housing market

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock says the days of low interest rates are gone, signalling that borrowing costs are likely to stay elevated for the foreseeable future. The warning matters for Australian households and businesses still adjusting to higher mortgage repayments, and it has drawn wide attention as people weigh what a permanently higher rate environment means for housing and the wider economy.

Mortgage rates in the United States have returned to 7%, renewing concern about the housing market's direction. The Wall Street Journal examines what the rise means for buyers, sellers and home prices. Higher borrowing costs are expected to further strain affordability, and many are debating whether rates will stay elevated or ease in the months ahead.

Housing prices are climbing even as government regulations aim to cool the real estate market, prompting widespread debate about why policy measures are failing to curb costs. Commentators are weighing supply shortages, low interest rates and investor demand as possible drivers, with buyers expressing growing frustration over affordability and uncertainty about what policy steps might come next.

UBS's latest housing bubble index names Zurich and Tokyo as the developed markets at greatest risk of a housing bubble, while overall price growth across the cities it tracks continues to slow. Investors are watching the findings for signals on where valuations may be most stretched, with real estate ETFs such as Vanguard Real Estate (VNQ) also in focus as sentiment on global property cools.

Realtor.com has updated its 2026 housing forecast, projecting that home price growth will cool further and fall behind the pace of inflation. The revised outlook suggests sellers may see weaker price gains while buyers could face somewhat improved affordability, though elevated mortgage rates continue to weigh on the market heading into next year.

Housing conditions are shifting in favor of buyers as inventory grows and sellers lose some leverage, yet consumers say prices and affordability still do not feel favorable. The gap between market data and buyer experience is the focus of new commentary, with observers noting that improvements on paper have yet to translate into relief for shoppers, who remain cautious amid elevated mortgage rates and still-high home prices.

Andy Burnham has announced an equity loan scheme aimed at helping first-time buyers get onto the property ladder and stimulating the housing market. The scheme would allow buyers to purchase a share of a home with the remainder covered by a loan, reducing upfront costs. Details on funding levels, eligibility criteria and launch dates have not yet been published, and the announcement is likely to attract scrutiny over affordability and regional impact.

Killeen's housing market is tilting toward buyers, with inventory rising, home sales slowing and sellers adjusting their pricing strategies to attract offers. Local coverage of the Central Texas city suggests sellers can no longer expect the fast, competitive bidding of recent years, and buyers are gaining leverage in negotiations as more homes sit on the market longer.

Seoul's housing market is diverging sharply, with redevelopment prices in the upscale Gangnam district falling while apartments on the city's outskirts hit record highs. The split suggests buyers are shifting away from premium reconstruction projects toward more affordable outer districts, reversing the usual pattern in which Gangnam leads the market.

Meta's growing network of data centers is drawing construction and operations staff to small towns, and purpose-built workforce housing is emerging to accommodate them. Reports describe how developers are building or converting apartments near the sites to serve these workers, a sign of how large tech infrastructure projects are reshaping local housing markets and economies across the United States.

Kenya's Central Bank reports the country's mortgage market has grown to Ksh307 billion in outstanding loans, with the average mortgage now standing at about Ksh10 million. The figures point to rising property prices and increased uptake of home loans, renewing debate about housing affordability for ordinary Kenyan borrowers.

Fixed mortgage and refinance rates moved higher again as of Sunday, September 27, 2026, continuing an upward trend compared with the previous week. Borrowers tracking the market face more expensive financing for home purchases and refinances, and rate watchers are weighing how long the climb will continue before affordability pressures ease for prospective homeowners.

Homes across Ontario are taking months to sell, a sharp change from the fast-moving market of recent years. Local reporting points to buyers holding back amid high borrowing costs and prices that sellers have been slow to adjust, leaving listings lingering and giving buyers more room to negotiate.

Bengaluru's housing market is said to be entering a new phase of growth and adjustment, according to a report by BW Businessworld. The city, one of India's major property markets, has seen shifting conditions in its residential sector, with analysts weighing continued demand against price corrections and changing buyer expectations. Details of the specific trends driving this new phase remain limited in the coverage available.

Housing commentator Mark Stucklin writes that a major new housing proposal advancing in Brussels deserves attention from expat buyers in Spain. The proposal, under discussion in EU institutions, could affect property rules relevant to foreign buyers on the Spanish market.