• Existing-home sales jumped 5.1% in December to the strongest pace in nearly three years, signaling materially improved exit liquidity for flips and BRRRRs
• Inventory tightened sharply to just 3.3 months of supply, setting up tougher acquisition competition before spring listings arrive
• Mortgage applications surged 28.5% after a brief dip to 5.99%, confirming extreme rate sensitivity among buyers and refinance borrowers
• Refinance demand up 128% year-over-year; sub-6% rates triggered immediate borrower action despite the window closing quickly
• Foreclosure filings rose 14% in 2025, with Florida and Texas emerging as key distressed-inventory markets to watch
• Rising bank repossessions point to potential REO growth over the next 12 months, favoring cash buyers and fast-close investors
• Building material costs continue climbing, driven by metals, labor, and tariffs, pressuring flip and ground-up construction margins
• Builder incentives at post-COVID highs reflect affordability strain rather than falling construction costs
• Potential California single-stair reform could unlock new small multifamily projects, with early-adopter cities setting the template

• Political pressure escalating on the Fed as Chair Powell faces DOJ subpoenas, adding uncertainty to rate forecasting
• Administration directs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200B in MBS, compressing mortgage spreads and helping keep rates near 6%
• Mortgage rates materially lower than the 7%+ environment, but volatility argues for cautious rate-lock timing
• Housing permits down over 21% YoY, with multifamily starts especially weak, reinforcing long-term supply constraints
• Lenders formally allowed to underwrite based on citizenship status; non-citizen investors need lender alignment
• Anywhere–Compass merger creates the nation’s largest brokerage, potentially reshaping agent dynamics and deal flow
• Unemployment claims and consumer sentiment softening, early signals to monitor for downstream impacts on rents and demand

- Relatively lower rates entering 2026

- Fairly stable transaction volume

- Sticky inventory

- Builders starting less projects, Builders Confidence Index still in conctraction range. Large scale price cutting of existing home builder inventory.

- HUD increases eligibility checks for FHA appraisers. If you have an FHA buyer, make sure the appraisers aren't delayed by this.

If your business is affected by single family real estate, then yes! If you're investing in flips, BRRRRs, STRs, MTRs, or LTRs, or you sell them, finance them, etc... then you can listen here just five minutes, twice per week to stay up to date on your industry!

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