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Showing posts from January, 2026

The "Miami Boom" is a Mirage: Why the Million-Dollar Listing Narrative is Dangerous for Buyers

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​ If you’ve been reading the real estate headlines lately, you’ve likely seen the viral claim: "Miami has officially dethroned New York City as the capital of luxury real estate." The headline is based on a flashy statistic from a recent Realtor.com report, which notes that for the first time, Miami has more active listings priced over $1 million (~10,600) than New York City (~10,200). On the surface, this sounds like a victory lap for Florida. It paints a picture of unstoppable wealth migration and a market so hot that it has eclipsed the financial capital of the world. But if you dig into the actual data, this narrative falls apart. In fact, this isn't a sign of a booming market—it is a classic signal of a market in distress. Here is the truth that the brokers aren't telling you. 1. High Inventory is Not "Dominance"—It’s Indigestion The report frames the high number of million-dollar listings as a badge of honor. In reality, inventory count is just ...

Tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis: Lessons from the Front Lines and Our Innovative Approach at Oldivai

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​ Hey everyone, Daniel Kaufman here, President of Oldivai and a real estate developer. I’ve led investments in thousands of housing units and always focused on projects that build stronger, more inclusive communities. Today, I want to dive into the real challenges of building affordable homes in today’s economy—drawing from the inspiring work of Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity—and then share how we’re shaking things up at Oldivai, especially with our exciting new workforce housing project in Shelburne, Vermont. As someone who’s passionate about sustainable development, I see these efforts as crucial for keeping our communities thriving. Let me start by sharing a story that really hit home for me. I recently came across the work of Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit that’s been building affordable homes in Vermont and New Hampshire for nearly 40 years. Their executive director, Ashley Andreas, who took the reins last October, is navigating some tough waters with inflation...

Why I’m Scooping Up Discounted Texas Townhomes in 2026 — And Banking Serious Cash Flow Before the Window Slams Shut

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​ I’m excited to share my latest real estate strategy that’s paying off big time: I’m scooping up discounted townhomes across Texas right now —and cashing in on surging rents that are creating a perfect storm for investors like us. If you’re sitting on the sidelines, this window won’t stay open forever. Here’s why I’m going all-in on Texas townhomes and condos in 2025/2026, and why you should consider jumping in before prices rebound. The Texas Townhome Market Is Offering Serious Discounts While the national market for attached homes (townhouses and condos) only dipped slightly less than 1% year-over-year, Texas saw a much sharper correction— values dropped more than 4% compared to the previous year, according to real estate analytics from firms like Cotality and trends echoed in Realtor.com data. This isn’t just a blip. It’s created a rare opportunity where you can buy these properties at prices reminiscent of 2022, but rent them out at today’s higher rates. Investors Are Piling ...

Despite What Brokers and the Media Are Telling You, the Data Doesn’t Lie: Florida Had the Most Foreclosures in the U.S. in 2025

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​ Hey everyone, Daniel Kaufman here.  Welcome back to my real estate development blog, where I’ve been watching the Florida real estate market unravel firsthand.  Brokers and media outlets keep spinning tales of “strong fundamentals” and “healthy corrections,” but let’s cut through the noise. The data paints a grim picture: Florida led the nation in foreclosures in 2025, and with interest rates climbing, things aren’t looking up for 2026.  If you’re a developer eyeing property investments or just curious about the housing scene, buckle up, this is a wake-up call. The Foreclosure Fiasco: Florida Takes the Crown Last year, 2025, saw a staggering 367,460 foreclosure filings across the U.S., a 14% jump from 2024. Sure, that’s still 25% below 2019 levels, but here’s the kicker: Florida had the highest foreclosure rate at 0.44% of residential properties. That’s ahead of states like Delaware (0.42%), South Carolina (0.41%), and Illinois (0.40%). Why? Experts point to skyrocke...

Reimagining Vermont Ski Real Estate: A Transformative Opportunity for Developers and Investors

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​ Daniel Kaufman | Real Estate Developer As a real estate developer focused on creating value in resort communities, I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful projects can deliver strong returns while addressing key industry pain points like workforce shortages, seasonal revenue dips, and overcrowding at mega-resorts. Vermont’s ski market is booming. Major players like Killington are pushing forward with a $3 billion, 25-year village expansion that includes thousands of residential units, workforce housing commitments, and year-round amenities. Okemo’s base-area communities have driven impressive appreciation and occupancy under Vail Resorts. Smaller, underutilized mountains offer similar upside—at lower entry costs—with existing infrastructure ready for revival. We’ve identified a promising mountain in Vermont for this transformative opportunity, and we’re actively exploring how to bring this vision to life. While we can’t disclose the specific location just yet (stay tuned—we’ll share...