and rebranded it to serve our current market — Northeast Columbia, Pontiac, Elgin, Blythewood, and all of Richland, Lexington & Kershaw Counties.This group is NOW OPEN to all agents, builders, and FSBOs to share:- OPEN HOUSES in 29229, Elgin, Blythewood, Pontiac- NEW LISTINGS & COMING SOON in Columbia SC, Northeast Columbia, Richland County, Lexington County, Kershaw County- PRICE REDUCTIONS & BACK ON MARKET- Market updates for Woodlake, Lake Carolina, Elgin, Blythewood, PontiacMy goal is simple — make this the go-to board for anyone buying or selling in Northeast Columbia 29229 and the surrounding areas.Feel free to post your Columbia area inventory h...
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On September 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau reported nationwide housing building permits decreased 2.7% to 1,394,000 units in August of 2026 from 1,433,000 units in July of 2026, but increased 3.5% from 1,347,000 in August of 2025. Single family building permits down 1.8% to a rate of 878,000 units in August of 2026, from 894,000 units in July of 2026, and there were 467,000 multifamily building permits issued in August of 2026.Nationwide housing starts dropped 2.6% to 1,275,000 units in August of 2026, from 1,309,000 units in July of 2026 and lower 1.2% from 1,291,000 units in August of 2025. Single family starts gained 7.6% to a rate of 918,000 units in August of 2026 from 853,000 in July of 2026, and there were 344,000 multif...
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By Linda Edelwich, Serving Glastonbury & Beyond | 218 New London Trnk
(William Raveis Real Estate)
The renovation-before-listing conversation in East Hampton follows a consistent pattern, and sellers who understand it before they spend avoid the most common pre-listing investment mistakes. Here is what the market is actually telling us about which updates move buyers and which ones do not return their cost.The condition signal is the renovationBuyers in East Hampton are evaluating how a home has been owned and maintained as much as they are evaluating specific features. A home that reads as attentively cared for produces a different buyer response than one where updates sit alongside visible neglect. The most effective pre-listing work in this market is often not about adding features. It is about removing the objections that cause buyers to hesitate.Updated kitchens and bathrooms in...
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By Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL, Tallahassee Real Estate
(Joe Manausa Team at Xcellence Realty)
Days on market is an important metric, but it’s not the whole story. Understanding what’s really behind the number helps agents provide better context and guidance to both buyers and sellers. I recently had a discussion with some real estate leaders in our state, and we were discussing the Days on Market indicator. It seems that many agents are pushing to get this data point eliminated in the system. Here are the arguments: Days on Market (DOM) is always a true picture. The number of days can be tweaked by agents in a variety of ways, depending on the system. Therefore, this number that many consumers and agents use to determine offer strategies is not always a true picture. DOM is not the end-all data point. Speciality properties such as luxury, commercial, or really unique properties ...
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By Nicky Dean, Nicky Dean | Northwest Arkansas REALTOR
(Collier & Associates)
25 Years in Real Estate—and I’m Still LearningAfter 25 years in real estate, I’ve learned a lot about homes, people, marketing and change. But one of my most recent lessons came from my 21-year-old daughter, Madison.Madison is currently in Texas earning her master’s degree. She has been at the top of her class all her life, and she is one of the brightest, most gifted people I know. I admire her and truly respect her opinion.Recently, she told me something I wasn’t expecting:“Mom, quit using so much AI-generated stuff on your social media. You’re starting to look like everyone else.”Ouch.That one hit me hard—but I knew she was right.I had embraced AI because I thought I was adapting to new technology. Honestly, I was loving it. It made creating content faster, helped me organize my thou...
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By Coral Amelia, Professional Real Estate Services You Can Trust
(https://keenanhowardrealty.com/)
Out-of-town property trips often include showings, property inspections, meeting with clients, touring neighborhoods, and unexpected emergencies! Out-of-town property trips can be packed with showings, property inspections, client meetings, neighborhood tours, and surprises. For real estate pros, being on the road isn't simply time spent traveling; it's also time spent on the job. Preparation, flexibility, and being ready with appropriate systems prior to arrival are the keys to a successful trip. Sort Transport EarlyIt is best to establish transportation ahead of the trip, particularly if flying in to a vibrant market. If you're traveling to North Texas, for instance, comparing car rental rates near DFW airport can assist you in finding the one that matches your travel itinerary. Early...
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By Craig Lebrau, Property Geek in Upper East Side NYC
(Lebrau Property)
For decades, rebuilding after a disaster followed a predictable formula: remove the damaged materials, repair what was broken and restore the home to roughly the condition it was in before the event. In Brisbane, however, that traditional approach is increasingly being replaced by a more forward-looking philosophy. Homeowners, builders and designers are beginning to recognise that rebuilding a house exactly as it was may simply recreate the same vulnerabilities that caused extensive damage in the first place.Floods, severe storms and increasingly intense weather events have changed the conversation around residential construction across South-East Queensland. Recovery is no longer just about replacing damaged plasterboard, flooring or electrical systems. It is increasingly about redesig...
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By Andrews Collen Guide Real Estate, California Real Estate in Orange County
(Orange County Real Estate Group)
Out-of-town property trips are often packed with showings, inspections, client meetings, neighborhood tours, and last-minute schedule changes. For real estate professionals, time on the road is not just travel time; it is working time. A successful trip depends on preparation, flexibility, and having the right systems in place before arrival.Sort Transport EarlyIdeally, arrange transport before the trip begins, especially when traveling to an unfamiliar market. Planning your vehicle needs early, including options like car rental near DFW airport, can help you move between property visits, client meetings, and inspections more efficiently. Reliable transportation allows real estate professionals to manage busy schedules with fewer interruptions.Build a Detailed Trip ScheduleA well-organi...
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By Andrews Collen Guide Real Estate, California Real Estate in Orange County
(Orange County Real Estate Group)
Most property managers do not set out to become accountants. The books start simple enough with a handful of doors, then a portfolio grows, and one afternoon you realize you spent Tuesday reconciling a trust account instead of showing a vacancy or talking to an owner who is thinking about selling.That moment is worth paying attention to, because bookkeeping in this industry is not the same animal as bookkeeping in most small businesses.What property management bookkeeping actually involvesThree-way reconciliation is the piece that catches people. Your bank balance, your book balance, and the sum of your individual owner and tenant ledgers all have to agree, every month, on the dollar. Most states require it for trust accounts, and a mismatch is the kind of thing a regulator notices duri...
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By Coral Amelia, Professional Real Estate Services You Can Trust
(https://keenanhowardrealty.com/)
Out-of-town property trips are often packed with showings, inspections, client meetings, neighborhood tours, and last-minute schedule changes. For real estate professionals, time on the road is not just travel time; it is working time. A successful trip depends on preparation, flexibility, and having the right systems in place before arrival.Sort Transport EarlyIdeally, arrange transport before the trip begins, especially when flying into a busy market. For example, if you are visiting North Texas, searching for car rental near DFW airport can help you compare options and secure a vehicle that fits your itinerary. Choosing reliable transportation early reduces delays and gives you more control over back-to-back appointments.Build a Detailed Trip ScheduleA well-organized schedule is the ...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡📊 MID-WEEK HOUSING MARKET UPDATE: BUILDER CONFIDENCE FALLS 📊🏡If you’re thinking about buying a new construction home, there’s an important story developing behind the scenes.Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes fell 3 points to 32 in September, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index.That’s the lowest reading since September 2025.And several factors are putting pressure on builders:📈 Higher mortgage rates👷 Labor shortages🏗️ Higher construction costs🛢️ Rising gas & diesel prices🌳 Higher land costs💰 Tighter lending conditionsBut here’s the part that really caught my attention…🔥 BUILDERS ARE INCREASING INCENTIVES.38% of builders reported cutting prices in September, up from 35% in August.The average price reduction remained around 6%.Even mor...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
📊🏡 WITH INFLATION UPTICK, FED HIKE & MORE RATE PRESSURE AHEAD 🏡📊The Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision highlights the difficult environment facing households, businesses, homebuilders, and future homebuyers.The Fed raised the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, bringing the target range to 3.75%–4%.The decision comes as inflation remains elevated, long-term interest rates have moved higher, and uncertainty continues around energy prices, trade, geopolitical developments, federal borrowing, and business investment.🔎 WHAT DID THE FED SAY?The Federal Open Market Committee stated that:📈 Economic activity is expanding at a solid pace.📊 Inflation remains elevated.⚠️ Uncertainty remains elevated.The Fed also slightly increased its economic growth projections while indicating that infl...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡📊 RATES, REAL ESTATE & THE COST OF WAITING 📊🏡To everyone waiting for interest rates to come down:Rates can move higher, and there is no guarantee they’ll drop anytime soon.No one can time the market perfectly.If you’re thinking about buying a home, it may be worth understanding your options today. And if rates improve in the future, refinancing may be something to consider — but never buy a home assuming a refinance is guaranteed.No pressure. No promises.I’m here to help you understand the numbers, the loan options, and what may make sense for your situation. 🏡💵 LET’S LOOK AT AN EXAMPLEA $1 million home with $200,000 down leaves an $800,000 mortgage.At approximately 6.5% on a 30-year fixed loan, the estimated principal and interest payment would be around $5,057 per month.Then you add:...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡 THE 7% MORTGAGE PROBLEM IS REAL. BUT IT DOESN’T MEAN HOMEOWNERSHIP IS OVER.Rates are back above 7%.Buyers are feeling the pressure.Home prices, insurance, taxes, groceries, cars, and everything else seem to cost more.And the monthly payment?That’s where the rubber meets the road.But here’s what I want you to understand:A challenging market does not mean you should give up on your dream of owning a home.It means you need a PLAN.📈 WHY THE MARKET FEELS FROZENMillions of homeowners are sitting on mortgages with rates well below today’s levels.Moving could mean giving up that low payment and taking on a much higher one.So you have two things happening at the same time:🏡 Buyers are struggling with affordability.🏠 Existing homeowners are hesitant to give up their low mortgage rates.That crea...
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