#affordability

#affordability

The average size of newly built single-family homes in the United States has stabilized in recent years after decades of steady growth. As of mid-2025, new homes average about 2,364 square feet, with a median size of around 2,125 square feet, according to U.S. Census and National Association of Home Builders data. This marks a slight decline from the mid-2010s, when new homes peaked near 2,500 square feet, reflecting shifting buyer preferences toward smaller, more affordable, and energy-efficient spaces.

Alexandria's housing market absorbed 36 homes during the week ending Nov. 7, 2025, while sellers added just 21 new listings to inventory, creating a demand ratio that contrasts sharply with broader Louisiana market conditions. The Alexandria metro's median days on market held at 80.5 days, running 18 days faster than Louisiana's statewide median of 98 days. Active inventory totaled 438 single-family homes, up from 358 properties a year earlier, while the median list price reached $235,000. Weekly absorption in Alexandria

Price adjustments dominated the Wheeling, WV-OH metro housing market in the week ending Nov. 7, 2025, with 43.9% of active listings reducing their asking prices. The market absorbed 30 homes during the same period, demonstrating buyer responsiveness when pricing aligns with expectations. The WheelingWeirtonSteubenville, WV-OH metro area maintained 355 single-family homes in active inventory, with sellers finding success through strategic pricing.

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's affordability platform is broadly popular with Americans across the U.S., new polling finds, adding evidence to the notion that politicians looking for winning ideas should consider tacking to the left. Polling of 1,133 American adults conducted by YouGov in the days surrounding Mamdani's decisive win in New York City's mayoral election finds majority support for all of the major tenets of Mamdani's platform,

If you're trying to make a PC that has similar features and similar performance, I think the Steam Machine is going to be a really competitive price to that and provide really good value to it,

In a post on his Truth Social platform in early October, he accused major builders of hoarding lots to prop up prices-likening them to OPEC, which restricts oil output to maintain high prices. "They're my friends ... but now, they can get Financing, and they have to start building Homes. They're sitting on 2 Million empty lots, A RECORD," Trump wrote. He urged Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to intervene and "get Big Homebuilders going" to "restore the American Dream."

Yes, I do, a big one.

Under the headline, Democrats Start Their Comeback, and sub-headline, A warning for the GOP from New Jersey and Virginia on affordability and Trump's unpopularity, the Journal observed that President Trump rolled to victory in 2024 promising to reduce inflation and make middle-class life more affordable. The warning to Republicans in Tuesday's election results is that Democrats are turning the tables on affordability, especially when they steer clear of leftist cultural snares.

For high-income consumers ("the haves"): Strong spending power: Wealthy consumers are buoyed by high asset prices in stocks and real estate. The market melt-up, fueled by investments in areas like artificial intelligence, has increased their net worth. Insulation from interest rates: These individuals are less affected by higher interest rates, allowing them to continue spending on both luxury items and daily goods. Confidence in the economy: Their financial confidence remains strong, leading to continued investment and consumption.

Seventy percent of the country's college graduates see their investment pay off within 10 years, but that outcome correlates strongly to the state where a student obtains their degree, according to the Strada Foundation's latest State Opportunity Index.

there's high levels of testosterone in this room.

The freewheeling New York City mayor's race has focused on a few key issues: making the city more affordable, improving public safety, navigating President Trump's second term and the war in Gaza. Zohran Mamdani, 33, the Democratic nominee, is running on a populist agenda and has a strong lead in the polls. Mr. Mamdani, a state assemblyman and democratic socialist, wants to make city buses free and enact universal child care, but has limited experience in government.

Doctors predicted Wayne Frederick, the president of Howard University, wouldn't live past 8. Now he's 54. Frederick came to the U.S. from Trinidad and Tobago with a dream of finding a cure for his disease, sickle cell anemia, but detoured into higher ed administration. At an event hosted by the American Council on Education at Howard University this week, Frederick said CRISPR gene editing, a technology developed in academia, made his dream a reality.

Not so long ago, orthodontics used to mean enduring metal braces and years of adjustments just to get that perfect smile. But that is no longer the case. Fixing your dental alignment is not just about giving you a confident smile. It is also about everything else that comes with it, including ensuring proper teeth functionality, comfort and oral health. And thanks to modern orthodontic treatments (that utilise advanced tech and precision tools), dental alignment has become quicker, simpler and more accessible than ever.

He has highlighted four signature policy proposals: universal child care, free buses, city-owned grocery stores and a rent freeze on rent-stabilized apartments. These ideas have excited New Yorkers who are worried about the soaring cost of living. But if Mr. Mamdani wins, the plans could be difficult to implement. He would have to secure support from critical stakeholders, find funding to pay for the plans and hire the right staff members to make sure they are successful.

Olive Garden, which has traditionally seen success from its annual unlimited pasta promotion, recently noticed the opposite trend: Some customers actually wanted less food. Last quarter, the restaurant chain tested a new menu section at a little less than half of its locations: smaller portions, along with reduced prices, for seven of its dinner entrees. The trial was designed to appeal to cash-conscious customers, who've been cutting eating out from their budgets, hurting restaurants' profits.

Maine has 451,090 insured homeowner households in total-250,316 with a mortgage and 200,774 without. Among mortgaged owners, 22,458 pay less than $100 annually and 7,049 pay $4,000 or more. Among those without a mortgage, 37,135 pay less than $100 and 3,840 pay $4,000 or more. When compared with nearby New England states, Maine is clearly on the affordable side. Massachusetts homeowners with a mortgage typically pay $1,500-$1,999, while Rhode Island averages the same. Connecticut is also higher, at $1,500-$1,999 for mortgaged households.