Rich Lamkin Real Estate

06/01/2026

An updated version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan housing package aimed at boosting supply and improving affordability, passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday by a vote of 396–13.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act takes important steps to close the nation’s housing supply gap and make homes more affordable. The bill gives communities new tools and resources to build more homes, streamlines federal processes that delay construction and updates financing options for manufa...

05/29/2026

A lot of buyers still think you need 20% down to buy a home, but that’s not always the reality anymore.

The idea that every buyer needs a 20% down payment is one of the biggest misconceptions in real estate. This article looks at different loan options, why some buyers choose smaller down payments, and what trade-offs come with that decision, including mortgage insurance and monthly costs. For first-t...

05/28/2026

Fast rent growth can change a city quickly, especially for people trying to balance housing costs with everyday living expenses.

This ranking highlights several U.S. metro areas where rents have jumped significantly, showing how uneven housing affordability still is across the country. In many of these cities, population growth, limited supply, and steady demand are continuing to push rental costs higher even as some home-buy...

05/26/2026

Retirees also explore side hustles like house sitting and renting unused space, and overseas options such as Greece’s low-tax Golden Visa.

Average mortgage rates for second homes stand at about 7.03%, roughly 0.25% to 0.50% higher than primary residences. Still, retirees in high-demand areas are renting properties to cover mortgages, HOA dues, and management fees, sometimes generating extra profit. Experts stress treating the venture l...

05/25/2026

Single Gen Z women are outpacing the men of their generation when it comes to buying a home

NAR surveyed people who bought a home between July 2024 and June 2025. The survey included homebuyers from several generations, from Gen Z, ages 18-26, to the Silent Generation, ages 80 to 100. No other generation had a bigger share of single women homebuyers than Gen Z.

05/22/2026

The first quarter of 2026 confirmed a challenging environment for U.S. homebuilders, with high interest rates and low affordability constraining sales.

Three major U.S. homebuilders reported first-quarter 2026 results showing industry-wide revenue and margin declines, but D.R. Horton stood out with the smallest sales drop and strongest order growth. Pulte and NVR suffered double-digit revenue declines, while D.R. Horton’s orders rose 11% year ove...

05/21/2026

If you spend time around the Inner Harbor, this is a big one to watch as Harborplace moves closer to a major rebuild.

Harborplace has been part of Baltimore’s identity for decades, and this redevelopment would be a major change for the Inner Harbor. The plan includes new public space, restaurants, retail, commercial uses, and about 900 residential units near Light and Pratt Streets.

05/19/2026

Many are leveraging home equity gains from earlier purchases to trade up, with only 33% being first-time buyers—most are moving up in the market.

For years, millennials were the housing market’s most sympathetic losers—priced out, rate-locked, and perpetually waiting for their moment. For a growing slice of that generation, the wait is over. And they’re making up for lost time.

05/18/2026

What's happening around a property matters almost as much as the house itself. Large infrastructure projects like data centers can shape how a neighborhood feels over time.

05/15/2026

When it comes to buying a home, it’s typically the same old tune: first comes love (finding your dream home), then comes “marriage” (committing to a mortgage).

Private lenders can be either individual professionals or investment corporations that lend money to borrowers using real estate as collateral, according to Jessica Kuan, senior partner with DLC Clear Trust Signature Mortgages in Vancouver, British Columbia.