Mortgage rate trends this week
Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates came down again this week, from 6.89% last week, to an average of 6.87%. “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage continued to inch down this week, reaching its lowest level thus far in 2025," says Sam Khater, chief economist at housing giant Freddie Mac. “Recent mortgage rate stability is benefitting potential buyers, as purchase demand is stronger than this time last year. This is an indication that a thaw in buyer activity could be on the horizon.”
Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates came down again this week, from 6.89% last week, to an average of 6.87%. “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage continued to inch down this week, reaching its lowest level thus far in 2025," says Sam Khater, chief economist at housing giant Freddie Mac. “Recent mortgage rate stability is benefitting potential buyers, as purchase demand is stronger than this time last year. This is an indication that a thaw in buyer activity could be on the horizon.”
Scott Galloway, Ramit Sethi dispel money myths
Scott Galloway, a serial entrepreneur and NYU professor, recently interviewed Ramit Sethi, bestselling author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” on his podcast "The Prof G Show". The two experts set out to dispel common financial myths that can hold Americans back from realizing their wealth goals. For example, when asked whether owning a home is essential for “being rich,” Sethi replied, “no, not necessarily.” His unconventional advice for achieving wealth deviates from mainstream financial guidance and popular belief. Nearly 40% of Americans believe real estate is the best long-term investment, yet Sethi, a self-proclaimed multi-millionaire, doesn’t own a home. So, what gives? This topic is just one of many Sethi addresses — so here are three tips that can be gleaned from his hour-long chat with fellow finance celeb Scott Galloway.
Scott Galloway, a serial entrepreneur and NYU professor, recently interviewed Ramit Sethi, bestselling author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” on his podcast "The Prof G Show". The two experts set out to dispel common financial myths that can hold Americans back from realizing their wealth goals. For example, when asked whether owning a home is essential for “being rich,” Sethi replied, “no, not necessarily.” His unconventional advice for achieving wealth deviates from mainstream financial guidance and popular belief. Nearly 40% of Americans believe real estate is the best long-term investment, yet Sethi, a self-proclaimed multi-millionaire, doesn’t own a home. So, what gives? This topic is just one of many Sethi addresses — so here are three tips that can be gleaned from his hour-long chat with fellow finance celeb Scott Galloway.
CA senior wants to live to see lost home rebuilt
On Jan. 7, Karen Bagnard of Pasadena Village, California, didn't realize the wildfires were so close to her home. The 79-year-old sat in the dark, waiting for the power to come back on, until her phone rang. “My daughter said, ‘Mom, do you realize there’s a fire?’” Bagnard, who is legally blind, told CNBC. “I had no idea there was a fire.” At that point, the Eaton fire was far enough away that she thought her home would be safe. But as it neared, Bagnard and her 32-year-old grandson, who lives with her, decided to leave. She thought evacuation would be temporary, but it was the last time she would step foot in her home of nearly 50 years — the place where she raised her children as a single mom. The next day, her daughter and grandson returned to find a pile of smoldering rubble. “They brought a chair for me, and I sat in the driveway, and what I could see was just the land,” Bagnard said of the scene. “I started looking at it in terms of, ‘How would we rebuild?’”
On Jan. 7, Karen Bagnard of Pasadena Village, California, didn't realize the wildfires were so close to her home. The 79-year-old sat in the dark, waiting for the power to come back on, until her phone rang. “My daughter said, ‘Mom, do you realize there’s a fire?’” Bagnard, who is legally blind, told CNBC. “I had no idea there was a fire.” At that point, the Eaton fire was far enough away that she thought her home would be safe. But as it neared, Bagnard and her 32-year-old grandson, who lives with her, decided to leave. She thought evacuation would be temporary, but it was the last time she would step foot in her home of nearly 50 years — the place where she raised her children as a single mom. The next day, her daughter and grandson returned to find a pile of smoldering rubble. “They brought a chair for me, and I sat in the driveway, and what I could see was just the land,” Bagnard said of the scene. “I started looking at it in terms of, ‘How would we rebuild?’”
NYC Bodegas struggle as egg costs soar
The bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, affectionately known as the BEC, is a staple for many New Yorkers. It has inspired its own Instagram account, dozens of Reddit threads, and many a friendly argument about which bodega or deli has the best BEC. For Baruch College junior Paz Moran, it's her go-to lunch to grab between classes. “Right between classes,” Moran told NY1 reporters. “A little lunch break, that’s what we get.” But Moran has had to think a little harder about whether that perfect balance of melty cheese, bacon and egg is worth the cost. That's because as egg prices soar, so does the cost of New York's favorite sandwich. Francisco Marte, president of the Bodega and Small Business Association and owner of Green Deli in the Bronx, says he had to raise the price of his BEC from $4.50 to $6.00. And he’s not happy about it. “It’s hard,” Marte explained. “And it’s especially hard for the community, the low-income community. The eggs and the milk are some of the products people most use.”
The bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, affectionately known as the BEC, is a staple for many New Yorkers. It has inspired its own Instagram account, dozens of Reddit threads, and many a friendly argument about which bodega or deli has the best BEC. For Baruch College junior Paz Moran, it's her go-to lunch to grab between classes. “Right between classes,” Moran told NY1 reporters. “A little lunch break, that’s what we get.” But Moran has had to think a little harder about whether that perfect balance of melty cheese, bacon and egg is worth the cost. That's because as egg prices soar, so does the cost of New York's favorite sandwich. Francisco Marte, president of the Bodega and Small Business Association and owner of Green Deli in the Bronx, says he had to raise the price of his BEC from $4.50 to $6.00. And he’s not happy about it. “It’s hard,” Marte explained. “And it’s especially hard for the community, the low-income community. The eggs and the milk are some of the products people most use.”
Atlanta driver scammed by ‘water boys’ in heist
A Buckhead, Georgia resident was driving through Atlanta one evening when he was approached by a group of "water boys" — young men who sell drinks at busy intersections. The driver rolled down his window to donate, and that’s when the trouble began. "When I opened up my Cash App, they saw my balance had like $12,000 in there," the driver told Fox5Atlanta under the condition of anonymity. "Before he even finished telling me the full Cash App name, he grabbed it." the driver said, referring to one of the water boys. When the victim got out of the car to try to get his phone back, another one of the water boys jumped in his vehicle and drove away in the Range Rover. The harrowing ordeal only got worse from there, and the victim has an important warning for others to avoid a similar situation.
A Buckhead, Georgia resident was driving through Atlanta one evening when he was approached by a group of "water boys" — young men who sell drinks at busy intersections. The driver rolled down his window to donate, and that’s when the trouble began. "When I opened up my Cash App, they saw my balance had like $12,000 in there," the driver told Fox5Atlanta under the condition of anonymity. "Before he even finished telling me the full Cash App name, he grabbed it." the driver said, referring to one of the water boys. When the victim got out of the car to try to get his phone back, another one of the water boys jumped in his vehicle and drove away in the Range Rover. The harrowing ordeal only got worse from there, and the victim has an important warning for others to avoid a similar situation.
Can you stop unwanted development in a village?
The 150 English residents of Huntingfield, Suffolk were initially delighted when they heard that an old gothic farmhouse — that had been in disrepair for decades — was getting revamped. The initial application to fix up the farm described plans for a "rural retreat" which Lorraine Brennan, a village resident, fully approved of. “We thought the idea of a rural retreat would be a really good thing for the village," she told New York Post. The only problem is, things did not quite go as planned. "In December 2024, we were told they want to turn it into an entertainment center. It will be larger than our village,” Brennan said. The new proposed venue would be a $37,000 per night wedding venue, which villagers are concerned would create many issues in the small area. The big question now is, can they stop the development — and can others who are facing similar challenges with developers fight to protect the character of their villages and towns in the United States?
The 150 English residents of Huntingfield, Suffolk were initially delighted when they heard that an old gothic farmhouse — that had been in disrepair for decades — was getting revamped. The initial application to fix up the farm described plans for a "rural retreat" which Lorraine Brennan, a village resident, fully approved of. “We thought the idea of a rural retreat would be a really good thing for the village," she told New York Post. The only problem is, things did not quite go as planned. "In December 2024, we were told they want to turn it into an entertainment center. It will be larger than our village,” Brennan said. The new proposed venue would be a $37,000 per night wedding venue, which villagers are concerned would create many issues in the small area. The big question now is, can they stop the development — and can others who are facing similar challenges with developers fight to protect the character of their villages and towns in the United States?
As Bird Flu Worsens, Egg Prices Soar
For nearly four years, avian influenza has ravaged poultry farms across the U.S., forcing farmers to cull entire flocks and sending egg prices soaring. In Union County, North Carolina, Alex Simpson, president of Simpson’s Eggs, has watched the crisis unfold with growing concern. “We just can’t get ahead of it no matter what we do,” he told CBS affiliate WBTV. "We pray about it every day. It's a big fear." So far, Simpson has avoided an outbreak at his farm, home to 1.6 million hens producing around 1.2 million eggs daily, but not without radical interventions. He and his fellow poultry farmers are on the front line of a costly disease.
For nearly four years, avian influenza has ravaged poultry farms across the U.S., forcing farmers to cull entire flocks and sending egg prices soaring. In Union County, North Carolina, Alex Simpson, president of Simpson’s Eggs, has watched the crisis unfold with growing concern. “We just can’t get ahead of it no matter what we do,” he told CBS affiliate WBTV. "We pray about it every day. It's a big fear." So far, Simpson has avoided an outbreak at his farm, home to 1.6 million hens producing around 1.2 million eggs daily, but not without radical interventions. He and his fellow poultry farmers are on the front line of a costly disease.
Customers fight back against repair shop lawsuits
How many times have you skimmed over a contract before accepting the terms and conditions? Most people don’t have the time or patience to read them in full, but it may be time to start paying more attention. Denver7 Investigates reported that Acme Revival, an electronics repair shop in Denver, filed more than 85 lawsuits against customers over “device abandonment.” While the company has settled with dozens of customers, dozens more have had their cases heard in Jefferson County court. And one customer has counter-sued in a New Jersey court, alleging fraudulent business practices. “Well, I will first say that these aren’t customers. Customers pay,” Logan Beck, Acme Revival’s CEO, told Denver7 Investigates, claiming that 30% to 40% of customers were delinquent on payments. “It’s called Acme Revival. We’re trying to revive electronics, not dispose of them.” Some customers, however, have a different point of view. Florida resident Glenn Weber sent a pair of $300 binoculars to Acme Revival for repair and racked up a $5,000 ‘storage’ fee. “I said ‘I’m not going to pay them. This is insane,’” he told Denver7 Investigates Florida. Here’s why the business is clashing with so many of its customers.
How many times have you skimmed over a contract before accepting the terms and conditions? Most people don’t have the time or patience to read them in full, but it may be time to start paying more attention. Denver7 Investigates reported that Acme Revival, an electronics repair shop in Denver, filed more than 85 lawsuits against customers over “device abandonment.” While the company has settled with dozens of customers, dozens more have had their cases heard in Jefferson County court. And one customer has counter-sued in a New Jersey court, alleging fraudulent business practices. “Well, I will first say that these aren’t customers. Customers pay,” Logan Beck, Acme Revival’s CEO, told Denver7 Investigates, claiming that 30% to 40% of customers were delinquent on payments. “It’s called Acme Revival. We’re trying to revive electronics, not dispose of them.” Some customers, however, have a different point of view. Florida resident Glenn Weber sent a pair of $300 binoculars to Acme Revival for repair and racked up a $5,000 ‘storage’ fee. “I said ‘I’m not going to pay them. This is insane,’” he told Denver7 Investigates Florida. Here’s why the business is clashing with so many of its customers.
Seattle senior says he was scammed out of $435,000
A Seattle man says he was conned out of over $400,000 after he was convinced his home was in need of urgent repairs. The man, who only wanted to be identified by his first name David, was one of the victims in a recent case against two brothers who pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges and were sentenced to 18 months in prison, according to KOMO News. It all started when the man received a knock on his door. “They told me they had seen a hole in my roof and it needed to be repaired,” David explained to the local broadcaster in a story published Jan. 26. “I said, ‘That can’t be, the roofing is roughly two years old.’ They did exactly what they’re good at and that’s convincing you something needs to be done and they are going to do it, whether I want it or not." Over several weeks, KOMO News says David paid the two men $435,000 through checks and a wire transfer for repairs that he believes his home may not have needed. The Department of Justice identified the brothers in the federal case as Patrick and Matthew McDonagh. Here’s the story, along with tips on how homeowners can protect themselves.
A Seattle man says he was conned out of over $400,000 after he was convinced his home was in need of urgent repairs. The man, who only wanted to be identified by his first name David, was one of the victims in a recent case against two brothers who pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges and were sentenced to 18 months in prison, according to KOMO News. It all started when the man received a knock on his door. “They told me they had seen a hole in my roof and it needed to be repaired,” David explained to the local broadcaster in a story published Jan. 26. “I said, ‘That can’t be, the roofing is roughly two years old.’ They did exactly what they’re good at and that’s convincing you something needs to be done and they are going to do it, whether I want it or not." Over several weeks, KOMO News says David paid the two men $435,000 through checks and a wire transfer for repairs that he believes his home may not have needed. The Department of Justice identified the brothers in the federal case as Patrick and Matthew McDonagh. Here’s the story, along with tips on how homeowners can protect themselves.
Man faced new fines for boat he no longer owned
In 2019, Pinellas County resident John Fleming sold his 31-foot sailboat, Shenanigans — a boat he once sailed on his own from North Carolina to Tampa. But when Hurricane Helene came along in 2024, it washed Fleming's old boat ashore onto the Dunedin Causeway, west of Tampa on Florida’s gulf coast. The boat has since become a tourist attraction. Visitors to the area like to stop and take pictures of it, and a nearby restaurant even posted a sign on it advertising cold beer. However, because it poses a safety issue, the boat can’t stay put. Once local officials got wind of where the boat was, Fleming received a notice of violation from Pinellas County stating that the 11,000-pound boat he no longer owns needed to be removed. Despite showing the bill of sale for the boat, Fleming was told by the county that removing it is still his responsibility. "I'm shocked," Fleming told NBC News Channel 8. "It’s unbelievable that this could happen."
In 2019, Pinellas County resident John Fleming sold his 31-foot sailboat, Shenanigans — a boat he once sailed on his own from North Carolina to Tampa. But when Hurricane Helene came along in 2024, it washed Fleming's old boat ashore onto the Dunedin Causeway, west of Tampa on Florida’s gulf coast. The boat has since become a tourist attraction. Visitors to the area like to stop and take pictures of it, and a nearby restaurant even posted a sign on it advertising cold beer. However, because it poses a safety issue, the boat can’t stay put. Once local officials got wind of where the boat was, Fleming received a notice of violation from Pinellas County stating that the 11,000-pound boat he no longer owns needed to be removed. Despite showing the bill of sale for the boat, Fleming was told by the county that removing it is still his responsibility. "I'm shocked," Fleming told NBC News Channel 8. "It’s unbelievable that this could happen."