President Trump says he wants to ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. But will that actually make housing more affordable?

In this episode of Real Estate Served on the Rocks, we break down Trump’s proposal to limit corporate ownership of residential real estate, what “institutional investor” even means, and whether companies like BlackRock are truly driving up home prices — all while reviewing Stranahan’s Original Colorado Single Malt Whiskey.

If you’re frustrated about affordability, rising home prices, or hedge funds buying houses, this episode is a must-watch.

In this episode we cover:

• What Trump’s Truth Social post actually proposed

• What qualifies as an “institutional investor”

• How many homes BlackRock actually owns

• The real percentage of homes owned by corporations

• Whether investors are really driving up prices

• Why 65% of homes are still owned by primary residents

• The difference between mega-investors and small landlords

• Three possible ways Congress could regulate housing investors

• Ownership caps vs holding period requirements

• Why supply and demand — not hedge funds — drive home values

• How federal vs state power impacts housing regulation

We also break down real numbers from 2020–2025 showing how investor capital flows have changed — and whether they actually correlate with affordability.

Is banning institutional investors a real solution… or just a headline?

🥃 Whiskey Review: Stranahan’s Original Colorado Single Malt

A Denver-based single malt made with 100% malted barley and Rocky Mountain water.

We break down:

• Caramel, butterscotch & vanilla on the nose

• Silky, “table cream” mouthfeel

• Charred oak, leather & cinnamon spice finish

• How single malt differs from traditional bourbon

• Whether Colorado can compete with Scotland

Does this American single malt hold up against classic bourbons?

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 Intro – Trump’s Housing Proposal

04:00 What Is an Institutional Investor?

10:00 Stranahan’s Single Malt First Impressions

18:00 How Many Homes Do Corporations Actually Own?

25:00 BlackRock & Mega Investor Breakdown

35:00 Can the Federal Government Even Ban It?

40:00 Ownership Caps Explained

45:00 Holding Period Strategy

50:00 Are Investors Really the Problem?

54:00 Supply & Demand Reality Check

57:00 One Rock Takeaway

1:00:00 Whiskey Rating

If you’re buying or selling in Colorado and want straight answers (no political spin — just strategy), reach out. The real solution to affordability starts with understanding the data.

📍 Serving Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Front Range

📩 Drop your thoughts in the comments — should institutional investors be banned?

#ColoradoRealEstate #HousingAffordability #InstitutionalInvestors #BlackRock #TrumpHousingPlan #RealEstatePodcast #HousingMarket #Stranahans #SingleMalt #DenverRealEstate

What will happen to the housing market in 2026? Will mortgage rates finally drop below 6%? Is affordability improving? And are we heading toward a buyer’s market?

In this episode of Real Estate Served on the Rocks, we recap our 2025 predictions (and how accurate we were), then break down our 2026 housing market forecast — covering interest rates, inventory growth, affordability trends, climate-driven migration, and what buyers and sellers should expect — all while reviewing 2XO “Two Times Oak” Bourbon by Dixon Dedman.

If you’re planning to buy or sell in 2026, this episode is a must-watch.

In this episode we cover:

• Why mortgage rates are driven by Treasury bonds (not just the Fed)

• Our 2026 mortgage rate prediction (will we dip below 6%?)

• Why affordability depends on 3 key factors: rates, wages, and prices

• How wage growth could finally outpace home value growth

• Why Colorado inventory is increasing

• The “lock-in effect” and why it’s starting to loosen

• Why rental inventory is skyrocketing (and how that affects buyers)

• Whether millennials still want to buy homes

• How climate migration could impact real estate in 2026

• Why smaller homes may become the new norm

• Who will benefit most from the 2026 market shift

Whether you're a first-time buyer, move-up buyer, investor, or seller trying to time the market — understanding these trends could save (or make) you thousands.

🥃 Bourbon Review: 2XO “Two Times Oak” by Dixon Dedman

This moderate rye mash bill bourbon is finished with charred American oak staves inserted during maturation — designed to enhance sweetness and oak complexity.

We break down:

• Vanilla, caramel & honeysuckle notes on the nose

• Dark chocolate, citrus zest & cherry on the palate

• How oak staves change the aging process

• The science behind barrel interaction

• Whether this bottle is marketing hype or legit craftsmanship

Does this innovative oak technique deliver… or overcomplicate?

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Episode 101 Kickoff

05:00 Bourbon 100 Celebration & Giveaway Announcement

12:00 2XO Two Times Oak First Impressions

18:00 2025 Predictions Recap (Were We Right?)

25:00 Mortgage Rate Breakdown for 2026

35:00 Treasury Bonds vs The Fed Explained

45:00 Inventory Trends & Lock-In Effect

50:00 Rental Market Explosion

55:00 Affordability & Wage Growth Outlook

1:00:00 Climate Migration Prediction

1:05:00 Buyer vs Seller Advantage in 2026

1:10:00 One Rock Takeaway

1:15:00 Bourbon Rating

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Colorado and want straight answers (no fear headlines — just strategy), reach out. Preparation beats prediction, and 2026 will reward buyers who plan early.

📍 Serving Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Front Range

📩 Drop your questions in the comments — we answer them on the next episode.

#ColoradoRealEstate #HousingMarket2026 #MortgageRates #RealEstatePredictions #DenverRealEstate #HomeAffordability #InventoryTrends #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #2XO #BourbonReview

Zillow just got hit with a RICO lawsuit… but what does that actually mean for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents?

In Episode 100 of Real Estate Served on the Rocks, we break down the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charge against Zillow, how Zillow Flex works, the allegations around steering buyers toward Zillow Home Loans, and what this could mean for transparency in the real estate industry — all while reviewing Hemingway Rye (102 proof, rum & sherry cask finished).

If you’ve ever clicked “Contact Agent” on Zillow, this episode is a must-watch.

In this episode we cover:

• What a RICO charge actually means (and why it’s serious)

• How Zillow Flex referral fees work

• What “thing of value” means under RESPA

• The allegations of steering buyers to Zillow Home Loans

• How Follow Up Boss ties into monitoring loan conversions

• Whether referral fees impact commission negotiation

• What “Top Agent” and “Premier Agent” really mean

• The difference between preferred lenders vs required lenders

• What consumers should ask when connected to a Zillow agent

• How this lawsuit could impact lead generation across all industries

We also discuss personal accountability in consumer decisions, how to properly vet agents and lenders, and what transparency should look like in modern real estate.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious how the biggest real estate platform in the country operates — understanding this case could change how you approach your next transaction.

🥃 Bourbon Review: Hemingway Rye (102 Proof)

A blend of 6-year Indiana rye and 4-year Kentucky rye finished in rum-seasoned Oloroso sherry casks.

We break down:

• Raspberry, raisin & baking spice notes

• Dark chocolate and caramel finish

• The balance between sweetness and rye spice

• How the rum cask influences mouthfeel

• Whether it holds up after opening

Is this a holiday-ready rye or too spice-forward once it opens?

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 Intro – Episode 100

04:00 What Is a RICO Charge?

12:00 How Zillow Flex Actually Works

18:00 Referral Fees & “Thing of Value” Explained

24:00 Steering Allegations & Zillow Home Loans

27:00 Follow Up Boss & Monitoring Metrics

33:00 Commission Fixing Debate

43:00 What Consumers Should Do

59:00 One Rock Takeaway

1:05:00 Bourbon Rating

If you're buying or selling in Colorado and want straight answers (no corporate spin, no fear headlines — just strategy), reach out. We believe transparency builds trust, and trust builds strong transactions.

📍 Serving Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Front Range

📩 Drop your questions in the comments — we answer them on the next episode.

#Zillow #RICOLawsuit #RealEstateNews #ZillowFlex #CommissionFixing #ColoradoRealEstate #HousingMarket #MortgageIndustry #HemingwayRye #BourbonReview