South Dakota Candidate for Governor Proposes 2-Year Property Tax Waiver for First-Time Homebuyers

by Phil Hall | Jan 9, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, U.S. Housing Market, WRE News Exclusive

A candidate for the Republican nomination for governor of South Dakota is proposing a two-year waiver on property taxes for first-time homebuyers plus a $400 annual property tax credit to all other homeowners. South Dakota Searchlight reports Dusty Johnson, who is...

FHFA’s Pulte Demands Home Builders ‘Start Building Out Their Lot Supply’

by Phil Hall | Jan 9, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, U.S. Housing Market, WRE News Exclusive

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte is demanding that home builders ratchet up production on new housing. In a post on X, Pulte declared, “Builders who do business with Fannie and Freddie (which is most builders) need to start building out their...

New Interim Chief Executive at Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

by Phil Hall | Jan 9, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) announced Joseph E. Amato, the interim president and CEO, will retire when his contract term concludes on Feb. 1. Winthrop Watson, the retired president and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of...

Office Leasing Activity Up 5% During 2025

by Phil Hall | Jan 9, 2026 | Commercial Real Estate News, Current News & Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

Office leasing activity during 2025 was up by 5% from one year before, according to a new data report from CoStar Group (NYSE: CSGP). Last year, office tenants signed for an estimated 410 million square feet of space. This was a significant reversal from 2024, when...

Compass Completes $1.6 Billion Acquisition of Anywhere

by Phil Hall | Jan 9, 2026 | Current News & Events, Industry Updates, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

New York City-headquartered Compass Inc. (NYSE: COMP) announced the closing of its $1.6 billion acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. in an all-stock transaction. Madison, New Jersey-based Anywhere, formerly known as Realogy, is the parent company of the brands...