Construction spending in the United States experienced a slight decrease.
U.S. Construction Spending Report The U.S. government is reporting that total construction spending in April, 2025 was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,152.4 billion, down 0.4% from March’s revised number. In addition, April’s estimate is .5% lower than one year ago. Residential construction came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $892.8 […]
Washington State implements rent control measures
Washington State Implements Rent Control Legislation In early May, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson (D) signed a bill into law that will limit annual rent increases (rent control). According to Yahoo News, the measure (HB 1217) caps rent increases at 7% plus inflation or 10% (whichever is lower) and includes single-family homes. The rent for manufactured […]
Charles Tassell has been appointed to a position within the USDA in the Trump Administration.
Charles Tassell Joins U.S. Department of Agriculture The headline says it all; National REIA’s Charles Tassell is heading to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA announced this week their latest slate of presidential appointments for key positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) including the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Farm Service Agency […]
98% of Housing Markets “Weaker” Than Last Year: Good News for Investors?
49 of the nation’s 50 largest metro area housing markets are showing “weaker” home price growth in 2025. For some, this signals a long-predicted crash/correction on the horizon. But for others (like Dave), it’s something very different, and could be a huge help for the aspiring real estate investor. For years, we’ve been struggling with […]
Unemployment Rate Remains Unchanged in March compared to February
March Unemployment Report from Bureau of Labor Statistics According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 228k in February, 2025 with the unemployment rate coming in at 4.2% – about the same as February. In addition, the report says employment in the federal government actually declined. […]
Rocket acquires Redfin in a $1.75 billion agreement
CNBC Reports Rocket Companies Acquisition of Redfin CNBC is reporting that Rocket Companies is acquiring Redfin in an all-stock deal worth $1.75 billion. The deal is expected to close in 2nd or 3rd quarter of this year. Comparing the two companies, CNBC says Redfin operates a home search platform with more than 1 million for-sale […]
February sees a 2% increase in pending home sales
NAR Reports 2% Increase in Pending Home Sales for February 2025 The National Association of Realtors is reporting that pending home sales rose 2% in in February, 2025. The NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index (a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings) came in at 72 in February. Year-over-year, contract signings dropped in all four U.S. […]
February saw a 4.2% increase in existing home sales.
NAR Reports Increase in Existing Home Sales The National Association of Realtors is reporting that existing home sales were up 4.2% in February to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.26 million – down 1.2% year over year. Total housing inventory at the end of February was 1.24 million units, up 5.1% from January and up […]
Housing construction activity surged in February, with housing starts increasing by 11%.
U.S. Housing Starts and Permits Report for February 2025 The U.S. government is reporting that privately‐owned housing starts in February, 2025 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,501,000, which is 11.2% higher than January’s revised number and is 2.9% lower than one year ago. February’s rate for units in buildings with five units […]
Inflation decreased in February
BLS Reports Inflation Eases in February The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2% in February, 2025. The all items index was up 2.8% for the 12 months ending in February. Interestingly, while the index for shelter increased 4.2% over the last year, […]