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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 Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have introduced significant updates to their condominium lending guidelines—the most substantial changes we've seen in years. While these updates are intended to protect buyers and reduce financial risk, they could also make financing more challenging for some condo communities and impact how quickly homes sell.Why do these changes matter?Most conventional mortgage loans are ultimately backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. That means if a condominium project doesn't meet their updated standards, many buyers may no longer qualify for conventional financing in that community.In simple terms:Some buyers may have fewer financing options.Some condo communities may experience longer marketing times.HOAs may need to improve their financial health to remain eligible.Bu...
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By Matt Helganz
(Meridian Capital Real Estate)
If you're planning to buy or sell a condominium in Pasadena, Los Angeles, or anywhere in Southern California, there's a major financing change you need to know about.Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have introduced significant updates to their condominium lending guidelines—the most substantial changes we've seen in years. While these updates are intended to protect buyers and reduce financial risk, they could also make financing more challenging for some condo communities and impact how quickly homes sell.Why These Changes MatterMost conventional mortgage loans are ultimately backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. That means if a condominium project doesn't meet their updated standards, many buyers may no longer qualify for conventional financing in that community.In simple terms: Some buyers ...
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By Teddy Lim, The Best or Nothing
(eXp Realty)
Seattle homeowners need protection from unwanted sales pressure, but they also need access to responsible housing information.The Seattle City Council adopted an amendment that preserves certain generic real estate mailings from licensed Washington real estate professionals while maintaining the broader protections of the city’s proposed Do Not Solicit system.For Seattle’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, that balance matters. Printed and multilingual resources can help families understand property rights, market conditions, probate, senior transitions, and consumer protections.Key Points Seattle is establishing a Do Not Solicit system for homeowners. Certain generic mailings from licensed real estate brokers may continue. The exception does not broadly...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏢📊 MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPER CONFIDENCE CONTINUES TO SOFTEN IN Q2 2026 📊🏢The latest NAHB Multifamily Market Survey shows that confidence among apartment developers continues to weaken as financing challenges, high construction costs, and regulatory hurdles remain major obstacles.📉 Multifamily Market Snapshot🏗️ Multifamily Production Index (MPI)43⬇️ Down 3 points from one year ago🏢 Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI)74⬇️ Down 8 points year over yearWhile occupancy remains healthy, developers are becoming more cautious about starting new projects.🚧 What's Holding Developers Back?Several challenges continue to impact new apartment construction:🏦 Higher interest rates and financing challenges📋 Regulatory barriers and lengthy approval processes⚡ Delays in utility connections🧱 High material costs👷 ...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏦📊 UWM REPORTS RECORD $2.05 BILLION CAPITAL RAISE AS Q2 RESULTS REFLECT ONE-TIME HEDGE LOSS 📊🏦United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) reported a challenging second quarter, posting a $451.9 million net loss, while announcing the largest capital raise in mortgage industry history.📈 Q2 Highlights🏡 Loan Origination Volume💰 $39.7 Billion📊 Total Revenue💵 $888 Million📈 Adjusted EBITDA✅ $185.9 MillionThe reported loss was primarily driven by a one-time hedge-related event tied to UWM's unsuccessful bid to acquire Two Harbors Investment Corp.—not by weakness in its core mortgage business.💰 Record Capital RaiseTo strengthen its balance sheet, UWM secured:✅ $1.65 Billion from Oaktree Capital Management and SFS Group Capital➕ Up to $400 Million through a potential shareholder rights offering💥 Total potent...
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By Jacob Maslow, Your Brooklyn Connection
(Torsx)
Philadelphia offices are rethinking what a conference room actually needs to do. Hybrid work isn't going away, and the gap between a room that works and one that frustrates has never been more obvious.The conference room technology trends for Philly offices in 2026 reflect a shift toward rooms that are smarter, faster to set up, and built around how real teams actually collaborate. Here are five trends every facilities manager and IT director in the region should know.Audio and Video IntelligenceAI-driven audio and video intelligence marks the single biggest jump in conference room technology right now. Modern systems don't just capture what's happening in a room, they actively make it better. AI-enhanced cameras track speakers on their own, frame participants precisely, and adjust focu...
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On July 9, 2026, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported Remodeling Market Index (RMI) up one point to 61 points in the 2nd quarter of 2026 from 63 points in the 1st quarter of 2026.The current market conditions index unchanged zero point at 70 points in the 2nd quarter of 2026 from 70 points in the 1st quarter of 2026.The major additions and alterations projects declined three points to 64 points in the 2nd quarter of 2026 from 67 points in the 1st quarter of 2026.The market for moderately remodeling projects higher four points to 73 points in the 2nd quarter of 2026 from 69 points in the 1st quarter of 2026.The demand for smaller additions and alterations unchanged zero points at 74 points in the 2nd quarter of 2026 from 74 points in the 1st quarter of 2026.NAHB Chie...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
📊💼 JULY JOBS REPORT ADDS MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS FOR MORTGAGE RATES 💼📊Is a Federal Reserve rate hike coming?The latest private payroll data may have cooled expectations—but it certainly didn't eliminate the possibility.📈 July ADP Employment Report👥 Private employers added✅ 44,000 jobs⬇️ Down from 95,000 in June⬇️ Below the expected 75,000It was the smallest monthly job gain of 2026.🏥 Healthcare Continues to Lead HiringMost of July's hiring came from one area:🏥 Education & Health Services➕ 36,000 jobsOther sectors:💰 Financial Activities➕ 10,000💼 Professional & Business Services➕ 9,000🎢 Leisure & Hospitality➖ 11,000🏭 Goods-Producing Industries➖ 3,000💵 Wage Growth Remains StrongEven though hiring slowed...💲 Workers staying at the same job📈 +4.4%💲 Workers changing jobs📈 +7.0%Strong wage...
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On August 3, 2026, the U.S. Census Bureau reported nationwide construction spending down 0.1% to $2,166.5 billion in June of 2026 from $2,168.5 billion May of 2026, and declined 3.2% from $2,237.7 billion in June of 2025.The private construction lost 0.1% to $1,622.5 billion in June of 2026 from $1,624.4 billion in May of 2026.Residential construction decreased 0.3% of $877.1 billion in June of 2026 from $879.9 billion May of 2026.Non residential construction grew 0.1% to $745.3 billion in June of 2026 from $744.6 billion in May of 2026.The public construction little up 0.0% to $544.1 billion in June of 2026 from $544.0.7 billion in May of 2026.The educational slightly higher 0.0% to $113.1 billion in June of 2026 from $113.0 billion in May of 2026.The highway construction decreased 0.1...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
I've golfed a lot of holes in my life, but like Joe, the only hole in one I've ever had is in my socks.So in relating this comic strip to Real Estate where do I go? A perfect score... a fantastic home purchase or the best sale of a home ever? Do I relate it to the sock... time to get a new one or do I mend this problem? Maybe I should forget the strip and concentrate on the photo thinking you and I are the ball and we are on the edge of falling into a hole we couldn't get out of.If you are buying or selling Real Estate all of these (or one of these) scenarios have most likely crossed your mind. Instead of me answering all the cases above let me encourage you to call a local Realtor.A lot of people may be scared to call a Realtor. They may have a good reason due to a bad experience of th...
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By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
Holding the keys to your own front door is a big milestone you've probably dreamed about for years. It represents stability, personal freedom, and a place to truly call your own. But the path to homeownership involves much more than finding a place you like and signing a few papers. Taking clear financial steps before you start looking ensures your dream doesn't turn into a stressful burden. Preparing your finances gives you confidence, control, and long-term security.Assess Your Current Financial HealthBefore you start looking at property listings or going to open houses, take an honest look at where you stand today. Honestly, it can feel a little intimidating to lay it all out on paper, but understanding your full picture lets you make decisions based on reality rather than wishful th...
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By Sam Thomas, When it's important; hire a professional.
(Providence Group Realty)
The Housing Market Didn't Wait for Lower Interest Rates—It Changed AnywayFor the last couple of years, many buyers and sellers have been waiting for one thing:Mortgage rates to fall dramatically.The plan sounded simple."We'll move when rates get back into the 4% or 5% range."But here's what's interesting...That massive rate drop never happened.Yet the market changed anyway.Instead of suddenly "unfreezing," the housing market quietly evolved into something we haven't seen in several years—a market where buyers have more options, sellers need more strategy, and negotiations are once again part of buying and selling a home.If you've been waiting for a clear signal that it's time to make your move, this mid-year market update may be exactly what you've been looking for.Quick Answer: What Ha...
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On July 16, 2026, National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for newly built single family homes down two points to 34 points in July of 2026, from 36 points in June of 2026.The HMI component charting buyer traffic lower two points to 23 points, the HMI present sales conditions declined one point to 37 points, and the HMI sales expectations index decreased two points 43 points in July of 2026.The three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, Northeast up one point to 45 points, Midwest higher two points at 45 points, South dropped one point to 33 points, the West lost one point to 26 points in July of 2026.NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz, stated “Looking ahead, the newly enacted housing law is a positive step that will help expand housing suppl...
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By Kerri Naslund-Monday, Savvy Bay Area CA Real Estate Team Leader
(Keller Williams/ The Monday Team)
I want to talk about something that doesn't get enough credit in real estate conversations about competitive advantage. Not technology. Not marketing budgets. Not social media followers, production rankings, or the size of your database.It's pattern recognition.Specifically, the kind of pattern recognition that comes from paying close attention to the same market for years and remembering what you've seen.I've been watching the East Bay real estate market since 2000. I earned my license in 2005 and started building teams in 2009. That's decades of experience, thousands of conversations, and countless opportunities to observe what buyers say they want versus what they actually choose.That experience has taught me something no algorithm can replicate.I know how Bay Area buyers really beha...
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By Kerri Naslund-Monday, Savvy Bay Area CA Real Estate Team Leader
(Keller Williams/ The Monday Team)
There is a buyer in your market right now who has been looking for eighteen months.They know every neighborhood. They have walked every block worth walking. They have been to every open house in the Dimond, the Laurel, Glenview, Redwood Heights, and even a few streets in Montclair they stumbled upon and immediately added to their mental list.They have not bought yet—not because nothing is right, but because nothing has been positioned correctly for them.Let me explain what I mean.This buyer—the urban-minded upsizer who wants more space without leaving Oakland—is one of the most specific and motivated buyers in the East Bay right now. They know exactly what they want. They have been refining that vision for the better part of two years, and they are exceptionally good at filtering out li...
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By Kerri Naslund-Monday, Savvy Bay Area CA Real Estate Team Leader
(Keller Williams/ The Monday Team)
I want to tell you about a couple I worked with in Temescal.Both remote workers. One in tech, one in design. They had been in a two-bedroom condo for four years and had hit the wall that a lot of Bay Area couples hit around year three or four—the point where the space that felt cozy and intentional when they moved in started to feel like they were living inside a very stylish shoebox.They needed more space. That part was clear.So I asked them the question I always ask before we start pulling listings: What does more space actually mean to you?The answer came fast."Not a suburb," one of them said. Almost defensively, like I had already suggested it and they were heading me off.I hadn't suggested it. But I'd been in this business long enough to know that "more space" in the Bay Area almos...
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By GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net
(Arizona Elite Properties )
Beautiful Rental Home in Royal Ranch, Surprise, AZ that is move-in ready. CAN BE A 3BR WITH DEN/OFFICE OR 4BEDROOM HOME. IT FEATURES A GREAT OPEN FLOOR PLAN. FAMILY ROOM HAS LARGE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER AREA WITH SURROUND SOUND HOOKUP. KITCHEN HAS BEAUTIFUL OAK CABINETS. LARGE MASTER BEDROOM W/WALKIN CLOSET AND DUAL SINKS. CEILING FANS, TILE & CARPET. COVERED BACK PATIO WITH GRASS.  YOUR   Latest activity in the VALLEY of the SUNFor ALL your Valley AZ Real Estate NeedsPHONE   Bill   at   602-999-0952Text          Bill   at    602-999-0952Email       Bill    at BillSalvatore.teamiii@gmail.com Read other YVP Blogs hereFor more information, Call or Text: 602-999-0952eMail: golfarizona@cox.netBill Salvatore / Arizona Elite PropertiesYour Valley Property TeamResidential Sales, Marketing, and P...
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By Linda Edelwich, Serving Glastonbury & Beyond | 218 New London Trnk
(William Raveis Real Estate)
Large-lot properties in Hebron present a staging challenge that smaller suburban homes do not: buyers need help understanding how the outdoor space fits into daily life before they can fully engage with it as a value feature. Here is how to approach that conversation with sellers and what preparation steps produce the strongest buyer response. The core challenge with undefined outdoor spaceBuyers who encounter a large, undefined lot often respond with the same mental calculation: how much work is this going to be? That calculation works against the seller, because it positions the outdoor space as a liability before the buyer has had a chance to experience it as an asset. The shift from calculation to connection happens through definition. When outdoor areas have a clear, even simple, p...
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By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
Buying your first condo in Toronto is a milestone. After months of searching, arranging financing, and signing paperwork, receiving the keys feels like the moment when the space finally becomes your own. It's natural to start thinking about fresh paint, new light fixtures, updated flooring, or even replacing the front door to better reflect your style.Then comes an unexpected realization that catches many first-time owners off guard: owning a condo doesn't necessarily mean having complete freedom to change every part of it.Unlike a detached home, a condominium operates within a shared ownership model. While you own your unit, certain elements are considered common property or are governed by the condominium corporation's rules. That distinction often surprises new owners, particularly w...
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By Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308, Broker/Owner
(Stake Your Land Realty, Inc.)
Receiving a five-star review is always a meaningful moment. I am truly grateful whenever a client takes the time to share kind words about their experience.Real estate is about much more than buying or selling a property. It is about listening carefully, communicating clearly, answering questions, and helping someone move forward with confidence during an important season of life.A five-star review reminds me that the little things matter—the timely updates, honest guidance, patience, and attention to detail. Knowing that a client felt supported throughout the process is one of the most rewarding parts of being a real estate broker.I never take that trust for granted. Every client and every journey is unique, and I am honored to be part of each one. Thank you to those who have placed th...
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