Your weekly perch for all things real estate.

Warren Buffett just took a bite out of two of America’s biggest homebuilders, and now every real estate investor is squinting at their portfolio like, “Did I miss something?” While most of us are debating whether to replace a leaky roof or raise rents $50, the Oracle of Omaha is backing bulldozers.

NEST NUMBERS

ORACLE OF OMAHOUSING

Story: Berkshire Hathaway quietly loaded up on two homebuilder stocks—Lennar and D.R. Horton—plus a new $1.57B stake in UnitedHealth and a near-billion-dollar bite of steelmaker Nucor. While Buffett himself didn’t wave the flag (his lieutenants usually handle these smaller buys), the move comes at a curious time: high mortgage rates, slowing permits, and homebuilders under pressure. Not exactly a “strong buy” climate… or is it?

So What? Investors should take note when the Oracle of Omaha (or one of his padawans) leans into homebuilders. Even if it wasn’t Buffett directly, Berkshire’s money doesn’t nap. The signal? Big brains with big bucks still see margin and demand in new construction, despite a market that feels like it’s jogging through molasses. For SFR operators and build-to-rent investors, this could mean that smart money sees opportunity where others see risk.

What’s Next? Keep your binoculars on Berkshire’s next 13F. If they keep doubling down on residential construction or housing-adjacent sectors (hello, HVAC or off-site manufacturing?), the thesis tightens. Meanwhile, DR Horton and Lennar may benefit from any easing in interest rates or housing supply gaps, so watch rate decisions, land deals, and any surprise builder M&A action.

Source: AP News

NEST PICKS

Top Weekly Stories:

1️⃣ SFR/Multifamily Management: 78% of homebuyers say personal safety is a must-have, but nearly one in five are willing to compromise to score an affordable home. 🪺 More

2️⃣ Insurance: Hurricane season’s here, and so are 20% rate hikes. As Hurricane Erin kicks off storm season, insurers are jacking up premiums and, in some places, packing up entirely. 🪺 More

3️⃣ Mortgages: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped to 6.58%, the lowest in 10 months, thanks to a cooling labor market and Fed rate-cut optimism. 🪺 More

4️⃣ Interesting Trends: Multifamily permits plunge 23% as developers slam the brakes due to oversupply meeting high borrowing costs, especially in Sun Belt states. 🪺 More

5️⃣ Policy Changes: NYC greenlights biggest rezoning in 20 years. Midtown South will add 9,700 homes (2,800 permanently affordable), as part of a $488M infrastructure boost. 🪺 More

INVESTOR HIGHLIGHTS:

🎙️ Podcast Highlight: The Biggest Mistakes Beginners Make Flipping Houses (Real Estate Investing)

📰 Article Highlight: How to Evict a Squatter

💸 Off-Market Deal: Alabama Off-Market Deal