One in five listings had a price reduction in July

Plus: Kelley Blue Book launches home valuation tool

August 04, 2026

🎩 Top of the Tuesday morning to you!

Today's newsletter is 808 words — a 3-minute read. Dive in…

1. JPMorgan Chase commits $750B to boost housing

JPMorgan Chase announced it will invest $750 billion through 2035 to expand U.S. housing supply and homeownership through its American Dream Initiative — a commitment 40% larger than the bank's investment over the previous decade.

The bank plans to help finance 1 million affordable housing units and assist 500,000 homebuyers, including 200,000 first-time buyers, while increasing its mortgage lending by more than 40%.

The initiative also includes hiring 850 new Home Lending Advisors and expanding down payment assistance, along with exploring financing for modular and manufactured homes. JPMorgan will also back policies like zoning reform, faster permitting, and expanded tax credits to boost supply.

2. Kelley Blue Book launches home valuation tool

Kelley Blue Book Homes has launched a new home valuation platform in 11 states, including Texas, with a nationwide rollout planned by early 2027.

Powered by True Footage's appraisal technology, the platform combines homeowner-provided property details with neighborhood-level market data to deliver estimates designed to land within 3% of the final sale price.

The platform aims to improve on traditional automated valuations, which the company said miss the final sale price by more than 10% roughly 35% of the time. Homeowners also receive a personalized selling strategy and access to vetted real estate agents.

“At a time when many Americans are approaching retirement, considering a move to relocate, or sizing up or down, the Kelley Blue Book data distinction matters enormously,” said John Liss, CEO of Kelley Blue Book Homes. “The Kelley Blue Book Homes experience is designed for people to maximize their outcome through a comprehensive valuation and sales strategy with a vetted agent guiding the process.”

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3. Catch up quick

🏘️ Texas claims eight of the nation's top 10 ZIP codes for move-ins. (MovingPlace)

🚫 Texas' ban on most hemp-derived THC products takes effect. (USAToday)

🎉 Texas Stock Exchange officially launches in Dallas. (WFAA)

💬 Compass CEO says the housing market likely bottomed out in 2025. (BAM)

🔄 Better CEO Vishal Garg steps down, names Daniel Lewis interim CEO. (NMP)

4. Texas buyers gain negotiating power

Homebuyers are gaining leverage in 41 of the nation's 50 largest metros, with Texas emerging as one of the country's most buyer-friendly housing markets, according to a Best Interest Financial and Clever Real Estate analysis.

  • Texas is home to four of the nation's top 10 buyer's markets: San Antonio (No. 2), Austin (No. 3), Houston (No. 5), and Dallas (No. 8).

  • San Antonio leads the nation with 28.2% of active listings receiving price cuts, followed by Austin (26.5%), Dallas (26.1%), and Houston (24.8%).

  • Homes are also staying on the market longer in Austin (87 days) and San Antonio (86 days), giving buyers more time to negotiate.

⬇️ Related news: One in five listings had a price reduction in July. (Realtor.com)

5. Foreign home purchases fall, Texas stays a top destination

Foreign buyers purchased 67,100 homes worth $45.3 billion between April 2025 and March 2026, down 14% from a year earlier and marking the second-lowest annual total since tracking began in 2009, according to the National Association of Realtors report.

Other key takeaways:

  • The median purchase price was $465,000, and 48% of foreign buyers paid cash, compared with 28% of all U.S. buyers.

  • Texas remained the third-most popular destination for international buyers, attracting 12% of all foreign home purchases, behind Florida (20%) and California (19%).

  • Canadian buyers accounted for the largest share with 10,700 purchases (16%), while Chinese buyers spent the most overall at $7.6 billion, averaging about $1 million per home.

A MESSAGE FROM BEEN VERIFIED

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