Starter Home Sales Rise Despite the Rest of the Market Struggling

Zombie foreclosures, or abandoned homes stuck in the foreclosure process, are making a comeback in parts of the U.S., particularly across the Rust Belt and Midwest. These properties often sit vacant due to financing pitfalls, legal disputes, bad tenants, or simple neglect, dragging down surrounding home values and neighborhoods. But while they can be eyesores, they also present potential opportunities for investors willing to do the homework—tracking ownership status, navigating title searches, and preparing for extensive rehab. In this episode, we’ll break down the latest data on zombie foreclosures, explain why they happen, highlight the markets seeing the biggest increases, and walk through the risks and rewards of bringing these properties back to life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waiting for the Fed to cut rates? You don’t have to. In this episode, we break down nine strategies buyers and investors can use right now to lower mortgage costs—from midweek lock-ins and seller credits to 2-1 buydowns, credit unions, and smart DTI management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we reveal the top states where residents are most likely to stay put—and why that matters for real estate investors. Based on data from the IRS and United Van Lines, states like Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, California, and Utah rank highest for resident “stickiness,” thanks to factors like job growth, community ties, and housing affordability. With tenant turnover driving up costs, these long-term renter markets could offer landlords more stability and stronger returns. We break down what makes these states appealing and offer investor insights on where to look for lasting tenant demand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A September Fed rate cut could bring mortgage relief, but investors shouldn’t celebrate too soon. Soaring insurance premiums, rising construction and maintenance costs, higher energy bills, and record home prices continue to squeeze affordability. In this episode, we unpack why the true cost of ownership is still climbing, how tariffs are adding tens of thousands to construction projects, and what landlords need to know about passing costs onto tenants in today’s fragile rental market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mortgage spreads—the gap between 30-year mortgage rates and 10-year Treasury yields—just hit their lowest point in more than three years. That means mortgage rates are falling faster than Treasury yields, giving buyers and homeowners new opportunities to lock in lower payments. In this episode, we break down why spreads matter, how much purchasing power has already improved since May, and what this shift means for investors weighing acquisitions, refinancing, and negotiation power in today’s housing market. 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

MOAT Method Episode Link Want to get on the show? APPLY HERE! Helping small businesses shine online by setting up their Google presence can transform their client outreach and boost visibility. So, how do you effectively claim and enhance a Google Business profile for your local mom-and-pop shops? Aaron Mann, with experience in digital visibility and seasoned side hustling, guides you through optimizing online business listings and upgrading payment systems for maximum impact. In this show, you'll discover the simple yet lucrative process of helping businesses establish and enhance their Google Business profiles, leading to greater client attraction and engagement. Learn the art of creating a seamless payment system setup that saves businesses money and improves their customer experience. Dive into side hustles that require minimal investment but offer substantial passive income opportunities. Stay tuned as Aaron shares additional insights into bundling services that can maximize your earnings and deepen client relationships, revealing tricks of the trade that can elevate your side hustle to new heights. In This Episode We Cover Claiming and optimizing Google Business profiles for local businesses Setting up effective and visually appealing online listings Introducing updated payment systems like Square, Helcim, and Clover Monetizing Google Review generation and management services Structuring and pricing your digital visibility offerings Combining services for recurring income and business growth The potential for escalating your side hustle into a substantial business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we break down two major reports that show a growing split in the U.S. housing market. On one side, nearly half of all mortgaged homeowners are now equity rich—owing less than half of their home’s value. On the other, affordability has reached its worst level in 14 consecutive quarters, with 99% of counties now less affordable than historical norms. We look at the states leading in equity, the regions where affordability is collapsing, and what this all means for investors, buyers, and renters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, landlords have focused on millennials and Gen Z—but the fastest-growing group of renters today is actually adults over 55. In this episode, we break down new Census data showing a nearly 30% surge in senior renters over the past decade, with hotspots like Austin, Dallas, and San Francisco leading the trend. We’ll explore why older adults are leaving homeownership behind, what they value most in a rental, and the practical steps landlords can take to attract and keep these long-term, stable tenants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home sales are falling apart at record levels. Roughly 58,000 purchase agreements were canceled in July, equal to 15.3% of all pending deals—the highest July rate since Redfin began tracking in 2017. Cancellations were most common in Texas and Florida, where abundant new construction, high insurance costs, and buyer uncertainty are giving would-be homeowners second thoughts. In San Antonio, nearly a quarter of all contracts fell through. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices