Housing Market Watch (Canada): CREA says national home sales rose 0.5% in June (third straight monthly gain) as new listings fell 1.3%, pushing the sales-to-listings ratio to about 50% and narrowing the demand-supply gap; the benchmark price index was flat month-to-month and down 3.6% year-over-year, with CREA pointing to easing fixed-rate pressure and stabilized prices. Affordability Reality Check (South Africa): First-time buyers now earn 64% more than the average formal-sector worker, with BetterBond citing a widening earnings gap as prices and borrowing costs rise. Buyer Costs & Prices (US): Redfin reports record-high home prices, with luxury demand driving big jumps in places like San Francisco and West Palm Beach. Local Property & Legal Rules (UK): A High Court ruling limits when strata auction buyers can be hit with prior maintenance and sinking fund arrears. Homebuying Prep (UK): A guide highlights common seller missteps that can slow sales—especially mispricing, poor timing, and skipping repairs. Development Spotlight (Singapore): Frasers-led consortium outbids rivals with a near S$2.13B offer for the Bayshore Drive mixed-use site tied to the Bedok South MRT. Garden Value Warning (UK): Experts flag invasive “garden thugs” that could hurt resale value, including arrow bamboo and Leyland cypress. First-Home Momentum (Canada): CREA’s updated forecast expects a more active second half as mortgage rates ease and buyers re-enter.