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☆ Economy faces 'some potential storms' in 2025, Moody's chief economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-12 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics, testifies during the Senate Budget Committee hearing titled "The Default on America Act: Blackmail, Brinkmanship, and Billionaire Backroom Deals," in Dirksen Building on Thursday, May 4, 2023. Tom Williams | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty ImagesThe economy is doing "exceptionally well" as President-elect Donald Trump gets ready to enter the White House, according to Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi. "The economy can weather a lot of storms," Zandi said. But, he added, "I do think there are some potential storms coming" next year under the new administration. Immigration policy, tariffs could affect economy

Persons: Mark Zandi, Tom Williams, Donald Trump, Zandi Organizations: Senate, Billionaire, Cq, Inc, Getty, Analytics, Consumer Federation, Gross

But more recently, Republicans have signaled plans to defang the agency, and Trump has named authors of Project 2025 — which calls for eliminating the CFPB — to influential posts. It has clawed back nearly $20 billion in consumer relief and issued a litany of rules and guidance aiming to rein in financial institutions. The financial services industry bristles at many of these efforts. Buy now, pay later protectionsAs BNPL services skyrocketed in popularity during the pandemic, the agency quickly built guardrails around them. Removal of medical debt from credit reportsThis summer, the agency proposed banning medical debt from appearing on consumers’ credit reports.

Persons: Donald Trump, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Trump, multibillionaire Trump, Elon Musk, ” “, ”, Adam Rust, Jesse Van Tol, “, Rohit Chopra, Michael A, McCoy, ” Lindsey Johnson, JD Vance, —, everyone’s, Mick Mulvaney, Trump’s, Oliver Contreras, Armen Meyer, Meyer, Chopra, Rob Bonta Organizations: Consumer Financial, Senate, White, NBC, Federal Reserve, Republicans, Consumer Federation of America, Community Reinvestment Coalition, Consumer Bankers Association, Biden, Trump, Apple, GOP, ” Agency, Agency, Consumer, overdrafts, Electronic, Washington Post, Reuters Locations: Wells, Washington, Colorado, New York, California

☆ New rule may make it easier to switch banks and transfer your financial data
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A new regulatory rule finalized this month by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau aims to reduce that hassle and make it easier, more secure and always free for customers to switch accounts or to simply transfer or share their financial data from their banks, credit card issuers and other financial service providers upon request. “The problem the CFPB (rule) is addressing is the paperwork required of consumers to change accounts. Financial providers must make this information available without charging fees.”The rule will also restrict how third parties may use and retain the data consumers request be shared. Banks push backThe banking industry wasted no time in expressing its displeasure with the new rule — known as the personal financial data rights rule. “Dodd-Frank only requires banks to provide financial data to consumers.

Persons: it’s, ”, Adam Rust, Rohit Chopra, ” Rust, “, That’s, ” Chopra, Banks, Rob Nichols, —, ” Jaret, “ Dodd, Frank, ” Seiberg, Chopra, they’ve Organizations: CNN, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Financial, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, American Bankers Association, Bank Policy Institute, Kentucky Bankers Association and, Cowen Washington Research Group Locations: Kentucky Bankers Association and Kentucky, Las Vegas

☆ The 'huge mistake' 1 in 13 homeowners are making with their money
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In fact, 1 in 13 American homeowners is currently uninsured, according to a recent Consumer Federation of America study. Considering that the average annual cost of homeowners insurance for a $300,000 mortgage has increased 23% to $2,230 in the last year, it makes sense why some homeowners are foregoing insurance or letting their policies lapse to save money. "The question isn't, 'Can I afford homeowners insurance?' Why you should always have home insuranceNot paying for homeowners insurance "is definitely a huge mistake," says Alaina Hixson, director of sales and operations at insurance provider The Churchill Agency. "While home insurance is often not cheap, the investment can save thousands and even hundreds of thousands in some cases."

Persons: Cathleen Tobin, Alaina Hixson, Hixson, they're Organizations: Consumer Federation of America, Churchill Agency, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration Locations: New York

☆ Business Insider Subscriptions: Enjoy Premium News Stories
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-19 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

It isn't an accident that people who want to cancel a subscription often have to navigate a web of bureaucracy and confusion. "Actual affirmative consent from a consumer," Witte said, would establish trust between the consumer and the company, boosting loyalty. Along with litigation from the CFPB, state attorneys general have pursued legal action against big companies over hard-to-cancel subscriptions. Last year, Letitia James, New York's attorney general, sued SiriusXM over claims that the radio company trapped customers in subscriptions and maintained a complicated and burdensome cancellation process. AdvertisementIndustries have mastered techniques to maximize their profits by crafting their business models in confusing ways that can lure customers into a subscription without realizing it.

Persons: Doug Mattison, Mattison, —, he'd, I've, Florencia Marotta, Wurgler, Erin Witte, Witte, you've, TransUnion, Cuban, hadn't, it's, Rachel VonSiebenhoven, VonSiebenhoven, I'm, we've, Letitia James, SiriusXM Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, New York University, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Financial, Bureau, Association of National, FTC, Cuban, Companies, Industries Locations: Ohio, Colorado, New

☆ A self-insured landlord in Hurricane Milton's path is still recovering after Helene but isn't evacuating to stay nearby and help his properties
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementKevin Stuteville, 45, is prepping his St. Pete Beach, Florida, home for a second hurricane, Milton, after Helene wreaked havoc just days before. St. Pete Beach is a barrier island about nine miles from downtown St. Petersburg. According to FEMA, the entire city of St. Pete Beach is a within a flood zone. Advertisement"I'm not evacuating out of St. Petersburg — I just can't," he said. Are you a landlord with properties affected by Hurricane Helene or Milton, and are open to sharing your story?

Persons: Helene, Kevin Stuteville, he's, —, Pete, Stuteville, Pete Beach, Florida who've, That's, I've, it's, Pete Beach Stuteville, Petersburg —, we've, Hurricane Helene, Milton, Jordan Pandy Organizations: Service, Business, FEMA, Stuteville, realtors, Consumer Federation of America, Milton Locations: Florida, Pete Beach , Florida, Milton, St, St . Petersburg, Tampa, COVID, Petersburg, Alabama, Jacksonville

☆ Crypto relationship scams pose 'catastrophic harm,' SEC official says. Here's how to avoid them
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

krisanapong detraphiphat | Moment | Getty ImagesInvestors are at a heightened risk of cryptocurrency scams tied to fake relationships established over social media, dating apps and networking sites, federal officials warn. Last month, the SEC brought its first-ever enforcement actions tied to crypto relationship frauds. Crypto scam losses 'can be huge'Crypto, examples of which includes bitcoin and ethereum, is a digital currency. watch nowThere are "many variations" of crypto investment fraud, but the most prominent last year was the relationship scam, the FBI said. Jules, a victim of a crypto relationship scam, detailed her experience with the crime on a new FINRA podcast.

Persons: krisanapong, Fraudsters, Grewal, CoinW6, Kim Casci, Palangio, Micah Hauptman, Hauptman, Jules, —, Crispin La Valiente Organizations: Finance, FBI, Securities, Exchange Commission's, SEC, LinkedIn, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Consumers, Support, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Consumer Federation of America Locations: Seattle

Housing is one of many issues Vance, the Republican nominee, believes are rooted in the arrival of undocumented migrants in America. But many economists caution that connecting rising numbers of immigrants to housing costs is no simple thing. Other economists have noted links between immigrants and increased housing costs. Vance later shared two studies on housing and immigration that showed a link between increased immigration and rising housing costs — though each offered various caveats, including noting that the impact changes over time. Indeed, Zillow data shows a clear upward trend in Springfield rents this year compared with 2023.

Persons: America’s, Sen, JD Vance, Tim Walz, Vance, you’ve, ” Vance, Donald Trump, Walz, ”, ” Walz, Kamala Harris, Ernie Tedeschi, Joe Biden, Vance’s, Michelle Bowman, Chris Herbert, Herbert, Sharon Cornelissen, Bryan Heck, Democratic Sen, Sherrod Brown, Heck, ” Heck Organizations: Minnesota Gov, Republican, CBS, Democratic, NBC, White House, Federal, Cato Institute, Harvard University’s, for Housing Studies, Consumer Federation of America, NBC Boston Locations: Ohio, America, Springfield , Ohio, U.S, New York City, Los Angeles, Dearborn, Hamtramck, Detroit, Brockton , Massachusetts, Haiti, Cape Verde, Central, South America, Springfield, Washington

☆ High Credit Card Interest Rates Are Loading Americans With Debt
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The average credit-card interest rate is now just over 21%, up from about 15% a decade ago. Additionally, as credit-card companies continue to charge high interest rates, more cardholders in debt become delinquent — and that could push the US economy closer to recession. Advertisement'The highest credit-card rates we've ever seen'Until 1978, most states had laws capping interest rates for credit cards and consumer products. Lowering the current high interest rates, and the profits that come with them, has become a priority across the aisle. Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate, described the feedback loop of high prices and high interest rates as "a tough cycle to break."

Persons: Lana Linge, it's, Linge, isn't, Adam Rust, Bruce McClary, TransUnion, Austan Goolsbee, Rust, You've, you've, Antoinette Schoar, Schoar, David Silberman, GOP Sen, Josh Hawley, Hawley, Democratic Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Michele Raneri, Ranieri, Ted Rossman Organizations: Consumer Federation of America, Federal Reserve, National Foundation, Credit, Federal Reserve Bank of New, New York Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Louis Federal Reserve, Federal, Financial, MIT, Center for Responsible Lending, Lawmakers, GOP, Democratic, Reserve, TransUnion Locations: overspending, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, South Dakota, Delaware

☆ Trump's 10% credit card interest cap could hurt borrowers, experts say: 'Access to credit would dry up'
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Annie Nova | Annie Nova Is A Reporter On The Personal Finance Team | Covering Education. Prior To Cnbc | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

A national interest rate cap requires CongressUnder current federal law, nationwide limits on credit card interest rates are scarce, consumer advocates say. Likewise, federal credit unions are typically restricted to an 18% interest rate on their credit cards. “A president cannot set a cap on credit card interest rates,” said Rust. A 10% interest rate cap could backfireFinancial experts on both sides of the debate expressed concerns that a 10% interest rate cap could backfire on consumers in various ways. “Otherwise, it is a game of whack-a-mole.”In 2022, credit card issuers charged $14 billion in late fees, he noted.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Kamala Harris, It’s, Trump’s, Ted Rossman, ” Rossman, Karoline Leavitt, ” Harris hasn’t, Biden, Adam Rust, Rust, “, ” Rust, Lauren Saunders, Nicholas Anthony, they’re, ” Anthony, Rossman, Saunders, “ Banks Organizations: Social Security, Republican, Democratic, Federal, Bankrate, CNBC, Consumer Financial, Consumer Federation of America, Bank Act, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Consumer Financial Protection, National Consumer Law, Cato Institute’s Center, Monetary, Bureau, U.S . Chamber of Commerce Locations: New York, South Dakota, Delaware, Utah, U.S, Bankrate

☆ New Realtor Rules Will End Casual House Hunting, Change Homebuying
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-19 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

They'll hand 5%, or $25,000, to their agent, who then gives half, or $12,500, to the buyer's agent. They also feared that buyers' agents might "steer" clients away from homes that dared to offer less than the going rate. But in order to keep using the MLS, buyers' agents will have to abide by another rule that will further upend the old way of doing things. In the old days, a seller might have unthinkingly offered a commission of 2% or even 3% to the buyer's agent. The idea that sellers pay both agents' commissions has always been a clever sleight of hand.

Persons: they'll, didn't, Laura Ellis, they'd, Sellers, Tanya Monestier, Monestier, Ellis Organizations: Realtors, Baird & Warner, MLS, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Consumer Federation of America, California Association of Realtors, CFA, University at Buffalo Locations: Chicago, America, California

☆ The change that Realtors’ powerful trade group resisted for decades is finally happening
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Much of that is by design, reinforced by the National Association of Realtors, a mega trade group with monopoly-like control over US real estate. Sellers, who historically have paid both the listing agent and the buyer’s Realtor, will be on the hook for their agent’s fee. While NAR has long stated that the 5% to 6% fee was always negotiable, in practice, that’s just not happening. One recent national study found that “buyer agents do in fact steer clients away from properties that offer low buyer agent commissions,” and that those properties take longer to sell, if they sell at all. The changes to the commission model upend decades of legal and political wrangling to maintain Realtors power in American real estate.

Persons: Sellers, ”, Stephen Brobeck, that’s, That’s, ” Brobeck, Kenny Parcell, Parcell, “ They’ve, they’ve, Brobeck, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Association of Realtors, Consumer Federation of America, NAR, Realtors, MLS, of Justice, CNN, New York Times Locations: New York, Washington

☆ Banks are threatening to end free checking. Don’t panic
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The majority of people with checking accounts (73%) take advantage of the option, according to a 2023 Bankrate.com survey. But if regulatory costs go up for banks, free services like checking may go away, at least if they follow Chase’s lead. Marianne Lake, the head of Chase Bank, told the Wall Street Journal last week that Chase might stop offering free checking and other free banking services. “Consumer banking is predicated on banks providing services for free to consumers such as checking accounts, debit cards and electronic bill paying. Or, if those costs do rise, maybe some banks might decide for various reasons not to eliminate free checking.

Persons: Marianne Lake, Chase, Jaret, ”, Adam Rust, Rust, Bankrate, “, ” Rust Organizations: New, New York CNN, Chase Bank, Wall, Consumer, TD Securities, Consumer Financial Protection, Federal Reserve, Consumer Federation of America, Fed Locations: New York

CNN —A major Supreme Court ruling Friday that shifted power from the executive branch to the judiciary stands to transform how the federal government works. By overturning a 1984 precedent, the court’s conservative majority has made countless regulations vulnerable to legal challenge. The Supreme Court ruling could boost efforts by conservatives who have taken aim at the Biden Environmental Protection Agency’s rules limiting planet-warming pollution from vehicles, oil and gas wells and pipelines, and power plants. The ruling has injected legal uncertainty into regulations of all types, including those on technology, labor, the environment and health care. But the Supreme Court has yet to decide a case heard this term that might gut that limitation.

Persons: ”, Kent Barnett, —, Thomas Berry, John Roberts, Roberts, Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, Joe Biden, Shawn ThewPool, Adam Rust, ” Rust, Andrew Schwartzman, Alexander MacDonald, ” MacDonald, Sharon Block, ” Block, Biden, Andrew Twinamatsiko, ” Twinamatsiko, “, Paul Gallant, TD Cowen, David Vladeck, Chevron —, Ann Carlson, Carlson, David Doniger Organizations: CNN, Biden, University of Georgia School of Law, Chevron, Natural Resources Defense, Republican, Democratic, Cato Institute . Chief, State of, Consumer, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Federation of America, “, Supreme, Securities, Exchange Commission, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board, Opportunity Commission, Harvard Law School, Center, Labor, American Cancer Society, US Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Health, Human Services, Medicare, Services, Medicaid, Human Services Department, HHS, O’Neill Institute for National, Global Health Law, Georgetown University, FDA, Federal Communications Commission, EPA, National, Traffic Safety Administration, University of California, Natural Resources Defense Council Locations: Obamacare, Chevron, State, Washington , DC, Texas, Littler, Los Angeles

☆ A homebuyer's guide to the real-estate revolution
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Real-estate agents' commissions have fluctuated between 5% and 6% of the sale price for decades, despite advances in technology and an influx of agents. The recent lawsuits, which accused the NAR and some of the country's largest brokerages of conspiring to keep agents' commissions unfairly high, could signal the start of a new era. If sellers aren't paying out commissions to buyers' agents, buyers themselves could end up on the hook. For example, what happens if the seller isn't willing to pay the buyer's agent's commission? In most states, the buyer's agent can technically just rebate that extra money to their client.

Persons: Austin Whitt, Whitt, —, I've, Steve Brobeck, Sabrina Brown, they've, Michael Warren, Sellers, Prentiss Cox, it'll, you've, doesn't, Jack Ryan, Ryan, homebuying, Rob Hahn, Wendy Gilch, Gilch, I'm, it's, David Dworkin, Dworkin, Cox, It's Organizations: Realtors, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Consumer Federation of America, Getty, University of Minnesota, MLS, Consumer Federation of, National Housing Conference, Justice Department Locations: Tennessee, Nashville, America, North Carolina, United Kingdom, Australia

☆ New Rule for Buying a Home: Fire Your Real-Estate Agent
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Albert Fox Cahn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

She had never purchased a home, and as a lawyer, I just assumed I knew how the system worked: The buyer has an agent, but the seller pays a commission (typically 6% of the sale price) that's split between their agent and the buyer's agent. So my agent wasn't going to find me my dream house, and the work of hunting was basically on me. But the real-estate industry has made it hard for many buyers to understand just how little having an agent can help. The class-action settlement with the NAR is going to make it a lot harder for sellers to be forced to pay for buyers' agents. Going forward, for people like me without an agent, a savvy seller may pay just 3% of the sales price to their own agent instead of 6% to be split with a buyer's agent.

Persons: it's, vouched, Obvious, Stephen Brobeck, Alice, Wonderland, I'd, I've, —, cosmically, Brobeck Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Hunger, US Department of Justice, Realtors, Consumer Federation of America, New York City, NAR Locations: Brooklyn, New York City, McCarren, Williamsburg, New York

☆ The Long, Strange Decline of Iconic Chicken Soup for the Soul Brand
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Amanda Chicago Lewis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +39 min

What followed was hundreds of sequels and spinoffs, everything from "Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul" to "Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul" to the bestseller I read cover to cover, several times, in sixth grade: "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul." What began as Chicken Soup for the Soul board games and calendars turned into Chicken Soup for the Soul chocolates and Chicken Soup for the Soul pet food. What began as Chicken Soup for the Soul board games and calendars turned into pet food, barbecue sauce, and — yes — soup. He pointed out that the cover of the original Chicken Soup book "ripped off" Campbell's Soup, to trigger "nourishing and comforting and warming" feelings. He started suggesting outrageous directions Chicken Soup could go in next: "The Chicken Soup pistol!

Persons: I'd, I've, who'd, John Wayne, Jack Canfield, Canfield, Oprah Winfrey, Tony Soprano's, Russ Kamalski, Laurel, Hardy, Tyler Le, Americus Reed, hadn't, he'd, Johnny Nunez, Getty, Clement Stone, Stone, Napoleon Hill's, Norman Vincent Peale's, Mark Victor Hansen, Hansen, Bennett Raglin, let's, Mark Twain, They're, they'd, Kamalski, Preteen's, Christian Woman's, Mother's, —, Wayne Booth, Booth, Barbara Ehrenreich, David Gray, Amy Poehler, Kenan Thompson's, Patty Aubery, I'm, I, blurbing, Bill Rouhana, Amy Newmark, Newmark, Rouhana, Winstar, Ashton Kutcher, Isaac Brekken, Kevin, Reddit, Chicken, Redbox, You've, We're, Kevin fumed, hicken, orth, ince, eason, rance, ike, osses, ives, ake Organizations: John, Hyatt Regency, Soul Entertainment, Nasdaq, Americus, Wharton, Hyatt, Harvard, Triple, Beverly, Hotel, Canfield, University of Chicago, Oklahoma State, Washington Post, Wall, Company, Connecticut —, NASCAR, Hollywood, Consumer Federation of America, CSSE, Hindenburg Research, Sony Pictures Television, GameStop, YouTube, Soup, ust, anfield Locations: Newport Beach , California, Indonesian, Crackle, Canfield, Nigeria, Japan, France, Ohio, West Virginia, Mali, New York, Anaheim, Florida, ,, Teacher's, Baltimore, China, Australian, Darfur, Southern California, Greenwich , Connecticut, Connecticut, Zillow, Canadian, Wells Fargo's, Redbox, ife

☆ The Long, Strange Decline of One of America's Most Influential Brands
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Amanda Chicago Lewis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +39 min

What followed was hundreds of sequels and spinoffs, everything from "Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul" to "Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul" to the bestseller I read cover to cover, several times, in sixth grade: "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul." By 2003, research found that more young readers seeking solace turned to the Chicken Soup series than to the Bible. What began as Chicken Soup for the Soul board games and calendars turned into Chicken Soup for the Soul chocolates and Chicken Soup for the Soul pet food. He pointed out that the cover of the original Chicken Soup book "ripped off" Campbell's Soup, to trigger "nourishing and comforting and warming" feelings. He started suggesting outrageous directions Chicken Soup could go in next: "The Chicken Soup pistol!

☆ The home insurance market is crumbling. These owners are paying the price
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Courtesy Victoria ZangaraIn the past, acquiring or keeping homeowners’ insurance didn’t present much of a problem. There was roughly a 10% to 12% increase in homeowners’ insurance costs last year in the United States, said Mark Friedlander, spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute, a nonprofit industry association. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesHomeowners who have a mortgage are not able to go without homeowners insurance as their mortgage servicer will require an escrow account for insurance. Some 6 million homeowners chose to forgo homeowners insurance, according to a report from the Consumer Federation of America. They have lived in their home for 19 years and had a policy with Foremost Insurance, paying about $1,910 a year.

Persons: Alfredo Herrera, Herrera, Zangara, “, ”, ” Herrera, policyholders, Mark Friedlander, Neil Fernandes, Fernandes, David Swanson, Matthew Carletti, Jim Watson, Diana Troxell, Diana Wright Troxell, Bruce, ” CNN’s Ella Nilsen Organizations: New, New York CNN, Louisiana Citizens, ”, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Louisiana State University, Insurance Information Institute, Farmers Insurance, Farmers, AAA, CNN, Firefighters, Reuters, State, Citizens Property Insurance, JMP Securities, Getty, Homeowners, Consumer Federation of America, CFA, Social Security, Foremost Insurance, California FAIR, FAIR Locations: New York, New Orleans, City, Louisiana, New Orleans , Louisiana, America, United States, Santa Clarita , California, California, Florida, Sycamore, Whittier , California, AFP, Cottonwood , California, ‘

☆ I was charged $150 for missing a doctor's appointment. Turns out these fees are on the rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Eric Audras | Onoky | Getty ImagesIf you miss a doctor's appointment these days, you could get hit with a "no-show" fee of up to $100 — or more. But, she said, "to solve this problem is not to charge patients more fees, which many can't afford." For my appointment, I did get a call the day before from the doctor's office. Fees shouldn't hurt credit, still may be worth disputingWhen you make a doctor's appointment, ask about the office's policy around late cancellations and missed appointments, Donovan said. "Ultimately, these fees are discretionary and I would be reluctant to work with any office that inflexibly charged them," Donovan said.

Persons: Eric Audras, Caitlin Donovan, Janna, didn't, I'd, Adam Rust, Rust, Isabel Pavia, Donovan, you'll, inflexibly Organizations: Onoky, Patient Advocate Foundation, Consumer Federation of America Locations: Camden , New Jersey

☆ Premarket stocks: Why Zillow is worried about America’s housing market shakeup
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Zillow reported that it outperformed the residential real estate industry by 12 percentage points in 2023. That’s because one of the main ways Zillow makes money is through lead generation for real estate agents. “This shift in the structure of real estate transaction costs is too new to understand how it will impact housing market dynamics,” a spokesperson said. Zillow could make even more money if real estate agents offer their services piecemeal, he said. The takeawayThere’s a lot of disagreement between analysts about the future of Zillow and the real estate industry at large.

Persons: Zillow, ”, Dan Kurnos, it’s, Zillow’s, they’ll, who’s, Kurnos, ” Stephen Brobeck, “, It’s, Homes.com, William Blair Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, National Association of Realtors, Realtors, Benchmark Company, NAR, Zillow, Consumer Federation of America, CNN, Bank of America Locations: New York

☆ The way Americans buy and sell homes is about to get turned on its head
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( David Goldman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The way Americans buy and sell homes is about to get turned on its head. And other broker tactics that critics say are anticompetitive, such as a rule that made sellers’ agents set compensation for buyers’ agents, will be prohibited. Goodbye, 6% commissionsFor decades, Americans have paid a standard commission of around 6% when selling a home, split between the seller’s broker and the buyer’s broker. A separate new rule will require buyers’ brokers to enter into written agreements with their buyers. Second, it led buyers’ brokers to push more expensive homes on buyers, so their payout would be higher.

Persons: Cowen, Stephen Brobeck, Norm Miller, Miller Organizations: CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Industry, Consumer Federation of America, University of San Locations: America, University of San Diego

☆ The NAR settlement could slash home prices for many Americans
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The settlement, which is still subject to a judge’s approval, will eliminate the long-standing standard 6% commission paid by the seller. The NAR, which represents more than 1 million agents, declined to comment on whether home prices will fall as a result of the settlement. For instance, listing agents will likely continue to tell sellers that their homes will be sold faster if they pay for the buyer’s agent’s fee. That would increase how much they’re compensated since the total fee ends up getting split between listing agents and the buyer’s agents. NAR settlement or not, factors such as housing inventory, mortgage rates and consumer savings rates will “play much larger roles,” said Brobeck.

Persons: won’t, Kevin Sears, ”, Stephen Brobeck, ” Brobeck, “, ” Tomasz Piskorski, Piskorski Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Consumer Federation of America, CNN, Columbia University Locations: New York, Missouri

☆ Real-Estate Agents Use 'Steering' to Hide Cheap Houses From Homebuyers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Technically, the seller can promise as little as $0 to the buyer's agent; after all, why pay for someone you didn't hire? But multiple agents told me there are all kinds of ways shady practitioners try to skirt the rules. Critics say the stickiness of the going commission rate is evidence of steering's ubiquity. He said buyers' agents might call and say, "'Why is there no buyer's commission?" There are lots of willing brokers out there; if you suspect steering, agents told me, you've got plenty of options for a second opinion.

Persons: should've, Redfin, Julie —, Julie, Wendy Gilch, Gilch, they're, Doug Miller, Real, Rex, Keller Williams, I'm, Brendon Bowers, we're, Stephen Brobeck, Brobeck, they'll, you've, Rich, they've Organizations: Department of Justice, National Association of Realtors, Business, Facebook, Realtors, NAR, Consumer Federation of America, DOJ Locations: America, Minnesota, Austin, Houston, Kansas City , Missouri, Phoenix

☆ Home Equity Loan Alternative Could Revolutionize the Housing Market
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Like a lot of homeowners, Schummer was keen to convert some of his theoretical wealth into real cash. These kinds of deals, often referred to as home-equity-sharing agreements or home-equity investments, have existed on the fringes of housing finance for decades. The success or failure of home-equity investments could shape the future of homeownership in America. If the home's value has gone up, everyone wins; sell it for a loss, and the investor might share in that downside. "Over time for us, the customer becomes everybody," Eoin Matthews, the chief business officer and a cofounder of Point, told me recently.

Persons: Kennis Schummer, Schummer, Laurie Goodman, Goodman, he'd, Eoin Matthews, —, Hometap, Jim Riccitelli, Riccitelli, Adam Rust, Rust, Rust wasn't, I'm, Jordan Gilberti, Holly Bunting, Mayer Brown, Edwin Remsberg, Matthews, they'd, Jeffrey Glass, Glass, I've, he's Organizations: Consumer, Urban Institute, Federal Reserve, Bain Capital, Palisades Group, Redwood Trust, Getty, Consumer Federation of America Locations: Pensacola , Florida, California, homeownership, America, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida

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