Real Estate
Investing, tax strategy, and building wealth
5 Numbers That Tell You If a Rental Is Worth Buying
At today's mortgage rates, the 1% rule puts $69 a month in your pocket — and one broken water heater wipes out your year. Here are 5 numbers that actually work in 2026.
Where Rents Are Falling in 2026 (and Where to Move)
Austin renters are saving roughly $3,600 a year versus 2022 peaks — and the median asking rent just dropped below the national average for the first time in living memory.
What Salary Do You Need to Buy a House in 2026?
The income needed to buy a median U.S. home jumped 82.8% since 2020 — to $120,796. Median earners now need a 48% raise just to qualify.
What Mortgage Calculators Get Wrong in 2026
Mortgage calculators quote $1,656 a month on a $350K home—but Bankrate's 2026 data shows another $1,783 in hidden ownership costs. The real payment is double the quote.
ARM vs Fixed Mortgage: When Does ARM Actually Win?
At today's rates, an ARM saves you just $80/month on a $400K loan — down from $230+ a few years ago. The window where ARMs win has almost closed.
Rent or Buy in 2026? Run the Real Numbers
At today's 6.46% rate, buying a median home costs $1,100/month more than renting — and your down payment could grow faster in the S&P 500 than in your walls.
Housing Inventory Is Up: Should You Buy Now?
Housing inventory is up 8.1% — but 70% of major metros still haven't recovered to pre-pandemic levels. The "buyers' market" headline doesn't match most zip codes.
Single-Family vs Multi-Family: Which Wins at $100K?
A single-family rental at today's prices loses $800–$1,100 per month after debt service. A fourplex with the same $100K could put you $1,400 ahead.
Rental Property vs 401K: Which Builds Wealth Faster?
A maxed-out 401(k) compounds to roughly $3.1M over 30 years. A rental property at today's 7%+ rates? About $1.3M — and you'll bleed cash for years first.
When to Walk Away: Home Inspection Red Flags
A 1/8-inch foundation crack and a failing roof look the same on paper — but one costs $400 to fix and the other $45,000. Here's how to tell the difference.
FHA vs Conventional Loans 2026: Real Homebuyer Cost Comparison
On a $400k home, FHA buyers pay $35,670 more than conventional borrowers over 30 years — and the real gap isn't the rate, it's insurance that never drops off.
How to Use $50K to Invest in Real Estate: A Practical Guide
Learn how to allocate $50K across real estate strategies like buy-and-hold, fix-and-flip, REITs, and short-term rentals with concrete examples and cost breakdowns.