Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast

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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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 m...

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 uncerta...

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

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 ra...

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 wh...

U.S. birth rates have fallen to a record low, and soaring housing costs are a major factor. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explores new data from the CDC and Realtor.com showing how rising home prices have reshaped family planning, from delayed homeownership to smaller household sizes. We also discuss research from the National Bureau of Economic Research that links housing costs directly to fertil...

Compass is acquiring Anywhere Real Estate in a $10B all-stock deal, creating a combined network of 340,000 agents across 120 countries. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains what the Compass–Anywhere merger means for agents, shareholders, and the broader real estate market.

The Federal Reserve just cut interest rates by a quarter point for the first time in months, signaling a potential shift in monetary policy. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains how the Fed’s rate cut could impact mortgage rates, housing affordability, refinancing opportunities, and commercial real estate markets. From homebuyers to investors in multifamily and office properties, learn what this...

Credit card debt is weighing heavily on Americans, with the average balance now at $8,550. A new study from BestMoney finds that 76% of people say their debt is mostly due to their own choices — from small impulse buys to stress-driven spending. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the survey results, the emotions fueling overspending, and what it all means for homebuyers and real estate inves...

Property insurance costs are now the fastest-growing housing expense, up 70% in just five years and nearly 10% of the average mortgage payment. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest ICE Mortgage Monitor, including why insurance is outpacing mortgage and tax costs, how home prices and foreclosures are shifting, and what falling HELOC and refinance rates mean for homeowners and invest...

Mortgage rates have dropped to a new low for 2025, now averaging 6.27%. The surprising part? It happened even as inflation came in hotter than expected. The reason lies in a sudden spike in jobless claims, led by Texas, that shook bond markets and sent Treasury yields lower.

A well-known Southern California real estate operator is facing federal charges. Marco Giovanni Santarelli, founder of Norada Capital Management, has been indicted for allegedly defrauding more than 500 investors out of $62.5 million through a Ponzi-style scheme. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains what happened, how unsecured promissory notes can put investors at serious risk, and what you can...

Which housing markets are most at risk in 2025—and which are the safest bets for investors? In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down ATTOM’s latest Housing Risk Report, which names the riskiest U.S. counties based on affordability, unemployment, foreclosures, and underwater mortgages. You’ll hear why California and Florida top the list, which counties are struggling with extreme affordability, an...

The August jobs report shows the U.S. economy added just 22,000 jobs, far below expectations, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, the highest since 2017 outside the pandemic.