Author: Brad Beckett

In early May, President Donald Trump signed four pieces of legislation that effectively rolled-back Biden-era green-energy regulations on household appliances such as water heaters, refrigerators and many others.  According to Breitbart News, regulations on the following were rolled-back: H.J.R. 20 – which rolled back regulations on consumer gas-powered water heaters. H.J.R. 24 – which rolled back regulations walk-in coolers and freezers and other refrigeration devices. H.J.R. 42 –  which rescinded an energy conservation regulation on household appliances. H.J.R. 75 – which rescinded a regulation on energy standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers. In addition, President Trump issued an executive…

The U.S. government is reporting that privately‐owned housing starts in April, 2025 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,361,000, which is 1.6% higher than March’s revised number but is 1.7% lower than one year ago.  April’s rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 420k.  Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,412,000, which is 4.7% below than March’s revised number and is 3.2% lower than one year ago.  Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 431k…

Local Market Monitor, a National REIA preferred vendor, recently released their monthly National Economic Outlook where they share their thoughts on developments taking place in the U.S. economy. Click here for more information about Local Market Monitor.

According to the latest ICE Mortgage Monitor, the national delinquency rate dropped -32 basis points (bps) to 3.21% in March – the lowest since May 2024.  However, they also say that while delinquencies overall remain well below pre-pandemic levels, serious delinquencies (SDQ) continue to tick modestly higher, rising by 14% (+60K) since March 2024, with the rise almost entirely attributable to FHA loans. “While first-time homebuyers continue to face affordability headwinds, they don’t have the same disincentive to transact as many repeat buyers, who remain locked in the golden handcuffs of relatively low monthly payments on their existing homes…Younger homebuyers…

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increases 0.2% in April, 2025.  The all items index was up 2.3% for the 12 months ending in April.  The shelter index increased 0.3% accounting for more than half of the all items monthly increase.  Interestingly, five of the six major grocery store food group indexes decreased in April. Driven primarily by a 12.7-percent decrease in the index for eggs, the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs fell 1.6 percent in April after rising in recent months. Click here to read…

Today’s graphic from Statista points out that in 2024 most U.S. states have returned to a period of population growth, versus 2023.  Interestingly, West Virginia was the only state that shrunk in 2023 and 2024.  Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to Statista.

According to the latest Yardi Matrix Multifamily Report, multifamily rents posted gains in April, 2025 with the average U.S. advertised rent increasing $5 to $1,736. Year-over-year rent growth dropped to 0.9%.  However, Yardi says economic uncertainty threatens the market: “While multifamily market fundamentals are healthy, the economic uncertainty caused by tariffs could challenge the market. Weaker economic growth could offset the supply slowdown by reducing multifamily demand, which could delay rent growth recovery. Household formations could decline as more people begin doubling up.” Click here to read the full report at Yardi.

According to recent research from the NAHB’s Eye on Housing, a record-high 6.8 million households shared their housing with unrelated housemates, roommates or boarders in 2023.  Interestingly, they point out that the number of households sharing housing with nonrelatives had been rising steadily since the 2008 housing crash until the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the upward trend. While college-age and young adults make up the largest subset of house sharers (close to 41%), this type of living arrangement is gaining popularity among older householders fastest, with the 55+ segment accounting for 30% of all house-sharing households in 2023. Click here to…

On a recent episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke discusses how HUD and the FHA are walking back a Biden-era policy on foreclosures that gave nonprofits and government agencies first access to buy distressed properties. She breaks down what this rollback means for investors, how it could speed up the flow of foreclosed homes to the open market, and why it might lead to new buying opportunities in 2025. Click here to listen.

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that, effective May 5 2025, it will resume collections of defaulted federal student loans.  The department says there are 42.7 million borrowers that owe more than $1.6 trillion in student debt as well as over 5 million borrowers have not made a monthly payment in over 360 days and sit in default.  In addition, they say there could be almost 10 million borrowers in default in a few months.  Indeed… “The U.S. Department of Education today announced its Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will resume collections of its defaulted federal student loan…