EconomyEurope
Belgian Home Sales Fall as Mortgage Rates Bite
Belgian home sales fell 2.2% in Q3 2026 as higher mortgage rates pushed monthly repayments up 8.9%, even as house prices kept rising.
—5 min read
Tag
#Real Estate
54 articles
EconomyBelgium
Belgians Owning 10+ Properties Jump Nearly 30%
New figures show the number of Belgians owning ten or more properties rose nearly 30% in four years, fuelling debate over real estate wealth inequality.
—4 min read
DomesticEconomy
China's Housing Ministry Deploys 'Good Houses' Plan
China's housing ministry outlines a full-chain plan to build 'good houses' during the 15th Five-Year Plan, targeting safer, greener, smarter homes.
—6 min read
EconomyEurope
Belgian House Prices Rise Again Across All Three Regions
House and apartment prices rose across Belgium in the first half of 2026, Statbel data shows, with Brussels the priciest region and Wallonia the cheapest.
—5 min read
EconomyAsia
Shanghai Home Sales Surge as 'Golden September' Peak Hits
Shanghai second-hand home sales hit a second-half high in September, with 1,495 single-day transactions as policy easing fuels a market recovery.
—6 min read
EconomyUnited States
Homebuyers Face Yet Another Cost: Junk Fees
Real estate 'junk fees' add hundreds of dollars to home purchases. New research says buyers and sellers pay nearly $2 billion a year in admin fees.
—7 min read
EconomyHousing
Data Centers' Uneven Mark on U.S. Housing Markets
A landmark NAR study finds no single 'data center effect' on U.S. housing—home values rise in some markets while others strain under booming demand.
—6 min read
EconomyTechnology
Data Centers Reshape US Housing, But Not Uniformly
A first-of-its-kind NAR study finds data centers' impact on US housing varies widely by market, boosting some areas while straining others.
—6 min read
EconomyTechnology
No Single 'Data Center Effect' on U.S. Housing, NAR Finds
A first-of-its-kind NAR study finds data centers affect U.S. housing markets in wildly different ways, from boomtown shortages to rising power bills.
—6 min read
EconomyBelgium
Belgian Coastal Apartment Prices Rise 6.5% as Sales Rebound
Belgian coastal apartment sales rose 8.1% in H1 2026 while median prices climbed to 272,000 euros, Fednot's Coast Barometer shows.
—4 min read
Economy
China Overhauls Housing Sales with Ready-Built Focus
China issues sweeping real estate reforms prioritizing ready-built housing sales, extending mortgages to 40 years, and tightening presale rules.
—5 min read
Real EstateEconomy
Shanghai's 'Huba Eight' Housing Package Targets Demand
Shanghai rolls out 'Huba Eight' housing policies cutting down payments, expanding provident fund use, and offering up to 80,000 yuan in trade-in subsidies.
—5 min read
Government PolicyEconomy
China Revamps Housing Provident Fund in Landmark Reform
China's State Council approves the most comprehensive revision of housing provident fund regulations since 1999, expanding withdrawal options.
—5 min read
Economy
China Adds Housing to Bulk Consumption to Boost Demand
China's State Council includes housing in bulk consumption category, prompting cities like Beijing to ease purchase rules and boost domestic demand.
—4 min read
Real EstateEconomy
Beijing Cuts Homebuying Threshold, Boosts Housing Fund Loans
Beijing cuts homebuying social insurance to 1 year, raises housing fund loan caps to 3.4M yuan, and relaxes gift rules in market stabilization push.
—5 min read
EconomyReal Estate
Million-Dollar Homes Redefine Luxury Across America
The million-dollar home is becoming surprisingly normal across America as a boom in high-end real estate redefines what constitutes luxury housing.
—6 min read
EconomyChina
China's Housing Market Enters Stock Era
China's housing market enters the stock era as cities deploy tailored strategies to absorb and revitalize existing housing inventory.
—7 min read
Social PolicyEconomy
China Expands Housing Fund to Cover Gig Workers
China's State Council approves housing fund reform letting gig workers voluntarily contribute, expanding coverage and usage.
—5 min read
PoliticsEconomy
52 Belgian Government Buildings Sit Empty, Costing Millions
An investigation reveals 52 Belgian government buildings have been vacant for over a year, costing taxpayers millions in maintenance and lost revenue.
—4 min read
Economy
First-Time Homebuyers Hit Record Low, Median Age Hits 40
First-time homebuyer share falls to record-low 21% as median age hits 40, signaling mounting barriers to homeownership and the fading American Dream.
—4 min read
Social AffairsEconomy
China Housing Market Revives as Shanghai Leads Urban Renewal
China's housing market revives as improved demand surges. Shanghai's 'original demolition and reconstruction' model transforms old neighborhoods.
—5 min read
Economy
China's H1 GDP Grows 4.7% as Economy Shows Mixed Signals
China's H1 2026 GDP grew 4.7% year-on-year to 69.57 trillion yuan, with strong exports and high-tech manufacturing offsetting a real estate slump.
—4 min read
Business & Finance
Paul Gheysens Must Sell Saint-Tropez Villa in Debt Crisis
Belgian tycoon Paul Gheysens must sell his Saint-Tropez villa and two other French properties as Ghelamco faces mounting debt pressure.
—5 min read
Real EstateEconomy
Belgian Housing in Flux: Knokke Drops, National Trends Shift
Belgium's housing market sees shifts as Knokke buyers move to Nieuwpoort amid summer unrest, while national prices dip slightly with a logical explanation.
—4 min read
Real EstateEconomy
Belgian Housing Prices Dip: What Homebuyers Need to Know
Belgian housing prices fell nearly 1% in Q2 2026. Experts explain the demographic shift behind the decline and what it means for buyers and sellers.
—4 min read
OdditiesReal Estate
Belgian Island of Houx on Sale for €95,000 With a Catch
A private Belgian island, the Île de Houx, is listed for €95,000. But Natura 2000 protections ban construction, habitation, and commercial use.
—4 min read
EconomyReal Estate
China Property Market Stabilizes on Policy Support Effect
China's property market shows early stabilization signals as core cities lead recovery. Policy support boosts transactions and cuts inventory.
—5 min read
EconomyBusiness
Gheysens Cashes In €260M from Sale of Warsaw Skyscraper
Belgian tycoon Paul Gheysens sells Warsaw's The Bridge skyscraper to Eastnine for €260M, providing critical liquidity for his struggling Ghelamco Group.
—5 min read
Housing & EconomyChina
China's Housing Provident Fund Overhaul in H1 2026
China rolled out over 300 housing provident fund policies in H1 2026, raising loan limits and expanding usage to unlock 10.9 trillion yuan in savings.
—5 min read
UrbanEconomy
China unveils five-year plan to renew idle urban properties
China issues its first dedicated five-year urban renewal plan, targeting idle housing, aging infrastructure, and a shift from expansion to quality.
—6 min read
EconomyHousing
China Overhauls Housing Provident Fund in Major Reform
China proposes sweeping reforms to its Housing Provident Fund system, expanding withdrawal options to include renovation and property fees.
—4 min read
EconomyReal Estate
China Housing Market Shows Recovery on Targeted Policies
China's targeted housing policies show results: second-hand listings drop 7% in six months, first-tier city prices rebound for third consecutive month.
—4 min read
Real EstateRegulation
Guangzhou Fines Developer for Illegal Area-Stealing
Guangzhou fines developer nearly 100,000 RMB for illegal renovations to boost floor area, marking first public penalty for 'stealing area' in real estate.
—4 min read
SocietyUrban Management
Shanghai Unveils Sweeping Property Management Reforms
Shanghai issues new rules to overhaul property management, mandating quality-price matching, financial transparency and smart technology.
—5 min read
EconomyChina
China Extends Housing Tax Refund for Home Buyers to 2027
China extends personal income tax refund for home buyers trading up to new properties, effective through December 2027.
—4 min read
Economy
China Economy: Rail Freight Surges, Ad Revenue Tops 2T
China's economy: EU-China rail freight surges 10.8x, advertising revenue tops 2 trillion yuan, real estate stabilizes, and Summer Davos Forum convenes.
—5 min read
EconomyHousing
Falling Housing Prices: Good News or Bad? Planet Money Guide
Planet Money analysis explores when declining home values signal a healthy market correction and when they point to economic collapse.
—5 min read
EconomyChina
China's Economy Steady as High-Tech Manufacturing Surges
China's economy grew steadily in Jan-May 2026 with industrial output up 5.4%, but weak demand and real estate challenges persist, NBS data shows.
—5 min read
EconomyReal Estate
Three Months Free Rent: Why Landlords Are Courting Tenants
A construction boom has given renters unprecedented leverage, with 39.8% of rentals offering move-in incentives. But the relief is uneven and temporary.
—5 min read
Government & Administration
Belgium's Abandoned State Buildings: 385,000 m² Left Vacant
An RTBF investigation reveals dozens of Belgian state buildings abandoned for years, with 385,000 m² vacant despite a new digital cadastre.
—4 min read
HousingEconomy
Over 4 in 10 Belgian Homes Now Bought by Single Buyers
New data shows 42% of Belgian homes were bought by singles in 2025, up from 40% in 2024. Young buyers aged 26-30 lead the trend.
—4 min read
PolicyEconomy
China Overhauls Housing Provident Fund in Major Expansion
China proposes sweeping reforms to its Housing Provident Fund, expanding usage beyond home purchases to cover renovations, rent, and fees.
—5 min read
PolicyEconomy
China Overhauls Housing Provident Fund: Four Key Changes
China's Housing Provident Fund gets a major reform: expanded coverage for gig workers, new uses for renovation, faster loans, and cross-city portability.
—4 min read
EconomyHousing
China Expands Housing Provident Fund for Renters, Homeowners
China proposes expanding the Housing Provident Fund to cover renovations, property fees, and flexible workers to stabilize the housing market.
—5 min read
EconomyHousing
China Expands Housing Fund Use for Property Fees, Renovation
China proposes expanding the Housing Provident Fund to cover property fees, home renovation, and flexible housing consumption in a landmark reform.
—4 min read
EconomyChina
China Expands Housing Provident Fund With Higher Loan Limits
China upgrades housing provident fund across 60+ cities with higher loan limits, expanded coverage for flexible workers, and new usage scenarios.
—5 min read
Real EstateEconomy
Florida Property Tax Overhaul: Winners, Losers & What's Next
Florida voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that could eliminate non-school property taxes for most homeowners but penalizes newcomers.
—5 min read
EconomyRegional
56 Flemish Municipalities Raise Property Taxes in 2026
Fifty-six Flemish municipalities raised property taxes in 2026, part of a wave of 88 Belgian towns increasing rates. See which are affected.
—4 min read
Crime & Data SecurityTechnology
China Busts Real Estate Data Black Market: 1.3M Records Sold
Chinese police arrested 56 suspects for trafficking 1.3 million homeowner records in a major real estate data black market crackdown in Chengdu.
—4 min read
EconomyHousing
Homes Not Moving: Five US Cities Hit by Steep Price Cuts
Phoenix, Tampa, San Antonio, Denver, and Portland lead US markets in home price cuts as high rates and inflation cool buyer demand.
—4 min read
FinanceBusiness
Yonghui Demands $500M from Wang Jianlin in Debt Dispute
Yonghui Supermarket demands 3.6 billion yuan from billionaire Wang Jianlin after arbitration ruling, highlighting cascading debt crises in China.
—4 min read
Real EstateEconomy
Single Gen Z Women Outpace Men in Homeownership Amid Slump
Single Gen Z women buy homes at nearly double the rate of Gen Z men, even as first-time buyers hit a record low. Experts cite education and independence.
—5 min read
HousingEconomy
Gen Z Women Outpace Men in Homeownership, New Data Shows
Single Gen Z women are buying homes at nearly double the rate of Gen Z men, according to new NAR data, bucking broader declines in first-time homebuying.
—4 min read
EconomyTaxation
Taboo Falls: Belgian Cities Review Cadastral Income Values
More Belgian cities review decades-old cadastral income values, breaking a political taboo. Leuven leads with a plan to reassess thousands of properties.
—5 min read