Fed Chair Powell Gives Mid-Year Testimony to Congress, Plus the Latest Home Price Report

President Trump’s sweeping new tax and spending bill just cleared the Senate—and it’s packed with major changes for workers, investors, and real estate pros. In today’s episode, we break down everything you need to know: from tax-free tips and new child credits to deep Medicaid cuts, EV credit rollbacks, and a SALT cap boost for high-tax states. We’ll also unpack how this bill reshapes business deductions, renewables, and housing market incentives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Condo prices are falling fast across the U.S.—especially in Florida—due to soaring HOA fees, rising insurance costs, and new special assessments. Sales dropped 12% year over year in May, while single-family home prices rose slightly. Florida and Texas are leading the decline, with several metros seeing price drops over 30%. Meanwhile, short-term rental investors are finding opportunity in NFL cities. Markets like Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Kansas City are posting strong STR revenue growth tied to football season demand. For investors, the key takeaway is that while condos are struggling, football-fueled STR markets are heating up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Houston, long seen as the beating heart of the U.S. oil industry, is now grappling with a commercial real estate crisis. Office vacancies have surged to nearly 28%, driven by massive energy sector consolidation and changing workplace dynamics. Despite Trump’s calls to ramp up drilling, oil companies are becoming leaner, shedding jobs—and office space—in the process. This script explores how a wave of corporate mergers, surging insurance costs, outdated buildings, and Houston’s sprawling development model are leaving once-prized office towers empty. Investors, take note: Houston’s energy-fueled boom may be shifting to a more space-efficient era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MOAT Method episode reference link Want to be a guest on the show? APPLY HERE! It's that simple. Side hustles can be your ticket to securing those elusive down payments for a home or even landing a full-time job by starting small. So, how do you seize these opportunities that others overlook? Aaron Mann will dive into unconventional summer side hustles, equipped with insights from his own successful ventures and research. In this episode, you’ll discover inventive ways to turn labor into lucrative side hustles. Learn how to transform knocking on doors into profitable haul-away jobs and unleash the power of a pressure washer for more than just cleaning. Discover smart strategies on tapping into Airbnb markets to offer much-needed services. Turning manual labor into profitable haul-away side hustles Using a pressure washer to create a cleaning service business Offering garbage removal services to Airbnb and VRBO owners Building a business from seasonal side hustles Amplifying hustle efforts using the MOAT method Marketing strategies through direct outreach and social media Creative storytelling in business ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Florida’s once-booming housing market is cooling off—and fast. Prices are falling in most metros, with condos taking the biggest hit. But is this a Florida-only reset, or a warning for investors nationwide? In today’s episode, we break down the forces behind Florida’s price drops, from migration trends to soaring insurance costs, and what it means for buyers, sellers, and investors going forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Consumer spending declined with the sharpest drop of the year, signaling economic uncertainty is starting to weigh on households. With inflation still tame and personal income falling, pressure is mounting on the Fed to cut rates soon. Fed officials, including Neel Kashkari, are now pointing to September as a likely starting point, while warning tariffs could still spark delayed inflation. Investors are watching closely for any signs the Fed will act sooner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell spent two days testifying before Congress, facing questions on inflation, tariffs, political pressure from President Trump, and the future of rate cuts. Meanwhile, the Fed proposes loosening a key capital rule for big banks. We break down the highlights—and what investors should watch next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many home sellers are still sitting on strong equity, but that’s not the case everywhere. A new Redfin analysis reveals nearly 6% of homes listed in May were at risk of selling at a loss—up from 4.4% last year. The risk climbs sharply for condos and homes bought after the pandemic, especially in markets like San Francisco and Austin. Nationwide, nearly one in three condos purchased post-2022 could sell below their original price. While losses remain rare compared to the aftermath of the Great Recession, today’s buyers are gaining more leverage as sellers face pressure to adjust. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces congressional testimony this week amid mounting political pressure from President Trump to cut interest rates. Lawmakers are expected to question Powell on the Fed’s cautious stance, Trump’s tariff-driven economic uncertainty, and proposals affecting banking regulations and reserve payments. Meanwhile, new data shows U.S. home-price growth slowed to 2.7% in April, the weakest pace since mid-2023, as high mortgage rates and economic concerns cooled buyer demand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home flipping activity fell to a multi-year low in Q1 2025, with just over 67,000 homes flipped—the smallest quarterly total since 2018. Despite representing 8.3% of all sales, profits are shrinking, with the median return on investment dropping to 25%. In this episode, we break down why flippers are struggling, which markets still offer big returns, and where investor risk is mounting as high acquisition costs, longer hold times, and buyer uncertainty compress margins nationwide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices