5 • For architecture and design (A&D) suppliers: Design Stream maximizes product visibility when designers are seeking them, increasing brand awareness and sales. • For design enthusiasts: Design Stream makes professional-quality design accessible through its user-friendly interface, empowering anyone to visualize and curate their dream spaces. "Design Stream bridges ideation, product sourcing, and visualization, while putting an end to the AI slop and traditional material search that bogs down interior design projects," said Ailion. "We're delivering what the next generation of AI-native designers need to thrive across the entire interior design workflow and opening up the limitless world of design to anyone with a desire to explore, experiment, and bring their creative ideas to life." A Breakout Year for Mattoboard Mattoboard has seen significant traction and validation over the past year. In the last twelve months, the company has: • Secured $2M in seed funding led by Acrobator Ventures, with participation from Masco Ventures, Home Depot Ventures, Blue Field Capital, and SoundBoard Ventures—bringing total funding to nearly $3M and underscoring growing demand for digital innovation in the A&D industry. • Grown its network of partnerships with leading A&D suppliers, including Behr, Formica, and Stark Carpets. • Drawn interest in its Team Pro plan from leading design firms, including HOK, Treanor, GHD, Brookfield, and DIALOG. In 2026, the company plans to expand its library of materials and products and introduce an AI-powered interior design assistant for curating beautiful spaces. The feature will guide users through design decisions and help them explore creative ideas and alternatives, while sourcing materials and products, liaising with manufacturers and suppliers, and answering technical product queries. To access Design Stream and learn more about Mattoboard, visit mattoboard.com. 76% of homeowners with mortgages pay below today's rate of 6%, and nearly half say they simply couldn't afford a mortgage at current levels. More than a third (35%) of homeowners with a mortgage rate below 6% would not give up their rate for any reason, with nearly half (47%) saying they couldn't afford today's rates, according to a new report from Best Interest Financial, a Detroit-based mortgage broker, and Clever Real Estate, a St. Louis-based real estate company. Among homeowners with sub-3% mortgages, the percentage who wouldn't give up their rate for any reason jumps to 52%. Although 76% of mortgaged homeowners have rates under 6%, most felt uninformed when buying (59%), and nearly two-thirds (63%) believe lenders take advantage of first-time buyers. Overall, 1 in 10 homeowners (10%) say mortgage payments are their single biggest financial stressor. More than half of homeowners (52%) have regrets about their mortgage, rising to 75% among those paying 6% or more. About 60% of borrowers with rates of 6% or higher say they couldn't comfortably make their mortgage payments if their income decreased at all, and nearly half (45%) say their finances have worsened since buying a home. Additionally, 41% of high-rate homeowners feel anxious about their mortgage, compared to just 15% of those with rates below 6%. Two-thirds (68%) of high-rate borrowers don't expect their finances to be stable over the course of their mortgage, and 44% have reduced their retirement savings to afford their mortgage — compared to just 17% of those with a rate under 6%. Among all homeowners with mortgages, about half (49%) say rates have impacted their housing decisions. Homeowners prioritize mortgage rates over home prices, with 58% saying they'd rather move when rates are low, compared to 42% who'd prefer low home prices. Although 69% of borrowers don't think rates will ever return to the historic lows of the pandemic-era market, 51% say they wouldn't sell unless rates drop below 5%, and 20% would only sell if rates fall below 3%. Read the full report: https://bestinterest.com/research/mortgage-rate-lock-in-effect/ 1 in 3 Homeowners With Sub-6% Mortgage Rate Say They Wouldn't Give Up Their Rate for Any Reason
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