Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast

Which housing markets are most at risk in 2025—and which are the safest bets for investors? In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down ATTOM’s latest Housing Risk Report, which names the riskiest U.S. counties based on affordability, unemployment, foreclosures, and underwater mortgages. You’ll hear why California and Florida top the list, which counties are struggling with extreme affordability, and why Louisiana stands out for underwater properties. Kathy also shares where buyers and investors will find the safest and most affordable markets, from New York to Texas and beyond. If you want to stay ahead of housing trends, this episode is packed with insights on how local risks—from wildfires to hurricanes to high insurance costs—are shaping today’s real estate landscape. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/riskiest-housing-markets-united-states-list/   

The August jobs report shows the U.S. economy added just 22,000 jobs, far below expectations, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, the highest since 2017 outside the pandemic.  In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including which industries are adding jobs, where losses are showing up, and why long-term unemployment is on the rise. You’ll also hear how markets reacted, with Treasury yields dropping, mortgage rates hitting new yearly lows, and investors betting on a Federal Reserve rate cut in September. For real estate investors, Kathy explains how falling mortgage rates could open refinancing and buying opportunities, while a weaker labor market may signal challenges ahead for rental demand and consumer confidence. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCES: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/jobs-report-august-stock-market-today-09-05-2025/card/how-markets-are-reacting-to-the-august-jobs-report-in-charts-FQcQtn7rwcUks8KYBbJ9?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAi5rhcACM9CUVuSweEm6gfhlzjTymFu-MGPtOdT6FSdkv99FJMXEzn4IZAJjOk%3D&gaa_ts=68bb3e42&gaa_sig=7Pc9VuZh3MAASJs3g1fibqeeIosHhMl5M5QtC4kyYQ3hpWkwoe_QfVXzgrgz1BPAS57xZt78Hf84_DJtirgONQ%3D%3D 

In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down a new Bankrate Home Affordability Report that asks: what impacts buyers more, mortgage rates or home prices? The findings show that even a small drop in mortgage rates can lower monthly payments far more than a price cut. Kathy explains why waiting for home values to fall may not be the best strategy, how lower rates could trigger more demand, and what buyers can do now to prepare financially. You’ll also hear the latest forecasts for mortgage rates, home price trends across the U.S., and what it all means for investors in 2025. LINKS: JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/rates-vs-prices-housing-affordability/ 

Airbnb is changing the way it charges hosts — and the update could impact how much real estate investors actually take home. Beginning October 27, 2025, Airbnb will phase out its split-fee model and move to a 15.5% host-only fee. Guests will see a flat price, but hosts will need to adjust their rates to protect margins. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the new structure means for property owners, how it could affect short-term rental profitability, and why some smaller investors may struggle while professional managers adapt more easily. If you invest in short-term rentals or are considering it, this fee shift is one you can’t afford to ignore. LINKS: JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.hostaway.com/blog/airbnb-host-only-fee-what-to-know-about-the-15-percent-host-fee/

Senior renters are now the fastest-growing group in the U.S., with more than 2.4 million Americans aged 65 and older entering the rental market in the past decade. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down the numbers from U.S. Census and Point2Homes data, and explains what’s driving this powerful demographic shift. You’ll learn why older Americans are choosing rentals over ownership, which metros are seeing the biggest surge in 55+ renters, and how single-family homes are playing a growing role in this trend. Real estate investor Ken McElroy also weighs in on why 55+ renters are among the most stable and attractive tenants for landlords today. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, this episode reveals what investors and developers should be watching as Baby Boomers reshape the housing market. LINKS: JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCES:   https://www.credaily.com/briefs/senior-renters-drive-housing-shift-in-the-us/  https://kenmcelroy.com/education/this-is-the-fastest-growing-renter-in-america/?utm_campaign=Newsletters&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9i0ejEgzVwis0t8WzqPgTd7YP16P5IhtmKY-vGCOe4ZbqAmmPXptyEWSwzDF0eBZKfg2PsqLnu2Pxu9Q5jo6I8-Xx8Gw&_hsmi=377681519&utm_content=377681519&utm_source=hs_email

The U.S. government is considering one of the biggest cannabis policy shifts in decades—moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law. If approved, this change could ease tax burdens, open the door to banking access, accelerate mergers and acquisitions, and reshape the industry’s growth trajectory. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what federal reclassification could mean for investors, including the potential end of IRS rule 280E, how capital might flow back into cannabis businesses, and the impact this could have on real estate investors. She also explains what this shift would not do—like full legalization—and the implications for research, regulation, and market consolidation. LINKS: JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS    

President Trump’s new executive order could reshape retirement savings. For the first time, 401(k) plans may allow real estate investing, along with other alternative assets like private equity and crypto. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the rule change means for retirement savers, why real estate has been off-limits in 401(k)s until now, and what risks and opportunities could lie ahead. We’ll also cover how ERISA rules, fiduciary responsibilities, and SEC guidance play into the decision, and what investors should watch for as retirement plans evolve. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can use a 401(k) to invest directly in real estate, this episode explains the potential changes—and why they matter for your financial future. LINKS: JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/08/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-democratizes-access-to-alternative-assets-for-401k-investors/

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway just invested nearly $1 billion in homebuilders Lennar and D.R. Horton. Kathy Fettke unpacks why Buffett is doubling down on housing, what it signals for supply, demand, and policy, and what investors should watch as the market heats up. LINKS: JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/berkshire-hathaways-warren-buffett-bets-big-on-homebuilders/

A new GOP bill—the TOO LATE Act—could give President Trump legal power to remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell over interest rate policy. Kathy Fettke breaks down what this means for the Federal Reserve’s independence, future rate cuts, and how it could impact investors, inflation, and market stability. LINKS: JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.scotsmanguide.com/news/gop-bill-would-provide-a-legal-pathway-for-trump-to-fire-powell/?utm_source=originator&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=newlayout

Could quantum computing spark real estate’s next gold rush? Just as AI turned data centers into one of the hottest property plays, experts now believe quantum tech could fuel a brand-new wave of demand for specialized facilities. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down why analysts see quantum commercialization just a few years away — and what that could mean for commercial real estate investors. From Chicago’s new quantum hub to Silicon Valley startups and the billions already flowing into research, we explore where the opportunities may emerge. If you’re a real estate investor looking for the next big frontier, this episode will help you understand why quantum tech facilities could become the industry’s next major growth story. LINKS: JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/12/quantum-computing-commercial-real-estate-tailwind.html 

The Trump administration is weighing a massive Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac IPO that could value the mortgage giants at $500 billion. What would this mean for real estate investors, housing finance, and mortgage rates? In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the potential risks and opportunities, from investor windfalls to housing affordability concerns, and why the outcome could reshape U.S. housing markets for decades. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS

U.S. household debt just hit a record $18.39 trillion in Q2 2025, according to the latest New York Fed data. Mortgage balances, HELOCs, credit cards, auto loans, and student debt are all climbing—and delinquencies are rising fast. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the numbers, explains what’s driving the surge, and shares what it could mean for real estate investors. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCES: https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc  https://www.pymnts.com/consumer-finance/2025/household-debt-rises-to-18-39-trillion-as-auto-mortgage-originations-tick-up/ 

A shocking Airbnb case shows how artificial intelligence can be used to fabricate property damage—and nearly cost one guest thousands. Kathy Fettke breaks down what this means for short-term rental hosts and guests, from the risks of AI-driven fraud to essential steps for protecting your investments. While the rise of AI brings new challenges, it could also drive platforms to adopt stronger verification tools, better dispute resolution processes, and more secure documentation standards—benefiting honest operators in the long run. Learn how to safeguard your properties, your reputation, and your profits in the evolving STR landscape. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.vice.com/en/article/airbnb-host-accused-of-using-ai-to-fake-16k-in-damage/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=High%20Five%20%20FIRSTNAME%20%21%20It%20s%20almost%20the%20weekend&utm_campaign=Practus%20External%20High%20Five%208%2F7

The EPA’s Energy Star program—best known for its blue label on appliances—is on the chopping block, and its loss could disrupt billions in energy savings, financing terms, and compliance requirements for commercial property owners. Kathy Fettke explains what’s at stake for real estate investors, from the potential loss of Portfolio Manager’s nationwide benchmarking system to the ripple effects on loans, property values, and market standards. While the change could create costly disruptions, some analysts believe it may open the door for more competitive, innovative energy management solutions from the private sector. Learn which markets face the highest risk, how to safeguard your data, and what steps to take now to prepare. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1   FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/06/energy-star-commercial-real-estate.html   

The U.S. economy added just 73,000 jobs in July—well below expectations—and the job numbers for May and June were sharply revised downward. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%, while long-term unemployment reached its highest level in years. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what these weak labor market signals mean for investors, why markets are now betting on a Fed rate cut in September, and how political fallout—including the firing of the BLS Commissioner—is shaking confidence in the integrity of economic data. What does this mean for real estate, interest rates, and your investing strategy? Tune in to find out. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1  FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCES: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/01/jobs-report-july-2025.html https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/democratic-congressmen-to-propose-bill-to-protect-stats-agency-chiefs-51915619