Rent is now more affordable than buying in every major US market

Austin and Seattle were the friendliest cities for renters as the monthly mortgage payment on a starter home in each of the top 50 cities soared above the average rent by more than $1,000. Continue reading

DOJ launches criminal probe into RealPage amid rent-fixing scandal

The DOJ opened its investigation into the property management software firm as well as several multifamily building operators who authorities believe collaborated in a “price-fixing combination.” Continue reading

NYC’s ‘worst landlord’ attacked first day of 2-month Rikers sentence

New York City’s worst landlord, Daniel Ohebshalom, was punched on Friday during an inmate brawl at Rikers. Ohebshalom was sentenced for failing to fix more than 700 housing violations. Continue reading

Squatting is having a moment. Ignore it

A few high-profile squatting cases have gone viral in recent days, but no available data actually indicates the practice of unlawfully occupying property has become more frequent. Continue reading

New-home sales fall abruptly in February for first time in 3 months

Sales of newly built homes slipped a modest 0.3 percent between January and February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 662,000, according to data released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau. Continue reading

NYC landlord with 700 safety violations starts 60-day jail stint

New York City’s worst landlord has begun a two-month sentence at Rikers after refusing to correct more than 700 housing violations between his two Manhattan properties. Daniel Ohebshalom surrendered to authorities on Thursday, two weeks after housing c… Continue reading

Landlords pull plug on renter incentives ahead of spring

While incentives are still an integral part of the new-home market, they’re falling out of popularity in the rental segment as demand — and competition — strengthens. The number of Zillow rental listings with concessions has struggled, going from 32.7 … Continue reading

Trump son-in-law Kushner pursues overseas real estate deals

Jared Kushner, husband of Ivanka Trump, is pursuing deals in Albania and Serbia even as his father-in-law runs for president. Some observers say the situation raises red flags. Continue reading

In ‘shocker’ of a vote, Chicago transfer tax hike headed for defeat

The key policy item for first-term Mayor Brandon Johnson would have raised an estimated $100 million through a tax hike on real estate sales. Continue reading