Published December 23, 2025

Merry Christmas!!!

Written by Justin Etherton

Merry Christmas

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. It’s a season marked by hope, joy, and belief—and I’m reminded of that everywhere I look. I love wishing people a Merry Christmas and feeling the lift in spirit that seems to spread this time of year. I love the traditions, the cooler weather, and the generosity that shows up so clearly throughout our community. Above all, I love the spirit of giving.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to truly understand the saying, it is better to give than to receive. I don’t feel a strong need to receive gifts anymore. I’m fortunate to be able to provide for myself and my family, and because of that, the greatest joy comes from watching my children. Seeing their excitement as they open gifts is a blessing—but even more meaningful is watching them show gratitude and look for ways to be kind to others. That’s my favorite part of Christmas.

As a father, this season also reminds me of the ultimate gift: God sending His only Son, Jesus, born humbly in a manger and given for all of us. Christ is the greatest gift we’ve ever received.

End-of-Year Real Estate Update

As expected, the market has slowed over the past couple of months. Historically, the final two weeks of the year are very quiet in real estate—but that hasn’t entirely been the case for us. We’re preparing one new listing for early January, have one property currently in escrow, and are actively writing offers with two buyers. (A little more inventory wouldn’t hurt.)

The data supports this seasonal pause. Last December, only 88 new listings came to market, compared to nearly 250 in January.

Looking Ahead

I expect 2026 to follow a similar pattern. Inventory should increase meaningfully in January and continue building as we move into the spring and summer markets.

Will 2026 feel more like 2025, with a softer and more balanced market? Or will we see a resurgence of activity? If interest rates fall meaningfully—below 5.5% or even 5%—we could see a surge in demand as many buyers re-enter the market.

While we don’t know exactly what 2026 will bring, planning for a market like 2025 is far wiser than hoping for a return to 2021.

If you’re thinking ahead or want to start planning, I’m always happy to talk.

How a real estate investor expanded to 26 units using a 'slow BRRRR strategy'

Business Insider

By Kathleen Elkins

Over the past decade, Mike Newton has gone from $1,000 in his savings account to knocking on the door of early retirement. His ticket to financial independence? Real estate.

The Washington State Trooper bought his first property, a duplex in the Seattle area, in 2018. As of December 2025, he owns 26 rental units, comprising both single-family homes and multi-family properties. The majority of his portfolio is concentrated in Gary, Indiana.

Newton has financed his properties with traditional 30-year mortgages, seller financing, and, recently, he has been using a strategy that he coined the "slow BRRRR."

Short for buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat, the BRRRR approach involves buying a property with potential, renovating it, and then finding a tenant. Once rented, the next step is to refinance, allowing investors to pull out their original investment, plus any equity they've built in the property.

Investors using this strategy typically start with short-term loans, like hard money, for the purchase and renovation. It allows them to move quickly on distressed properties, but they're expensive and come with penalties if a project runs longer than expected. Therefore, it's essential to complete the rehabilitation in a timely manner, rent the property, and then secure long-term financing.
"One of the main concerns with the BRRRR strategy is, what if I don't get the appraisal I want? What if I don't get it remodeled as quickly as I thought I would?" Newton told Business Insider. "All of a sudden, as I take longer, it now costs me way more money."

Stretching the timeline using a 'slow BRRRR' strategy

Newton recognized the benefits of the BRRRR approach — it allows investors to recycle their initial capital, rather than having to come up with a lot of new money for each deal — but he didn't want to feel the pressure of having to turn around a project in a short amount of time.

Read the full Article Here

California Housing Market Revives With Strongest Sales in 3 Years

Norada Real Estate Investments
By: Marco Santarelli

It's hard to ignore the buzz right now: the California housing market is showing some serious strength, with November sales hitting a three-year high. This doesn't just mean more houses are changing hands; it signals a real shift, a comeback that's got both buyers and sellers feeling a bit more hopeful.

The numbers from the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) are pretty clear. In November, we saw 287,940 existing, single-family homes sold on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. That's not just a small bump; it's a solid increase of 1.9 percent from October and a noticeable 2.6 percent jump from the same time last year, November 2024. Honestly, looking at this data, it feels like we're seeing a market regain its footing after a period of uncertainty.

California Housing Market Revives With Strongest Sales in 3 Years

Key Takeaways from C.A.R.'s Report:

Sales Volume: November saw the highest existing, single-family home sales in over three years.
Median Price: Prices remain largely stable year-over-year, with some regional variations.
Mortgage Rates: A slight decline in rates is likely aiding buyer affordability.
Inventory: While inventory is up, the growth momentum is easing, preventing an oversupply.
Regional Differences: The California market is not uniform; significant variations exist by region and county.
Outlook: Expect mild to moderate growth in sales and prices over the next year.

November Sales Surge: A Deeper Dive

Let's break down what this surge really means. For the third month in a row, sales have been climbing compared to both the previous month and the previous year. This consistency is crucial. It tells us this isn't a fluke; it's a developing trend. The 287,940 homes sold in November is the highest figure since September 2022. That's a significant milestone, showing we've finally moved past some of the tougher market conditions we've experienced.

You might be wondering about the other side of the coin: prices. While sales are up, the statewide median home price in November was $852,680. This is down 3.9 percent from October's $886,960, a dip that's a bit steeper than the usual seasonal drop. However, when you compare it to November 2024's median price of $852,880, it's essentially flat. This tells me the market isn't in a price freefall; it's finding a more stable equilibrium. Buyers are getting deals, but sellers aren't being forced to drastically slash prices.

Year-to-date, home sales are up 0.9 percent. This cumulative figure is important because it shows the market's overall health throughout the year. Even though we've seen ups and downs, the year as a whole has been positive for sales volume.

Read the full Article Here

When will mortgage rates go down? Looking ahead to 2026.

Yahoo Finance
E. Napoletano

Mortgage rates have remained largely unchanged since the Fed cut the federal funds rate last week. You may be waiting to buy a house or refinance your loan until mortgage rates go down. However, according to many experts' 2026 housing market predictions, rates are likely to decrease only slightly next year. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad time to buy or refinance.

Are mortgage rates dropping?

Yes and no. Weekly rates have barely moved, but annual rates have decreased.

As of December 18, Freddie Mac reported that the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate had inched down by one basis point to 6.21%. The 30-year rate is now 51 basis points lower than it was this time last year. In mid-December 2024, mortgage rates averaged 6.72%.

This week’s 15-year fixed mortgage rate fell by seven basis points, now standing at 5.47%. It is 45 basis points lower than this time last year.

In situations like these, it pays to look at the numbers. Here’s the Freddie Mac data on mortgage rates for the past 52 weeks as of Dec. 18, 2025:

30-year fixed-rate mortgage: 6.17% to 7.04%
15-year fixed-rate mortgage: 5.41% to 6.27%

Rates on 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages are both hovering above their annual lows.

So, yes, mortgage rates are dropping. However, it seems unlikely that mortgage rates will hit 6% in the near future. Waiting for rates to hit that magical number before you buy probably isn’t worth it.