US business formation surges after 2024 election

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US business formation surges after 2024 election — investors take note link

• New business applications in the US have jumped sharply since November 2024, according to US Census Bureau data. The increase marks one of the largest post-election surges in recent years.

• The trend suggests a boost in entrepreneurial activity that could signal stronger demand for commercial space, small business lending, and local services. This uptick comes despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

• If sustained, the rise in business creation could tighten certain real estate markets—especially in fast-growing metro areas where new companies seek office, industrial, or retail space.

Apartment Rental Shortages Loom in These 3 Metros as Trump’s Tariffs Take Hold link

• Orlando apartment permits fell nearly 55% in Q2 2025 to 2,251 units, the first quarterly drop since 2022, reversing years of steady growth. Local rents are down 1.4% year over year to $1,694.

• Philadelphia saw a 28% quarterly decline in permits to 937 units, ending a three-year growth streak. Median rent there dropped 2.7% annually to $1,771.

• San Antonio permits plunged 27% in Q2 to just 420 units, compared to a 58% jump in the same period in 2023. Rents have fallen 2.6% year over year to $1,246, while construction costs spike from tariffs on steel, aluminum, and lumber.

Multifamily costs cool, but rent growth still stuck link

• Operating expenses for market-rate apartments rose just 1.3% in early 2025, down sharply from prior years, and insurance costs barely increased after more than doubling since 2019.

• Despite the cost relief, national average rents in July rose only $2 (0.7% YoY) to $1,754, with annual growth stuck between 0.5% and 1.1% for nearly two years.

• Roughly 1 million units are under construction nationwide, half already pre-leased, keeping occupancy stable but limiting landlords’ ability to push rents higher.

Opportunity Zone home prices lag behind U.S.—but Midwest bucks the trend link

• In Q2 2025, 50.5% of Opportunity Zone tracts saw year-over-year price gains, compared to 56% outside the zones; however, 39% of zones posted double-digit annual increases, outpacing the 32% share outside.

• The Midwest led growth, with Wisconsin (68%), Indiana (65%), Iowa (65%), Michigan (64%), and Missouri (59%) seeing the highest share of Opportunity Zones with annual price increases.

• Nearly 80% of Opportunity Zones had median home prices below the national $369,000 median, and about half were under $225,000, keeping them more affordable but often more volatile than other markets.

Housing numbers point to cooling sales, rising rental supply, and ADU push link

• If mortgage rates dropped to 6%, 5.5 million more households could afford a median-priced home, including 1.6 million renters who could shift into ownership.

• Rental home inventory in Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, and Charlotte jumped over 20% in the past year, fueled by owners renting after failing to sell.

• Single-family home sales are at their lowest level since 1995, with a 4.7-month housing supply—the highest since 2015—signaling soft demand despite a 2 million home national shortfall.

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AI Predictive Maintenance Is Even Coming for Your Garage Door – link

New AI algorithms are spotting early signs of wear in garage doors — cutting repair costs, preventing breakdowns, and extending equipment life for homeowners.

RCIC Launches 2,500 AI Tools to Revolutionize Real Estate – link

The massive AI suite covers everything from automated valuations to marketing content — aiming to give real estate pros an all-in-one tech edge.

Hudson Pacific Bets on AI-Driven Office Demand to Spark West Coast Comeback – link

The REIT is banking on AI companies’ space needs — plus fresh liquidity moves — to revive struggling West Coast office markets.

MetroList Integrates Restb.ai to Modernize Listings and Boost Accessibility – link

The new integration uses AI to auto-tag listing photos, streamline MLS input, and enhance accessibility — cutting time for agents while improving search accuracy.

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