MarketWatch: Weekly Real Estate Update for Riverdale, Bronx – 11/24/2025 – 12/1/2025

Did You Know?

DID YOU KNOW?

* Switzerland overwhelmingly rejected a proposed 50% tax on inherited fortunes of $62 million or more, with 78% of votes against the plan, far exceeding the two‑thirds opposition indicated in polls. (CNBC)

* Mazama Energy announced the creation of the world’s hottest Enhanced Geothermal System at its pilot site in Newberry, Oregon at an unprecedented 629 °F bottomhole temperature…it delivers power 24/7 from virtually anywhere in the world, regardless of weather or time of day making it ideal for hyperscale data centers and industrial electrification. Commercial projects with horizontal wells, will begin with a 15 MW pilot in 2026 and then scaling to a 200 MW development project. It also extends its drilling into the SuperHot Rock regime (>400 °C range), leveraging proprietary high-temperature materials, cooling solutions and stimulation technologies. Harnessing SuperHot Rock resources will allow Mazama to extract up to 10x more power density, use 75% less water and drill 80% fewer wells than current approaches. Mazama aims to deliver terawatts of competitive and dispatchable power globally. (Renewable Energy Magazine)

* A geothermal system can cost between $40,000-75,000 for a 4,000sf home. That is high, but with electric bills soaring, this could pay for itself within 4-6 years…..

* What might we learn from some great hotels to apply to home design?
1.  Monogramming things – napkins, towels, etc can personalize things.
2.  Books. Yes, hotels use books wisely as accessories, but often those books are actually used and are great sources of useful information.
3.  Mix patterns: wallpapers, bed linens,pillows, upholstery with a mix of patterns can make a hotel room feel more like a home…..and a home feel more like a home too!
4. A monotone color palette. Other things many love about luxe hotels:  amazing bathrobes and slippers, super-comfy ‘ultra’ beds, reading lights next to beds, a sofa in a bedroom….. (FT)

* An MIT study found that AI can already replace 11.7% of U.S. workforce. (CNBC)

Mortgage Rate Updates:

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage eased to 6.23% as of November 26th, 2025, according to a survey of lenders by mortgage giant Freddie Mac. “Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, mortgage rates decreased. With pending home sales at the highest level since last November, homebuyer activity continues to show resilience nearing year end,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

Source: Freddie Mac