Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year

Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year

Benjamin Moore has revealed its 2026 Color of the Year: Silhouette AF‑655, a deep, sultry espresso hue infused with soft charcoal undertones. This rich neutral embodies the rising design trend of “quiet luxury,” drawing inspiration from classic tailoring and timeless architecture. It’s bold yet refined — a modern alternative to stark blacks or overly cool grays — offering warmth and structure to any interior.

Silhouette leads Benjamin Moore’s Color Trends 2026 palette, which includes seven complementary shades designed to promote thoughtful layering and design versatility. Whether used on walls, cabinetry, or trim, this moody shade encourages a move toward character-rich, grounded spaces. It’s an…

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The Westchester Market: From Hot to Healthy?

The Westchester Market: From Hot to Healthy?

The latest Market Hotness Rank from Realtor.com® and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) shows that Westchester County’s housing market could be transitioning toward a more balanced pace after two years of intense competition. The rank measures how “hot” an area’s market is compared to all U.S. counties — with 1 representing the hottest and 1,612 the coolest in the nation.

Westchester’s Market Hotness Rank so far in 2025:

• January (Rank 636): Soft start to the year following late-2024 cooldown.

• March (Rank 360): ???? Peak Spring demand.

• June (Rank 590): Early signs of the summer slowdown.

• August (Rank 851): ❄️…

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Realtor.com Says It’s Go Time for Buyers

Realtor.com Says It’s Go Time for Buyers

Still looking for the right home to buy? Mid-October may be your best shot. Realtor.com data shows that the week of October 12–18 is when the market tilts in buyers’ favor: more listings, lower prices, and fewer bidding wars. Sellers are more motivated, competition eases, and prices dip just enough to make a real difference — about $15,000 in savings on a median home. Here’s the breakdown:

• Listings jump 32% higher compared to earlier months.

• Prices dip 3–4% below peak levels.

• Competition falls by roughly 30%, easing bidding wars.

• October posts the lowest seller premium of the year (~8.8%).

• Buyers gain leverage to…

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Nearly 60% of Renters Plan to Buy a Home

Nearly 60% of Renters Plan to Buy a Home

The Realtor.com August 2025 Rental Report shows that U.S. rents have fallen for 25 consecutive months, with the median asking rent across the 50 largest metros at $1,713, down 2.2% year-over-year. While rents remain 17% higher than pre-pandemic levels, they are still 2.6% below their August 2022 peak. Nearly 60% of renters still plan to buy homes, with half expecting to purchase within one to two years.

• Rent growth is below the 2017–2019 average of 3.3%, showing a cooling market.

• Rents declined across all unit sizes:

  • Studios: $1,430, ↓ 1.7%

  • 1-bedrooms $1,593, ↓ 2.1%

  • 2-bedrooms $1,897, ↓ 2.2%

• …

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Fed Rates DOWN - Mortgage Rates UP??

Fed Rates DOWN - Mortgage Rates UP??

The day after the Fed trimmed short-term rates by 25 basis points, mortgage rates did the opposite of what many expected. The 30-year fixed rate, which had been on a steady decline since hitting 7.08% in May and dropping to 6.13% on Tuesday, suddenly reversed course climbing back up to 6.37% yesterday, reported by Mortgage News Daily. Even with the bump, rates are still hovering near their lowest levels of the year. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association:

• Mortgage rates have held steady or fallen for 10 weeks.

• Mortgage applications increased 6 of the last 7 weeks.

• Mortgage applications jumped 29.7% last week compared to the week prior.

• …

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Post-Pandemic Shift: Rates Now Drive Buyer Behavior

Post-Pandemic Shift: Rates Now Drive Buyer Behavior

In recent months, mortgage rates have slipped from 7.04% in January to around 6.30%, sparking renewed discussion about whether lower borrowing costs will unlock more demand. ResiClub’s 25-year analysis reveals wide swings in buyer sensitivity to mortgage rates, depending on the housing cycle. In some periods, demographics and credit standards mattered more. In others, rates barely moved the needle. But in the current post-pandemic cycle, mortgage rates have emerged as the dominant force shaping demand.

• Early 2000s (2000–2004): Falling rates fueled the housing bubble

• Housing bust (2005–2009): Demand collapsed despite lower rates

• …

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The Sleepover Strategy

The Sleepover Strategy

When it comes to selling a home, first impressions matter, but what if buyers could sleep on it, literally? A growing trend in real estate, especially in luxury markets and planned communities, is allowing serious buyers to spend the night in a property before making an offer. The extended showing gives them a true sense of the home’s features, potential nighttime noise, and the vibe of the surrounding neighborhood. 33% of buyers who spend the night end up buying — that's three times the conversion rate of a traditional showing. Why it’s interesting:

• Sleepover showings convert at 33%, compared to 11% for standard tours.

• Sellers gain leverage: no buyer’s remorse, fewer surprises,…

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What the Mortgage Rate Drop Means for Homebuyers in Westchester County

What the Mortgage Rate Drop Means for Homebuyers in Westchester County

If the Fed cuts rates in September, it doesn’t guarantee mortgage rates will move lower. This is a conversation I’ve had with many of my clients. With a strong economy and low unemployment, mortgage rates may stay put. Yes, a Fed rate cut usually puts some downward pressure on borrowing costs, but it’s not guaranteed. Mortgage rates move more closely with bond yields, which are heavily influenced by inflation expectations and overall economic strength. If investors still see inflation risk or the labor market looks too strong, those yields (and mortgage rates) won’t budge much, even if the Fed is cutting.

We saw this last fall, and it could happen again.…

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Westchester Condo Inventory Hits Highest Level in 3 Years

Westchester Condo Inventory Hits Highest Level in 3 Years

As homebuyers work to balance budget constraints with lifestyle priorities, condominiums are becoming one of the most practical choices on the market. Whether you're a first-time buyer aiming to build equity or looking to downsize while staying in a prime location, today’s condo market offers strong opportunities — with inventory levels peaking at their highest level since 2021.

START YOUR CONDO SEARCH HERE

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Westchester Housing Data Shows Growing Shift Toward Second Half Sales

Westchester Housing Data Shows Growing Shift Toward Second Half Sales

For years, Westchester County’s single-family home market followed a familiar seasonal pattern, with spring and the broader first half of the year driving most pending home sales. However, data from 2015 to 2025 shows a clear shift: in both 2023 and 2024, the second half of the year accounted for the majority of our annual pending sales, while the first half’s share has fallen noticeably from the mid-50% range seen in periods before the pandemic years.

Ralph’s Take

Why Is the Second Half of the Year Gaining Strength?

It’s not mortgage rates. In September 2023, rates spiked and stayed elevated through the end of the year. In 2024, they followed…

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