Refi Wave Returns as Mortgage Prepayments Surge and Foreclosures Increase
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Release Date: 12/01/2025
62% of Americans Say Buying a Home is Unrealistic in 2026
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
A new survey reveals growing pessimism among Americans about the future of homeownership. According to data from IPX1031, 62% of Americans say buying a home in 2026 feels unrealistic, up sharply from last year. Rising home prices, affordability challenges, and limited inventory are pushing many would-be buyers to the sidelines, while confidence in the real estate market continues to weaken. Nearly half of respondents say homeownership no longer represents the American Dream, and only a small share expect conditions to improve this year. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what’s...
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Inflation Pressures Build as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh to Lead the Fed
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Inflation pressures are resurfacing—and the Federal Reserve may be headed for a major shakeup. In today’s episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest Producer Price Index report, which shows wholesale prices rising faster than expected in December, driven entirely by persistent services inflation. While goods prices remain flat, the data suggests underlying inflation pressures are proving stubborn—complicating expectations for near-term interest rate cuts. Then, in breaking news, President Donald Trump announces his plan to nominate former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as the next chair of...
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Rocket Mortgage Hit With Class Action Over Illegal Steering Allegations
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
A new nationwide class action lawsuit is accusing Rocket Companies of illegally steering homebuyers toward its mortgage and closing products — even when better rates may have been available elsewhere. The lawsuit alleges Rocket and its affiliates pressured real estate agents, including those at Redfin, to funnel clients to Rocket Mortgage and its title company, potentially violating the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA. Rocket denies the allegations and says it will vigorously defend itself. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the lawsuit claims, how the alleged...
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Federal Reserve Holds Rates Steady
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
The Federal Reserve is hitting pause. The Fed held interest rates steady this week after cutting rates three times since September, as policymakers weigh signs of a stabilizing job market against inflation that remains above target. Despite pressure from President Trump for more aggressive rate cuts, most Fed officials said now is the time to wait and watch the data. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the Fed’s decision means, why two governors dissented, how political pressure is colliding with central bank independence, and what investors should watch next as inflation,...
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U.S. Population Growth Slows in 2025 as Immigration Drops
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
New population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that U.S. population growth slowed sharply in 2025, largely due to a steep drop in immigration. After one of the fastest growth years in decades in 2024, the nation’s growth rate fell to about 0.5%, raising important questions about future housing demand. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest Census data, including where population growth is slowing, which states are still gaining residents, and why even the fast-growing South is beginning to cool. We also look at how lower migration,...
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Trump Administration Weighs Using 401(k)s for Home Down Payments
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Home prices remain high, mortgage rates are volatile, and for many buyers the biggest hurdle isn’t the payment — it’s the down payment. A new housing affordability idea reportedly being discussed by President Trump’s administration could change that. The proposal would allow Americans to tap their 401(k) retirement accounts to help fund a home purchase or down payment, potentially without the usual 10% early-withdrawal penalty. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down what’s being proposed, how 401(k) loans and withdrawals work today, and why...
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Trillions in Real Estate Set to Change Hands as Gen X and Millennials Inherit Homes
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Gen X and Millennials are set to inherit nearly $2.4 trillion in U.S. real estate over the next decade, and the impact is already being felt—especially in luxury housing markets. A new report from Coldwell Banker Global Luxury reveals that Americans aged 60 and older now control nearly two-thirds of U.S. wealth, fueling what’s being called the “Silver Tsunami.” As this massive wealth transfer accelerates, high-end real estate markets are seeing shifting demand, rising price points, and more legacy properties coming to market. According to reporting first highlighted by The Wall Street...
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Trump’s Second-Term Economy: Jobs Stall, Inflation Lingers, Consumers Keep Spending
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
One year into Donald Trump’s second term, what does the U.S. economy really look like? In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down new economic data examining Trump’s first year back in office — from the slowest job growth outside a recession in decades to resilient GDP growth, elevated tariffs, and inflation that remains above the Fed’s target. You’ll hear how policy uncertainty, trade tariffs, and federal workforce reductions are shaping the labor market, why consumer spending remains strong despite economic headwinds, and what a “jobless...
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$5M Contractor Scam Leaves 40+ Texas Clients With Unsafe, Unfinished Homes
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
According to reporting from the New York Post, a Texas contractor couple pleaded guilty in a nearly $5 million fraud scheme that left more than 40 clients with unfinished and unsafe homes. Victims reported serious code violations, abandoned projects, and major financial losses. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains what happened, why contractor scams remain a real risk for investors and renovators, and shares practical tips to help protect your projects — and your capital. Want to learn more? Just visit Source:
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House Passes Affordable HOMES Act, Could Lower Housing Costs by $10K
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
The U.S. House has passed the Affordable HOMES Act in a bipartisan vote, a move supporters say could lower the cost of manufactured homes by as much as $10,000 per unit. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the bill does, why manufactured housing is central to the plan, and how restoring HUD’s authority over energy standards could reduce regulatory costs and speed up housing production. We’ll also look at what this legislation could mean for housing supply, affordability, and real estate investors — and why the bill’s next stop in the Senate...
info_outlineMortgage prepayments just hit a 3.5-year high as softening rates spark a new wave of refinances. At the same time, ICE reports rising foreclosure activity—driven largely by FHA and VA loans. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest ICE First Look report, including falling delinquency rates, shifting borrower behavior, and what these trends mean for real estate investors heading into 2026.
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