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☆ Election Updates: Biden heads to Pennsylvania to talk taxes and hit Trump.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Nicholas Nehamas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

In an unprecedented trial, Mr. Trump is spending most of this week, and much of the coming month or two, in a Manhattan courtroom facing criminal charges. In 2020, he narrowly defeated Mr. Trump in Pennsylvania by about 80,000 votes. “I went to school here, right?” Mr. Trump, a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, reminded his audience. They say it is imperative that Mr. Biden campaign in western Pennsylvania, as well as swing areas like Erie County, which Mr. Biden flipped in 2020. Mr. Trump said last week that he would not, reversing a position he held during his term in the White House.

Persons: Biden, Donald J, ” Michael Tyler, Trump, Mr, “, Trump’s, Michael Gold Organizations: Trump, Biden, Affordable, Mr, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Scranton, Pittsburgh, United Steelworkers . Unions, Democrats, U.S . Steel, steelworkers, Democratic National Committee, Democratic Locations: Pennsylvania, Scranton, Manhattan, Israel, Michigan, Wisconsin, Philadelphia, Erie County, Arizona, Schnecksville, Pa

☆ Why the Fed needs to cut interest rates to lower inflation, according to a JPMorgan strategist
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

If the Federal Reserve wants to lower inflation, they need to cut interest rates, according to JPMorgan. JPMorgan strategist Jack Manley said lower interest rates would help lower shelter costs. "You're not going to see meaningful downward pressure on shelter costs until the Fed lowers interest rates," Manley said. AdvertisementIf the Federal Reserve wants to lower inflation back to its long-term target of 2%, it needs to start cutting interest rates, according to JPMorgan strategist Jack Manley. "A lot of what's going on today can be very closely linked to the level of interest rates.

Persons: Jack Manley, Manley, — Organizations: Federal Reserve, JPMorgan, Service, Bloomberg

☆ A Hot Inflation Report Is a Blow to President Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Jim Tankersley | More About Jim Tankersley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The unexpected re-acceleration in price growth across the economy is at least a temporary setback for President Biden, who has been banking on cooling inflation to lift his re-election prospects. Mr. Biden and his aides have publicly cheered the retreat of annual inflation rates over the last year, after watching the fastest price growth in 40 years dent the president’s approval ratings earlier in his tenure. Mr. Biden has been particularly focused on home buyers, including young voters who are key to his electoral coalition, and who are struggling to afford high housing prices as mortgage rates remain around 7 percent. Wall Street analysts saw Wednesday's surprise pickup in the inflation rate as a sign that the Fed could leave rates on hold for months longer than expected. That could mean no cuts before the November election, a campaign where Mr. Biden’s Republican opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, has slammed Mr. Biden for both rapid price increases and high borrowing costs.

Persons: Biden, Biden’s, Donald J, Trump Organizations: Federal Reserve, Wall Street, Biden’s Republican

☆ This trade wins if interest rates stay high and hurt the housing market
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Nishant Pant | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

To profit from this possibility, here's an options trade that bets against the housing market. US10Y YTD mountain U.S. 10-year Treasury yield so far in 2024 I'm contemplating a bearish trade on Lowe's (LOW) within the consumer discretionary sector. DMI (Directional Movement Index): When the DI+ (green line) is above DI- (red line), the stock is in an uptrend. The trade structure I am using here is called a "bear put spread" also known as "put debit spread". If LOW trades at or below my short strike by the expiration date, this trade can yield a 100% ROI on the amount risked.

Persons: I'm, I've Organizations: Federal, Treasury, Lowes Locations: US10Y

☆ They moved into floating homes and houseboats — and discovered a world of adventure and hidden expenses
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Read previewMoving into their 360-square-foot floating home a year ago was a dream come true for Sarah Spiro and Brandon Jones. In 2023, there were 70 floating home sales reported on the Regional Multiple Listing Service, or RMLS, which covers the Portland area and a significant part of northwest Oregon, Portland Floating Homes real-estate broker John McPherson told BI. Lily and Dylan Rose moved onto their houseboat on Lake Union in Seattle in June 2019. AdvertisementHome insurance for a floating house tends to be about double what it is for a regular house on land, McPherson said. Additionally, the float — the part of the floating house that's equivalent to a foundation — deteriorates over time, McPherson said.

Persons: —, Sarah Spiro, Brandon Jones, Spiro, keepingafloatwiththejoneses Spiro, Jones, keepingafloatwiththejoneses, Adam Lind, @adam.floatinghome, It's, John McPherson, Lily, Dylan Rose, Elizabeth Earle, BI's Jordan Pandy, Earle, Elizabeth Earle Earle's, McPherson, Daryl Fairweather, Redfin's, Realtor.com, Hannah Jones, it's, Laura Woodley, Woodley, isn't, Kate Fincham, Fincham, Lily Rose, Dylan, Rose, she's Organizations: Service, Business, Portland Floating Homes, Realtor.com, Union, Trust, England & Wales, Lake Union Locations: Fontana Lake, North Carolina, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Sausalito , California, Johns Island , South Carolina, England, Bluffers Park, Toronto, Lake, Boston

☆ Could First-Time Home Buyers Lose Out Under New Commission Rules?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Ronda Kaysen | Rukmini Callimachi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With a landmark legal settlement poised to upend a decades-old norm that has dictated who pays real estate agents and how much, economists, agents and lenders are beginning to worry that the burden could now be on first-time home buyers. Buyers may soon have to pay out of pocket for something that had always been baked into the price. “First-time home buyers are usually the people who don’t have much cash and experience — and that experience matters,” said Daryl Fairweather, the chief economist of Redfin, the online brokerage that cut ties with the National Association of Realtors last year. The lawsuit was initially brought by home sellers in Missouri who accused N.A.R. of artificially inflating home prices by coupling commissions paid to sellers’ and buyers’ agents.

Persons: ”, Daryl Fairweather, Buyers, N.A.R Organizations: Redfin, National Association of Realtors Locations: Missouri

☆ Consumer advocates — and even some Realtors — hail NAR settlement: 'We've opened up the entire industry to competition'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Rob Wile | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Now, a landmark settlement with the National Association of Realtors is poised to upend this model. According to consumer advocates, and even some Realtors, it's a win for homebuyers and sellers. And in the months following Covid-19 pandemic reopenings, the hottest U.S. real estate markets were tipped squarely in favor of sellers. It's the same amount of money, but now the buyer gets money instead of a buyer agent, and they can decide what to do with it." What's more, greater competition for clients is likely to result in lower costs across the board, said Ryan Tomasello, a real estate industry analyst with the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods financial firm.

Persons: it's, Mariya Letdin, Letdin, they'll, Doug Miller, Miller, Ryan Tomasello, Keefe, Tomasello, Phil Crescenzo Jr, Crescenzo Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Realtors, homebuyers, Florida State University's College of Business, NBC News, U.S, NAR, Nation One Mortgage Corp Locations: Alhambra , California, Minnesota, Woods

☆ Could real estate go the way of the travel industry? Not just yet
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( John Towfighi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Sites like Redfin and Zillow provide a way for buyers and brokers to connect online, but the role of real estate agents in closing purchases has persisted. “Ultimately, people will understand what real estate agents really do, especially on the buy side,” Piskorski said. But even with the possibility of major changes, Hale said, one thing will almost certainly remain the same for real estate agents. Currently, the framework of real estate solely emphasizes the buy and sell transaction, said John Bodrozic, co-founder of HomeZada, a real estate tech company. Yet what ultimately differentiates a travel agent from a real estate agent is the value and risk associated with the purchase.

Persons: Tomasz Piskorski, ” Piskorski, Danielle Hale, ” Hale, Hale, “, John Bodrozic, Bodrozic, ”, Bobby Juncosa, Piskorski, ” Juncosa, Juncosa Organizations: CNN — Technology, National Association of Realtors, Columbia Business School, NAR, CNN, Buyers, ” Finance

☆ 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

☆ Home buyers and sellers to be spared automatic broker commissions under $418 million settlement
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Rob Wile | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The National Association of Realtors has agreed to a landmark settlement that would eliminate real estate brokers' long-standing automatic commissions, commonly of up to 6% of the purchase price. Instead, home buyers and sellers would be able to negotiate fees with their agents upfront. If the $418 million legal agreement is approved by a federal court, consumer advocates predict the ranks of real estate agents will thin, further driving down commission prices. "For years, anti-competitive rules in the real estate industry have financially harmed millions," said Benjamin Brown, managing partner at the Cohen Milstein law firm and one of the settlement's negotiators. "It's a bribe," Doug Miller, an attorney and longtime consumer advocate in the real estate industry, said of the commission-splitting arrangements.

Persons: Benjamin Brown, Cohen Milstein, Nykia Wright, Wright, —, Doug Miller Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, MLS

☆ How the recent settlement on paying a commission could change the way Americans buy and sell homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Commissions aren’t disappearing — you’ll still need to pay a real estate agent for their work, just as you would any service provider. And the commission, which is set between an agent and the seller, will continue to be negotiable. The seller’s agent will also still be able to split the commission with the agent bringing the buyer. One new rule prohibits agents’ compensation from being included on listings placed on local centralized portals known as multiple listing services, which critics say led brokers to push more expensive properties on customers. This agreement will specify the work the buyer’s agent will do and how they will get paid.

Persons: who’ve, TD Cowan, Will, that’s, it’s Organizations: DC CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, MLS Locations: Washington

☆ The housing market's inventory crisis is finally easing
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewUS home-sellers are finally getting accustomed to higher mortgage rates. "The housing market is nothing like it was two years ago during the pandemic homebuying frenzy, but it's better than it was last year. Mortgage-purchase applications declined through February, as rates rose from early 2024. While mortgage rates are moving back down from last month's 6.78% average, they are likely to remain elevated for longer, Redfin said. AdvertisementBetween mortgage rates and higher prices, the median US monthly housing payment stood $2,686 through February, just $30 below last year's all-time high.

Persons: —, Redfin, It's, David Palmer, Sellers Organizations: Service, Business, Mortgage, White

☆ One way to help American homebuyers? Do what the Dutch do.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Cork Gaines | Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Dutch offer home mortgages with evolving interest rates that can automatically decrease over time. However, other countries are taking notice: The Dutch mortgage lender DMFCO recently began offering Dutch-style mortgages in the UK. AdvertisementBut there are some deeply entrenched features of the American mortgage system that make it unlikely we'll see widespread adoption of Dutch-style mortgages. AdvertisementAdditionally, mortgage interest rates in the US aren't determined by the loan-to-value ratio beyond a certain point. AdvertisementBut Cecela says he's interested to see what happens with the Dutch-style mortgages newly on offer in the UK.

Persons: —, Lindsey Harn, Lindsey, Harn, Guy Cecala, Cecala, Melissa Cohn, Raveis, Cohn, he's Organizations: Service, Business, Lindsey Harn Group, Mortgage, Mortgage Finance, USA Locations: Netherlands, San Luis Obispo County , California, Europe

☆ How Biden hopes to recapture voters scarred by inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Ron Brownstein | Analysis Ronald Brownstein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

A majority of Hispanics, and even a plurality of Black voters, said Biden’s policies would cause inflation to rise, the survey found. You can’t not make the contrast and comparison.”These negative retrospective assessments of the Biden and Trump economic records create huge headwinds for the president. “Voters—even past Biden voters who disapprove of his economic record—clearly reject what Trump and Republicans are offering,” Democratic pollster Margie Omero said in an email. After voters were exposed to Biden’s populist arguments, assessments of his economic record improved in the group’s polling, Clark said. But even after hearing that case, most voters in the group’s surveys still gave Biden negative marks for his economic performance, the study found.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, Biden –, “, ”, Danielle Deiseroth, West Virginia Sen, Joe Manchin, Shawn Fain, Evelyn Hockstein, Adam Green, Michael Tyler, Republican pollster Micah Roberts, It’s, Jim McLaughlin, ” McLaughlin, Roberts, ” Roberts, can’t, ” Tyler, Margie Omero, ’, Bobby Clark, Clark Organizations: CNN, GOP, Trump, Teamsters, Democratic, ACA, West, United Auto Workers, Biden, CNBC, Social Security, Republican, White, NBC News, New York Times, Siena College, CBS, Union, “ Locations: Wisconsin, Michigan, Belleville , Michigan, Scranton , Pennsylvania, Democratic, State, Biden’s

☆ President Biden's new budget wants to bring back the child tax credit and make sure Americans don't face Social Security cuts — all while taxing billionaires and big companies more
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The budget seeks to restore the expanded Child Tax Credit and keep Social Security benefits intact. The budget also proposes a tax increase on billionaires, companies, and firms giving executives big paydays. The proposal comes after a tax bill that would partially expand the Child Tax Credit currently lingers untouched in Congress. Advertisement"It cuts costs for families with children and American workers and lowers childcare costs for hardworking families," Young continued. Would a restored child tax credit or maintained Social Security benefits impact your life?

Persons: Joe Biden, —, White, Shalanda Young, Young, Biden Organizations: Tax, Social, Service, American, Management, Social Security, Federal, Aid, Republican, Republicans, Democratic, —, GOP, Security

☆ Monetary vs. fiscal policy: How each works and their impact on the stock market
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +17 min

In contrast, monetary policy refers to actions taken by a country's authority on money — the Federal Reserve in the U.S. — to reach a desired economic outcome. Fiscal policy and monetary policy are implemented independently, even as one impacts the other. Expansionary fiscal policy combined with contractionary monetary policy. Contractionary fiscal policy combined with expansionary monetary policy. Now consider a situation in which the Fed is easing its monetary policy while Washington raises taxes, thus reducing after-tax income.

Persons: it's, we've, Apple, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim Organizations: Federal, White House, nab, Federal Reserve, U.S, CNBC, Treasury, Fed, Companies, Jim Cramer's Charitable Locations: U.S, Washington

☆ Biden Portrays Next Phase of Economic Agenda as Middle-Class Lifeline
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. Biden offered a blitz of policies squarely targeting the middle class, including efforts to make housing more affordable for first-time home buyers. The president used his speech to try and differentiate his economic proposals with those supported by Republicans, including former President Donald J. Trump. Those proposals have largely centered on cutting taxes, rolling back the Biden administration’s investments in clean energy and gutting the Internal Revenue Service. Many of Mr. Biden’s policy proposals would require acts of Congress and hinge on Democrats winning control of the House and the Senate. From taxes and housing to inflation and consumer protection, Mr. Biden had his eye on pocketbook issues.

Persons: Biden, Donald J Organizations: Republicans, Trump, Biden, Internal Revenue Service

But Mr. Li maintained that China was on the right track. China had “withstood external pressures and overcome internal hardships,” Mr. Li told the National People’s Congress, a Communist Party controlled body that approves laws and budgets. “The economy is generally rebounding.”The National People’s Congress, a choreographed weeklong event, typically focuses on the government’s near-term initiatives, especially economic objectives. China’s growth goal, and the ways that the government is attempting to achieve it, are under intense international scrutiny this year. Communist Party leaders are trying to restore confidence in China’s long-term prospects and to harness new drivers of growth, such as clean energy and electric vehicles.

Persons: Li, ” Mr, Li’s Organizations: Stock, National People’s Congress, Communist Party, People’s Congress Locations: China

Customers look at appliances for sale at a Best Buy store in Miami, Florida, Oct. 8, 2021. However, the machine broke for the same reason again a few months later, and then again shortly after that. After the mechanic's third visit, Rathner said he told her, "You need to stop calling me and just buy a new dryer. watch nowHomeowners spend about 34% more on appliances than they did 15 years ago, "above and beyond inflation," Tomalak said. "Homeowners are purchasing appliances with more bells and whistles, but which become obsolete sooner and have more aspects to repair versus appliances years ago," he said.

Persons: Joe Raedle, Sara Rathner didn't, Rathner, Todd Tomalak, Tomalak, Brian Laung Aoaeh, Aoaeh Organizations: Getty, Finance, Zonda Media, Refashiond Ventures Locations: Miami , Florida, Richmond , Virginia, New York

☆ The Best Markets for First-Time Home Buyers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Michael Kolomatsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In a market with high prices, low inventory and high mortgage interest rates, no one faces a steeper uphill climb than first-time home buyers. Generally, they have lower incomes and are younger, meaning they’ve had less time to build good credit and amass a down payment. In all, 2,738 markets within the 100 largest U.S. metro areas (with populations of more than 5,000) were considered. For geographic diversity, the top 10 list was limited to one market per metro area. The median home price in each of the top 10 markets was below $300,000 — less than the national median of about $380,000 — and in four of the 10, it was below $200,000.

☆ Everyday investors are feeling good about the market again
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Retail investors are optimistic about the stock market again despite a backdrop of geopolitical and economic uncertainty. CNN’s Fear & Greed Index, which measures seven barometers of market sentiment, closed at an “extreme greed” reading on Thursday. Unsurprisingly, investors are largely bullish on artificial intelligence-related stocks over the next three months, according to the Schwab survey. The job market has also stayed remarkably strong even as interest rates hover around a 23-year high, helping keep recession worries at bay. About 48% of traders believe the US will likely avoid a recession this year, up from 23% last quarter, according to the Schwab survey.

Persons: Charles Schwab, Schwab, ”, James Kostulias, stoking, Anna Bahney, —, Lawrence Yun, Read, Henri Nestlé, Wegovy, Hanna Ziady, Mark Schneider, ” Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Retail, “, Dow Jones, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal, National Association of Realtors, NAR Locations: New York, United Kingdom, Japan, Washington, Swiss

☆ Existing home sales rose 3% to start the year, but higher mortgage rates are already hurting
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sales of previously owned homes rose 3.1% in January to 4 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, according to the National Association of Realtors. The count is based on closings, so the contracts were likely signed in November and December, when mortgage interest rates backed off their October high of 8%. "Listings were modestly higher, and home buyers are taking advantage of lower mortgage rates compared to late last year." While lower mortgage rates helped boost January sales, today's higher rates are already once again weighing on the market. Correction: The 32% all-cash share of January 2024 home sales was up from 29% in January 2023.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, Yun, It's Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Mortgage News, NAR, Redfin

☆ Home sales and prices rose in January as eager homebuyers returned to the market
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

January is usually a sleepier month for home sales, but prices reached a record high for the month. First time homebuyers face steep challengesIn January the share of first-time home buyers dropped to 28%, falling under a healthy market share of 30%. In addition to rising mortgage rates, elevated prices and still stubbornly low inventory levels, first-time homebuyers are facing steep competition from other buyers. Homeowners with ultra low rates are unwilling to sell and buy a home during a time of higher prevailing market rates. And while a drop of rates in December and January boosted sales, rising rates may cool buyer’s interest even as the spring selling season is underway.

Persons: —, ”, Lawrence Yun, Yun Organizations: DC CNN —, National Association of Realtors, NAR, “ Locations: Washington, Boston, Carolinas

☆ Millennials have been priced out of buying homes, and are venting that they can't afford rent either
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewFirst millennials were priced out of buying homes, and now they can't even afford their rent. In another recent video, Ora Hardesty tearfully said that for the first time ever she wouldn't be able to afford rent. "I don't have a lot of lavish things, I don't go on vacations, and I don't spend a lot." Rents are higher than ever, and millions of millennials are spending the majority of their paychecks on their housing. AdvertisementAccording to real-estate experts, millennials are in a perfect storm, tackling a slew of financial woes at once.

Persons: —, Kaitlin Murray, she'd, it's, Ora Hardesty, Alana Lindsay, Coldwell Banker Warburg, Omer Reiner, Rashi Malhotra, Lee Davenport, Whoopi, Whoopi Goldberg Organizations: Service, Business, Coldwell Banker, BI Locations: Boston, New York, Savannah , Georgia, United States

☆ Homeownership gap between Black and White owners is worse now than a decade ago
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Black homeownership rate saw a modest annual uptick to 44.1% in 2022 from 44% in 2021, but remains significantly behind the White homeownership rate of 72%, the report found. A stubborn racial homeownership gapEven with some improvement in the Black homeownership rate, the change has done little to close the yawning gap between Black and White homeownership. Over the past decade, the gap between the two groups’ homeownership rates has worsened, expanding from 27 points to 28 points. Other states with high Black homeownership rates include South Carolina and Delaware, each at 55%. Plus, the median household income for Black Americans was $47,800 in 2022, while the median income for White Americans was $75,700.

Persons: Sharan White, Jenkins, “, ”, ” White, Black, homeownership, Jessica Lautz, Black homebuyers, ” Lautz Organizations: DC CNN, National Association of Realtors, American, Survey, Census Bureau, NAR, Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, Black, White Locations: Washington, Jamaica, Queens, New York City, Virginia, Brooklyn, Queens , New York, Wyoming, North Dakota, Mississippi, Black, South Carolina, Delaware

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