Haddock Realty

Selling a home in the United States has settled into a slower, more deliberate rhythm than the one sellers grew used to during the pandemic rush.

Buyers now have more listings to weigh and far less urgency, and many study a home's finishes closely before they commit. A property that asks too much or shows poorly can sit for weeks, then need price reductions and closing-cost help to reach the closing table. Some seasoned sellers plan for that outcome before a sign ever goes in the yard, building an offer around a sale price that already assumes two price cuts, a $10,000 closing-cost concession, and two extra months of holding.

Homeowners face selling decision after housing market shift Home selling has changed with the real estate market.

Bipartisan legislation intended to increase the U.S. housing supply and improve affordability is now law - but experts say homebuyers and sellers shouldn't expect fast relief.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act automatically became law on Saturday after President Donald Trump neither signed it nor vetoed it within a set timeframe. The legislation combines dozens of housing measures aimed at encouraging home construction, expanding access to financing and restricting purchases by large institutional investors.

New housing law targets affordability — what it means for homebuyers and sellers While the legislation is aimed at least partly at addressing affordability, experts say the benefits of the measure will take time to show up in the market.

It's now mid-2026, and designers are finding that this self-expression is showing itself in kitchen color selection. Clients are leaning towards hues that are warmer, moodier, and a tad more unexpected.

That applies to indoor and outdoor kitchens. In our report on 2026 outdoor kitchen trends, ELLE Decor A-List designer Laura Kehoe noted a move toward appliance suites, durable, natural materials, and fully outfitted covered structures "as precise and polished as any indoor kitchen." Indoors, color is doing similar work, making kitchens feel cocooning and connected to the landscape. Rather than chasing short-lived trends, homeowners are asking for schemes that feel specific to them and that will age gracefully.

Designers Say These Kitchen Color Trends Are Defining 2026 From muddy pastels to moody near-blacks, kitchens are getting more personality.