Builder Sentiment Edges Lower as Affordability Pressures Persist
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Release Date: 02/21/2026
Why Home Buyers Are Choosing Forever Homes Over Starter Homes
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Why are today’s buyers skipping starter homes and aiming straight for forever homes? In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down a new BMO survey showing Americans now expect to buy their first home at age 40. Kathy explains what this shift means for real estate investors, including rising demand for multi-generational homes, flexible floorplans, ADUs, rental income potential, and properties in more affordable markets. If the starter home era is fading, smart investors need to know what comes next. Learn how changing buyer behavior could shape housing demand in 2026 and beyond. Source:
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Baby Boomers Dominate Housing Market as First-Time Buyers Hit Record Low
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Baby boomers are now the largest force in the U.S. housing market, while first-time buyers have fallen to a record low. Kathy Fettke breaks down new National Association of Realtors data showing how high mortgage rates, rising costs, and home equity are creating a major divide between today’s buyers. In this episode, learn why boomers now make up 42% of home buyers, why younger households are struggling to enter the market, and what this means for home prices, rental demand, and real estate investors in 2026. 📈 Want to learn more? Visit Source:
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Rent Trends 2026: Growth, Costs, and Market Dynamics
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest 2026 rent trends using new data from Apartments.com and CoStar Group. National rent growth has slowed, but select states and affordable markets are still showing strength. Learn where rents are rising, where costs remain low, and what today’s shifting rental market means for real estate investors and landlords looking for cash flow and long-term opportunity. 📈 Want to learn more about turn-key rental properties? Visit to learn more. Source:
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Pending Home Sales Rise Despite Higher Mortgage Rates
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Pending home sales rose in March, even as mortgage rates moved higher and gas prices climbed. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest housing data from Realtor.com and the National Association of Realtors, including what stronger contract activity could mean for spring closings. She also covers rising inventory, falling list prices, regional market shifts, and why the South may be best positioned for growth in 2026. If you’re a real estate investor watching rates, demand, and opportunity this spring, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 📈 Visit to learn...
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Trump Housing Plan Faces Doubts: Why Deregulation May Not Work
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Kathy Fettke breaks down why UBS says the latest Trump housing plan may not be enough to solve America’s affordability crisis. With the U.S. still short roughly 10 million homes, policymakers are pushing deregulation as a path to faster building—but will it actually work? In this episode, Kathy explains why Texas-style growth may come with risks, how ResiClub data shows supply can also create volatility, and why markets like Austin and Dallas are now correcting after the pandemic boom. She also covers the lock-in effect, tight inventory, mortgage rate pressure, and what real estate...
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Rural Opportunity Zones Could Be the Next Investor Boom
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Opportunity Zones are back—and this time, they’re permanent. Kathy Fettke breaks down new guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service that could reshape where real estate capital flows for the next decade. With new designations starting in 2027—and added incentives for rural markets—investment may begin shifting beyond major cities. Kathy explains what’s changing, the tight 2026 nomination window, and how investors can position early to take advantage of these deals. 🏠 Want to learn more? Visit Source:...
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Liability Insurance Costs Surge for Real Estate Investors
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Liability insurance costs are rising fast—and real estate investors are starting to feel it. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down a growing trend impacting the industry, especially in commercial real estate. From office to retail to large multifamily properties, landlords are seeing premiums surge—some as much as 4x since 2020. What’s driving it? More lawsuits. Bigger jury awards. And a rise in so-called “nuclear verdicts” over $10 million. Insurance companies are responding with higher rates, tighter underwriting, and more exclusions—making it harder and more expensive to...
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Self-Storage Hits a Turning Point: Cities Push Back on New Development
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Self-storage has been one of the hottest asset classes—but a shift is underway. Cities across the U.S. are pushing back with zoning restrictions, moratoriums, and outright bans. In this episode, we break down what’s driving the crackdown, where development is being limited, and what it means for real estate investors. 🏡 Want to learn more? Visit Source:
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Real Estate Fraud Hits $275M in 2025, FBI Warns
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
Real estate fraud is on the rise again. A new FBI report shows more than $275 million was lost to scams in 2025, impacting over 12,000 victims. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down how these scams are happening, why AI is making them harder to detect, and what real estate investors can do to protect their money—especially when it comes to wire transfers. Source:
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U.S. Housing Shortage Hits 10 Million Homes, White House Says
Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast
The U.S. housing shortage has reached a staggering 10 million homes, according to a new White House report. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what’s driving the supply gap, from post-2008 underbuilding to rising regulatory costs, and why affordability continues to worsen. We also explore how potential policy changes could impact new construction, mortgage access, and long-term economic growth. For real estate investors, the takeaway is clear: limited supply continues to support home prices and rents — even in a higher-rate environment. Source:...
info_outlineBuilder confidence in the single-family housing market slipped again in February, according to the latest Housing Market Index from the National Association of Home Builders. The index fell to 36, marking the second straight monthly decline and signaling continued weakness in builder sentiment.
Affordability remains the biggest challenge. High home price-to-income ratios, elevated land costs, and stubborn construction expenses are keeping many buyers on the sidelines. Even with incentives widely available, buyer traffic remains low.
In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what falling builder confidence means for housing supply, pricing power, remodeling demand, and real estate investors in 2026. If inflation eases and mortgage rates follow, conditions could improve — but for now, affordability continues to shape the market.
🏘️ Want to learn more? Visit www.Realwealth.com/Deals