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The Crackdown on Rent-Setting Software: How New Rules Could Reshape U.S. Rents

What rent-setting software does and why it spreadOver the past decade, algorithmic rent-setting tools have become standard for many large apartment operators. These services, offered by companies such as RealPage, pull in vast amounts of lease data from subscribing landlords—current asking rents, signed lease terms, vacancy levels, renewal behavior, and concessions. They then generate daily recommendations for each unit or floor plan, telling managers whether to push rents higher, hold steady, or discount to fill vacancies.

How Older Repeat Buyers Are Quietly Reshaping U.S. Homeownership

The graying of the American homebuyerIn just one generation, the profile of the “typical” U.S. homebuyer has shifted sharply older. According to the National Association of Realtors’ latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the median age of first-time buyers reached a record 40 in 2024, while the median age for all buyers climbed to 59.

The Real Cost of Owning a Home in 2025: Hidden Expenses Now Near $16,000 a Year

Homebuyers often run the math on principal and interest—and stop there. But in 2025, the “other” line items are the bigger surprise. A new analysis from Zillow and Thumbtack puts the average nonmortgage costs of owning a home—maintenance, homeowners insurance, and property taxes—at $15,979 per year, about $1,325 a month on top of the mortgage. Those costs rose 4.7% over the past year while household incomes increased 3.8%, widening the affordability gap.

Mortgage Lock‑In: Why Homeowners Aren’t Moving—and How It’s Freezing Supply

Mortgage rate lock‑in isn’t just a headline—it’s quantifiable and it’s reshaping U.S. housing. Federal Reserve researchers link the 2021–22 mobility decline directly to the widening gap between today’s mortgage rates and the ultra‑low loans many owners hold. Their working paper estimates mortgage rate lock‑in explains 44% of the drop in borrower mobility in that period.

Affordability Squeeze Is Reshaping U.S. Housing: Price Cuts, Delistings, and a Shift to Cheaper Metros

Affordability is still the headwindThe headline 30‑year fixed rate has steadied in the low‑6s—6.24% as of November 13, 2025—near this year’s lows. That relief matters, but the typical payment remains far above pre‑pandemic norms, which is why behavior across the market is changing even with modestly lower rates. A separate cut of data shows the typical mortgage payment has more than doubled since 2019, underscoring why demand remains selective.

50-Year Mortgages in the U.S.: What They’d Really Do to Payments, Prices, and Risk

What’s being proposed — and why nowPresident Trump signaled interest in creating a new 50-year mortgage, and FHFA Director Bill Pulte amplified the idea as a potential “game changer.” The stated intent is to trim monthly payments and broaden access for younger buyers. Industry reaction has been mixed to skeptical, with allies and critics alike warning that the savings may be modest and the long-run costs high.

Are Investors Really Buying One-Third of U.S. Homes? The 2025 Housing Investor Boom, Explained

Headline numbers paint a striking picture: depending on who you ask, investors accounted for roughly one‑third of U.S. home purchases at mid‑year 2025—or closer to one in ten. BatchData’s Q2 Investor Pulse report put the investor share at 33% of single‑family purchases in Q2 2025, while Cotality reported investor share running about 29%–32% from January to June. Realtor.com’s Midyear Update, by contrast, measured investors at 10.8% of Q2 transactions, with small buyers representing the majority of activity.

Low-6% Mortgage Rates Bring Refi Revival and Builder Buydowns—While 50-Year Loans Loom as a Debate

Where mortgage rates stand nowThe U.S. 30‑year fixed rate averaged 6.22% in the latest weekly Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) for Nov. 6, 2025—the lowest zone in roughly a year. The 15‑year averaged 5.50%. Daily trackers are similar, with Zillow’s rate sheet showing a 30‑year fixed near 5.99% and a 15‑year near 5.38% as of Nov. 12–13, reflecting live-market quotes that can move faster than the weekly survey.

REI Lense for iOS — See Investment Metrics Inside Your Favorite Real-Estate Apps: Zillow, Redfin, Realtor, and Maps!

Why We Built the AppReal estate investors don’t have time to waste. When you’re on the go, switching between apps or juggling spreadsheets breaks your flow. That’s why we built the REI Lense mobile app — designed to leverage your phone’s native power and deliver instant investment insights right where you need them.

REI Lense iOS App: Full Property Analysis Now Just One Tap Away

Investing in real estate requires clarity. Numbers matter, and the right tools can turn a risky guess into a confident decision. That’s why we’re expanding REI Lense - now not only in the web version but also in a new iOS mobile app, coming soon to the App Store.

Passive Income Through Real Estate – Myth Or Reality

Ask ten people what “passive income” means, and at least half will paint you the same picture: checks rolling in while they sip coffee on a porch or travel the world. Real estate often tops the list of vehicles for achieving that dream. But in 2025, when interest rates are still high, housing inventory is tight, and tenants are more informed (and demanding) than ever, is “passive” income from property a reality – or just clever marketing?

10 Upgrades That Boost Rental Value Without Breaking the Bank

In today’s rental market, tenants are more selective than ever. A fresh, functional, and well-maintained unit isn’t just a bonus — it’s expected. But here’s the good news: increasing the value of your rental property doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You don’t need to gut the kitchen or knock down walls to boost appeal.

The 1% Rule, 50% Rule, and Why Real Estate Investing Metrics Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

If you've spent any time in real estate investing forums or meetups, you've probably heard the same handful of "rules" tossed around like seasoned advice from a grizzled veteran. The 1% Rule. The 50% Rule. The 70% Rule. They sound smart. They feel actionable. And at first glance, they seem like a great way to shortcut a complicated decision.

What Are Units in Multi-Family Properties?

If you’re researching rental properties or browsing real estate listings, you’ve probably seen descriptions like “multi-unit property” or references to the number of units in a building. But what exactly does “unit” mean, and why should you care as an investor?

How to Find Off-Market Properties Faster Than Your Competition

When it comes to real estate, some of the best properties aren’t always visible. These are called off-market properties, and these buildings or lots aren’t advertised on Zillow or posted on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Instead, they’re sold quietly through personal networks, direct communication with the owner, or investment companies.

How Rental Property Taxes Shape Your Investment Returns

Owning rental property is one of the most reliable ways to build wealth over time. A steady stream of rental income, long-term appreciation, and the ability to leverage financing have made real estate a cornerstone of countless investment portfolios. But what often gets less attention – especially among newer investors – is how taxes can influence your bottom line.

What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?

Buying or selling a piece of property can be an exciting but also stressful experience, as it marks a transition. Whether you are buying or selling, the path always seems to have a couple of loops that make the entire experience stressful. There’s paperwork to handle, appraisals to go through, inspections and negotiations, and a lot more.

How to Raise Rent Without Losing Tenants

As a landlord, now and again, you may be required to increase the rent. Property taxes may go higher, maintenance costs also increase, and inflation makes it difficult for you to get any profit out of your investment. That said, there is also the fear that if you raise the rent, you will lose tenants. This might be bad for you in this competitive market, where turnover can be time-consuming and costly.

The Impact of Remote Work on the Real Estate Market

Remote work became quite popular in 2020 when the pandemic pushed everyone to work from home. People enjoyed the flexibility of working from anywhere, which changed rental and home purchase patterns everywhere. Even in 2023, about did some or all of their work remotely, only occasionally coming into the office.

How Interest Rates Affect the Housing Market

Nowadays, everyone is watching interest rates in light of the economic changes. It makes sense because interest rates affect things such as inflation, savings returns, mortgage rates, borrowing costs, and many more. For someone interested in real estate, this could influence their decision to invest in a certain property.

Key Metrics for Real Estate Investing

Wading through every line item on a rental property pro forma can leave you overwhelmed by detail and blind to what really matters. Seasoned investors instead zero in on six foundational metrics that together paint a complete picture: Annual Revenue, Net Operating Income (NOI), Cash Flow, Cash-on-Cash Return, Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) and Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR). Below, each metric receives a thorough, practical treatment.

DTI Holding You Back? How DSCR Helps Real Estate Investors Get Approved

You find what looks like the perfect rental property, crunch the numbers, secure initial financing - and then your lender hits the brakes: “Sorry, your debt-to-income ratio is too high.” In most residential and investment lending, banks do look closely at DTI (Debt-to-Income Ratio) to ensure your personal income comfortably covers all your debts, including new mortgages.

Fix-and-Flip vs. Rental Property: How to Choose the Right Real Estate Strategy for You

As a real estate investor, especially a beginner, you may be faced with the question: should you fix and flip a house, or should you give it out for rent? This can be a difficult decision to make but rest assured: you’re not alone. Both have their systems and benefits, and it’s up to you to determine which one works best.

13 Key Tips for Being a Successful Landlord

Being a landlord is more than just investing in property, giving the tenants the key, and collecting the rent every month. If you want to be successful, then you must ensure your tenants are satisfied. Otherwise, you'll end up driving the tenants away, leading to high vacancy rates and turnover costs.

Long-Term Rentals Strategy in Real Estate Investment

Rental property investment has seen a surge in popularity nowadays. An average of can’t afford to buy a home in the current market, which gives them only one solution: to rent. This is why the U.S. had an average of occupied by renters.

New in REI Lense: Proceeds Calculator, STR Rent Confidence Score, Market Score, and Custom Presets

Selling a home isn’t just about finding a buyer — it’s about understanding the numbers behind the deal. Whether you're a homeowner preparing for a move, a real estate agent guiding clients, or an investor managing your next exit, one question matters most:

Common Rental Scams: How Landlords Can Spot and Avoid Them

Imagine investing in a property that you plan on leasing out. You come across a tenant who seems nice enough, you get your deposit check, and everything seems good. Next thing you know, the check bounces or the next payments are just “crumbs.”

How to Market Your Home for Rent

We live in a highly competitive rental market. It’s no longer enough to just have and lease it out. You need to market it effectively. Otherwise, you could end up with longer vacancies, bad tenants, and low rent prices.

What Are Short-Term Rentals?

Short-term rentals (STRs) are furnished properties that can be rented out for brief stays, ranging anywhere between 1 and 30 days. The final timeline depends on local laws. The IRS defines them as “properties rented out for less than 15 days per year,” at which point you don’t have to report rental income.

Mid-Term Rentals in Real Estate Investment

Mid-term rentals (MTRs) have become quite popular in the past couple of years, especially as many companies work on a hybrid system. Plus, with so many people having to relocate for work or education, many want a place that does not include a full-year contract or a hotel room. This is where mid-term rentals come in.

Your Shortcut to Smarter Real Estate Investing – Now 25% Off

Making confident real estate decisions shouldn’t take hours of manual calculations or outdated tools. With REI Lense Pro, you can analyze properties in minutes – faster, easier, and more accurately.

Why Smart Investors Are Making the Switch to REI Lense Pro

Investing in real estate requires making data-driven decisions, but traditional deal analysis methods can be slow, complicated, and unreliable. Manual spreadsheets, outdated formulas, and inconsistent data sources often lead to missed opportunities and costly mistakes.

The Countdown Begins: REI Lense Pro is Almost Here!

The wait is almost over! In just a few days, we’re officially launching REI Lense Pro — the ultimate tool designed to revolutionize the way you analyze real estate deals. And to make things even more exciting, we have something special for those who join us early.

How REI Lense Pro Streamlines Deal Analysis for Investors

Analyzing real estate deals can be time-consuming, overwhelming, and full of uncertainty. Traditional spreadsheets, manual calculations, and scattered market data often lead to missed opportunities or costly mistakes.

Real Estate Market 2025: What Investors Need to Know

The year 2025 brings a series of challenges and opportunities for the real estate market. Considering the high competitiveness of this area, staying in the know is essential if you want to succeed. Home prices have seen a 3.9% annual gain, bringing solid returns to investors willing to take the leap at the right time.

How to Succeed in Real Estate: 13 Key Habits

Investing in real estate isn’t just about buying properties and hoping they appreciate in value. The most successful investors follow a set of habits that help them consistently find profitable deals, minimize risks, and grow their wealth over time.

Buy & Hold Strategy in Real Estate

The buy and hold real estate strategy is an investment approach where an investor buys a property and holds onto it for long-term financial profit. The goal is to make gains from property appreciation and rental income, making it a popular alternative to fix and flip.

Real Estate vs Inflation: Should You Buy or Wait?

Inflation significantly impacts almost every aspect of our economy, causing the prices to spike over a specific period. These spikes are gradual and often get to a peak before they balance, with in March. This isn’t anything new, especially when we look at the great inflation of 1970 and the post-2007 market shifts. A new inflation period started in October, and the percentage was already up to 2.9% by December. Since this trend is only at the beginning, we can expect the prices to go even higher as the year progresses.

How to Read and Understand Real Estate Investment Graphs on REI Lense

When it comes to real estate investment, numbers matter—but visualizing those numbers is even more critical. REI Lense offers a range of graphs and analytics tools to help investors make data-driven decisions with confidence. These tools simplify complex data into intuitive visualizations that let you evaluate potential rental properties, forecast returns, and understand market trends.

Maximize Your Property Profits with Real Estate Depreciation Strategies

With more and more people preferring to rent a property rather than owning one, buying real estate has become a savvy choice for many investors. That said, taxes can cause several complications, making you feel like you are losing more than you are earning.

What's New: Updates to Our Real Estate Tools

We're excited to share some fantastic updates we've made to our site! Our goal is to enhance your experience and make your journey in real estate investment as convenient and enjoyable as possible. Here are some of the latest features we've added to give you even more control and customization options.

What Is a Mortgage and How Does It Work?

Owning a piece of property is everyone’s dream, whether you want to move in it or use it as investment property. The problem is that in today’s real estate market, about can’t afford to buy any type of property. This is where real estate investment financing options come in, as they can give you the starter you need.

Why Investing in Real Estate Is a Smart Idea

There’s no better time to be a real estate investor than today. Considering that home prices are expected to see a noticeable rise by the end of the year, investors can take full advantage of this. This appreciation rate also depends on the area, as regions like New Jersey, West Virginia, and Rhode Island see price changes that go .

Financial Planning Made Simple: Explore Our Calculators

Making informed financial decisions is easier when you have the right tools at your fingertips. Our suite of free calculators is designed to help you navigate key financial milestones, whether you're planning to buy a home, track mortgage rate trends, determine how much house you can afford, or calculate the long-term growth of your investments. These tools are tailored to provide clarity and precision, empowering you to take charge of your finances and move forward with confidence.

How Technology Is Changing the Real Estate Market

In today’s digitally driven world, we see technology at almost every corner. Finance and healthcare have long since adopted tech advancements, but now we can also see technology in real estate. Originally known as a conservative industry that relied on traditional face-to-face interactions, it has now entered the digital realm and shows massive changes.

Boost Your Short-Term Rental Strategy with Better Comparables and Seasonality Insights

Your investment results are only as good as the data behind them. Poor insights can lead to missed opportunities or risky decisions, and I want to ensure you have the best tools to succeed. That’s why we’re bringing back the popular Seasonality Chart and enhancing Comparable Properties for short-term rentals, giving you clearer insights into seasonal revenue and more accurate property comparisons.

How to Avoid Emotional Mistakes When Buying Real Estate

Real estate has become quite a profitable market to tap into, especially as homes are becoming more and more valuable. The home appreciation rate increases by an average of, which means that as an investor, you can earn big simply by buying the property. Depending on how it is used, real estate is a long-term investment that can bring high revenue, no matter if you choose to flip it or hold it.

What’s New in the REI Lense?

We’re always focused on enhancing your real estate investment experience with REI Lense. Our latest updates bring new tools, streamlined features, and expanded functionality to both the web version and browser extension. These improvements are designed to save you time and provide deeper insights. Here’s a look at what’s new!

How to Choose the Perfect Investment Property: a Practical Guide

When it comes to real estate investing, choosing the right property is crucial—it can make or break your investment. Whether you're new to real estate or a seasoned investor seeking to diversify, it's vital to recognize that selecting an investment property requires a thorough evaluation that extends beyond just the price tag or curb appeal.

Real Estate Market Analysis: How to Use Data for Maximum Profit

Real estate is a very hot market nowadays, with most investors anticipating even more growth in the future. However, for such an investment to be successful, you’ll have to put some focus on real estate analytics. Defined as the process of evaluating trends and factors that make a property valuable, these analytics can tell you whether or not it has potential for profitability.

Seasonality Explained ☔

Rental income projections are tough to predict, especially considering that previous performance is not guaranteed. It is especially true for Airbnb / short-term investors, where revenue is not the same throughout a year, and knowing an average revenue is not always enough to efficiently analyze a property or market.

REI Lense for Web!

We know you've been losing sleep waiting for our update—well, wait no more. We got it! Installing a web extension is a tedious and not straightforward process, moreover being locked to the Redfin website is not ideal either. We've listened to your feedback and are thrilled to announce REI Lense for Web:

More Features, Less Guesswork

We've been tinkering under the hood of REI Lense and guess what? We've rolled out some neat updates that make crunching those real estate numbers even easier. ? But less words, just see it for yourself.

Off-Market? Off-the-Charts Opportunities!

Exciting new feature alert! REI Lense now supports off-market property analysis, opening doors to untapped real estate potentials. We don't just listen to your feedback – we practically hang on every word like a suspenseful season finale! Explore the unexplored properties, see its potential even before they hit the market.

Rental Anaysis Demystified

Rental income is usually the primary income stream of a real estate investment property and we were very opaque about this number. Now, you can understand the estimate better, see comparables to the target property, and even share the analysis report with others.