Builder sentiment just took a sharp dip in February, hitting its lowest level in five months. What’s driving this downturn? In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, host Kathy Fettke breaks down the key factors impacting builder sentiment, including high mortgage rates, rising housing costs, and uncertainty around tariffs. We’ll also explore regional trends and what this means for homebuyers and investors. Will builder confidence rebound, or is the market facing more challenges ahead? Tune in for expert insights and the latest real estate trends! 00:00 Builder Sentiment 00:22 Builder Confidence for Single Family 00:51 Tariffs and Rising Costs 01:57 Regional Shifts 02:32 Investors and Homebuyers 02:52 How Real Wealth Helps Builders and Investors

LINKS JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realty.realwealth.com/join-now/ SYNDICATIONS: Wild Pine San Antoniohttps://realwealth.com/wildpine FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/REN Source: https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2025/02/builder-confidence-falls-on-tariff-and-housing-cost-concerns 

LINKS JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realty.realwealth.com/join-now/ SYNDICATIONS: Wild Pine San Antoniohttps://realwealth.com/wildpine FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/REN Source: https://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/housing-market-index/articles/the-most-undervalued-housing-markets-in-the-us

Inflation is on the rise, job growth is slowing, and the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for longer—how will this impact real estate investors? In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, host Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, the weaker-than-expected January jobs report, and what these economic shifts mean for mortgage rates, housing affordability, and rental demand. Will higher inflation delay the Fed’s rate cuts? How will real estate markets react in 2025? Tune in for expert insights on navigating today’s market conditions and staying ahead of economic trends.

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LINKS JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realty.realwealth.com/join-now/ SYNDICATIONS: Wild Pine San Antoniohttps://realwealth.com/wildpine FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://tinyurl.com/RWSsubscribe Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/RENsubscribe Sources:

1. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm 

2. https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/outlook/economic-outlook/jobs-report-january-2025 

3. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/12/cpi-january-2025.html

4. https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/wall-street-today-dow-jones-drops-400-points-as-us-inflation-rises-50-bps-to-3-yoy-dimming-hopes-for-fed-rate-cuts-11739372126973.html 

5. https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/cpi-report-today-inflation-stock-market-02-12-2025 

A White House directive is set to terminate leases on 7,500 federal office spaces, signaling a dramatic shift in government real estate strategy. This move could flood the commercial real estate market with vacancies, driving down rents in some areas while creating new opportunities in others. With Elon Musk’s efficiency strategies influencing the process and agencies scrambling to adjust, commercial investors must stay informed on potential risks and emerging trends. Find out how this shake-up could impact your real estate investments on Real Estate News for Investors.

00:00 Shakeup in Federal Offices 00:22 Termination of Federal Office Leases 01:14 Return to Office Contradiction 01:36 What this Mean for Commercial Real Estate 02:26 Investors Impact

LINKS JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realty.realwealth.com/join-now/ SYNDICATIONS: Wild Pine San Antoniohttps://realwealth.com/wildpine FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://tinyurl.com/RWSsubscribe Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/RENsubscribe Sources:

1. https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-musk-demand-termination-federal-190050546.html 

2. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/04/business/trump-musk-demand-termination-federal-office-leases-through-general-services-administration/ 

3. https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-gsa-terminate-office-leases-f8faac5e2038722f705587c8dd21ab26 

Mortgage rates in 2025 are are eerily similar to 1971. But while interest rates may look the same, housing affordability has drastically changed. In 1971, the typical home sold for just $25,225 (about $195,000 in today’s dollars). Fast forward to 2024, and the median home price has skyrocketed to $418,950, leaving many wondering: Is homeownership still possible?

In this episode, Kathy Fettke unpacks the factors driving today’s housing affordability crisis, from skyrocketing mortgage payments and rising property taxes to the lock-in effect that’s keeping inventory tight.

(00:00) 1971 vs 2025 (00:40) Mortgage Rates Through the Years (02:02) Historical Housing Costs (02:54) Maintenance Costs (03:08) The Lock In Effect (03:54) Advice for Homebuyers and Investors 

LINKS JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realty.realwealth.com/join-now/ SYNDICATIONS: Wild Pine San Antoniohttps://realwealth.com/wildpine FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://tinyurl.com/RWSsubscribe Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/RENsubscribe Source: https://udirectira.com/the-proposed-future-of-accredited-investor-status/

A major shake-up could be coming to the SEC's accredited investor definition, potentially allowing more investors access to l real estate syndication deals and other private investment opportunities. With Trump’s pick, Paul Atkins, expected to take the lead at the SEC, could financial literacy and experience replace income thresholds? Join Kathy Fettke as she dives into what this means for passive investors, real estate syndicators, and capital markets. (00:00) Accredited Investor Changes (00:32) SEC Definitions (01:10) Accredited Investor Definition (01:44) Non-Accredited Investors (02:05) Limitations  (03:33) Atkin's and Regulatory Reform (04:27) New Standards?  LINKS JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realty.realwealth.com/join-now/ SYNDICATIONS: Wild Pine San Antoniohttps://realwealth.com/wildpine FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://tinyurl.com/RWSsubscribe Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/RENsubscribe Source: https://udirectira.com/the-proposed-future-of-accredited-investor-status/

2. https://www.businessinsider.com/todays-mortgage-rates-thursday-6-2025-2 

3. https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/mortgages/article/mortgage-refinance-rates-today-thursday-february-6-2025-110053659.html