Author: Brad Beckett

Using data from the Federal Reserve, today’s graphic from the venerable Visual Capitalist breaks down America’s wealth (total net worth of all U.S. households) by wealth percentile, and lists the number of households in each percentile.  Indeed….  Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.

According to the latest ICE Mortgage Monitor, delinquencies trended higher in February, breaking from typical seasonal patterns. The number of delinquent mortgages has risen by 131K year over year, with FHA mortgages accounting for 90% of that increase.  In addition, their data show Home prices are softening across the country: Annual home price growth slowed to +2.7% in February, with early data for March showing further cooling to +2.2%. “Analysis of ICE HPI data shows a broad-based cooling of home prices, with 90% percent of U.S. markets experiencing slower home price growth compared to three months ago…This trend is being…

We continue to follow the ongoing problem with squatters.  In late March, Los Angeles KCAL TV reported that an RV company was trying to evict a group of squatters that took over a storage lot full of campers in the city of Industry.  A woman who works near the site said squatters started began over the area months ago and have piled up massive amounts of trash & debris. KCA says trespassers are now living in at least 50 campers – worth between $40k – $100k. “We’ve noticed that several of the trailers have been burning,” worker Marilyn Martinez said.…

On a recent episode of the Rental Property Owner & Real Estate Investor Podcast, Brian Hamrick talks with Eddie Speed about breaking down the current and sophisticated methods that he’s teaching his students and how note investing can transform your real estate portfolio.  Eddie has spent over 40 years mastering the seller financing and note space, helping thousands of investors succeed through his NoteSchool and Colonial Funding Group. “Owning rental property has only become more difficult in the past several years, with inflation and rising insurance costs eating away at your profits.” Click here to listen.

According to a new report from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies,  America’s remodeling market soared above $600 billion in the wake of the pandemic and remains 50% above pre-pandemic levels.  However, they say industry fragmentation, inflation, and a shortage of skilled trade labor jeopardize the ability of the industry to meet demand and overcoming these obstacles will be critical. “The home remodeling market is now on the other side of a phenomenal boom in activity and spending driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and its immense impacts on the economy, housing markets, and the ways owners use their homes. Despite…

For over a decade, the National Association of Realtors has produced their Home Buyers & Sellers Generational Trends Report. The report provides insights into differences and similarities across generations of home buyers & sellers. The data is taken from their annual Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report.  There is a lot of good data in here to unpack. Click here to read the full report at the NAR.

According to the latest Yardi Matrix Multifamily Report, multifamily rents posted gains in March, 2025 with the average U.S. advertised rent increasing $5 to $1,755. Year-over-year rent growth dropped to 1%.  However, Yardi says uncertainty is on the horizon: “Much about the rest of the year remains uncertain.  Economic volatility is extremely high due to the imposition of tariffs, the rising number of layoffs and dwindling consumer confidence. And cutbacks on immigration will impact demand to some degree.” Click here to read the full report at Yardi.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) decreased 0.1% in March, 2025.  The all items index was up 2.4% for the 12 months ending in March. The shelter index increased 4% over the last year, the smallest 12-month increase since November 2021. Click here to read the full release at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The NAR says in a shift that underscores changing dynamics in the housing market, baby boomers now make up the largest generational group of home buyers.  Indeed, today’s graphic looks at the distinguishing characteristic of each generation of home buyers using data from the NAR’s 2025 Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers.  As always, stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to the Realtors!

According to Apartment List’s National Rent Report for April 2025, national median rent increased 0.6% to $1,384 in March – the second consecutive month-over-month increases.  However, year-over-year growth remains negative at -0.4%. “Since the second half of 2022, rent prices have continued to ebb and flow with the seasons as they typically do, but with the overall trajectory trending modestly downward. Following a period of record-setting rent growth in 2021 and the first half of 2022, the national median rent has now fallen below its August 2022 peak by a total of 4 percent, or $58 per month. But despite…