According to recent NAHB analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction , 73% of all new single-family homes started in 2024 were built on slab foundations, followed by 17% with a full/partial basement and 9.2% with a crawl space. Interestingly, the NAHB says these data show the upward trend in slab adoption, widening the gap between slabs and other foundation types. Now you know… Click here to read the full report at the NAHB’s Eye on Housing.
Author: Brad Beckett
Brad Beckett
Director of Education & Outreach, National Real Estate Investors Association
On a recent episode of Omaha REIA’s “REIA Radio, hosts Owen Dashner and Ted Kaasch let it rip on the all-too-real challenges of property management – from $70K boilers and $50K sewer line descaling quotes to tenants leaving behind disaster zones and thousand-dollar make-ready bills. Sound familiar? They don’t just vent, they offer up smart, scrappy solutions like buying an excavator to DIY a sewer line replacement and how deposit insurance helped offset major tenant damage. Click here to listen.
Do you need to own a house? A recent story in the Wall Street Journal (reposted on Realtor.com) says many older Americans have decided that they do not. They say rising property taxes, insurance and home-repair costs (like HVAC) are prompting many people 55 and older to consider renting. In addition they say renting offers flexibility that allows people to move if they want a change of scenery or to be closer to family. Indeed… “I’m at a different stage in life,” says Kerr, who lives in Dogwood Commons, a rental community for people 55 and older in the Dayton,…
According to ATTOM Data’s July 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, there were 26,128 residential properties with foreclosure filings (default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions) up 11% from June and up 13% from a year ago. ATTOM says, nationwide, one in every 3,939 housing units had a foreclosure filing in July. States with the worst foreclosure rates were Nevada (one in every 2,326 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Florida (one in every 2,420 units); Maryland (one in every 2,566 units); South Carolina (one in every 2,588 units); and Illinois (one in every 2,727 units). “July’s foreclosure activity continues to…
Once again we’re hearing it….and it doesn’t get old; For the 12th year in a row, Gallup is reporting that more Americans prefer real estate over other long-term investment vehicles for growing wealth. Overall, when the numbers are broken down, the numbers show that 37% prefer real estate, 23% prefer gold, 16% prefer stocks & bonds, 13% prefer CDs/bank accounts, and 5% prefer bonds and 4% prefer crypto. Click here to read the full story at Gallup.
The National Association of Realtors is reporting that existing home sales were up 2% in July, 2025 to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.01 million. Total housing inventory at the end of July was 1.55 million units, up 0.6% from June and up 15.7% from one year ago. Unsold inventory sits at a 4.6-month supply at the current sales rate with properties remaining on the market for around 28 days. The median existing-home price for all housing types in July was $422,400 – the 25th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases. The NAR says buyers are in their best position…
The U.S. government is reporting that privately‐owned housing starts in July, 2025 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,428,000, which is 5.2% higher than June’s revised number and is 12.9% higher than one year ago. July’s rate for buildings with five units or more was 470k. Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,354,000, which is 2.8% lower than June’s revised number and is 5.7% lower than one year ago. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 430k in July.…
Have you ever wondered who was the richest person in your state? Today’s graphic from the Visual Capitalist shows who that person is along with their net-worth (using data from Forbes). Now you know… As always, stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! From tech moguls to retail tycoons, the richest person in each U.S. state reflects the industries driving wealth across the country. Some are household names, while others have built quiet fortunes in their home states. Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.
Local Market Monitor recently released their monthly National Economic Outlook where they share their thoughts on developments taking place in the U.S. economy. “With lower growth in the economy we very likely will see a slide in real estate values in the next year and especially in home prices, which itself will exacerbate the situation: people spend less when they think their home is worth less. The real estate market has been over-priced since 2022 and a rapid economic slowdown is just the kind of event to trigger a readjustment.” Click here for more information about Local Market Monitor.
According to the latest ICE Mortgage Monitor, the national delinquency rate rose 15 basis points (bps) to 3.35% in June. FHA delinquencies, which ICE says tend to experience more seasonality, rose by 41 bps in June, the highest level since 2013 (excluding the 2020-2021 pandemic-era impact). In addition they say FHA loans now represent more than half of all seriously past due (90+ days) mortgages nationwide despite accounting for around 15% of active mortgages. Click here to read the full report at ICE Mortgage Technology (formerly Black Knight).
