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.

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• 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

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.

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SOURCE: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/09/ftc-sues-zillow-redfin-over-illegal-agreement-suppress-rental-advertising-competition

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.

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SOURCE: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/24/august-new-home-sales-soar.html

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.

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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.

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SOURCE: https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/birth-rates-plummet-home-prices-surge-housing-market-family-planning/

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.

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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.

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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.

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SOURCE: https://www.bestmoney.com/credit-cards/learn-more/psychology-of-credit-card-debt