Peter Warden

"Zillow® research finds that today's buyers are drawn to warm, grounded interiors over all-white walls," said a company news release earlier this week. "In the living room, pale blue commands $1,723 more than white, and charcoal gray $1,509 more. In the bedroom, it's not just chocolate brown that beats white [by $2,277]. Charcoal gray also commands higher offers, by $1,240, and sage green tops white by $1,035." Of course, interior design colors come in and out of fashion.

The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 6.43% yesterday, a decrease of 0.01% since the day before. The 15-year fixed mortgage rate stood at 5.6%, down by 0.02%. The 30-year FHA mortgage averaged 5.78% yesterday, having dropped by 0.05. Meanwhile, the 30-year jumbo mortgage rate was 6.57%, reflecting a decrease of 0.01%. The bigger picture Mortgage rates again inched lower yesterday, according to ICB.

"What stands out this year is the emergence of longevity as a defining force in luxury real estate," says Bradley Nelson, chief marketing officer of Sotheby's International Realty, citing a news release about his company's 2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook® report, published Jun. 15. "Homebuyers aren't just investing in a home; they're investing in how they want to live and age," continues Nelson.