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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 Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
Selling a home in Delaware comes with a lot of moving parts. One cost that often surprises sellers is the transfer tax. It is easy to overlook during all the excitement of listing and negotiating, yet it can take a noticeable chunk out of your final check. Here is a plain-English breakdown of how it works, what you actually owe, and why selling for cash might change your math in ways you did not expect.What the Delaware Transfer Tax IsA transfer tax is a fee charged when property ownership moves from one person to another. In Delaware, this tax applies to nearly every real estate sale. It is not optional, and it is not something you negotiate away quietly. It shows up on your closing disclosure right before you sign.The state of Delaware charges a realty transfer tax that is split betwe...
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By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
Family vacations sound simple until you start planning one. Someone wants adventure, someone wants a quiet place to relax, and the kids usually have a list of attractions they want to see before you even pack the car. Finding a destination that keeps everyone happy can feel like a challenge.That’s where Sevierville comes in. Tucked against the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains, this Tennessee town gives you plenty of ways to spend your days without feeling rushed or limited. You can explore the outdoors, enjoy local attractions, find great places to eat, and still have time to slow down and enjoy being together. Whether you're planning a long vacation or a quick getaway, Sevierville has a way of making family trips feel easy and enjoyable. Let’s explore what makes it such a favorite for f...
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By Sam Thomas, When it's important; hire a professional.
(Providence Group Realty)
By Sam ThomasOne thing I've been noticing lately is that more buyers are redefining what a home needs to do.For years, most people pictured a traditional housing setup.Parents had their home.Grandparents lived somewhere else.Adult children eventually moved out.But today, more families are bringing multiple generations together under one roof.And the data shows this isn't just a passing trend.It's becoming a major shift in how Americans think about housing.What Is Multi-Generational Home Buying?A multi-generational home purchase happens when two or more adult generations of the same family live together in one home.That could include: Parents and adult children Grandparents and grandchildren Aging parents moving in with their children Families combining resources to purchase a larger hom...
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By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡📈 EXISTING HOME SALES HIT A 5-MONTH HIGH IN MAY! 📈🏡The housing market continues to show resilience despite mortgage rates hovering around 6.5%.📊 May Housing Snapshot🏠 Existing Home Sales• Increased 3.2%• Annual pace of 4.17 million homes• Highest level since December 2025👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 First-Time Buyers Are Back!• Accounted for 35% of all sales• Highest share since June 2020📦 Inventory• 1.55 million homes available• Up 3.3% from April• 4.5 months of supply⏳ Average Time on Market• 29 days• Down from 32 days in April💰 Median Home Price• $429,300• Up 1.3% from a year ago• Marks 35 straight months of annual price growth📍 Regional Performance🔥 Midwest: +6.4%🔥 South: +3.2%🔥 Northeast: +2.2%➡️ West: Unchanged💡 What Does This Mean?Despite higher rates and affordability challenges:✅ Buyers are still ...
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By Dr. Paula McDonald, Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
(Beam & Branch Realty)
I read an article today about agents who are selling "off-market" properties. The article mentioned several reasons why selling "off-market" properties would be negative, mentioning that the missing data would impact future sellers. While this could be one factor to consider, there are other considerations.1. For investors, off-market properties offer a unique opportunity, allowing them to acquire a property while out of the spotlight. The advantages to an investor in these cases allow them to perform their due diligence without the typical constraints that could alter, impede, or impact the outcome. 2. Commercial sellers who don't want their current business affected by showings, an off-market, private sale provides them with the luxury of staying under the radar while operating their ...
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By Craig Lebrau, Property Geek in Upper East Side NYC
(Lebrau Property)
For decades, homeowners in Hillsborough, NJ, associated rodent problems with colder months, when mice and rats traditionally sought shelter indoors to escape falling temperatures. However, many residents across Hillsborough are now noticing a very different pattern. Rodent sightings are no longer limited to winter. Instead, infestations are increasingly becoming a year-round issue affecting homes, garages, attics, outdoor kitchens, and even newly constructed properties throughout every season.This shift in Hillsborough, NJ, is being driven by a combination of climate fluctuations, urban expansion, changing waste habits, and evolving rodent behavior. Warmer average temperatures and increasingly dense residential development across the area are creating ideal conditions for rats and mice ...
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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 what it actually means to run a purpose-driven real estate team.Not the version that goes in the bio. The version that shows up on a Wednesday afternoon when a transaction is complicated and a client is scared and the easy thing and the right thing are not the same thing.I have been in and around real estate since 2000 ... licensed since 2005 ... and building The Monday Team since 2009. I have seen every version of how real estate teams operate. The ones built around volume. The ones built around a single personality. The ones built around a brand that looks great on a bus bench and functions very differently in practice.When I built The Monday Team I was deliberate about building something different. Not because different is inherently better ... but because I had ...
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By Kerri Naslund-Monday, Savvy Bay Area CA Real Estate Team Leader
(Keller Williams/ The Monday Team)
There is a specific type of home in the Bay Area that gets undervalued constantly.Not because it isn't wonderful. Because it gets marketed wrong.It's the home with the drought-tolerant landscaping that the seller spent two years cultivating. The one with the solar panels and the reclaimed wood features and the layout that was deliberately opened up to create better flow for gathering. The one where the seller composted and knew their neighbors and hosted the block party every summer and generally lived in a way that was intentional and community-oriented and deeply connected to this specific place.That home has real value to the right buyer.But when it gets listed with a generic description about "updated features" and "lovely outdoor space" ... that value disappears. The buyer who woul...
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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 seller I worked with in Rockridge.She had bought her home twelve years earlier ... mid-thirties, climbing fast in her career, newly partnered, focused on the things that felt important at that stage of life. Good address. Impressive finishes. The kind of house that photographed beautifully and made a certain kind of statement at dinner parties when people asked where you lived.She loved it then. It made sense then.By the time she called me she was in her late forties. Her priorities had shifted in ways that were quiet but significant. She had gotten deeply involved in her neighborhood association. She had ripped out the water-hungry landscaping and replaced it with natives. She had started hosting community meetings in her living room and realized the formal, ...
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By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
Selling a house sounds simple until it is time to choose how to sell it. Many homeowners find themselves deciding between accepting a cash offer and listing the property on the open market. Both options can lead to a successful sale, yet they work very differently and produce different outcomes.A cash offer often promises speed and convenience. A traditional listing may bring more buyer competition and a higher sale price. The right choice depends on your timeline, property condition, financial goals, and willingness to handle the selling process. Looking at both options side by side makes it easier to determine which path fits your situation.How Each Selling Method Really WorksA cash sale usually involves an investor, home-buying company, or individual buyer who has funds available to ...
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By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
A bad inspection report can feel like a sudden stop in your home-selling plans. One moment everything seems on track, the next moment the inspector lists repairs, safety concerns, or code violations that affect buyer confidence and financing. In 2026, buyers and lenders rely heavily on inspection reports, which means problems can quickly change the direction of a sale.For many Springfield homeowners, this situation is more common than expected. Older homes, deferred maintenance, or hidden issues often lead to unexpected findings. The key is not panic; it is understanding what choices are still available and how each path affects time, cost, and outcome.Report Results Reality CheckA bad inspection report usually highlights issues such as roof damage, electrical concerns, plumbing leaks, ...
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By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
A home is much more than a physical structure. It is a personal sanctuary, a place where memories are created, relationships are nurtured, and daily life unfolds. In today's fast-paced world, the role of the home has evolved significantly. It is no longer just a place to sleep and store belongings; it has become a workspace, a wellness center, a gathering spot, and a reflection of personal identity.Creating a modern home that supports comfort, wellness, and productivity requires thoughtful planning and intentional design. Whether living in a spacious house or a compact apartment, every homeowner can benefit from making their living environment more functional, inviting, and adaptable to changing needs.The Importance of a Well-Designed HomeThe design of a home directly impacts mood, ener...
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By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
Most people who buy land for the first time will tell you the same thing afterwards. It was simpler than expected. The confusion mostly came from not knowing the steps ahead of time, not from the steps themselves. Once the process is laid out clearly, it stops feeling like a big unknown and starts feeling like a series of manageable decisions.Florida is one of the best states in the country to start this journey. Prices in many rural counties are genuinely affordable. The market is active. And companies like Discount Lots have made it easier than ever to find real options without needing a real estate agent or a complicated transaction process.Here is what to know before making a move to Buy Land In Florida for the first time.Start With a Realistic BudgetNot just the purchase price. The...
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By Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518, Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.
(Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc)
A Rocket in My Pocket and a Good Old Phrase“I thought and thought and thought in vain: at last, I think I’ll sign my name.”That little quote from A Rocket in My Pocket by Carl Withers made me smile.Henry found this old poetry book and quickly decided it was his favorite. He said it described one of our clients perfectly, and that made it even better. Sometimes the right words are not fancy. They are simple, playful, and so true that they stick with you.A Rocket in My Pocket was written in 1948 and is full of cute sayings, rhymes, chants, and phrases that feel like they came from another time. I have had the best time reading through it. Some of the words are old-fashioned, some are silly, and some are just plain fun to say out loud.There is something special about bringing old words bac...
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By Corinne Fitzgerald, Realtor/Broker/Owner, FITZGERALD Real Estate
(FITZGERALD Real Estate)
The Question Everyone Is AskingIf you've been searching for a home recently, you've probably noticed one thing—there simply aren't enough homes available. Many people assume higher mortgage rates are the main reason housing remains expensive, but the reality is more complex. Across Massachusetts—and especially here in Franklin County—the biggest challenge facing today's housing market is a lack of inventory.Massachusetts Faces a Significant Housing ShortageAccording to state housing planners, Massachusetts is expected to need approximately 222,000 additional housing units between 2025 and 2035 to meet demand and eliminate the current housing shortage. In Western Massachusetts alone, studies estimate a shortage of approximately 23,420 housing units, including roughly 3,370 units in Frank...
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By Linda Edelwich, Serving Glastonbury & Beyond | 218 New London Trnk
(William Raveis Real Estate)
The spring 2026 numbers from Marlborough are worth examining carefully, because they tell two different stories depending on which homes you look at. The strong story firstSeventeen single family homes closed in Marlborough between January 5 and April 30, 2026. The median days on market was six. Eleven of the seventeen went under contract within the first week. Seventy-six percent closed above list price, with a median sale-to-list ratio of 104.5 percent. As of now, eighteen additional homes are under contract and only three remain active in the entire town.By any reasonable measure, that is a favorable environment for sellers who are prepared and priced correctly. Constrained supply with committed, active buyers produces exactly this kind of outcome when a home is positioned well. The ...
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By Craig Lebrau, Property Geek in Upper East Side NYC
(Lebrau Property)
Sydney homes are evolving rapidly as homeowners place greater emphasis on design, functionality, and lifestyle-driven renovations. From compact inner-city terraces to sprawling coastal properties, tiles have become one of the most influential design features shaping modern interiors and outdoor spaces. No longer viewed as purely practical surfaces, tiles are now central to creating visual identity, improving property value, and reflecting personal taste.In recent years, Sydney’s renovation culture has embraced bold textures, earthy palettes, large-format finishes, and resort-inspired outdoor aesthetics. Homeowners are increasingly blending indoor and outdoor living spaces while seeking materials that balance durability with luxury. As a result, designers and Sydney tiling specialists ar...
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On June 3, 2026, Realtor.com reported that nationwide median list price of a home was $429,500 in May of 2026, higher 1.1% from April of 2026, but lower 2.4% from May of 2025.There were 1,058,693 listed inventory of homes in May of 2026, rose 5.6% from April of 2026, and gained 2.2% from May 2025.There were 464,976 new listed homes declined 0.4% in May of 2026 from April of 2026, but grew 2.2% from May of 2025.Houses stayed 52 days in the market in May of 2026, increased 1 day from 51 days in May of 2025 according to Realtor.For complete more detailed information about Realtor.com’s real estate trends for May of 2026, please click HERE
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By Yeiry (JD) Sanchez, REALTOR® & Loan Officer in SE Florida and Georgia
(The Coastal Realm )
Florida Just Might Make HistoryPosted by JD Sanchez | eXp Luxury |  SE Florida and GeorgiaIf you own a home in Florida, you're going to want to pay attention.On June 2, 2026, the Florida Legislature passed a sweeping constitutional amendment (HJR 1F) that would dramatically expand the homestead property tax exemption for primary residences. Backed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the measure now heads to Florida voters on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. For it to become law, it will need 60% voter approval.Here's what you need to know.What the Proposal Actually DoesRight now, Florida homeowners with a homestead exemption receive a maximum of about $50,000 off the assessed value of their primary home , meaning that portion of the home's value is untaxed. Under the new amendment: 2...
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By Linda Edelwich, Serving Glastonbury & Beyond | 218 New London Trnk
(William Raveis Real Estate)
Buyers drawn to Lake Pocotopaug in East Hampton come in with varying expectations about what lake living actually means in practice. Helping them think through the distinction between waterfront ownership and nearby access, before the price comparison begins, is one of the more useful things an agent can do early in the process. The waterfront premium and what it reflectsWaterfront homes on Lake Pocotopaug carry a price premium that is real and generally well supported. Direct water access, the ability to use the lake as a daily part of home life, and the views and setting that come with it are genuine value drivers for buyers who will actually take advantage of them consistently. What also comes with waterfront ownership is a set of maintenance and insurance considerations that nearby ...
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