Iran says deal on Strait of Hormuz is close but is not enough to open the waterway

Earthship homes have gone by many names: “Star Wars” houses, hobbit huts, and even tin can shacks. But in recent years they have become better known as being among the more luxurious and unique off-grid retreats money can buy. Built from natural and recycled materials, the self-sustaining dwellings offer buyers freedom and independence from conventional…

To be fair, mortgage rates haven’t been far from their long-term highs in over a week, but today’s 30yr fixed index level of 6.83% is functionally equivalent to the actual long-term high of 6.85% seen on July 23rd.   Higher rates are driven by weakness in the bond market. The latter can happen for many reasons….

Consumers experienced an increase in their average premiums of 18% in the Northeast, 25% in the Midwest, 27% in the Southeast, and 43% in the West during that seven-year span, even when adjusted for inflation, as stated in the report that detailed data across four regional areas. In 2024, the Southeast recorded the highest average…

“Buy the worst house in the best neighborhood” has long been treated as a golden rule of real estate. The thinking is that you get access to a desirable location at a lower price. Then, as the neighborhood’s more expensive homes appreciate, yours may rise in value, too. But the cheapest house on the block…

The US Senate is scheduled to convene at 3 PM today. The upper house of Congress will be in session this week, but the summer recess will kick in at the end of the week, with Senators not scheduled to return until September 14th. As of this writing, the CLARITY Act, the vital crypto market…