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

A well-known Southern California real estate operator is facing federal charges. Marco Giovanni Santarelli, founder of Norada Capital Management, has been indicted for allegedly defrauding more than 500 investors out of $62.5 million through a Ponzi-style scheme. In this episode, Kathy Fettke explains what happened, how unsecured promissory notes can put investors at serious risk, and what you can do to protect yourself.

You’ll learn the difference between secured real estate investments and unsecured notes, why unrealistic double-digit monthly returns are a red flag, and three steps every investor should take to safeguard their capital.

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

Which housing markets are most at risk in 2025—and which are the safest bets for investors? In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down ATTOM’s latest Housing Risk Report, which names the riskiest U.S. counties based on affordability, unemployment, foreclosures, and underwater mortgages. You’ll hear why California and Florida top the list, which counties are struggling with extreme affordability, and why Louisiana stands out for underwater properties. Kathy also shares where buyers and investors will find the safest and most affordable markets, from New York to Texas and beyond.

If you want to stay ahead of housing trends, this episode is packed with insights on how local risks—from wildfires to hurricanes to high insurance costs—are shaping today’s real estate landscape.

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/riskiest-housing-markets-united-states-list/

The August jobs report shows the U.S. economy added just 22,000 jobs, far below expectations, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, the highest since 2017 outside the pandemic.

In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including which industries are adding jobs, where losses are showing up, and why long-term unemployment is on the rise. You’ll also hear how markets reacted, with Treasury yields dropping, mortgage rates hitting new yearly lows, and investors betting on a Federal Reserve rate cut in September.

For real estate investors, Kathy explains how falling mortgage rates could open refinancing and buying opportunities, while a weaker labor market may signal challenges ahead for rental demand and consumer confidence.

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.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
• https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/jobs-report-august-stock-market-today-09-05-2025/card/how-markets-are-reacting-to-the-august-jobs-report-in-charts-FQcQtn7rwcUks8KYBbJ9?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAi5rhcACM9CUVuSweEm6gfhlzjTymFu-MGPtOdT6FSdkv99FJMXEzn4IZAJjOk%3D&gaa_ts=68bb3e42&gaa_sig=7Pc9VuZh3MAASJs3g1fibqeeIosHhMl5M5QtC4kyYQ3hpWkwoe_QfVXzgrgz1BPAS57xZt78Hf84_DJtirgONQ%3D%3D

LINKS:

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.bankrate.com/real-estate/rates-vs-prices-housing-affordability/

Airbnb is changing the way it charges hosts — and the update could impact how much real estate investors actually take home. Beginning October 27, 2025, Airbnb will phase out its split-fee model and move to a 15.5% host-only fee. Guests will see a flat price, but hosts will need to adjust their rates to protect margins.

In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what the new structure means for property owners, how it could affect short-term rental profitability, and why some smaller investors may struggle while professional managers adapt more easily.

If you invest in short-term rentals or are considering it, this fee shift is one you can’t afford to ignore.

LINKS:

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.hostaway.com/blog/airbnb-host-only-fee-what-to-know-about-the-15-percent-host-fee/

Senior renters are now the fastest-growing group in the U.S., with more than 2.4 million Americans aged 65 and older entering the rental market in the past decade. In this episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke breaks down the numbers from U.S. Census and Point2Homes data, and explains what’s driving this powerful demographic shift.

You’ll learn why older Americans are choosing rentals over ownership, which metros are seeing the biggest surge in 55+ renters, and how single-family homes are playing a growing role in this trend. Real estate investor Ken McElroy also weighs in on why 55+ renters are among the most stable and attractive tenants for landlords today.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, this episode reveals what investors and developers should be watching as Baby Boomers reshape the housing market.

LINKS:

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.credaily.com/briefs/senior-renters-drive-housing-shift-in-the-us/
• https://kenmcelroy.com/education/this-is-the-fastest-growing-renter-in-america/?utm_campaign=Newsletters&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9i0ejEgzVwis0t8WzqPgTd7YP16P5IhtmKY-vGCOe4ZbqAmmPXptyEWSwzDF0eBZKfg2PsqLnu2Pxu9Q5jo6I8-Xx8Gw&_hsmi=377681519&utm_content=377681519&utm_source=hs_email