Zillow unveiled a new version of its Zestimate home valuation tool that’s supposed to be much more accurate than previous versions. Zillow claims the error rate is now less than 2% thanks to the ideas it collected in a $1-million contest to make the Zestimate smarter. It’s now claiming to have the most accurate home valuation tool, although it does face stiff competition from Redfin, and others.

www.NewsForInvestors.com

Zestimate Improves Accuracy thru $1M Contest

Don’t get caught off guard by market crashes that can take all your money down with them. And don’t miss out on markets where you can build wealth practically overnight. Real Estate News for Investors with Kathy Fettke is the premiere source for savvy real estate investors who want to stay up-to-date on new laws, regulations, and economic events that affect real estate. Topics include: market trends, economic analysis that affects housing prices, updates on the best rental markets for investing in single-family rentals or multi-unit rentals, turn-key housing standards, the fate of the highly revered 1031 exchange and other tax law affecting investors, self-directed IRA investing and 401k changes, where rents and property values are rising or falling, flipping risks, new Dodd-Frank rules regarding private lending and financing standards, areas with job losses vs job growth, areas that are overbuilt or over-supplied versus areas with low supply and high demand, and how to avoid real estate scams.

We'll bring you the latest reports from organizations like the National Association of Realtors, Realty Trac, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Rent Range, Property Radar, the Norris Group, Peter Schiff, Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Suse Orman, Bigger Pockets, Dave Ramsey and more. And we'll help you interpret the data in terms that make sense for your real estate goals, and portfolio. Grow and protect your wealth by staying on the forefront of economic data analysis, expert opinions, innovative investing strategies and profitable investment opportunities. We'll share all the top real estate news stories and the best trade secrets investors should know, so you can stay ahead of the curve and make fully informed real estate decisions.

Host Kathy Fettke is Co-CEO of the Real Wealth Network, author of Retire Rich with Rentals and host of the Real Wealth Show on iTunes. She brings decades of media and real estate investing experience, offers her own viewpoints on particular topics, and taps into her network of real estate experts for real world news updates created just for investors like you. Get the real news on real estate on Real Estate News For Investors podcast!

Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe! Love what you hear? Please leave us a review! Thanks for listening!

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

News

Earth Day is here again, as a reminder to celebrate this beautiful planet we live on. For real estate investors, It's also a reminder to check on our own properties and do whatever we can to make them more resilient to natural disasters. Climate resiliency is what CoreLogic says is the key to “future real estate stability.”   Environmental risk is becoming more important for anyone buying property, whether it’s due to potential flooding, wildfires, hurricanes or even sea level changes. Although climate-related natural disasters pose a financial threat to every industry, they pose a huge threat to the real estate industry which also accounts for a substantial portion of our US economy...   ...If you haven’t done it already, let Earth Day be an inspiration to do the research you need to make your properties more resilient to climate-related events. It may also help guide you as to where you want to invest and how to fortify your portfolio against the risks, not just for you but for future generations.   You’ll find links to the CoreLogic articles in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. You can also find out more about smart real estate investing as a RealWealth member and by attending our live event in San Francisco on May 4th. We’ll have five property teams giving presentations about their markets and available rental properties. We’re also hosting a Cocktail Party in the evening so you can meet fellow investors and find out what they are doing. You can get information on the live event and a free RealWealth membership at newsforinvestors.com.   And please remember to subscribe to this podcast if you haven’t already!   Thanks for listening! And Happy Earth Day! Kathy   Links:   1 - https://www.corelogic.com/intelligence/earth-day-climate-change-takes-center-stage-in-the-property-market-conversation/   2 - https://www.corelogic.com/intelligence/extreme-heat-property-risk-is-the-next-significant-business-hurdle/   3 - https://www.corelogic.com/press-releases/corelogic-previews-the-evolving-severe-convective-storm-risk-landscape-in-new-report/

How Will You Future-Proof Your Portfolio Against Climate Risks?

California property owners, developers and affordable housing advocates are scoring a big win from the US Supreme Court! The high court ruled that local “impact fees” imposed on newly constructed homes can be challenged in court. This is a significant win for property rights because these fees can add a substantial amount of money onto the price of a home.   The case began with a lawsuit by George Sheetz in California’s El Dorado County. That’s in the foothills heading toward Lake Tahoe. Sheetz is a 72-year-old retiree who applied for a permit in 2016 to build an 18-hundred square foot manufactured home on a small lot that is zoned for residential use. The county then imposed a traffic mitigation fee or “impact fee” of $23,420...   ...That’s it for this episode. You’ll find links to our source material in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. I’d also like to invite you to attend our  live RealWealth event in San Francisco on May 4th. We will be showcasing six property teams who provide rental properties in markets with strong job and population growth and are more affordable for investors. We will also be hosting a cocktail party in the evening so you can meet fellow investors and members of the RealWealth team. You’ll find information on tickets at newsforinvestors.com under the Connect tab and then Live Events.   And please remember to become a member of RealWealth and subscribe to this podcast if you haven’t already!   Thanks for listening! Kathy   Links:   1 - https://therealdeal.com/la/2024/04/15/supreme-court-builders-can-challenge-california-impact-fees-2/   2 -  https://www.nahb.org/blog/2024/04/sheetz-ruling-supreme-court-impact-fees   3 - https://www.car.org/aboutus/mediacenter/newsreleases/2024-News-Releases/4qtr2023hai#:~:text=Fifteen%20percent%20of%20California%20households,percent%20in%20fourth%2Dquarter%202022.

US Supreme Court Victory for California Property Owners & Developers!

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending April 15th, 2024... why the latest inflation reports could postpone the Fed’s rate-cutting plan, how inflation continues to impact construction costs, and why homeowners are getting sticker shock from property tax bills.   We begin with economic news from this past week that was dominated by two of the latest inflation reports. The Consumer Price Index or CPI came out on Wednesday and the Producer Price Index or PPI came out on Thursday.   Unfortunately for everyone wanting a great inflation report, the March CPI was hotter than expected. It rose .4% in March for an annual rate of 3.5%. That’s up from 3.2% last month. That is not what the Fed wants to see as it decides to lower the Federal Funds rate...   ...That’s it for today. You can read more about the stories in this episode by following links in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. We are also encouraging all of our listeners to sign up for a free RealWealth membership. As a member, you’ll get updates on what’s new for the housing market and for real estate investors. Our big focus right now is a live event on Saturday May 4th in San Francisco. We’ll have six property teams giving presentations on their markets and the kind of rental properties available. We are also hosting a cocktail party in the evening to give people an opportunity to share their real estate investing stories and get to know one another. You can find out more about that at newsforinvestors.com. Just click on Connect and then Live Events. Subscribe to the podcast here.    Thanks for listening! Kathy Fettke   Links:   1 - https://www.marketwatch.com/livecoverage/cpi-report-for-march-dow-futures-steady-ahead-of-key-inflation-data/card/inflation-rises-sharply-again-in-march-cpi-shows-and-may-raise-doubts-about-fed-rate-cut-Foz2wKLnfXjobHHolAdz   2 - https://www.cnbc.com/2013/02/20/producer-price-index-cnbc-explains.html   3 - https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/10/hot-inflation-data-pushes-markets-rate-cut-expectations-to-september.html   4 - https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/05/fed-governor-bowman-says-additional-rate-hike-could-be-needed-if-inflation-stays-high.html   5 - https://www.constructiondive.com/news/producer-price-construction-input-march/712981/   6 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/fed-officials-back-cautious-approach-to-further-shrinking-of-its-balance-sheet-minutes-show-4fed157d?mod=federal-reserve   7 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-retreat-again-to-211-000-in-another-sign-of-labor-market-strength-ac68c1cc?mod=economic-report   8 - https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms   9 - https://www.forbes.com/advisor/taxes/property-taxes-surge/   10 - https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/09/why-new-build-homes-can-lead-to-a-property-tax-surprise.html

The Real Estate News Brief: Rate-Cut Hopes Deflate, Price Impact on Construction, Property Tax Sticker Shock

  Florida Realtors are celebrating a new law that makes it easier for property owners to remove squatters. It’s become a crisis situation across the nation when squatters take control of a property and claim they are the victims. Florida has changed that, but property owners also need to protect themselves from the illegal occupation of their rightful homes...     ...You should also know your rights and the rights of squatters (if they have any) for the area where your property is located. If squatters don’t leave when you ask them, you may have to file an eviction notice and take them to court. And make sure you have a lawyer who’s experienced with property rights law.   The Florida anti-squatting law will take effect on July 1st.   That’s it for this episode. We’ve posted links to some of these stories in the show notes if you’d like to read more about it. Just go to newsforinvestors.com.   I’d also like to mention our live event on May 4th in San Francisco for people who’d like to invest in rental properties. We’ll have a total of six property teams giving presentations including two from Florida where the new anti-squatting law will help protect our properties! There will also be a cocktail party after the main event so you can get to know your fellow investors and members of our RealWealth team. Get more details and sign up at newsforinvestors.com under the Connect tab and then Live Events.   And please remember to subscribe to this podcast if you haven’t already!   Links:   1 - https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2024/03/desantis-signs-bill-targeting-home-squatters   2 - https://www.wptv.com/news/state/florida-gov-ron-desantis-signs-law-squashing-squatters-rights   3 - https://nypost.com/2024/03/21/us-news/tiktokker-tells-illegal-immigrants-how-to-invade-american-homes/   4 - https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/range-rover-driving-squatter-took-171643513.html   5 - https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/20-u-s-states-where-squatters-are-able-to-legally-claim-your-property/ss-BB1kvKva#image=22   6 - https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/real-estate/how-to-protect-your-real-estate-from-squatter-crisis/ 

Will Squatters Take Your Property? New Florida Law Says “NO”!

Demand for housing in and around Dallas, Texas continues to soar. While investors have been pouring millions of dollars into creating more affordable housing, the metro is attracting so many people that tens of thousands of homes are still needed. Supply isn’t expected to catch up to demand any time soon.   An article in Bisnow says that investors have put a record amount of money into the area, but it hasn’t done much to close the affordable housing gap. Executive director of the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers, Roger Arriaga, says: “The demand is excruciatingly big. We haven’t really even dented what the true need is for affordable housing.”...   ...This is why we started a North Dallas Rental Fund, which is now closed to new investment, but is still in the process of buying and renovating properties. The plan is to lease the updated homes to tech professionals who are moving to the area. My fund partner is also a property manager and helps individuals build their own rental portfolio. You can find out more about that by signing up for a free RealWealth membership at newsforinvestors.com. You can also learn about the Dallas market by attending our live event on Saturday, May 4th, in  San Francisco. There’s more information on that at our website at newsforinvestors.com.  That’s it for this episode. And be sure to sign up in advance for the live event on May 4th in San Francisco. We’ll have a total of six property teams giving presentations, plus a cocktail party afterward. Just go to newsforinvestors.com, click on Connect and then Live Events.   And please remember to subscribe to this podcast if you haven’t already!   Thanks for listening! Kathy   Links:   1 - https://www.bisnow.com/dallas-ft-worth/news/affordable-housing/behind-the-eight-ball-record-levels-of-investment-have-barely-dented-the-need-for-affordable-housing-in-dallas-123668   2 - https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/in-the-news/austin-dallas-fort-worth-seen-as-nations-top-two-home-markets-in-2024-houston-no-6-the-dallas

Zestimate Improves Accuracy thru $1M Contest

Download our free app to listen on your phone