Housing Market

Home Depot reported improved second quarter sales, with revenue increasing to $47.86 billion and earning $4.77 billion for the three months ended Aug. 2. The company credited this success to broad-based demand as customers continued focusing on smaller projects. This strong performance occurs while the U.S. housing market remains pressured by rising mortgage rates and slowed existing home sales.

Home Depot reported improved sales for the second quarter, reaching $47.86 billion as customers focused on smaller projects. The company's strong quarterly performance was highlighted by a 1.3% rise in U.S. comparable store sales and an earnings per share of $4.92, exceeding Wall Street predictions. This solid result comes despite pressure from the housing market slump due to climbing mortgage rates.

Labour’s rental reforms are reported to disrupt the student market and lengthen the lettings process. According to the content, the Renters’ Rights Act locks international students out of the housing market while simultaneously pushing prospective tenants into double rents.

Banks observed a depressed housing market sentiment in Australia this week. This situation has adversely affected their share prices and highlighted mounting pressure on profitability.

The Seattle housing market has many homes for sale, but prices remain unaffordable for many home shoppers, leading to a state of limbo in the market.

More people are delaying home purchases as rising mortgage rates negatively impact the housing market. Data confirms a decline in buyer activity due to increased rates.

Australia's housing market is worsening as higher interest rates and weaker investor demand drive the largest home price declines since late 2022. REA Group Senior Economist Anne Flaherty predicts further price drops through year-end, particularly in higher-priced suburbs.

The US housing boom has ended nationwide except in one city where sellers still hold power. Buyers in most markets can now negotiate significant price reductions from asking prices.

Ascension Parish’s housing market saw increased home sales, listings, and prices in June 2026, with a 15.1% year-over-year rise in sales and a 3.1% increase in median home prices. The parish recorded the highest home prices in the Baton Rouge area, with demand concentrated on homes below $400,000 and limited inventory.

South Korea's president referenced Japan's real estate market collapse to emphasize risks of excessive domestic real estate investment. The president compared Japan's housing market to a 'balloon' that 'burst', warning against similar vulnerabilities.

San Francisco's housing market is overheating as a fresh wave of tech wealth is causing it to become hot again, squeezing out more buyers.

Budget buyers seeking entry into homeownership are experiencing some relief due to an improving national supply of starter homes. However, the housing market recovery remains sluggish and divided by region.

The article discusses the potential volatility of winning stock-index funds and highlights additional topics in Weekend Reads, including changes in the bond market, housing-market opportunities, and financial advice from the Moneyist.

Mortgage rates increased to their highest level in a year in 2026, negatively impacting the housing market.

Half of American adults under 30 are living with their parents. Jill Schlesinger advises young adults in this situation to contribute financially to their household. The article also discusses how obsessing over tax minimization can lead to investing errors and addresses splitting costs among friends with differing income levels.

CREA revised its 2026 home sales forecast downward due to rising inflation and concerns about higher interest rates, while June home sales increased compared to the previous month.

Hong Kong’s housing market has rebounded faster than expected this year, but analysts warn that rising prices may erode affordability, which had been attracting local buyers. A financial professional in his 40s, Jeremy Wong, recently married, had hoped to purchase a home but found prices increasing again.

The housing market is being driven by wealthy home buyers despite claims of an affordability crisis. An expert describes the market as a 'K-shaped economy' example.

Wayfair CFO Kate Gulliver is leading the company's efforts to achieve profitable growth during a challenging housing market and launching a new initiative to open brick-and-mortar flagship stores.

A stronger shekel has increased effective prices for foreign investors in the housing market, leading them to adjust their purchasing plans. Buyers are now focusing on newer developments and speculative financing options as their purchasing power diminishes.

A record 19% of 25- to 34-year-olds in the U.S. live with their parents or grandparents, driven by a challenging job market, housing affordability issues, and shifting social norms. The trend mirrors millennials' struggles post-2008 but raises concerns about Gen Z's long-term housing prospects.

San Francisco homes are selling for over $1 million above asking price due to an AI boom driving increased wealth and competitive bidding. A Compass analysis found 140 homes sold with this price gap in the first half of 2026, including 44 in June alone.

San Francisco's AI boom has led to homes selling for over $1 million above asking prices, with 140 such sales in the first half of 2026. A Compass report highlights widespread overbidding in the city's scarce housing market.

New Zealand's flood-prone homes are outperforming the broader housing market, with properties facing high flood risk rising 26.1% in value since January 2020 compared to 19.8% for low-risk homes. Buyers are drawn by discounts of up to NZ$100,000 despite climate-related risks.

Gen Z's jaded view of employment, shaped by the Great Recession and current economic challenges like housing and job market barriers, has hardened into distrust. A SignalFire analysis shows entry-level hiring dropped over 50% from 2019-2024, while 57% of Gen Zers believe their generation faces financial failure.

Hyderabad ranks as the third least affordable housing market among the top eight cities according to Knight Frank. The report highlights the city's housing affordability challenges relative to other major urban centers.

The average 30-year U.S. mortgage rate fell to 6.43%, its lowest level in seven weeks, while the 15-year rate also declined. The drop follows easing oil prices amid hopes of ending the U.S.-Iran war, though rates remain elevated compared to late February. Housing market activity remains subdued due to affordability challenges.

The article highlights that Latinos are considered California's best hope for addressing its housing crisis, which is ranked as the top concern by Californians. It criticizes Sacramento politicians for maintaining the current problematic housing situation.

The article highlights an East Coast city as America's hottest housing market, where 58% of homes sell above asking price. The focus is on the competitive real estate conditions in this unnamed city.

Charlotte's housing market is rebalancing with increased inventory, giving buyers more options and negotiation leverage. Condo and townhome inventory rose significantly, while single-family home prices increased slightly. Sellers face more competition but can still achieve strong returns with strategic pricing.

Australia's housing slump has erased $128 billion from the top two markets. The decline reflects a significant drop in property values in these key regions.

Virginia's housing market is growing steadily compared to last year despite challenging mortgage rates, with experts predicting the trend will continue through summer, according to the May 2026 Virginia Home Sales Report by the Virginia Association of Realtors.

Nashville home sales increased 5.6% year-over-year in May, with homes selling an average of 35 days, two days faster than the previous year. Active listings rose over 6%, and the average home price is $480,000. Debra Beagle of REMAX noted a healthier balance between buyers and sellers, creating opportunities for both.

A 'new condo crisis' is emerging in the southern United States, described as a real estate 'time bomb' that is spreading nationwide. The situation has triggered warnings about the fragility of the sun-kissed southern housing market.

A record 242 U.S. cities now have starter homes priced at $1 million, according to a report. This reflects a significant rise in entry-level housing costs across the country.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has introduced a radical overhaul of the housing market aimed at ending gazumping and demonstrating government control. The policy shift focuses on reforming practices to stabilize the market and address buyer concerns.

The Colorado Springs-area housing market showed increased activity in May with a 10% rise in single-family home sales in El Paso County compared to April. Prices remained stable year-over-year, and homes sold faster, though 44.2% of listings in El Paso County and 37.6% in Teller County saw price reductions. Scott Sufak of the Pikes Peak Association of REALTORS attributed the trends to seasonal factors rather than major market shifts.

Beijing's new capital-control measures may affect Hong Kong's housing market recovery. Hong Kong developers are showing caution in launching new projects, with mainland Chinese buyers accounting for about a third of home purchases in the city.

Hong Kong developers have increased pricing for new homes in several districts by 7-36% compared to previous years, driven by robust demand. Prices for some new homes have rebounded by up to a third from the housing market's lowest level a few years ago, according to JLL data.

Hong Kong developers have increased new home prices by 7-36% in areas like Tseung Kwan O, Wong Chuk Hang, and Tai Wai compared to previous years, driven by robust demand. Prices for some new homes have rebounded by up to a third from the housing market's lowest level a few years ago, according to JLL data.