Why Yesterday’s Comps Are Today’s Risk: The New Rules of Underwriting Going into 2026
The Market Has Shifted. Your Comps Should Too. Underwriting a deal with six-month-old comps today is like using a map from 2022. You’re already lost before you start. The market has shifted fast, and investors who don’t recalibrate are pricing into a version of reality that no longer exists. According to data from the August […]
How Full Financing Supports Fix & Flip Success
Scaling a real estate portfolio isn’t just about finding more deals; it’s about having the capital to fund them. For fix and flip investors, that’s where true growth begins. Instead of juggling acquisition costs, rehab budgets, and reserve capital across multiple lenders and appraisals, there’s a faster, smarter way to scale: full financing. At Dominion […]
How to Avoid Overleveraging in Today’s Real Estate Market
After years of rapid appreciation and easy capital, investors are now facing higher rates, tighter credit, and flatter property values. These conditions have exposed a common pitfall that repeats in every cycle: overleverage. Overleveraging (borrowing too aggressively relative to income or cash flow) can quickly turn a profitable portfolio into a liability when the market […]
Not All Inventory Is Equal: 5 Tips for Investors Assessing “Housing Supply”
Every housing report talks about “inventory”, but for real estate investors, that word is dangerously broad. Not all inventory competes, performs, or profits the same way. When you look at all housing stock as one bucket, you miss what really drives opportunity and risk. Investors buy specific types of properties, and those move differently in […]
Underwriting 101: How Smart Real Estate Investors Run the Numbers
When it comes to real estate investing, few skills are more critical and more commonly misunderstood than underwriting. Done well, underwriting is your compass. It guides every major decision, from acquisition to exit strategy. Done poorly, it can sink your profit before a single nail is hammered. At Dominion Financial, we’ve underwritten thousands of deals, […]
Zombie Foreclosures Are Creeping Up: Smart Investors Should Be Paying Attention
According to ATTOM, 7,519 zombie foreclosures are now scattered across the U.S., making up 3.38% of all pre-foreclosure homes. That’s up from 3.30% last quarter and 3.14% this time last year. The uptick may sound modest, but in this market, even a small rise in distressed inventory can open big doors for real estate investors. […]
Real Estate Reality Check: Data Beats Drama in a Shifting Market
The U.S. real estate market is constantly shifting, interest rates rise and fall, inventory comes and goes, and regional demand changes with demographics and employment trends. For investors, these swings can be daunting. But the antidote to uncertainty is data. By tracking reliable metrics and partnering with experienced lenders and service providers, investors can make […]
New FinCEN Rule Will Impact Real Estate Closings in 2025
Starting December 1, 2025, the Residential Real Estate Rule from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will take effect, adding new reporting requirements to certain real estate closings. While the rule is aimed at curbing money laundering, for everyday investors, it means more paperwork and reduced privacy in specific transactions. What the Rule Covers The […]
What Is Months Supply of Inventory – And Why It Matters to Real Estate Investors
In real estate investing, timing is everything. Whether you’re flipping homes, building a rental portfolio, or developing new construction, understanding market conditions is key to protecting margins and optimizing returns. One of the most effective (yet underutilized) indicators of market health is Months Supply of Inventory (MSI). When used correctly, it can help investors anticipate […]
The Race Against Time: Why Speed Is Everything in Real Estate Flipping
In the fast-paced world of real estate investing, time isn’t just money – it’s momentum, opportunity, and margin. Especially for fix-and-flip or ground-up construction projects, every delay has a cost: idle crews, stalled timelines, lost comps, and, ultimately, reduced profits. So what do savvy investors leverage to be successful? One word: speed. Why Timing Is […]
