A new report from Oxford Economics reveals that the housing market in the U.S. remains bleak, with soaring home prices and doubled mortgage rates leading to a significant drop in affordability, where only one-third of households can afford to buy a house. In June, home prices were 47% higher than in early 2020, and to afford a new home in Q3 2024, a household needs to earn $107,700 annually, nearly double the income required in Q3 2019. The most affordable metro areas are in the Midwest, such as Decatur, IL, Cumberland, MD, and Youngstown, OH, while the least affordable areas are in California and Honolulu, with San Jose being the least affordable where residents need an annual income of $461,000 to afford a home.
Full Article
Affirm CEO: Leaders Should Help Laid-Off Workers Pack Boxes
PayPal cofounder Max Levchin, now CEO of Affirm, shared his experience of handling layoffs with empathy, admitting to initially avoiding responsibility but later realizing the importance of being present and supportive for affected employees. Levchin believes that helping laid-off employees pack their boxes was beneficial for everyone involved and emphasized the importance of trying to avoid layoffs in the first place. His approach highlights the significance of leadership showing empathy and support during difficult times....
Read more