Labor Day in the United States celebrates the contributions of workers everywhere, while also unofficially marking the final big summer weekend before fall takes over.
It’s known for backyard barbecues, road trips, and that classic tradition of buying things you didn’t know you needed because “it’s on sale.”
Beaches, parks, and grills reach peak activity as everyone tries to squeeze every last drop of summer fun out of the long weekend.
Happy Labor Day! Wishing you a fun, easygoing weekend filled with good vibes, great food, and absolutely no thoughts about Monday.
Author: Ronda Holder & Associates
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Happy Labor Day!
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These are the best cities to live in SC in 2026
As someone who has dedicated over 20 years to helping clients navigate the Greater Greenville real estate market, I pay close attention to the trends shaping where people want to live—and why. Recently, Mount Pleasant, Greenville, Florence, Charleston, and Sumter have emerged as South Carolina’s top cities for 2026-2027, each standing out for value, desirability, career opportunities, and overall quality of life. Mount Pleasant continues to attract job seekers, though its housing costs reflect that demand. Greenville, noted for its balance of affordability and growth, is a city I know well and take pride in serving. As always, my approach is rooted in listening and providing honest, clear guidance, ensuring my clients feel informed and confident about their choices—now and for years to come.
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The best U.S. cities to buy a home in before prices soar, ranked
Rising home prices and mortgage rates make major cities costly, but some Midwest and Southeast cities remain affordable with strong job growth and amenities. Notable markets include Raleigh, Grand Rapids, Greenville, Spokane, Chattanooga, Richmond, Athens, Houston, and Cincinnati. These cities offer diverse economies, outdoor access, and cultural appeal, attracting buyers before prices rise further. Affordability varies, with average home values ranging from about $265,000 to $500,000.
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AI Housing Predictions: Help or Hidden Influence?
AI models analyze vast datasets, from rates to neighborhood signals and online sentiment, uncovering patterns humans miss and sharpening housing and mortgage decisions.
For buyers and sellers, AI tools can flag future hot spots, suggest pricing, timing, and renovations, and add data-driven confidence to major decisions.
Trust remains central because many models work like black boxes, making strong predictions without clear explanations and raising questions about hidden bias in training data.
Widespread adoption could blur prediction and influence, as shared signals steer investor, lender, and buyer behavior, potentially reinforcing trends and amplifying market swings.
Across developed and emerging markets, adoption differs with data quality and oversight, making collaboration, education, and human oversight central to next steps. -
Cheaper Mortgages Won’t Fix US Housing
Federal housing policy long favored cheaper financing, but the new law signaled a shift toward easing construction, streamlining reviews, and supporting more homebuilding.
The core issue was supply: when too few homes exist where demand is strongest, limiting certain buyers can change ownership, but not create homes.
The law's most consequential steps encouraged manufactured housing, rewarded communities that build more homes, and reduced barriers that can make new construction slow or costly.
The analysis found cheaper mortgage credit tends to increase borrowing and lift house prices more than homeownership, especially where zoning and permitting constrain building.
Congress began bridging competing priorities, but the central takeaway remained clear: expanding housing supply, not subsidizing every bidder, offers the stronger affordability path. -
Homebuyers Find Better Deals in Major U.S. Cities
Navigating the current real estate landscape, especially in larger U.S. cities, requires insight and strategy. Right now, in 38 out of the 50 biggest metros, buyers are frequently securing homes below the listing price. This shift is largely due to elevated mortgage rates and a greater number of properties available, giving buyers a bit more leverage. In places like Florida and Texas, discounts range from 2-5% off list price, while markets such as San Francisco, New York, and Boston still command above-list offers, thanks to low inventory and persistent demand.
After more than two decades helping clients buy and sell across Greater Greenville, I’ve seen firsthand how changing conditions create new opportunities—and new questions—for both buyers and sellers. My approach is always to provide honest, practical guidance so you can make confident decisions, whether you’re navigating a competitive market or looking to take advantage of increased buyer flexibility. Real estate is never one-size-fits-all, and a thoughtful strategy makes all the difference.
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