Carroll County home sales are up and prices are down for the first time in months
The housing market in Carroll County has seen improvements, with an increase in home sales and a decrease in prices compared to the same period last year. Housing sales rose by 13.6% in September, with 159 homes sold, up from 140 the previous year. This indicates a positive shift in the market, as it was previously plagued by low sales, shrinking inventory, and climbing prices. The housing market landscape in the county appears to be heading in a more favorable direction, providing opportunities for both buyers and sellers. TheBaltimoreSun.
Policymakers push for solutions amid uncertain future of cities
American cities are facing significant challenges including housing affordability, post-pandemic recovery, and climate resilience, with around half of cities experiencing population declines since April 2020. The U.S. is experiencing a housing shortage, with 4.5 million homes needed in 2022, leading to a housing affordability crisis and a deficit in housing units for low- and middle-income families. YahooNews
US home prices hit another record high, but there are signs of a slowdown
Existing single-family home prices in the U.S. reached a 15th consecutive record high in August, but there are signs of slowing growth, with the annual cost increase at 4.2%, the slowest rate since 2023. Regional differences are evident, as the South and West face more affordability challenges compared to the Northeast and Midwest. CoStar.
‘The Skies Are Finally Clearing’ For CRE, Declares 2025 Emerging Trends Report From ULI, PwC
The commercial real estate sector is showing signs of recovery, with industry optimism growing. However, the report cautions that the recovery will be slow and gradual, with interest rates expected to continue declining and tenant demand potentially falling. The pandemic has accelerated population migration patterns, with Sun Belt cities continuing to attract new arrivals, though at a slower pace. Bisnow.
Regional Banks Continue Feeling Pressure From Office CRE Loans
Regional banks are facing pressure from their office commercial real estate loans, contrary to the assumption that smaller community banks are the weak link. A previous study found community banks are in better shape than before the pandemic. The Reuters analysis examined earnings reports of a small sample of mid-sized and regional banks, but this anecdotal data is not statistically representative of the entire population. Globest.
Biden Administration Announces $3B Investment in Port Infrastructure
The program is expected to increase demand for American-made electric cargo equipment and eliminate over 3 million metric tons of carbon pollution, funding new battery-electric and hydrogen-powered equipment as well as charging/fueling infrastructure and solar power to support the over 100,000 union port workers. RebusinessOnline.
Remote Work Sparks Traffic Changes Across US
The rise of remote work has significantly altered traffic patterns across the United States, with nearly 14% of full-time workers now working remotely at least part-time, up from 5.7% in 2019. However, the impact on traffic congestion varies, with Raleigh seeing the most dramatic reduction of 17% as telecommuting grew from 10.5% to 23.6%, driven by the city’s thriving tech sector and continued work-from-home flexibility. GlobeSt.
Tech Giants, Developers And Utilities Team Up On ‘Flexible’ Data Center Projects
Tech giants, developers, and utilities are launching an initiative called DCFlex to develop “flexible-load data centers” that can disconnect from power grids and use backup power, addressing the strain on grids from rising data center electricity demand. The goal is to create models to make grid-responsive data centers viable nationwide by 2027. Bisnow.