FBI warns of property impersonation scam targeting vacant land sales

Plus: Bed Bath & Beyond to acquire Fathom Holdings

June 18, 2026

In partnership with

👋 Hi again! Happy Thursday! Today’s newsletter is 590 words, a 3-minute read.

1. Bed Bath & Beyond to acquire Fathom Holdings

Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) announced Wednesday that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Fathom Holdings in an all-stock transaction valued at $53.4 Million.

The acquisition expands BBBY’s growing “Everything Home” platform by adding Fathom’s brokerage, mortgage, title, insurance, and homeowner financial services capabilities.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. Under the agreement, each Fathom share will convert into 0.2236 shares of Bed Bath & Beyond.

"Homeownership remains fragmented. People buy homes from one company, finance them through another, furnish them through a third, and renovate them with someone else. We believe homeowners deserve something better," said Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond.

2. Housing starts sink to six-year low

Housing starts declined 15.4% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.177 million, marking the lowest level in six years. The latest reading came in well below expectations of 1.430 million.

Key takeaways:

  • Residential building permits edged down 0.7% to 1.413 million in May.

  • Multi-family permits fell 2.8% to an annual rate of 527,000, while single-family permits rose 0.6% to 886,000.

  • Single-family housing starts slipped 1.9% to 882,000 units, the lowest level since last September and 6.7% below year-ago levels.

  • Multi-family starts dropped sharply by 41.6% to 284,000 units, driving the overall monthly decline.

🏘️ Related news: Homebuilder sentiment falls more than expected in June. (NAHB)

3. Catch up quick

🚨 FBI warns of property impersonation scam targeting vacant land sales. (FBI)

👩‍💼 Single women accounted for more than 1 in 10 home purchase mortgages. (MortgageResearchNetwork)

📊 Fed holds rates steady in Kevin Warsh's first meeting as chair. (CNN)

💸 Regulatory costs add $131,734 to new home prices. (NAHB)

🚩 4 Texas metros ranked among the top 10 for contract cancellations. (Redfin)

A MESSAGE FROM MARKETBEAT

Follow the $50 Billion Buy-In

Wall Street just bet billions on a small collection of stocks.

And after a volatile first half of 2026, it looks like they’re about to shift even more.

MarketBeat’s updated 10 Best Stocks to Own in 2026 report reveals the 10 names attracting fresh capital right now.

4. Pending home sales rise to six-month high

Pending home sales rose 3.8% month over month and 4.8% year over year in May, according to NAR data released Wednesday. The Pending Home Sales Index climbed to 76.8, its highest reading since November.

By region, month-over-month contract signings increased in the Northeast (8.7%), Midwest (8.1%), South (1%), and West (0.7%). On an annual basis, activity rose in the Midwest (9.3%), Northeast (6.1%), South (3.3%), and West (1.2%).

The pace of pending sales was especially strong in the San Antonio metro, where it jumped 15.7% month over month, ranking it No. 2 nationally for monthly gains.

5. Wells Fargo named ICON’s mortgage lender

Wells Fargo has been named a preferred mortgage lender for ICON’s 3D printed homes. Qualified buyers who finance the purchase of an ICON-built home through Wells Fargo Home Mortgage will receive a 50-basis-point lender credit.

The companies said the partnership is designed to expand access to financing for buyers interested in homes built using 3D-printing technology, while also supporting broader efforts to address housing affordability and supply constraints.

“Having one of the nation’s leading banking institutions step in as a preferred lender helps more people understand that 3D‑printed homes are ready for the market,” said Jason Ballard, CEO of ICON. “This collaboration makes it easier for buyers to access financing and supports broader adoption of this technology.”

☀️ Thank you for starting your day with us!

If you like this newsletter, your friends may too. Forward it to a friend, and let them know they can subscribe here.

Interested in advertising to 35k+ Texas Realtors? Email [email protected]