This Month In Real Estate Investing January 2025
This Month In Real Estate Investing is the monthly United States Real Estate Investor show featuring your favorite REI personalities discussing the month’s news, trends, economics, culture, and much more!
This Month’s News Items
- Homeowners Have Death Grip On Properties With No Plans To Sell
- U.S. Rents Ended 2024 at Lowest Level in Three Years
- California Palisades Inferno
- 5-Year Real Estate Investing Forecast
- LA Renters Concerned Over Hikes As Wildfires Squeeze Market
- Newsom Cracks Down on Predatory Wildfire Investors
- Wall Street Thinks U.S. Homes Are Overpriced
- FTC Sues Greystar Over Falsely Advertised Rent Prices
- 6 Waterfront Cities That Are Becoming Unaffordable
- Elon Musk and Bret Baier Fueling the Hamptons-ification of DC
- Barron Trump Launching Luxury Real Estate Company
- Trump Issues Executive Order on Emergency Housing Price Relief
- 7 Phrases Self-Absorbed People Tend To Use
Wildfires, Wall Street, and the Death Grip on America’s Housing Market
Welcome to another exciting episode of This Month in Real Estate Investing (TMIREI), airing live on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10 AM PT. This month, we’re diving into the hottest real estate topics with an all-star guest panel featuring Frank Iglesias, Joseph Bodek, and Brian Rudderow. Whether you’re an investing rookie or a seasoned pro, January’s lineup is packed with insights, controversy, and actionable strategies.
What’s on Tap This Month?
From housing market trends to wildfire-driven rental crises, here’s a snapshot of the headline-making stories we’ll dissect this episode. Buckle up—it’s going to be an eye-opener.
The Housing Market’s “Death Grip”
According to a Redfin report (January 7), 34% of U.S. homeowners plan never to sell their homes. Baby Boomers and Gen X are holding tight, citing nearly paid-off mortgages, satisfaction with their homes, and an aversion to inflated prices. Low inventory—at just 2.5% sold compared to 4% in 2021—creates a stalemate in the market. Rising rates and prices keep mobility locked up tighter than ever.
Rents Hit a Three-Year Low
Asking rents slid 0.3% year-over-year in December 2024, per Redfin News (January 9). The median rent of $1,594 signals the effects of a 50-year high in apartment completions. However, while cities like Austin (-16.3%) and Tampa (-10.4%) saw declines, rent in places like Providence (+12.6%) spiked. Could this shift hint at an impending stabilization or a new era for multifamily investors?
California’s Palisades Inferno: A Market on Fire
The January 9 story from USREI detailed how the catastrophic Palisades Fire caused $52-57 billion in damages, laying bare California’s infrastructure failures. Insurance costs skyrocketed while the state’s real estate ROI plummeted. With industry figures like Elon Musk blasting California leadership, is this the breaking point for Golden State investors?
Five-Year Forecast: Real Estate Investing
Benzinga (January 9) predicts steady challenges and opportunities ahead. While the housing shortage and demographic shifts dominate, emerging investment hotspots like Austin and Raleigh shine. Stable returns in industrial and multifamily properties make them investor darlings.
Wildfire Fallout: Rental Havoc in LA
Wildfires displaced thousands, driving rents through the roof, reports the New York Post (January 15). Accusations of landlords exploiting California’s housing crisis with price gouging raised alarms. State laws limiting rent hikes to 10% during emergencies are under scrutiny, with AG Rob Bonta vowing action against illegal profiteering.
Predatory Wildfire Investors Get the Boot
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order bans unsolicited lowball offers in wildfire-stricken areas for three months (Newsweek, January 15). Modeled after Hawaii’s disaster-relief protections, this bold move shows a clear commitment to shielding vulnerable communities from opportunistic speculators.
Wall Street Calls Out Overpriced Homes
Wall Street analysts suggest U.S. homes are wildly overpriced, with Realtor.com (January 16) reporting single-family landlords trading at significant discounts to net asset values. Rising rates and tight inventory discourage institutional buyers, but will a price drop attract smart money?
Greystar’s FTC Trouble
The nation’s largest landlord faces a lawsuit for deceptive rent pricing, claims Multifamily Dive (January 17). Hidden fees have allegedly cost renters millions since 2019, putting Greystar’s advertising practices under the microscope. This battle underscores ongoing housing affordability challenges.
Waterfront Cities Becoming Unaffordable
Think beachfront living is a dream? It’s becoming a nightmare for many. GO Banking Rates (January 19) highlights skyrocketing home prices in places like San Jose, San Francisco, and Honolulu. With price tags soaring over $1 million, affordability seems like a distant memory.
Luxury Takes Over Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.’s luxury real estate market is booming, reminiscent of the Hamptons’ heyday, according to Vanity Fair (January 21). High-profile deals, like Howard Lutnick’s $25 million purchase, spotlight the capital’s soaring prestige.
Barron Trump’s Real Estate Venture
The youngest Trump is making waves with his new luxury real estate company, Trump, Fulcher & Roxburgh Capital Inc. (New York Post, January 21). High-end golf courses and properties are in the cards, but there’s no backing from the Trump Organization—at least for now.
This Month’s Sponsors
We wouldn’t bring you this incredible show without the support of our sponsors:
- United States Real Estate Investor Advertising
- Universe Media Publishing
Ready to stay ahead of the curve in 2025?
Don’t miss this month’s episode of TMIREI—your trusted guide to navigating the ever-changing real estate investing landscape.
Show Notes
Host: James A. Brown
Visit the Legacy Wealth Collective
Guests: Frank Iglesias, Joseph Bodek, and Brian Rudderow
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