Economy
Harlow Srain contacted more than 200 San Francisco landlords and property managers seeking a rent discount. None lowered the price as rising AI wealth and scarce vacancies intensified the city’s housing squeeze.
Economy
A Utah startup is pitching employer-funded homebuying help as a workplace benefit. The assistance can be valuable, but workers should understand what happens to employer contributions, referrals and savings if they leave their job.
Economy
A 7% mortgage rate is not historically unusual, but today it sits on homes that cost far more relative to household income. Higher prices, insurance, taxes and down-payment barriers are turning ordinary borrowing rates into an extraordinary family-budget burden.
Economy
A 7.5% mortgage rate in 2026 can impose a heavier affordability burden than 18.45% did in 1981 because home prices have far outpaced household incomes. Down payments, reduced tax advantages, mortgage lock-in and housing shortages have further weakened access to homeownership.