Research local schools even if you don’t have kids — they influence home values.
Consider internet availability and speed, especially for remote work or streaming needs.

US mortgage application volume stayed nearly flat recently, as steady borrowing costs gave both buyers and refinancers little fresh incentive to make a move.
Purchase activity led the slowdown, with applications ↓2% on a seasonally adjusted basis and ↓3% unadjusted from the previous reading across the US.
Refinance activity provided limited support, with the index ↑2% and the refinance share near 42%, while larger-balance borrowers remained less likely to act.
Affordability pressures and economic uncertainty pushed some buyers to delay decisions, although VA applications offered a modest bright spot as their share hit 12.6%.
Mortgage pricing changed little, and with the 30-yr conforming rate near 7% and no central bank rate cuts expected through 2026, patience remained key.

Hybrid work has reshaped US offices, pushing investors to consider conversions, specialized spaces, flexible models, and hands-on repositioning instead of passive, traditional leasing.
Office-to-residential reuse is a leading path where transit and amenities already exist, though deep floor plates, plumbing, HVAC, and design hurdles require due diligence.
The strongest demand is concentrating in premium and niche properties, including medical offices, labs, and amenity-rich workplaces, while flexible space models offer shorter-term agility.
Distressed sales may expand as lenders grow cautious, so investors need strong business plans, alternative capital sources, and clear strategies to stabilize or repurpose assets.
Winning approaches depend on hyper-local insight, sustainability upgrades, smart-building tools, and public incentives, with experts expecting a multi-yr rebalancing rather than a quick reset.