Appraisal Now

Denver Post | Trump's executive order targets institutional home buyers to boost affordability but may have limited impact. Large investors already net sellers for 6 quarters, buying only 0.3% of 2024 homes (down 90% from 2022). Colorado institutional ownership is at 3%, below the 3.8% national average. Critics say policy addresses an outdated problem.

Newsweek | The US housing market shows fragility: pending sales plunged 9.3% in December (the steepest since COVID), sellers outnumber buyers by a record 47%, and inventory growth slowed to 10% from 33% in mid-2025. Weak demand, elevated rates, and limited construction constrain recovery despite slight optimism for 2026.

Chosun Biz | The Korea Housing Builders Association seeks the reform of HUG's appraisal system, claiming it undervalues properties by 20%-30%, harming legitimate rental operators. Current collateral-based appraisals (80% of market value) create excessive burdens for returning deposits, risking bankruptcies, and market instability.

Nareit | REITs had disappointing 2025 returns (+2.3%) despite solid operations. Health care (28.5%) and industrial (17%) led the sectors. Data centers fell 14% after prior outperformance. A public-private valuation gap presents opportunities. Global diversification proved valuable as Asia and Europe outperformed the U.S.

Texas Real Estate Research Center | Modern manufactured homes cost 73% less than site-built homes while offering comparable quality. High-end HUD-code and CrossMod homes feature energy efficiency, faster construction (60 days quicker), and mortgage eligibility. Texas legislation (SB 785) expands placement options to address the affordability crisis.

AOL | Kansas City joined a growing trend of restricting data center construction, eliminating "by-right" building status and requiring special permits. Despite a data center boom worth trillions, areas like Loudoun County, Virginia, are also adding restrictions amid backlash. Critics claim environmental harms are overstated; data centers are low-impact facilities that should be regulated like offices, not strangled by zoning barriers.

New York Times | China's economy grew 5% in 2025 despite a severe housing crash. Home prices have fallen at least 20% since 2021, with sales at 15-year lows. An export boom masks weak consumer spending and plummeting household confidence. The real estate downturn, once 25% of the GDP, continues to worsen.

Cotality | New Zealand residential building costs rose 0.9% in Q4 2025, the largest gain since Q3 2024. Annual growth reached 2.3%, which is well below the 4.1% long-term average and far from the 10%+ post-COVID peak. Dwelling consents are rebounding to 35,500, signaling sector recovery ahead in 2026.

CNBC | Data center executives dismiss bubble fears despite massive expansion. The Digital Realty CEO cites strong demand with 15-year contracts. JLL forecasts capacity to double by 2030, requiring a $3 trillion investment. Some concerns exist about tenant creditworthiness, but sector fundamentals remain solid.

American Ag Network | South Dakota State University's Farm Real Estate Market Survey has tracked agricultural land values and rental rates for 35 years. Using a "key informant" model with lenders, appraisers, and realtors across eight regions, it provides trusted data on land trends over time for producers and industry professionals.

Oklahoma Farm Report | Texas rural land values jumped 55% in 10 years, driven by recreational demand over farm income. A Washington County study found proximity to urban centers, water features, and road access matter most—not acreage. This shift from agricultural to lifestyle-oriented valuation challenges new farmers.

Wall Street Journal | Phoenix leads the US with 54% of rentals offering at least one free month, driven by a luxury apartment glut from pandemic overbuilding. Concessions help landlords avoid price cuts while maintaining property values, though rents still fell 4% in 2025. Deals mainly benefit higher-income renters.

Wall Street Journal | Polymarket and Parcl now let users bet on home prices in major US cities, settling monthly based on Parcl's index. Proponents say prediction markets offer forward-looking signals versus lagging sales data, but advisers warn of risks since markets are new and citywide bets miss local nuances.

Scotsman Guide | Trump's proposed ban on institutional single-family home investors could destabilize housing markets. Small investors (90% of investor-buyers) have propped up sales and prices post-pandemic. A broad ban risks price crashes in regional hubs, hurting mortgage lenders already facing low volumes and shrinking loan sizes.