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] By 2053 a mix of new homes and commercial development could deliver an economic uplift of £41 billion and support the creation of 34,000 new jobs. Mirage News
• [New] Households heating primarily with propane will pay less than they did last winter on average across the United States, primarily as a result of lower prices. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] For the 46% of U.S. homes that use natural gas as the main heating fuel, we expect expenditures to be close to last winter's levels. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] The hybrid learning segment is expected to grow at an anticipated CAGR of 12.5% from 2026 to 2034 with the increasing demand for flexibility among nontraditional students, who balance education with work and family responsibilities. Market Data Forecast
• [New] The CY 2026 Medicare Home Health proposed rule as written will cut the home health payment rate by 9% and reduce payments by $1.13 billion to home health agencies, threatening access to essential home-based services for older adults and people with disabilities. SaveHomeCare
• [New] According to Rewiring America, families could save up to $1,800 per year on lower energy bills by taking advantage of all the electric upgrades incentivized by the Inflation Reduction Act. CCL Community
• [New] Southeast and California homes might embrace sun-kissed creams that reflect bright light. Beach Homes Realty Articles and Info - beach-homes.com
• [New] The average deductible for households across all ACA health plans swelled by 37%, to $3,786 in 2026 from $2,759 in 2025 - the steepest increase in history. CNBC
• [New] We maintain a conservative outlook for Dutch house price growth and expect fewer transactions this year. DayTraders
• [New] Canada's 2026 immigration target of 84,000 family admissions drops to 81,000 in 2027-2028. Amir Ismail & Associates
• [New] Reforms to capital gains tax, negative gearing, and discretionary trusts are a welcome move to support equal access to opportunity for Australians, and a first step to addressing the housing crisis. ASFI
• [New] The housing market's performance in 2026 could become a key indicator of broader economic health because property activity strongly influences consumer confidence, banking stability and retail spending. Kalkine
• [New] San Diego home values remain above $1 million on average, with homes still going pending in just 16 days and more than 34% of properties selling above asking price. Churchill Mortgage
• [New] Texas home prices are expected to keep cooling through 2027, with Austin projected to see the largest drop at -4.6%, while cities like El Paso and Brownsville are forecasted to continue growing. Churchill Mortgage
• [New] The property tax changes will help an extra 75,000 Australians achieve the dream of home ownership over the coming decade. The Guardian
• [New] 2026 will see a drop in mortgage rates and an increase in median home prices. Rate
• [New] Reform would lower costs for households with or without solar or batteries, and some families could save up to $740 a year on their electricity bills by 2040. Ashurst
• [New] Britain's housing benefits bill is projected to reach a record £39bn as rents continue rising and housebuilding remains weak. CPA | The Credit Protection Association
• [New] US home sales rose by less than expected last month, as higher interest rates hit demand. The Guardian
• [New] People are worried that younger Australians are never going to get a crack at home ownership. 9News
• [New] The falling cost of home batteries could prove to be a gamechanger in 2026 by allowing customers to fill up when electricity is cheap, and power your home when it's expensive. The Guardian
• [New] The federal government committed $10bn through the Housing Australia Future Fund in 2023, promising to deliver 55,000 social and affordable homes by mid-2029. The Guardian
• [New] As many as 1.8m homes in England are close enough to green spaces to be at risk from wildfires. The Guardian

Last updated: 23 May 2026