With 30-year mortgage rates stuck near 7%, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are creeping back into the housing market. Could they be the key to unlocking affordability, or are they a risky gamble for homebuyers? We break down the pros, cons, and whether real estate investors should consider ARMs in today’s high-rate environment. Then, we dive into Trump’s potential backdoor influence on the Federal Reserve. With plans to slash government spending by $1 trillion, Trump may force the Fed’s hand on...
Mar 11, 2025•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast January’s rental market saw some major shifts, with Washington, D.C. holding onto the top spot as the most in-demand city for renters. Atlanta and St. Paul, MN, followed close behind, with St. Paul seeing a 114% surge in favorited listings. The South dominated the rankings, with 14 of the top 30 cities located in the region, while the Midwest also saw strong interest. Meanwhile, Las Vegas made a shocking 69-spot leap, landing just outside the top 10. What’s driving these trends? Affordability, j...
Mar 10, 2025•18 min•Ep 1621•Transcript available on Metacast Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/build-to-rent-is-a-pathway-to-long-term-growth-and-stability-for-investors Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 09, 2025•13 min•Ep 1620•Transcript available on Metacast Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/investments-you-cannot-hold-in-an-ira Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 08, 2025•11 min•Ep 1619•Transcript available on Metacast Investor home purchases are slowing nationwide, with Florida seeing some of the sharpest declines as market conditions shift. In this episode, we break down why real estate investors are pulling back, what’s driving the decline, and how it’s impacting home prices and competition across different regions. While overall investor purchases dropped nearly 4% in the fourth quarter—the lowest for that time of year since 2016—Florida metros like Orlando and Miami saw double-digit declines as rising ins...
Mar 07, 2025•19 min•Ep 1618•Transcript available on Metacast The U.S. housing market is facing two major shifts that could make homeownership even more challenging. First, the Trump administration is eyeing staff cuts at the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which could slow down loan approvals, increase mortgage costs, and make FHA borrowers less competitive in a tight market. Then, new tariffs on lumber, drywall, and appliances are set to drive up construction costs by $7,500 to $10,000 per home, pricing out thousands of potential buyers. In this ep...
Mar 06, 2025•15 min•Ep 1617•Transcript available on Metacast The housing market is splitting into two distinct realities. In some regions, buyers are finally gaining leverage, securing price cuts, and seeing inventory levels rise above pre-pandemic norms. In others, housing supply remains critically low, keeping prices high and competition fierce. Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more abou...
Mar 05, 2025•20 min•Ep 1616•Transcript available on Metacast After years of sky-high home prices and intense competition, the tide may finally be turning for buyers. Housing inventory has hit a six-year high, with months of supply creeping closer to a true buyer’s market in many cities. In this episode, we break down the latest data on home listings, price trends, and delisting rates—and explore why Florida is leading the way in increased supply while markets in the Northeast remain red hot. Are sellers losing their leverage? Will mortgage rates continue ...
Mar 04, 2025•19 min•Ep 1615•Transcript available on Metacast President Trump has unveiled a new plan to ramp up domestic timber production by cutting environmental regulations and exploring tariffs on foreign lumber imports. The goal? Lower housing costs and boost American manufacturing. But will it work? In this episode, we break down how increased logging could impact home prices, construction costs, and the broader housing market. We’ll also dive into the environmental concerns, the role of Canada in the U.S. lumber supply, and what this policy shift m...
Mar 03, 2025•15 min•Ep 1614•Transcript available on Metacast The return-to-office (RTO) mandates have created an unexpected wave of reluctant landlords—homeowners who never planned to rent out their properties but are now forced to due to changing job demands and high interest rates. Selling doesn’t make financial sense, leaving many to navigate the challenges of rental property ownership for the first time. Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real es...
Mar 02, 2025•18 min•Ep 1613•Transcript available on Metacast Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/launching-a-horror-themed-airbnb-is-scary Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 01, 2025•6 min•Ep 1612•Transcript available on Metacast Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/dont-hoard-properties-and-count-doors Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 28, 2025•10 min•Ep 1611•Transcript available on Metacast As housing demand continues to outpace supply, a new investment strategy is gaining momentum—Build-to-Rent (BTR). In this episode, we break down why BTR is becoming a long-term wealth-building opportunity, how it provides stable cash flow, and why big institutions are jumping in. We’ll cover: ✅ The demographic and market trends driving BTR’s growth ✅ How BTR offers consistent rental income with lower vacancy rates ✅ The key risks investors need to manage for long-term success ✅ Steps to get star...
Feb 27, 2025•17 min•Ep 1610•Transcript available on Metacast The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is slashing through federal agencies, and HUD is no exception. With $260 million in cuts and counting, the Trump administration’s restructuring could shake up the housing market—especially for landlords who rely on Section 8 vouchers and federal housing programs. What happens if 50% of HUD’s workforce is laid off? Will Section 8 payments slow down? Could landlords exit the program and make affordable rentals even harder to find? And what about FHA l...
Feb 26, 2025•16 min•Ep 1609•Transcript available on Metacast Markets are soaring, Bitcoin is defying gravity, and gold is quietly making record highs—but are investors ignoring the warning signs? In this episode, we break down the key macroeconomic trends shaping 2025, from rising Treasury yields to stock market overvaluation, and explore how you should be thinking about your portfolio. Should you trim exposure to stocks? Is real estate finally becoming a buying opportunity? And is Bitcoin’s meteoric rise built on shaky ground? Tune in as we discuss risk,...
Feb 25, 2025•22 min•Ep 1608•Transcript available on Metacast Public housing has a long and complicated history, from ancient civilizations to the towering high-rises of mid-20th century America. But while the goal has always been to provide affordable housing, the results have often fallen far short of expectations. In this episode, we explore how public housing evolved—from medieval serfdom and Roman insulae to the infamous “projects” like Cabrini-Green. We’ll also discuss modern approaches, like Section 8 vouchers and tax credits, and whether public hou...
Feb 24, 2025•17 min•Ep 1606•Transcript available on Metacast Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/lessons-i-learned-after-investing-passively-in-3000-units Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 23, 2025•15 min•Ep 1606•Transcript available on Metacast Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/how-ashevilles-housing-market-has-recovered-since-hurricane-helene Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 22, 2025•11 min•Ep 1605•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s market, with soaring home prices and high interest rates, achieving positive cash flow on rental properties is harder than ever—especially with financing. The once-popular BRRRR method is struggling to work, and even in investor-friendly markets, the numbers simply don’t add up like they used to. In this episode, we break down why cash flow is more about staying afloat than getting rich, analyze real-world rental property math, and explore what truly builds long-term wealth in real es...
Feb 21, 2025•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast The U.S. homebuilding industry is facing significant headwinds in 2025, as rising mortgage rates, high construction costs, and new tariff concerns put pressure on builders. After a surge in construction at the end of 2024, housing starts fell nearly 10% in January, signaling growing uncertainty in the market. Meanwhile, builder confidence has dropped to its lowest level since before President Trump’s first term, with concerns over affordability, unsold inventory, and policy uncertainty weighing ...
Feb 20, 2025•16 min•Ep 1603•Transcript available on Metacast The 2025 spring housing market is at a crossroads. After two years of sluggish sales, real estate professionals are hopeful for a rebound—but fluctuating mortgage rates could throw a wrench in those plans. This episode explores the key factors shaping the market, from buyer sentiment shifts to mortgage rate volatility, and what economists predict for home sales in the months ahead. Will buyers finally return, or will affordability challenges keep them on the sidelines? Tune in for expert insight...
Feb 19, 2025•17 min•Ep 1602•Transcript available on Metacast Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/i-made-350k-from-airbnb-last-year-but-it-wasnt-as-pretty-as-you-would-think Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 18, 2025•12 min•Ep 1601•Transcript available on Metacast After the roller-coaster ride of the last few years, listings and data analytics site Zillow have painted a generally optimistic outlook for residential real estate in 2025, with more inventory and higher wages increasing affordability and purchasing/rental power. However, before you explode into a flash mob song-and-dance routine in the street, that old financial phantom of higher interest rates could appear from the shadows and rain on everyone’s parade. If you know what to do, though, there a...
Feb 17, 2025•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/la-fires-how-to-handle-a-property-loss Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 16, 2025•15 min•Ep 1599•Transcript available on Metacast Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/new-data-spells-out-the-key-factors-driving-migration-trends Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 15, 2025•14 min•Ep 1598•Transcript available on Metacast California homeowners are facing yet another financial strain as rising wildfire risks push insurance costs even higher. Following the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, the state’s FAIR Plan—a last-resort insurer—announced a $1 billion assessment to cover wildfire losses, a move expected to drive up premiums for millions of homeowners. Insurers like State Farm are already seeking emergency rate hikes, while private companies continue withdrawing from high-risk areas, leaving many Californians w...
Feb 14, 2025•15 min•Ep 1597•Transcript available on Metacast Real estate agent commissions have been a hot topic since the NAR settlement, but have they really changed? In this episode, we break down the latest data showing that buyer’s agent commissions have barely budged since new rules went into effect. While luxury home commissions are trending down, more affordable homes are seeing slight increases. We’ll explore what’s driving these trends, how agents and sellers are negotiating commissions, and whether we can expect lower fees in the future. Subscr...
Feb 13, 2025•17 min•Ep 1596•Transcript available on Metacast The lock-in effect has kept millions of homeowners stuck in place, unwilling to sell their homes and take on a higher mortgage rate. But is that starting to change? In this episode, we break down the latest data showing that more homeowners are now carrying 6%+ mortgage rates—the highest share since 2016. As the lock-in effect gradually eases, more listings are hitting the market, but are home prices coming down? We’ll explore why people are finally moving, how this shift could impact inventory ...
Feb 12, 2025•17 min•Ep 1595•Transcript available on Metacast The 2025 housing market is evolving fast, bringing new challenges and opportunities for investors, landlords, and property managers. In this episode, we break down four major trends shaping real estate this year. From climate risks influencing investment decisions to AI disrupting the home buying process, build-to-rent becoming a dominant force, and alternative housing models gaining traction—there’s a lot to consider. Whether you’re looking to adapt your strategy or find the next big opportunit...
Feb 11, 2025•21 min•Ep 1594•Transcript available on Metacast For nearly 17 years, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under government control, but a renewed push to privatize these mortgage giants is gaining traction in Washington. In this episode, we break down what Fannie and Freddie do, why they were placed under conservatorship during the 2008 financial crisis, and what privatization could mean for the housing market. With key players in the Trump administration signaling support for ending government control, we explore the potential risks, benefit...
Feb 10, 2025•19 min•Ep 1593•Transcript available on Metacast 
