Home Sales & Rates: U.S. new-home sales rose 6.4% in August, but stayed 2% below last year as mortgage rates and affordability keep buyers cautious. Market Pulse: A new housing snapshot says the slowdown is uneven—prices can still rise while more metros see monthly declines and more buyers walk away before closing. Property Taxes (Seniors): A Chicago proposal would exempt seniors 65+ from the city’s retail sales tax on purchases (despite the “property tax holiday” label), while a separate report warns many older homeowners may be missing a second, stackable senior tax benefit. Local Deals & Listings: CBRE helped place a $17.3M Stop & Shop sale in Simsbury, and investors paid $15.1M for a 180-unit Hartford apartment portfolio. Housing Shortage Pressure: Palm Beach’s Kips Bay show house organizers can’t find a large enough home as the local market stays tight. Home Equity Tools: A guide breaks down how HELOCs work and the risks of tapping home equity. Homebuyer Support: Milwaukee’s workplace grant program is helping workers buy first homes with forgivable down-payment aid. Real Estate Fraud: North West police hunt a second suspect in a R200,000 property fraud case tied to a fake auction scheme. Lifestyle & Homeownership Stories: A Cambridge home tied to Julia Child is listed near $6.5M, and an Eastern Bay couple is forced to sell a bay-view retreat after a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis.