Regulation Gap: Malawi’s long-awaited Real Estate Management Council is still not operational, leaving licensing and consumer protection stuck in “administrative processes” and giving unscrupulous operators room to operate. Local Politics & Development: In Lee County, Florida, Amanda Cochran unseated Trish Petrosky in a GOP primary seen as a referendum on how fast the county is developing. Policy Oversight: New York City lawmakers held an oversight hearing on Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax after the administration skipped testimony, with homeowners and housing groups pressing for clearer rollout. Legal/Market Conduct: Plaintiffs in a dismissed Zillow class-action attempt to reopen their case, alleging steering to Zillow mortgage services violates RESPA. Competition Rules: Pakistan’s competition regulator will hold an Aug. 27 hearing on deceptive real estate marketing and broader competition concerns, aiming for sector-wide recommendations. Housing & Finance: Vivmark Residential got an S&P rating upgrade to ‘A’ with a stable outlook after its Aug. 17 merger, citing scale and operating efficiencies. Development Constraints: A Southern Nevada coalition says land and water limits are blocking growth and is urging federal land policy to “work.” Real Estate Tech/Leadership: Trade Me announced a CEO transition, with Kul Singh Kargil taking over from Anders Skoe at month-end.