Archived issue · August 25, 2026

Weekly digest — August 25, 2026

Issue 213

Market Trends

Pending sales post first back-to-back gain since spring

Contracts signed rose 3.4% month over month, the second straight increase, as buyers who sat out July came back to a deeper pool of price-reduced listings.

6.27%

30-yr fixed rate

+3.4%

Pending sales MoM

34 days

Median days on market

Industry News

Brokerage

eXp rolls out flat-fee listing tier in six states

The $2,950 package bundles MLS entry, photography, and a licensed negotiator, aimed at sellers who priced out full-service commissions.

Proptech

Zillow pilots verified-tour badges on listings

Listings with a confirmed in-person or 3D tour now rank higher in search results across the Sun Belt test markets.

Mortgage

Non-QM lenders loosen DSCR floors for investors

Two national lenders dropped minimum debt-service coverage from 1.10 to 1.00 on 1-4 unit rentals, widening the investor buyer pool.

Legislation & Policy

HUD finalizes appraisal bias rule

Lenders must offer a reconsideration-of-value process on every purchase appraisal starting January 1. Expect a new disclosure page in closing packets.

California AB 2187 — Seller disclosure of insurance history

Would add prior claims and non-renewal notices to the transfer disclosure statement. Heads to the Senate floor this week.

Upcoming Events

04Sep

Webinar: Pricing in a Rising-Inventory Market

1:00pm ET · Case studies from Austin, Tampa, and Boise · Free for members

Register →
11Sep

Roundtable: Working with Investor Clients

Virtual, 90 minutes · DSCR loans, 1031 timing, and rent-ready checklists

Register →