A toxic mix of surging rental rates and vanishing support for renters has catapulted evictions above pre-pandemic levels in some major cities.

Evictions have increased most significantly in Sun Belt cities where housing affordability has worsened and where renters often have fewer protections.

Tenant eviction filings are well above the pre-Covid average in Gainesville, Florida (+46%); Las Vegas (+43%); Houston (+42%); Phoenix (+35%); Nashville, Tennessee (+31%); and Fort Worth, Texas (+25%), according to records tracked by the Eviction Lab at Princeton University.

Experts blame a combination of higher rent, the expiration of Covid-era protections and policies that make it easier for landlords to evict tenants in some cities and states.

For the past two years, potential homebuyers have faced a double whammy of high prices and high mortgage rates.

But a recent report from real estate marketplace, Zillow, found that nearly one in four home sellers offered price cuts in June.

That’s the highest level for that month since 2018.

Also, the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell this week to its lowest level since mid-March.

This, along with a jump in new home construction and the expectation the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates in September, could make buying a home more affordable in the future. (CNN)

Let’s hope so!

 

It’s an effort to stay in touch with distant relatives.

You just don’t have the intimacy with them and their kids.

And you miss many of each other’s significant events.

One of our sons and his wife had airline tickets to visit us last week.

The big power outage caused them to have to rent a car and drive for eight hours.

Their effort was greatly appreciated by our entire family.

It’s expensive, both in time and money. for either party to visit the other.

But, it’s important to maintain and enrich the relationship and to encourage the next generation to follow.

Although FACETIME enables both parties to see each other, it doesn’t replace an in-person visit.

Reciprocal visits can keep your relationship maintained and nurtured.

If not today, when?

It’s important to thank them while they are still available.

None of us have had accomplishments without the help of others.

I wish my dad was still alive.

He was the best role model anyone could ever hope for.

My spouse has blessed me in so many innumerable ways.

Dr. Roy Klages was the Marketing professor who sent me to a meeting where I met my future wife.

Who has made a difference in your life?

Yep, they’re beginning to be installed in Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama.

According to the American Rounds website, the distributor of the machines, AI technology scans the customer’s ID and facial recognition.

It can then verify the customer’s identity.

People objecting to the machines said that human workers, unlike vending machines, can evaluate the mental and emotional state of a customer. (CNN)

Well, there you have it, ammo available 24/7.

It was a good match from the start.

We were both 22 years old.

We had the same religion.

We both just graduated from college.

Both of our parents stayed together…

… “Till death do us part.”

We both wanted children.

We made major decisions together.

A piece of advice: If you have a disagreement today, it does not ever come up again.

We are both very grateful for this blessed day!

It was a good match from the start.

We were both 22 years old.

We had the same religion.

We both just graduated from college.

Both of our parents stayed together…

… “Till death do us part.”

We both wanted children.

We made major decisions together.

A piece of advice: If you have a disagreement today, it does not ever come up again.

We are both very grateful for this blessed day!

Some people light up the room.

It begins with a smile.

I was getting physical therapy this morning.

A therapist came out of an adjoining room and gave me a wonderful, big smile.

When I told her she had a great smile, she said it was her mother’s smile.

I would describe her as a sunshine person.

We need more smiles, fewer frowns and less anger.

Are you or will you become a sunshine person?

We need you!

If not today, when?

It’s a national epidemic!

It’s not supposed to be that way.

Where is dad?

Single parenthood is a mighty burden for moms.

They are one of the most disadvantaged groups in the U.S.

Thirty percent of their families live under the poverty line.

Can you imagine the daily life of a single mom?

They usually work outside their home, manage a household, provide for their child/children

and try to have a life.

Please reach out to a single mom you know.

If not today, when?

It’s a national epidemic!

It’s not supposed to be that way.

Where is dad?

Single parenthood is a mighty burden for moms.

They are one of the most disadvantaged groups in the U.S.

Thirty percent of their families live under the poverty line.

Can you imagine the daily life of a single mom?

It is a grossly unfair existence.

They usually work outside their home, manage a household, provide for their child/children and try to have a life.

Please reach out to a single mom you know.

If not today, when?