2026

Faced with 2½ acres of lawn and little else, the owners of this property in the English Midlands were stumped: How could they create an enjoyable backyard that would also attract and support local wildlife?Landscape designer Victoria Philpott came to their rescue, creating a series of...

As shocking as it may seem with all the crazy things that have happened in 2026 — AI labor disruption headlines, epic snowstorms and especially the Iran conflict — housing demand, even last week, still showed year-over-year growth with mortgage purchase applications data and our weekly pending home sales. However, that growth has slowed and we are at a key inflection point for mortgage rates.  Over...

DeCaro Auctions has expanded its executive team as the luxury real estate auction firm seeks to grow its international platform. The appointments come after Mario Vargas was recently named CEO. “Luxury auctions are about more than marketing reach. They are about relationships, strategy and execution,” said Vargas. “Each member of this team brings deep experience in their respective...

It may come as a surprise amid the noise, negativity, and volatility in today’s new-home market that Florida remains one of the most dynamic homebuilding markets in the country. The housing landscape in the nation’s third-most-populous state shares a vertiginous, bumpy near-term outlook with other Sun Belt markets. The region has been challenging for homebuilders. Following the cues of...

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill into effect earlier this week that bans noncompete agreements across the state. The move marks a significant shift in employment law that will take effect on June 30, 2027. The measure prohibits contracts that restrict workers from joining or starting competing businesses after leaving a job. Noncompete agreements are commonly used in industries such as...

A federal judge in Texas has vacated the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) nationwide anti-money laundering (AML) rule — creating a legal vacuum and uncertainty among title and real estate professionals. While the ruling eliminates a significant compliance burden that industry groups had criticized, legal observers warn that FinCEN retains broad authority over real estate transactions...

BuildersUpdate.com has rolled out a “pay upon performance” model that shifts new-home marketing costs from upfront spend to a flat fee due only when a sale closes, aiming squarely at builders’ growing concern over wasted lead-gen dollars in a choppy demand and rate environment. Announced March 26, 2026, the program lets homebuilders list communities on the BuildersUpdate platform, gain access to...

Some homes feel solid, considered, and quietly expensive the moment you step inside. There’s no single “wow” feature pulling focus, no oversized chandelier or dramatic statement wall. And yet, everything seems to sit just right. That impression usually comes from details that don’t announce themselves. Real quality tends to show up in subtle ways: how things align, how materials meet, how...

It’s a strange disconnect that shows up more often than you’d expect. A home carries a multi-million-dollar price tag, sits in a sought-after location, and checks all the obvious boxes: size, finishes, amenities. And yet, something about it feels… off. Not bad, exactly. Just not luxurious. At the same time, there are homes at far lower price points that manage to feel far more refined,...

A new ultra-luxury listing has quietly surfaced in one of South Florida’s most tightly held oceanfront buildings. Unit 301 at Arte Surfside has just hit the market for $22.95 million, offering a rare opportunity to buy into a boutique development that has already set records across Miami-Dade. Completed as a 16-residence project, the building quickly established itself as one of the most exclusive...