Author Archives: Ben Verde

Manhattan’s ‘Devil Wears Prada’ townhouse sells for $26.5M

By Ben Verde | September 25, 2023 - 9:43 pm |September 25, 2023 Uncategorized

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The seven-bedroom six-story townhouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side spans 12,000 square feet and was listed for $27.5 million in May. Continue reading →

Embattled MV Realty files for bankruptcy amid flood of lawsuits

By Ben Verde | September 25, 2023 - 5:36 pm |September 25, 2023 Uncategorized

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The company is currently facing lawsuits from more than a half-dozen states over its allegedly deceptive business practices. Continue reading →

FEMA flood insurance program faces dual existential threats

By Ben Verde | September 21, 2023 - 8:16 pm |September 21, 2023 Uncategorized

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The National Flood Insurance Program is up against another deadline for renewal while a lawsuit from 10 states takes aim at its proposed pricing change. Continue reading →

Existing-home sales fall off 0.7% led by Southern, Western markets

By Ben Verde | September 21, 2023 - 4:35 pm |September 21, 2023 Uncategorized

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Sales of existing homes slid 0.7 percent between July and August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.04 million but held steady in the Northeast and rose in the Midwest. Continue reading →

Homebuilder confidence tanks as mortgage rates rise

By Ben Verde | September 20, 2023 - 6:36 pm |September 20, 2023 Uncategorized

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Builder sentiment for newly built single-family homes slid five points to a score of 45, the second straight month of steep decreases. Continue reading →

Housing starts plunge to 3-year low

By Ben Verde | September 19, 2023 - 2:59 pm |September 19, 2023 Uncategorized

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In August, housing starts hit their lowest level since June 2020, when builders were struggling with COVID-fueled “shutdowns, labor shortages and supply chain issues,” according to U.S. Census data. Continue reading →

Buyers cancel contracts in droves as prices and interest rates soar

By Ben Verde | September 18, 2023 - 6:17 pm |September 18, 2023 Uncategorized

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Nearly 60,000 home purchase contracts were canceled nationwide during August, according to Redfin’s report. Continue reading →

‘Avocado toast’ CEO apologizes for viral anti-worker comments

By Ben Verde | September 15, 2023 - 6:23 pm |September 15, 2023 Uncategorized

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Millionaire Australian developer Tim Gurner deactivated his LinkedIn account after apologizing for a speech suggesting that higher unemployment would better keep workers “in check”. Continue reading →

Return-to-office policies aren’t the only reason people are moving

By Ben Verde | September 14, 2023 - 6:59 pm |September 14, 2023 Uncategorized

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In-office requirements are an emerging factor in the real estate market, with fewer and fewer companies willing to accommodate remote work, according to a new report by Redfin. Continue reading →

Social media favorite Zillow Gone Wild greenlit for new HGTV show

By Ben Verde | September 13, 2023 - 8:34 pm |September 13, 2023 Uncategorized

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The popular social media page is getting its own nine-episode HGTV show, with eight half-hour episodes and an hour-long season finale. Continue reading →