Author: josh

A 77-pound mountain lion set off a scramble Tuesday as it wandered through San Francisco’s wealthy Pacific Heights neighborhood before finally being captured as onlookers safely peered from their home windows or stood across the street. Dozens of officials worked to capture and tranquilize the male cat after warnings were issued advising people to slowly back away if they encountered it. The wild cat was first seen Monday morning. “It was so big … not just a regular cat,” said Madrey Hilton, who took video of the animal Monday morning and alerted authorities, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The…

A small change in your mortgage rate can add up to big money over time. On a $400,000, 30-year loan, lowering your interest rate from 7% to 6% can cut the monthly payment by almost $300 and reduce the total interest paid by tens of thousands of dollars. But refinancing comes with upfront and long-term costs that can add up, meaning lower payments alone don’t automatically make it a smart move. The real question isn’t whether you can refinance, but whether the numbers work in your favor. And that depends on how much your rate would drop, how long you…

Dave:If the housing market feels sort of hard to read right now, you are not alone. It kind of is. Some metros are loosening up, others are tightening, sellers are testing prices, and buyers are testing patients. That’s why we’re here on, on the market to help you make sense of it all. Hey everyone, I am Dave Meyer. Welcome to On the Market. I’m here with Henry, Kathy, and James to talk about the latest data and headlines from the housing market. James, how’s it going? Congratulations, Seahawks making it to the NFC finals. James:Oh yeah. My voice is…

The carrier, along with three destroyers, “is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability,” U.S. Central Command said Monday on social media. The strike group was in the Indian Ocean, Central Command said, and not in the Arabian Sea, which borders Iran. It will bring thousands of additional service members to the region, which has not had a U.S. aircraft carrier since the USS Gerald R. Ford was ordered in October to sail to the Caribbean as part of a pressure campaign on then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump told reporters last week that the ships were sent to…

In This Article Hammers at the ready! After a stagnant few years, fix-and-flipping, along with its investment cousin, BRRRR-ing, might be poised for a comeback in 2026. The perfect storm of lower interest rates, increased inventory, and access to lender funding could once again see adventurous rehabbers transform tired real estate bones into inspired homes while turning a profit.   Why 2026 Is Different The big question hovering over the real estate industry concerns interest rates. Three Federal Reserve rate cuts and optimism about continued easing have many people hoping for the return of sub-5% interest rates. While that doesn’t seem…

Figuring out how much house you can afford isn’t just about the maximum mortgage a lender approves. While preapproval sets an upper limit, true affordability depends on how that monthly payment fits into your overall finances and long-term plans. A home that looks affordable on paper can still stretch your budget if you don’t account for upfront costs, ongoing expenses, and future changes. That’s why it’s important to look beyond the loan amount and consider the full picture before setting your price range. Key factors that shape home affordability include: Your income and employment stability Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio Your…

Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is calling for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying that she believes Noem is attempting to “mislead the American public” about the fatal shooting of a 37 year-old protester in Minneapolis. The call from Rosen, a moderate from Nevada who was part of the group that helped Republicans end the 43-day government shutdown last year, comes amid a growing fury from congressional Democrats who have also vowed to block funding for the Homeland Security Department. A House resolution to launch impeachment proceedings against Noem has the support of more than 100 Democrats, but few Senate Democrats have…

Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico differed more on style than substance in their first debate for U.S. Senate in heavily Republican Texas, though they distinguished themselves somewhat on the future of ICE and impeachment of President Donald Trump. Crockett, an outspoken second-term U.S. House member, and Talarico, a more soft-spoken four-term state representative, generally echoed each other on economic issues, health care and taxes. Both called for a “fighter” in the role. Crockett, who is Black, said she was better positioned to attract disaffected Black voters, while Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian who often discusses his Christian faith, suggested he could net rural voters…

The family of a homeless man who died after a bulldozer crushed his tent last year during an encampment sweep filed a lawsuit Friday against the nonprofits involved in clearing the encampment, the second lawsuit they filed over his death. The lawsuit says Partners for HOME and SafeHouse Outreach are partly responsible for Taylor’s death because employees did not check whether Taylor, 46, was in his tent before a bulldozer was deployed to clear it, flattening his tent while he was in it and leaving blood on the street. Taylor lived in an encampment on Old Wheat Street in Atlanta, which city officials asked…

In This Article Source First (Teacher Rule!): Everything you’re about to learn comes from one textbook: Annual Report to Congress Regarding the Financial Status of the Federal Housing Administration Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (FY 2025), published by HUD and available here. Today’s lesson turns that very serious report into something easier—and more interesting — to understand. Lesson 1: FHA’s Big Piggy Bank Is Very Full Imagine the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has a giant piggy bank called the Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund. This piggy bank: Collects mortgage insurance premiums. Pays claims when borrowers can’t keep their homes. Is backed…