Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast

A growing sense of economic pessimism is sweeping the nation. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down Fannie Mae's latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index , which shows that nearly 70% of Americans believe the economy is on the wrong track — and an even higher 73% say it's a bad time to buy a home. We'll explore what's driving this negative outlook, from high mortgage rates and rising home prices t...

Opendoor's stock has surged more than 400% this year, but analysts warn that its razor-thin profit margins could spell trouble ahead. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what's driving the iBuyer's massive rally, why profitability remains elusive, and how new AI strategies might reshape its future. Plus, what investors can learn about risk, margins, and sustainability in a volatile housing m...

Mortgage delinquencies are inching up, but affordability is finally improving — and refinance demand is surging as mortgage rates dip back toward 6%. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest ICE Mortgage Monitor Report for October 2025, revealing where the housing market is showing strength and where the risks remain. You'll hear how lower rates are boosting refinance activity by 80%,...

Gold just hit a record $4,000 an ounce — its highest level ever — as investors seek safety amid a falling dollar and global uncertainty. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains why gold is having its best year since 1979, what it signals about the economy, and why many are turning to hard assets like real estate to protect and grow their wealth. 🏡 Want to learn how to invest in real estate? Visit ...

President Trump has announced sweeping new tariffs on lumber, cabinets, and furniture — starting at 10% and rising as high as 50% by January. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what these tariffs mean for the housing market and for real estate investors. With lumber and wood products already under strain from supply chain disruptions, higher import costs could make new construction, remodel...

With the federal government shut down and the official jobs report on hold, investors are turning to ADP's private payroll data for answers — and the numbers aren't encouraging. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the surprise 32,000 job decline in September, the biggest drop in more than two years. You'll hear insights from ADP's Chief Economist Nela Richardson and Boston Fed President Susa...

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have released temporary policies to keep the housing market moving during the government shutdown. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the new rules mean for borrowers, lenders, and real estate investors — including changes to employment verification, paystub requirements, and forbearance options for furloughed workers. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE  https://realw...

The federal government is still shut down — and the ripple effects could hit the housing market. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains how the lapse of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is stalling an estimated 1,300 home sales per day in flood-prone areas. You'll hear why new flood insurance policies can't be issued during the shutdown, what it means for buyers and sellers in coastal m...

The U.S. government shutdown on October 1st, and the timing could shake markets. In this episode of  Real Estate News for Investors , Kathy Fettke explains how delayed jobs data may cloud the Fed's next move, why Fannie and Freddie loans are still being processed, and how travel, SNAP, and military pay could be disrupted. Learn what this means for real estate investors and where to focus in uncert...

Breaking News: The Federal Trade Commission has sued Zillow and Redfin over a $100 million rental advertising deal. The FTC alleges the agreement illegally removed Redfin as a competitor in online rental listings, potentially driving up costs for property managers and harming renters. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors , Kathy Fettke explains what the lawsuit says, why regulators ar...

New home sales surged 20% in August, hitting their highest level in nearly three years—even as mortgage rates stayed above 6%. Kathy Fettke breaks down what drove the spike, from builder incentives to regional trends, and what experts like Robert Dietz and Ivy Zelman say this means for the housing market. Plus, what investors should watch when September's data arrives alongside falling mortgage ra...

Lennar, the nation's second-largest homebuilder, reported a 46% drop in quarterly profit as affordability pressures and higher interest rates continue to weigh on buyers. Earnings and revenue both missed Wall Street expectations, and the company forecast lower home deliveries for the fourth quarter. Kathy Fettke explains how sales incentives like mortgage rate buydowns are squeezing margins, and w...

U.S. birth rates have fallen to a record low, and soaring housing costs are a major factor. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explores new data from the CDC and Realtor.com showing how rising home prices have reshaped family planning, from delayed homeownership to smaller household sizes. We also discuss research from the National Bureau of Economic Research that links housing costs directly to fertil...

Compass is acquiring Anywhere Real Estate in a $10B all-stock deal, creating a combined network of 340,000 agents across 120 countries. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains what the Compass–Anywhere merger means for agents, shareholders, and the broader real estate market. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE  https://realwealth.com/join-step-1   FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing...

The Federal Reserve just cut interest rates by a quarter point for the first time in months, signaling a potential shift in monetary policy. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains how the Fed's rate cut could impact mortgage rates, housing affordability, refinancing opportunities, and commercial real estate markets. From homebuyers to investors in multifamily and office properties, learn what this...

Credit card debt is weighing heavily on Americans, with the average balance now at $8,550. A new study from BestMoney finds that 76% of people say their debt is mostly due to their own choices — from small impulse buys to stress-driven spending. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the survey results, the emotions fueling overspending, and what it all means for homebuyers and real estate inve...

Property insurance costs are now the fastest-growing housing expense, up 70% in just five years and nearly 10% of the average mortgage payment. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest ICE Mortgage Monitor, including why insurance is outpacing mortgage and tax costs, how home prices and foreclosures are shifting, and what falling HELOC and refinance rates mean for homeowners and invest...

Mortgage rates have dropped to a new low for 2025, now averaging 6.27%. The surprising part? It happened even as inflation came in hotter than expected. The reason lies in a sudden spike in jobless claims, led by Texas, that shook bond markets and sent Treasury yields lower. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down why labor data is outweighing inflation concerns, what continuing claims at a thre...

A well-known Southern California real estate operator is facing federal charges. Marco Giovanni Santarelli, founder of Norada Capital Management, has been indicted for allegedly defrauding more than 500 investors out of $62.5 million through a Ponzi-style scheme. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains what happened, how unsecured promissory notes can put investors at serious risk, and what you can...

Which housing markets are most at risk in 2025—and which are the safest bets for investors? In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down ATTOM's latest Housing Risk Report, which names the riskiest U.S. counties based on affordability, unemployment, foreclosures, and underwater mortgages. You'll hear why California and Florida top the list, which counties are struggling with extreme affordability, an...

The August jobs report shows the U.S. economy added just 22,000 jobs, far below expectations, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, the highest since 2017 outside the pandemic.  In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including which industries are adding jobs, where losses are showing up, and why long-term unemployment is on the rise. You...

In this episode of  Real Estate News for Investors , Kathy Fettke breaks down a new Bankrate Home Affordability Report that asks:  what impacts buyers more, mortgage rates or home prices?  The findings show that even a small drop in mortgage rates can lower monthly payments far more than a price cut. Kathy explains why waiting for home values to fall may not be the best strategy, how lower rates c...

Airbnb is changing the way it charges hosts — and the update could impact how much real estate investors actually take home. Beginning October 27, 2025, Airbnb will phase out its split-fee model and move to a 15.5% host-only fee. Guests will see a flat price, but hosts will need to adjust their rates to protect margins. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the new structure means for pro...

Senior renters are now the fastest-growing group in the U.S., with more than 2.4 million Americans aged 65 and older entering the rental market in the past decade. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors , Kathy Fettke breaks down the numbers from U.S. Census and Point2Homes data, and explains what's driving this powerful demographic shift. You'll learn why older Americans are choosing r...

The U.S. government is considering one of the biggest cannabis policy shifts in decades—moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law. If approved, this change could ease tax burdens, open the door to banking access, accelerate mergers and acquisitions, and reshape the industry's growth trajectory. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what federal reclassification could m...