Author: josh
As professor Joseph Stiglitz sees it, AI is not just another technology wave—it’s a force that can erode jobs and hardwire a new era of inequality. That is, unless governments and institutions deliberately push it in a different direction. AI lets firms strip labor out of production, concentrate profits at the top, and push the risks of transition onto workers and the public—exactly the trajectory the Nobel laureate warns about in his 2024 book, the recently reissued The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society. Now, the economics professor argued in a recent interview with Fortune, AI is emerging…
In This Article Mortgage rates have hit their lowest levels in three years, and while that should be a cause for celebration from prospective homebuyers, it hasn’t translated into greater sales. In fact, it could trigger the opposite: a greater affordability crisis. According to brokerage and listings site Redfin, 13.7% of homes that went under contract in January fell through—the highest share ever recorded for that month. There are two main reasons for this. First, it’s a buyer’s market, so they can afford to pick and choose. However, the second reason has greater repercussions for investors: financial insecurity. Many buyers…
In This Article As if house prices and insurance weren’t expensive enough, throw soaring property taxes in the mix, and you have the holy trinity of unaffordability, eating into cash flow like termites into untreated wet wood. According to a recent analysis by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, cited by CBS News, the median property tax bill in the U.S. rose 30% between 2019 and 2024. However, there is a vast discrepancy between states. WalletHub reports that the average American household now pays roughly $3,119 a year in property taxes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with effective rates over…
If you know these 10 things before you start investing in real estate, you’ll reach financial freedom faster, make more money with fewer rentals, and keep your stress levels in check. But if you don’t, you’ll learn them the hard way, as many investors do.These are the 10 things we wish someone had told us before we started buying rental properties.If you’re like most beginners, you’ve probably got a big goal: 50 rentals in 5 years so that you can be financially free by 30, 40, or 50! Or, you think you’ll buy a handful of rental properties, turn on…
It’s the second vote in as many days, after the Senate defeated a similar measure along party lines. Lawmakers are confronting the sudden reality of representing wary Americans in wartime and all that entails — with lives lost, dollars spent and alliances tested by a president’s unilateral decision to go to war with Iran. While the tally in the House, 212-219, was expected to be tight, the outcome provided a clarifying snapshot of political support for, and opposition to, the U.S.-Israel military operation and Trump’s rationale for bypassing Congress, which alone has the power to declare war. At the Capitol, the conflict has quickly carried echoes…
If you deal with indoor allergies, you know how frustrating it can be when symptoms flare up. Sneezing in your own bedroom or waking up congested isn’t just annoying, it can affect your sleep, productivity, and overall comfort. It doesn’t matter if you live in a house in Portland, OR, or are moving to a condo in Atlanta, GA, allergens are everywhere. The good news is that with a few smart changes and consistent habits, you can create a space that feels noticeably fresher and healthier. This Redfin article breaks down practical tips on how to reduce indoor allergies in…
Older homes have charm you can’t easily recreate, from original hardwood floors to detailed trim work. But behind those beautiful features, aging plumbing and foundations can quietly increase the risk of costly water issues. Whether you’re paying off a mortgage or just maintaining your investment, water damage prevention matters even more in older properties. A small leak that goes unnoticed for a few hours can quickly turn into warped floors, mold growth, or structural repairs. The good news is most problems give warning signs, and many are completely preventable. This Redfin article shows how homeowners can stay ahead of water…
Key Takeaways: A counteroffer means negotiations are still active. It’s an opportunity to refine terms and move closer to a deal. Review the entire contract, not just the price. Timelines, contingencies, and credits all affect the outcome. A knowledgeable buyer’s agent can help you evaluate risk, understand market conditions, and respond strategically. Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, and negotiations are where deals truly take shape. When a seller comes back with a counteroffer, it’s a signal worth paying attention to: they’re still at the table, just asking for different terms. For buyers, this…
If you’re ready to buy a home, you may be wondering: do you actually need a preapproval letter before submitting an offer? It’s a common question — especially in fast-moving markets where timing matters. The short answer is yes, you can technically make an offer without mortgage preapproval. There’s no rule preventing you from doing so. However, in most real-world scenarios, submitting an offer without a preapproval letter significantly weakens your position and may cause sellers to reject your offer outright. Today’s sellers want certainty. When reviewing offers, they’re not just looking at price — they’re evaluating the likelihood that…
In This Article Real estate trends usually announce themselves loudly. There’s a new buzzword, a viral tweet, a flood of “this is the next big thing” posts. Monthly rentals arrived quietly. They just kept getting booked, month after month, while most of the conversation stayed focused on short-term versus long-term rentals. Over the last several years, furnished monthly rentals (stays of 28 days or more) have quietly grown into a meaningful part of the U.S. rental market. This is a third lane that solves a unique problem, acting as a supplement to existing strategies. When you look at the data,…