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In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending November 18th, 2023... you’ll hear about two great inflation reports, a big tax break for Texas property owners, and the latest on the former 4% withdrawal rule for retirees.   We begin with economic news and two great inflation reports from this past week. The government released the latest CPI and PPI reports for October. The Consumer Price Index was “flat” for the month and that brought the annual rate of inflation down from 3.7% to 3.2%. When you strip away prices for food and fuel for the core rate, the numbers still suggest inflation stickiness. The core rate was up .2% with a slight decrease in the annual rate. It’s now at 4%. But, it’s a soft inflation reading overall...   ...That’s it for today. You can read more about the stories in this episode by following links in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. And please remember to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review. You can also learn more about creating a portfolio of rental properties by s

Buying a new home might get you a nice interest rate from a builder offering buydowns, but what about the purchase of an existing home? If you find the right deal and a seller who has financial flexibility, you might be able to negotiate seller financing at a lower interest rate. It’s a strategy that has been more common among investors, but some realtors say they are seeing more of these deals as buyers try to lower their monthly mortgage payments...   ...You’ll find links on this topic in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. You can also learn more about creative financing and real estate investing as a RealWealth member. It’s free to sign up. Just hit the “Join Now” button. Members get full access to our website with educational information on the housing market and real estate investing. You’ll also have access to property teams and other real estate professionals including our experienced investment counselors.   And please remember to subscribe to this podcast, and leave a review!   Thanks for l

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending November 11th, 2023... how many home buyers are lowering their payments, what the IRS will let you contribute to your retirement accounts in 2024, and the new IRS tax brackets that are going higher thanks to inflation... ...If you’d like to know more about how to buy rental properties in today’s tough market, please sign up for a free RealWealth membership. It’s quick and easy to sign up and will give you complete access to our website where you’ll find webinars, rental market data, sample properties, and our experienced investment counselors who can answer your questions for free. For links go to the show notes at www.newsforinvestors.com.   That’s it for today! Thanks for listening. Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!  -Kathy Fettke   Links:   1 - https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/09/powell-says-fed-is-not-confident-it-has-done-enough-to-bring-inflation-down.html   2 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-dip-to-217-000-and-point-to-

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending November 4th, 2023... where the Fed stands on short-term rates, what the Fed is expected to do next, and how mortgage rates are creating an economic “ripple effect.”   We begin with economic news from this past week. The headline event was the Fed’s monetary policy meeting. As many economists expected, Fed officials kept the short-term Federal Funds rate unchanged at 5.25% to 5.5%. That’s a 22-year high. Fed Chief Jerome Powell said that he expects the economy to soften in the coming months which will help lower inflation. And he appeared to suggest in his comments that the rate-hiking cycle is over although further rate hikes haven’t been ruled out...   ...That’s it for today. If you want to read more about these topics, check for links in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. And please remember to subscribe to this podcast, and leave a review! We always invite you to join RealWealth as well. It’s free to join and can help launch you on a path to financi

Many investors are wondering what the most worrisome near-term risks are in today’s economy. Twenty-five of the nation’s most informed professionals have offered their opinions in a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. There are a number of risk factors that made the list, but, unsurprisingly, inflation and the possibility of more rate hikes that could trigger a recession continue to be a top concern.   The survey was taken a few weeks ago, from August 10th through October 4th. Among the people providing their opinions were brokers, analysts, academics, researchers, advisory professionals, and investment fund managers. Their responses indicate that persistent inflation and the Fed’s monetary tightening policy is at the top of the list because there’s a chance that further rate increases could trigger a recession...   ...The full report has much more information. If you’d like to check it out, look for a link in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. As always, we invite you to sign up for a free R

NAR plans to appeal a verdict in a case that many say will weaken the association’s grip on the real estate industry. NAR and several other defendants were convicted of conspiring to keep brokerage commissions artificially high. Many industry experts are now speculating on how this will change the way homes are bought and sold. But NAR said in a news release that this case is far from over.   The class-action lawsuit included more than 260,000 people who sold homes in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois between 2015 and 2022. They objected to the commissions sellers were required to pay for agents on both sides of the deal. The fee is typically 5 or 6% of the sales price with the seller’s agent handing over half of that fee to the buyer’s agent. Many of the rules for this process are imposed by NAR.   After a two week trial in Kansas City, Missouri, the jury handed over a guilty verdict against NAR, Keller Williams, and HomeServices of America along with two of its subsidiaries. The judge also slapped them with $1

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending October 28th, 2023... inflation is still simmering, homebuyers come on strong in September, and the “Survive to 2025” mess from one real estate group.   We begin with economic news from this past week that was highlighted by a report on inflation. The Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, or PCE, rose more than expected in September. The government reported a .4% increase which translates into an annual rate of 3.4%. That’s still uncomfortably higher than the Fed’s 2% target. The core rate was up .3% for an annual rate of 3.7%. The core rate omits prices for food and fuel, which can be volatile. The PCE is the Fed’s preferred inflation tracker and is sure to be discussed during the Fed’s next policy meeting. MarketWatch reports that economists and investors are predicting that the Fed will “not” increase rates this time around...   ...That’s it for today. You’ll find links to the full articles in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. If you want to

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending October 21st, 2023... the mortgage rate milestone we didn’t want to see, proof that the laws of supply and demand are functioning in the housing market, and why five million U.S. homes are vacant in the midst of a housing crunch. We begin with economic news from this past week. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell spoke at the Economic Club of New York and said that inflation is still too high. But he acknowledged progress and says it’s still too early to know how the rate hikes will fully impact the economy. He didn’t say whether he was leaning toward the need for more rate hikes, but he did suggest they were possible. He says that officials will be keeping an eye on incoming inflation data but some analysts are speculating that we won’t see a new rate hike in November, and the chance of a rate hike in December is not that likely... ...That’s it for today. We’ll post links in the show notes to the original articles at newsforinvestors.com. You can also joi

A new law in California is building on the ADU movement, by allowing homeowners to “sell” their ADUs as condos. The law was one of dozens signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in early October to boost the state’s housing supply. This law will give homeowners an opportunity to create wealth from the sale of the ADU, and buyers the opportunity to own more affordable homes. California Assemblyman Phil Ting of San Francisco drafted AB 1033 to increase homeownership in a state that has grown too expensive for most buyers. Cities must “opt in” to this plan for the law to apply, but for those that do, property owners will be able to sell their ADUs, separately from their primary homes, as condominiums... That’s it for today. You’ll find a link to the LA Times article in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. If you’d like to know more about how to buy and sell real estate, please sign up for a free RealWealth membership by clicking on the Join for Free button at our website. And please remember to subscribe to this podc

You might a surge in the number of renters becoming roomies to share the high cost of rent, but a new study shows the opposite. A study by RentCafe shows a significant increase in tenants renting alone, the generations that are driving the surge, the cities they are choosing to live in, and how much extra income they need to go it alone.   According to RentCafe, the number of solo renters in the U.S. was up 6.7% to 16.7 million people between the years 2016 and 2021. That’s about one million additional people renting alone. RentCafe says the biggest increase occurred in 2020, during the pandemic, when people were isolating themselves from Covid. During 2020, the solo renting phenomenon peaked at 17.7 million people, and then backed down somewhat...   ...You can check all those statistics by following a link to the RentCafe article in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. You can also sign up for a free RealWealth membership at our website to learn more about becoming a landlord in places where it’s more aff

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending October 13th, 2023... two September inflation reports, a big jump in the rent-to-income ratio, and the 2024 COLA for Social Security recipients.   We begin with economic news from this past week. Two inflation reports are among the headlines. The Consumer Price Index, or CPI, was hotter-than-expected, mostly due to rising shelter costs and gas prices. The Labor Department reported a .4% increase in September. That’s down from a .6% increase in August. The annual rate remained the same at 3.7%. The core rate omits food and energy, and was up.3% which is what economists had predicted. The annual core rate came down a bit from 4.3% to 4.1% which also met expectations...   ...That’s it for today. You can read more about the stories in this episode by following links in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. And please remember to subscribe to this podcast, and leave a review!   If you’d like to know more about how to build wealth that will last you a lifetime, p

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending October 7th, 2023… what’s driving mortgage rate volatility, what the housing industry wants from the Fed, and why brokers are severing ties with the National Association of Realtors. As for economic news for the last week…   The Treasury yield has been on a bit of an upward trend and hit 4.80% last week. That’s a 16-year high and bad news for mortgage rates because high Treasury yields translate into higher mortgage rates. But since I’m a little late getting this episode together after our jam-packed weekend, the update as of Tuesday October 10th is that Treasury yields have fallen a bit due a rush into government bonds. As reported by MarketWatch, investors were nervous about the economic impact of the Israel-Hamas war. I won’t go into details, but lower Treasury yields brought mortgage rates back down a bit. The Mortgage Bankers Association listed the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage as 7.62% on Tuesday, October 10th...   ...That’s it for today. You can

The Supreme Court has said “no” to a New York rent control case that could have influenced rent control laws across the country. Two landlord groups had hoped the high court would void a law approved in 2019 on the grounds that it contributes to an unconstitutional taking of property. The lawsuit had the backing of other real estate organizations, but the lower courts ruled that states have the right to regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants, and that’s the way the law currently stands...   ...That’s it for today. For more information on this topic, check for links in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. You can also sign up for a free RealWealth membership at our website to learn more about the world of real estate, and how to build a cash-flowing portfolio of rental properties. And please don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast, and leave a review!   Thanks for listening! Kathy Fettke   Links:   1 - https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/multifamily/supreme-court-rent-control-120891   2

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending September 20th, 2023... what the Fed’s favorite inflation gauge says about August, how U.S. real estate values are setting new records, and why the typical American can’t afford to buy a home in 99% of the nation.   We begin with economic news from this past week that ended with a last minute scramble to avoid a government shutdown. Congress passed a stopgap funding measure with just minutes to spare. That extends the current deadline for another 45 days and gives lawmakers time to hammer out their differences...   ...For many consumers, housing affordability has gotten so bad that the typical American cannot afford to buy a home in 99% of the nation. Real estate data firm ATTOM analyzed median home prices over the last year in 575 U.S. counties, and determined that homes became unaffordable when buyers had to pay more than 28% of their paycheck for the home. If you include insurance and property tax, the buyer would need to devote 35% or more to that home, a

It was one year ago that New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a $250 million lawsuit against former president Donald Trump, accusing him of fraudulent business practices. Just this week, a New York judge has ruled that Trump is guilty of fraud in the building of his massive real estate empire. The judge claims that the he inflated the value of his assets and his own net worth as he negotiated real estate deals and asked for bank loans. The case will still be heard in court, but if this ruling sticks, it could have major implications for Trump’s financial world and a huge lesson for any investor who might consider adding a few zeros onto an asset valuation. Judge Arthur Engoron issued the ruling on Tuesday, September 26th. It comes in conjunction with a lawsuit against Trump by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The lawsuit claims that Trump and several of his family members committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” and that Trump “inflated his net worth by billions of dollars.”

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending September 23rd, 2023... the Fed’s forecast on inflation, future rate hikes and the GDP, why remote work is good for the environment, and calls for a major shake-up at NAR.   We begin with economic news from this past week and a message from Fed Chief Jerome Powell. He announced the result of the committee’s September meeting, saying there would be no rate hike at this time, but a majority of Fed officials expect the need for one more quarter-point hike this year. The range is currently 5.25% to 5.5%. 12 Fed officials foresee another hike while seven don’t see them going any higher. Only “one” Fed official expects the need to raise rates above 6% next year...   ...That’s it for today. You can read more about the stories in this episode by following links in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. And please remember to subscribe to this podcast, and leave a review!   If you’d like to know more about creating a financial safety net with real estate, please sign

The market for existing homes is so tight that even the big landlords are having a tough time finding them, but the new rental real estate playbook is all about build-to-rent homes. It’s no secret that renters want the single-family lifestyle, and builders are pumping tens of thousands of new rental homes into the market, with the biggest BTR boom in the South from Texas to Florida.   According to stats from RealPage, more than 104-thousand BTR units are under construction across the nation right now. As of September of this year, more than 61,200 of them are in the Southeast section of the US , about 28-thousand five-hundred are in the Western half of the US, almost 13-thousand are in the Central states, and close to 17-hundred are in the Northeast. The RealPage definition of single-family includes fully detached, semi-detached, row homes, duplexes, quadruplexes, and townhomes... At RealWealth, we recently launched a new build-to-rent fund for investors over the Texas border in Oklahoma. It’s a pre-boom are

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending September 16th, 2023... two more reports on inflation just ahead of this week’s Fed meeting, single-family versus multi-family rent growth, and why two background check companies were fined $5.8 million. We begin with economic news from this past week and another round of inflation reports for the month of August. The Consumer Price Index showed an increase in overall inflation but a drop in the core rate which eliminates pricing for energy and food. The overall CPI rose an unexpected .6%, mostly due to a surge in energy prices. That brought the yearly rate up from 3.2% to 3.7%. But when you strip the numbers down to the core rate, inflation was only up .2% and that small increase lowered the annual core rate from 4.7% to 4.3%... ...That’s it for today. You can read more about the stories in this episode by following links in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. And please remember to subscribe to this podcast, and leave a review!   If you’d like to know

The Australian real estate tycoon who became notorious for his comments about millennials wasting money on avocado toast, is making new waves with comments about employee attitudes. Tim Gurner spoke out at an Australian Financial Review conference and told his peers that they have to “kill” this feeling of superiority among employees and to do that, employees, and the economy in general, would need to feel some pain....   ...You’ll find a link to the Fortune article in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. And please remember to subscribe to this podcast, and leave a review!   If you’d like to learn more about how to become your own boss through real estate investing, be sure to check out the RealWealth website, and sign up for free. Members will get complete access to all our information, resources, and experienced investment counselors, with no cost, and no obligation to buy anything.   Links:   1 - https://fortune.com/2023/09/13/australia-real-estate-ceo-tim-gurner-pain-in-economy-avocado-toast/

More big landlords and property managers are getting hauled into court over alleged rent-fixing. I recently reported on a lawsuit against RealPage and institutional landlords who use the company’s YieldStar rent-setting platform. Now there are similar allegations against Yardi Systems and 18 property management companies.  Seattle-based law firm Hagens Berman filed the lawsuit accusing Yardi and the property management firms of a scheme to fix apartment rents nationwide. The attorneys say that the companies used Yardi’s RENTmaximizer tool to automatically raise rents so they wouldn’t compete with each other. That eliminated the need for discounts and other move-in deals to entice tenants... ...You can read more about the Yardi lawsuit by following a link in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. And please remember to subscribe to this podcast, and leave a review!   You can find out more about the business of single-family rentals at RealWealth.com. Sign up for free and enjoy a wealth of information about ho