In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending April 3rd, 2021... an economic update from Fannie Mae, a surge in consumer optimism, and the return of the cicadas. Economic News We begin with economic news from this past week, and an updated economic forecast by Fannie Mae. The mortgage guarantee enterprise is expecting real GDP growth to hit 8.4% in the second quarter of this year, and 6.6% for the full year. It is anticipating the GDP to settle down a bit in 2022. Currently, risks to the economic recovery are viewed as neutral. That includes the future path of COVID-19 and its variants, the easing of social restrictions, and whether consumers will start spending more money from their personal savings. The housing market is expected to remain resilient with purchases hitting $1.82 trillion this year. That’s up from $1.61 trillion last year. Rising interest rates are not expected to have much of an impact. Fannie Mae’s chief economist Doug Duncan says: “While we forecast some continued upward movement, mortgage rates remain historically low, as they are still .8 percentage points below the 2019 average.” (1) There was a spike in first-time unemployment claims last week, but economists are expecting numbers to go down soon, as the economy strengthens. The government says that state claims jumped to 719,000. Combined with claims for federal benefits, the total was “less” than one million. That figure fell below one million two weeks ago for the first time since the pandemic began. (2) The March report on job growth shows a surprising surge in new positions. It says that companies created more than 900,000 new jobs with the largest percentage in the leisure and hospitality industry. But there were also a lot of new jobs for the government and the construction industry. MarketWatch says that job growth easily exceeded Wall Street expectations. The official unemployment rate is now down to 6%, but that figure doesn’t include about 4 million people who lost their jobs during the pandemic, and left the workforce. (3) Pending home sales were down by a significant amount in February due to the lack of existing home inventory along with higher interest rates and homes prices. The National Association of Realtors says pending home sales were down 10.6%. They fell in all parts of the country, but they were down the most in the South with a 13% drop. (4) Chief economist for Realtor.com, Danielle Hale, expects that home price growth will settle down as more sellers put their homes on the market this spring. But prices have already jumped quite a bit. According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller national price index, they were up 11.2% year-over-year in January. Phoenix has the highest price appreciation at 15.8%. (5) We will need to see a lot of new sellers to help slow that price growth, and meet demand. Realtor.com’s Monthly Housing Trends Report shows there are 52% fewer homes on the market this year than there were last year. And the national median home price is up 15.6% to $370,000 in March, which is an all-time high. (6) The lack of existing homes is pushing many first-time buyers into the new home market. According to the National Association of Home Builders, new home buyers account for 43% of sales. That’s up from 32% in 2018. (7) Construction spending dipped in February, mostly because of severe weather in many parts of the country. The Commerce Department says it slipped .8%. It’s still up 5.3%, however, compared to a year ago. And it’s expected to bounce back rapidly this spring. (8) Consumer confidence is surging. It hit a one-year high of 109.7 in March. That’s up from 90.4 in February. The Conference Board survey was done as people received $1,400 stimulus checks and more people were vaccinated. (9) Mortgage Rates Mortgage rates didn’t move much this last week. Freddie Mac says the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was only up one basis point to 3.18%. The 15-year didn’t budge and remains at 2.45%. (10) In other news making headlines... Eviction Moratorium Extended The CDC extended the national eviction moratorium another three months. It now ends on June 30th. The moratorium has been challenged by several states and local governments because it has left many landlords without rent payments to pay their own bills. Landlords do have access to some amount of rental assistance from relief packages passed by Congress. The National Association of Realtors helped make that happen, but NAR’S chief advocacy officer, Shannon McGahn says: “Our focus now turns to ensuring there is not just enough funding but also a smooth implementation of rental assistance while the various challenges to eviction bans work their way through the courts.” (11) The Cicadas Are Coming It’s been 17 years since the last invasion of a bug called the cicada. If you’re familiar with them, you probably know that they are expected to emerge from their underground hiding place this spring. They are grass hopper-like bugs that shed their skin, and leave behind mounds of their sloughed-off exterior in the yards that they occupy. They are also very loud, and can be heard as far away as a half a mile. States expecting this kind of invasion are located in the central east coast region, up through New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania then west toward the north central states. You’ll find links to all these stories on the podcast player page for this episode at www.NewsForInvestors.com Links: 1 - https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom/fannie-mae-news/economic-growth-expected-accelerate-through-spring-covid-19-lockdown-restrictions-ease 2 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-unemployment-claims-jump-to-719-000-but-spike-likely-just-temporary-as-economy-strengthens-11617280807?mod=economic-report 3 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-gains-916-000-new-jobs-in-march-and-signals-strengthening-economy-11617367042?mod=home-page 4 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/americans-hit-the-brakes-on-home-buying-activity-last-month-previewing-a-challenging-spring-season-11617200281?mod=economic-report 5 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/home-prices-are-rising-at-a-breakneck-pace-but-economists-say-that-could-soon-change-11617110818?mod=economy-politics 6 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/04/01/spring-buyers-have-50-fewer-homes-to-choose-from 7 - https://www.worldpropertyjournal.com/real-estate-news/united-states/tampa-real-estate-news/real-estate-news-national-association-of-home-builders-wells-fargo-housing-market-index-march-2021-first-time-home-buyer-data-nahb-reports-covid-impac-12449.php 8 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-construction-spending-drops-08-in-february-2021-04-01 10 - http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/ 11 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/30/eviction-moratorium-still-in-effect 12 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/29/prepare-for-the-return-of-the-cicadas

When the world shut down because of COVID-19, few people thought their work routine would change so drastically. It’s now more than a year since the virus forced people into a remote work environment, and with the pandemic threat diminishing, there are big questions about the best way to shift to a more hybrid model that combines workplace with work-from-home. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending March 27th, 2021… the state of the economy from Treasury Secretary Yellen and Fed Chief Powell, what some see as a co-working rebound, and a new demand for golf course homes. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links: 1 - https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/23/economy/janet-yellen-jerome-powell-economy-recovery/index.html 2 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-spending-sinks-in-february-and-inflation-creeps-higher-11616763768?mod=economy-politics 3 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-gdp-growth-in-fourth-quarter-raised-slightly-to-4-3-11616677670?mod=economic-report 4 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-unemployment-claims-sink-to-684-000-and-hit-lowest-level-since-pandemic-11616676886?mod=economy-politics 5 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-home-sales-plummet-amid-bad-weather-but-analysts-remain-upbeat-on-construction-activity-11616508567?mod=economy-politics 6 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-home-sales-plummet-amid-bad-weather-but-analysts-remain-upbeat-on-construction-activity-11616508567?mod=economy-politics 7 - https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-economy-sentiment-idUSAQN03Z34I 8 - http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/ 9 - https://www.housingwire.com/articles/about-7m-refi-candidates-missed-the-forever-rate-boat/# 10 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/24/co-working-spaces-may-soon-see-a-surge-in-activity 11 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/22/golf-properties-are-once-again-in-high-demand 12 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/26/demand-for-pools-hot-tubs-surging-due-to-covid-19  

The push continues for a solution to lumber shortages and skyrocketing lumber prices. A large number of sawmills were shut down early last year, creating a major shortage of lumber for the construction industry. While there’s hope that sawmills will return to full capacity as people get vaccinated and social distancing mandates are relaxed, the National Association of Homebuilders is urging policymakers to find solutions right now. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://www.nahb.org/advocacy/top-priorities/material-costs/solving-the-lumber-crisis   2 - https://nahbnow.com/2021/02/record-high-lumber-prices-add-24k-to-the-price-of-a-new-home/   3 - https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/17/housing-starts-february-2021.html#:~:text=and%20construction%20activity.%22-,Housing%20starts%20fell%2010.3%25%20to%20a%20seasonally%20adjusted%20annual%20rate,on%2Dyear%20basis%20in%20February.   4 - https://nahbnow.com/2021/03/lumber-prices-stalling-much-needed-multifamily-and-affordable-housing-supply/?_ga=2.24865850.1827718439.1616712139-54843561.1614272299   5 - https://nahbnow.com/2021/03/a-full-court-press-on-lumber/?_ga=2.250824582.1827718439.1616712139-54843561.1614272299   6 - https://fortune.com/2021/03/20/lumber-prices-2021-chart-when-will-wood-shortage-end-price-of-lumber-go-down-home-sales-cost-update-march/   7 - https://www.nahb.org/advocacy/top-priorities/material-costs/outreach-to-the-administration-and-congress?_ga=2.182658726.1827718439.1616712139-54843561.1614272299  

Individuals across the U.S. are getting a new round of stimulus checks worth more than $410 Billion. This is the third time the government has handed out money because of the pandemic. While many people are still suffering financially, the economy is also recovering, and that’s raising a lot of questions about whether people should save, spend, or invest their checks. So what should individuals do with their stimulus checks? I thought I’d cover some of the ideas and recommendations I’ve been seeing in the news, and what many people say they are planning to do with their checks. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-16/biden-stimulus-check-1-400-best-investment-ideas-save-or-spend-it   2 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/americans-ready-to-plow-10-of-stimulus-checks-into-bitcoin-and-stocks-survey-says-11615823512   3 - https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/young-investors-are-putting-stimulus-checks-into-stocks-and-bitcoin-152629197.html   4 - https://finance.yahoo.com/news/warren-buffett-wants-1-400-151000599.html   5 - https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/11/latest-stimulus-payments-cover-months-rent-some-places-less-than-month-others/    

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending March 20th, 2021... why homebuilder confidence took a dip, why we won’t have a spring home-buying season, and superstitions that discourage homebuyers.   We begin with economic news from this past week, and new assurances from the Federal Reserve about economic growth and inflation. While Fed officials expect to see a GDP OF 6.5% this year and inflation slightly higher than 2%, they have no plans to raise interest rates in 2021.   www.NewsForInvestors.com   Links:   1 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/fed-sees-no-rate-hikes-through-2023-despite-some-inflation-overshoot-11616004261?mod=MW_article_top_stories   2 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/unemployment-claims-jump-to-one-month-high-of-770-000-as-texas-applications-surge-11616071511?mod=economy-politics   3 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-home-construction-falters-due-to-februarys-winter-storms-but-support-for-a-home-building-frenzy-remains-11615985107?mod=economic-report   4 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/home-builder-confidence-dips-to-lowest-level-since-august-as-concerns-grow-about-rising-material-costs-and-higher-interest-rates-11615903279?mod=economic-report   5 - http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/   6 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/16/buyers-rush-to-lock-in-low-interest-rates   7 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/15/survey-60-of-households-priced-out-of-new-home-market   8 - https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/17/irs-pushes-april-15-us-tax-deadline-to-may-17.html   9 - https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/homebuying-luck-survey/

New risk reduction policies at Fannie Mae could make it harder to get loans for single-family second homes and investment properties. The GSE sent letters to lenders saying it will impose a new 7% limit on the acceptance of those kinds of loans. Fannie is currently accepting a higher percentage. So what does that mean for investors? www.NewsForInvestors.com  

Dozens of New York City landlords are being accused of discriminating against people with housing vouchers. A housing rights watchdog group filed a federal lawsuit against 88 brokers and landlords after an undercover operation that involved recorded phone calls. The state of New York made it illegal to discriminate against tenants based on their source of income in 2019. That includes people who use Section 8 vouchers to pay their rent as well as other forms of assistance like child support, alimony, foster care subsidies, and veterans benefits. There are a few exceptions that include rentals in one- or two-family homes but only if they are occupied by the owner. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/source_of_income_discrimination.pdf   2 - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/15/nyregion/real-estate-lawsuit-section-8-discrimination.html   3 - https://www.nmhc.org/research-insight/analysis-and-guidance/source-of-income-laws-by-state-county-and-city/

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending March 13th, 2021… a $1.9 Trillion economic rescue, iBuyer 2021 rebound, and a Zillow hiring spree. We begin with economic news from this past week, and the approval of a $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 relief package. The National Association of Realtors is applauding the high-dollar stimulus plan because there are several provisions that will help the housing market, including another $21.55 billion in rental assistance. Landlords who are owed back rent will benefit from those funds, and the previous $25 billion approved in December. $1,400 stimulus checks for individuals will also help the back rent situation. There’s also money to help homeowners struggling to pay mortgages, as well as small businesses, schools, and local governments that are low on cash. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/11/biden-signs-covid-19-rescue-package-into-law   2 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumers-pay-higher-prices-in-february-cpi-shows-as-inflation-creeps-up-11615384314?cx_testId=22&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=2&mod=home-page-cx#cxrecs_s   3 -  https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-fall-sharply-to-lowest-level-since-november-11615470023?mod=economic-report   4 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/job-openings-rise-in-january-as-labor-market-strengthens-11615476422?mod=mw_latestnews   5 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-march-consumer-sentiment-hits-post-pandemic-high-11615561947   6 - http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/   7 - https://realestateinvestingtoday.com/nmhc-says-80-4-of-apartment-households-paid-rent-by-march-6th/   8 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/11/ibuyer-financial-losses-mount   9 - https://investors.zillowgroup.com/investors/news-and-events/news/news-details/2021/Zillow-Announces-Plans-to-Hire-More-Than-2000-Employees-Nationwide-in-2021/default.aspx

The pandemic has increased renter preferences for certain amenities, and one New York City website has come up with an interesting list of “must haves.” It’s a top 10 list that was compiled from search results in December and January by apartment listing website StreetEasy. People have been spending more time at home since the start of the pandemic, and that’s changed a lot of priorities about our home space. Although there are many preferences on this list that are geared toward apartment buildings, several apply to any kind of rental situation. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://streeteasy.com/blog/apartment-amenities-new-yorkers-want-most/   2 - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/11/realestate/which-amenities-are-most-popular.html    

“The 2020’s will be the decade of the hyperloop.” Those are the words of Virgin hyperloop co-founder Josh Giegel just a few months after the company conducted its first passenger test. Giegel was one of the two people on board the. Virgin now expects its system to be up and running for the public by the end of this decade. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links: 1 - https://virginhyperloop.com/ 2 - https://www.radio.com/kxnt/articles/press-release/virgin-hyperloop-has-successful-test-in-nevada-desert 3 - https://virginhyperloop.com/press/results-midwest-hyperloop-study 4 - https://www.star-telegram.com/news/coronavirus/article244517722.html 5 - https://gizmodo.com/north-carolina-is-eyeing-a-hyperloop-one-system-for-the-1836318917 6 - https://www.forbes.com/sites/geekgirlrising/2020/12/08/san-francisco-to-la-in-35-minutes-virgin-hyperloop-moves-closer-to-reality/?sh=4f2dfc8b5274 7 - https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/news/articles/cleveland-to-chicago-in-28-minutes-hyperloop-moves-forward?fbclid=IwAR2QRUk2mumJxqU1uaSTbi1Cxtq4k9hnqnvaQBkp-g1bm2XbLKDT_XrRBxw 8 - https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Car-Rental-News/Hyperloop-travel-appears-to-be-on-the-fast-track-to-reality  

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending March 6th, 2021… new concerns about inflation, signs of a job market rebound, and gender bias in the mortgage market.    We begin with economic news from this past week, and a stock market roller coaster that had real estate investors breathing a sigh of relief. Many of the high-flying tech stocks went south in response to concerns about inflation after Treasury yields spiked  a few times. Economists are also worried that the $1.9 trillion fiscal stimulus package that Congress is trying to pass will overheat the economy, and that recent signs of inflation are just the beginning.   www.NewsForInvestors.com   Links:   1 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/powell-sends-warning-to-markets-that-fed-doesnt-want-persistent-tightening-in-financial-conditions-11614879804?siteid=bnbh   2 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-economy-adds-379-000-jobs-in-february-as-hiring-speeds-up-11614951413?mod=home-page   3 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-unemployment-claims-rise-slightly-to-745-000-after-texas-power-outages-11614865793?mod=mw_latestnews   4 - https://eyeonhousing.org/2021/03/private-residential-spending-hits-record-high/   5 - http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/   6 - https://nahbnow.com/2021/03/fhfa-extends-covid-19-multifamily-forbearance-through-june-30/?_ga=2.65463978.528485599.1614974505-54843561.1614272299   7 - https://www.corelogic.com/blog/2021/3/new-year-started-off-with-double-digit-home-price-gains.aspx   8 - https://www.apartmentlist.com/research/national-rent-data   9 - https://www.redfin.com/news/single-women-home-purchases-increase-2020/

Selling a home is about to get cheaper as the result of an antitrust lawsuit. Because of a settlement between the National Association of Realtors and the Department of Justice, the fees that sellers pay to buyers will be publicly displayed on listing pages. Redfin is already doing it in many markets, and other real estate websites are expected to follow suit in the coming months. That kind of transparency typically results in more competition and lower rates. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

A Texas judge has ruled the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium is unconstitutional. It’s been in effect since last spring because of the pandemic, and has put some landlords in a tough spot because they can’t afford to support tenants who aren’t paying rent. The ruling stopped short of an injunction, and it’s now being appealed by the Department of Justice. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending February 27th, 2021... a Fed update on economic policy, an FHFA reprieve for tenants and homeowners, and a rise in demand for rural land.   We begin with economic news from this past week, and comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. He told Congress that there are signs the economy is recovering but that substantial improvements are still needed in the job market, and that inflation needs to get closer to the 2% mark.   www.NewsForInvestors.com  

California landlords may face a new excise tax. AB 1199 would impose a tax on landlords to pay for the privilege of renting or leasing property in California. Some people feel it’s an end run to the failed Proposition 15 in the last election which would’ve eliminated Prop 13 protections for commercial property. AB 1199 would also create a public registry of rental property information including the names of the individual property owners. www.NewsForInvestors.com Access over 500 Free Webinars here!   Links:   1 - https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1199   2 - https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/proposed-excise-tax-intentional-effort-to-subvert-the-will-of-california-voters/ 3 - https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/excise-tax-on-ca-property-owners-for-renting-or-leasing-property-in-new-bill/  

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending February 20th, 2021… how rents are doing in smaller markets, whether Opportunity Zones are turning profits, and an easy place to find flood risk data for individual properties. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

Every year, California residents face a profusion of new laws, and this year, there are several new laws that will have a big impact on real estate. I’ve covered a few of them before, but they are important enough to mention again along with a few others for our California listeners and for people interested in what California is doing as a potential trend-setter for other states. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

The numbers keep going up for the housing market. Redfin reports that competition is so fierce among buyers that a majority of homes are going under contract within two weeks. That’s also driving home prices to new record highs. Redfin reports that median asking prices are up 10% from a year ago, to a new all-time high of $334,770. It also says that median sale prices are up 15% year-over-year to $318,750. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending February 13th, 2021... new comments from the Fed Chief on the risk of inflation, a new extension for government forbearance programs, and a forecast on homebuyer demand. We begin with economic news from the past week, and Fed Chief Jerome Powell’s commentary about inflation. He spoke before the Economic club of New York saying he doesn’t expect a big jump or a sustained increase in inflation right now. He says: “Inflation has been much lower and more stable over the past three decades than in earlier times. In the 1970’s, when inflation would go up, it would stay up.” www.NewsForInvestors.com  

Will it be another great year for single-family homes? After a surge in demand for single-family homes last year, the big question on many investor minds is whether this is “a fad or a real trend.” The Urban Land Institute and PWC just published a yearly report on real estate trends, with some insights on where the single-family market may be headed. www.NewsForInvestors.com Link: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/asset-management/real-estate/assets/pwc-emerging-trends-in-real-estate-2021.pdf  

With eviction moratoriums in place for nearly a year now, one might assume that investing in rental property would not be prudent. If people lose their jobs and can't pay rent, how can the landlord pay for their bills like the mortgage, property taxes and insurance? Yet, in spite of these unprecedented challenges, some metro areas have actually seen rents rise - according to a recent CoreLogic report that tracks rent collections. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending February 6th, 2021... new record-highs for Houston real estate, good news about renter credit scores, and a big “first” for the 3D printing of homes. We begin with economic news from this past week and the latest job market reports. New applications for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level in nine weeks. The government says that 779,000 people filed for state unemployment benefits during the last week of January. www.NewsForInvestors.com    

Realtors are expecting another “booming” year for Central Florida real estate. 2020 was better than they expected and they say it looks like 2021 will follow along that path. Inventory is tight, but some economists expect more existing homes to hit the market, once the pandemic is under control. Builders are also working to fill the inventory gap in the for-sale and rental markets.   www.NewsForInvestors.com  

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending January 30th, 2021… the Fed’s latest policy decisions, more good news about home sales, and a Zillow forecast on home values. We begin with economic news from this past week, and another meeting of the Federal Reserve that ended with no policy changes and signs that short-term interest rates will stay right where they are for several years. The Fed also said it has no plans to taper its monthly purchase of $120 billion in bonds until it sees “substantial further progress” in a job market recovery, along with inflation that sits above 2% for some amount of time. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

Remote workers may face a surprise tax bill if they live and work in different states. With the rapid expansion of the remote workforce and the ability to live anywhere, remote workers who cross state lines may owe taxes in more than one state. And a recent survey shows that most workers don’t realize that. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/27/unexpected-state-tax-could-be-around-the-corner-for-remote-workers.html   2 - https://abcnews.go.com/US/working-home-due-covid-double-tax-hit/story?id=74864155

We have some year-end totals for the number of home loans that are past due, and at risk of foreclosure. A new report by Black Knight shows that 2020 ended with almost 3.4 million loans in some stage of delinquency, and that seriously delinquent loans were up 250%, but they are well off their pandemic peaks. There’s also new data on places where foreclosures are already rising, and many of those locations are in California. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   https://www.blackknightinc.com/black-knights-first-look-at-december-2020-mortgage-data/   https://www.housingwire.com/articles/2020-ends-with-3-4-million-loans-in-delinquency/   https://www.attomdata.com/news/market-trends/figuresfriday/top-10-u-s-zip-codes-where-foreclosure-filings-are-on-the-rise/  

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending January 23rd, 2021… another extension for the Federal eviction ban, homebuilder Lennar to become a single-family landlord, and no more free rental listings on Zillow. We begin with economic news from this past week, and the likely return of former Fed chief Janet Yellen as the new U.S. Treasury Secretary. The Senate Finance Committee approved her nomination on Friday the 22nd. The Senate is expected to vote today, and if confirmed, she'll be the first woman to lead the department in its more than 230-year history. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/yellens-nomination-to-be-u-s-treasury-secretary-advances-on-unanimous-committee-vote-11611328550?mod=bnbh_mwarticle   2 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-drop-to-still-high-900-000-in-last-full-week-of-trump-presidency-11611236766?mod=economic-report   3 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-home-construction-activity-soars-to-highest-level-in-over-a-decade-as-builders-rush-to-produce-single-family-homes-2021-01-21?mod=u.s.-economic-calendar   4 - https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/existing-home-sales   5 - http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/   6 - https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/biden-to-extend-the-national-ban-on-evictions-through-march-2021.html   7 - https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/emergency-rental-assistance-program#:~:text=The%20Emergency%20Rental%20Assistance%20program,local%20governments%2C%20and%20Indian%20tribes.   8 - https://www.thestreet.com/investing/lennar-moving-into-single-family-rentals   9 - https://www.inman.com/2021/01/20/the-end-of-free-rental-listings-on-zillow-is-here/  

The vaccine rollout is underway, and people in real estate are speculating on how it will help or possibly hurt some aspects of the housing market. 2020 was of course a very difficult year for many sectors of the economy, but not housing. What changes can we expect in the coming year? www.NewsForInvestors.com Links: 1 - https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/vaccines-housing-market/    

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending January 16th, 2021... a new COVID relief bill that extends the federal eviction moratorium, proposes more rental assistance, and authorizes new stimulus checks, plus bitcoin fortunes at risk over lost passwords, and reports on unemployment, inflation, consumer sentiment, and mortgage rates. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

Buying a condo in some fun-filled tourist destination could disqualify you from an FHA loan.   Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have both announced that certain condo buildings may be disqualified for FHA loans if there are too many short-term rentals in the complex, even if the condo “you” are buying won’t be used in that manner.    www.NewsForInvestors.com  

As the inventory for existing homes dwindles and demand for rental homes grows, investors are working with builders on the construction of new rental homes in markets across the country. According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, this new surge in activity is the result of a pandemic-induced desire for more spacious homes in the suburbs combined with Americans who can’t afford to buy those homes. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending January 9th, 2021... inventory hits a new low, where home prices are rising fast, signs of an urban exodus reversal, a stimulus check glitch, and reports on unemployment and construction spending. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

California and New York have long been two of the nation’s top states for business, but due to a changing business climate, many companies are migrating to more business-friendly and less expensive areas. Savvy real estate investors are flocking to these locations to get ahead of the wave. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

A new president, plus a shift of power in the Senate has some Americans popping the cork in celebration, and others trembling in fear of the coming changes. Today we'll take a look at some of those changes, and how today's new leadership may affect real estate investors. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

2020 was an extremely difficult year for many people and many businesses, but not for U.S. housing. While the coronavirus swept across the nation without mercy, infecting millions and blowing holes in the economy, the housing market actually got stronger. Let’s take a look at where we began the year and where we are now. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

Oregon landlords are taking the state to court over an eviction moratorium that now runs through June of next year. Lawmakers also approved a compensation fund for landlords, but landlords say it will provide nowhere near enough money for landlords who are owed months of back rent. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/housing-assistance/Pages/landlord-compensation-fund.aspx   2 - https://rentalhousingjournal.com/oregon-passes-150-million-landlord-compensation-fund/   3 - https://katu.com/news/following-the-money/about-13-of-oregonians-unable-to-pay-rent-in-july-lawmakers-look-for-more-federal-aid   4 - https://katu.com/news/local/landlords-file-lawsuit-over-oregons-eviction-moratorium

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending December 26th, 2020, mortgage rates hit another all-time low, new stimulus help for renters and landlords, best grocery store for home values, and reports on the GDP, the job market, consumer spending, and new and existing home sales. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/historic-increase-in-u-s-gdp-in-third-quarter-revised-to-33-4-annualized-rate-11608644494?mod=economy-politics   2 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-fall-to-3-week-low-of-803-000-before-christmas-but-they-still-high-11608731267?mod=economic-report   3 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-spending-drops-0-4-in-november-11608731509?mod=economic-report   4 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-confidence-tumbles-in-december-to-lowest-level-since-lockdown-11608650517?mod=economic-report   5 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-consumer-sentiment-deteriorates-in-late-december-11608736845?mod=economy-politics   6 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-home-sales-fall-as-buyers-begin-to-get-cold-feet-in-an-expensive-market-2020-12-23?mod=economic-report   7 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/existing-home-sales-fall-in-november-as-buyers-struggle-to-find-properties-to-purchase-2020-12-22   8 - http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/   9 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-just-slowing-the-clock-on-evictions-congress-will-extend-eviction-moratorium-fund-emergency-rent-assistance-with-new-stimulus-dea-11608553279   10 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/12/23/the-supermarket-effect-on-home-values  

The Holidays are celebrated in many ways. But one theme that seems to cross over all belief systems is that this time of year is a time of giving, giving to those you love and also giving to those less fortunate than you. While this altruistic behavior stems from religion, it's also an important ingredient for success.   www.NewsForInvestors.com   Links:   1 - https://www.realwealthnetwork.com/real-wealth-foundation/   2 - https://www.operationsmile.org/   3 - https://mentorsinternational.org/   4 - https://www.yocinc.org/   5 - https://www.habitat.org/   6 - www.ProfitPurposeConsulting.com

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending December 19th, 2020... single-family rent growth picks up, remote work migration could surge, a creative new venue for indoor restaurant dining, and reports on the job market, residential construction, and another new low for mortgage rates. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

Tis the season for a more than a normal amount of Christmas decorating. With pandemic stay-at-home orders and curfews, demand is skyrocketing for Christmas trees, holiday lights and other decorations. It’s a way to shake off the pandemic gloom, and bring an otherwise difficult year to a close with a few festive memories. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

There’s a home equity bonanza going on right now. Over the last year, the value of mortgaged homes has gone up $1 trillion. CoreLogic research shows the year-to-year increase is 11% from the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2020. That’s great news for borrowers, especially those at risk of foreclosure because of the pandemic. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://www.corelogic.com/insights-download/homeowner-equity-report.aspx   2 - https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/10/housing-is-doing-something-it-hasnt-done-since-the-bubble-achuthan.html   3 - https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/11/household-net-worth-hits-new-record-of-123point5-trillion-amid-stock-market-surge.html

In this Real Estate News Brief for the week ending December 12th, tenants who owe back rent, CEO 2021 forecast, tiny home popularity, NAR’S new non-profit, and reports on unemployment, inflation, consumer sentiment, and mortgage rates. www.NewsForInvestors.com Reference Links:   1 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-surge-to-3-month-high-coronavirus-trigging-more-layoffs-11607607903?mod=economic-report   2 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-job-openings-rose-in-october-but-layoffs-rose-even-faster-as-coronvirus-started-to-surge-11607526990?mod=u.s.-economic-calendar   3 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-prices-climb-in-november-cpi-shows-but-inflation-still-low-11607612244?mod=economic-report   4 - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-sentiment-jumps-in-december-on-democratic-euphoria-after-biden-win-11607700242   5 - http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/   6 - https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/07/unemployed-debt-rent-utilities/   7 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/12/08/ceos-anticipate-business-returning-to-pre-pandemic-levels   8 - https://www.housingwire.com/articles/tiny-homes-are-big-winners-in-2020/   9 - https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/11/23/nar-launches-the-american-property-owners-alliance  

Airbnb made big headlines as it re-launched its plan for an IPO. The home-sharing company started trading on December 10th as ABNB on the NASDAQ. But that’s only half the story for Airbnb. It also announced Airbnb.org to help relief workers and medical staff find shelter during a crisis, like the pandemic... www.NewsForInvestors.com   Links:   1 - https://news.airbnb.com/airbnborg/   2 - https://www.airbnb.org/   3 - https://www.reuters.com/article/global-aid-airbnb/update-1-airbnb-nonprofit-to-focus-on-finding-housing-for-disaster-pandemic-workers-idUSL8N2IO55G   4 - https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/12/10/airbnb-stock-market-debut/

If you are interested in Opportunity Zones, you should expect some changes to the program under the new Biden Administration. The program is getting bi-partisan support, but Joe Biden and his team feel it’s not doing enough to help distressed neighborhoods. The Biden website talks about reforming Opportunity Zones, to make sure they provide benefits to the local community and not just the investors getting the tax breaks. www.NewsForInvestors.com Links:   1 - https://www.nreionline.com/investment/cre-pros-laud-biden-s-proposed-changes-opportunity-zone-program   2 - https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/The-Impact-of-Opportunity-Zones-An-Initial-Assessment.pdf   3 - https://joebiden.com/racial-economic-equity/  

In this week’s Real Estate News Brief, the FHFA extends the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, and reports on unemployment, pending home sales, construction spending, mortgage rates, homeownership affordability for renters, Airbnb IPO plans, and the surging demand for build-to-rent homes. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

Co-living appears to be doing quite well, despite the pandemic. A new report from Cushman & Wakefield shows a rent collection dip toward the beginning of the pandemic, and a rebound from there. Even though we’re still dealing with the pandemic, co-living companies are moving forward with plans for major expansions across the U.S. www.NewsForInvestors.com  

California voters approved a real estate measure that will help older homeowners, but it could have a big downside for their children. Proposition 19 allows seniors, the disabled, and disaster victims to take their low property tax base with them to a new home. But it also reduces that protection for their heirs. www.NewsForInvestors.com