Author: Brad Beckett

According to the CoreLogic’s latest Loan Performance Insight Report, the share of U.S. borrowers who were in some stage of delinquency (30 days or more past due, including those in foreclosure), was up 0.2% year-over-year from September, 2023.  In addition they point out that Early-Stage Delinquencies (30 to 59 days past due) in September were 1.6%, up from 1.5% from one year ago.  The foreclosure inventory rate (share of mortgages in some stage of the foreclosure process) was 0.3% in September, same as a year ago. “Loan performance in the third quarter of 2024 showed a continual upward trend in…

While smoking is not as “in vogue” as it once was, a recent report from the Tax Foundation says higher tax rates on cigarettes incentivize smuggling and as tax rates increase, consumers and suppliers search for ways around these costs.  They point out that, when it comes to cigarettes, consumers tend to shop across borders where the tax rates are lower and dealers develop black and gray markets to sell illegally to consumers, paying little or no tax at all.  They say cigarette smuggling is both a national problem and a lucrative criminal enterprise.  Citing data from a partnership with…

As the 2025 predictions roll in, the researchers at Realtor.com says mortgage rates will continue to average above 6% and home prices will keep rising. In addition they say the supply of homes for sale will continue to improve as well as new-home construction. “This past year brought us a surprising upward trend in home price growth despite the persistence of high mortgage rates and rising inventory,” Realtor.com economists wrote. “Mortgage rates are expected to keep mortgage payments essentially unchanged in 2025 despite continued home price growth.” Click here to read the full report at Realtor.com.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3% in November, 2024.  The all items index was up 2.7% for the 12 months ending in November.  The index for shelter rose 0.3% in November, accounting for nearly forty percent of the monthly all items increase. Click here to read the full release at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A recent report from StorageCafe says the South is leading the boom in America’s fastest-growing housing markets with Texas “stealing the spotlight.”  In fact, nationally, they say housing inventory rose by 16.7% from 2005 to 2023.  Indeed…stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to StorageCafe.

A new report from the National Association of Realtors says with rapidly changing buyer preferences and abilities, there has been a lot of migration within the United States over the past few years.  They point out that data show that southern states such as Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas have been big winners in these domestic migration patterns, largely led by more affordable conditions and opportunities.  In fact, 46% of respondents’ clients moved to the South, 25% moved to the West, 18% moved to the Midwest, and 11% moved to the Northeast.  Indeed…. Millions of Americans move and migrate throughout…

According to the ADP National Employment Report for November, 2024, private sector employment increased by 146k jobs and annual pay was up 4.8% year-over-year. The ADP National Employment Report is an independent and high-frequency view of the private-sector labor market based on the aggregated and anonymized payroll data of more than 25 million U.S. employees. “While overall growth for the month was healthy, industry performance was mixed… Manufacturing was the weakest we’ve seen since spring. Financial services and leisure and hospitality were also soft.”  Said ADP chief economist Nela Richardson. Click here to read the full report at ADP.

On a recent episode of the Rental Property Owner & Real Estate Investor Podcast, Brian Hamrick talks with Yamu Camara, who was born and raised in a small village in West Africa where she faced profound loss and hardship from a young age.  But her journey from humble beginnings to entrepreneurial success will definitely inspire you. “Today, Yamu is a CDC Data Scientist and real estate investor. She is the proud manager of 59 rental units, including 18 Airbnb spaces and a self-storage facility. As a mentor, she empowers others to navigate real estate investing and achieve financial freedom,…

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 227k in November, 2024 with the unemployment rate coming in at 4.2%.  As always, the BLS says employment in government continued its upward growth trend in November (up 33K) with an average monthly gain of 41k over the past 12 months. Click here to read the full report at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced their conforming loan limit values (CLLs) for mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) for 2025.  The FHFA says that in most of the US, the 2025 CLL value for one-unit properties will be $806,500, an increase of $39,950 (or 5.2%) from 2024.  The Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) requires FHFA to adjust the Enterprises’ baseline CLL value each year to reflect the change in the average U.S. home price. Click here to read more at the FHFA.