U.S. household debt just hit a record $18.39 trillion in Q2 2025, according to the latest New York Fed data. Mortgage balances, HELOCs, credit cards, auto loans, and student debt are all climbing—and delinquencies are rising fast. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the numbers, explains what’s driving the surge, and shares what it could mean for real estate investors.

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SOURCES: https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc
https://www.pymnts.com/consumer-finance/2025/household-debt-rises-to-18-39-trillion-as-auto-mortgage-originations-tick-up/

A shocking Airbnb case shows how artificial intelligence can be used to fabricate property damage—and nearly cost one guest thousands. Kathy Fettke breaks down what this means for short-term rental hosts and guests, from the risks of AI-driven fraud to essential steps for protecting your investments. While the rise of AI brings new challenges, it could also drive platforms to adopt stronger verification tools, better dispute resolution processes, and more secure documentation standards—benefiting honest operators in the long run. Learn how to safeguard your properties, your reputation, and your profits in the evolving STR landscape.

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SOURCE: https://www.vice.com/en/article/airbnb-host-accused-of-using-ai-to-fake-16k-in-damage/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=High%20Five%20%20FIRSTNAME%20%21%20It%20s%20almost%20the%20weekend&utm_campaign=Practus%20External%20High%20Five%208%2F7

The EPA’s Energy Star program—best known for its blue label on appliances—is on the chopping block, and its loss could disrupt billions in energy savings, financing terms, and compliance requirements for commercial property owners. Kathy Fettke explains what’s at stake for real estate investors, from the potential loss of Portfolio Manager’s nationwide benchmarking system to the ripple effects on loans, property values, and market standards. While the change could create costly disruptions, some analysts believe it may open the door for more competitive, innovative energy management solutions from the private sector. Learn which markets face the highest risk, how to safeguard your data, and what steps to take now to prepare.

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SOURCE: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/06/energy-star-commercial-real-estate.html

The U.S. economy added just 73,000 jobs in July—well below expectations—and the job numbers for May and June were sharply revised downward. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%, while long-term unemployment reached its highest level in years. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what these weak labor market signals mean for investors, why markets are now betting on a Fed rate cut in September, and how political fallout—including the firing of the BLS Commissioner—is shaking confidence in the integrity of economic data. What does this mean for real estate, interest rates, and your investing strategy? Tune in to find out.

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SOURCES: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/01/jobs-report-july-2025.html

https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/democratic-congressmen-to-propose-bill-to-protect-stats-agency-chiefs-51915619

Individual buyers may be sidelined by high rates, but investors are stepping in—now accounting for nearly 30% of all single-family home purchases, the highest share on record. In this episode, Kathy Fettke shares how small, nimble investors are outpacing Wall Street giants like Blackstone by moving fast and buying smart. You’ll hear how they’re finding value in today’s high-cost market—and why this trend is just getting started.

📥 Download our free guide, The Busy Person’s Guide to Getting Your First Rental Property in 90 Days, at www.realwealth.com/90days to take the next step toward financial freedom.

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SOURCE: https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/with-individual-home-buyers-on-the-sidelines-investors-swoop-into-the-market-f0daf356?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAhBEozLReqAP0J1Qe_B2e2k2d4migvToxjgUtqHmX47ANe5GI5bjFmBl9vu2EE%3D&gaa_ts=688bd426&gaa_sig=iSCw34VTfHV81YwnI6sJ-ptg9yon2UO88kQIZgnh7I_9p2J6TGF9vzMvqw8jnQ2958yulaPMllT16zXAysuTbQ%3D%3D

The latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller report shows a second straight monthly dip in home prices, with Zillow forecasting a 2% drop in values through 2025. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what’s driving the decline, from rising inventory to record-high price cuts, and what it could mean for buyers and real estate investors.

📥 Download our free guide, The Busy Person’s Guide to Getting Your First Rental Property in 90 Days, at www.realwealth.com/90days to take the next step toward financial freedom.

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Private hiring picked up in July, but signs of a cooling labor market remain. GDP rebounded 3% in Q2, driven by trade shifts—not real demand. Meanwhile, the Fed held interest rates steady at 4.25–4.5%, despite calls for cuts. Kathy Fettke breaks down what this means for real estate investors in the second half of 2025.

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SOURCES:

• https://www.investopedia.com/gdp-bounced-back-in-second-quarter-after-q1-decline-11781265?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-private-payrolls-increase-july-2025-07-30/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• https://www.npr.org/2025/07/30/nx-s1-5483961/federal-reserve-interest-rates-trump-pressure

Mortgage delinquencies are on the rise again—especially for FHA loans—and foreclosure activity is steadily climbing from pandemic-era lows. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the latest ICE First Look report for June 2025, highlighting key trends in early-stage delinquencies, serious loan defaults, and prepayment activity. Find out what these shifts could mean for the housing market and real estate investors in the months ahead.

Download our free guide, The Busy Person’s Guide to Getting Your First Rental Property in 90 Days, at www.realwealth.com/90days to take the next step toward financial freedom.

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