Author: Rent Magazine Contributor

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…

The July 2025 report from ADP, revealing a net gain of 104,000 private-sector jobs, has delivered a significant vote of confidence in the resilience of the U.S. labor market. Coming on the heels of a downwardly revised decline of 23,000 jobs in June, the latest numbers exceeded analyst expectations and reassured investors and economists that hiring momentum has not fully faded. The gains were driven largely by sectors such as leisure and hospitality, financial services, and transportation—industries that tend to be sensitive to shifts in consumer demand and broader economic sentiment. The rebound suggests businesses remain optimistic about future activity,…

As the demand for affordable housing continues to rise across the United States, homebuilders are adapting by prioritizing cost-effective construction methods and smaller home designs in their new developments. With home prices remaining high in many markets, builders are shifting their focus to meet the needs of budget-conscious buyers, creating more accessible housing options in response to the ongoing affordability crisis. Recent industry reports reveal a trend where homebuilders are adopting innovative approaches to construction, focusing on reducing both initial purchase costs and long-term maintenance expenses. One of the key strategies being employed is the use of energy-efficient materials and…

The smart home device market in the United States is experiencing a significant surge in adoption, with consumers embracing new technologies that promise increased convenience, energy efficiency, and security. As of 2025, the demand for smart home products has risen sharply, reflecting a growing trend toward automation in everyday living spaces. Industry experts point to advances in artificial intelligence (AI), better device interoperability, and the increasing accessibility of these technologies as the driving factors behind this surge. Recent market analysis indicates that sales of popular smart home products—such as thermostats, security cameras, and voice-controlled assistants—have increased by 15% year-over-year. This…

While the U.S. housing and construction sectors experienced cooling in June, homebuyer activity remained broadly stable, supported by firm mortgage rates and improved consumer confidence following the new U.S.–EU trade agreement. In June 2025, existing home sales declined 2.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.93 million units, exceeding economist expectations. However, year-over-year sales remained flat. Mortgage rates have hovered near 7%, contributing to affordability pressures, yet buyer interest has not weakened significantly. Consumer optimism has been bolstered by the trade deal with the European Union announced on July 28, 2025. The agreement stabilizes U.S. tariff rates at approximately…

Commercial real estate is regaining momentum as the U.S. economy rebounds in the second quarter of 2025, driven by modest GDP growth and renewed confidence among investors and occupiers. Economic forecasts from the Federal Reserve project U.S. real GDP growth of around 1.4% to 1.6% for the year, with steady disinflation and stable monetary policy providing a foundation for cautious optimism in commercial markets. Capital markets remain supportive as interest rates hold, preserving favorable financing conditions into the fall. Demand is notably rising in secondary and tertiary office markets as technology firms and coworking operators search for flexible, lower-cost lease…

In early July 2025, the U.S. housing market exhibited encouraging signs of stabilization after years of tight conditions. Active listings have surged upward for 19 consecutive months and are now roughly 30 percent higher than a year ago. While affordability remains a concern due to high home prices and sustained mortgage rates near 6.7 to 6.8 percent, the growing housing stock is gradually shifting negotiating power back toward buyers. According to recent data, active listings increased by 28 percent year over year—marking a fresh post-pandemic high. New listings rose by 5.7 percent during the first half of 2025, while homes…