The Real Estate Digest 4/14/2025

April 14, 2025

Good Morning! It’s Monday, April 14th. 

Why did the real estate agent bring a ladder to the open house?
Because they heard the market was climbing!

In This Week’s Edition:

HOME SALES
Pending Sales Continue to Rise

Insight: New home sales continued to increase in Athens and are staying steady in Oconee. Pending sales have also increased showing the increased market activity in both Oconee and Clarke. Closed homes within the last week have also increased, showing some of the pending homes are going off market.

SPOTLIGHT
Investment Property of the Week

Great Opportunity for a First Investment Property!

This fully renovated 2-bedroom, 1-bath home is move-in ready for tenants, making it a good choice for first-time investors. Recent upgrades include a new roof, new HVAC system, new water heater, and durable LVP flooring throughout, offering peace of mind and low ongoing maintenance.

The modern kitchen features a gas stove and is filled with natural light thanks to large windows that create a warm, inviting space. Outside, tenants will love the spacious back deck and oversized front porch, perfect for relaxing or entertaining.

While the neighborhood is still developing, a few nearby homes have already been flipped, showing promising signs of growth. Plus, the home sits just steps from the Firefly Trail, which leads directly to UGA’s campus, making it an attractive option for student or faculty renters.

Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac, this home offers both privacy and convenience, with shopping and dining just a short drive away. Whether you're looking to start your investment portfolio or add a turnkey rental to your holdings, this property checks all the boxes.

This is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Please conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any investment decisions.

MARKET CONDITIONS
Inventory Continues to Grow

Insight: Inventory has continued to grow in Athens, and is starting to slow a little in Oconee. The days on market are still slowly going down, showing the increase in recent spring sales. These sales could slow in the coming weeks due to economic uncertainty.

NATIONAL
Weekly Noteworthy News

How do the Imposed Tariffs on China Effect Homebuyers?

President Donald Trump's recent escalation of tariffs on Chinese imports has intensified tensions between the United States and China, raising concerns about potential economic repercussions, particularly in the U.S. housing market.​

On April 9, 2025, the Trump administration increased tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%, citing China's trade practices and its alleged role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis. The following day, the White House clarified that the total tariff rate on Chinese imports had reached 145%, combining the newly announced 125% tariff with a previously imposed 20% levy related to fentanyl. ​

In retaliation, China announced a 125% tariff on U.S. goods, effective April 12, 2025. This escalation has led to significant volatility in the markets. The S&P 500 index experienced a sharp decline, and the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds rose to almost 4.5%, indicating a sell-off in government bonds. Rising bond yields are particularly concerning for the housing market, as mortgage rates are closely tied to these yields. An increase in mortgage rates can dampen homebuyer affordability and slow down housing market activity.​

China holds a substantial amount of U.S. Treasury securities, with holdings estimated at around $759 billion as of early 2025. There is speculation that China might consider reducing its holdings of U.S. debt as a form of economic retaliation.Such a move could further increase U.S. bond yields and, consequently, mortgage rates, potentially impacting the broader economy.

The Trump administration has indicated a willingness to engage in trade negotiations with China to de-escalate tensions.However, the current trajectory of escalating tariffs and retaliatory measures poses risks to financial stability and economic growth, particularly in interest-sensitive sectors like housing.​

MORTGAGE RATES
Postponed Tariffs Cause Rates to Rise

Insight: After President Donald Trump announced the reciprocal tariffs, and the continued tariffs on tariffs, many bonds were sold causing interest rates to rise significantly, sending the 10 year treasury yield up to its highest level since mid-february. This increase will likely slow down the market, with this significant rise paired with the economic uncertainty.

PODCAST
One Rental Property Can Change Everything

Think you need a six-figure savings account to invest in real estate? Think again. Deandra McDonald was juggling multiple jobs and running on fumes, until one small, affordable rental property flipped the script on her entire life. With just around $4,000, she bought her first investment, started cash flowing, and began reclaiming her time. Four years later, she had quit her demanding, teaching job and built a portfolio of high-return rentals that most investors overlook entirely.

But her journey didn’t start with success, it started with rejection. When Deandra first applied for a mortgage, she was flat-out denied. The lender told her to come back when she had better credit, more savings, and less debt. So that’s exactly what she did.

Two years of hustle later, Deandra landed her first deal: a modest two-bedroom townhouse that would become the launchpad for her new life. She learned how to spot high-yield rentals that others ignore, how to finance creatively, and how to repeat the process over and over, building real, job-replacing income on a teacher’s salary.

In this episode, Deandra shares her exact blueprint—how she started with very little, scaled smart, and found financial freedom through strategic investing. If your looking to have a good source of passive income, this podcast could help you grow that passive income stream!

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