It isn’t every day that one can say Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR ) is offering an attractive valuation proposition. This is the kind of stock that typically trades at rich valuations relative to the broader market. That dynamic has flipped as of lateJulian is the leader of the investing group Best Of Breed Growth Stocks where he only shares positions in stocks which have a large probability of delivering large alpha relative to the S&P 500. He also combines growth-oriented principles with strict valuation ...

Core Insights - Many homeowners express no regrets about paying off their mortgages, valuing the emotional relief and security it provides over potential investment gains [1][2][3] - Some individuals highlight that being debt-free allows for more aggressive investing and reduced stress in their lives [3] - A minority of commenters reflect on missed financial opportunities, suggesting that investing the funds used to pay off mortgages could have yielded significant returns [5][6] Emotional and Financial Perspectives - The emotional benefits of owning a home outright are emphasized, with many stating that the peace of mind outweighs financial considerations [2][6] - Homeowners who paid off their mortgages report feeling less stressed and more secure, especially during job loss situations [3] - The contrast between emotional satisfaction and financial efficiency is noted, with some acknowledging that paying off a mortgage may not have been the best financial decision [5][6] Investment Considerations - A few commenters regret not investing their mortgage payoff funds, citing substantial potential gains had they invested in the S&P 500 index fund instead [5][6] - The discussion highlights a broader debate on the balance between emotional security and financial strategy in personal finance decisions [5][6]

Group 1 - The article highlights Julian's leadership in the investing group Best Of Breed Growth Stocks, focusing on stocks with a high probability of delivering significant alpha compared to the S&P 500 [1] - Julian employs a strategy that combines growth-oriented principles with strict valuation criteria to enhance the conventional margin of safety [1] - The features of Julian's investment approach include exclusive access to high-conviction stock picks, comprehensive research reports, real-time trade alerts, macro market analysis, individual industry reports, a curated watchlist, and 24/7 community chat access [1] Group 2 - Julian Lin is identified as a financial analyst who specializes in finding undervalued companies with long-term growth potential [1] - The investment strategy focuses on companies with robust balance sheets and strong management teams, particularly in sectors with extended growth trajectories [1]

Market Sentiment - The Hong Kong residential property market is showing signs of mending investor sentiment, although analysts remain cautious about a full recovery due to geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties [1] - Investors accounted for 20% of the market's total transactions in 2025, with certain districts near universities potentially having a higher proportion of investor activity [1] Rental Yields - The average gross rental yield for mass residential units in Hong Kong is 3.7%, which is appealing to mainland buyers [2] - Hong Kong's residential rents increased in August, with the rental index rising by 1.12%, marking the largest increment in 14 months, bringing it close to the record high of 200.1 recorded in August 2019 [6] Interest Rates and Economic Factors - Investor interest is being driven by expectations of further interest rate cuts and potential rent increases, with HSBC offering a fixed-rate mortgage plan at 2.73% per annum [3] - Following the US Federal Reserve's easing of policy rates, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority reduced the prime lending rates by 12.5 basis points on September 18 [4] Market Challenges - The Hong Kong economy faces challenges such as weak consumption, high vacancy rates in commercial buildings, and an oversupply of private residential units [5] - While rental yields may not be the most attractive incentive, lower residential flat prices could present a good entry point for investors seeking capital gains [6]

Group 1 - The phrase "buy odd, not even" originates from feng shui, suggesting that odd numbers are auspicious while even numbers are not, particularly in housing design [2][3] - There is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the belief in "buy odd, not even," indicating it may reflect a mindset of caution among buyers rather than a factual basis [2] - Buyers are advised not to overly fixate on this belief when making purchasing decisions [2] Group 2 - When selecting a floor, factors such as comfort, health, lighting, and ventilation should be prioritized over superstitions [5][6] - Key recommendations for assessing natural lighting include evaluating during winter, checking midday sunlight, and considering the building's distance from others [5] - For new properties, buyers can assess the width and depth of the unit to gauge potential lighting quality [5][6] Group 3 - For tower buildings, it is suggested to choose floors above the 6th level, while for slab buildings, floors above the 3rd level are recommended [6] - Overall, the focus should be on practical factors like lighting, ventilation, and noise rather than adhering to the "buy odd, not even" belief [6]

Core Insights - Rent prices are increasing in various markets, but affordable options are still available in certain regions, particularly in the South and Midwest, with some apartments listed for under $1,000 [1][2] - Zillow's analysis indicates that 13 out of 100 tracked metros, or approximately 13%, have more than one-third of their apartments renting for less than $1,000 [2] - The housing market is experiencing a shift, with nearly 20% of American homes reducing prices, providing some relief to homeowners facing affordability challenges [3] Rent Affordability - Rent on a typical apartment has risen nearly 40% since 2019, creating financial pressure for both renters and homeowners [3] - Today's renters would need to allocate 5% of their income for almost nine years to afford a 10% down payment on a typical home, an increase from 7.4% since 2019 [5] - Moving to more affordable areas can significantly enhance long-term financial health and assist in saving for a future home [6] Affordable Rental Markets - Wichita, Kansas, has the highest percentage of apartments listed for under $1,000, with 54% of listings in this price range [8][11] - McAllen, Texas, follows closely with just over 50% of apartments priced below $1,000 [8][11] - Other notable metros with affordable options include Little Rock, Arkansas (49%), Toledo, Ohio (46%), and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (42%) [11] - In contrast, cities like Boston, Miami, and Washington, D.C., have less than 1.8% of listings renting for under $1,000, indicating a scarcity of affordable options in these markets [12]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint emphasizes the importance of owning urban housing for workers, as it represents a sense of belonging and convenience in their lives [1] - Infrastructure in rural areas has improved significantly, but urban workers still prioritize having their own homes in cities [1] Group 2 - Choosing the right floor in a high-rise building is crucial, as it impacts the quality of life for decades [3] - Lower floors may be dark and damp, while higher floors offer better light and ventilation but come with challenges like reliance on elevators and potential water pressure issues [5] Group 3 - The concept of "golden floors" is introduced, which are typically located two-thirds up a building, combining the advantages of both high and low floors [7] - Golden floors provide excellent lighting, ventilation, and views, while avoiding common issues like low water pressure and humidity [7] Group 4 - Golden floors are highly sought after, leading to quick sales and rental opportunities, making them a lucrative investment [9] - It is advised to conduct thorough consultations before purchasing, as relying solely on sales personnel can lead to poor decisions [9]

Core Viewpoint - The preference for older homes has shifted significantly, with current buyers, especially first-time homebuyers, favoring newer homes due to various drawbacks associated with older properties [3]. Group 1: Advantages of Older Homes - Older homes were once favored for their significant price advantages, typically priced 20% to 30% lower than new properties in the vicinity [1]. - They were often located in prime areas with well-developed living facilities, making shopping and commuting convenient [1]. - Some older homes were surrounded by prestigious schools, enhancing their value as "school district homes" with considerable appreciation potential [1]. - Speculators hoped for windfall profits from potential redevelopment or demolition [1]. Group 2: Disadvantages of Older Homes - Current buyers are deterred by poor property management in older communities, leading to deteriorating public facilities and a negative living experience [3]. - Obtaining loans for older homes is challenging due to strict bank approvals, placing a heavy financial burden on buyers who must often pay in full [3]. - The advantages of being in a desirable school district have diminished due to changes in educational policies and increased randomness in school zoning [3]. Group 3: Future Solutions for Older Homes - Large-scale renovation projects for old communities are expected, with government funding aimed at comprehensive repairs and upgrades to improve living conditions [8]. - The "original demolition and reconstruction" model is gaining popularity, allowing residents to temporarily relocate while new buildings are constructed on the same site, significantly enhancing living quality [10]. - Government buyouts of older homes at slightly below market prices are proposed to provide affordable housing for low-income families, stabilizing local housing prices [13]. - Severely damaged homes or those on planned municipal land will be fully demolished [13].

Core Insights - Inventory levels in the housing market are 20% higher year-over-year, marking the 21st consecutive month of annual growth [1][2] - Home sales in September increased by 8.5% compared to the previous year, although there was a 4.6% decline from August [1][6] - The median sales price in September was $439,000, reflecting a decrease of $6,000 (1.3%) from August but an increase of $9,000 (2.1%) from September 2024 [3][8] Inventory and Sales Trends - Active inventory rose by 20.0% year-over-year across 52 metro areas surveyed [2] - The months' supply of inventory increased to 3.0 months, up from 2.6 in September 2024 and 2.8 in August 2025 [6][13] - New listings saw a 0.9% increase compared to September 2024 and a 4.5% increase from August 2025 [6][7] Pricing Dynamics - Sellers accepted 98% of the asking price in September, down from 99% in August 2025 and September 2024 [3][10] - The average close-to-list price ratio across the 52 metro areas was 98%, indicating homes sold for less than the list price [10][11] - Milwaukee, WI experienced the largest year-over-year increase in median sales price at +11.5% [4][9] Market Performance - Days on market averaged 48 days, which is an increase of one day from August and seven days from September 2024 [6][12] - The markets with the lowest days on market included Manchester, NH at 20 days and Milwaukee, WI at 23 days [5][12] - The highest year-over-year sales increases were observed in Honolulu, HI (+55.2%), Omaha, NE (+20.9%), and Raleigh, NC (+20.3%) [8]

Core Insights - The market is currently near all-time highs, driven primarily by AI-led stocks, indicating a strong performance in the technology sector [2] Group 1: Market Overview - The S&P 500 index is market cap weighted, meaning that larger companies have a more significant impact on the index's performance [2] Group 2: Investment Focus - iREIT+HOYA Capital emphasizes income-producing asset classes that provide sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging opportunities [1]