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  • California scores most expensive mid-year home sale

    California scores most expensive mid-year home sale

    The most expensive U.S. home sale of July came from a Bel Air estate in California, known as Casa Encantada. The luxury home sold for $130 million, making it the second-most expensive home sale of 2026 so far.

    The other three top sales also came from Southern California: a beachfront Malibu mansion, an architectural gem in Orange County and a Beverly Hills compound. The most expensive mid-summer sales also include two townhouses in Manhattan, New York, and three oceanfront Florida estates.

    All 10 of July’s most expensive homes sold for at least $40 million.

    Luxury and custom homes continue to provide light in the midst of a struggling housing market.

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  • Mortgage rates average 6.67%

    Mortgage rates average 6.67%

    According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Survey (PMS) released on Aug. 13, 2026, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.67%, a slight decrease from the previous week’s average of 6.69%.

    “Mortgage rates remained relatively stable this week at 6.67%,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Housing affordability has improved from a year ago and recent increases in purchase and refinance applications suggest that borrowers continue to respond to even modest changes in mortgage rates.”

    A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.58%.

    The 15-year FRM averaged 5.96%, down from the previous week when it averaged 6.01%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.71%.

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  • The importance of curb appeal in home purchases

    The importance of curb appeal in home purchases

    New data from John Burns Research and Consulting found that 34% of homeowners said that curb appeal played a significant role in home purchases. According to the New Homes Trends Institute, 15% said that lack of curb appeal was a deal-breaker.

    Most potential buyers will not make it past the front yard. From the 1,240 U.S. homeowners who were surveyed in June 2026, buyers said they expect quality landscaping from builders. The report emphasized that most buyers want a lush backyard just as much as they want a beautiful home.

    John Burns Research and Consulting’s monthly survey insights reports provide the latest findings on consumer behavior.

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  • Landmark housing law urges for zoning guidelines

    Landmark housing law urges for zoning guidelines

    The newly enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop voluntary federal guidelines for state and local zoning best practices. Such guidelines will help shape how communities are evaluated for federal grants and give states a model for developing their own enabling legislation.

    According to the National Association of Home Builders, providing these guidelines will address many state and local zoning rules that restrict home building and raise costs. By creating land-use and zoning guidelines with input from a national task force of planning, housing, transit, academic and building experts, this landmark housing law aims to remove regulatory barriers and increase housing production across all income levels.

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