Why affordable housing is important

With inflation taking its toll over the past few years, everybody is yearning to pay less for anything nowadays – from groceries and gas to tuition and health care. The same can be said of real estate, especially considering that the median home price is approximately $416,700, per the National Association of Realtors.

Where can affordable housing be found? And how is “affordable housing” defined? For answers, read my newest article for The Post and Courier, available here.

What happens if Trump privatizes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs, that support the mortgage market by buying loans from mortgage lenders, bundling them into mortgage-backed securities and selling them to investors. This increases the availability and affordability of mortgages and standardizes industry guidelines. But the Trump administration wants to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which could radically change the mortgage experience for consumers.

Check out my latest article for US News & World Report, in which I explore this hot button real estate and political topic.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 65th anniversary of Fellini's La Dolce Vita

Antonio Monda

In Cineversary podcast episode #79, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ marks the 65th anniversary of one of the crown jewels of world cinema, La Dolce Vita, directed by Federico Fellini. Accompanying him this month is filmmaker and Fellini scholar Antonio Monda, associate professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Together, they explore how the movie broke new ground, why it’s still relevant, its multiple themes, and much more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

The best ways to tap your home equity for a remodeling project

Thanks to strong home appreciation, Americans have accumulated $35 trillion in home equity, which can fund renovations and improvements that boost their home's appeal and resale value. There are several popular ways to liquidate home equity, including a home equity loan, home equity line of credit, cash-out refinance and FHA 203(k) rehab loan. Homeowners should consider each home improvement loan's pros and cons and determine which option will best meet their needs. 

Take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of using home equity to improve your property by reading my newest article for US News & World Report, available here.