Massive Houston-Area Estate That Includes 10 Private Islands Heads to Auction

There are signs that the worst might be over for U.S. home buyers who have been facing soaring home prices and elevated mortgage rates. “June, in particular, has started to show the housing market slowing down in favor of buyers,” said Skylar Olsen, chief economist of online property portal Zillow. Nearly one in four home sellers offered price cuts in June, the highest level for that month since 2018. Also, the average rate for a 30-year mortgage fell this week to its lowest level since mid-March. CNN

A dilapidated castle in Australia, located in “one of the Northern Rivers’ most spiritually sacred areas, known locally as a place of healing,” is on the market with a price guide of A$890,000 (US$589,064). Built by an “eccentric” designer, the six-bedroom property on the edge of a rainforest could be transformed into the “ultimate dream Zen retreat,” with a renovation, according to the listing. The interiors are currently bare bones, with visible scaffolding, boarded-up windows and raw concrete floors. Domain

After being shuttered for 15 years, the Brick House, the annex to architect Philip Johnson’s Glass House in Connecticut, has reopened after a restoration led by architect Mark Stoner and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “For such a seemingly simple structure, the work required to preserve, protect and restore the Brick House was extensive,” Stoner said. “Damage caused by decades of water intrusion into the building from above and below took a serious toll on the building.” The Brick House consists of three solid brick walls, with large porthole windows running along the fourth wall. Dezeen

Typical rents in Spain rose 9% in June to a record high, according to data from property portal Fotocasa. “For the first time in history, the price of rent now exceeds the tacit barrier of €1,000 (US$1,085) per month,” said María Matos,director of studies and spokeswoman for Fotocasa, who noted shrinking supply as the main cause of the price increase. The most expensive rental price per square meter can be found in Madrid at €19.71 per square meter, a year-on-year increase of 18%. The Corner