Why are Americans waiting longer than ever to buy their first home?

In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down new reporting from HousingWire on how rising student loan balances, credit card debt, and higher living costs are delaying homeownership for Millennials and Gen Z. With the median first-time buyer now at a record age of 40, debt pressures are reshaping when — and how — younger Americans enter the housing market.

We look at the latest data on student debt, credit stress, and financial counseling trends, and what these shifts mean for housing demand, affordability, and the future pipeline of buyers.

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SOURCE: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/the-debt-crisis-among-younger-americans-how-it-is-shaping-homeownership-and-what-lenders-can-do/

High-income job losses are beginning to cool housing demand across the U.S. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down new labor market analysis from John Burns Research and Consulting, showing declines in tech, professional services, and finance jobs — the sectors that typically drive homebuying demand. We look at what's happening in key markets like Charlotte, Austin, Denver, and the Bay Area, and why the type of jobs being added matters as much as overall job growth for housing demand heading into 2026.

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SOURCE: https://jbrec.com/insights/job-growth-housing-demand-metro-analysis-2026/?utm_campaign=BMI&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_WY5fbtpYHkIXKEUroJ1PkLDoej6qNyOpQB__jxCgvT-vzGJOD1Yi0lSSQnj1InWDHPDRQeyE9L0LpkslhPkbV5dA5gbPyybj__JyY7Q_avsvIIUs&_hsmi=395022546&utm_content=395022546&utm_source=hs_email

One of America's largest homebuilders says its average home price is down more than 20 percent from the peak of the pandemic housing boom. But a closer look shows much of that decline is being driven by incentives, not deep price cuts.

In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down new data from ResiClub on Lennar's pricing strategy, including how mortgage-rate buydowns and buyer credits are reshaping what homes actually cost. We also look at what rising incentives mean for builder margins, buyer demand, and the broader housing market as affordability pressures persist.

This report explains why headline price declines can be misleading—and what investors should really be watching as the market searches for balance.

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SOURCE: https://www.fastcompany.com/91464802/housing-market-home-prices-homebuilding-lennar-average-price-is-down-from-pandemic-boom-peak

Where is buyer demand showing up in 2025? According to a new report from Zillow, the hottest housing markets this year aren't the usual coastal or Sun Belt favorites — they're affordable Midwestern cities.

In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down Zillow's list of the most popular housing markets of 2025, led by Rockford, Illinois. We look at why buyers are flocking to lower-priced markets with strong job access, fast-moving inventory, and growing out-of-state interest.

You'll also hear which cities are topping Zillow's rankings across categories — from large metros and small towns to vacation destinations, college towns, and retirement markets — and what these shifts signal for real estate investors.

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SOURCE: https://www.zillow.com/research/most-popular-markets-2025-35859/

Producer Kailyn Bennett reports on the latest National Association of REALTORS® data showing existing-home sales rose 0.5% in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million. While sales increased for the third straight month, inventory tightened to 4.2 months of supply, and the national median home price rose 1.2% year over year.

The report also shows mixed regional trends, stronger single-family home sales compared to condos, and a growing share of investor and second-home buyers, as mortgage rates declined in November.

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SOURCE: https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/nar-existing-home-sales-report-shows-0-5-increase-in-november

In this episode, producer Kailyn Bennett breaks down a new bipartisan housing bill that has advanced out of the House Financial Services Committee as lawmakers look for solutions to the housing affordability crisis. We cover what's included in the Housing for the 21st Century Act, how it aims to streamline zoning and permitting, and why expanding housing supply remains central to improving affordability.

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SOURCE: https://www.realtor.com/news/real-estate-news/house-financial-committee-housing-century-act/

Single-family rental investors are heading into 2026 with a more disciplined, selective mindset, according to new survey data. While investor confidence remains intact, the era of "growth at all costs" appears to be over.

In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest Q4 2025 LendingOne/ResiClub Single-Family Rental Investor Survey, including what it reveals about buying and selling plans, portfolio rebalancing, rising insurance costs, rent expectations, and shifting views on mortgage rates. The data points to a market driven less by speculation and more by fundamentals, cost control, and long-term strategy as investors position themselves for 2026.

We look at what's driving inflation now — including food, energy, and shelter costs — and how markets reacted to the softer-than-expected data.

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SOURCES: https://www.resiclubanalytics.com/p/full-results-to-the-lendingone-resiclub-sfr-investor-survey-q4-2025

Zillow shares dropped sharply after reports revealed that Google is testing real estate listings directly inside its search results. The news sparked investor concern about long-term competition and platform risk, sending Zillow's stock down more than 9% in a single session.

In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, producer Kailyn Bennett breaks down what Google's real estate listings test includes, why the market reacted so strongly, and what analysts from Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and Oppenheimer are saying about the potential impact on Zillow's business model. While experts say the threat is more long-term than immediate, Google's move highlights how shifts in search and lead generation could reshape the real estate tech landscape over time.

We look at what's driving inflation now — including food, energy, and shelter costs — and how markets reacted to the softer-than-expected data.

🏡 Want to come to RealWealth's Live Event? Visit www.Realwealth.com/Expo to learn more.

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SOURCES: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/15/zillow-shares-are-getting-crushed-heres-why.html