Residential construction activity slowed dramatically in the fall, reaching a five-year low in October amid the federal government shutdown, a delayed report reveals. Total housing starts were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.246 million in October, down 4.6% from September and 7.8% less th

The U.S. unemployment rate decreased to 4.4% in December, down from November’s revised 4.5% that marked a four-year high, signaling that the national labor market is entering 2026 in a stable yet subdued position.  The December jobs report, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday, showe

Brokerage giant Compass has completed its $1.6 billion acquisition of rival firm Anywhere, a combination resulting in the world's largest residential real estate brokerage by far. The deal closed on Friday after shareholders of both companies overwhelmingly approved the all-stock merger, which value

🏆 Residential: The most expensive home sale recorded in South Florida was in Fort Lauderdale. A newly built condo at Kolter Urban’s Selene Oceanfront Residences at 151 North Seabreeze Boulevard sold for $10.9 million. The buyer was Don Marco Holdings, LLC, a Texas company. Douglas Elliman is market

High interest rates and broader economic headwinds made 2025 a difficult year for the real estate market, and prices took a tumble. In December, median home prices declined 0.6% year over year nationwide, according to the Realtor.com® December 2025 Monthly Housing Trends report. Regionally, prices f

As 2025 drew to a close, Wisconsin's affordable housing markets saw a surge in homebuyer demand, propelling a midsized metro in Milwaukee's suburbs to the top of the hottest markets ranking. Kenosha, WI, experienced a surge of interest by the end of the year, with for-sale homes flying off the marke

Luxury real estate agent Rochelle Maize, who has earned the nickname "The Queen of Beverly Hills Flats," holds the keys to some of the most coveted listings in Southern California. In a new Realtor.com® video series following a day in the life of luxury real estate agents, Los Angeles-based Maize li

HBO Max's "Heated Rivalry" has sparked a firestorm of intrigue, amassing a legion of fans who have been captivated by the magnetic romance between rival hockey players Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. Reviewers have lauded the six-episode series, which stars Hudson Williams as Shane and Connor Stor

More than a quarter (27%) of college graduates with student loans say their debt delayed homeownership by an average of 10 years, according to a new survey. And now, with a sweeping overhaul of federal repayment options scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026, student-loan advocates warn the lost decade

HGTV star Heather Rae El Moussa has given fans a glimpse inside her and husband Tarek El Moussa's sprawling new Newport Beach, CA, mansion while sharing some candid photos from a fun-filled "girls' night" with her "Flip Off" co-star Christina Haack. Heather, 38, who wed Tarek, 44, in 2021, three yea

Billionaire Jeffrey Soffer’s plan to add cabanas and waterslides at his iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort could be swept away next month. Two city elected officials, including Mayor Steven Meiner, joined a grassroots coalition of residents, activists and preservationists in opposing Soffer’s c

A new proposal from Iowa House Democrats could send homeowners $1,000 checks, freeze property taxes for seniors, and cap future increases at 4% per year. It’s part of an overhauled effort to make the state’s property tax system feel less punishing, especially as Iowans face some of the highest effec

Despite initial estimates calling for a summer or even fall 2026 close for the Compass–Anywhere merger, the two companies have indicated the transaction could close as soon as this Friday.  This news came after shareholders at both firms overwhelmingly voted to approve the merger at special meetings

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is directing representatives at the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) to purchase $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities (MBS), a move he said is intended to bring mortgage rates down. “Because I chose not to sell Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in m

President Donald Trump is "instructing" the federal government to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds in a move that he vows will "drive rates down" and "make the cost of owning a home more affordable." Trump, 79, issued the announcement in a post shared on his Truth Social account, in which he

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage in 2026 might feel like finally catching a break. After years of elevated rates keeping you on the sidelines, borrowing costs are coming down, with Realtor.com®  forecasting an average mortgage rate of 6.3% this year. If you’ve been diligent about saving, keeping

With $6 trillion changing hands from older generations to younger ones in 2025, many with newly inherited funds are running to their nearest real estate agent. While those lucky enough to inherit significant wealth from their family can have their pick of investment vehicles, there is a healthy dema

A new analysis from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College finds that nearly all retirees face surprise costs each year — from roof repairs to dental work — and a large share lack the cash to absorb even one year of these expenses. The result can be financial stress, forced asset sales

The president of Market America Worldwide and Shop.com is trading up from an Edgewater unit to a much pricier condo in Miami Beach. Marc Ashley and his wife, Maria, paid $14.3 million for unit 3002 at the Bath Club Residences at 5959 Collins Avenue. Property records show Scott and Laura Gilbert sold

Toll Brothers announced on Wednesday that Karl Mistry will be the company’s next CEO, replacing Doug Yearley, who will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board on March 30.  Mistry will take the helm at a time when Toll Brothers is leaning on its resilient, high-income buyers to nav