Is Local Politics Ruining the American Dream?

House flipping is cooling off fast. A new survey from John Burns Research and Consulting and lender Kiavi shows flippers are struggling with higher costs, longer timelines, and shrinking profits. Investor activity is down nationwide, condo sales have tanked, and oversupply in the Sunbelt is making deals harder to find. But opportunities remain in older housing stock, especially across the Northeast and Midwest. In this episode, we break down why flops are outpacing flips, the regional pressures squeezing investors, and the strategies flippers can use to survive—and even thrive—in today’s tougher market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mortgage rates fall to a yearly low. Will the Fed cut drive them down further? Or is the cut already priced in? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investor purchases of U.S. homes dropped to their lowest springtime level since 2020, with condo sales seeing the sharpest decline. Despite the pullback, investors still make up nearly one in five homebuyers, highlighting how today’s slowdown mirrors the broader housing market. Florida metros led the retreat, while investor activity surged on the West Coast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Half a million new rental apartments are set to hit the U.S. market in 2025, following last year’s record-setting supply surge. From New York City to the Sun Belt, new units are reshaping vacancy rates, rent growth, and investment opportunities. In this episode, we unpack the metros leading the boom, the policy changes fueling construction, and how tariffs and material costs could slam the brakes on future projects. We’ll also explore why smaller landlords may benefit from the affordability gap that shiny new buildings aren’t solving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump and Congress are eyeing a dramatic change to capital gains taxes on home sales. The proposed No Tax on Home Sales Act would remove the $250,000/$500,000 caps on primary residence exclusions, potentially allowing homeowners to sell with unlimited tax-free gains. In this episode, we’ll unpack what the bill actually covers, why investment properties are excluded, and the ripple effects investors should watch for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MOAT Method Episode Link Want to get on the show? APPLY HERE! Unlock the potential of travel planning as a lucrative side hustle, solving the problem of funding your dream vacations. But how can you become a successful travel agent without prior experience? Aaron Mann guides you through the steps to turn travel organizing into a profitable venture. In this show, you'll learn the ins and outs of becoming a travel agent, including the key steps to breaking into the industry and the tools you'll need to succeed. Explore how to join a host agency, manage planning fees, and leverage booking commissions to create a steady income. Whether you're seeking to make travel a full-time career or a rewarding side hustle, this episode has got you covered with expert tips and playful insights. Don't miss out on the bonus content where Aaron uncovers potential income streams and strategies to amplify your travel business. Discover success stories of real agents who transitioned from side hustles to thriving travel businesses. Topics Covered: The benefits of using a travel agent versus DIY travel planning How joining a host agency can jumpstart your travel agent career Tools and certifications provided by host agencies Key responsibilities of a travel agent, including itinerary planning and client support Examples of popular host agencies to consider joining Breakdown of income streams from booking commissions to planning fees Tips to expand your travel agency business and build a loyal client base Potential earnings as a side hustle travel agent Strategies to amplify and scale your travel business Exploring profitable travel niches such as corporate travel and luxury holidays Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time since 2016, the number of U.S. homeowner households has slipped—while renter households jumped by 2.6%. We’ll explore what’s driving this shift, from high mortgage rates and record home prices to changing life stages, and what it means for rental demand and real estate investors across different markets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Read the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/how-local-politics-is-ruining-the-american-dream America’s housing shortage isn’t just a “problem”—it’s a disaster. We’re already short 5 to 6 million homes, and without major changes, that gap could balloon to 15 million within a decade. In this episode, we’ll trace how the Great Recession and decades of restrictive zoning set the stage for today’s crisis, explain why local politics keep killing affordable housing projects, and show how lot sizes, setback rules, and “neighborhood character” arguments drive up costs. Finally, we’ll explore why state-level reform may be the only path forward if the American Dream is to remain within reach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Massachusetts just became the latest state to ban hidden rental “junk fees,” requiring landlords to disclose all charges upfront or bundle them into the rent. In this episode, we’ll explain what the new law means for property owners, how it fits into a growing national crackdown on rental fees, and why even small mom-and-pop landlords need to adjust their leases and advertising.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices