There was a definite mood of comfort and character at this year’s Surface Design Show, held Feb. 3-5, 2026, at the Business Design Centre, London, with warm colors, imperfect finishes, tactile surfaces and personalized designs all speaking to our desire to make our homes feel layered...

I often get asked, “What are the rules in selecting the size of rug to use in a room?” Deciding what size rug is best for a space can be hard since there are many “rules” and just as many opposing opinions.One popular rule is that the rug should be large enough to slide under the front legs...

Image Chin says CRE transaction activity is likely to rise about 16% this...

Persistent affordability pressures in the U.S. housing market are continuing to reshape who buys homes -- and who does not. New research from real-estate analytics firm Cotality shows that elevated mortgage rates and record-high prices are sidelining many owner-occupant buyers, while sustaining unusually strong demand in the rental market and keeping property investors firmly in play. By the end of 2025,...

A growing divide is emerging in the U.S. housing market between Americans living alone and those sharing expenses with a spouse or partner, underscoring how the affordability crisis is reshaping household economics across the country. A recent consumer survey commissioned by real-estate brokerage Redfin found that roughly 64% of unmarried respondents report difficulty meeting monthly rent or mortgage...

Housing Market Weakness Extends Into 2026 Sales of previously owned U.S. homes fell sharply in January 2026, declining 8.4 percent from December 2025 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million units, the National Association of Realtors reported this week. The drop marked the steepest monthly decline in nearly four years and pushed sales to their lowest level since late 2023. The January figure...

Image Chin says CRE transaction activity is likely to rise about 16% this...

With Traditional Banks in the Crosshairs of Digital Disintermediation Digital currencies -- long synonymous with crypto speculation and day-trading volatility, as seen with Bitcoin, whose price has effectively been cut in half over the past four months -- are quietly finding a new purpose in one of the world's most analog sectors: real estate. What began as an alternative form of money is now being...

U.S. foreclosure activity climbed on an annual basis for the 11th consecutive month in January 2026, underscoring mounting strain in pockets of the housing market even as overall distress levels remain far below post-financial-crisis highs. A total of 40,534 properties nationwide recorded foreclosure filings -- including default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions -- according to data...

U.S. commercial real estate lending surged at the end of 2025, signaling renewed momentum across large segments of the property finance market as interest-rate volatility eased and banks re-entered the arena with greater conviction. Commercial and multifamily mortgage originations jumped 30% in the fourth quarter from a year earlier and climbed 25% from the prior three months, according to the Mortgage...