Author: Brad Beckett

According to the latest U.S. Home Flipping Report from ATTOM, 72,543 single-family houses and condominiums were flipped in Q3, 2023 representing 7.2% of all home sales in the third quarter.  ATTOM says Investor returns increased for the third quarter in a row with margins, along with raw profits, rising to the highest levels since the middle of last year. “The comeback for the home-flipping industry is looking more like a real trend than a temporary break in what had been a pretty bleak couple of years…For sure, investment returns still aren’t anywhere close to where they were a couple of…

On a recent episode of the Rental Property Owner & Real Estate Investor Podcast, Brian Hamrick talks with Shannon Robnett, who believes that Industrial is the hidden ATM of real estate investing. He will break down the numbers and reasons why Industrial is such a strong asset class. “One of the hottest real estate asset classes right now is industrial. On the surface, industrial investment sounds great – you have a few tenants who pay their rent, all the bills, and sometimes even the property tax. But is it as easy as that?” Click here to listen on Spotify. …

The U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis released official statistics of real state personal consumption expenditures (Real PCE) by state for 2021-2022.  According to the report, Real PCE by state increased in 42 states and the District of Columbia in 2022, with the percent change ranging from 5.7% in Alaska to –3.2% in New Hampshire.  In addition, Real personal income declined in 45 states and the District of Columbia in 2022, with the percent change ranging from 3% in North Dakota to –8.9% in Rhode Island Click here to read the full report at the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The American Automobile Association (aka AAA) says that over 115 million people will be traveling this holiday season – up 2.2% from last year and the second highest year-end travel forecast since 2000.  In addition, AAA expects nearly 104 million people will drive to their holiday destinations, an increase of 1.8% compared to 2022. “This year-end holiday forecast, with an additional 2.5 million travelers compared to last year, mirrors what AAA Travel has been observing throughout 2023…More Americans are investing in travel, despite the cost, to make memories with loved ones and experience new places.”  Said Paula Twidale, AAA’s Senior…

Apartment List says the rental market has been on a rollercoaster in recent years, with abrupt swings in demand and supply, changing preferences, and shifts in where renters choose to call home. As we head into 2024, their economics team took a look at how the market evolved in 2023 and outlined 7 key trends they expect to see in 2024. Their 7 key predictions for 2024 are: 2024 will bring the most new apartments in decades Low single-digit rent growth in 2024 The changing rent vs. buy math will create more long-term renters Hybrid work will cement itself as…

The NAHB’s Eye on Housing recently analyzed data from the Federal Reserve’s Z.1 Financial Accounts of the United States, which shows that in Q3 2023 household real estate assets grew for the second consecutive quarter. Interestingly, they say that the continued lack of existing for-sale inventory has contributed to that growth. The level of household real estate assets increased by $510.25 billion from $45.03 trillion in the second quarter of 2023 to $45.54 trillion in the third quarter of 2023, a 1.33% increase. While the third quarter percentage change is smaller on a quarter-over-quarter basis, 1.33% compared to 5.86%, the…

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1% in November, 2023 (virtually unchanged from October).  The all items index was up 3.1% for the 12 months ending in November.  The index for shelter was the largest factor in the monthly increase in the index. Click here to read the full release at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Visual Capitalist says around 1800, global life expectancy at birth stood at roughly 29 years.  However, since the 1920s, life expectancy across all ages has improved leaps and bounds, thanks to rapid advancements in nutrition, healthcare, and sanitation.  Interestingly, life expectancy increases as we get older.  Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.

Here’s an interesting theory we recently came across:  Financial services expert Meredith Whitney was a recent guest on CNBC’s ‘Squawk on the Street’ to discuss why she believes the growth in sports betting has and will further impact the housing market. Some key points form the interview: Sports betting is taking off at an incredible rate. Household formation is at its lowest level in 60 years. Young men 63% are single – highest rate ever – and 50% have no interest in dating. 30% haven’t had sex in over a year and don’t seem to care. Click here to watch…

Recent analysis from Redfin says many people are moving away from expensive coastal cities for more affordable parts in the Sun Belt.  In fact, they point out that Nashville made it onto Redfin’s list of top migration destinations for the first time since 2021. in October, with people most commonly moving in from Los Angeles.  To get their data, Redfin analyzed about two million Redfin.com users who viewed for-sale homes online across more than 100 metro areas from August 2023 to October 2023. “A lot of Nashville locals have been priced out of homeownership, but when you’re coming from somewhere…