Author: Brad Beckett

Director of Education & Outreach, National Real Estate Investors Association

According to the latest Yardi Matrix Multifamily Report, the average U.S. multifamily rent was $1,753 (up $4) in July, 2024.  Year-over-year growth was unchanged at 0.8%.  Yardi says multifamily growth is weak, but there is some strength.  Indeed… “Multifamily rent growth is weak nationally compared to long-term levels, but the market is exhibiting strength in many ways. Advertised rents were up only 0.8% year-over-year through July, but growth remained consistent through the beginning of the summer.” Click here to read the full report at Yardi.

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The Visual Capitalist says rental prices have surged in several American cities in recent years. Citing data form Zumper, they say such factors such as inflation, limited housing inventory, and barriers to homeownership have all contributed to the increase in rent costs.  Today’s graphic illustrates the top 10 American cities with the highest rental costs as of May 2024.  Indeed…..stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.

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According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 114k in July, 2024 with the unemployment rate rising slightly to 4.3%.   Employment continued to trend up in health care, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing, while information lost jobs. Click here to read the full report at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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What are the top markets for renters in 2024?  Realtor.com says we’re now in the second half of the peak rental season, so with that in mind, they produced a new report with top rental markets with cities offering a great combination of affordable rental options and job opportunities.  Top get their list, they analyzed 325 cities & towns with a population of 75k+ and located within the 50 largest metro areas.  Next, they ranked them by such factors as rental affordability (rent-to-income ratios), unit availability, job opportunities and commute times.  Perhaps not surprising, all top 10 rental markets are…

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The U.S. government is reporting that the national vacancy rates for Q2, 2024 were 6.6% for rental housing and 0.9% for homeowner housing.  The national homeownership rate for Q2 2024 was 65.6%.  In addition, approximately 89.6% of the housing units in the United States in Q2 were occupied and 10.4% were vacant. Owner-occupied housing units made up 58.8% of total housing units, while renter-occupied units made up 30.8% of the inventory.  Vacant year-round units comprised 8% of total housing units, while 2.4% were vacant for seasonal use.  Interestingly, these numbers are almost identical with Q1. Click here to read the…

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According to the latest Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) House Price Index (HPI), home prices home prices were unchanged in May, 2024.  However, prices rose 5.7% from May 2023 to May 2024.  The FHFA HPI is the nation’s only collection of public, freely available house price indexes that measure changes in single-family home values based on data from all 50 states and over 400 American cities that extend back to the mid-1970s. “U.S. house price movement was flat in May…The slowdown in U.S. house price appreciation continued in May amid a slight rise in both mortgage rates and housing inventory.” …

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The National Association of Realtors is reporting that pending home sales jumped 4.8% in in June, 2024.  The NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index (a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings) came in at 74.3 in June.  The NAR says all four U.S. regions posted monthly gains in transactions.  Of note, rising inventory is helping with sales. “The rise in housing inventory is beginning to lead to more contract signings…Multiple offers are less intense, and buyers are in a more favorable position.”  Said the NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun. Click here to read the full report at the National Association of…

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The latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index reported a 5.9% annual increase for May, 2024.  Their 10-City Composite increased 7.7% and their 20-City Composite increased 6.8%, year-over-year. “While annual gains have decelerated recently, this may have more to do with 2023 than 2024, as recent performance remains encouraging.”  Said Brian D. Luke, Head of Commodities, Real & Digital Assets at S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI). Click here to read the full report at S&P Dow Jones Indices.

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The Visual Capitalist reminds us that a state’s tax burden measures the percent of an average person’s income that is paid towards state & local taxes. It considers property taxes, income taxes, and sales & excise tax.  Today’s graphic visualizes the total tax burden by U.S. state…..Watch your wallet, stay safe, and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.

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