Hiking for Hope - 100 Miles in Support of Freedom Fighters
On August 2nd, 5 friends and I will set out on a 9 day, 100 mile hike on The Giants Trail in the Valley d' Aosta, Italy. We are still training, preparing, fundraising and sharing individually why our efforts matter. We have added something very important this year and that is a way to support us daily through prayer! We have compiled daily prayers for not only us but also for Freedom Fighters as an organization, the industry, and our allies (partners). Not everyone can go, not everyone can donate, but all can pray!
If you'd like to join in support of this, please send an email to [email protected] from the email you would like us to send the prayer requests to.
The Great American Cash Cushion - How Home Equity Is Strengthening Financial Stability
The “Great American Cash Cushion” is a term that reflects the unusually strong position many U.S. homeowners find themselves in today, thanks to record levels of home equity. According to recent data, 82% of mortgage borrowers have at least 30% equity in their homes, a significant threshold that provides a meaningful financial buffer. This widespread equity growth is largely the result of rising home values over the past several years, paired with responsible lending practices that have kept homeowners from overleveraging. In practical terms, this cushion gives homeowners more flexibility and peace of mind. It can be used strategically for things like home renovations, consolidating debt, or funding major life events through cash-out refinancing or home equity lines of credit. Most importantly, it means that the vast majority of borrowers are far from being underwater on their mortgages, making them less vulnerable to foreclosure and better positioned to weather shifts in the market. Compared to the housing crash of 2008, today’s environment reflects a much more stable and resilient foundation for American households.
Florida's Commercial Real Estate Boom Driven by Influx of Wealth and Business
Florida is experiencing a commercial real estate surge fueled by strong economic fundamentals, a growing population, and a favorable tax climate. Experts note that cities like West Palm Beach have seen record-high retail occupancies, spurred by the migration of affluent individuals, financial executives, and tech leaders since the pandemic. This influx has transformed areas like Palm Beach County from seasonal retreats into vibrant, year-round cities, with nearly 90,000 new residents accelerating the demand for real estate and services.
Companies and institutions are increasingly relocating or expanding into Florida, from Foot Locker moving operations to St. Petersburg to Publix opening a large new location in Panama City Beach. According to developers like Ken Himmel, mixed-use districts like CityPlace are thriving, thanks to built-in foot traffic and low vacancy rates. As financial and innovation sectors establish deeper roots, retail and commercial demand are rising in tandem, creating a self-sustaining cycle of growth across the state.
Buyers Gain Options, But Sellers Pull Back in Shifting Housing Market
In June, U.S. housing inventory hit a post-pandemic high, rising 28.1% year-over-year, giving buyers the most choices they've had in years. However, many sellers are withdrawing from the market as delistings surged 47% in May and are up 35% year-to-date. This growing trend signals that some homeowners, buoyed by strong equity and high price expectations, are unwilling to compromise and are choosing to sit out rather than lower their asking price. Despite increased supply, median days on market rose to 53, and 20.7% of listings saw price cuts — the highest rate for June since 2016 — yet national median prices have largely held steady.
The contrast between rising listings and growing delistings points to a market in flux. Every major U.S. region saw inventory gains in June, with Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. leading metro areas. But sellers in places like Phoenix, Miami, and Riverside, CA, are especially quick to pull listings when offers fall short. Experts describe the current landscape as a standoff: buyers have more leverage and are becoming more selective, while many sellers remain anchored to peak-era prices. This evolving dynamic could determine whether the market shifts further toward buyers in the coming months.