Author: Brad Beckett

Real estate data powerhouse HouseCanary recently said that the Mortgage Deduction is “Not A Big Deal … Except Where It Is.”  Okay…..so they took a look at  2017 loans (originated by MSA) that fell between $750k and $1 million to see how many would be impacted by the new tax reform laws. Among other things, they estimated that since buyers won’t be able to deduct at least part of their mortgage interest paid on a new home, this will lower overall affordability on homes priced between $750k and $1 million – which are considered luxury in most markets.   They also…

If you’re looking to invest in a property that is “da kine” look no further than a recent article in Honolulu Magazine about investing in the Aloha state.  As anyone who has ever been there knows, it is truly paradise….but the prices can be downright scary.  However, when you look at the appreciation potential it might be very lucrative, with the right property(s). One of the best options can be to start with a small condominium. The key is to find something that will create a positive cash flow so that your investment pays for itself. There are a lot…

The U.S. Government is reporting that privately owned housing starts in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,192,000.   This is 8.2% below the November’s estimate of 1,299,000 and is 6.0% lower than December 2016.  Single-family housing starts in December were at a rate of 836k, which is 11.8% lower than November.  December’s rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 352k.  Overall for 2017, there were an estimated 1,202,100 housing units started which is 2.4% higher than 2016’s figure of 1,173,800. Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in December were at a seasonally…

Everyone has their favorite way to add value to their investment and get a great return.  The folks at Keeping Current Matters recently illustrated HouseLogic’s top four home renovations for maximum ROI.  Always remember to know your market!  Happy Friday!!! “While big projects like adding a bathroom or a complete remodel of a kitchen are popular ways to increase a home’s value, something as simple as updating landscaping and curb appeal can have a quick impact on a home’s value.” Hat tip to Keeping Current Matters.

Local Market Monitor (a National REIA preferred vendor) recently released their National Economic Outlook for January, 2018 where they share their thoughts on developments taking place in the U.S. economy. National Economic Outlook – January 2018 January 16, 2018 By: Ingo Winzer One of the bright spots of the economy is the financial sector. For the last several years jobs in finance increased at a steady pace of almost 2 percent per year; there are now almost a million more than in 2010. These are mainly well-paid jobs – over $70,000 per year – that boost the real estate market.…

A recent article over on Lexology from law firm Cozen’Occonor discusses some of the key changes in the recent tax-reform legislation and how it might affect real estate investors.  It’s pretty intense, so you may want to read it twice, and/or print it off or share the link with your accountant.  Lexology offers comprehensive free-to-access legal updates, analysis and insights. They publish in excess of 450 articles every day from over 800 leading law firms and service providers worldwide across 50 work areas in 20 languages. Click here to read the full story on Lexology.com.

We’ve recently posted data from two national moving companies about where American’s are moving to and from.  The NAHB’s Eye on Housing blog recently took data from the U.S. Census Bureau to show exactly where America’s population is growing and how the South and West are the big gainers.  They report that the U.S. population grew by 2.3 million people between 7/1/16 & 7/1/17 and now sits at an estimated 325.7 million;  representing a 0.7% increase. Despite some volatility, U.S. population growth has been slowly declining since 1992 as shown by the chart below. Over the 1990 to 1999 period…

Inman is reporting that a realtor real estate broker in Illinois was recently stripped of his real estate license for listing a property without consent of the owner.  According to the report, the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation fined the owner of Stateline Realty with a fine of $14k and a license suspension for 2-years for forging a listings contract on a property he did not own and then listing on several services. “Beside being accused of listing the property without permission of the homeowner, Charles Pernacciaro, Davis was also charged with forging signatures on a listing contract,…

Remodeling Magazine recently released their 31st annual Cost vs. Value report that they say offers “an unbiased, third-party report on how much it really costs for a professional to do a typical remodeling project, as well as how much a real estate pro believes that project will increase a home’s value if it’s sold within a year of when the work was completed.”  Indeed, they compare 21 popular remodeling projects & upgrades with the value they retain when the property is sold in 100 U.S. housing markets. “This year’s version finds a slight decline, to 56.8% in 2017 from 57.9%…

Get ’em while they’re hot….HomeUnion recently released their list of the 40 best metro areas to buy rental properties this winter.  They report that, on average, SFR investors paid 6.6% less per square foot for the same property during the winter of 2017/2018 as they did during 2017’s spring & summer buying season.  Indeed. “For the second year in a row, our study found that the wintertime is the best season to acquire rental properties,” explains Steve Hovland, director of research for HomeUnion. “Median home prices drop substantially during the colder months, while rent losses remain marginal for landlords. Below…