In today’s episode, we dive into the ripple effects of the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cuts on the mortgage market. Despite a much-anticipated dip in rates, refinancing activity has unexpectedly dropped, leaving many wondering what’s really driving these fluctuations. From geopolitical tensions to Treasury yields and beyond, we’ll explore the hidden forces shaping mortgage rates and what they mean for homeowners and investors alike. If you’re considering refinancing or just trying to make...

Zillow reported that nationwide active inventory was up 22% year over year in August, although it remained 31% lower than the pre-pandemic level of August 2019. Meanwhile, new listings grew slightly monthly and yearly but were 21% lower than the same month in 2019.  In a separate report, Zillow reported that unlike at the height of the rate hikes, when renting was cheaper than buying, the opposite is true in 22 of the 50 largest U.S. metros. New Orleans, Chicago, and Pittsburgh offer...

As interest rates finally start to fall after years of painful hikes, the DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan has made rental property investment attractive once more. But how are DSCR loan interest rates calculated, and what influences the final rate you get quoted? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the DSCR loan process and explain how lenders arrive at those interest rates, from the initial base rate to loan-level pricing adjustments (LLPAs). We’ll break down the key...

When you think about short-term rental markets, climate matters—but so do the numbers. In this episode, we dive into the extremes of seasonal and nonseasonal STR markets with a real-life story from Houston to New Hampshire. Why does it matter if you’re in a seasonal hotspot or a steady year-round market? And what are the risks of choosing the wrong one? We’ll break down top STR markets using tools like AirDNA and the BiggerPockets Market Finder to analyze seasonality, average daily rate...

In this episode, we dive into the power of the “Who, Not How” mindset—an approach that’s transformed high achievers and passive investors alike. We’ll compare two real-life stories: two house flippers who bought similar properties, yet one doubled his profit over the other, and two wholesalers with almost identical deals but drastically different results. The difference? It’s not in how they did it, but who did it. Join us as we unpack the principles from Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s...

Nearly every day, there’s a new article on emerging real estate markets, boomtowns, or the next hottest metro for investors. It can be confusing and overwhelming trying to figure out which one is right for you. Most articles you see online touting the next best real estate market are usually speaking to homebuyers, not investors. Keep that in mind when perusing those articles. Before diving in to study all the data on different markets, first determine what you want the market to do...

Are you worried about your local rental market cooling off, fearing that you will have a property sit on the market for too long? Well, chances are you are priced too high, and offering rent concessions as a private landlord will not be able to help you speed up the application and leasing process.  Though rent growth is only slightly softer than last year, far more property managers are offering short-term perks. According to a July rental market report by Zillow, one-third of property...

In this episode, we explore Redfin’s intriguing data that once linked a 1% increase in tech jobs to a 0.49% rise in home prices, and analyze whether this trend still holds today. By diving into fresh market data from CoStar and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we investigate how the growth of tech and STEM jobs impacts real estate values across major U.S. metros. Discover why cities like Ogden, Sacramento, and Raleigh-Durham are seeing surges in both tech employment and property prices, and...

In this episode, we dive deep into the forces shaping the rental market in 2025. With vacancy rates on the rise and rental concessions becoming more common, we explore which cities are seeing effective rents drop and why. Using insights from CoStar’s rental data, we highlight 30 markets, like Fort Myers, Austin, and Raleigh, where rental prices are cooling off after the pandemic boom. But there’s more to the story—new construction is flooding certain markets, adding downward pressure on...

Donald Trump has won the election, and now it is time to speculate about what his administration could mean for the housing market, Namely, how will less regulation and lower rates impact the market? 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

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced yesterday that the Fed will reduce the federal funds rate by 0.25%. It was a largely expected cut, although the election's results did leave some questions. With only one more Fed meeting before the end year, what comes next? 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...

Homebuilders are being squeezed, and that's some of the worst news we could hear in the housing market. In today's episode, we go over the latest information regarding homebuilders and what's happening on the ground. 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

The Federal Reserve is meeting this week to discuss a potential rate cut that could go into effect tomorrow. The Fed previously cut rates in September by 0.50%, a much larger cut than expected. It's widely believed that if the Fed does cut rates tomorrow, it will be a smaller 0.25% cut, but today, we'll discuss the possibility of just that. Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real...

Election Day is here, and the two candidates running for president couldn't be any closer in the polls. But how are folks in the real estate market feeling? "Election jitters" are the talk of the town, and today, we'll talk about what comes next for housing once the voting ends. 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...

Discover how to identify exactly what to renovate based on competition in the local market, not personal taste, and learn to prioritize upgrades that make a measurable impact. This episode explores the formula for determining the right offer price, balancing renovation costs with holding periods, and avoiding the pitfalls of over-improving a property. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or a first-time flipper, tune in to gain insights into building market-ready properties that sell fast and...

REITs are still trading at large discounts relative to the fair value of their real estate. But is it too late to jump in, or do REITs still offer a compelling opportunity? We'll break down how REITs remain undervalued and explore the catalysts that could drive their continued growth, from potential interest rate cuts to the unique advantages that REITs offer over private real estate. Keep reading the article here:...

If you’re considering jumping into the Florida Airbnb game, great! You’re about to invest in a state where tourists flock in droves, carrying sunscreen and wallets full of cash. But before you go snapping up properties, let’s look at the best five markets the Sunshine State has to offer. Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/most-profitable-cities-for-short-term-rentals-in-florida Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing...

Laura Escobar, the new head of the Mortgage Banker's Association (MBA), left a recent conference with powerful statements, demanding that lawmakers begin acting on housing issues, and highlighted major challenges in the industry, including the uphill battle developers are facing. 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...

The election is next Tuesday, and several states have housing on the ballot. Today, we're covering some of the important laws and proposals you need to know about and how they could impact local markets. 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

Property tax bills have increased across the U.S. due to higher home prices, but Florida has seen the highest increases. As a result, the cost of ownership, along with insurance costs, is skyrocketing. 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

Nonseasonal markets are best for short-term rental investors who want predictability. So, what are the best markets in the country for doing just that? We took a look at data from AirDNA and BiggerPockets Market Finder to get you the answers you need. 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...

Running a short-term rental (STR) business on Airbnb can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with financial responsibilities that can make or break your success. We all love making money, but we tend to shy away from the part where we see how much we spend. Accurate accounting and meticulous bookkeeping are vital to maintaining a profitable rental operation, and STRs are even more scrutinized than typical rentals. Keep reading the article here:...

One of the biggest real estate investment fraud schemes in recent history has been exposed. Wells Real Estate Investment promised investors that their money would be used to buy, renovate, and develop commercial and residential properties across South Florida. Instead, they gambled $28 million of $58 million in investor funds on speculative options and futures trading. Surprise, surprise—they lost almost $12 million in the process. The 660 investors who trusted Wells with their money...

If you’re wondering which real estate markets make for the best investments going into 2025, the suburbs are where the action is. With affordability a major concern for buyers, low-priced suburban areas—often below $250,000—have seen a surge of new residents.  The good news for prospective investors is that, according to a recent report by GoBankingRates.com, these pockets of real estate gold are spread out throughout the country and represent some of the fastest-growing areas. Keep...