Your weekly perch for all things real estate.

Investors Are Pumping the Brakes, But Is It a Pit Stop or a Full Stop? Meanwhile, Denver landlords are literally on trial for bad property management (think broken elevators and mystery mold—yikes). And if you own homes, you might want to double-check your insurance—Zillow says trillions in home value are at risk from fire, flood, and wind.

NEST NUMBERS

INVESTORS WORRIED?

📖Story: Investor home purchases are cooling down nationwide, but Florida investors seem to be leading the retreat. Overall, investors bought 17% of homes in Q4 2024, down from 19% the year before. The biggest pullbacks? High prices, flatlining rents, and economic uncertainty make investors skittish in Orlando (-28%) and Miami (-21%). Investor purchases of condos hit their lowest Q4 level since 2012, while single-family homes and multifamily properties fared slightly better.

🤔 So What? This means the housing landscape is shifting. Less investor competition could be a golden ticket for individual buyers and smaller investors looking to snag deals. But in places like Florida, with sky-high HOA fees, insurance hikes, and climate risks, it’s clear why some investors are backing off. On the other hand, places like Seattle and the Bay Area are seeing an increase in investor activity.

🔮 What’s Next? Keep an eye on interest rates (the Fed's next moves will be huge), home price trends, and local rental markets. If the numbers start making sense again, expect investors to re-enter the game—especially in markets where prices have softened. Until then, some investors might sit on the sidelines, watching their cash like a hawk.

Source: Redfin

NEST PICKS

Top Weekly Stories:

🏢 SFR/Multifamily Management: A Denver jury awarded over $13 million to 2,000+ former tenants of Mint Urban Infinity apartments after finding the owners and managers violated Colorado’s Warranty of Habitability and lease obligations. 🔗 More

🛡️ Insurance: A Zillow study finds that trillions in U.S. home value are at risk from fire, flood, and wind damage. The takeaway? If you’re investing, double-check that homeowners insurance! 🔗 More

🏠 Mortgages: Economic uncertainty is keeping mortgage rates down—but for how long? If you’re ready to buy, this could be the moment to lock in a rate before things shift again. 🔗 More

📈 Interesting Trends: Softwood lumber prices are up again, climbing 11.7% YoY. If you’re planning any renovations, it might be time to buy materials before prices go even higher. 🔗 More

🏛️ Policy Changes: The U.S. is reportedly short 7.1M affordable rental homes, and upcoming federal budget cuts could worsen it. HUD workforce reductions may impact housing assistance programs nationwide. 🔗 More

INVESTOR HIGHLIGHTS:

👉 Video highlight: Is Denver A GOOD Place To Buy Rental Property?

👉 Article highlight: Why Every Investor Needs a Rental Property Calculator: A Comprehensive Guide