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  • Affordability improves in Houston as 44% of households can afford homeownership – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Improved mortgage rates and softening home prices meant that close to half of Houston-area households could afford a median-priced home at the end of 2025, according to the quarterly Housing and Rental Affordability Report from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    As mortgage rates fell to 6.23%, the median home price decreased 0.9% year over year to $337,200 during the fourth quarter. Given those numbers, the typical monthly homeownership cost — including mortgage payment, principal, taxes and insurance — was $2,280, down from $2,490 a year prior.

    Houston households needed an annual salary of $91,200 to afford those monthly costs, down 3.4% year over year. That meant that 44% of households could afford homeownership, up from 40% in Q4 2024.

    “After a challenging few years for buyers, we’re starting to see affordability move in the right direction,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill. “If these trends continue, we could see even more opportunities open up for buyers as we move through 2026.”

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    Emily Marek

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  • Anywhere CEO Ryan Schneider departs as part of Compass merger – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Ryan Schneider, former CEO of Anywhere Real Estate, has left the company following its acquisition by Compass, a representative from Anywhere confirmed. 

    “In accordance with the terms of the merger agreement, Ryan exited the company upon closing last month,” said Dan Ivers, senior director, business communications at Anywhere. 

    Schneider departed as part of Compass and Anywhere’s all-stock merger, which closed on Jan. 9, forming Compass International Holdings. The transaction followed stockholder approval on Jan. 7 when shareholders of both companies voted in favor of the merger at special meetings. 

    Compass International Holdings is led by chairman and CEO Robert Reffkin, who said in a Jan. 9 open letter that the combination marks the beginning of an “exciting new chapter” for the industry. Reffkin described the merged company as one built by and for real estate professionals, with a focus on supporting agents and affiliate broker-owners through technology, tools and services designed to help them grow their businesses. 

    Under the terms of the merger, each brand within the combined organization will continue to operate independently while leveraging a shared technology platform known as the Agent Operating System. 

     

     

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    Jacqui Mueller

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  • Fein starts pre-leasing for Echo Lake multifamily community at City Place – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Pre-leasing is underway at Echo Lake, a 326-unit multifamily community at City Place in north Houston. The building’s developer, Fein, anticipates first deliveries in February and move-ins in March.

    Offerings include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and one- two- and three-bedroom townhomes with attached garages. Certain units also have private yards.

    The project is set to earn Silver certification from the National Green Building Standard. Wellness amenities and features include a 1.25-acre lake and trail system, open green spaces and property-wide Wi-Fi.

    Echo Lake is located at 2022 Spring Stuebner Road within the City Place commercial development (formerly Springwoods Village). Fein’s other developments in the community include The Mark, The Canopy and the Belvedere.

    “Echo Lake represents an important evolution of our City Place portfolio,” Rebecca Luks, vice president of development for Martin Fein Interests, said in a press release. “We’ve thoughtfully designed this community to deliver a variety of housing options, enhanced technology offerings and strong value for residents seeking walkable, nature-oriented lifestyle moments from major employers, shopping, dining and entertainment.”

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    Emily Marek

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  • Home sales begin at Wildtree in Magnolia – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Five builders began new-home sales at Wildtree, a master-planned community from Shea Homes in Magnolia. Eight model homes are now open for viewings, with a football-themed grand opening planned for Feb. 7.

    Shea Homes, Coventry Homes, Newmark Homes, Perry Homes and Toll Brothers are selling in this first phase, offering homes ranging from 1,500 to 4,610 square feet.

    Shea Homes will build on all lot sizes, with 39 floor plans to choose from. Prices range from $320,000 to $590,000.

    Coventry is offering nine floor plans for 50-foot lots, with pricing starting at $350,000; Newmark will build on 70-foot lots, offering 10 floor plans with pricing starting at $650,000; Perry Homes will build on 40-foot lots, offering 13 designs priced from $330,000; and Toll Brothers will build on 60-foot lots, with six designs priced from the mid-$500,000s.

    “Prospective homebuyers will find plenty of selection in Wildtree,” Keith Luechtefeld, Houston division president for Shea Homes, said in a press release. “Beyond beautiful homes, residents will enjoy meandering trails, wooded areas and generous planned amenities designed to complement their natural surroundings.”

    Wildtree is zoned to Magnolia Independent School District.

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    Emily Marek

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  • Keller Williams settles Batton class action for $20M  – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Keller Williams Realty agreed to pay $20 million to settle the Batton home-buyer commission lawsuit, which alleges Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Anywhere Real Estate and the National Association of REALTORS® conspired to fix agent commissions and inflate home prices. 

    Keller Williams is the first defendant in the class-action lawsuit to settle. The preliminary, “ice-breaker” settlement, disclosed in federal court in Chicago on Monday, must be approved by a judge. 

    Keller Williams spokesperson Darryl Frost said, “Keller Williams is pleased to reach a nationwide settlement releasing the company — and all of our franchisees and affiliated agents and teams — from antitrust litigation brought by home buyers who purchased residential real estate that was listed on a MLS during the relevant time period.” 

    The plaintiffs argue that buyer agent commissions were inflated by a rule requiring the home seller to pay the buyer-broker commission in a transaction. That rule was dropped as part of the Sitzer Burnett class-action lawsuit settlement in 2024. In that suit, NAR agreed to pay $418 million over four years and amend its rules. The most salient part of that settlement was the removal of commission promises from MLS listings and requiring buyers to sign broker agreements with their agents before any home showings. 

    In response to the Keller William settlement, NAR said it would continue to pursue all legal options in pursuit of an “outcome that best serves members, the industry and consumers.” 

    “We respect Keller Williams’ right to settle these claims and anticipated the possibility they would do so,” NAR said. “NAR remains actively engaged in the Batton joint defense group, and we continue to defend our rules where questioned. Given recent history and the dynamics of this case, NAR continues to pursue all potential resolutions, both non-litigation and litigation, to reach a result that is in the best interest of our members, the industry and consumers.” 

    In an email sent to Keller Williams market leaders, President and CEO Chris Czarnecki said the brokerage decided to settle the lawsuit to eliminate uncertainty for its agents. 

    “We came to the decision to settle with careful consideration for the immediate and long-term well-being of our franchisees and agents and the business model they depend on,” Czarnecki said. “It was a decision to bring certainty and allow everyone at KW to focus on our mission without distractions. It allows us all to turn our attention back to what we do best: delivering unparalleled value in an ever-evolving real estate market.” 

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    John Yellig

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  • Advocus National Title Insurance Co. expands leadership team to scale underwriting platform nationwide – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Advocus National Title Insurance Company, a Rate-acquired company, has appointed Kelli Fogarty as executive vice president, business development and Stan Czaja as executive vice president and general manager as part of a strategic effort to scale its underwriting platform nationwide. 

    In his role, Czaja will focus on expanding Advocus’ national footprint, strengthening underwriting discipline, improving turn times and supporting both attorney-agents and traditional title agents with scalable systems and responsive underwriting support. 

    Fogarty is a real estate attorney and longtime advocate for attorneys and consumers. She will serve as a key attorney champion for the national platform. Fogarty serves on the board of directors of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association and is the founder and former president of the Chicagoland Association of Real Estate Attorneys. 

    Czaja and Fogarty will report to Jill Cadwell, Advocus president, and work alongside company leaders Peter Birnbaum and Henry Shulruff. 

    “These appointments are about adding strength, scale and perspective to a leadership team that has already built something special,” said Cadwell. “Peter and Hank remain deeply engaged in the company’s strategy and operations, and Kelli and Stan bring complementary experience that allows us to grow thoughtfully — supporting attorneys and traditional title agents alike — without losing what makes Advocus unique.” 

     

     

     

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    Jacqui Mueller

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  • Super Bowl LX: The ‘Big Game’ could mean big home-value boosts for Boston and Seattle – Houston Agent Magazine

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    It’s no secret that championship rings can spur huge economic boosts for winning cities. Boston and Seattle, the respective homes of Super Bowl LX contenders, stand to benefit from such upswings after the game on Feb. 8.

    But are home values a part of that economic phenomenon? According to Zillow, yes: The site’s Home Value Index shows that in 13 of the past 20 years, home values in the metro area of the Super Bowl champion grew faster than the national average, increasing by an average of $4,437 more than typical United States houses in the year following a championship win.

    Both Seattle and Boston have benefitted from this trend in the past: When the Seahawks won the Super Bowl in 2014, Seattle home values increased by $13,667 more than the national average in 2015; when the Patriots won the very next year, Boston home values increased by $14,832 more than the national average the following year.

    The city with the biggest boost was Tampa, though: When the Buccaneers won in 2021, average home values increased by $25,262 more than the national average in 2022.

    However, Zillow analysts say homeowners in Seattle and Boston shouldn’t expect too much of a value boost if their city hoists the trophy on Sunday.

    “While this is a fun trend, it’s highly unlikely that a championship football team is the driving force causing home values to grow,” Senior Economist Kara Ng said in a press release. “Regardless of the outcome, the good news is that we are trending toward a healthier market nationwide, with more homes for sale and buyers better able to afford them.”

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    Emily Marek

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  • René Galvan succeeds Bob Hale as president, CEO of HAR – Houston Agent Magazine

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    René Galvan was appointed president and CEO of the Houston Association of REALTORS®, replacing longtime leader Bob Hale.

    Hale retired on Jan. 31 after 37 years as president and CEO. He first joined HAR leadership in 1996 and was a founder of HAR.com alongside Galvan, who has served as executive vice president of the organization since 1998.

    Galvan is a certified public accountant with a degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He was named on the Swanepoel 200 Watchlist and serves on boards including the American Society of Association Executives, the Finance Committee of the National Association of REALTORS® and the Public Policy Committee of Texas REALTORS®.

    “As president and CEO, my priority is to continue strengthening our services, tools and support that our 50,000 members rely on in this rapidly changing real estate environment,” Galvan said in a press release.

    Hale was named CEO Emeritus, an honorary title that recognizes exceptional service for former officers.

    “This organization has been my life’s work,” Hale said. “I am proud of what we’ve built together and confident that HAR is in excellent hands with René Galvan as president and CEO.”

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    Emily Marek

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  • Why Houston’s housing story is different – Houston Agent Magazine

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    If you’ve seen the national headlines lately, you might be confused about what’s actually happening in the housing market. Just in the last week, I’ve seen headlines that say sales are sluggish and there’s a shortage of inventory, while others suggest big changes are coming. 

    Here’s the good news: Houston is doing just fine.

    As a Realtor and chair of the Houston Association of REALTORS®, I spend a lot of time looking at the data — but I also spend a lot of time talking with buyers, sellers, renters, fellow agents and industry leaders. And what I’m seeing as 2026 gets underway is a Houston housing market that’s active, resilient and settling into a much healthier rhythm.

    While some parts of the country are still lagging, Houston has returned to pre-pandemic housing conditions. In fact, more homes were sold last year than in 2019 — the last truly “normal” year before everything changed. Economists expect that steady growth to continue this year.

    So when you hear talk of a sluggish market nationwide, just remember: real estate is local. We are in a good spot, especially as the market finally feels balanced.

    Yes, buyers have more leverage than they’ve had in more than a decade. Inventory reached record levels in 2025 and remains robust, giving buyers more choices (and a little more breathing room) than we’ve seen in years. Home prices have largely leveled off and mortgage rates have eased compared to their recent peaks. All of that adds up to more purchasing power.

    At the same time, sellers aren’t being left behind. More buyers are re-entering the market as rates come down, and demand remains solid. Some sellers are making modest price adjustments, but many homes are still receiving strong offers. This isn’t a market where one side “wins” and the other loses — it’s one where both buyers and sellers can succeed with the right strategy.

    The data backs this up. According to the latest HAR housing report:

    • Home sales increased 3.8% in 2025, with 88,634 homes sold.
    • Days on market for single-family homes edged up slightly, from 59 to 64 days.
    • The median single-family home price held steady year-over-year at $335,000, a welcome pause after years of rapid growth.
    • The average price rose just 0.8%, to $425,535.
    • Months of inventory expanded to 4.5 months, up from 4.0 months in December 2024.

    What all of this tells us is that the market is cooling in the best possible way — not slowing down, but smoothing out.

    Affordability remains one of the biggest challenges nationwide as well as here in Houston. According to HAR, 39% of Houston-area households can afford to buy a home, which is slightly better than last year but still below the level we reached five years ago. That said, Houston continues to outperform the national average. Nationwide, only 34% of households could afford to buy a home in 2025, compared to 55% five years ago.

    But there’s an important point many buyers don’t realize: Help is available. Nearly 90% of homes listed on HAR.com qualify for some form of down payment assistance. Buyers can easily see what programs they may be eligible for at har.com/downpayment, and that alone can be a game changer.

    One of the most interesting trends we’re seeing is where people are buying. Some of the hottest areas for home sales continue to be in the suburbs, like Waller, Brookshire and Hockley, where homes are more affordable and new construction is readily available.

    Communities that offer a combination of new homes at attainable price points are really standing out, especially for first-time buyers. For many, new construction in these areas has become the most cost-effective path to homeownership.

    While I wish I had a crystal ball to show me the direction of the market, I feel optimistic about where Houston is headed. This is a market that has adjusted, adapted and emerged stronger. As always, my best advice is to stay informed, ask questions and always practice real estate with real respect.

    Theresa Hill is 2026 chair of the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

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    Theresa Hill

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  • Toll Brothers debuts new homes at Elyson in Katy – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Toll Brothers began sales at its new-home community within the Elyson master-planned development in Katy.

    Offerings include one- and two-story floor plans up to 4,375 square feet in size. Designs feature up to six bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms and three-car garages. Pricing starts in the mid-$400,000s.

    “Home shoppers will find the perfect combination of style, functionality and personalization options in this stunning new community,” Houston Division President Brian Murray said in a press release.

    Amenities at Elyson include pools, fitness centers, playgrounds, parks and nature trails. The MPC is zoned to Katy Independent School District.

    Toll Brothers’ Elyson sales center is located at 7318 Sunflower Valley Drive.

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    Emily Marek

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  • Home sales leap 198% in Houston’s hottest community – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Home sales increased by 198% year over year in Brookshire during the fourth quarter of 2025 — making it the hottest community in the Houston area, according to the quarterly report from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    Homebuyers purchased 227 Brookshire homes during the last three months of 2025, with new construction making up nearly half of those transactions. The Waller County community had an average home price of $304,980, down 11.5% year over year and about $120,000 cheaper than the average Houston home price of $425,535 (as well as $30,000 cheaper than the Houston median of $335,000).

    The second-hottest community was Waller, which had previously been the hottest Houston community for three quarters in a row. Home sales increased 103% year over year and had an average sales price of $310,102. The third-hottest was the Crosby area, where sales increased 81.7% year over year and had an average price of $254,458.

    Eight of the top 10 hottest communities in the Houston area had home prices below the Houston average, with six offering prices below the median, including No. 5 Baytown/Harris County ($253,783), No. 6 1960/Cypress ($316,590) and No. 10 West of the Brazos ($268,963).

    The only communities on the list that were more expensive than average were No. 4 West End, which had an average sales price of $769,938, and No. 8 Friendswood, which had an average sales price of $537,081. Transactions increased annually by 50% and 37.1%, respectively.

    “Buyers across all corners of the Houston area are responding to opportunity,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill. “As mortgage rates edge down, communities offering new construction, buyer incentives and more affordable pricing are well positioned to continue attracting prospective homebuyers.”

    Courtesy of HAR

     

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    Emily Marek

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  • Houston leads major Texas metros in new-home sales – Houston Agent Magazine

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    New-home sales increased 9% month over month in Houston in December, according to the Texas New Home Sales Report from HomesUSA.

    While new-home sales increased on a monthly basis in all of Texas’ four major metro areas, Houston had the highest sales volume at 2,157. Dallas-Fort Worth followed at 1,967.

    Pending sales declined for the fifth consecutive month, however, with 1,532 new homes going under contract.

    “December’s numbers suggest seasonal market improvement for Houston builders, but the pending sales numbers that indicate future sales are worrisome,” said HomesUSA CEO Ben Caballero. “Days on market elevated, signaling many buyers remain cautious, even when builders buydown buyer mortgage rates. What happens with mortgage rates early in the new year will be crucial to drive new-home sales higher throughout the Houston area.”

    The average new-home price was statistically flat at $400,111, down slightly from $401,678 in December 2024.

    Meanwhile, active inventory increased annually but decreased month over month: New-home inventory stood at 16,244 properties in December, down from 16,685 in November but up from 13,103 a year prior.

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    Emily Marek

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  • ‘Bottle House’ made with 20,000 glass bottles – Houston Agent Magazine

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    On the market for the first time in 70 years, this Detroit-area home was constructed using over 20,000 glass bottles.

    Built in 1930, the exterior stone facade is embedded with green, blue and brown glass. The interior, however, has been refurbished with modern updates. 

    The home, located in Hazel Park, Michigan, is priced at $350,000. Carl Schiller of St. Aubin Real Estate is handling the listing.

    (Photo credit: Carl Schiller)

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    Emily Marek

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  • Ashley Day – Houston Agent Magazine

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    What was your most interesting job before going into real estate?
    Labor and employment lawyer, but also loved being bartender and waitress in college!

    Where did you grow up?
    New Orleans, and still have my 504 phone number, which is so HUGE in Houston since we have a huge Louisiana client base.

    Growing up, what did you want to be?
    Store clerk with carbon paper when I was little and then history professor once I was schooled!

    What do you do to relax when you’re stressed?
    Walk! I am Your Walking Agent, authentically. It’s my de-stressor and gives me license to learn all the Houston neighborhoods on foot. Win-win.

    If you could meet any well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why?
    John Denver. His music always makes me happy and weep at the same time, just sentimental. I admire his positivity and love for nature, which I share. On our honeymoon in Jamaica, over 25 years ago, I was joking when the musician asked what song we’d like as he serenaded our dinner, and requested “Sunshine” and low and behold he nailed it. I was crying with happy joy and emotion. Unforgettable moment.

    What is Houston’s best kept secret?
    Ah, there are so many. But for us, it’s BLT, where the servers make you feel like family, the food is excellent but the venue is a laid-back atmosphere. A home away from home.

    What do you love most about the industry?
    People! I love the relationships that last forever and Sending happy gifts to the people who help me thrive.

    What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
    Hours. Some people think they’ll get into real estate so they can work on flexible hours. The truth is, we’re 24/7, and with technology, we’re always on. Worst mom moment — when my son, now 18, was very young and he asserted loudly that he wished he could throw my phone in the pool. It never stops, but that’s just part of the business and has helped teach our kids the value of hard work because they see me in it, unlike most office jobs that your children never witness.

    What’s your best advice for generating new leads?
    I am a referral-based agent and am no good at advice on leads! My sphere is my lead funnel and I’m so happy and appreciative of that.

    What are you binge-watching/reading/listening to?
    I’ve always read true crime and that has carried through with current shows and podcasts. I love being part of a Mystery Mondays book club but have realized I prefer thrillers and true crime over mystery. Up to watch anything that’s well done and entertaining, but favorite, most compelling to me is a good ole Scott Turow thriller or Pat Conroy novel.

    What’s your favorite meal in Houston?
    Pho and ramen at numerous places, plus the hotpot in Bellaire at Sinh Sinh. The Asian food in Houston is crazy good! But I can’t discount our Mexican food too, just abundantly good.

    Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Houston?
    The Historic Heights Firehouse is just so beautiful. We hosted our daughter’s sweet 16 and an epic Mardi Gras party there, not to mention all the time there helping with Houston Heights home tour. The Schoolhouse lighting, metal ceiling work, previous jail and other attributes just make this venue my favorite place to be. Plus, our family has a brick that we donated many moons ago in support of a fundraiser that has our beloved dog Nola inscribed, so it’s fun to walk by that and recollect.

    What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
    I am an introvert despite an extroverted job. Being with people all day and open houses, my favorite spot is at home cooking dinner with family and hanging on front porch with my Sign Guy, my husband.

    What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
    Mexico, because it’s easy and beautiful, but Sign Guy is not a fan! Still searching, but there has to be a beach and balcony!

    In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry?
    Be yourself, be authentic and reach out to your sphere.

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    Houston Agent

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  • Closings surpass 2025 volumes in Houston as new listings surge – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Closed home sales increased in Houston as a flurry of new listings joined the market during the week ended Jan. 19, according to the Weekly Activity Snapshot from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

    Realtors added 3,504 properties to the MLS, an 11.6% annual increase.

    At the same time, buyers purchased 1,083 homes, up from 1,068 during the same week in 2025. That was an increase of 1.4% year over year. Pending listings declined 7.9%, with 1,701 homes going under contract.

    Consumer interest remained high, however, as showings increased 17.9% year over year, with over 41,000 listing appointments during the week, and open houses increased 17%, with 9,110 in-person and virtual events held.

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    Emily Marek

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  • NAR issues first Annual Report  – Houston Agent Magazine

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    NAR’s 2026-2028 Strategic Plan.

    The National Association of REALTORS® released its first Annual Report, which details progress the organization says it’s made in accomplishing the 24 goals of its 2026-2028 Strategic Plan, with a particular focus on transparency, broker engagement, financial discipline and legal risks. 

    The 80-page document also explains NAR’s next steps toward fulfilling the initiatives it laid out last year after gathering feedback from members through meetings, surveys and focus groups. 

    “While we have a long way to go in realizing our full vision for NAR, I hope you can appreciate the work we have done to build the foundation for NAR to better serve our members and the industry,” said NAR Immediate Past President Kevin Sears. “We have passed consecutive balanced budgets without raising dues, made our initial payment in compliance with the Sitzer-Burnett settlement terms and identified millions of dollars in savings through a strategic reexamination of our budgets, including our consumer ad campaign strategy and event planning processes. These are just the first steps in setting us up for long-term financial wellness.”  

    Among the most significant changes made so far was dropping the requirement that real estate agents join Realtor associations to access their local MLS. Instead, NAR has left that decision up to local MLSs. 

    The move follows the Sitzer-Burnett antitrust case, which NAR settled or $418 million in 2024. A Missouri jury determined NAR rules forced sellers to pay buyer agent commission in violation of antitrust law. NAR also agreed to bar offers of broker compensation on MLSs and require buyer agents to sign written buyer agreements before touring a home. 

    The report spends a good deal of time laying out NAR’s value proposition to members, noting the new Metro Market Statistics Dashboard, which provides localized market data, and the integration of AI into the Realtors Property Resource. NAR said it provided $1.35 million in free tools and education through its Member Value Plus program and $1 million of free and discounted products through its Right Tools, Right Now program. 

    NAR also took steps to protect the Realtor brand, the report states. These include creating the association’s first dedicated team of in-house trademark attorneys, implementing a seven-stage brand-protection strategy and “proactively educating media outlets about the difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate licensee” through the daily monitoring of news stories for incorrect usage of the Realtor term. 

    The report also outlines steps the association took to get its financial house in order, such as appointing a new CFO, hiring a new audit firm and conducting a top-to-bottom review of its finances “in a post-settlement era.” The report notes that NAR cut its budget expenses by $50 million and reduced its staff headcount by 14%. 

    The report highlights steps NAR has taken to advocate for its legislative priorities, including the promotion of housing affordability, tax incentives and the modernization of capital gains tax law. 

    “This Annual Report represents NAR’s most transparent and comprehensive update on our progress and priorities,” NAR CEO Nykia Wright said. “We’ve sought to provide a deep look at each initiative in the Strategic Plan, including how we made progress towards our commitments in 2025 and how we will seek to implement each initiative in 2026.” 

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    John Yellig

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  • Active-adult housing demand is outpacing supply – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Senior housing occupancy increased for the 18th straight quarter at the end of 2025, according to data from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC).

    Across all types of senior-specific housing, occupancy increased 2.2% to 89.1% in 2025, with almost 635,000 occupied units. Active-adult occupancy, meanwhile, nearly hit 92%; independent living occupancy surpassed 90% and assisted living occupancy was nearly 88%.

    Occupancy growth was even steeper in primary markets, with occupancy increasing by almost 20,000 units or just over 3%.

    At the same time, inventory growth stalled, with less than 1,900 units added to the market during the fourth quarter, an increase of just 0.6% from the third quarter.

    “With the first baby boomers turning 80 in 2026, we anticipate that the demand for housing and services will continue to grow,” Lisa McCracken, head of research and analytics for NIC, said in a press release. “The rising occupancies and low inventory growth is going to lead to some real-life challenges for older adults and their families in certain markets.”

    Middle-income seniors stand to be affected most by projected shortages — those who don’t qualify for subsidized housing but can’t afford new construction.

    That’s why there’s a growing need for “middle-market” housing, NIC said — especially in markets that are nearly full, like Boston, which has 93.1% senior housing occupancy. Senior housing markets across the country are filling quickly, though. In fact, only five major markets in the United States had occupancy rates below 87%, with the lowest in Miami (85.4%), Atlanta (85.5%) and San Jose (86.1%).

    “The reality is, if there are limited options available, others may step in to provide alternatives if the senior housing supply is constrained,” said McCracken.

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    Emily Marek

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  • Grand Central Park nears close-out as final lots go to builders – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Johnson Development turned over the final 159 lots to builders at Grand Central Park, the Conroe master-planned community that’s been actively selling for 10 years.

    For this final phase, David Weekley Homes, Drees Custom Homes, Highland Homes, Perry Homes and Westin Homes will build on lots ranging from 45 to 60 feet wide.

    Johnson Development first acquired the 2,000-acre community in 2013. Today, the MPC features more than 1,500 homes, an 88-acre lake, amenity complex, event center and approximately 1,000 acres of natural land.

    “We’ve had an amazing run in Grand Central Park, realizing our vision to create a vibrant community that has a unique blend of abundant natural elements and urban conveniences,” Senior Vice President and General Manager Bob Douglas said in a press release. “Over the past 10 years, Grand Central Park has transformed the Conroe region with more retail, restaurants and office space, all while preserving much of the natural elements beloved by so many local residents.”

    The last new homes will likely sell in mid- to late-2027, Douglas said.

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    Emily Marek

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  • The Agency partners with Rechat – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Rechat is now integrated with The Agency and will serve as a centralized operating platform for the brokerage.

    Agents affiliated with The Agency will now have access to Rechat’s CRM, the People Center, as well as a range of tools including a marketing center and an AI agent assistant.

    “The Agency is one of the most respected luxury brands in real estate, and their commitment to thoughtful growth and agent empowerment aligns closely with how we build Rechat,” Shayan Hamidi, CEO of Rechat, said in a press release. “Our team across 18 countries and our platform are designed to help reduce complexity and support scale. This partnership reflects a shared belief that technology should enable great agents, not get in their way.”

    Rechat is also integrated with Follow Up Boss, SkySlope, ChatGPT, Zillow and Loft47.

    “The Agency was built on the belief that collaboration, innovation and world-class service go hand in hand,” said Mauricio Umansky, founder and CEO of The Agency. “Our partnership with Rechat reinforces that commitment, creating a more connected global ecosystem while delivering intuitive, best-in-class technology that drives efficiency, empowers our agents and ultimately elevates the client experience.”

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    Emily Marek

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  • The Hearn Team departs Compass for BHGRE Gary Greene – Houston Agent Magazine

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    The Hearn Team, led by Tory Hearn, is now affiliated with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene and will operate out of the brokerage’s Woodlands office. The team was formerly associated with Compass.

    “I wasn’t looking to make a change lightly,” Hearn said in a press release. “Gary Greene stood out for its culture, support and understanding of how established agents operate. It felt like the right long-term fit.”

    A resident of The Woodlands for over 40 years, Hearn founded The Hearn Team with his wife, Jenny Hearn, in 2008. Sales Associate Kezia Fredricksen joined the team in 2020.

    “Tory is someone other agents know, trust and enjoy working with,” said James Turner, director of growth for Gary Greene. “His reputation in the community and among his peers reflects the values and culture we’re intentional about building.”

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    Emily Marek

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