Newsletter Stories

• How California kitchen designs are evolving
  In Southern California homes, kitchen designs are moving away from cold, showroom-style spaces toward warmer, more livable rooms. While indoor-outdoor flow remains the defining feature, warm wood and natural materials are becoming just as important in kitchen designs. Large glass pocket doors connect the kitchen directly to the patio, allowing entertainment to flow naturally between […]
• Rising home prices impact summer sales
  Due to higher mortgage rates and home prices, summer home sales have been more moderate this year. Home sales, including single-family homes, townhomes, condos and co-ops, fell 1.7% in July 2026 compared to June. However, sales reached a 0.7% increase compared to a year ago. Lawrence Yun, the National Association of REALTORS’ (NAR) chief economist, […]
• Mortgage demand moderates in July
  Recent analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) of the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index shows that mortgage applications fell across all sectors in July. Compared to June, applications decreased 6.6% and dropped 1.5% year-over-year, the first decline in two years. With current 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates at 6.69%, these dips in […]
• ‘Housing market is no longer moving in one direction’ says Cotality Chief Economist
  On Aug. 10, 2026, Cotality released its August 2026 U.S. home insights price report. According to the report, the Midwest and Northeast markets are still seeing firm price growth. Illinois is at a 6.4% year-over-year increase (YoY), followed by Connecticut at 6%, Nebraska at 5.8% and Indiana, also at 5.8%. National home price growth remains […]
• Mattamy Homes announces delivery of 150,000 homes
  Mattamy Homes, a privately held homebuilder founded in 1978, announced that it has delivered over 150,000 homes in the U.S. and Canada. The builder delivered 8,453 homes in FY 2025, compared to 50,000 homes in its first 30 years of business. In 2026, the builder appears to be accelerating its land acquisition, with new developments […]
• Mortgage rates average 6.69%
  As of Aug. 6, 2026, mortgage rates averaged 6.69%, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Survey (PMS). These results are up from last week’s average of 6.66%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.63%. “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While mortgage […]
• PulteGroup launches expansion to Northwest Florida
  PulteGroup, one of the nation’s largest builders, announced expansion to Northwest Florida, launching its Panhandle Division. The builder, which delivered an estimated 29,572 homes in 2025, has a long history in the Sunshine State. It first expanded to Sarasota in 1997, then acquired Florida-based builder DiVosta a year later. PulteGroup announced Taylor Larza to lead […]
• Highland Homes purchases 100 acres for self development
  Highland Homes, one of Texas’ most prominent builders, launches its self-development arm with the purchase of 100 acres in Melina. The builder estimates that the land will include 400 homesites ranging from 45 to 60 feet wide. Highland, overseeing the development, believes the lots will be ready by the end of the year, with home […]
• Policy Wins in the ROAD to Housing Act
  For homebuilders, the emerging opportunity is smarter delivery While it is certainly good news that the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act has now passed, it will take some time for its elements to meet pent-up demand. But what will likely separate homebuilding winners and laggards will be how well they respond to the specific […]
• Dream Finders Homes acquires Beazer Homes for $2.2 billion
  It’s official: Dream Finders Homes (DFH) will acquire Beazer Homes in a $2.2 billion deal. This comes after multiple public rounds of offers from DFH to acquire the Atlanta-based builder. The offer values Beazer Homes at $33.50 per share, up from Dream Finders’ last offer in July of $32.00 per share. The combined company will […]