Real Estate Insights VS REAL Estate Insights…

I want to start by saying I’m proud of you for immersing yourself in real estate news.

Now that I’ve patted you on the back, I’m going to rip the band-aid off: you’ve probably wasted a lot of your time.

Not all real estate news is REAL estate news.

That isn’t to say what you’re consuming is fake, just that it might not be the best use of your limited time.

Big national outlets (e.g., The Wall Street Journal) usually cover stories and provide numbers that are too general to be applicable to the market you’re investing in. They just don’t give a good picture of state rules, local ordinances, or neighborhood-to-neighborhood trends. 

Also, the big news players can be too negative about what’s going on—their fear mongering about high interest rates, inventory shortages, and price shifts scares both buyers and sellers out of the market. 

Similarly local media outlets (e.g., The San Diego Tribune) usually don’t possess the budget to employ true real estate thought leaders capable of delivering rich, valuable insights. 

Zillow and Redfin are two of the most common places people go to find news about their favorite neighborhoods (or the value of a home). The problem is those new-age real estate websites form a lot of their news (and a lot of their value estimates) using general assumptions rooted in square footage, lot size, and bedroom/bathroom count—they don’t actually spend time in the neighborhood and they can’t actually see inside most of the homes. In other words, while the Zillows and the Redfins of the world are fun if you want a constant yardstick, they aren’t necessarily accurate. 

So, with that being said, here’s where you should go for all your real estate news, especially if you’re living in California.

BiggerPockets

I’m starting with BiggerPockets because you’ve all heard me talk about this publication before, and you know I’m a huge fan.

Their blogs and their community forum are great resources for all kinds of real estate inventors, from first-time home buyers to experienced multifamily owners. With more than two million members, BiggerPockets is the largest online community of real estate investors in the US. Creating an account is free and it opens the door to incredible investment strategies, strong property analysis, and a whole network of real estate expertise. 

I mean seriously look at all the stuff they have:

• Podcasts
• Events
• Videos
• Reports
• Webinars
• Bootcamps

And much, much more. 

Dwell

This one is probably going to catch a few of you off guard but hear me out—if you want to be a successful real estate owner and investor, you need to understand how renter and buyer tastes are evolving when it comes to the form and function of living spaces.

To that end, there are very few free resources that can equal Dwell. Its digital pages are full of articles, images, and expertise from leading architects and interior designers. Think of Dwell as your off-the-beaten-path treasure trove of inspiration for superficial room makeovers to down-to-the-studs remodels. 

Just look at some of the unconventional design-related topics they cover…

• ADUs
• Apartments
• Cabins
• Farmhouses
• Prefab homes
• Tiny homes
• Shipping containers

…and that’s just a small fraction of what you can explore. The list really does go on and on. 

California Department of Real Estate

This is going to be my least sexy recommendation, but it also might be the most important.

What the California DRE lacks in pizazz, it makes up for in data, news, and accuracy of information, especially when it comes to rule and regulation changes. 

In particular, I encourage subscription to their quarterly real estate bulletin which includes a thorough update from the department commissioner, mortgage loan activity, summaries of new laws, general best practices and more. It may not be fun real estate reading, but that doesn’t make it worth your time (especially since it’s once per quarter).

Inman

While I don’t adore Inman, my list would not be complete without them. Not only are they one of the biggest real estate publications in the country but they’re an undeniable source of truth when it comes to the provision of accurate, innovative, and timely information about real estate. 

Like BiggerPockets, Inman connects its readers with a long list of incredible content: 

• Webinars
• Listings
• Events
• Property portfolios
• International news
• Videos 
• Handbooks
• Technology suggestions

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Housing Wire

What the Housing Wire website lacks in functionality or aesthetic, it more than makes up for it by providing penetrating news and trend coverage related to the American housing market. Though much of their premiere content rests behind a paywall (don’t worry, membership is affordable), there’s plenty of information that’s free to access as well. 

Of the many sections of Housing Wire you can explore, I suggest spending ample time analyzing the section on mortgage rates—you can learn everything there is to know about origination, servicing, reverse mortgages, and more, all in one place.  

Core Logic

Do not sleep on CoreLogic. The longtime technology provider is considered by many to be the “gold standard” when it comes to enabling real estate professionals, financial institutions, insurance carriers, government agencies and other housing market participants to get deals done. 

What I want you to focus on is their resource library which is loaded with white papers, special reports, blogs, and more. Their content creators aren’t just talented, they are true experts when it comes to real estate and understanding what’s going on beneath the surface of the industry.  

Realty Times

Realty Times is a great, under-the-radar resource that’s worth your attention. 

You want to know how mortgage preparation works?

Curious to understand more about USDA loans?

Or how parking rules should be enforced by your HOA?

Realty Times has the answers you’re looking for.

While their coverage of the real estate industry isn’t as “buzzy” as some of the other publications I’ve mentioned in this email, they provide great overall advice that you can take to the bank with your properties. 

California Association of Realtors

Last but not least, I’ve got to go with the California Association of Realtors for their rich, data-driven releases regarding sales prices, affordability, and more. These releases offer an unbeatable look at the performance of different kinds of real estate at the state and county levels. I’m talking transaction volumes, listing prices, closing costs, supply gaps across home types, etc. No, the writing isn’t as good as the real estate section of the LA Times, but the information provided by the CAR is far more valuable than anything you’ll find in the newspaper. 

Remember…

Your time and energy are precious commodities. I want you to succeed in real estate, but I don’t want to waste any time driving yourself towards that success. So, with that in mind, reevaluate your “sources of truth” when it comes to real estate investment in your community. Think about replacing some of your old favorites with some of the new publishers I’ve recommended here today. 

And don’t forget to talk to an agent. Look for an agent who does a lot of transactions (at least $12 to $15 million a year in volume) in the neighborhoods you’re most interested in, since these are the ones who will have the most accurate understanding of the market. 

Per usual, if you  just have any questions—be they general questions or about real estate media—reach out to me at ShannonShue@KW.com or 310-853-0335. 

At Your Service, 

-Shannon