12-Month Outlook (What it Means for Real Estate Investors)

By: Loreal Loftus

1) “Moratoriums ending”

• The big pandemic-era protections are mostly gone. FHA’s special COVID recovery options were extended through Apr 30, 2025 and are now sunset, while FHA’s new, permanent tools (like the Payment Supplement) take over. Expect a more normal flow of defaults as temporary protections fade, partly offset by these new workout tools. 

2) FHA “issues” (loss-mit, delinquencies, policy changes)

• FHA rolled out the Payment Supplement (lets servicers use a HUD-backed second to temporarily reduce the principal portion of the payment for 36 months) and ordered servicers to implement it by Jan 1, 2025. FHA also issued 2025 updates tightening and clarifying permanent loss-mit options. Net effect: more borrowers get saved, but some will still roll into sale/foreclosure. 
• FHA delinquency is elevated versus conventional (Q2 2025 FHA delinquency ~10.57%), so&nb
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10 Things to Do Right Now if you are a New Real Estate Investor

By: Loreal Loftus

1. Learn Creative Financing

• Study subject-to, seller financing, lease-options, and innovations.
• These tools help you create deals even when sellers owe too much or rates are high.

2. Build Your Buyers List

• For wholesalers and agents, cash buyers are your lifeline.
• Network at REIA meetings, Facebook investor groups, and auctions.
• Collect contact info and buying criteria (price range, location, property type).

3. Master Deal Analysis

• Practice running comps, calculating ARV, and estimating repairs.
• Use simple formulas: 70% Rule (ARV × 70% – Repairs = Max Offer).
• Confidence in numbers makes you faster than your competition.

4. Track Local Inventory

• Watch for listings that sit 90+ days — motivated sellers hide here.
• Set up MLS alerts or Zillow/Redfin searches for your ZIP codes.
• More days on market = more negotiation power.

5. Get Comfortable Talking to Distressed Selle
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In today’s high-interest housing market, RetroRate is helping buyers and sellers rediscover the value of assumable mortgages—home loans that can be transferred from seller to buyer, often at significantly lower rates than current offerings.

 What RetroRate Does RetroRate’s software scans public listings on platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com to identify homes with assumable mortgages. These loans, often backed by agencies like the VA or FHA, can offer monthly savings of over $1,000 compared to new mortgages—especially for homes purchased or refinanced during the 2–3% interest rate era.

 Market Impact Across 10 states, RetroRate found that 22% of listings had assumable loans, averaging 4.42% interest. The company also offers a concierge service—charging 1% of the purchase price—to guide both parties through the complex assumption process.

 Challenges to Consider

www.firstohiotitle.com
Who is FinCEN? FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) is a bureau of the U.S. Treasury tasked with protecting the financial system from money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes.

 What’s Happening on December 1, 2025?

 What Does It Cover?

• Non-financed (cash) purchases of 1–4 unit residential properties
• When the buyer is a legal entity (LLC, Corporation, or Trust)
• Includes sales, gifts, and some transfers unless exempt

 What Must Be Reported?

• Property address and details
• Name of the buyer (transferee) and their be
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10 reasons why the real estate market could weaken in the next 6–12 months, leading to more foreclosures and more motivated sellers

By: Loreal Loftus

1. High Mortgage Rates Stay Stubborn

• Mortgage rates are stuck in the 6–7% range. This keeps monthly payments high, pricing out buyers and putting pressure on sellers who need to move.

2. Rising Inventory

• Active listings are already up 20%+ year-over-year. More homes on the market = more competition = sellers forced to cut prices or offer concessions.

3. Job Market Softening

• If unemployment ticks up, more families will struggle to make mortgage payments, which often leads to delinquencies and foreclosures.

4. Flat or Declining Home Prices

• Home prices have cooled. If values drop just a little, some homeowners who bought recently with low down payments could be underwater (owe more than the house is worth).

5. Expensive Operating Costs
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 In a recent development, Massachusetts has introduced a new law aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the landlord-tenant relationship. The law, which was passed recently, brings in a series of measures that seek to provide tenants with greater visibility into their rights and the responsibilities of their landlords.

Among the key provisions of the law are requirements for landlords to provide more detailed information to tenants regarding rent increases, lease agreements, and security deposits. Additionally, the legislation mandates that landlords must share project cost estimates with tenants before initiating any major renovations or repairs that may impact their living conditions.

These new regulations are designed to empower tenants by ensuring they have access to vital information that can help them make informed decisions and protect their rights. Landlords in Massachusetts will need to adjust their practices to comply with the new law and ensure that they fulfill their obligations towards their tenants.

Overall, the passage of this law reflects a positive step towards promoting transparency and fairness in the state's rental market, benefiting both landlords and tenants alike. Stay tuned for more updates on how this new legislation will impact the real estate landscape in Massachusetts. 

I want to introduce you to some of the best kept secrets to get more motivated sellers contacting you. But can you keep a secret? 

Getting motivated sellers to contact you first is essential to any successful Real Estate Investor’s business. A truly motivated seller is the key to a good deal; the more motivated the seller, the better the deal. You will find very quickly, as I did, that you will be able to buy a lot more houses at much better prices if you target the right sellers. You will also more likely get the terms and at the price you want when the seller contacts you first, especially in some of today’s really hot real estate markets. You’ll want to target the kind of sellers who truly need to sell as opposed to those who just want to sell, including those sellers in pre-foreclosure. 

Marketing to sellers is also a numbers’ game. The more motivated sellers you are able to locate, the more motivated sellers you will have contacting you, and the more opportunities you’ll have to make good deals. The secret is in learning how to find the truly motivated sellers that no one else knows about. 

Whom exactly are you going to be marketing to? Motivatio
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O.K., so you have gotten it into your blood, mind, and soul that you want to be a Rehabber. Take that ugly, smelly eyesore and turn it into the gem of the neighborhood. No problem, right? After all, you’ve watched all the shows on HGTV and Magnolia Network. You know all about what countertops to choose…what color schemes will wow your buyers…and, that bathroom layout you have etched into your mind is killer….

Well, there may be just a bit more to it than you think.

In this article, I want to address some of the areas you will want to start with before ever lifting a hammer or paintbrush. Some of the things which, if done correctly ahead of time, will make your project run infinitely smoother, save you time and money and allow you to keep any hair you currently have.

What Needs to be Done?

Believe it or not, this is one of the areas where most of us…even experienced Rehabbers…have some of our biggest challenges. Do I replace the windows? What about the furnace? Should I use Home Depot countertops…Corian…mid-range? There are a myriad of things to consider here, and the more experienced
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Co-living—once a niche concept—is now a thriving lifestyle choice for many seeking affordability, community, and flexibility. Whether you're a real estate enthusiast, a social entrepreneur, or just someone passionate about creating intentional living spaces, Ohio offers fertile ground for launching your own share house.

Here’s how to get started.

🏠 What Is Co-Living, Really?

Co-living is more than just roommates sharing rent. It’s a lifestyle built around shared values, communal spaces, and often, curated experiences. Think private bedrooms with shared kitchens, living rooms, and maybe even co-working areas. In Ohio, this can range from informal arrangements to structured group homes with services.

📍 Why Ohio?

Ohio is a hidden gem for co-living ventures. With its mix of affordable housing, vibrant small cities, and supportive business ecosystems, it’s ideal for launching a share house. Cities like Tipp City, Cuyahoga Falls, and Bowling Green offer safety, charm, and community—all essential ingredients for successful co-living.

🧾 Legal Basics You Need to Know

Before you welcome your first housemate, make sure you’re on solid legal ground:

• Occupancy laws: Ohio requires at least 70 sq ft per person in single rooms and 50 sq ft in shared rooms. Read More...

Your credit report contains vital information about your financial history, including the credit accounts you hold, your payment history, and other related data. It’s essential to review this report periodically to ensure all the information is accurate and to detect any possible signs of identity theft or fraud. Fortunately, laws mandate that you’re entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the major credit reporting agencies. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to obtain yours.

Step 1: Understand Your Rights

• In the U.S., the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months.
• You’re also entitled to a free report if:
  • You’re unemployed and planning to seek employment within 60 days.
  • You’re on welfare.
  • Your report has been updated due to adverse actions stemming from information it contained.

Step 2: Go to the Official Website

• For U.S. residents, the only official website authorized to distribute the free annual credit reports is AnnualCreditReport.com. Beware of imposte
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