Real Home Prices Fall for an 11th Straight Month
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.
Mike Douglas
Real Estate Reporter
Mike 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, Mike 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, Mike also brings a hands-on perspective to coverage of property ownership, investment strategy, and long-term market opportunities.
Articles by Mike Douglas
Mike Douglas
Fannie Mae Sees Flat 2026 Home Sales and a New-Home Pullback
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%.
Million-Dollar Sales Push California’s Median to a Record
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.
June Existing-Home Sales Slip 2.4% Even as Costs Ease
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.
Home Sales Rebound in June as Inventory Growth Nearly Stalls
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.
Real Estate Wire Fraud Checklist: How Buyers and Sellers Can Protect Closing Funds
Wire fraud can drain closing funds in minutes. A verification checklist for buyers, sellers and agents before any money moves.
Data Centers and Real Estate: Why Power Demand Is Reshaping Industrial Markets
Data centers are reshaping industrial land markets in 2026, with power availability now driving site selection more than fiber.
Multifamily Vacancy Explained: Why Renters and Investors Watch This Number
Multifamily vacancy shows how much rental supply sits empty — and shapes rent growth, concessions and negotiating power.
Apartment Concessions in 2026: How Renters Can Negotiate Better Deals
Free rent, waived fees and other apartment concessions are common in 2026. How renters can negotiate a better deal.
Investor Home Purchases in 2026: Is the Pullback Ending?
Investor home purchases fell to their lowest level since 2020, Redfin data shows. Is the pullback ending or deepening?
Home Maintenance Costs: What New Owners Should Budget Each Year
Home maintenance can run 1% to 4% of a home’s value each year. What new owners should budget for repairs and replacements.
Condo Special Assessments Explained for Buyers and Sellers
A condo special assessment can add thousands to ownership costs. What buyers and sellers should check before closing.
Climate Risk Disclosure in Real Estate: What Buyers Should Ask Before Closing
Climate risk now belongs in home-buying due diligence. The flood, wildfire, wind and insurance questions to ask before closing.
The Insurance-Adjusted Housing Affordability Problem Buyers Should Not Ignore
Homeowners insurance is the missing line in most affordability math. Why coverage costs now shape what buyers can afford.
Flood Insurance vs. Homeowners Insurance: The Difference Buyers Must Understand
Standard homeowners insurance usually excludes flood damage. What separate flood coverage does — and who actually needs it.
Mortgage Applications Are Rising: What They Say About Buyer Demand
Mortgage applications are running above year-ago levels. What weekly application data says about buyer demand in 2026.
Refinance Calculator Guide: When a Lower Rate Is Actually Worth It
A lower mortgage rate does not always make refinancing worth it. Learn how to calculate your break-even point and compare costs.
What to Ask Before Signing a New-Construction Contract
Before signing a new-construction contract, buyers should ask about deposits, financing, warranties, changes, delays and inspections.
Builder Incentives Explained: Rate Buydowns, Credits and Upgrade Packages
Builder incentives can lower costs, but buyers need to compare rate buydowns, closing credits, upgrades and total price carefully.
Earnest Money Explained: How Much Buyers Risk When Making an Offer
Earnest money shows sellers a buyer is serious, but buyers can risk losing it if they miss deadlines or break contract terms.
Down Payment Guide 2026: How Much Buyers Are Really Putting Down
How much are buyers putting down in 2026? Down payments fell to a four-year low, but cash still matters.
Why Homes Sit on the Market: 7 Reasons Listings Go Stale
Why do homes sit on the market? These seven factors often explain stale listings, from pricing to repairs and weak buyer demand.
Seller Concessions vs. Price Cuts: Which Strategy Works Better in 2026?
Seller concessions and price cuts solve different problems. Here’s when each strategy may help sellers attract buyers in 2026.
How to Price a Home in a Slower Housing Market
Pricing a home in a slower market takes more than comps. Learn how sellers should use inventory, buyer feedback and concessions.
Pending Home Sales in 2026: What Contract Activity Says About Buyer Demand
Pending home sales rose in May 2026, but contract activity is only one signal. Here’s what buyers, sellers and agents should watch.
AI in Real Estate Tech: What Is Actually Useful for Agents and Brokers
AI is entering real estate workflows fast. Which tools actually save agents and brokers time — and which are mostly hype.
Mortgage Points Explained: When Buying Down the Rate Makes Sense
Mortgage points can lower your interest rate, but they only make sense if the upfront cost is worth the monthly savings.
Fair Housing and AI in Real Estate: What Agents Should Watch in 2026
AI tools can create fair housing violations in seconds. What agents, brokers and landlords should watch in 2026.
Home Price Cuts in 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Should Watch
Home price cuts remain common in 2026, but they do not always mean distress. Here’s what buyers and sellers should watch.
Office Conversions in 2026: Where Adaptive Reuse Actually Works
Office-to-residential conversions work only when floor plates, prices and zoning align. Where adaptive reuse actually pencils.