Should Fannie and Freddie Leave Conservatorship?

Recently much has been written about the fate of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and its role as conservator over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Since 2009 the FHFA has been both Fannie and Freddie’s regulator and has overseen the direction of both organizations. During that time, the FHFA has ensured that the primary function of both Fannie and Freddie is not profit maximation, but instead facilitation of the secondary mortgage market. The FHFA has set portfolio retention limits, set volume caps for lenders and determined guarantee fees, among other things. Under the oversight of the FHFA, both government-sponsored entities (GSE’s) repaid their debts and once again became profitable. Additionally, both organizations have lowered their respective risk portfolios. In light of a 2021 Supreme Court decision in Collins v. Yellen and the advent of a second Trump presidency, there is some renewed rhetoric around the two GSE’s leaving conservatorship and the oversight of the FHFA.

Propel Your Homeownership Dreams with Savvy Debt Management

By Sharon Wagner

Navigating the journey towards buying a home can be both exhilarating and challenging. Understanding and managing your debt effectively is a crucial step in transforming your homeownership dreams into reality, particularly if you're planning to buy a house in the next 6–12 months. Here, The Real Estate Think Tank presents essential strategies that will guide you in optimizing your financial health, making the process smoother and more attainable.

Why Can't Anyone Afford A House?

Another Summer has given way to the crisp winds of Autumn. As the cooler temperatures and falling leaves begin to turn ones mind toward the importance of having a warm place to stay in the upcoming months, it would be prudent to look at how housing affordability has become a true concern for most people in the United States. In a very informative, yet eye-opening article, EconoFact discusses how the vast majority of household are spending well over 30% of the their income on housing. This figure includes both homeowners and renters.

The recently decline in housing unaffordability is concerning for a number of reasons. One of the primary concerns around this current economic trend is the financial stress that higher housing costs place on households. Considering further the inflationary pressures of the past five years and it appears that most American households may be squeezed into an impossible position.

What Will Each of the Candidates Do For the Real Estate Market If They Are Elected President?

The 2024 presidential election is coming up in four months and on July 21, 2024, President Joe Biden formally announced that he was withdrawing from the presidential race. This left the Democratic party with a decision which was ultimately made July 30^th, when they name Vice President Kamala Harris as their endorsed candidate for president. With both candidates for president unequivocally named, let’s look at what both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris might do to or for the real estate market if elected as president.

The Origin of the 6% Commission Standard

The recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) Settlement is in the process of changing how many real estate brokers and salespeople conduct business. The terms of the settlement all but abolish cooperative compensation amongst brokers. Although this may not be a substantial change for markets in which every buyer offers through a Buyer's Broker and every seller is automatically represented by a Seller’s Broker, the effects will be greatly felt in other markets. Some of the larger real estate markets have developed complex systems of agency that will now be simplified by one premise--in a residential real estate transaction, a buyer will now have to pay a Buyer’s Broker and seller will have to pay a Seller’s Broker.

Shrinkflation In the Real Estate Market

Inflation has been a reality for the past couple of years. As a result, many companies have decided to respond to the rise in prices and the weakening of the dollar by shrinking the size of their products without reducing their price. This practice has been given the name “Shrinkflation,” which is  defined as “the practice of reducing a product's amount or volume per unit while continuing to offer it at the same price.” Shrinkflation started to become apparent during the pandemic, but was so craftily employed that many doubted that it was even happening. Now, however, it is well acknowledged that just about everything is smaller, but more expensive. Shrinkflation has so integrated itself in today's reality that it has made its way into the real estate market.

Homebuyer Programs to the Forefront

Wintertime is usually a slow time for the residential real estate market. Cold temperatures and budgets that are recuperating from the holidays make January and February low activity months. The weather in many areas also makes most construction activities a non-starter. During this time of year, seasoned real estate professionals get into prep mode, establishing or maintaining professional relationships, stepping-up marketing efforts and preparing properties for the Spring. Homebuyers can use this time to prepare as well, by getting their financing in order, paying off debts and seeking additional sources of funding. One source of funding that often is overlooked is homebuyer programs and downpayment assistance funds.

2023 Recap (No Clever Title This Time)

Yet another year has come and gone for TRET and it’s time for our annual wrap up. Let’s start with this blog. This year started for us with a focus on individual wealth generation through real estate. This noble goal dominated the blog for the first couple of months of the year and was continued in an expert fashion by this year’s guest writer—Sharon Wagner. All of our residential real estate articles have had a wealth generation theme and we will continue to honor this commitment to wealth generation going forward.

Strategic House Flipping as a Gateway to Adult Education Funding

By Sharon Wagner

Embarking on the path of higher education as an adult can be a financially daunting endeavor. In the quest to secure funding for this journey, the realm of house flipping presents an innovative and viable solution. This guide is designed to arm adult learners with strategic insights, seamlessly interweaving the art of real estate investment with the pursuit of academic goals, thereby transforming financial barriers into opportunities for growth and success.

There’s No Place Like Home For the Holidays: A Look At The Multifamily Market

Thanksgiving has passed and the holiday season has officially begun, so it is only natural that TRET finishes its real estate asset class series with a look at home—multifamily properties. Also, for those who consider the holidays a time to get away, we’ll also take a look at the state of hospitality properties, as well.

Unlocking Retirement Wealth: A Senior’s Blueprint to House Flipping Success

By Sharon Wagner

Please enjoy this article from guest author, Sharon Wagner. TRET will return next month with another article continuing its series on property types.

Navigating the world of house flipping can be an exciting and profitable journey for seniors who are seeking an active and rewarding retirement. While the venture promises lucrative gains, it also calls for strategic planning, unwavering dedication, and tactical execution.

The following are indispensable guidelines aimed at assisting mature adults in carving out a successful career in the house-flipping arena, while also enjoying a balanced lifestyle. The Real Estate Think Tank explores these crucial facets in detail.

Transform Your Garage Into a Home Office Area

Suzie Wilson

If you work remotely or run a business out of your home, you know how important it is to have the right work area. It’s almost impossible to set any kind of boundaries between work and life, without one. If you don’t have a room in your house that can be used as a home office space, there are other alternatives out there, including turning your garage into an office. Because the garage is set apart from the central living spaces in your house, it can work especially well for those who need a little more privacy or quiet for their work.

Moving to a Bigger House to Start a Business: How to Do It

Suzie Wilson

Starting a business in a new community can be challenging. Preparing to move because current living arrangements do not allow you to run a business from your home can be difficult, but it's doable. House hunting, moving, and starting a venture all require detailed planning. However, the enthusiasm, economic growth, and products or services you bring to the new community will reward your efforts.

To succeed in finding the right home for your business and prepare for future expansion, The Real Estate Think Tank offers the following tips below.​