Global Scans · Homes · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The number of smart homes is expected to grow further and by 2020 it is expected 46.2 million homes in the US and 44.9 million in Europe will be classed as smart homes. By 2022 there could be nearly 500 smart devices that can be connected to a smart home.

• [New] Los Angeles is betting that its next housing boom will not rise from the ground up - but from the inside out. New York Post
• [New] We expect demand for housing to remain high for the foreseeable future as zoning restrictions restrict supply, creating demand for repair and refurbishment of America's ageing housing stock. Quality Magazine
• [New] Boosting housing production and achieving more affordable housing will remain a priority in 2026. JD Supra
• [New] Consumer confidence, mortgage rate trends and shifts in federal policy could play a key role in shaping housing demand and pricing in 2026. Florida Realtors
• [New] Dubai's population could approach 4 million within the next few years, sustaining long-term housing requirements. Khaleej Times
• [New] Affordable-housing investment in advanced markets is forecast to rise 17-20% in 2026, supported by expanded tax-credit allocations and public-private programs. MEXC
• [New] Pennsylvania will fall short by roughly 185,000 homes by 2035 without further action. Last Week in ConTech
• [New] As Canada aims to ramp up housing construction, it's important to not build homes in flood risk areas, while also building to prepare for risks like hail and wildfires. CityNews Vancouver
• [New] President Donald Trump has threatened to ban or significantly restrict Wall Street investment in single-family homes, directing his administration to pursue an executive order that would limit additional purchases by large institutional investors, including private equity and real estate funds. Carta
• [New] US employers hired 130,000 more workers in January, which was stronger than expected (and despite warnings from the White House of smaller numbers because of its deportation programme). The Guardian
• [New] In Britain 6.3 million homes are thought to be at risk of flooding from all sources. WTW
• [New] Replacing just a small fraction of Australia's detached houses with apartments could unlock billions in housing wealth. Firstlinks
• [New] In 2026, premium energy efficient homes are expected to balance cutting-edge technology with timeless design, making energy efficiency a feature, not a compromise. Nortex Construction
• [New] Smart home device revenue is expected to jump 40% from $10.7 billion in 2024 to 15 billion in 2029. Parks Associates
• [New] Housing starts are forecast at 247,000 for 2026, down from 259,000 in 2025 as developers face high construction costs, weaker demand and rising inventories of unsold units. Mortgage Rates & Mortgage Broker News in Canada
• [New] The pickup in housing demand will be led by Ontario and B.C., where markets are expected to rebound after some of their weakest sales in decades. Mortgage Rates & Mortgage Broker News in Canada
• [New] Monthly housing payments will fall to 29.3% of median income in 2026 - the first time below the critical 30% affordability threshold since 2022. Passle
• [New] The CMHC has warned that Canada needs to build 3.5 million more homes than it's on pace to build in order to restore affordability by 2030. BNN Bloomberg
• [New] New home construction will decline through 2028 as developers face high costs, weaker demand and more unsold homes. BNN Bloomberg
• [New] By 2026, AI and PropTech will transform home buying into a seamless, intuitive, and data-driven experience. PropertyStellar: Where Your Home Dreams Align with Star
• [New] By 2026, smart home technology will become standard. PropertyStellar: Where Your Home Dreams Align with Star
• [New] Prices and sales in Halifax are projected to rise slightly in 2026 and then stabilize as most new homes remain unaffordable for first-time buyers. Mortgage Professional
• [New] After record apartment construction, housing starts in Halifax are expected to stabilize in 2026, with purpose-built rental starts easing slightly as earlier projects improve supply. Mortgage Professional

Last updated: 21 February 2026