Author: Rent Magazine Contributor

In mid‑2025, U.S. rental demand began accelerating, driven particularly by strong activity in Sun Belt cities such as Austin, Phoenix, and Atlanta. According to CBRE’s U.S. Real Estate Market Outlook midyear review, this growth reflects a combination of rising consumer spending, ongoing population migration toward warmer, lower‑cost metros, and easing financial conditions that support both renters and investors. Vacancy rates decreased modestly across these markets, contributing to upward pressure on average rents and sparking heightened investor interest in multifamily and single‑family rental assets. The increase in demand aligns with broader demographic and economic trends that have shaped the Sun Belt’s…

As of early August, the U.S. business travel sector continues to trail behind the robust rebound seen in leisure travel. Despite growing confidence among vacationers and tourists, corporate travel demand remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic norms, casting a shadow over segments of the hospitality and commercial property industries that traditionally rely on steady mid-week business activity. Hotel chains and major airlines have reported a slower-than-expected return of corporate bookings, with executives noting that business travel remains far below 2019 benchmarks. While there has been a modest rise in weekday occupancy—especially in cities known for hosting regional events—national conferences, trade shows,…

As domestic travel activity rebounds across the United States, the Midwest is emerging as a key beneficiary, with rental housing markets in states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Missouri experiencing a welcome surge. The uptick, which began in early August, is being driven by a renewed wave of regional tourism and a growing appetite for short-term lodging alternatives outside major urban centers. After a sluggish spring marked by economic caution and soft rental activity, property managers and landlords across the Midwest are reporting a noticeable increase in demand. Vacationers, weekend travelers, and remote workers seeking nature-centric getaways are turning to short-term…

As of August 2, 2025, more than half of prospective homebuyers now prioritize listings with virtual reality tours and AI-powered valuation tools. Recent survey data indicate that VR walkthroughs and interactive neighborhood scouting are increasingly influential in buyer decisions, especially on platforms like Realtors.com. A growing share of buyers—over 39% by mid‑2025—report using AI tools as part of their homebuying process. These tools are most often employed for virtual property tours, estimating monthly payments, and checking property values. AI is also used to search for homes, compare lenders, visualize renovations, and assess affordability. Demand for virtual reality goes beyond novelty.…

The U.S. commercial real estate market is experiencing robust mid‑year momentum, with CBRE forecasting a 10% year-over-year increase in investment activity. Transactional volume is projected to hit $437 billion by the close of 2025, according to their mid‑year review published in August 2025. The report signals that while total volumes remain approximately 18% below pre-pandemic annual averages from 2015 to 2019, prime assets are attracting significantly greater attention. CBRE notes that cap rates—the ratio of net operating income to property value—are beginning to soften from their cycle highs, particularly in high-quality office and industrial spaces. Despite interest rate volatility, with…

A recent July 2025 report from JLL Spark reveals that commercial real estate operators are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence and robotics to transform how buildings are managed, serviced, and occupied. This shift—from smart maintenance and tenant access control to data-rich portfolio optimization—is projected to rapidly accelerate through late 2025. Leading commercial real estate firms are integrating AI-driven systems with robotics to automate routine building tasks. Autonomous systems now handle cleaning, infrastructure inspections, and security patrols, feeding real-time data into predictive maintenance platforms that foresee HVAC or elevator failures. These technologies help reduce operating costs by up to 20 percent annually…

Foreign investment in U.S. residential real estate surged to $56 billion between April 2024 and March 2025, marking the strongest level since 2017 and the first year-over-year increase in six years. According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2025 report on international transactions in U.S. residential real estate, foreign buyers acquired approximately 78,100 existing homes—an increase of 44% over the previous year. The total dollar volume rose 33% from $42 billion in the prior period. Several factors contributed to this sharp rebound. A weaker U.S. dollar improved the purchasing power of foreign buyers, while global economic stability post-pandemic and long-term…

The U.S. housing market continues to slow sharply in mid‑2025, with ongoing high mortgage rates suppressing buyer demand and reshaping Realtors’ strategies. In July, the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting reaffirmed its cautious, data‑driven approach, leaving the benchmark rate unchanged at 4.25%–4.50%. Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that the underperformance of the housing sector is largely tied to elevated mortgage borrowing costs. Mortgage rates have remained stubbornly high, hovering around 6.7% for a 30‑year fixed rate—just slightly down from 6.75% earlier in recent months. Pending home sales across key metros have dipped around 0.8% month‑over‑month and almost 3% year‑over‑year. According to…

JetZero, the California-based aerospace startup known for its next-generation all-wing Z4 aircraft, confirmed a $4.7 billion investment in a new manufacturing facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. The project, announced on June 12, 2025, includes plans to generate over 14,500 jobs by around 2036—marking the single largest economic development commitment in state history. The average annual salary for these roles is expected to exceed $89,000, well above the region’s current wage levels. The planned facility, covering approximately 3 million square feet, will produce JetZero’s Z4 blended-wing-body aircraft. This aircraft is designed to carry around 250 passengers…

By late July 2025, the U.S. rental market has begun to stabilize amid a combination of high mortgage rates, increasing inventory, and more moderate rent growth. While homeownership remains financially out of reach for many households, particularly first-time buyers, renters are benefiting from expanded choices and a more balanced rental landscape. With mortgage rates holding steady in the 6.5% to 7% range, more would-be buyers are continuing to rent, sustaining strong demand across urban and suburban markets. Mid-2024 saw a record addition of approximately 600,000 new rental units to the market, which helped temper the rapid rent increases experienced during…