🔥 Hot: A massive shift in building materials for modern homes

From engineered wood to high-performance glass, today’s best building materials are chosen for durability, efficiency, and long-term home performance.

Walk through a new build or renovation right now and you’ll hear the same language come up again and again. Warm. Natural. Timeless. But look past the pretty finishes, and you’ll see a massive shift. More here: (Source)

The S/M Take: 

The slow evolution of building materials is finally accelerating. It’s not hard to understand why. Climate change alone has permanently altered our expectations of new or remodeled structures. We now know, sadly, that the construction approaches that have served us for centuries are no longer enough when we’re facing wildfires, hurricanes, or escalating energy prices.

So hate the catalyst, but not the outcome. High-tech materials like this fire-resistant sheathing not only make our homes safer, they make them more insurable.

And if you’re an aspiring homeowner, tolerable insurance costs hold hands with the next item on our Hot List: declining mortgage rates.

🔥 Also Hot: Mortgage rates are inching down to near 6%

Mortgage rates are now at their lowest points in over three years. The national average 30-year rate is now 6.06%, according to Freddie Mac. So, what does this mean for the 2026 housing market? Will mortgage rates continue to go down? More here: (Source)

Smart home gadgets that can actually improve your daily routine

Seen at CES: Control and safety sensors that work without setup, a smart lock that charges itself, and blinds that automatically shield you from the sun. More here: (Source)

❌ Not: Americans hit the brakes on driving — and it could shift the housing market in reverse

That quiet retreat from the driver’s seat could have major consequences for the future of housing. Even as demand grows for neighborhoods where daily life can be lived on foot or by transit, most new homes are still being built for a lifestyle that assumes a car is not only desirable, but also required. More here: (Source)

The S/M Take: 

Asking for a friend: Anybody notice that Millennials and Gen Z’ers seem a lot less interested in cars than their parents? The old combo of success – a home and a nice car – just doesn’t carry the panache it once did.

The outcome is that more new housing is needed around walkable transit centers, not in far-flung subdivisions that are a vestige of car culture. Yet that’s not where builders are building… and earns this predicament a spot on the Not List.

Also on the list? Privacy concerns fueling a rise in off-market listings, making it harder to find the luxe home you always coveted. Nothing to see here, move along.

❌ Also Not: Why even wealthy buyers can’t find the luxury homes they want right now

If you’re shopping for a luxury home and coming up empty-handed, despite a healthy budget, you’re not alone. Many high-end buyers are discovering that the homes they want simply aren’t listed publicly anymore. This can be incredibly frustrating. More here: (Source)

The time-wasting smart home habits you need to break

Smart home technology is meant to save you time and effort, and it can definitely do so when used well. However, it's all too easy to fall into habits that can end up wasting time rather than saving it. More here: (Source)

8 DIY choices that might actually be code violations

DIY fixes around the house can save you a lot of money and headaches — with few basic skills and a few basic tools, you can tackle a wide range of home projects while other folks pay professionals enormous amounts of money to get the same work done.

But sometimes, you get what you pay for. Professionals may be pricey, but they bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge that helps them avoid simple mistakes that can lead to real trouble — including code violations. More here: (Source)

The S/M Take: 

At The Drill Down, we live for home improvement. But we also like living in general, so please hire a qualified Pro if that DIY project might put you and your home at risk.Speaking of risky decisions, there’s a wealth of them right here. Click now, thank us later.