Author: Brad Beckett

If you’re a regular reader of this site you know that we cover inflation pretty extensively.  Today’s graphic from Statista says there’s no way around the fact that consumer prices in the United States have risen sharply over the past several years – with a host of factors coming together to form a perfect storm of inflationary pressure.  Their chart illustrates which categories have been hardest hit by this wave of inflation.  Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!!  “Since February 2020, the last month before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the global economy, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban…

A recent report from the NAHB’s Eye on Housing says private fixed investment in student dormitories increased by 2.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $3.9 billion in Q3 of 2024.  They point out that since the pandemic, private fixed investment has rebounded, as college enrollments show a slow but stabilizing recovery from pandemic driven declines.  In essence, they say effective in-person learning requires students to return to campuses, which boosts the student housing sector.  Indeed… “…demand for student housing is growing robustly, because total enrollment in postsecondary institutions is projected to increase 8% from 2020 to 2030,…

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal (reposted on Realtor.com) says “the big wedding can wait” as more and more couples are deciding to jump right into homeownership prior to getting married.  They report that, in 2023, around 555k unmarried couples said they bought their home during the previous year – up 46% from 10 years ago when around 381k couples did the same. In reshuffling the traditional order of adult milestones, some couples may decide not to marry at all, while others say they are willing to delay a wedding. Buying a home is as much, if not…

On a recent episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke explores the latest trends and predictions shaping the housing market as we approach 2025. From economic growth to mortgage rates, she breaks down expert forecasts on home sales, pricing, and the outlook for real estate investors. Click here to listen.

The venerable AAA says it’s time to “buckle-up” this Thanksgiving as they say nearly 80 million people will be traveling – up from 2023’s revised numbers.  They expect a record number of drivers on the road with this year’s number surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. “Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising…Americans reconnect with family and friends over Thanksgiving, and travel is a big part of that. AAA continues to see travel demand soar post-pandemic…”  Said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. Click…

According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, in 2023 personal income increased in 2,814 counties, decreased in 295, and was unchanged in five.  For comparison, in 2019-20, personal income increased in 3,040 counties, decreased in 69, and was unchanged in three.  Indeed… Click here to read the full report at the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The National Association of Realtors is reporting that existing home sales were up 3.4% in October to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 3.96 million – up 2.9% year over year.  Total housing inventory at the end of October was 1.37 million units, up 0.7% from September and up 19.1% from one year ago.  Unsold inventory sits at a 4.2-month supply at the current sales rate with properties remaining on the market for around 29 days.  The median existing-home price for all housing types in October was $407,200. “The worst of the downturn in home sales could be over, with increasing…

The U.S. government is reporting that privately‐owned housing starts in October, 2024 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,311,000, which is 3.1% lower than September’s revised number and is 4% lower than one year ago.  October’s rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 326k.  Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,416,000, which is 0.6% lower than September’s revised number and is 7.7% lower than one year ago.  Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 393k…

The Visual Capitalist reminds us that the U.S. government faced one of its largest budget deficits ever in fiscal year 2024, due to rising interest rates and government spending significantly exceeding revenue (go figure?).  Today’s graphic illustrates this monstrosity….Try running your business like that.  As always, stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.

We have covered this issue over the past several years and it’s interesting to see how it has changed.  The old axiom about the two certainties in life are death & taxes remains true.  A recent report from the Tax Foundation says in 2024, in addition to the federal estate tax, with a top rate of 40%, 12 states (plus D.C.) impose additional estate taxes, while six states levy inheritance taxes.  Maryland is the only one that imposes both an estate and an inheritance tax.  The interactive chart below takes a deeper look at the data and their report allows…