Austin crowned America’s No. 1 boomtown again

Plus: Bitcoin can now fund a down payment

September 01, 2026

🎩 Top of the new month to you! Hello, September!

Today's newsletter is 738 words — a 2.5-minute read. Let’s dive in…

1. Bitcoin can now fund a down payment

Homebuyers can now use Bitcoin to help fund a down payment without selling it, through a new product from Better Mortgage and Coinbase that combines a Fannie Mae-backed mortgage with a separate Bitcoin-backed loan.

Borrowers must pledge Bitcoin worth at least 250% of the down payment loan, with the crypto held in a Better custodial account through Coinbase Prime.

The two loans carry the same interest rate and repayment period, with borrowers making a single monthly payment. There are no margin calls if Bitcoin falls, but Better can liquidate the collateral if a borrower is more than 60 days delinquent.

The product is available to U.S. residents with a verified Coinbase account who meet Better's credit and income requirements. LINK

2. Foreclosures rise 10% as Texas leads the nation

Foreclosure activity increased in July, with 39,906 properties receiving foreclosure filings — up 10% year over year and 1% from June, according to an ATTOM report.

Lenders started foreclosure proceedings on 26,648 properties, also up 10% annually, while completed foreclosures jumped 23% to 4,764.

Texas led the nation in foreclosure starts, with 3,306 properties entering the process, narrowly ahead of Florida at 3,277 and California at 2,540. The state also recorded the most completed foreclosures, with lenders repossessing 1,265 properties in July.

Among major Texas metros, Houston had 405 completed foreclosures, followed by Dallas at 223 and San Antonio at 128.

A MESSAGE FROM DAVE YOUR MORTGAGE GUY

Conventional Loans Just Changed. BIG TIME.

Conventional loans just made a massive guideline change that could turn some mortgage denials into approvals.
For the first time, eligible money in checking, savings and investment accounts can potentially be converted into qualifying income — regardless of age.
That could mean:
More buying power. Fewer DTI denials. As little as 3-5% down.
This is one of those changes buyers need it know about!
Watch my quick breakdown →

Conventional Loans Just Got More Aggressive

3. Catch up quick

🏘️ Texas cities face new manufactured home rules Sept. 1. (NYP)

🕊️ RE/MAX co-founder Gail Liniger dies at 81. (RE/MAX)

🚨 TikTok rental scammers are using your listings as bait. (BAM)

💸 Brownsville named the cheapest place to live in America. (Niche)

🤝 Compass settles NWMLS lawsuit over coming-soon listings. (Compass)

4. Austin crowned America’s No. 1 boomtown again

Austin has been named America’s No. 1 boomtown for the third straight year, according to LendingTree, leading the nation with 3.4% housing-unit growth and an 11.3% increase in new business applications.

The city also ranked third nationally for the share of residents who recently moved in from another county, state or country, at 17.5%, and fifth for population growth at 3.1%. Austin’s population topped 1 million in 2025, reaching 1,002,632 and making it the nation’s 12th-largest city.

Texas placed four metros in LendingTree’s top 15: Austin at No. 1, Houston at No. 9, Dallas at No. 11 and San Antonio at No. 13.

A MESSAGE FROM HUBSPOT

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5. Redfin taps former Meta, Intuit exec as CEO

Redfin has named former Meta VP Alessio Sanfilippo as CEO, filling the top job months after longtime chief Glenn Kelman stepped down. Sanfilippo joins from Meta’s Reality Labs, where he led data science, engineering and user research teams focused on AI-powered wearable glasses.

Sanfilippo brings 20+ years of technology, data and product leadership, including a previous stint overseeing data and user research at WhatsApp. His appointment comes as Redfin continues operating under new ownership.

Rocket Companies acquired Redfin for $1.75 billion last year, keeping the Redfin brand and its Seattle headquarters. Rocket CEO Varun Krishna had been overseeing Redfin since Kelman’s departure in January.

"I worked with Alessio at Intuit and saw firsthand how he combines deep analytical thinking with a real instinct for the consumer," Varun Krishna said. "He has spent his career using data and technology to make complex products work better for enormous audiences. Now he gets to bring that experience to Redfin."

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