The IRS has launched a new webpage where taxpayers can confidentially report suspected tax fraud, scams, evasion, or other tax-related illegal activities. They say their new web page consolidates multiple IRS fraud-reporting options into a single, centralized location, making it easier for taxpayers to report suspicious activity. “Improvements to the IRS fraud reporting system make reporting suspected wrongdoing easier and simpler and will address historic challenges that had prevented the IRS from making maximum use of the referrals it receives…” Said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. Click here to visit the reporting fraud site. Click here to read…
Author: Brad Beckett
Brad Beckett
Director of Education & Outreach, National Real Estate Investors Association
According to the ADP National Employment Report for March, 2026, private sector employment increases by 62k jobs and pay was up 4.5% year-over-year. ADP says hiring and pay gains both held steady in March. The smallest employers drove job growth for a second month, while hiring in trade, transportation, and utilities continued to decline Indeed… “Overall hiring is steady, but job growth continues to favor certain industries, including health care. In March, this solid performance was accompanied by a boost in pay gains for job changers.” Said ADP chief economist Dr. Nela Richardson. Click here to read the full report…
The latest S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has reported a 0.9% annual increase for January, 2026. Their 10-City Composite posted 0.03% increase year-over-year and their 20-City Composite posted a 0.1% year-over-year decrease. They say for the eighth consecutive month, inflation outpaced national home price appreciation, with CPI running 1.5 percentage points above the 0.9% annual gain — leaving real home values modestly lower year over year: “The inflation comparison reinforces the trend…CPI rose 2.4% over the year ended January 2026, 1.5 percentage points above the National Index’s 0.9% gain. In real terms, home values have declined…
Rental information site Zumper recently released their latest monthly National Rent Report for March, 2026. According to their data, median rent for 1-bedroom apartments was $1502 (up 0.2%) and $1880 (up 0.1%) for two-bedrooms. Zumper says that these are the first national monthly rent increases (for both unit types) in nearly a year and signals a potential turning point, with even modest gains likely to reintroduce upward pressure on inflation given shelter’s outsized role in CPI. Be sure to check out their list of the 100 top metros. After a prolonged period of soft rent growth, the market is beginning…
Today is Good Friday and this Sunday, April 5th is Easter. Each year the holiday falls on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox. Interestingly, the date fluctuates each year between March 22nd and April 25th. Today’s graphic gives us a look at “Easter by the Numbers” focusing on faith, culture and the economy. As always, stay safe and have a Happy Easter and a Happy Good Friday!!! So what exactly is Easter? The History Channel says: “Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament…
The FHFA says Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are removing certain homeowners insurance requirements. They say these rule changes mean lower monthly payments, more first-time buyers able to close on homes, and rural communities keeping access to insurance they were at risk of losing. Key points from their media release; Big Wins for Condo Owners and Buyers Condo buildings can now use the cheaper ACV roof coverage. The complicated “maximum per-unit deductible” rule has been simplified. Result: Many condo buildings that were getting priced out of the mortgage market will now qualify again. A Confusing 2024 Rule Is Gone The…
A recent HousingWire “Daily Download” revealed the investor purchases of homes by investor size. Note that Small & Medium investors make up the overwhelming majority of investor purchases.
According to a report from Mobile Alabama’s WKRG TV 5 (and various news outlets) a Pensacola woman was recently arrested and charged for allegedly peeing on and damaging furniture items causing over $5k in damages in two Airbnb properties. A report from the Pensacola Police Department says one Airbnb owner filed a criminal mischief complaint in mid-March regarding damage made to her rental property. Apparently, one of the smoking guns for the alleged damage included a video on an adult website showing a woman urinating in the unit and causing damage. The suspect, Nicolette Keough, was released from the Escambia…
According to the latest Cotality Homeowner Equity Report (HER), homeowner equity in the U.S. declined modestly in Q4 2025, reflecting slower home price growth. Total borrower equity fell by $78.8 billion (0.5%) year over year, with the average homeowner losing about $8,500, though still holding roughly $295,000 in equity. Overall equity remains historically high at nearly $17 trillion. Negative equity rose, affecting about 1.2 million homes (2.2% of mortgaged properties), up both quarterly and annually. Cotality says regional differences persist, with gains in states like New Jersey and losses in Florida and California. While modest price growth is expected, weaker…
Recent analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis data by the NAHB’s Eye on Housing found that Housing’s share of the economy was 16% in the fourth quarter of 2025 – down from 16.1% in Q3 and is also lower than one year ago. The graph below plots the share for housing services and RFI (residential fixed investment) along with housing’s total share of nominal GDP. Click here to read the full story at the NAHB’s Eye on Housing.
