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.
Author: Brad Beckett
Brad Beckett
Director of Education & Outreach, National Real Estate Investors Association
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…
Recently we posted a lot of Census data showing that most U.S. counties and metro areas are experiencing reduced or reversing growth. Today’s infographic from the Visual Capitalist (citing Census data) illustrates population change by state from 2020-2025. Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! “Between April 2020 and July 2025, the U.S. population grew by more than 10 million people, but growth was heavily concentrated in a handful of states.” Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis is reporting that personal income increased $149.2 billion (0.6% at a monthly rate) in March. Disposable personal income (DPI – personal income less personal current taxes) increased $142.5 billion (0.6&), and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $195.4 billion (0.9%). Personal saving was $857.3 billion in March, and the personal saving rate (personal saving as a percentage of DPI) was 3.6%. Click here to read the full report at the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
According to Yardi’s latest Student Housing Report, preleasing in 2026 remains ahead of last year’s final levels but lags early-season estimates from the prior two years, with March reaching 65.5% and likely to be revised downward. Rent growth has modestly improved to 0.8% but remains far below 2024–2025 levels. Operators report a tougher pricing environment, driven by more price-sensitive renters, increased supply, and competition, leading to rent declines in some markets and rates returning to 2022–2023 levels. Click here to read the full report at Yardi Matrix.
Asset Protection and Belly Buttons By Jeffery S. Watson Whenever I write about asset protection, I know I will receive responses and comments, but here goes. Asset protection in the real estate space is a lot like belly buttons – everyone has one, but they all vary. What I’m going to share with you is based on over 30 years of experience as a real estate investor and over 34 years as a trial attorney. Here is what I’m seeing now that is giving me pause. Every flipped property should be in its own separate, distinct Grantor Revocable Title Holding…
The U.S. government is reporting that total construction spending in March, 2026 was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,185.5 billion, up 0.6% from February’s revised number. In addition, March’s estimate is 1.6% higher than one year ago. Residential construction came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $929.7 billion in March, which is 1.7% higher than February’s revised estimate. Click here to read the full report at the U.S. Census Bureau.
According to their latest estimate, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis is reporting that America’s real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2% in Q1 2026. Click here to read the full report at the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
According to the ADP National Employment Report for April, 2026, private sector employment increased by 109k jobs and pay was up 4.4% year-over-year. ADP says health care’s continued strength, along with a rebound in trade, transportation, and utilities, fueled last month’s acceleration in hiring. They say it was the fastest pace of job growth since January 2025. “Small and large employers are hiring, but we’re seeing softness in the middle. Large companies have resources to deploy, and small ones are the most nimble, both important advantages in a complex labor environment.” Said ADP chief economist Dr. Nela Richardson. Click here…
The U.S. Government is reporting that sales of new single-family houses in March, 2026 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 682k, which is 7.4% higher than February’s revised rate and is 3.3% higher than one year ago. The median sales price of new houses sold in March was $387,400 with an average sales price of $503,100. There were an estimated 481k new houses for sale at the end of March representing an 8.5 month supply at the current sales rate. Click here to read the full report at the U.S. Census Bureau.
