Author: Brad Beckett

A recent article by Realtor.com says landlords with 1 to 50 properties control 95% of all investor inventory, confirming that rental housing remains largely an entrepreneurial activity rather than a corporate one.  They say even in states with the highest rates of investor ownership, it’s not institutional buyers driving the trend.  In addition, they say over 90% of investor-owned homes in the U.S. belong to small landlords with fewer than 11 properties.  Small landlords in the states of Maine (31.1%), Montana (31%), Alaska (27.2%), and Hawaii (26%) hold the largest share of investor-owned homes in the country with the overwhelming…

Zillow says for some, Halloween is more than just one night of the year – it’s a way of life.  To that end, they have identified 13 “boo-tiful” towns where residents embrace spooky seasonal traditions all year around.  The cities range from cobblestone streets lined with trees draped in Spanish moss to hillside ghost towns with legendary tales, each offering more than just a good scare. In addition, Zillow says they’re wonderful places to call home and shares the typical home value & rent in each location. “Halloween has always been about bringing people together, from trick-or-treating to parades…These towns embrace…

According to the National Apartment Association, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced a delay to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME): Updates & Streamlining Final Rule, which would impose ten new federally-mandated landlord-tenant requirements for covered housing. The initial rule, which was published on January 6, 2025, and set to take effect on February 5, was originally delayed to maintain consistency with President Trump’s memorandum, “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review.” In addition, the NAA says due to the uncertainty surrounding the resolution of the shutdown, the implementation of this rule has been pushed back further to April…

According to the latest Cotality (formerly CoreLogic) Single-Family Rent Index (SFRI), U.S. single-family home rental prices increased 1.4% year over year in August, 2025.  In addition, rent in both high-end and low-end price tiers climbed just slightly year over year. “Annual single-family rent growth fell to its lowest level in more than 15 years this August, highlighting a notable shift in the rental market…We’re seeing slower growth across price tiers and in many major metros. That said, not all areas are following the same pattern…”  Said Molly Boesel, Cotality Senior Principal Economist.  Click here to read the full report at…

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3% in September, 2025.  The all items index was up 3% for the 12 months ending in September.  The index for gasoline rose 4.1% in September and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase.  In addition, the BLS pointed out that September’s CPI data was completed before the current Senate-induced government shutdown. Click here to read the full release at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The National Association of Realtors is reporting that existing home sales were up 1.5% in September, 2025 to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million.  Total housing inventory at the end of September was 1.55 million units, down 1.3% from August but up 14% from one year ago.  Unsold inventory sits at a 4.6-month supply at the current sales rate with properties remaining on the market for around 33 days.  The median existing-home price for all housing types in September was $415,200 – the 27th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.  The NAR says inventory is at a 5-year high…

According to Bankrate data analyzed by Statista says one in three Americans now have more credit card debt than emergency savings.  This is up 10 percentage points from 2011, when the question was first polled. In addition, around 53% of respondents said their savings were currently exceeding their credit card debt.  Indeed…. Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! The most common uses for emergency savings among all groups were unplanned emergency expenses, such as car repairs or medical bills, followed by monthly bills, including rent and mortgages, followed by day-to-day expenses such as food. Hat tip to Statista.

What are the best U.S. cities for singles?  Which cities offer singles the best lifestyle & opportunities to meet a better half?  Well, Zumper analyzed 100 of America’s top cities to find out.  They looked at median rent, percentage of single population, cost of living, median income, unemployment rate, and access to dining and entertainment.  Be sure to check out their entire list of 100 cities. The U.S. is seeing a rising share of adults living single, and while romance is still on the wish list for many, today’s singles are also prioritizing vibrant social scenes, strong career opportunities, and…

The Tax Foundation says that In the first century of state income taxation, only four states transitioned from a graduated-rate to a single-rate, or flat, individual income tax structure. However, the past four years have brought significant focus on income tax reform and relief, and with that, something of a flat tax revolution.  Their recent report talks about this transition as well as showing which states tax income and if they do, how. Between 2021 and 2025, eight states enacted laws to transition to a flat individual income tax structure while providing income tax relief to taxpayers across the income spectrum. Six of…

On a recent episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke discusses how mortgage delinquencies are inching up, affordability is finally improving and refinance demand is surging as mortgage rates dip back toward 6%. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest ICE Mortgage Monitor Report for October 2025, that reveals where the housing market is showing strength and where the risks remain. Click here to listen.