Mortgage Rate and Affordability - The report forecasts mortgage rates to average 63% in 2026 and remain stable throughout the year [2][3] - Affordability is expected to improve in 2026 due to income rising faster than home prices [4] - Home prices are projected to increase by approximately 22% in 2026, which is anticipated to be slightly below inflation and income growth [4] - The current year's average mortgage rate is about 66% [4] Home Sales and Inventory - Home sales are projected to increase by 17% in 2026, reaching approximately 41 million [5] - Inventory is expected to increase by 89%, providing buyers with more options and negotiating power [7] - Home sales hit a 30-year low in 2024 [5][6] Regional Differences - The Northeast and Midwest are expected to be the strongest markets in 2026, with sales volume and prices growing due to constrained inventory [8] - The South and West are experiencing stronger inventory recovery and new construction activity, leading to more competition among sellers and more affordable prices [9] Market Factors - Uncertainty surrounding the economy is a significant factor holding back the housing market [11] - Rates and prices are factors impacting the housing market [10] Rental Market - Rents are expected to decline slightly by 1% next year [12]

Government Initiative Analysis - The initiative provides $1,000 for every newborn between 2025 and 2028, invested in the stock market, accessible at age 18 [1][4] - Parents can add an additional $5,000 per year to the account [1] - Concerns exist whether the program primarily benefits wealthy families as a tax shelter rather than aiding low-income children [2] Program Limitations - A $1,000 initial investment may not significantly impact college savings or home down payments for struggling families [5] - The account has a 10% penalty for withdrawals not used for specified purposes and is subject to taxes, making it less attractive than other investment schemes [8] - Middle and upper-class families may find better, more tax-efficient savings vehicles [9] Proposed Improvements - Suggestions include disproportionately funding accounts for families in low-income areas or those on Medicare to close the wealth gap [6] - The account should be tax-free and grow disproportionately for families that need it most [9] - Need financing vehicles to build dense apartment complexes quickly [21] Broader Economic Context - The initiative may shift responsibility onto individuals for economic planning instead of systemic solutions [10] - Billionaire philanthropy, like Michael Dell's donation, is a "band-aid" on the larger issue of wealth and income inequality [13][15] - The current administration's policies, such as lowering tax rates for the wealthy and cutting healthcare funding, contradict the initiative's goals [12]

With the holiday season in full swing, affordability is a dominant theme. In the latest CFO Briefing, finance chiefs discuss how they are responding https://t.co/qdLgt7uRfW ...

And we're going to be giving back refunds out of the tariffs because we've taken in literally trillions of dollars and we're going to be giving uh a nice uh dividend to the people in addition to reducing debt. You won't even have income tax to pay because the money we're taking in is so great. The word affordability is a conj job by the Democrats.>> He said we stopped inflation in its tracks. Well, that's not really true. He inherited inflation at 3%.As I said, it had come way, way down. It did go down a bi ...

Now to a new poll of young voters that shows just 29% approve of the job President Trump is doing. But Democrats in the latest Harvard youth poll out this week are not fairing too well either. 27% of Gen Z voters say they approve of congressional Democrats.And joining me now, Florida Congresswoman Maxwell Frost and Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Presley. Both Democrats are hosting the Mad Soul Music and Arts Festival today in Orlando, which brings together music and political advocacy. So, welcome to yo ...

Political Landscape & Affordability Concerns - The White House is shifting its message on affordability after President Trump dismissed concerns [1] - A Democratic overperformance in Tennessee's House special election, where affordability was a key issue, indicates voter frustration [2] - Democrats improved on their 2024 margins by an average of 13 percentage points in nearly 60 special elections, driven by rising costs [2] - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is urging Democrats to focus on affordability legislation for the 2026 midterms [3] - Analysts suggest Democrats could potentially flip as many as 40 House seats in the next year [3][11] Voting Rights & Representation - The Supreme Court's decisions on racially gerrymandered maps in Texas and potential challenges to birthright citizenship raise concerns about dismantling progress [4][5][8] - Potential changes to the Voting Rights Act by the Supreme Court could lessen African-American representation in Congress [10] - Despite potential setbacks, a "blue wave" is anticipated due to Americans' belief in democracy [11][12] Healthcare & Policy - Congress has limited legislative days to address healthcare, with Republicans and bipartisan groups working on plans [13][14] - Affordability of healthcare, education, energy, and housing is highlighted as a key issue for the government to address [17]

the last one with Allieville, she starts right now. Hey, Allie. There was so much great stuff in your show tonight, but I'm important to play that Dan Bongino clip, right? Where he just says it out there. It's like, yeah, I used to have opinions that weren't based in fact, and now I'm the deputy director of the FBI, so I have to be based in fact, but one day I'll be back in that. It's like, what are you talking about? I'm taking a brief hiatus from pushing conspiracy theories for profit. That was weird. Jus ...

Joining us now is Betsy Stevenson, the former chief economist at the United States Labor Department and former uh member of the Council of Economic Adviserss both under President Obama. She's now a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan. Betsy, great to see you.Thank you for being with us. >> It's great to be here. >> Now, look, this is I I I'm bringing in a lot of an economic big deal here to answer a question that's that every American who doesn't know economics can answer. ...

South Florida faces a growing affordability problem as housing demand outstrips supply, according to Ana-Marie Codina, whose family firm develops master-planned communities in the region https://t.co/m1Pz0pYG0I ...

The issue of affordability helped spur Donald Trump to victory last year, but also helped Democrats win big in off-year elections one month ago. The latest edition of NBC News deciders focus group produced by Syracuse University and the research firms Igacius and Sego. We heard from Trump voters who cast ballots for Democrats Mikey Cheryl and Abigail Spanberger in last month's New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections.Nearly all of them say they are unhappy with how the White House is handling concern ...