Author: Brad Beckett

A new report from Metropolitan Insight (MetroSight) says housing laws might be hurting the very population they aim to help.  The report addresses a critical question: Do rental housing regulations lead to higher rents?  Their analysis finds that, on average, they do, particularly for lower-income renters and residents of small multifamily properties.  There’s a lot of detailed data in here so grab some coffee beforehand. This study comes amid an affordability crisis that is being felt nationwide, one driven by an insufficient supply of new housing and exacerbated by restrictive zoning and permitting policies. We examined four categories of regulation:…

When most people think of a crawlspace, they usually think of a dark place with lots of spiders and creepy things moving about.  However, residents of a condo building in Oregon saw & heard some strange activity coming from theirs.  According to a report on FOX News, a squatter had taken up residence in the crawl space going so far as to set up a bed, tv, a little fridge, lighting and of course, drugs.  The police were called and the man was arrested – after apparently living there for an extended period of time. “When deputies arrived, they noticed…

Recent analysis from ATTOM Data took a look housing markets across the U.S. to identify those most and least susceptible to downturns.  Based on factors like home affordability, equity levels, foreclosure activity, and unemployment rates they reveal the top 10 most vulnerable U.S. housing markets by county in Q2, 2025. The housing markets are: Charlotte County, Florida Humboldt County, California Shasta County, California Butte County, California Cumberland County, New Jersey Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana Madera County, California El Dorado County, California Riverside County, California Livingston Parish, Louisiana Click here to read the full report at ATTOM.

According to the latest ICE Mortgage Monitor, the national delinquency rate fell 8 basis points (bps) in July to 3.27%.  Cures rose by 17% in the month, but remained 9% below last year’s levels.  In addition, ICE says FHA loans remain the primary driver of stress in the market.   In July, FHA delinquencies ticked down by 5 bps, however they are still 15 bps above a year ago and now account for the majority (52%) of serious delinquencies nationwide. Click here to read the full report at ICE Mortgage Technology (formerly Black Knight).

The Tax Foundation says states tax fuel in several ways, including sales taxes, per-gallon excise taxes collected at the pump, taxes imposed on wholesalers (which are passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices), and a variety of operational taxes, such as underground storage tank fees, that are often charged to the retailer.   To that end, they added up all different taxes & fees to calculate a total tax rate on gas for each state – see interactive map below. The gas tax is meant to function as a user fee charging drivers to fund the construction and maintenance…

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4% in August, 2025.  The all items index was up 2.9% for the 12 months ending in August.  The shelter index increased 0.4% and was the primary factor in the all items monthly increase.  The index for energy rose 0.7% in August as the index for gasoline increased 1.9% over the month. Click here to read the full release at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What are the most common job types in every state?  You might take a wild guess, but there’s a good chance you’d be wrong and surprised – especially you compare it with 1998.  Today’s graphic from the folks over at the Visual Capitalist took at the most common job types in 1998 and compared them to 2024.  As always, stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.

A recent report from Zillow says home values rose in half of the nation’s largest markets over the past year, while falling in the other half.  Their latest market report says buyers are gaining leverage across the country and sellers cutting prices at record rates to compete – but they say they’re losing the war on affordability.  They say it all comes down to where you live: “Perhaps more than ever, whether it’s a good time to buy depends on where you live…A defining trait of this market is that buyers are gaining leverage that most of them can’t use,…

According to the latest Yardi Matrix Multifamily Report, multifamily rents posted gains in August, 2025 with the average U.S. advertised rent dropping $1 to $1,755. Year-over-year rent growth was 0.7%.  Yardi says multifamily rent growth cooled in August, consistent with seasonal trends. “Rent growth is expected to remain lackluster through year-end. Momentum is slowing across most metros, as only a few markets recorded more than 3% year-over-year growth..” Click here to read the full report at Yardi.

On a recent episode of the Rental Property Owner & Real Estate Investor Podcast,  Brian Hamrick talks with Dr. Sherry Peel Jackson – a former IRS agent, CPA, Certified Fraud Examiner, and real estate investor who reveals how real estate investors can legally reduce taxes, grow income, and protect wealth.  Dr. Jackson shares her unique insider perspective on IRS audits, the importance of documentation, and common mistakes investors make.  Ever heard of the “Augusta Rule?” Don’t miss these expert insights that could save you thousands on your next tax return! “…old school people like me, I keep my receipts…now, people…