09/20/2026
I hope you find the following real estate and market tidbits interesting.
* For the first time since 2021, more than 2 million US homes owe at least 25% more than they are worth. California, Florida, Texas and Illinois each have 100,000 seriously underwater homes. This represents less than 1.4% of all US homes.
* More than 1,000 economists, including 17 Nobel laureates, were worried enough to sign an online petition circulated this month by Stanford University’s Erik Brynjolfsson warning of “large scale job displacement” from AI and pleading for action. (WSJ)
* JPMorgan Chase said it is investing $750 billion through 2035 in an initiative to support homeownership in the U.S by providing financing for one million affordable housing units and to help a half a million people buy homes. (WSJ)
* 21.4 million Americans used cannabis daily in 2025 making it the most frequently used substance, ahead of alcohol and ci******es.....
* Designers are moving away from stark whites and chilly grays in favor of earthier neutrals like mushroom, greige, cognac, and olive. Often referred to by designers as “dirty neutrals,” these nuanced hues are showing up across paint palettes, textiles, and finishes. (HOUSE BEAUTIFUL)
* For every 5 tradespeople that retire just two replace them.
* Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are asking condominiums to set aside more of their budgets in reserve accounts that can be used to pay for capital projects. A large share of condo HOAs are underfunding their reserves potentially leaving them vulnerable to expensive surprise repairs. To bolster reserves they will likely have to raise dues from homeowners. (WSJ)
* Canada (16%), Mexico (14%), China (11%) and India (9%) are the largest source of foreign buyers in the US. Approximately 53% of Florida buyers reside outside of the US.
* 80% of metro markets in the US saw home price increases in the second quarter of 2026.
* The price of copper is up 55% since the beginning of 2025.
Reach out to me if you have any real estate related questions or concerns.
