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%, why the Midwest is leading in affordability, and which markets are still struggling with tight inventory and stretched buyers. Kathy also dives into a surprising new data point: millions of homeowners face serious flood risk — and most don’t have insurance.

If you want to understand what’s really happening with home prices, mortgage performance, and the broader U.S. housing market, this episode delivers the insights every investor needs to know.

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SOURCE: https://mortgagetech.ice.com/publicdocs/mortgage/imt-october-2025-mortgage-monitor-report-7tZGfFsYkUxV.pdf 

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.

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SOURCE: https://www.npr.org/2025/10/08/nx-s1-5566666/gold-hits-record-best-year-1979

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, remodeling, and even replacement materials more expensive. Kathy explains how these new trade policies might ripple through the real estate industry — from home builders facing tighter margins to investors navigating higher property and renovation costs.

Plus, we look at which countries are hit hardest, how Canada and Vietnam are responding, and what this could mean for long-term housing affordability in the U.S.

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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 Susan Collins on why employers are pulling back hiring, how wage growth is shifting, and what this means for the Federal Reserve’s next rate decision.

Stay informed on how these economic shifts could impact real estate investors and the broader housing market.

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SOURCE: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/01/private-payrolls-declined-in-september-by-32000-in-key-adp-report-coming-amid-shutdown-data-blackout.html

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.

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SOURCES:

• https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/43381/display
• https://guide.freddiemac.com/app/guide/bulletin/2025-E?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

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 markets, and how lawmakers are responding.

Stay informed on how government gridlock could affect your real estate strategy — only on Real Estate News for Investors.

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SOURCE: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/why-a-shutdown-looms-over-the-housing-market-00586923 

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 uncertain times.

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• https://www.investopedia.com/government-shutdown-starts-as-deadline-passes-without-deal-11821801?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-affects-agencies-closed-open/
• https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/government-shutdown-2025-air-travel-social-security-impact-rcna234594#:~:text=The%20federal%20government,For%20%22Senior%20Drivers%22
• https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/01/how-a-us-government-shutdown-could-impact-global-markets.html 

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 are taking action, and what this could mean for investors, multifamily property managers, and the future of online rental platforms.

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SOURCE:  https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/09/ftc-sues-zillow-redfin-over-illegal-agreement-suppress-rental-advertising-competition 

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 rates.

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SOURCE: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/24/august-new-home-sales-soar.html

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 what this means for real estate investors navigating today’s housing market.

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