Today’s News Synopsis:

What is Airbnb doing to rental markets?  The National Association of Realtors reported a 1.5% increase in pending home sales in June, while Black Knight Financial Services showed home prices increased 1.1% in May.  With many department stores expected to close, grocery stores may be moving into their places.

In The News:

Realtor.com – “What Is a Storybook House?  A Home Straight Out of a Fairy Tale” (7-31-2017)

“What is a storybook house? It’s a quaint style of architecture known for its cottage-inspired sloping roof, turret, and other fanciful features.”

Black Knight Financial Services – “Black Knight Home Price Index Report: May 2017 Transactions” (7-31-2017)

“Today, the Data and Analytics division of Black Knight​ Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: BKFS) released its latest Home Price Index (HPI) report, based on May 2017 residential real estate transactions.”

National Association of Realtors – “Pending Home Sales Recover in June, Grow 1.5 Percent” (7-31-2017)

“After declining for three straight months, pending home sales reversed course in June as all major regions, except for the Midwest, saw an increase in contract activity, according to the National Association of Realtors.”

Geekwire – “Amazon’s new ‘Hub’ delivery lockers will accept packages from any sender” (7-31-2017)

“Amazon is expanding its delivery locker concept into apartment lobbies, with a twist: the new lockers will accept packages not just from Amazon but from any sender, shipped via any carrier, according to the company.”

Fannie Mae – “Fannie Mae Announces Scheduled Release of Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results” (7-31-2017)

“Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTC) today announced plans to report its second quarter 2017 financial results on Thursday morning, August 3, 2017, before the opening of U.S. financial markets.”

Business Insider – “Grocery stores could save dying suburban shopping malls” (7-31-2017)

“Since the 1950s, department chains like Sears and J.C. Penney have anchored suburban shopping malls. But hundreds of stores are expected to soon close their doors.”

BiggerPockets – “Is Airbnb Really Ruining Rental Markets?” (7-31-2017)

“Those who benefit from the status quo hate disruptive technology.  Just look at the millions of dollars the taxi industry has spent lobbying for state and local governments to regulate—or outright ban—ride-sharing services like Uber.”