Housing Affordability Crisis - Home affordability is identified as a national crisis [1] - Obvious solutions exist for this painful problem [1] Proposed Solutions - Local governments should deregulate to allow for more housing supply [1] - The Federal Reserve (The Fed) should significantly cut interest rates [1]

Economy Overview - The headline numbers of the economy look pretty good, with the stock market at record highs and more 401k millionaires than ever before [3] - The labor market shows 147,000 jobs added, which is right on average, and the unemployment rate is at 41% [4] - Inflation has been tamer than expected, with egg and gas prices decreasing, putting more money in people's pockets [5] Economic Slowdown - The economy is slowing down, with first quarter GDP growing only 05%, a significant decrease from the previous quarter's 24% [6] - This slowdown is attributed to less manufacturing, construction, and industrial production, with companies and small businesses pulling back due to tariff concerns [6] - Home affordability is a concern, with home prices at all-time highs and rising costs for buying or renting, leading to increased consumer debt and credit card APRs around 24% [7] Economic Challenges - The resumption of student loan payments is putting pressure on people's finances, leading to rising delinquencies [8] - The potential expiration of tariff freezes introduces uncertainty, with possible dramatic effects or more smoke than fire [9][10] - Cuts to subsidies, especially for lower-income individuals, Medicare, and SNAP programs, along with potential loss of healthcare, create uncertainty [11] Wealth Disparity - The widening wealth gap is a concern, as those who don't own stocks or assets like homes are being left out of the prosperity [12][13] - While half of Americans who own stocks or property are doing well, those trying to get a mortgage face rates of 66% and average home prices around $400,000 [14] - Tax cuts may have an opposite wealth effect, as those on Medicaid or SNAP may contribute less to the economy due to a lack of surplus [15][16]

Before you dive into the house hunt, having a good handle on your budget is crucial — specifically, how much you can afford to pay monthly on your mortgage payment. There are several ways to gauge this, but one of the most popular strategies is called the “28/36 rule.” This rule can help you determine how much house you can afford. The 28/36 rule when buying a home The 28/36 rule is a common guideline for determining what you can spend on a home. The rule says you should spend no more than 28% of your g ...

Taking out a mortgage is a big financial move. Not only will it result in what’s likely your biggest monthly expense to date, but if you fail to make your payments, you could even lose your house. This is why it’s critical to understand the costs of your loan before signing on that dotted line. Are you considering taking out a $300,000 mortgage? Here are the costs you should prepare for before you do. Monthly mortgage payments on a $300,000 home loan The exact cost of a mortgage for a $300,000 house dep ...