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Median Home Prices Continue to Rise Across U.S.

U.S.: Home prices across most of the country’s large metropolitan areas rose in the first half of the year. Despite domestic and global concerns, more inventory of homes on the market, and a buyer’s market in more regions of the country, the median price for existing single-family homes rose 1.5% from the same period last year. Those existing home prices were higher in 80% of the metro areas in the second quarter, compared to 71% in the first quarter. The Beaumont-Port Arthur area led the way with an 11% increase. But it was the Northeast that recorded the biggest regional spike, up 3.8% to just over $547,000. The Midwest was up 3.6%, while the South was up just 1%. Even though the West declined a little under 1%, it still has the most-expensive markets in the country with the San Jose area recording an existing home price of a little more than $2 million.

DFW: An $800 million mixed-use project in North Dallas is moving to its next step for approval. The city’s zoning commission approved developer Leland Burk’s request to increase the maximum height in the project from 54 feet to 240 feet. Burk and his investors are aiming to build a retail and residential project at Preston Road and Royal Lane to include a 19-story hotel-condo high-rise, an 18-story apartment complex and a 12-story office tower. The developer has adjusted the plans several times after meetings with neighbors and the project now calls for 150 hotel rooms, about 50 condominiums and about 175 apartments, along with retail and restaurant spaces. The seven-acre site near St. Mark’s School of Texas once was home to a medical office complex that was damaged during a tornado in October 2019. The development that is opposed by many area neighbors, mostly because of its height, now goes before the Dallas City Council for approval.

DFW: A Dallas suburb has been named one of the safest cities in the country. SmartAsset, a fintech company, says Plano ranked No. 2 behind Virginia Beach in its latest study. Using data from government analyses, the study ranked 83 cities with a population of at least 250,000 and took into account property crime, violent crime, traffic fatalities and natural disasters. Plano had a low violent crime rate of 1.5 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of just under 15 per 1,000 residents. WalletHub, meanwhile, ranks the city No. 4 as the best place to raise a family.

U.S.:  Some homeowners associations across the country are playing some serious hardball. As many of them face challenging financial hurdles, they are getting tougher and tougher with homeowners who are behind on their dues. ATTOM, a data and analytics firm serving the real estate industry, reports that foreclosures are up 40% from two years ago and that HOA foreclosures are trending higher than mortgage-related foreclosures. Experts say that some associations nationwide are taking tougher stances by forgoing grace periods and sending delinquent accounts straight to attorneys or filing liens against the property earlier than in the past. Many associations are facing higher operating costs, lower reserves and delinquent invoices by homeowners that could put the HOAs in deep financial jeopardy.

LALALAND: Actress Aubrey Plaza has finally sold her LA-area home, but it took several cuts to get it done. The Mediterranean-style home in the Hollywood area of Los Feliz is now in escrow for $4.85 million, a little over the $4.7 million that Plaza and her late husband Jeff Baena paid for the home in October 2022. After her husband died in the home in early 2025, the Parks and Recreation actress put the house up for sale but struggled to find a buyer at $6.5 million, $5.75 million and even at $5.35 million. The four-bedroom, five-bath home was built in 1928 and has undergone numerous renovations throughout the years. Tucked away on a quiet street, it includes modern features, including a screening room and wine cellar, and several outdoor living and entertaining spaces that surround a pool. Plaza is now expecting a child with fellow actor Christopher Abbott.

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