Buy vs rent: 70% more expensive. What About Real Estate Prices?

Buy vs rent: 70% more expensive. What About Real Estate Prices?

  There is a huge premium to buying a property compared to renting.  It is now 70% more expensive to buy vs rent a property, which is considerably higher than at any time in the last fifty years.  What is causing the large divergence in renting vs buying?  What...
Will mortgage rates fall significantly in 2024?

Will mortgage rates fall significantly in 2024?

When I was writing this article mortgage rates were hovering right around 7%.  At the same time economists are predicting a sharp decline in mortgage rates and a booming 2024 real estate market.  On the other hand, the chart above shows a much different picture. ...
Why are home prices rising while mortgage rates stay high?

Why are home prices rising while mortgage rates stay high?

It is a bit perplexing; mortgage rates are over 7%, well over double their lows, and yet real estate prices are once again heading higher after a minor pullback late last year.  Prices have pivoted from last fall to make a strong comeback and approach new highs.  What...
What does higher for longer rates mean for real estate?

What does higher for longer rates mean for real estate?

  Wow, what a year.  In December the market was anticipating as many as 4 rate cuts this year. At the same time the federal reserve was doing a victory dance on pulling of a soft landing.  Fast forward and inflation is still hot and there is now a question of if...
US government plans to unlock 850 billion in homeowners equity

US government plans to unlock 850 billion in homeowners equity

You have to hand it to the Federal government, they are always working to solve problems that do not exist.  Currently there is a new proposal from the federal government (via Freddie Mac) to insure second mortgages/home equity lines of credit similar to first...
New tax plan keeps spending by taxing real estate and eliminates 1031

New tax plan keeps spending by taxing real estate and eliminates 1031

In economics there is no free lunch and you can’t spend forever without paying the piper.  A new  recent tax proposal keeps spending while drastically increasing taxes on real estate owners. The new plan eliminates the 1031 exchange and the step up in basis upon...