Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast

The U.S. Senate has passed a major bipartisan housing bill aimed at boosting housing supply and improving affordability. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes incentives for new construction, efforts to reduce regulatory delays, and restrictions on large institutional investors buying single-family homes. But one provision is raising concerns across the housing industry. Critics warn a seven-year sell requirement for large investors could impact build-to-rent communities and future rental housing supply. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the bill does, why it's controversial, and what real estate investors should be watching next as the legislation moves to the House. 📈🏡 Want to learn more about investing in real estate? Just visit www.Realwealth.com/Deals to learn more.  Sources: https://www.scotsmanguide.com/news/trade-groups-balk-at-build-to-rent-provision-in-bipartisan-senate-housing-bill/?utm_source=originator&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=newlayout  https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-passes-major-housing-affordability-bill-warren-scott-rcna263046 

A Michigan mortgage lender is facing a federal class action lawsuit over alleged robo-calls that used artificial voice technology. The case claims the company contacted consumers without permission, potentially violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke explains what the lawsuit could mean for mortgage lenders, real estate professionals, and investors as artificial intelligence becomes more common in marketing. 📈🏡 Want to learn more about investing in real estate? Just visit www.Realwealth.com/Deals to learn more.  Source: https://www.scotsmanguide.com/news/michigan-mortgage-lender-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-artificial-voice-technology/?utm_source=originator&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=newlayout 

New Census data shows where Americans are moving — and how those migration trends could reshape housing markets across the country. U.S. population growth slowed to about 0.5% between 2024 and 2025, largely due to a drop in international migration. But domestic migration is still shifting demand toward states in the South and Sun Belt, including North Carolina, Texas, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest population trends and what they could mean for housing demand and real estate investors. 📈🏡 Want to learn more about investing in real estate? Just visit www.Realwealth.com/Deals to learn more.  Source: https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/top-15-states-for-population-and-migration-trends-in-2025-the-south-leads-the-midwest-gains 

Retirement account balances are rising — but so are withdrawals. New data from Fidelity shows the average 401(k) balance climbed more than 11% in 2025 as the stock market posted another strong year. But at the same time, a growing number of Americans are tapping their retirement savings early. Hardship withdrawals and 401(k) loans both increased last year, signaling that many households are still feeling financial pressure despite market gains. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest retirement savings data and what it reveals about the financial health of American workers. She also explains why relying on stock market retirement accounts alone may leave investors vulnerable during periods of economic stress. For many investors, income-producing real estate offers a different approach to building long-term wealth — providing potential cash flow, inflation protection, and the ability to hold a hard asset that can appreciate over time. Learn what the latest 401(k) trends mean for retirement security — and why diversification may matter more than ever. 📈🏡 Want to learn more about investing in real estate? Just visit www.Realwealth.com/Deals to learn more.  Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/04/retirement-balances-hardship-withdrawals.html 

The latest jobs report delivered a surprise. The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the weaker labor market could mean for the economy, mortgage rates, and housing demand. A slowing job market can cool housing demand, but it could also increase the chances that the Federal Reserve eventually lowers interest rates — something that could help bring buyers back into the market. Here's what real estate investors should be watching next. 📈🏡 If you want ot learn more, visit www.NewsforInvestors.com  Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/economy/us-jobs-report-february 

Tensions between the United States and Iran are adding new uncertainty to the global economy — and that could have real implications for real estate investors. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down how escalating conflict in the Middle East could impact oil prices, inflation, and the Federal Reserve's path for interest rates. Kathy explains the key economic signals investors should be watching right now — including oil prices, mortgage rates, and consumer confidence — and what different economic scenarios could mean for the housing market. While geopolitical events can create volatility, long-term real estate fundamentals still come down to smart market selection, strong cash flow, and conservative financing. This episode will help investors understand the bigger economic picture and how global events can shape the housing market here in the United States. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-conflict-poses-new-risk-us-economic-resilience-2026-03-02/ 

As the 2026 rental season approaches, demand is already building — and it's happening earlier than usual. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down new data from RentCafe showing which U.S. cities are seeing the biggest surge in renter activity. From Cincinnati taking the top spot to strong momentum in Atlanta, Minneapolis, and several Midwest markets, this early engagement offers clues about where competition — and opportunity — may heat up next. You'll hear which regions are leading the country, why the Midwest and South are gaining strength, and what rising search and "saved listing" activity could signal for rental property investors. 🏡 📈 If you want to learn more about investing in turn key rental properties, just visit www.Realwealth.com/Deals to learn more.  Source: https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/cities-to-watch-this-year/?utm_source=bestever.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=top-trending-cities-ahead-of-the-2026-rental-season&_bhlid=e93bd569b530ada0ba5b0f1bc1a9c5e00ebbc9fb 

Mortgage rates have officially dropped below 6% for the first time in more than three years. The average 30-year fixed rate is now 5.98%, according to Freddie Mac — a key psychological and financial shift for the housing market. In this episode, Kathy breaks down what lower rates mean for buying power, inventory levels, and home prices. Zillow reports that the median-income household has gained more than $30,000 in purchasing power compared to last year, putting over 80,000 additional homes within reach. But with prices still up roughly 50% since 2020 and rising for the 31st straight month, affordability remains a challenge. Will sub-6% rates bring buyers back into the market? Could it loosen the lock-in effect and increase listings? And what does this mean for real estate investors in 2026? We'll explain what's changing — and what isn't. 🏡 📈 If you want to learn more about working with an investor friendly lender visit www.Realwealth.com/Lender to learn more.  Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/26/economy/mortgage-rate-falls-below-six-percent 

The White House is proposing a new housing policy that could limit how many single-family homes some investors can own. Under the proposal, investors who own more than 100 single-family rental properties could be restricted from buying additional homes. That's a much lower threshold than many in the industry expected. In this episode, Kathy breaks down what the 100-home cutoff means, how many investors it actually affects, and where those properties are concentrated. She also looks at the data on what these mid-sized operators are buying — including workforce housing — and how much of the overall housing stock they control. 🏘️  Want to learn more? Visit www.NewsforInvestors.com  Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-state-of-the-union-institutional-investor-ban-housing-affordability/ 

Artificial intelligence is starting to rattle another major industry — commercial real estate. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down why shares of major brokerage firms like CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, and Newmark recently fell despite strong earnings. Investors are questioning whether AI could shrink brokerage commissions, automate appraisal work, and compress margins across the industry. But the bigger concern may be office demand. If AI allows companies to operate with fewer employees, will they need less office space in the future? Kathy explains what executives are saying, where AI may have the biggest impact first, and what real estate investors should be watching next. Is this short-term market fear — or the beginning of a structural shift in commercial real estate? 🏘️  Want to learn more? Visit www.NewsforInvestors.com  Sources: https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/ai-anxiety-has-found-its-way-to-real-estate-brokers-2cf4d256?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqcKksgp13sa5Fw9OLZO7hsAflKnkAoDAULJd2RtaPo2I4Bei_Yi0AX0W03DNpw%3D&gaa_ts=699d0201&gaa_sig=AOJgjD2rtGMyIjL_uUf0yn5hZr5fCPt7Ae-LiBzHIPwU5RnYpdV6evacSt5WZxdLntEUCpyjE9RlsM9saO_wTA%3D%3D

Is 2026 shaping up to be the best year for short-term rental investing since 2021? In this episode, Kathy breaks down AirDNA's 2026–2027 short-term rental outlook, including where occupancy is headed, why ADR growth may slow before rebounding, and how the STR premium is improving as mortgage rates stabilize near 6%. We'll cover supply growth, demand forecasts, home price declines in coastal and urban markets, and what RevPAR trends mean for investors. If you're considering buying, expanding, or repositioning a short-term rental, this episode explains where opportunity may be emerging before competition increases again. 🏘️  Want to learn more? Visit www.Realwealth.com/Deals Sources: https://www.airdna.co/outlook-report

Builder confidence in the single-family housing market slipped again in February, according to the latest Housing Market Index from the National Association of Home Builders. The index fell to 36, marking the second straight monthly decline and signaling continued weakness in builder sentiment. Affordability remains the biggest challenge. High home price-to-income ratios, elevated land costs, and stubborn construction expenses are keeping many buyers on the sidelines. Even with incentives widely available, buyer traffic remains low. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what falling builder confidence means for housing supply, pricing power, remodeling demand, and real estate investors in 2026. If inflation eases and mortgage rates follow, conditions could improve — but for now, affordability continues to shape the market. 🏘️  Want to learn more? Visit www.Realwealth.com/Deals Sources: https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2026/02/builder-sentiment-edges-lower-on-affordability-concerns 

The Supreme Court has struck down many of President Trump's tariffs, ruling that the emergency law used to impose them does not authorize broad trade taxes. In this breaking news update, Kathy Fettke explains what the decision means for inflation, construction costs, and the housing market. Some tariffs remain in place, but others may be reversed — and billions in potential refunds could follow. How could this impact builders, mortgage rates, and real estate investors? We break it down in simple terms and explain what to watch next. 🏘️  Want to learn more? Visit www.NewsforInvestors.com  Sources: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-strikes-trumps-tariffs-major-blow-president-rcna244827 https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02/20/us/trump-tariffs-supreme-court 

A new study is challenging one of the biggest narratives around tariffs — and the implications could directly affect inflation, interest rates, and your real estate portfolio. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York finds that Americans are paying nearly 90% of recent tariffs, not foreign exporters. In other words, higher import taxes are largely flowing through to U.S. consumers and businesses. Why does that matter? Because when prices rise, inflation stays elevated. And when inflation runs hot, the Federal Reserve may delay rate cuts — keeping mortgage rates higher for longer. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the data actually says, how tariffs influence Fed policy, and what it means for borrowing costs, housing demand, and real estate investors in 2026. 🏘️  Want to learn more? Visit www.NewsforInvestors.com  Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ny-fed-report-says-americans-pay-almost-all-trumps-tariffs-2026-02-12/ 

New data from the Federal Reserve shows U.S. household real estate wealth dipped slightly in the third quarter of 2025 — but the bigger story is homeowner equity. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest Fed Z.1 Financial Accounts report, including the decline in total housing asset values to $48 trillion, rising mortgage balances, and why owners' equity remains above 70% for the 15th straight quarter. Is the housing market cooling? Are homeowners still in a strong financial position? And what does this mean for real estate investors heading into 2026? Tune in for a concise update on housing market trends, real estate wealth, mortgage debt, and the overall strength of U.S. household balance sheets. 🏘️ Want to watch Kathy Fettke's Housing Market Forecast? Just visit www.Newsforinvestors.com.    Source: https://eyeonhousing.org/2026/01/household-real-estate-asset-values-fall-in-the-third-quarter/

Commercial real estate could be a major story in 2026. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down CBRE's 2026 Commercial Real Estate Outlook and why investment activity is expected to rise 16% — even as GDP growth slows. We cover what's ahead for cap rates, income-driven returns, and key sectors including office, industrial, retail, multifamily, and data centers. With two expected Fed rate cuts and easing inflation, how could financing conditions impact commercial property performance? If you're looking for data-backed insight into where commercial real estate is headed in 2026, this episode outlines the risks, opportunities, and what investors should watch next. Want to learn more? Listen to our other podcast: www.Realwealthshow.com  Source: https://www.cbre.com/insights/books/us-real-estate-market-outlook-2026

The U.S. House has overwhelmingly passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act in a 390–9 vote, advancing a bipartisan effort aimed at addressing America's housing affordability crisis. The sweeping package focuses on boosting housing supply, streamlining development regulations, expanding financing for manufactured and multifamily housing, and modernizing federal housing programs. Now, the bill heads to the Senate, where lawmakers must reconcile differences with the previously proposed ROAD to Housing Act. Will Congress deliver meaningful housing reform — or will negotiations stall? In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what's in the bill, what happens next, and what it could mean for housing supply and affordability nationwide. Want to learn more? Visit www.Newsforinvestors.com. Sources:  https://www.realtor.com/news/real-estate-news/housing-for-the-21st-century-act-bill-affordability/ https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/02/09/congress/house-approves-housing-bill-setting-stage-for-tough-senate-negotiations-00772552 

The January jobs report is in — and it came in stronger than expected. The U.S. economy added 130,000 jobs to start 2026, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.3%. Hiring was concentrated in health care, social assistance, and construction, even as some sectors saw losses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also released updated benchmark revisions confirming that 2025 job growth was softer than previously reported. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the latest employment data signals about the strength of the labor market, wage growth, and what it could mean for Federal Reserve policy and interest rates moving forward. Want to learn more? Visit www.Newsforinvestors.com  Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/11/jobs-report-january-2026-.html 

Apartment demand cooled across much of the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a return to more typical seasonal patterns after several years of unusually strong growth. But the slowdown wasn't universal. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down which U.S. apartment markets continued to see positive demand in Q4 and why those metros stood out as others experienced net move-outs. We look at absorption trends in major markets like New York, Phoenix, Fort Worth, and Newark, and what tight occupancy levels in select regions may signal for multifamily investors heading into 2026. You'll learn how shifting demand patterns reflect a broader normalization in the apartment market—and why local fundamentals matter more than ever for investors evaluating multifamily opportunities in today's changing real estate environment. 📊 Want to learn more? Just visit www.RealWealth.com/Syndications.  Source: https://www.realpage.com/analytics/apartment-demand-4q25/?utm_source=bestever.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=uber-founder-makes-a-big-multifamily-bet&_bhlid=34388c211e9bfd212d4183edf51a29e638bdde3a 

In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down the proposed "Trump Homes" concept that's gaining attention across the housing industry. The idea centers on a new pathway-to-ownership model designed to help first-time buyers afford homes—without driving down existing home prices. We explore how the proposal could work, why major homebuilders and investors are paying attention, and how this approach differs from traditional affordability solutions like rate cuts, subsidies, or price corrections. We'll also look at the potential risks, unanswered questions, and what this could mean for housing supply, renters, and long-term market stability. If you're watching housing affordability, policy trends, or the future of homeownership, this is a story worth understanding. 🏠📉  Want to be apart of the housing affordability solution? Visit www.Realwealth.com/Syndications to learn more.  Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/03/lennar-shares-jump-on-report-its-working-on-a-trump-homes-plan.html