ATTOM’s Q2 2026 Home Flipping Report is out, and the latest numbers send a pretty clear message: flipping still works, but there’s less room for error. Rather than sugarcoat the numbers, here’s what investors should be paying attention to. Margins Compressed Again The typical flipping profit margin fell to 21.5% in Q2, continuing the gradual decline we’ve seen over the past two years. That’s a noticeable reversal from Q1, when margins climbed to 25.4%. If that increase look

This week’s nor’easter may create more than storm damage—it could also create a new pocket of opportunities for investors who know where to look. The best deals likely won’t appear overnight. In the weeks following a major storm, some property owners begin weighing the cost, time, and frustration of repairs against simply selling the property as-is. For active flippers, that’s when it pays to be watching closely. Where Opportunity May Surface In areas affected by coastal floo

Rates are up—but that doesn’t mean your next opportunity has to wait. Following the Fed’s latest rate increase, borrowing costs remain elevated and the market is still adjusting. But experienced real estate investors know that opportunities don’t disappear when rates rise—they just require the right financing strategy. If you’ve found a deal that makes sense, waiting on the sidelines could mean watching someone else take it. That’s where we come in. Whether you’re loo

With listings piling up and price reductions becoming more common, investors have more choices than they’ve had in a while. But one area of deal flow deserves a closer look right now: distressed properties. Distress Is Picking Up The numbers are moving. According to ATTOM’s Midyear 2026 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, 227,548 properties had foreclosure filings during the first half of 2026 — up 21% from the same period last year. In July alone, completed foreclosures (REOs) i

The market shifted a bit this week, and it cuts both ways depending on which side of the deal you're on. Rates are climbing again. The 30-year fixed is sitting at 6.71%, and several forecasters are now flagging a real chance it tops 7% this fall on sticky inflation and rising Treasury yields. Worth factoring into your exit assumptions, not just your purchase math. Inventory just hit a 4-year high. New listings rose 2.1% week-over-week to their highest level since August 2

Here’s a stat worth paying attention to: the leading fix-and-flip market sentiment index just posted its largest quarterly gain in three years, and 71% of flippers say they plan to buy more properties in 2026 than they did last year. At the same time, ATTOM data shows gross flipping returns have compressed to some of their tightest levels in more than a decade. More deals are getting done. But the easy money isn’t there anymore. That combination could make 2026 a year that se

Most of what we share covers the fix-and-flip side of the business. But the rental market is showing some interesting movement — and it matters even if your original plan is to sell. Rents are rising across major markets — with the Northeast leading the way. Single-family rents increased across the 50 largest U.S. metros during the first half of the year. Some of the strongest growth came from the Northeast and Midwest, which accounted for 8 of the top 10 markets. Buffalo led

If you're holding or acquiring single-family rentals right now, you've probably noticed something: rents have gone quiet. Nationally, rents were flat through the first half of 2026 -- even through what's usually the busiest leasing season. At the same time, home prices are at record highs. That combination is squeezing yields. Recent data shows potential rental returns falling in more than half of U.S. counties, even in places where rent is still technically outpacing home

If you only read the headlines, you might think the fix-and-flip market is running out of opportunities. The numbers tell a different story. This is not the easy, fast-rising market investors enjoyed several years ago—but it is becoming more favorable for experienced flippers who know how to find, evaluate, and finance the right properties. Investor Confidence Is Rebounding Sentiment among fix-and-flip investors is improving. The Burns + Kiavi Fix-and-Flip Market Index clim

The housing market continues to send mixed signals, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the market is stabilizing rather than slowing down. While many investors are still waiting for mortgage rates to fall significantly, today's data suggests that opportunities are already emerging—especially for fix-and-flip investors. Mortgage Rates Remain Elevated—but They're Not Standing Still Mortgage rates continue to fluctuate from day to day. Some sources report the average

Good day! Quick market note worth your attention. Nationwide, home flipping dropped nearly 4% last year — the lowest volume since 2020, according to ATTOM. On paper, that sounds like a red flag. It isn't. That drop is the tail end of a shakeout, not a sign the strategy stopped working. During the pandemic boom, cheap money and rising prices pulled in a wave of investors who didn't need much discipline to make a deal pencil. When rates spiked in 2022, that changed fast — margi

Florida continues to be one of the nation's strongest markets for real estate investors, but success in 2026 requires more strategy than ever before. Here are the biggest updates impacting fix-and-flip investors this week. 1. Florida Continues to Lead in Fix & Flip Opportunities Despite a more balanced housing market, Florida remains one of the country's most active states for investors. Higher housing inventory and motivated sellers are creating more acquisition opportunitie

Speed Matters in Real Estate Investing In Florida's competitive real estate market, timing can make or break a deal. Whether you're purchasing a fix-and-flip property, acquiring a rental investment, or securing a commercial asset, having quick access to funding is often the key to success. Traditional lenders can take weeks—or even months—to approve and fund a loan. Hard money lenders, on the other hand, are known for their speed and flexibility. So, how fast can you close a

Hard money is one of the fastest ways real estate investors scale — especially in competitive markets like Florida where deals move quickly and cash buyers win. Here’s how investors actually use hard money to grow faster, do more deals, and recycle capital. 1. They Win Deals Other Buyers Can’t Move Fast Enough On Traditional bank financing can take 30–60 days. That kills momentum. Hard money lenders can close in as little as 5–10 days, which lets investors: Compete with cash

1. Dallas-Fort Worth Dallas-Fort Worth continues to rank as the #1 market in multiple institutional reports because of: Strong population and corporate migration Business-friendly environment Massive job growth Demand across multifamily, industrial, and build-to-rent PwC and ULI ranked DFW the top market for the second consecutive year. 2. Miami Miami remains one of the strongest appreciation and luxury rental markets in the country. Key drivers: Continued migration from high

Right now, the hottest real estate topic in the U.S. is the shift from the “crazy seller’s market” into a much more localized and opportunity-driven market. The biggest conversations are around: 1. Inventory is finally rising After years of extremely low housing supply, many markets are finally seeing more homes hit the market. That’s creating: - More negotiating power for buyers - More price reductions - Longer days on market in some cities But it’s not happening evenly

After a slower stretch for many real estate investors, new opportunities may be emerging. Inventory is improving in select markets, sellers are becoming more realistic, and investors who can act quickly may have a distinct advantage when the right deal appears. That said, this is not a market for guesswork. With mortgage rates still elevated and affordability top of mind for buyers, successful fix-and-flip projects require disciplined underwriting. Every variable matters—pu

One of the biggest keys to a successful fix-and-flip project is finding the right deal before everyone else does. Here are a few common ways investors find fix-and-flip opportunities: 1. Build relationships with wholesalers Wholesalers often find off-market properties and assign the contract to investors. A good wholesaler can be a steady source of opportunities, but borrowers should still run their own numbers before moving forward. 2. Work with investor-friendly real estate

In today’s market, flipping houses isn’t about chasing hype—it’s about discipline. Rising rates, slower buyer demand, and increased competition from builders mean that what worked a few years ago can easily fail today. If you’re serious about flipping in 2026, you need a clear, repeatable way to separate solid opportunities from risky bets. This checklist is designed to do exactly that. 1. Start With the Right Property (“Buy Box” Matters) Not all properties are created eq

Speed, Certainty, and Execution in Today’s U.S. Market In today’s real estate environment, one factor consistently separates successful investors from the rest: Execution speed. At First Funding, we’re seeing a clear shift across the U.S. market—investors are no longer prioritizing the lowest rate. They’re prioritizing certainty of close . And that’s exactly where hard money lending is proving its value. The New Reality: Speed Wins Deals Inventory remains tight. Competition i