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Renters pack city centers while homebuyers pushed to the fringes link

• The gap between renting and owning is near historic highs, keeping many potential buyers in rentals instead. This is driving strong lease-ups and higher retention in metro cores, even as other markets soften.

• Renewal rates are elevated because moving into ownership has become cost-prohibitive in desirable areas. Tenants who would normally buy are staying put, boosting absorption of new urban supply.

• Developers see a split: well-located urban rentals lease fast, while affordable ownership opportunities only exist farther out, carrying different risks and attracting a different resident profile.

Return-to-Office Update: NYC, Miami Back to Pre-Covid Levels—San Francisco Stages a Surprise Revival link

• New York City office visits were 1.3% above July 2019 levels, the first time the market has fully surpassed pre-Covid activity; Miami was just 0.1% below, both fueled by finance sector pressure on workers to return.

• Nationwide, office visits in July 2025 were down 21.8% from 2019, the closest gap since the pandemic and up 10.7% from last year. Atlanta (–14.8%) and Dallas (–18.3%) outperformed the national average, while Denver lagged badly at –40%.

• San Francisco is showing the fastest recovery momentum, with office visits up 21.6% year-over-year—the strongest among major hubs—helped by rising rents, new business openings, and improved sentiment.

Senior housing quietly outpaces the pack in 2025 link

• Senior housing delivered a 4% total return YTD, beating the broader NPI by 85 bps in Q2 (2.08% vs. 1.23%), with income yield (1.36%) outpacing capital appreciation (0.72%).

• Independent living outperformed assisted living across all time horizons, posting a 2.58% Q1 return vs. 1.25% for assisted, and averaging 8.03% one-year returns compared to 3.64%.

• Occupancy rose to 88.1% in Q2, with independent living at 89.7% and assisted at 86.4%, while inventory growth slipped below 1% YoY—the lowest since 2006.

Existing-home sales slip as fresh listings slow—Midwest holds firm, South lags link

• Active listings rose nearly 20% year-over-year in July, but new listings only increased 5%, showing more homes are sitting unsold rather than new supply entering the market. Sales dropped 0.2% from last month and 1.4% compared to last year.

• In the top 75 markets, sales track closely with new listings, not overall inventory. Midwest and Northeast metros made up 68% of the “above-average sales” group, while many Southern and Western metros like El Paso and Stockton saw rising supply but weak absorption.

• The biggest drag on sales is the mortgage rate lock-in effect—owners holding on to ultra-low rates. Life events like job changes and retirements will be the main force pushing new supply back into the market.

Housing Market Stalls But Rate Cuts Could Shake Things Up link

• The median U.S. list price is about $440,000, making a typical home $1,255 more expensive per month than in 2019; higher rates alone have added nearly $300 to monthly costs since 2022.

• Delistings surged this summer, with Miami seeing 59 homes pulled for every 100 listed, as sellers resist price cuts—keeping inventory from growing despite weaker demand.

• Builders pulled back sharply, with single-family permits down almost 8% year over year, deepening the nation’s 4 million–home shortage even as some regions face oversupply.

America’s safest and richest city isn’t in New York—here’s who took the crown link

• Western Springs, Illinois ranked #1, with a mean household income of $294,896, average home value of $837,328, and one of the lowest violent crime rates in the nation (0.076 per 10,000).

• New Jersey dominated the list with 7 cities, including Ridgewood (#11) where average incomes hit $288,861 and home values average $1.18 million.

• Lexington, MA placed second but with a much steeper cost of living, including average home prices of $1.69 million—double Western Springs.

Tool of the day- Nanoprecise

Nanoprecise specializes in implementation of Artificial Intelligence and IoT technology for predictive asset maintenance and condition monitoring. Nanoprecise’s AI + IoT Predictive Maintenance solutions drive mechanical and operational efficiencies that increase production and safety while reducing carbon footprints.

Top Asset Managers Are Using AI to Slash Building Energy Costs – link

From predictive HVAC controls to real-time energy modeling, major landlords are leaning on AI to cut utility spend and hit sustainability targets.

CRE Owners Turn to Drones and AI to Brace for Hurricanes – link

Commercial landlords are deploying drones and AI models to spot vulnerabilities, assess storm damage faster, and harden properties against billion-dollar hurricane losses.

Bellevue Pilots AI to Fast-Track Housing and Development Permits – link

The city is testing AI to cut red tape on permits — aiming to speed housing approvals, boost economic growth, and attract developers.

Prypco & Ovaluate Roll Out AI Tool for Instant Property Valuations – link

The new platform delivers rapid, AI-driven property valuations — giving investors and agents faster insights for pricing and deal decisions.

One in Three Older Households Is Cost Burdened- A Harvard Case Study

Retail Openings Outpacing Closures.

Immigration is Reshaping Workforce Housing

Top 10 Metros with the Highest Zombie Foreclosure Rates in Q3 2025

U.S. Cap Rates Trends

Proptech Startups That Just Got Funded

Timeline: When Will One Big Beautiful Bill Programs Take Effect?

The vibe of this house!

Link to the listing

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Vidit

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