US real estate strains as high rates persist, hitting buyers, builders, offices

Persistently high US interest rates, unlike the rapid cuts seen previously, are now visibly pressuring the real estate market across home buyers, builders, and office investors. The shift from an expected easing cycle to a higher-for-longer rate environment marks a deviation from prior patterns, raising concerns about sector-wide stress. The extent of the impact remains uncertain as the Fed's policy path is still unclear.