Alex Douglas is a business and real estate writer based in suburban Chicago, bringing together professional newsroom experience, firsthand brokerage knowledge, and a practical interest in property investing. He earned a BS from Arizona State University and went on to report for multiple newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, where he covered business and real estate.
Before focusing on real estate journalism, Alex spent five years as a Realtor in Phoenix, giving him direct insight into buyers, sellers, agents, negotiations, and the day-to-day realities of local housing markets. Today, his reporting draws on both his journalism background and his real estate experience to explain market trends, housing developments, and industry changes with clarity and authority. As a novice multifamily real estate investor, Alex also brings a hands-on perspective to coverage of property ownership, investment strategy, and long-term market opportunities.
Alex Douglas 
NMHC’s July Quarterly Survey of Apartment Market Conditions shows debt and equity financing worsening and sales volume pulling back, even as market tightness improves nationally.
Chicago’s industrial vacancy rate climbed to 5.06% in the second quarter, according to Colliers, as absorption slowed and previously leased warehouse space returned to the market.
Lodging Econometrics’ Q2 2026 data shows the U.S. hotel construction pipeline reached 5,975 projects and 703,001 rooms, with record highs in luxury, upper upscale, and conversion activity.
Fitch Ratings analysts said in a July 24 webinar that the U.S. housing economy has moved from stagnation into contraction at mid-2026, citing weak new-home sales, elevated mortgage rates and a mortgage lock-in effect even as home prices hit record highs.
Santa Cruz County topped NLIHC’s Out of Reach 2026 report for a fourth straight year, requiring an $81.04 hourly wage to afford a $4,214/month two-bedroom rental.
Equity Union Real Estate opened its first office outside California, launching Southern Nevada operations led by Jason Lindstrom and Melissa Dominguez-Martin.
Harvard’s State of the Nation’s Housing: sales near 30-year lows, $120K income needed for the median home, and a 7.2-million-unit affordable-rental gap.
Sotheby’s International Realty acquired Majestic Realty Collective — eight affiliates from Vail to Lake Tahoe — as luxury brokerage consolidates.
NAR: prices rose in 71% of metros in Q1 while nearly 29% went flat or negative — the most fragmented price map in years. San Jose tops $2 million.
Lennar delivered 20,519 homes with incentives at 12.9% of price — about $48,000 a home — while trimming 2026 guidance. What it says about new construction.
A July survey found 34% of economists expecting a Fed hike next — quadruple January’s share. Days later, June’s CPI drop rewrote the story.
Case-Shiller shows prices up 0.8% in a year when inflation ran 3.8% — meaning inflation-adjusted U.S. home values fell for an 11th straight month.
Fannie Mae forecasts 4.76 million total home sales for 2026 — up just 0.2% — with existing sales edging higher while new-home sales fall 6.1%.
California’s median hit a record $930,260 as $1M+ homes claimed 38.5% of sales — while volume stayed below 300,000 for a 44th straight month.
Existing-home sales slipped 2.4% in June to a 4.09 million pace even as affordability improved. What the NAR report signals for buyers and sellers.
Zillow: June sales jumped 9.2% from May while inventory grew just 0.9% annually — a two-year low. The buyer-friendly window is quietly narrowing.
Wire fraud can drain closing funds in minutes. A verification checklist for buyers, sellers and agents before any money moves.
Data centers are reshaping industrial land markets in 2026, with power availability now driving site selection more than fiber.
Multifamily vacancy shows how much rental supply sits empty — and shapes rent growth, concessions and negotiating power.
Free rent, waived fees and other apartment concessions are common in 2026. How renters can negotiate a better deal.
Investor home purchases fell to their lowest level since 2020, Redfin data shows. Is the pullback ending or deepening?
Home maintenance can run 1% to 4% of a home’s value each year. What new owners should budget for repairs and replacements.
A condo special assessment can add thousands to ownership costs. What buyers and sellers should check before closing.
Climate risk now belongs in home-buying due diligence. The flood, wildfire, wind and insurance questions to ask before closing.
Homeowners insurance is the missing line in most affordability math. Why coverage costs now shape what buyers can afford.
Standard homeowners insurance usually excludes flood damage. What separate flood coverage does — and who actually needs it.
Mortgage applications are running above year-ago levels. What weekly application data says about buyer demand in 2026.
A lower mortgage rate does not always make refinancing worth it. Learn how to calculate your break-even point and compare costs.
Before signing a new-construction contract, buyers should ask about deposits, financing, warranties, changes, delays and inspections.
Builder incentives can lower costs, but buyers need to compare rate buydowns, closing credits, upgrades and total price carefully.
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