Author: Brad Beckett

ATTOM Data recently released their Q1 2025 Single-Family Rental Market report, which ranks the best U.S. markets for buying single-family rental properties in 2025.  According to the report, the average annual gross rental yield on three-bedroom properties, (annualized gross rent income divided by purchase price) among the counties analyzed is projected to be 7.45% in 2025.  In addition, ATTOM says investment returns for landlords are slipping as home prices are going up faster than rents across slightly more than half the country.  Their data show that from 2024 to 2025, median single-family home prices rose more than median three-bedroom rents…

The U.S. government is reporting that privately‐owned housing starts in February, 2025 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,501,000, which is 11.2% higher than January’s revised number and is 2.9% lower than one year ago.  February’s rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 370k.  Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,456,000, which is 1.2% lower than January’s revised number and is 6.8% lower than one year ago.  Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 404k…

The National Association of Realtors is reporting that existing home sales were up 4.2% in February to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.26 million – down 1.2% year over year.  Total housing inventory at the end of February was 1.24 million units, up 5.1% from January and up 17% from one year ago.  Unsold inventory sits at a 3.5-month supply at the current sales rate with properties remaining on the market for around 42 days.  The median existing-home price for all housing types in February was $398,400. “Each one percentage point gain in home price translates into an approximately $350…

The Visual Capitalist says consumer spending represents 68% of U.S. GDP, with much of this used for housing, transportation, and healthcare costs.  Today’s graphic shows the average annual expenditures of Americans, based on data from the Consumer Expenditures Survey 2023 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.

According to the latest Yardi Matrix Multifamily Report, multifamily rents were flat in February, 2025 with the average U.S. advertised rent increasing $1 to $1,751. Year-over-year rent growth was unchanged at1.2%. “Multifamily performance tends to be subdued in the winter months in advance of the spring moving season, and this year is no exception. Advertised rents have treaded water of late, which is not a knock given that 2024 recorded its highest number of deliveries in decades.” Click here to read the full report at Yardi.

According to ATTOM’s February 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, there were a total of 32,383 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings.  This figure is 5% higher than January and a 1.7% lower than one year ago.  Across the country, one out of every 4,395 housing units had a foreclosure filing in February.  The States with the highest foreclosure rates were Delaware (one in every 2,278 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Illinois (one in every 2,333 units); Nevada (one in every 2,435 units); New Jersey (one in every 2,695 units); and South Carolina (one in every 2,816 units). “February’s rise in…

On a recent episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke discusses the recent $100 billion investment by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in U.S. chip production.  She says this move strengthens the U.S. as a global AI leader and could reshape real estate markets in tech hubs like Phoenix and Sherman, TX. “…this massive investment, along with President Trump’s AI infrastructure deal with Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank, could drive property values, job growth, and demand for commercial space. Could this be the next big tech-driven real estate boom?” Click here to listen.

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 3.1% in December, 2024 – virtually the same as one year ago.  They say this hints at the large number of metros and states that are seeing small reductions in mortgage delinquencies.  In addition, they point out that as home prices keep climbing, many homeowners continue to acquire equity which can be used to help borrowers pay their bills in times of need. “National-level delinquency rates for December show…

A new report from Rentcafe says in 2025 the Midwest has emerged as the most competitive region for apartment-hunters with 10 metros in their top 20 list of competitive rental markets. To get their list, RentCafe looked at the 139 largest U.S. markets using five key metrics for rental competitiveness.  These factors included:  the number of days apartments were vacant, the percentage of apartments that were occupied by renters, the number of prospective renters competing for an apartment, the percentage of renters who renewed their leases and the share of new apartments completed recently.  Indeed… Click here to read the…

According to the latest ICE Mortgage Monitor, property insurance costs rose at a record rate in 2024 prompting homeowners to shop for better rates and accept higher deductibles.  They report that the annual property insurance premium among mortgaged single-family homes rose by a record +$276 (+14%) to $2,290 in 2024, capping a five-year rise of +$872 (+61%).  In addition, a record 11.4% of borrowers switched carriers in 2024. “While it’s no surprise that insurance costs are rising, we’re beginning to see emerging trends in terms of how homeowners are responding to the higher cost environment…ICE loan-level data shows that a…