Homes.com

🎞️ 🏠 Christopher Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey" is resonating beyond the box office, highlighting timeless themes of home, identity and belonging that continue to influence how people think about the places they live. As technology and social media become more embedded in daily life, designers say many homeowners are embracing nostalgic spaces filled with meaningful heirlooms, vintage pieces and personal touches that create a sense of comfort, connection and refuge. Read more: https://bit.ly/4pyWe0Z

Nicola Miner, daughter of Oracle founder Bob Miner, and her husband Robert Mailer Anderson, spent more than 25 years and roughly $30 million transforming a nearly vacant Pacific Heights lot they purchased for $5 million into a sprawling two-residence compound, and they're now listing the property for $65 million. The estate spans more than 15,000 square feet, featuring a curved main house, guest house, private gardens, an indoor sports court and luxury amenities, while its prime location in one of the city's most sought-after neighborhoods has made it a standout in San Francisco's booming ultra-luxury market. Read more: https://bit.ly/4hlvmiU

June's luxury home sales underscored how local market dynamics continue to shape the high-end housing sector, with Los Angeles and Miami leading the nation in price while cities such as San Francisco, Seattle and Cleveland saw luxury buyers contend with limited inventory and rising competition. Across the country, affluent buyers gravitated toward established luxury neighborhoods, though in some markets, including Washington D.C., high prices pushed even wealthy buyers to look beyond traditional prestige enclaves. Learn more about the top sales: https://bit.ly/4x16L7Q

More homebuyers stepped into the market last week despite mortgage rates reaching their highest weekly average of 2026, with purchase applications rising 6% as growing inventory created more opportunities for buyers. "Growing home inventory in many markets is supporting more purchase activity," said Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association. "Incoming data show that inflation dropped in June, but with oil prices spiking again, that improvement seems unlikely to continue in July data, and mortgage rates are likely to remain higher as a result." Read more: https://bit.ly/4b8OCwh

America's first major housing cycles show that home-price volatility is nothing new, with downturns and long recoveries shaping the market decades before modern mortgages and federal housing policies existed. Looking back at the 1891-1909 and 1909-1928 cycles, the lesson is clear: local market conditions matter, recoveries can take years and homeownership has always been a long-term commitment rather than a short-term investment. Learn more in the full podcast episode featuring Dan Beyers, executive news editor at Homes.com, and Brad Case, chief residential economist at Homes.com: https://bit.ly/4fqevch

What's your favorite American home style? 🇺🇸 🏡 From Colonial and Georgian homes to midcentury modern masterpieces and today's contemporary designs, American architecture has evolved alongside the nation's changing values, lifestyles and aspirations. As America marks 250 years, Homes.com takes a look at how the homes we build have reflected who we are, tracing the architectural shifts that shaped the country from the colonial era to today. For more on the architectural shifts that defined American history: https://bit.ly/4f9VzzA

A Dallas couple transformed a warehouse in the city's Design District into a one-of-a-kind home, adding multiple levels, a rooftop terrace and a striking, "Versace"-inspired interior filled with eclectic art, furniture, rugs and collectibles gathered from the travels of one of the owners, an interior designer. Now on the market for $2 million, the mixed-use property combines rare live-work flexibility with modern upgrades including new HVAC, electrical systems and firewalls, offering a unique blend of creative flair and contemporary living. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4wQNNAv

Rising utility costs are becoming a growing affordability challenge for homeowners, with residential electricity prices up 4% year over year and natural gas prices up 3.2%, pushing the average monthly utility bill to about $270 from roughly $190 just a few years ago. According to Homes.com Chief Residential Economist Brad Case, buyers are increasingly factoring higher ongoing energy costs into their budgets, leading to more negotiation, greater interest in energy-efficient homes and a stronger focus on total cost of ownership. Gain more insights: https://bit.ly/4fK2fob

Love it or hate it: would you keep the original green carpet? 🏡 A preserved midcentury-modern home in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has hit the market for the first time in its 62-year history, featuring original design elements including green wool carpeting, soaring wood-clad ceilings, a suspended catwalk and a distinctive butterfly roof. Current owner Michele Dupras, who fell in love with the home's untouched 1960s character and spent years restoring its infrastructure while preserving its design, is now seeking a new steward for the $480,000 architectural gem. Read more: https://bit.ly/4f9YjNs

Homebuilder sentiment fell again in July, marking 27 consecutive months of negative readings as high mortgage rates, affordability challenges and economic uncertainty continue to dampen demand for new homes. Builders are increasingly offering discounts and incentives to attract buyers, while the Midwest remains the strongest-performing region amid an otherwise sluggish national housing market. Read more: https://bit.ly/4f9Io1D