Mortgage & Market Mood: New Zealand’s median house price slipped 1.3% year-on-year to NZ$750,000 in August as sales cooled and listings took longer to clear, with borrowing costs and election uncertainty keeping buyers cautious. Affordability Pressure: In Huntsville, renters say homeownership feels out of reach with 30-year fixed rates topping 7%, and local agents note a lull in the $400k–$500k segment. Inventory Shift: In the Tri-Cities, more homes are hitting the market and sitting longer, driven by sellers who waited for rates to fall but can’t wait anymore. Policy & Taxes: New Orleans officials face transparency questions over a possible property tax “millage roll forward,” while Mankato set a preliminary 5% levy increase for 2027. Local Planning & Disputes: Alachua City Commission tabled a data center pause after a chaotic meeting, and Skagit County upheld 2025 ferry fares after a court fight over how capital costs were counted. Housing Demand Signals: Australia’s new home sales fell again in August, adding to its worsening housing crisis narrative. Big Picture China: China’s new home prices kept sliding in August, reinforcing a property slump that’s weighing on demand and local government finances. Real Estate Business Moves: Switch bought about 176 acres in North Las Vegas for ~$196M, positioning for more data center growth.