This feature was originally published on https://somerspoint.com on October 17, 2026. Greg Englesbe does not deal in soft readings of hard data. When the Federal Reserve raised rates and mortgage costs climbed toward 7 percent, he wrote about it the way a surgeon delivers a diagnosis: direct, precise, no comfort offered where none was warranted. […]
Mortgage rates have been moving in the wrong direction for homebuyers, but I believe there is reason to be optimistic about where they could be headed over the next several months. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate recently climbed to 7.40%, according to Freddie Mac, its highest level in nearly three years. That’s certainly not […]
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates Wednesday for the first time in more than three years, and for anyone who owns, buys or invests in real estate, this is something worth paying attention to. The Federal Reserve increased its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point, bringing its target range to 3.75% to 4%. Why […]
There are certain causes that transcend business, politics and personal interests. Supporting the men and women who protect our communities is one of them. On January 23, 2027, the Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation will host its 21st Annual Palm Beach Police & Fire Rescue Ball at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. I am proud […]
The U.S. housing market continues to search for momentum, but several major economic forces are making it difficult for buyers, sellers and investors to find much of it. One of the newest pressures comes from continued instability in the Middle East, which has helped keep oil and gasoline prices elevated. According to the U.S. Energy […]
For years, economists, policymakers and housing experts have debated the biggest drivers behind America’s housing affordability crisis. Mortgage rates, a shortage of new construction, investor activity and population growth have all been cited as major contributors. Now, a new working paper from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas suggests another factor may have played a […]
As we move through the second half of 2026, there are several economic trends that I believe are worth watching closely. While there is still plenty of uncertainty around the world, I see a few developments that could create a more favorable environment for consumers, businesses and investors as we approach the fourth quarter. One […]
Florida’s luxury housing market continues to defy many of the broader national real estate trends, with affluent buyers still actively purchasing homes and investment properties across Palm Beach, Naples and other high-end coastal communities despite elevated mortgage rates and growing affordability concerns nationwide. While many middle-market buyers remain cautious amid higher borrowing costs, the luxury […]
According to data from Moody’s Analytics reported by Axios, roughly 21% of office space across major U.S. markets sat vacant in the first quarter of 2026, up sharply from 17% in 2020. The trend persists despite ongoing return-to-office efforts by many employers. Workers are still spending about a quarter of their workdays outside the office, […]
Recent developments involving Iran have created renewed volatility across global markets. When geopolitical tensions rise, markets tend to react quickly as investors try to assess risk, energy markets move sharply and uncertainty spreads across asset classes. Moments like this remind investors that volatility isn’t unusual. It’s part of the market. After decades in the markets, […]
