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Finding great deals is hard enough—losing them because financing can’t move fast is even worse. This post explains how private lenders help investors move quickly, structure better deals, and stay competitive. You’ll learn when private money makes sense and how trusted lending relationships support long-term investing success.
How Building a Private Lender Network Helps You Win More Deals
THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY
Mortgage Rates Staying Steady to Close Out 2025
Although Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate survey (released today) suggested the lowest rates since October 2024, our daily numbers offer a bit more nuance. To be sure, October 28th and September 16th both saw distinctly lower rates this year.
MORE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY NEWS
Study: Zillow Loans Found to Be More Expensive - A new report by Georgetown University Professor Steven C. Salop adds fuel to two lawsuits charging Zillow with deceptive practices by requiring or incentivizing “affiliated” real estate agents to steer their clients to the popular listing site’s mortgage lending affiliate, Zillow Home Loans. The 40-page report says Zillow Home Loans “charges significantly higher mortgage costs than they would pay to other lenders.”
Downpayment Savings Timeline Improves to Seven Years - A new Realtor.com analysis finds that the time required for the typical U.S. household to save for a home downpayment has improved in 2025, easing one key affordability barrier in the housing market. According to the report, prospective buyers now need approximately seven years of savings at the national average personal savings rate to accumulate a typical U.S. median downpayment — down sharply from the 12-year average reported in 2022.
THE HOUSING MARKET
Housing Market Expected to Offer Little Relief for Buyers in 2026 Despite Modest Improvements Ahead
The U.S. housing market is moving in the right direction, but potential buyers aren't going to get too much relief in 2026, according to an industry expert. Realtor.com senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones projected that inventory will continue to rise and mortgage rates will fall slightly to about 6.3%. While it's not a significant drop, it's still down from the average of 6.6% in 2025, highlighting how the market is getting "slightly more favorable for buyers."
MORE HOUSING MARKET NEWS
Inadequate Shelter: Millions of U.S. Homes Fail to Meet Standards - In 2023, nearly 6.45 million homes, around 5% of U.S housing stock, were classified as inadequate according to the American Housing Survey (AHS). Of these, 1.65 million homes were classified as severely inadequate, showing significant concerns over housing quality. While this reveals ongoing issues in the nation’s housing conditions, it signals probable market growth for remodeling and home improvements in the year ahead.
2025 Housing Market Delivers Surprises as Inventory Surges and Price Growth Cools - In 2025, the U.S. housing market delivered a mixture of anticipated trends and surprising outcomes, as economists and industry analysts weighed in on how forecasts would unfold through the year. Homes.com recently reviewed a year marked by rising inventory levels, moderating price growth, and shifting mortgage dynamics.
THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD
How New-Home Design Evolved in 2025 and What’s Next for 2026
At the outset of 2025, industry experts made clear predictions on what would shape new home design in the months to come. According to the experts, here is how some of these forecasted trends appeared in new-build homes, what to watch for in 2026, and some trends that were unexpected.
Most Home Builders are Small Businesses
Despite historically low self-employment rates and the rising market share of top ten builders, residential construction remains an industry dominated by independent entrepreneurs, with nearly 80% of home builders and specialty trade contractor firms being self-employed independent contractors. Even among firms with paid employees, the industry continues to be dominated by small businesses, with 63% of homebuilders and two out of three specialty trade contractors generating less than one million dollars in total business receipts.
THE FINANCE CORNER
US Tariff Rates Will End 2025 Above 15%. Experts Don't Expect These Rates to Come Down Much in 2026.
When 2025 began, the average US tariff rate stood near 2.5%. That same rate now stands north of 15% after just less than a year of President Trump's second term in office. And as the calendar flips to 2026, analysts see only limited opportunities for de-escalation in the year ahead.
IRS Reveals Updated Retirement Contribution Limits for 2026
The IRS unveiled contribution limit changes for popular retirement plans, including 401(k) plans and IRAs. Americans who contribute to 401(k) and 403(b) plans, as well as governmental 457 plans and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan, will see their contribution limit rise to $24,500 in 2026 — an increase from $23,500 in 2025 — the IRS announced.
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One Nation Weekly
Good luck to you on your real estate investing journey!
