Sun Belt cities like Phoenix, Miami, and Dallas were once havens for affordable housing—now they’re facing price surges that rival coastal metros. In this episode, we break down why home prices are rising fastest in the very places known for loose regulations and sprawl. The culprit? A new wave of NIMBYism, restrictive zoning laws, and the collapse of the suburban expansion model. From failed apartment projects in Texas to developers fleeing Arizona, we explore how the same anti-growth forces th...
Jul 03, 2025•14 min•Ep. 1738
President Trump’s sweeping new tax and spending bill just cleared the Senate—and it’s packed with major changes for workers, investors, and real estate pros. In today’s episode, we break down everything you need to know: from tax-free tips and new child credits to deep Medicaid cuts, EV credit rollbacks, and a SALT cap boost for high-tax states. We’ll also unpack how this bill reshapes business deductions, renewables, and housing market incentives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
Jul 02, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1737
Condo prices are falling fast across the U.S.—especially in Florida—due to soaring HOA fees, rising insurance costs, and new special assessments. Sales dropped 12% year over year in May, while single-family home prices rose slightly. Florida and Texas are leading the decline, with several metros seeing price drops over 30%. Meanwhile, short-term rental investors are finding opportunity in NFL cities. Markets like Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Kansas City are posting strong STR revenue growth tied...
Jul 01, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1736
Houston, long seen as the beating heart of the U.S. oil industry, is now grappling with a commercial real estate crisis. Office vacancies have surged to nearly 28%, driven by massive energy sector consolidation and changing workplace dynamics. Despite Trump’s calls to ramp up drilling, oil companies are becoming leaner, shedding jobs—and office space—in the process. This script explores how a wave of corporate mergers, surging insurance costs, outdated buildings, and Houston’s sprawling developm...
Jun 30, 2025•12 min•Ep. 1735
MOAT Method episode reference link Want to be a guest on the show? APPLY HERE! It's that simple. Side hustles can be your ticket to securing those elusive down payments for a home or even landing a full-time job by starting small. So, how do you seize these opportunities that others overlook? Aaron Mann will dive into unconventional summer side hustles, equipped with insights from his own successful ventures and research. In this episode, you’ll discover inventive ways to turn labor into lucrati...
Jun 29, 2025•18 min
Florida’s once-booming housing market is cooling off—and fast. Prices are falling in most metros, with condos taking the biggest hit. But is this a Florida-only reset, or a warning for investors nationwide? In today’s episode, we break down the forces behind Florida’s price drops, from migration trends to soaring insurance costs, and what it means for buyers, sellers, and investors going forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jun 28, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1733
Consumer spending declined with the sharpest drop of the year, signaling economic uncertainty is starting to weigh on households. With inflation still tame and personal income falling, pressure is mounting on the Fed to cut rates soon. Fed officials, including Neel Kashkari, are now pointing to September as a likely starting point, while warning tariffs could still spark delayed inflation. Investors are watching closely for any signs the Fed will act sooner. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
Jun 27, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1732
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell spent two days testifying before Congress, facing questions on inflation, tariffs, political pressure from President Trump, and the future of rate cuts. Meanwhile, the Fed proposes loosening a key capital rule for big banks. We break down the highlights—and what investors should watch next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 26, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1731
Many home sellers are still sitting on strong equity, but that’s not the case everywhere. A new Redfin analysis reveals nearly 6% of homes listed in May were at risk of selling at a loss—up from 4.4% last year. The risk climbs sharply for condos and homes bought after the pandemic, especially in markets like San Francisco and Austin. Nationwide, nearly one in three condos purchased post-2022 could sell below their original price. While losses remain rare compared to the aftermath of the Great Re...
Jun 25, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1730
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces congressional testimony this week amid mounting political pressure from President Trump to cut interest rates. Lawmakers are expected to question Powell on the Fed’s cautious stance, Trump’s tariff-driven economic uncertainty, and proposals affecting banking regulations and reserve payments. Meanwhile, new data shows U.S. home-price growth slowed to 2.7% in April, the weakest pace since mid-2023, as high mortgage rates and economic concerns cooled buyer ...
Jun 24, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1729
Home flipping activity fell to a multi-year low in Q1 2025, with just over 67,000 homes flipped—the smallest quarterly total since 2018. Despite representing 8.3% of all sales, profits are shrinking, with the median return on investment dropping to 25%. In this episode, we break down why flippers are struggling, which markets still offer big returns, and where investor risk is mounting as high acquisition costs, longer hold times, and buyer uncertainty compress margins nationwide. Learn more abo...
Jun 23, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1728
MOAT Method Episode Reference Link Discover how yard sales and flipping items can help you make extra cash without complex investments—solving the problem of finding new revenue streams. But how can you maximize profits while having fun with these side hustles? Today’s podcast guest is Justin Garofano, a seasoned martial arts instructor and real estate investor who shares his unique approach to flipping items. In this show, listeners will learn how to transform unwanted items into valuable treas...
Jun 22, 2025•33 min
The median sale price just hit an all-time high of $396,500, but price growth is slowing and homes are selling below asking. With inventory up 14.5% year-over-year and down payments shrinking, buyers are regaining leverage. FHA and VA loans are on the rise, more homes are sitting on the market, and sellers are increasingly willing to negotiate. Read the report here: https://www.redfin.com/news/housing-market-update-home-sale-prices-hit-record-high/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
Jun 21, 2025•8 min•Ep. 1726
Home prices are finally losing steam after years of steady gains, as housing inventory returns to pre-pandemic levels and buyer demand stays soft. While some states—especially in the Sun Belt—are already seeing year-over-year price declines, national prices remain slightly positive. Nearly 40% of listings have seen price cuts, and sentiment is turning bearish. But the lock-in effect from low-rate homeowners is limiting deeper drops. In this episode, we break down where prices are falling, why in...
Jun 20, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1725
Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve left rates unchanged in June, signaling caution amid inflation concerns and trade uncertainty. While two cuts remain on the table for 2025, Powell warned tariffs will likely raise prices, and investors shouldn’t expect quick moves. Treasury yields stalled as markets processed the mixed signals, with Powell emphasizing a “wait-and-see” approach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jun 19, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1724
New home construction fell nearly 10% in May — the slowest pace since May 2020 — as rising inventory and softening demand push builders to scale back. At the same time, millions of baby boomers are refusing to sell, tightening up supply for younger buyers. With completions still rising, buyers may gain short-term leverage, but structural inventory challenges remain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 18, 2025•13 min•Ep. 1723
Rent growth is slowing and inventory is rising, giving renters more negotiating power and forcing investors to rethink their strategies. Single-family and multifamily rents are still climbing year-over-year, but at a weaker pace, while rent concessions remain elevated in many markets. With affordability stretched and more units available, real estate investors should brace for longer lease-up periods, tighter margins, and increased tenant turnover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
Jun 17, 2025•12 min•Ep. 1722
President Trump’s massive new tax bill is more than just a revival of his 2017 tax cuts—it’s a sweeping economic overhaul that could reshape housing affordability, federal spending, and the broader tax code for years. In this episode, we break down the key housing provisions, like the expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and SALT deduction changes. Then we dive into the lesser-known—but equally impactful—tax changes on the way: a tip and overtime tax exemption, repealed climate credits...
Jun 16, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1721
MOAT Method Episode Link Co-hosting on Airbnb provides an efficient path to manage short-term rentals without the hassle of rental arbitrage or extensive capital requirements. So, how can you embark on this side-hustle journey to automate and scale your Airbnb management with minimal risk? Join Aaron Mann on the Sunday Hustle segment alongside Isaac Vance, a proficient Airbnb manager and aspiring real estate developer, sharing his expertise on leveraging co-hosting networks alongside maintaining...
Jun 15, 2025•38 min
Consumer sentiment surged in June, marking its biggest jump since early 2024, as inflation fears cooled and Americans grew more optimistic about their personal finances and the broader economy. But in Washington, a new court ruling could open the floodgates for billions in landlord compensation claims stemming from the COVID-era eviction ban. In this episode, we break down what’s driving the shift in consumer confidence—and how a federal appeals court just reignited a major property rights showd...
Jun 14, 2025•8 min•Ep. 1719
The South may be in trouble. While inflation remains elevated in the Northeast and Midwest due to persistent housing costs, the South is showing clear signs of a slowdown. In this episode, we break down Bloomberg columnist Conor Sen’s latest analysis on why Southern states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee are at greater risk of an economic drag. With rising housing inventory, stalled construction, and slowing price growth, regional divides are deepening. We also look at how the Fed’s rate poli...
Jun 13, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1718
Pending home sales have hit their lowest level for this time of year since 2015, as high mortgage rates and rising prices continue to sideline buyers. Meanwhile, sellers are cutting deals: Just 28.5% of homes sold above asking, and the median sale price is nearly $29,000 below the median list price. But with the economy suddenly showing signs of strength, will the summer market prove to be better? Read the Redfin report here: https://www.redfin.com/news/housing-market-update-fewer-homes-selling-...
Jun 12, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1717
In today’s episode, we unpack the latest Consumer Price Index report showing underlying U.S. inflation rose just 0.1% in May, extending a four-month streak of soft data. We explore what’s driving the slowdown, how tariffs are (and aren’t) hitting consumers, and why economists are watching core goods and wage growth closely as the Fed eyes a potential rate cut. Then we turn to New York City, where a sweeping new law just eliminated upfront broker fees for many renters. That could mean thousands o...
Jun 11, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1716
In 2024, nearly 11% of all homes sold in the U.S. came from investors, the highest share on record. In this episode, we break down what’s driving the investor selling spree, where they’re most active, and how the shifting market—cooling rents, high mortgage rates, and affordability pressure—is changing their strategy. Plus, we explore whether investor activity is helping or hurting homebuyers in today’s supply-starved market. Read the report here: https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/real-estate-...
Jun 10, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1715
Trump is ramping up pressure on the Federal Reserve, demanding a dramatic one-point interest rate cut while hinting at a replacement for Fed Chair Jerome Powell. In today’s episode, we unpack what this political heat means for monetary policy and housing affordability. Then, we dig into new data showing that buyers—especially younger generations—are still waiting on the sidelines. Keep reading the article here: Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education o...
Jun 09, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1714
MOAT Method Sunday Hustle Episode Link Unlocking Wealth through Side Hustles Dive into creative side hustles that could earn you your first home down payment or extra income. How can you achieve this without significant upfront investment? Aaron Mann shares his expert insights on transforming simple ideas into rewarding ventures. What You'll Learn In this show, you'll learn how to creatively transform everyday resources into profitable side hustles that could pave the way to your own financial g...
Jun 08, 2025•23 min
Home insurance premiums are rising much faster than homeowner incomes—and climate risk is driving the spike. In today’s episode, we dig into new Zillow data showing premiums have jumped 38% nationally since 2019, compared to just a 22% rise in homeowner income. The fastest increases are hitting places like Miami, Sacramento, and Jacksonville, where wind and wildfire risks are high. We explore how these rising costs are squeezing budgets, threatening affordability for first-time buyers, and resha...
Jun 07, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1712
Millennials may be the largest generation in America, but their homeownership rate is lagging far behind earlier generations—and Gen Z is starting even slower. In today’s episode, we explore why affordability challenges are redefining the American Dream and reshaping the future of homeownership. Plus, we break down new Redfin data showing a sharp drop in home listings and buyer activity, signaling a cooling market heading into summer. Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real esta...
Jun 06, 2025•13 min•Ep. 1711
HUD is working on a proposed rule that would let more housing authorities cut off federal rental aid after two years and require recipients to work—without Congress passing a new law. In today’s episode, we break down what’s in the rule, why housing advocates are alarmed, and how HUD might legally justify this move under the federal rulemaking process. We’ll also explore how similar past efforts failed and what this could mean for renters, landlords, and developers alike. If this rule goes throu...
Jun 05, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1710
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae reported a slight drop in serious mortgage delinquencies for single-family homes in April, signaling a bit of relief for homeowners. But beneath the surface, a very different story is playing out in the multifamily sector. While homeowners benefit from low fixed rates and rising equity, many multifamily investors are finding themselves stuck with maturing loans and no easy refinance options. Meanwhile, ICE data shows price growth is cooling—especially in the condo mark...
Jun 04, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1709
