Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast

Airbnb has set up a fund to help hosts dealing with coronavirus cancellations. Travelers ditched plans for vacations, work trips, and family get-togethers when the virus spread. And then, Airbnb promised full refunds. Airbnb's "Host Relief Fund" will help cover some of the lost revenue, but many hosts are coming up short.    We don't know yet how the coronavirus will impact the overall housing mar...

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending April 4th, 2020... rent payments are now due, new data on top population growth cities, and how renters are dealing with their plans to move.   We begin with economic news from this past week, and the distribution of stimulus checks to American consumers. Adults earning less than $75,000 will get the full $1,200 amount. Parents will also receive $...

Just days after the largest stimulus package in history was signed, talks have begun on what could be "phase four" of the coronavirus stimulus plan. A few of the ideas being discussed include major infrastructure spending and a rollback on the cap for SALT deductions.    President Trump signed phase one of the virus rescue plan in early March. It authorized $8.3 billion for the initial response in...

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending March 28th, 2020… ugly numbers for job losses and economic growth, a possible "snapback recovery", and encouraging news about medical supplies.   We begin with economic news from the past week and a $2.2 trillion dollar COVID-19 rescue package that helps individuals and companies. The short list of money hand-outs includes $100 billion for hospita...

There's something in it for everyone. The federal government approved a $2 trillion dollar virus relief package last week called the CARES Act. That stands for "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security." The legislation is almost 900 pages long so it's not a quick read, but details are emerging on what's inside. And, there is help for people in the real estate industry including real estate...

As unemployment claims soars due to "Shelter in Place" mandates in cities across the nation, lenders who offer non-qualifying mortgage loans are also shutting their office doors. There have been several headlines recently about lenders suspending non-QM loans which could impact real estate investors.   An article in HousingWire on March 20th suggested that non-QM lending is the latest victim of th...

The U.S. was expecting to have one of the best spring home-buying seasons in years, until we got hit with the Coronavirus daily news. Still some markets continue to boom, while others are on a time-out.    In California, where there's a statewide shelter-in-place order, the California Association of Realtors also advised against any open houses, home tours or face-to-face meetings with clients. (1...

There's been a lot of talk about rent moratoriums and eviction bans for struggling tenants, but what happens when landlords can't pay mortgages and other expenses for those very same rentals? There's been a growing chorus of questions and lobbying efforts in regard to relief for property owners, and some big announcements about forbearance options that apply to landlords in both the single-family...

An invisible enemy is attacking, and it doesn't seem to matter where you are or who you are.. The Coronavirus is quickly spreading to all parts of the world. Whether people are sick or not, many can't go to work, and that could mean missed rent payments -- especially for people living hand to mouth. So what is the appropriate course of action?   Headlines across the nation are echoing the same ide...

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending March 21st, 2020... we have economic news that's contaminated by the coronavirus, a tax day reprieve, and mortgage moratoriums.   We're in an unprecedented situation right now as this microscopic virus threatens the health and safety of everyone in the world. It's gotten to the point of statewide lockdowns in California and New York to help slow t...

There's nothing more unifying than a common enemy, and that's what the nation is facing right now -- a fast-moving virus that can be as mild as a common cold or flu for most people, but absolutely deadly to others. The Federal government and the Federal Reserve are taking drastic steps to shore up the economy, while individuals and families are going into survival mode. It's not the end of the wor...

In this Real Estate News Brief for the second week of March.. we have coronavirus repercussions, mortgage relief options, and something that might lift your spirits from Airbnb.   We begin with economic news from this past week and a half.   So much has happened because of the coronavirus. The Fed cut interest rates to zero and launched a $700 billion stimulus program. President Trump acknowledged...

What a week. While the Coronavirus and its effect on Wall Street, the economy and of course, our health and safety has dominated our conversations, I'm going to focus on how it could affect the U.S. housing market. As we know, home sales were headed for a hot spring season because of low mortgage rates and a strong economy. And then the coronavirus came along. It has brought mortgage rates even lo...

The mortgage business is blazing a new trail right now. Rates have fallen to a record low. They have almost hit 3%, but they aren't as low as they could be. Experts say they should have dipped below 3% by now but that busy lenders are holding back on lower rates to help control demand. It's anyone's best guess as to what happens next, but it's quite possible that even lower rates are on the way. ...

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending March 7th, 2020... we have an emergency interest rate cut, all-time low mortgage rates, and a virus-inspired surge in real estate investing.   We begin with economic news from this past week, and a quarter percent rate cut by the Fed. The central bank cut rates to help protect the economy from the effects of the coronavirus. The overnight lending...

States that aren't tax-friendly to retirees are making some changes to keep their seniors from moving away. Maryland is one of them. The governor says that high taxes are driving seniors to places like Florida which is the most tax-friendly state in the nation for all age groups. But the tax situation is especially important for people trying to stretch their retirement dollars, and there are big...

Pet-friendly rentals are becoming a "must-have" for many renters. Zillow says that 46% of renters have pets, and 48% won't rent a place without that option. For many landlords, it's much easier to say "no." But while they are avoiding a few risks, they are also missing out on some big benefits, including additional rental income.   There are several benefits to going "pet-friendly" starting with a...

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending February 29th, 2020... we have an early launch to spring sales, concern about the coronavirus, and top cities for population growth.   We begin with economic news from this past week. The spring homebuying season is off to an early start. New home sales rose 7.9% in January. That's more than 18% higher than January of last year. It's also the high...

As homeownership gets more expensive, Millennials are getting more resourceful. The National Association of Realtors says the number of first-time buyers who bought homes with housemates doubled in 2019. It wasn't a huge percentage, but some experts say it could be the future of housing -- at least for people trying to buy their first homes.   www. NewsForInvestors.com

Nebraska isn't waiting for the ax to fall on housing affordability. State lawmakers are debating legislation that will allow the upzoning of single-family neighborhoods. It's called "The Missing Middle Housing Act" to address future housing issues before they become a problem. CityLab described the effort as a way to "win the battle before the war begins."   www. NewsForInvestors.com

HUD is hoping to make it easier for landlords to comply with Fair Housing Rules by issuing new guidelines on assistance animals. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says there's been a huge increase in the number of requests for emotional support animals, including many that are not legitimate. The agency says the new guidelines offer some clarification of the rules and step-by-st...

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending February 22nd, 2020... the spring construction boom, the latest surge in foreclosures, and the new Gen Z homebuyers.   We begin with economic news from this past week. The latest report on existing home sales shows a dip in January. According to the National Association of Realtors, they were down 1.3% to an annual pace of 5.46 million homes. www....

A sleepy town in North Carolina has become the victim of its own popularity. Lake Wylie is a lakefront community that has mushroomed in size since the year 2,000. Unfortunately, population growth has outpaced the town's ability to keep up, and local officials have placed a temporary ban on new development. This is just one example of a city that needs "smart growth" instead of "fast growth."   www...

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending February 15th, 2020... the benefits of mortgage shopping, 401k millionaires, and moving for love.   www. NewsForInvestors.com

The U.S. has a population problem and it's not because we have too many people. The nation's birth rate is declining. It's half of what it was when the baby boomers were born, and is currently at a record low -- so low, that the incoming generation can't replace the outgoing one. According to some social scientists, that could have a serious impact on our future -- both socially and economically....