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Rental scams are becoming more sophisticated — and artificial intelligence is helping fraudsters fake their way into luxury apartments. According to a new FOX Business report, Greystar, the nation's largest apartment landlord, has seen a sharp rise in fraudulent rental applications nationwide. From fake pay stubs and employment letters to AI-generated credit profiles, scammers are using technology to beat the system — especially in high-cost markets like Atlanta, Boston, and Salt Lake City. In this episode, Kathy Fettke reports on how AI tools are fueling the rise in rental fraud, what major landlords like Greystar are doing to stop it, and what investors and property owners can learn from this growing trend. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/fraudulent-rental-applications-surge-nationwide-housing-costs-remain-elevated
The Midwest is having a moment — and for good reason. While many coastal markets struggle with high prices and volatile cycles, investors are finding steady growth, strong rent ratios, and landlord-friendly laws across Kansas City, Wichita, and beyond. In this Market Deep Dive, Kathy Fettke sits down with Andy to explore why more investors are turning to the heartland for reliable cash flow and long-term appreciation. They discuss how AI-resistant jobs and reshoring trends are fueling demand, why build-to-rent communities are thriving, and how smart investors are using 1031 exchanges to trade out of high-cost markets into newer, more profitable properties. If you've been looking for stable returns in an unpredictable economy, this episode shows why the Midwest might just be the best-kept secret in real estate investing. LINKS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE & BECOME A MEMBER (IT'S FREE)! https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FREE RealWealth® EDUCATION & TOOLS RealWealth Market Reports: https://realwealth.com/learn/best-places-to-buy-rental-property/ RealWealth Videos: https://realwealth.com/category/video/ RealWealth Assessment™: https://realwealth.com/assessment/ RealWealth® Webinars: https://realwealth.com/webinars/ READ BOOKS BY RealWealth® FOUNDERS The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/thewiseinvestorbook Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/retirerichwithrentals Scaling Smart by Rich & Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/scalingsmart DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
A massive $84 trillion wealth transfer is underway — and it could fuel the biggest housing boom in U.S. history. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the demographic, economic, and policy forces driving what some analysts call a 25-year housing surge. Learn why Millennials and Gen Z could power decades of demand, how Boomers are reshaping supply, and what this means for real estate investors preparing for the next cycle. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/the-25-year-housing-surge-and-why-the-boom-is-just-beginning/
Real estate veteran Brian Burke joins Kathy Fettke to share how experienced investors navigate — and even thrive in — changing housing market cycles. With nearly four decades of experience through booms, busts, and everything in between, Brian explains how market psychology, timing, and loan strategy all play a role in long-term success. He also discusses his latest pivot into senior housing and the key lessons he's learned from flipping homes, managing multifamily portfolios, and avoiding common investor mistakes. Whether you're just starting or looking to level up, this episode will help you understand how to adapt to every phase of the real estate market. LINKS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE & BECOME A MEMBER (IT'S FREE)! https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FREE RealWealth® EDUCATION & TOOLS RealWealth Market Reports: https://realwealth.com/learn/best-places-to-buy-rental-property/ RealWealth Videos: https://realwealth.com/category/video/ RealWealth Assessment™: https://realwealth.com/assessment/ RealWealth® Webinars: https://realwealth.com/webinars/ READ BOOKS BY RealWealth® FOUNDERS The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/thewiseinvestorbook Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/retirerichwithrentals Scaling Smart by Rich & Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/scalingsmart DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
Register here to attend the live virtual event "How to Scale Your Portfolio, with Tenanted Cash Flowing, New Construction Properties" on Thursday, November 13th at 8pm Eastern. Keith introduces a profound life perspective: humans are typically allotted only 30,000 days. What will you do with the days you have left? Every moment not spent building wealth is a moment lost forever. Adam Schroeder, a real estate investment strategist, joins the conversation to talk about current opportunities with new build properties with significant builder incentives and the potential for high appreciation. Resources: Switch to listening to the podcast on the Apple Podcasts or Spotify app, as the dedicated GRE mobile app will be discontinued at the end of the month. Show Notes: GetRichEducation.com/578 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREinvestmentcoach.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments. For predictable 10-12% quarterly returns, visit FreedomFamilyInvestments.com/GRE or text 1-937-795-8989 to speak with a freedom coach Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search "how to leave an Apple Podcasts review" For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— text 'GRE' to 66866 Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript: Keith Weinhold 0:01 Keith, welcome to GRE. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, the real estate market is slow when this happens in a cycle. What does it mean to a real estate investor? What type of return can you really expect today? I'll tell you exactly, and you'll be surprised. Learn more about new build properties and why investors often prefer DSCR loans over conventional loans today on get rich education, Keith Weinhold 0:28 since 2014 the powerful get rich education podcast has created more passive income for people than nearly any other show in the world. This show teaches you how to earn strong returns from passive real estate investing in the best markets without losing your time being a flipper or landlord. Show Host Keith Weinhold writes for both Forbes and Rich Dad advisors and delivers a new show every week since 2014 there's been millions of listener downloads of 188 world nations. He has a list show guests include top selling personal finance author Robert Kiyosaki. Get rich education can be heard on every podcast platform, plus it has its own dedicated Apple and Android listener phone apps build wealth on the go with the get rich education podcast. Sign up now for the get rich education podcast, or visit get rich education.com Corey Coates 1:13 You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education. Keith Weinhold 1:29 Welcome to GRE I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, yes, America's favorite shaved mammal on a microphone is back with you for another wealth building week. Just the talking primate that's heavily mortgaged here. I'm also a landlord still waiting for a security deposit from back in 2018 Keith Weinhold 1:51 Hmm, oh, I'm so into self deprecation today that I forgot about the place names hitting you, from Dover, Delaware to Keith Weinhold 2:01 Andover, Massachusetts and across 188 nations worldwide, you're listening to get rich education. There's a realization that can sharpen your investor focus when you think about the fact that, in a sense, how little time you are allotted in your life. It's something that I've thought about more. You're only given about 30,000 days. That's the typical lifespan of a human being, and that goes for both shaved mammals and others. Well, you've already spent 1000s of your 30,000. The question is, what are you doing with the rest? At some point, people understand or they better that they need to go out on a limb. There are people less qualified than you living the life you want to live simply because they chose to believe in themselves, and really, that's the moment everything shifts. belief. It's not a feeling. It is a decision backed by action. Too many people learn this lesson the hard way. They discover, often too late, that relying on one income stream is the most dangerous financial plan of all. A job can vanish. Federal Workers found that out amidst a government shutdown, a business model can change. AI can intrude. A paycheck can stop. But when you own assets that pay you month after month, no matter what you're doing, you slowly begin to untether yourself and move toward freedom. And here's the truth about pain and money. Poor and middle class households work for money, so to them, that's why every dollar spent feels like a little loss. It can even hurt, and that is why they hesitate even on opportunities that could change everything. The wealthy, on the other hand, own assets that pay them, so therefore every dollar spent feels like a seed, because it grows when you own enough income property, you can move away from constantly asking yourself, can I afford this? And start asking, What will this investment earn me? Over time, this mindset shift changes everything at that time when other people's money starts working for you, not the other way around. Keith Weinhold 4:45 And here's the thought experiment I use, take the hourglass of your life and flip it, watch the sand fall. That's time, 30,000 hours, 30,000 grains. That is. Is time the one resource that you cannot get more of. So every day you delay prudently investing the sand does not pause. It just keeps flowing. But you can choose how that time compounds the sand that's left over and hasn't fallen through the neck of the hourglass. Yet that is your opportunity to build multiple income streams from real estate, from ownership and from leverage, it is your chance to replace anxiety with well autonomy. Every family with generational wealth can trace it back to one person, one risk taker who decided to stop trading hours for dollars. They believed in ownership and control. They believed in themselves. They acted before the sand ran out. If you've already started real estate investing, well, then you've already begun to break that cycle. If you've done it for a time, you're going to have more time, more income and more options than you had before. That is worth celebrating and scaling, because the best time to start was yesterday, and the next best time is before the next grain of sand hits the bottom. Keith Weinhold 6:22 Later today, I'll talk about taking this sentiment and moving it towards something very specific and actionable. Now, in this era, the real estate market is slow. That is in terms of transaction volume, there just aren't as many sales. Sometimes this whole thing feels more sluggish than Jabba the Hutt after Thanksgiving dinner. Keith Weinhold 6:49 5 million is a typical number of existing homes sold every year in the US. 5 million. That's normal. That's baseline during the pandemic frenzy. It reached over 6 million, and now it's about 4 million. That's why I say that housing transaction volume has slowed, and appreciation is only about 2% that's below historic norms, and rent growth is like barely doing push ups. It's two to 3% in single family homes volume now it has picked up a little here lately with lower mortgage rates, and so have home prices. Redfin now tells us that home price appreciation is 3% but most outlets say 2% some analysts that are more optimistic than me call today's housing market healthy. They don't call it slow. And why is that? Well, it's the healthiest it's been since covid, because now you have a good balance of buyers and sellers. The real estate market isn't so miserably deprived of inventory like it was back in 2022 in 2023 but I am going to go with slow now, as you know, I coined the phrase real estate pays five ways back in 2015 Keith Weinhold 8:09 But how exactly does that hold up in today's slow transaction market? Could an income property buyer's return even be disappointing now? Well, let's do it. Let's determine what you can expect if you purchase an investment property here in these slow market conditions, we'll determine your total rate of return in year one. And you know, this will be sort of like dating someone that's not the first date, but to really get to know them, to know if they're potential spouse material. You want to see them at their worst and be sure that they look good on their bad days. So let's just be conservative and use 2% home price appreciation. Say that you buy a 200k single family rental. Now a 20% down payment means 40k down. Sellers are willing to give you concessions now, say that they're going to pay your closing costs, because the 200k that you're paying is their full asking price, so it's your terms and their price. Well, say that you don't get any cash flow. The rent only covers the expenses exactly. Okay, so we're really painting on a not so pretty picture. Here, it would seem. Here we go, in a slow market, the first of five ways you're paid is that erstwhile appreciation. Your property only appreciates 2% from 200k up to 204k not so exciting, until, of course, as we know around here, you realize that your return is your gain on your skin in the game, your 4k gain divided by your 40k down payment gives you a 10% ROI. There it is leverage. Didn't just show up. It brought donuts. 10% just from the first of five ways you're paid. The second way is cash flow. Say that rent minus your 160k mortgage payment here and your operating expenses, that merely breaks even, like I was saying. So 0% additional return from cash flow. And before we add on numbers three, four and five to get your total rate of return in a slow market, let's take a moment to check on Jabba. How's Jabba doing? No, Jabba still hasn't gotten up from that heavy Thanksgiving dinner. It's still a slow market. We've confirmed that we're going to continue Keith Weinhold 10:41 the third way you're paid, as any GRE listener knows by now, is with that ROA return on amortization, also known as principal pay down with a 7% mortgage rate in your 160k loan on this property, an amortization table shows you 1625 bucks a tenant made principal pay down. Divide that by your 40k down again, that is another 4% return. All right, so you add that to your 10% from leverage depreciation, and you've now got 14% Keith Weinhold 11:17 next is your tax benefit. It's a 150k structure value, not the full 200k because raw land can't be depreciated. Multiply that by 3.6% depreciation, that means you've tax sheltered 5400 bucks. That is like a phantom loss that you get to show the IRS. Just a little more math here, and this is as far as you have to stretch it, in visualizing numbers in an audio format at a 24% income tax rate. That is 1296 saved on 40k down again, another 3% for you, and your running total is a 17% ROI before we get to the last one, which is inflation profiting, not inflation hedging, which almost everyone mistakenly says in real estate investing, it is inflation profiting. Keith Weinhold 12:13 Your 160k loan gets eaten by 4800 bucks at a 3% inflation rate, divided by 40k down. And you know, inflation is usually the villain. Now it is the hero. You've got another 12% from inflation profiting. And here's the sum in this slow market, your total year one rate of return is 29% Keith Weinhold 12:43 and you're like, my gosh, did that really just happen? Now you might want to skip back on some parts of that to help make it crystallize in your mind. I've got to tell you before I ran these numbers in this slow market with this 2% appreciation and even assuming zero cash flow, I thought your total rate of return would be in the low 20s, not this high, not 29% Keith Weinhold 13:09 the numbers don't lie. They just don't get enough attention on CNBC. Keith Weinhold 13:16 Now I did use shorthand and simplify. You would also have to adjust your 29% for inflation, just like you do for any investment. So then about a 26% inflation adjusted return for you. Wow. And if you want to know more about what I just used shorthand on, you can always watch the five videos on the five ways real estate pays for free at getricheducation.com/course that's get richeducation.com/course, the most valuable video course you'll ever see on real estate investing, but a huge investor lesson here, an epiphany today, is that it does not take a high growth market to build wealth. Even when it seems like real estate's half asleep, it can still work five jobs for you, we could be near the nadir of the cycle here. Keith Weinhold 14:16 Appreciation has picked up in recent months, with mortgage rates being lower than they've been in a while, but even when appreciation and rent growth slows now, you can see that the ROA tax benefit and inflation profiting just keep working overtime. The bottom line here is that income property still pays a lofty 29% if you buy today, even in a slow market, and this is at a time when investors, a lot of them, don't know what to do with their money, since every market type seems to be near an all time high, and people don't want to buy in at those high levels, and savings accounts pay you less than a gumball machine, owning investment property proves its resilience. I mean, this is why we do this. It's kind of like stocks can party with a surge in an upcycle, and then they can bust and boom and bust and boom. But all the while, instead of partying, real estate just keeps its head down and works the night shift for you, your wealth quietly compounds in the background while the rest of the world panics or debates interest rates on LinkedIn or something. Keith Weinhold 15:33 All right. Well, with that in mind, where can we take advantage of that real estate return and expect to do even better with it, even if the market did stay slow. Well, builders have unsold inventory in places like Texas and Florida, like I mentioned before, and to a lesser extent, in parts of the West as well, but the prices are too high out in the west for a cash flow investor. So today, you can buy at a discount in a way that you absolutely could not during the height of the pandemic. Keith Weinhold 16:06 A guest and I are going to talk about a specific opportunity in today's market, and then how you can exploit it. The National Association of Homebuilders has even noticed that home flippers have switched gears, and increasingly, what flippers are doing is instead buying new build properties and then renting them out, because new builds have lower upkeep costs come with a lower mortgage rate because the builder is buying it down for you, they have lower insurance and they attract a better quality tenant that stays longer, even if the HVAC did break. That's okay, because new build homes often come with a warranty. The smart money knows that new build is where the opportunity is today. That's something that I've discussed for a while here, but today we're getting more actionable. CNBC let us know that the CJ Petra company reports that investors now make up the highest share of Homebuilders in five years. And you'll recall that we've had CJ Patrick, company founder, Rick sharga, on the show a lot with me here the past few years. Some say that the smart money is waking up again. I don't know investor activity is steady, but it's not really that much. It only seems like a lot because the wannabe owner, occupant, buyer has been priced out. So it's better to say that investor activity has been steady. Investors bought fully 1/3 of single family homes this past summer, and that is up from 27% in q1 I'll discuss that more soon. Keith Weinhold 17:44 Hey, you know one thing that makes GRE different is that our show sponsors are here to supplement and benefit your specific investor activity. And another thing is that I use them myself. Thank God we are not here to tell you about pneumococcal pneumonia or your moderate to severe plaque, psoriasis. I don't even know what that stuff means. Freedom, family investments and Ridge lending group. I very know what they're about. I'm a satisfied client with each of them myself. So listen in. Keith Weinhold 18:21 You know, most people think they're playing it safe with their liquid money, but they're actually losing savings accounts and bonds don't keep up when true inflation eats six or 7% of your wealth. Every single year, I invest my liquidity with FFI freedom family investments in their flagship program. Why fixed 10 to 12% returns have been predictable and paid quarterly. There's real world security backed by needs based real estate like affordable housing, Senior Living and health care. Ask about the freedom flagship program when you speak to a freedom coach there, and that's just one part of their family of products, they've got workshops, webinars and seminars designed to educate you before you invest. Start with as little as 25k and finally, get your money working as hard as you do. Get started at Freedom, family investments.com/gre, or send a text. Now it's 1937795898, 377958989, yep, text their freedom coach directly. Again, 1-937-795-8989, Keith Weinhold 19:32 the same place where I get my own mortgage loans is where you can get yours. Ridge lending group NMLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than anyone because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage. Start your prequel and even chat with President Caeli Ridge personally while it's on your mind, start at Ridgelendinggroup.Com, that's Ridge lending group.com Kathy Fettke 20:05 this is the real wealth network's Kathy betke, and you are listening to the always valuable get rich education with Keith Weinhold. Keith Weinhold 20:14 I'd like to welcome in a new guest to the show. He is a real estate investment strategist that's been working in the media industry since 2001 and throughout the career, he's held the title of a local news reporter, podcast host and producer for nationally syndicated companies like NPR. He's been in real estate nearly 20 years. Adam Schroeder, welcome to the show. Adam Schroeder 20:48 Thanks for having me on. I really appreciate it. Keith Weinhold 20:50 Yeah, I'm looking for your read on today's real estate market, just the general landscape overall, because Adam, I've shared that national transaction volume is down about 25% appreciation is still there, although it's been slow. Rents are just steady. We do, however, still have this supply that is down among entry level homes, something a lot of media articles broad brushstroke and don't understand, and really it's still a valid question to ask, even today. Is there any better risk adjusted return than income property that's bought, right? So what are your thoughts on the overall real estate investing landscape? Adam Schroeder 21:30 Yeah, overall real estate investing, it's kind of like what you said, entry level housing. I remember I saw a heat map. This was probably five or six this was pre covid. It was maybe even seven or eight years ago. It was a heat map that showed, like, new construction, home pricing, and, you know, there was like 500,000 and up. Was just this massive chunk. And then there was all these ones, ones that were under about 300,000 it was around, like six or 8% or something like that. It was really, really small. If you look around, it hasn't gotten bigger. And so the question of inventory and availability and pricing, they're never going to talk about it on the national media, because there is no entry level home in Chicago, in New York, in LA, you're not going to find that. I mean, you're paying 200 grand for a doghouse in the backyard, if you're there. And so we are finding the entry level housing, but I think right now, an oversupply of inventory in some of these markets is a very good opportunity for people. If you're buying for with the right fundamentals, if you're buying in an area that's growing and has good long term, you know, 8,10, 15 year diagnostics. Then if you're buying now with builder incentives and all of that, yeah, your year one, year two, year three. Appreciation may not be the greatest because of that oversupply, but if you look at what's happening now with construction starts in a lot of places, builders have gotten scared off. They're not really starting them now. So if you're buying new now, in 2,3,4, years, all of the inventory will be sucked up, and there won't be new homes coming to the market. So you're going to be one of those people who has one of the newest homes in the area, more people are going to want to be getting in. And so your appreciation and rent growth is much more likely to be growing. So that's one of the things I love to look at, is I look at what new home starts, what happened in the past, what was oversupplied, but now, who's what cities aren't building. And if I know what cities aren't building, then I can compare it to, okay, well, you know, there are some cities in California that aren't building anything I'm not going to buy in California, but there are some cities in Minnesota, in Oklahoma, you know, in Texas, where they're not building anymore. And if it's landlord friendly and can cash flow and all of that, Sign me up. I'm bullish on parts of this, of the United States real estate market, not the whole United States real estate market. Keith Weinhold 23:55 It's been pretty well documented that parts of the nation are overbuilt. However, especially in Florida and Texas. And I brought up the point months ago Adam that if you buy, say, a new build income property in temporarily overbuilt pockets today, five years from now, looking back five years onto today, you could be like, Yeah, I bought five years ago, when some areas were actually overbuilt, and I snagged a deal, and the builder was even giving me incentives like my rate at that time, because, you know, long term, the demand is going to be there and that the absorption is going to be there. So it's about knowing what's happening and then identifying the right time in that cycle. In today's environment, some feel that DSCR loans are a better option for investors, and what that means a debt service coverage ratio loan is that you qualify for the loan not with your personal income, but instead with the property's income. Do you see more investors employing dscrs? Adam Schroeder 24:55 We see a ton for a really good reason. That is simply put, especially if you're utilizing these builder incentives, buy down rates on DSCR frequently outperform ones with conventional like some of the lenders we're working with. I look and let's say you're putting 4% I looked at it this morning with an investor with 4% of purchase price towards your loan on a DSCR loan, you're down to 5.49% on a DSCR, but conventional, you're at 5.75 that doesn't happen for the most part. It's just something that right now, the risk profile of investors is allowing the rates to be either at or better than conventional many times. Plus, people love to put their properties in LLCs for protection, and they'll worry with conventional, oh, what if a due on sale clause gets triggered, even though it's really hard to trigger that, if you worry about it, well, why not just get a loan that's equal or better than a conventional that doesn't go on your you know, debt to income and can go straight into the LLC to begin with, and then your hands are clean the whole way through, and you're not having to worry about transferring titling. Honestly, my wife is about to murder me because I have some properties that were meant to go into an LLC two years ago that are not currently in an LLC. Keith Weinhold 26:17 Well, hopefully you'll live until the end of this interview. Tell us more about DSCR loans, and maybe some that, no you talked about the upside, maybe some red flags and some things to look out for, times when we would not want to employ that loan type. Adam Schroeder 26:30 A lot of it with the DSCR you're looking at like you said, they're not evaluating you necessarily. Now you do have to show reserves. You do have to show that the property will perform on its own. But sometimes full doc loans with conventional can be the way to go, because, like I said, in the past, it used to be that DSCR loans were three quarters of a percent, or a full percent higher than the DSCR. Or, yeah, DSCR was higher than the conventional. And so if you could get a four and a half with a conventional versus a five and a half on a DSCR. It's well worth the extra paperwork that might come with doing it to save yourself that money and really build up your cash flow. We are just in a very awkward time of investing, where the investors for DSCR loans, the people who are buying those mortgages, are not the same people who are buying the Fannie Mae Freddie Mac secondary loan market, and so they just have different risk profiles, which allows the rates to be different. So that's really the big thing. Is, if you've still got your Fannie Freddie slots, it's worth talking to your lender and saying, what would it look like if I did this loan? What would it look like if I did that loan? Where am I? But when it's all said and done, if you're really close or equal, I would almost always skew towards the DSCR to protect myself, go straight into an entity and keep it off of my debt to income ratio, plus on dscrs. You also have the option, and we don't recommend this for every property or even for certain people, depending on risk profile, but you have the option to do an interest only loan with 20 or 25% down, which allows you to do kind of what we call cash flow management, where people get worried about interest only loans and say, Well, I'm not building equity. I'm not doing this, not doing that. Well, you're not, but you're also, you can still put principle towards your loan every month, right? Like a principal loan, maybe you're throwing 200 bucks a month, a principal towards that. Well, with an interest only loan, you can still put that $200 in. But what it means is, if there's a month where maybe you have some repairs that need to be done, or something like that, don't pay the principal and on the interest only, you're still okay on a principal and interest. If you can't pay that, if you just pay all the interest, they're still going to say, well, Keith, you're late on your loan, right? And so it gives you a little bit more flexibility, but it's not for everyone. It's not for every property, so definitely talk with lenders about that. But conventional loans don't offer that. DSCR loans can. Keith Weinhold 28:53 There's always opportunity in every real estate market. It's just identifying what those are and then ethically exploiting the opportunity. So we're talking about buying in areas that are temporarily overbuilt utilizing DSCR loans. And another advantage in this market, which is an aberration, is the fact that new build properties, like few times in history, if any, actually cost less than renovated existing properties. Adam Schroeder 29:20 Yeah. I mean, when you can get into, you know, an A class neighborhood with 80% owner occupied, 90% owner occupied, and you're getting in for way less than the median cost of a home in the US. You mean, you're getting in for, I mean, we've got new builds in the 220 range on some of them up to 400 you know, which is still below the median cost. Yeah, that's really good. If you're looking to get into any a class neighborhood, or even B plus neighborhood, finding a property that's 200 $250,000 in those areas is tough. It's just tough. And so especially because as pricing went up for everything with inflation, you know you can't do. Do a cheap rehab anymore. If you're going to do a good rehab, you can't do a cheap rehab. I talk to our teams all the time and tell me, Hey, I did, you know, I only spent $70,000 to renovate this property and like that is a lot of money. I know you're getting it out whenever you do the burn, you know, or sell to an investor, but still a lot of money to put in to get there. Keith Weinhold 30:20 Well, then let's talk about identifying possible growth markets for long term investing success. New build properties tend to appreciate better than rehab properties. And you know what's funny, Adam, I was just sharing this with my audience on a recent episode. I largely disagree with this long time investing axiom in real estate that says appreciation is just icing on the cake. I think I know what they're saying that doesn't help you out on a month by month basis, but we're in real estate investing for the long term and long term, more of your returns typically come from leveraged appreciation than they do on the cash on cash return from cash flow. So to me, appreciation is not just icing on the cake. In a lot of cases, it is the cake. And really, that's something that new build can offer more of. Adam Schroeder 31:09 Yeah, I mean, it's almost in, especially in today's market, it's almost like cash flow is the icing on the cake. You know, you can get a property that, you know, is in that really good area, like we're talking about, and is, maybe it's appreciated a little bit now, but it's very likely to appreciate a lot later. If you're only making, if you factor everything in maintenance, vacancy, all of that, and you're making $100 a month, that's solid, you know, if you look at it, and if you're in those areas, if you appreciate 5% on a $300,000 property, let me tell you this, you're not going to make $15,000 in cash flow that year on that property. So if you look at the people who are really retiring on cash flow, are usually the people who have 100 200 300 doors or something like that, and they play the law of large numbers. I don't want to play the law of large numbers personally, I want to have really good quality assets and have fewer of them, and really work on having positive cash flow, but having the equity growth that allows me to pull money out tax free and either buy more investments or utilize how I want in my life. Keith Weinhold 32:16 Exactly. If your property cash flow is $100 a month and it's a single family home. Some people say, Oh, that's awful. You would need 100 of them just to get 10k pass it per month. Now you're thinking wrong, and you're oversimplifying it like to your point, with the 300k home and 5% appreciation, that's 15k in one year, you're building equity that can be borrowed against, tax free, and you're building up that lump sum cash flow windfall down the road, if you will, in real estate pays five ways and cash flow matters, but it's only one of five profit centers and all that. So yes, we're so aligned on that one, appreciation is not just the icing on the cake, it's substantially more than that. Well, I've got something to announce. Adam here is going to co host, along with our own longtime investment coach, Naresh, an upcoming live virtual event. And it's called how to scale your portfolio with tenanted cash flowing new construction properties. And it aligns in every way with the trends that we've been talking about and that Adam and I have been identifying here. The event takes place next week. But first, tell us more about what you and the ray shall be speaking about at the event there. Adam. Adam Schroeder 33:29 one of the biggest concerns people have about real estate, and one of the things that can eat in your cash flow more than anything, is vacancy. I mean, vacancy can kill your deal whenever it's all said and done, because it's one thing, if you're, you know, break even or $100 a month positive cash flow. But whenever you've got a vacant property and you're negative $1,500 a month, that can hurt, that can hit the wallet. And so what we really love, if you can hit it, is a tenanted property that's new and is in a growing area, yeah, and we've got that thankfully. I mean, we've been able to work some really good relationships with national builders that have allowed us to get into they were doing a lease to purchase option with tenants who wanted to buy their property but didn't have it saved up, and these people didn't exercise their option, but they've renewed their lease so you can come in and buy a property that has them in place. It is a house that they wanted to buy. So how long are they likely to stay? Probably quite a while. They like the school district, they like the neighborhood. They like everything about it. You're coming in, you've got the builder incentives we talked about before, and you're just in a positive cash flow position already. Now we're in Texas, which I was actually funny enough. Earlier, right before this interview, I was reading about the states that are going to grow the most, projected until 2050 and they expect Texas to grow by nearly 9 million people between now and believe it was 2050 Keith Weinhold 34:55 everyone's asking, when is it going to pass? California is the most populous state in the nation. Adam Schroeder 35:01 Well, it depends how many people. In California are part of that 9 billion we've gotten quite a few of them there. As somebody who lives in Texas, and we're in the big cities too. We're not in the Podunk Texas towns you think about in, you know, east or west Texas. We're talking Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, which are three of the top, I believe, 15 largest cities in the country. We're getting some really good incentives. You can get up to right now, 10% builder incentive. So a $300,000 house, you have $30,000 that you can use. That's massive. Yeah, you can get that money back after closing. We can buy your rate down. And we have some people who have literally taken the whole 10% and put it towards a fixed 30 rate at four and a quarter percent. Wow, they are locking themselves in at four and a quarter. Or we have some people who say, like, we were just talking about cash flow is not a concern for me. I'm going to take half my down payment back, and I'm going to go buy another property, because I'm only in this property for 10% now, and so they're able to be, you know, roughly break even in a good growing area, and they can acquire a second property. So you're buying two properties without mortgage insurance for essentially a 30% total down payment, and you're getting your 10% back if you buy the second property. So it's just really incredible time. Like you said, we haven't seen a time like this before. We were able to get into the wholesale division of these builders and provide these incentives that I've personally never seen before. Some of our reps are buying these homes themselves, so we're putting our money where our mouth is. It's just a great time, especially like you were saying, these homes the inventory, take advantage of the opportunity, right? And there's an opportunity that's presenting itself. And if you look at the long term demographics of Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. It's an arrow pointed up. That's what those areas are. Keith Weinhold 36:46 100% I mean, it's almost as predictable as anything. There's never a guarantee, but continued population growth and obvious need for housing there is about as close as you can get. That's massive. 10% back, 380k purchase, $38,000 back at the closing table to use in discount point buy downs completely or half on discount point buy downs and half to pocket and use on another property or use on your next vacation or whatever you want to do. That's massive. Adam Schroeder 37:18 Yeah, it's fantastic. One thing I forgot to mention about Houston. It's one of the things I love that people don't think about has the third most headquarters of fortune 500 companies in the country, behind New York and Chicago. So people don't think about that when they think of Houston. But I love to throw that out there, because it's there. I love Houston. I lived there for seven years. It's where I met Naresh, actually, and would happily move back there again Keith Weinhold 37:42 right? Houston has moved so far past the monolith of just having oil be the economic driver. So we're talking about tenanted new construction properties in pretty hot markets, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas ready for you to purchase with that 10% builder incentive. And these are in communities that are primarily owner occupied, so they do have that high appreciation potential and that potential for solid rent growth. So on the live event, the webinar that you are invited to attend from the comfort of your own home, what you can do is just learn more about this overall strategy and why the time in the market is right for this. Learn more about those geographic markets themselves and then their drivers, and even see available new build income property. And the benefit of you attending a live is that you can have any of your questions answered right then and there. You can sign up at grewebinars.com, and Adam, before I ask you if you have any last thoughts, that event is next week. It is Thursday, November 13, at 8pm eastern time again, you can sign up. It is free. Space is limited, so that's something that you want to do now at grewebinars.com, any last thoughts? Adam Adam Schroeder 38:51 yeah, I will just remind people there's always a reason to buy real estate, and there's always there's always a reason not to buy real estate, and depending on which one you subscribe to, you can always find those opportunities, or you can scare yourself off. So, you know, find the right opportunities that are there for you and your investing style and jump in. Because if you look at what's happening right now. When rates start coming down, owner ox are going to jump back in, and that tends to lead to prices going back up. Like Keith said, these are 85% owner occupied areas, and you're setting yourself up for success. And if you do it now, you can always refi later if rates come plummeting down right so find the right areas. Find the reasons to buy and go for it. Keith Weinhold 39:41 This is a time when builders are really willing to give you a break. Take advantage of it if you possibly can. Adam, it's been great having you here on the show, and our audience looks forward to seeing more of you next week. Keith Weinhold 40:00 Yeah, some real potential here. I'm rather excited for your future as a listener next week, investors like DSCR loans, since the qualification looks at the property, not you, and see conventional loans are more for owner occupants. They're fine. They work for investors too. But with dscrs, besides their other advantages, they're a check on making sure your property is profitable. It is just your rent divided by your debt service. That's all it is. So for example, with a $1,000 rent and a piti payment, principal, interest, taxes and insurance payment of 800 bucks. Well, then your DSCR is 1.25 Investors love them because there's no personal income verification, no W twos, tax returns, pay stubs. There's no debt to income ratio bar for you to have to clear also conventional loans often cap you at 10 financed properties, and DSCR loans have no such limit, so there's faster underwriting and easier approval. But with dscrs, look out. I mean, there could be some higher fees, and you might have a three to five year prepayment penalty. But buy and hold investors often keep the property that long anyway, so grow your income streams with dscrs, even when the w2 world says no. And notably, dscrs have absolutely nothing to do with job of the hut either. No sluggy concerns there Keith Weinhold 41:42 if you've wanted a deal on a property today, here you are with these new build incentives that are really good, better than what most builders are giving looks like. Here's your chance. One reason that the builders are giving us a deal is because of the bulk of GRE buyers. This is for you, if you might want one property or 14 properties load up with these up to 10% builder incentives, or just attend the webinar and learn more. We got into the wholesale division of these builders. We got them right where we want them. The properties are typically already tenanted. So plant your flag in the ground, and call this the pivot point. This whole thing could be a bigger deal than the first man to walk on Mars. We'll see, though, no man has walked on Mars yet, but you don't need to wait that long. Take one of your 30,000 days that you've been gifted in this life of yours, the 30,000 days you've been allotted on this earth to win back some of your future finite time. It is next week, Thursday, the 13th, at 8pm Eastern. It's also GRE last event of the year, your last chance, a live, virtual event where you can attend from the comfort of your own home or anywhere. And it's free. Registration is open now. Sign up at gre webinars.com that's gre webinars.com Until next week, I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream. Unknown Speaker 43:17 Nothing on this show should be considered specific, personal or professional advice, please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC, exclusively you Keith Weinhold 43:45 The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth building, getricheducation.com
Top economists are forecasting a year of steady growth, modest inflation, and predictable interest rates in 2026 — and that's welcome news for real estate investors. In this episode, Kathy Fettke reports on Marcus & Millichap's latest outlook, based on the Blue Chip Economic Indicators survey of 44 leading economists. Learn how a stable economic environment could shape property values, financing, and investment strategy in the year ahead. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: millichap.com/research/videos/leading-economists-predictions-for-2026
Would you buy a haunted house if it meant saving a few thousand dollars?
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates again — but Fed Chair Jerome Powell says another cut isn't a sure thing. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the Fed's latest quarter-point move, and why policymakers are sending mixed signals about the next meeting. The Fed also announced it will end its quantitative tightening program in December — a shift that could ease pressure on credit and lending.
This Halloween, we're talking real estate horror stories — and the scary lessons behind them.
In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke reports on the latest data from the National Association of REALTORS®. Existing-home sales climbed 1.5% in September as mortgage rates eased, helping affordability and bringing more buyers back into the market. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says improving conditions are giving the housing market new momentum — and that could create fresh opportunities for investors as demand rebounds.
Most people think retirement accounts are only for stocks and bonds—but what if you could use them to buy real estate? In this episode, Kathy Fettke talks with Chris Barnette, Business Development Manager at Inspira, about how self-directed IRAs open the door to investing in real estate syndications and other alternative assets. You'll learn how these accounts work, the key compliance rules to watch out for, and what to expect when using IRA funds in a deal.
There could finally be some relief ahead for homebuyers. Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte announced on social media a review of the controversial loan-level price adjustment (LLPA) fees that impact millions of borrowers. The review, led by mortgage expert and Fannie Mae board member Barry Habib, could lead to lower mortgage costs for buyers and homeowners looking to refinance. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains what this review means for borrowers, how it could affect affordability, and why any change to mortgage pricing could ripple through the housing market. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/fhfa-reviews-loan-level-price-adjustments/
In a major reversal, the Trump administration has agreed to resume student loan forgiveness for millions of borrowers. The settlement with the American Federation of Teachers restores debt cancellation under income-driven repayment programs paused earlier this year. Kathy Fettke explains what the deal means for borrowers—and how added financial relief could ripple into the housing market for investors. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/19/trump-student-loan-forgiveness.html
Major layoffs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development could leave millions of federally subsidized housing units without adequate inspection or oversight. Kathy Fettke explains how the shutdown and staff cuts at HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center are raising safety, compliance, and investment concerns nationwide. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/affordable-housing/hud-layoffs-leave-affordable-housing-exposed-to-increased-risks-131416
How do you grow from zero to 300 rental properties in just three years? In this episode, Kathy Fettke talks with investor and entrepreneur Kristina Aguilera, who did exactly that in the St. Louis market. Kristina shares how she used other people's money and her wholesale network to find and acquire great deals fast. She explains the systems and processes that allowed her to scale efficiently, and why she spreads her portfolio across three different property managers. Stick around to the end as Kristina reveals how she's now leveraging AI tools to optimize operations, improve decision-making, and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing market. LINKS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE & BECOME A MEMBER (IT'S FREE)! https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FREE RealWealth® EDUCATION & TOOLS RealWealth Market Reports: https://realwealth.com/learn/best-places-to-buy-rental-property/ RealWealth Videos: https://realwealth.com/category/video/ RealWealth Assessment™: https://realwealth.com/assessment/ RealWealth® Webinars: https://realwealth.com/webinars/ READ BOOKS BY RealWealth® FOUNDERS The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/thewiseinvestorbook Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/retirerichwithrentals Scaling Smart by Rich & Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/scalingsmart DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
Zillow has stopped showing Matterport's 3D home tours after CoStar, a major competitor, bought Matterport for $1.6B and changed how its content could be shared. Kathy Fettke explains how this clash between two real estate tech giants could impact agents, buyers, and investors searching for homes online. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/zillow-removes-matterports-from-listings/
Are you ready to navigate this real estate market correction? While some experts argue whether we're in a crash or a correction, our hosts explore practical strategies to adapt and thrive. Discover how you can make profitable decisions during these times of stagnant or slightly declining housing prices. With insights from real estate pros Kathy Fettke and Henry Washington, learn how they are adjusting their investing strategies to cope with changing interest rates and housing prices. Whether you're recalibrating expectations or exploring opportunities in less conventional markets, this episode offers valuable perspectives to help you ride out the correction and capitalize on long-term wealth building. Tune in to equip yourself with frameworks that withstand the test of fluctuating mortgage and interest rates! Links from the Show Join the Future of Real Estate Investing with Fundrise Join BiggerPockets for FREE Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area Find Investor-Friendly Lenders Property Manager Finder Dave's BiggerPockets Profile Henry's BiggerPockets Profile Kathy's BiggerPockets Profile Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/on-the-market-367 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if you could build cash flow without being a landlord or leaving your job? In this episode, Chad Ackerman shares how he began building wealth through passive real estate investing — all while working a W-2 job he genuinely enjoyed. Chad talks about why landlording wasn't the right fit, how he discovered passive investing, and the steps he took to start generating cash flow without adding more to his schedule. You'll hear his top tips for busy professionals looking to invest passively, the red flags to watch out for when evaluating deals or sponsors, and why this strategy is especially powerful for those working full-time.
A growing sense of economic pessimism is sweeping the nation. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down Fannie Mae's latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index, which shows that nearly 70% of Americans believe the economy is on the wrong track — and an even higher 73% say it's a bad time to buy a home. We'll explore what's driving this negative outlook, from high mortgage rates and rising home prices to slowing job growth and stagnant wages. Kathy also explains what these trends mean for real estate investors and why understanding buyer sentiment can reveal key opportunities in shifting markets. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://fortune.com/2025/10/07/is-it-good-bad-time-to-buy-house-housing-market-economy-wrong-track/
Before 2025 ends, real estate attorney Clint Coons shares powerful tax moves investor could make to optimize tger situation. In addition, he explains how to use bonus depreciation, cost segregation, and the right entity structure to save big. Learn how to stay compliant and keep more of what you earn heading into 2026.
Opendoor's stock has surged more than 400% this year, but analysts warn that its razor-thin profit margins could spell trouble ahead. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what's driving the iBuyer's massive rally, why profitability remains elusive, and how new AI strategies might reshape its future. Plus, what investors can learn about risk, margins, and sustainability in a volatile housing market. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/10/02/this-is-opendoors-biggest-risk-hint-its-not-the-ho/
What if you could build your rental portfolio from the ground up—literally? In this episode, Kathy Fettke talks with real estate investor Natalie Cloutier, who shares how she and her husband created a portfolio of 40 cash-flowing units using the build-to-rent strategy in Canada. You'll learn how they financed their projects and built properties with little money out of pocket. Natalie also breaks down what makes build-to-rent a powerful path to financial freedom and how everyday investors can replicate her approach—whether you're a first-time builder or a seasoned landlord. LINKS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE & BECOME A MEMBER (IT'S FREE)! https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FREE RealWealth® EDUCATION & TOOLS RealWealth Market Reports: https://realwealth.com/learn/best-places-to-buy-rental-property/ RealWealth Videos: https://realwealth.com/category/video/ RealWealth Assessment™: https://realwealth.com/assessment/ RealWealth® Webinars: https://realwealth.com/webinars/ READ BOOKS BY RealWealth® FOUNDERS The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/thewiseinvestorbook Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/retirerichwithrentals Scaling Smart by Rich & Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/scalingsmart DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
Mortgage delinquencies are inching up, but affordability is finally improving — and refinance demand is surging as mortgage rates dip back toward 6%. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest ICE Mortgage Monitor Report for October 2025, revealing where the housing market is showing strength and where the risks remain. You'll hear how lower rates are boosting refinance activity by 80%, why the Midwest is leading in affordability, and which markets are still struggling with tight inventory and stretched buyers. Kathy also dives into a surprising new data point: millions of homeowners face serious flood risk — and most don't have insurance. If you want to understand what's really happening with home prices, mortgage performance, and the broader U.S. housing market, this episode delivers the insights every investor needs to know.
What if one moment shattered everything you thought your life would be? For Kathy Fettke, that moment came when her husband was suddenly diagnosed with melanoma - and doctors told them he might only have six months to live. Two little kids. A mortgage they could barely keep up with. No plan B. But instead of breaking, Kathy turned that fear into fuel. She used her tiny weekend radio show to start interviewing successful people, desperate to learn how they built real, lasting wealth. What she discovered changed everything - and set her on a path to financial freedom, purpose, and impact. Today, Kathy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Real Wealth, helping thousands of families create passive income and true financial independence through real estate. In this raw and powerful conversation, we talk about the mindset it takes to rebuild when life falls apart, the truth about money and fear, and why living unapologetically might just be the most radical thing you can do. It's not just a story about real estate. It's a story about resilience, faith, and finding freedom on the other side of fear.
What if one moment shattered everything you thought your life would be? For Kathy Fettke, that moment came when her husband was suddenly diagnosed with melanoma - and doctors told them he might only have six months to live. Two little kids. A mortgage they could barely keep up with. No plan B. But instead of breaking, Kathy turned that fear into fuel. She used her tiny weekend radio show to start interviewing successful people, desperate to learn how they built real, lasting wealth. What she discovered changed everything - and set her on a path to financial freedom, purpose, and impact. Today, Kathy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Real Wealth, helping thousands of families create passive income and true financial independence through real estate. In this raw and powerful conversation, we talk about the mindset it takes to rebuild when life falls apart, the truth about money and fear, and why living unapologetically might just be the most radical thing you can do. It's not just a story about real estate. It's a story about resilience, faith, and finding freedom on the other side of fear.
Gold just hit a record $4,000 an ounce — its highest level ever — as investors seek safety amid a falling dollar and global uncertainty. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains why gold is having its best year since 1979, what it signals about the economy, and why many are turning to hard assets like real estate to protect and grow their wealth.
President Trump has announced sweeping new tariffs on lumber, cabinets, and furniture — starting at 10% and rising as high as 50% by January. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what these tariffs mean for the housing market and for real estate investors. With lumber and wood products already under strain from supply chain disruptions, higher import costs could make new construction, remodeling, and even replacement materials more expensive. Kathy explains how these new trade policies might ripple through the real estate industry — from home builders facing tighter margins to investors navigating higher property and renovation costs. Plus, we look at which countries are hit hardest, how Canada and Vietnam are responding, and what this could mean for long-term housing affordability in the U.S. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS
Learn how to analyze rental properties like a pro with Anton Ivanov, founder of DealCheck, the leading real estate analysis app. Host Kathy Fettke and Anton discuss how to identify profitable investment properties, calculate cash flow and ROI, and avoid the biggest mistakes new investors make. Anton also shares his journey to building over 40 rental properties and earning $20K a month in passive income — plus, the simple formulas and tools you can use to do the same. Perfect for anyone interested in real estate investing, deal analysis, or financial freedom through passive income. LINKS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE & BECOME A MEMBER (IT'S FREE)! https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FREE RealWealth® EDUCATION & TOOLS RealWealth Market Reports: https://realwealth.com/learn/best-places-to-buy-rental-property/ RealWealth Videos: https://realwealth.com/category/video/ RealWealth Assessment™: https://realwealth.com/assessment/ RealWealth® Webinars: https://realwealth.com/webinars/ READ BOOKS BY RealWealth® FOUNDERS The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/thewiseinvestorbook Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/retirerichwithrentals Scaling Smart by Rich & Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/scalingsmart DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
With the federal government shut down and the official jobs report on hold, investors are turning to ADP's private payroll data for answers — and the numbers aren't encouraging. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the surprise 32,000 job decline in September, the biggest drop in more than two years. You'll hear insights from ADP's Chief Economist Nela Richardson and Boston Fed President Susan Collins on why employers are pulling back hiring, how wage growth is shifting, and what this means for the Federal Reserve's next rate decision. Stay informed on how these economic shifts could impact real estate investors and the broader housing market. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/01/private-payrolls-declined-in-september-by-32000-in-key-adp-report-coming-amid-shutdown-data-blackout.html
The real estate market is constantly changing—and top investors are adapting fast. In this episode, Kathy Fettke talks with leading experts including J Scott, Thach Nguyen, Bronson Hill, Craig Curelop, and Ashley Wilson about how they've shifted their investment strategies over the past six months. You'll hear how these seasoned investors are finding new opportunities in today's environment—whether it's developing affordable housing, funding new projects, or shifting asset classes.
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. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCES: https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/43381/display https://guide.freddiemac.com/app/guide/bulletin/2025-E?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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 markets, and how lawmakers are responding. Stay informed on how government gridlock could affect your real estate strategy — only on Real Estate News for Investors. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/why-a-shutdown-looms-over-the-housing-market-00586923
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 uncertain times. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCES: https://www.investopedia.com/government-shutdown-starts-as-deadline-passes-without-deal-11821801?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-affects-agencies-closed-open/ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/government-shutdown-2025-air-travel-social-security-impact-rcna234594#:~:text=The%20federal%20government,For%20%22Senior%20Drivers%22 https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/01/how-a-us-government-shutdown-could-impact-global-markets.html
Thinking about buying your first rental property? In this episode, Kathy Fettke talks with new investor Genica Proctor, who shares the story of how she got started in real estate. You'll hear why she chose the Alabama market over San Antonio, why she decided on a turnkey rental property instead of a fixer-upper, and what made her choose to work with RealWealth. If you've been wondering how to take the first step toward building passive income with rental properties, Genica's experience offers practical lessons and inspiration for new and seasoned investors alike.
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 Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke explains what the lawsuit says, why regulators are taking action, and what this could mean for investors, multifamily property managers, and the future of online rental platforms. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/09/ftc-sues-zillow-redfin-over-illegal-agreement-suppress-rental-advertising-competition
Sometimes the smartest investment decision is the one you don't make. In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke talks with RealWealth Syndication Manager Paul DiVincenzo about the real estate deals the team chose to pass on—and why. You'll learn the red flags that can kill a deal, the metrics and stress tests that matter most, and how walking away can protect your portfolio and open the door to better opportunities. You'll also hear about some deals that we chose to invest in and why.
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 rates. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/24/august-new-home-sales-soar.html
Are real estate investors worried about the economy, a possible recession, and the impact of tariffs? In this special episode, Kathy Fettke sits down with five top experts—Brian Burke, J Scott, Ashley Wilson, Devon Kennard, and Mauricio Rauld—to share their candid thoughts on today's market uncertainty. From rising tariffs to shifting economic trends, these seasoned investors reveal how they're positioning their portfolios, what risks they're watching, and where they still see opportunities. Whether you're a new investor or building a large portfolio, you'll get actionable insights on how to navigate real estate in uncertain times. Follow our other podcast Real Estate News for Investors: Real Estae Investing Podcast LINKS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE & BECOME A MEMBER (IT'S FREE)! https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FREE RealWealth® EDUCATION & TOOLS RealWealth Market Reports: https://realwealth.com/learn/best-places-to-buy-rental-property/ RealWealth Videos: https://realwealth.com/category/video/ RealWealth Assessment™: https://realwealth.com/assessment/ RealWealth® Webinars: https://realwealth.com/webinars/ READ BOOKS BY RealWealth® FOUNDERS The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/thewiseinvestorbook Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/retirerichwithrentals Scaling Smart by Rich & Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/scalingsmart DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
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 what this means for real estate investors navigating today's housing market. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS
Struggling to find cash flow in today's real estate market? You're not alone. In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke sits down with RealWealth Director and Investment Counselor Leah Collich to unpack proven strategies for boosting cash flow in your portfolio. From evaluating deals to choosing the right markets and tax strategies, Leah shares insights she uses every day with investors to help them optimize returns and weather today's challenges. Want to learn more? Come to our free event! Visit www.Realweatlh.com/1031 to learn more! DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
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 fertility decisions. For investors, these trends highlight how affordability challenges are influencing both demographics and the future of the housing market. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/birth-rates-plummet-home-prices-surge-housing-market-family-planning/
Thinking about buying real estate abroad? In this episode, Kathy Fettke talks with Daniel Daly, a former automotive GM who built a $400M dealership business before shifting his focus to international real estate. Daniel shares how he built a cash-flowing portfolio in Portugal, where lower prices, favorable financing, and strong tourism make investing attractive. If you've ever wondered how to invest internationally and create cashflow through real estate, this episode will inspire. LINKS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE & BECOME A MEMBER (IT'S FREE)! https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS The Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/REN FREE RealWealth® EDUCATION & TOOLS RealWealth Market Reports: https://realwealth.com/learn/best-places-to-buy-rental-property/ RealWealth Videos: https://realwealth.com/category/video/ RealWealth Assessment™: https://realwealth.com/assessment/ RealWealth® Webinars: https://realwealth.com/webinars/ READ BOOKS BY RealWealth® FOUNDERS The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/thewiseinvestorbook Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/retirerichwithrentals Scaling Smart by Rich & Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/scalingsmart DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
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. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS
What does it really mean to use entrepreneurship as a force for good? In this episode, Kathy Fettke sits down with powerhouse businesswoman Trixy Castro, who built and sold companies — including one to Goldman Sachs — before launching her most personal mission yet: FreeRent.org. Trixy shares how her upbringing in Los Angeles, where her family relied on the kindness of others for housing, shaped her vision to help families facing rising rents and financial instability. You'll hear how Trixy built massive businesses through grit and determination, and why she is so passionate about givie back today. Through FreeRent.org, she's providing rental assistance and financial education to thousands of hardworking families on the brink of homelessness. LINKS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE & BECOME A MEMBER (IT'S FREE)! https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS The Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/REN FREE RealWealth® EDUCATION & TOOLS RealWealth Market Reports: https://realwealth.com/learn/best-places-to-buy-rental-property/ RealWealth Videos: https://realwealth.com/category/video/ RealWealth Assessment™: https://realwealth.com/assessment/ RealWealth® Webinars: https://realwealth.com/webinars/ READ BOOKS BY RealWealth® FOUNDERS The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/thewiseinvestorbook Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/retirerichwithrentals Scaling Smart by Rich & Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/scalingsmart DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
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 move means for borrowing costs, property values, and the road ahead for real estate. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS
Ashley Kehr went from having no real estate experience to building a full-time investing business and a portfolio. In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, she shares her journey step by step, along with the rookie mistakes she made and the lessons that helped her grow. You'll also hear practical advice for getting started as a new investor, strategies for finding and funding your first rental property, and why Ashley is so passionate about helping rookies take action. Whether you're just starting out or looking for motivation to grow, this conversation is packed with tips to guide your own real estate journey. LINKS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE & BECOME A MEMBER (IT'S FREE)! https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS The Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/REN FREE RealWealth® EDUCATION & TOOLS RealWealth Market Reports: https://realwealth.com/learn/best-places-to-buy-rental-property/ RealWealth Videos: https://realwealth.com/category/video/ RealWealth Assessment™: https://realwealth.com/assessment/ RealWealth® Webinars: https://realwealth.com/webinars/ READ BOOKS BY RealWealth® FOUNDERS The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/thewiseinvestorbook Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/retirerichwithrentals Scaling Smart by Rich & Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/scalingsmart DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
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 investors. JOIN US AT OUR RealWealth® EVENT: www.realwealth.com/1031 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://www.bestmoney.com/credit-cards/learn-more/psychology-of-credit-card-debt
Investor home purchases just logged their biggest drop since 2023, with condos taking the sharpest hit. What's driving the slowdown, and how could Fed policy shape what happens next? In this episode, Kathy Fettke talks with Chen Zhao, Head of Economic Research at Redfin, about why investors pulled back in Q2, what markets are seeing the greatest headwinds, and what a potential three rate cuts from the Fed this year could mean for both investors and everyday buyers. LINKS CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE & BECOME A MEMBER (IT'S FREE)! https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS The Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS Real Estate News: Real Estate Investing Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/REN FREE RealWealth® EDUCATION & TOOLS RealWealth Market Reports: https://realwealth.com/learn/best-places-to-buy-rental-property/ RealWealth Videos: https://realwealth.com/category/video/ RealWealth Assessment™: https://realwealth.com/assessment/ RealWealth® Webinars: https://realwealth.com/webinars/ READ BOOKS BY RealWealth® FOUNDERS The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/thewiseinvestorbook Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/retirerichwithrentals Scaling Smart by Rich & Kathy Fettke: https://tinyurl.com/scalingsmart DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com
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 investors navigating today's affordability crunch. JOIN US AT OUR RealWealth® EVENT: www.realwealth.com/1031 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS SOURCE: https://mortgagetech.ice.com/resources/data-reports/september-2025-mortgage-monitor
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. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down why labor data is outweighing inflation concerns, what continuing claims at a three-year high signal for the job market, and why bond traders are betting on a softer economy. You'll also learn what level of jobless claims could tip the U.S. into recession territory — and why the upcoming Fed meeting could be one of the most dramatic in years. JOIN RealWealth® FOR FREE https://realwealth.com/join-step-1 FOLLOW OUR PODCASTS Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/RWS