Author: Brad Beckett

Director of Education & Outreach, National Real Estate Investors Association

This Monday, May 25th is Memorial Day.  For most Americans the three-day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer.  However, the solemn significance of this day is often forgotten.  It is actually a national day of remembrance for members of America’s military who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending freedom & liberty around the globe.  As always, stay safe, remember to honor the fallen, and have a Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!!

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According to the latest Yardi Matrix Multifamily Report, multifamily rents remained flat in April, 2026 with the average U.S. advertised coming in at $1,758 and year-over-year rent growth turned negative coming in at -0.2%.  They say regardless of broader economic conditions, the elevated volume of new supply working through lease-up remains the primary constraint on rent growth. U.S. multifamily advertised rents rose in April but less than the usual seasonal bounce and they are negative compared to a year ago. However, investors can still find pockets of opportunity in strong submarkets and in distressed and value-add assets. Click here to…

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The unofficial start of Summer (aka Memorial Day) is this weekend along and with that reminder comes AAA’s annual travel forecast.  The venerable AAA predicts that just over 45 million Americans will travel 50+ miles from home this Memorial Day weekend –  setting a new Memorial Day weekend record with 39.1 million people traveling by car and 3.66 million expected to fly to their destinations. “Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend…Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.”   Said Stacey…

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On a recent episode of the AZREIA Show, Marcus Maloney & Michael Del Prete sit down with veteran Phoenix landlord Joe O’Brien to break down the realities of Section 8 housing.  With over 20 years of hands-on experience, Joe cuts through the myths and misconceptions surrounding the program and explains how it really works, from guaranteed rent and fair market rates to inspections, tenant screening, and day-to-day property management. “Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just exploring Section 8 for the first time, this episode delivers practical insights on navigating the application process, understanding tenant relationships, and leveraging systems that…

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A recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau says America’s population growth slowed widely between 2024 and 2025, with most counties and metro areas experiencing reduced or reversing growth. Declines were driven largely by reduced international migration. Many populous counties, already losing domestic residents, saw slower gains or population losses despite natural increases from births exceeding deaths. Some key points: Population growth slowed in a majority of the nation’s 3,143 counties and D.C. between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. Among the 2,066 counties that grew between 2023 and 2024, nearly 8 in 10 saw their growth slow…

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A recent article by the AP says a Texas landlord is among more than 1,500 property owners suing the federal government over the CDC’s pandemic-era eviction moratorium, claiming it violated the Fifth Amendment by denying compensation for lost rental income. The landlord (Matthew Haines) says the nearly yearlong ban on evictions cost him and his investors more than $1 million. The plaintiffs, whose losses range from thousands to over $14.5 million, initially lost their case in 2022 but later won on appeal and are now negotiating with the Justice Department. Landlords hope to recover up to $1.5 billion, arguing the…

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According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 115k jobs in April, 2026.  April’s unemployment rate came in at 4.3% – about the same as February’s number.  The BLS said job gains occurred in health care, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing. Federal government employment continued to decline. Click here to read the full report at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis in April.  Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.8% before seasonal adjustment. The index for energy rose 3.8% in April (accounting for over forty percent of the monthly all items increase) and the shelter index increased 0.6%. Click here to read the full release at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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WalletHub says the cost of buying a home has surged in recent years, far outpacing inflation and putting homeownership out of reach for many Americans. Even for those who can manage high mortgage payments, additional housing expenses like costly utility bills can place a significant strain on their budgets.  To that end, they recently crunched the numbers to show where Americans spend the most & least on housing, broken down by state. Click here to read the full report at WalletHub.

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The National Association of Realtors is reporting that existing home sales increased 0.2% in April, 2026 to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million.  Total housing inventory at the end of April was 1.47 million units, up 5.8% from March and up 1.4% from one year ago.  Unsold inventory sits at a 4.4-month supply at the current sales rate.  The median existing-home price for all housing types in April was $417,700 – the 34th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.  The NAR says inventory remains tight and consumers are taking their time: “Inventory still remains tight…Multiple offers, though not as…

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