Renting beats buying in 50 Major U.S. Metros -Episode 162

Investing with GoodLife

Good Life Housing Weekly Podcast, Episode 162 :
In this episode Rohan and David discuss the following topics:
1. Weather Update
- Rohan and David discuss their current locations and extreme weather conditions. Rohan recently returned from Dallas, while David is in Las Vegas facing 104-degree temperatures.
2. Dallas Conference Recap
- Rohan attended the Connect Real Estate Conference in Dallas, noting it was well-attended despite the heat. He was casually dressed, contrasting with the more formal attire of other attendees.
3. Office Dress Code Trends
- Discussion on the shift back to formal office attire, with a mention of Latham & Watkins' new mandatory in-office policy and how it reflects a broader trend.
4. Economic Reports and Federal Reserve Updates
- Recent inflation data shows CPI fell below 3% for the first time since 2021. Core CPI was as expected at 3.2%. Additionally, jobless claims data was revised down significantly by 818,000, and the Fed's July meeting minutes suggest a potential rate cut in September.
5. Real Estate Market Observations (07:12 - 09:45)
- Rohan notes that current real estate deals are generally below original purchase prices and close to or below loan values. Observations include that renters are reaching their rent ceilings, and the value-add strategies from previous years may no longer be effective.
6. Political Perspectives on Inflation (09:45 - 13:19)
- Discussion on different approaches to addressing inflation: Trump’s plan to impose tariffs and revive manufacturing versus Kamala Harris’s focus on fighting corporate price gouging and implementing rent control measures.
7. Housing Policies and Price Setting Software (13:19 - 21:37)
- Kamala Harris’s housing policies include down payment assistance and tax incentives for affordable housing. She also opposes price-setting software for rental rates, citing concerns about price manipulation. Rohan and David debate the efficacy and impact of such software on the housing market.
8. Cost Comparison: Renting vs. Buying (21:37 - 22:40)
- A new report reveals renting is significantly cheaper than buying a starter home, with an average premium of 61.3% more for homeownership compared to renting. Cities like Austin, LA, and San Francisco have particularly high premiums.
9. Starbucks CEO and Remote Work (22:40 - 23:16)
- Discussion about Starbucks’ new CEO, who previously turned around Chipotle and will be working remotely from Newport Beach, California, rather than relocating to Seattle. Rohan and David express optimism about his potential success.
10. Eric Schmidt's Controversial Comments (25:36)
   -David mentions Eric Schmidt’s controversial comments about Google falling behind in AI due to a focus on work-life balance, which Schmidt later walked back.
Entertainment and Recommendations (26:33)
a. David discusses a film called "Crypto" featuring Kurt Russell, which he found mediocre.
b. Rohan recommends Apple TV’s series "Bad Monkey" starring Vince Vaughn and praises Apple TV's recent content.
Dining and Hotels (27:23)
a. David recounts a recent visit to Koda in downtown Los Angeles, praising the food and the hotel’s minimalist design. Consider it for a future holiday celebration.