Investors are grabbing a growing share of America’s starter homes—but first-time buyers still win 69% of the time nationally. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down new research from Neighbors Bank showing where first-time buyers thrive, where investors dominate, and why the picture varies so dramatically city by city.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• National breakdown: First-time buyers claim 69% of starter homes; investors take 31%.
• Hotspots for investors: Cities like Miami (57%) see investors buying more than half of all entry-level homes.
• Who owns our neighborhoods: About 1 in 11 U.S. homes is investor-owned, but in places like St. Louis and Harrisonburg, that jumps past 20%.
• Why local laws matter: Cities with tighter rules on short-term rentals or investor limits see more successful first-time buyers.
• The core tension: Large investors provide needed rentals—but also squeeze out aspiring homeowners.
• The path forward: More affordable housing, smart ownership policies, and balancing investor participation without letting them dominate.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/first-time-home-buyers-vs-investors-david-still-beating-goliath-in-some-markets-says-report/

Homebuyers in 2026 aren’t just shopping for bedrooms and bathrooms—they’re looking for flexibility, efficiency, and built-in technology. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down the emerging features that experts say will define the homes of the future.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• ADUs go mainstream: Backyard apartments are becoming essential as multigenerational buying hits 17% of purchases.
• EV readiness matters: With EVs surpassing 10% of U.S. car sales, a pre-installed charger can be a deciding factor for buyers.
• Smarter smart homes: Buyers now expect whole-home automation, not just a thermostat and doorbell—and they want flexibility across platforms.
• The office is back: With 78% of workers hybrid or remote, demand is rising for soundproofing, lighting, and strong home internet infrastructure.
• Energy efficiency = value: 72% of agents say buyers prioritize utility savings, and Energy Star homes sell for 2–8% more.
• Outdoor living evolves: Even small patios can cut days-on-market by ~10 as outdoor kitchens and flex spaces remain in high demand.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/home-features-buyers-will-demand-in-2026-adus-to-ev-chargers/

The Fed delivered a 0.25% rate cut at its December meeting—but deep division among policymakers and missing economic data made this one of the most unusual decisions in years. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry unpack what the Fed’s split vote means, why housing won’t feel much relief, and what buyers should watch heading into 2026.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• A divided Fed: Three members dissented—the most disagreement since 2019. One wanted a bigger cut; two wanted none.
• Data blind spots: The Fed acted without full employment data due to the government shutdown, making the decision unusually risky.
• Labor market weakness: The U.S. added only 58,500 jobs per month recently—far below the 153,000 needed to keep pace with population growth.
• Powell’s housing message: A quarter-point cut won’t fix the market—inventory, not rates, is the real problem.
• Rate outlook: Mortgage rates remain in the low-to-mid 6% range, with major agencies expecting around 6.2% in 2026.
• The inflation/employment puzzle: Lower rates may boost jobs—but could reignite inflation, especially with tariff-driven price spikes expected into early 2026.

Read the full article:
https://www.mortgageresearch.com/current-rates/mortgage-rates-today-dec-10-2025/