Slow and steady for Smart Movers....
Meet Scout, your relocation assistant, budgeting and finance gems, housing inventory imbalance, + new pope
👋 Smart Movers. I am happy to announce that we are growing!!! Our YouTube channel is getting some traction and I am happy to see that people are consuming content like this that helps them move forward - strategically. Continue reading to learn about the new chat tool we launched to help you even further in your relocation journey. We named him Scout 🥰
I received feedback:
“shorten, but keep it crisp.” Done as far as keeping it crispy ✅
“more on finance and budgeting.” Done ✅
“add a 10 gems section.” Done ✅
I would love to hear from YOU! Your feedback helps me improve my content. Whether here or on the YT channel! Hit reply to share.
TL;DR: As summer heats up, housing inventory is rising, states are rewriting tax codes, and smart movers are quietly stacking cash, skills, and land while everyone else panics.
What’s Moving This Week:
• 📉 Credit delinquencies climb while savings hit historic lows
• 🏠 Housing inventory grows, but sellers start to flinch
• 🧾 States quietly rework tax codes — watch the fine print
• 🧠 Remote jobs shrink, but Smart Movers stay ahead with skill stacking
• 💰 Budgeting isn’t boring — it’s your war strategy for what’s next
• 🏙️ Ocala, FL shows up strong for value-seekers and investors
🧠 Fun Facts
📍 Texas has more ghost towns than any other state. Over 500 abandoned towns — many lost to railroads skipping them in the 1800s.
🌪️ One Kansas town has been hit by 3 F5 tornadoes. Codell, KS — same date, 3 years in a row (May 20, 1916–1918). You can't make this up.
💧 There’s a place in Montana where rain never falls. The McDonald Valley in Glacier National Park gets virtually zero precipitation thanks to surrounding mountains.
🏘️ A Florida town banned people from dying. In 1999, the mayor of Boca Raton issued a symbolic ban on death in response to zoning issues near a cemetery.
🏜️ Arizona is home to an actual meteor crater city. Winslow, AZ sits near the best-preserved meteor impact site on Earth — and yes, property values around it are surprisingly steady.
💸 MONEY AND MARKETS
*We Are Tapped Out - The Middle Class Misery
Credit Card Delinquencies: As of Q1 2025, delinquencies have reached a 13-year high, with Bank of America reporting a 16% increase in late payments.
Inflation Reality Check: While the official inflation rate stands at 3.5% (March 2025), core essentials like housing, food, and healthcare have seen increases between 5–7%.
Savings Rate: American savings have dipped to 3.1%, nearing 2007 levels, while personal debt continues to climb.
Gold Prices: Gold has surged to a record high of $3,227 per ounce, indicating a shift in investor sentiment.
Markets: The S&P 500 remains volatile. After a mid-April rebound, experts warn of potential corrections if inflation persists into the summer.
👉 Smart Movers Strategy: Prioritize liquidity and diversify assets to navigate the uncertain financial terrain.
🏠 REAL ESTATE
*Understanding Turnover Ratio - Learn Here 🤓
National Trends: As of April 20, 2025, 35% of active listings have reduced asking prices. However, median home prices remain elevated, with a national average of $388,475, up 2% year-over-year.
Mortgage Rates: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate hovers around 6.81%, doubling pre-2022 rates.
Builder Confidence: Builder sentiment has declined for the second consecutive month, with single-family home permits dropping 9% month-over-month.
Regional Spotlight: Washington, D.C. has seen a 25.1% year-over-year increase in active listings, the highest since 2022, largely due to federal workforce reductions.
🏠 Reality Check: Buyers may find more options, but affordability remains a challenge. Renters continue to benefit from increased supply and stabilized
👷🏾♀️ JOB MARKET
*Will Work For Food
• 🏥 Healthcare added 51,000 jobs in April - strongest gains in hospitals and clinics.
• 🚛 Transportation & warehousing grew by 29,000, driven by shipping and air freight demand.
• 🧱 Skilled trades surging -construction, utilities, and energy seeing major hiring spikes.
• 📊 AI + finance sectors shifting -fewer clerical roles, more demand for tech-savvy analysts.
• 🛢️ Texas booming in energy and infrastructure hiring (construction, oil & gas).
• ⚡ Georgia & NC gaining from clean energy jobs tied to federal investment.
• 🧠 Most in-demand roles: Nurse practitioners, data scientists, info security analysts.
• 🛑 California & NY slowing — tech job postings are down across major metros.
• 💼 U.S. added 177,000 jobs in April, keeping unemployment steady at 4.2%.
Smart Mover Insight:
While the national job market shows resilience, regional disparities are evident. States investing in infrastructure and clean energy present opportunities, whereas traditional tech hubs may face challenges. Aligning career moves with these trends can offer strategic advantages.
💎 Budget Like a Smart Mover: 10 Conscious Money Moves 🤑
Building a solid financial foundation isn't about cutting out every luxury—it's about making intentional choices that align with your goals. Here's how to start:
💵 Aim to save $500–$1,000 quickly to cover unexpected expenses.
📊 Utilize budgeting apps to monitor and categorize your expenses.
📈 Don't leave free money on the table—contribute enough to get the full match.
💳 Focus on paying off debts with the highest interest rates to save money over time.
📅 Create sinking funds for anticipated expenses to avoid debt.
🧾 Regularly review and eliminate unnecessary subscriptions.
💼 Once the basics are covered, aim to save enough to cover several months of expenses.
🏥 Ensure you have adequate coverage to prevent financial strain from medical emergencies.
🏦 Health Savings Accounts offer tax advantages for medical expenses.
💰 Begin with what you can and increase contributions over time to secure your future.
SCOUT - YOUR RELOCATION SPECALIST
We just launched Scout, our brand-new relocation assistant built right into the Strizzy Report site and available for all premium members. Think of Scout as your personal research buddy — designed to help you along the way. Whether you're looking for the best state to invest in, trying to escape high taxes, or planning a peaceful retirement, Scout can answer your questions in real time and help you take the next step. It’s live now, and it’s only getting smarter. Scout also delivers personalized feedback - not general data that you can get everywhere else.
Want to test scout? Email me: [email protected]
🧾 Legislation Moves: Property Tax Reforms Gain Momentum
Texas: Lawmakers have agreed on a $3 billion property tax relief package, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 for most homeowners and $200,000 for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Montana: New legislation aims to reduce property taxes by shifting the burden from primary homeowners to owners of second homes and industrial entities, potentially saving homeowners approximately $719 annually.
Maine: A proposal seeks to eliminate property taxes for residents aged 65 and older who have lived in the state for at least 10 consecutive years, though concerns about funding shortfalls persist.
⚡ Note: States are actively reevaluating property tax structures, offering potential relief for homeowners but also introducing new dynamics in state and local budgets.
🏙️ City of the Week: Ocala, Florida
Affordable living meets strategic growth in the heart of Florida.
If you want a place that’s quietly stacking wins while the rest of the country drowns in debt, density, and dysfunction — look at Ocala.
Tucked in Central Florida’s “Horse Capital of the World,” Ocala has become one of the most quietly strategic places for relocation, investment, and long-term affordability.
✅ Median Home Price: ~$275,000 (well under national average) - look-at-this-listing
✅ No State Income Tax: Florida keeps more money in your pocket
✅ Booming Local Economy: Anchored by logistics, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing
✅ Migration Magnet: #1 city for U-Haul inbound moves in 2024
✅ Growth-Ready Infrastructure: New residential and industrial development across Marion County
✅ Lifestyle Value: Rural peace + urban access within 90 minutes of Orlando and Tampa
You won’t find influencer buzz here — just Smart Movers who want acreage, breathing room, and real economic opportunity.
Rents? Still under $1,300 for a clean 2-bedroom.
Groceries? Cheaper than Miami, with local farm access.
Gas? Below the state average.
Schools? Improving, and drawing investment.
And local government? Business-friendly, development-ready, and investing in broadband + roads.
Ocala isn’t flashy — and that’s the win.
It’s where you can still buy land, raise a family, or launch a business without begging for a tax break.
Ocala’s wide open — but by 2027? Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
SHARE & EARN REWARDS 🙋🙋♂️
Love The Club? Share it with your smartest friend, your not so smart friend, your worst impulse mover, your cousin that thinks he’s got it made in California, or that coworker who’s still watching House Hunters on lunch break.
UNTIL NEXT SUNDAY, SMART MOVERS!
I hope you enjoyed this week’s issue. Let me know if you loved, liked or hated this new format and structure! We are always testing and measuring here at Strizzy Report. Email me directly [email protected]
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In all seriousness, I use it as a way to show what is happening behind the scenes of building the company, how and what I’m doing to grow it, showing who I am, and things that I love. Stop in and say hi when you can. Check out the first episode here.
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New content I uploaded this week:
Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed professional before making financial decisions.