Author: Brad Beckett

We have had a lot of great posts about cybercrime and security.  Today’s graphic from informationisbeautiful.net illustrates the most common 4-digit PIN codes form 3.4 million data points visualized from several data breaches.  As always, stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip to informationisbeautiful.net.

According to Zillow’s 2026 housing market forecast, Hartford, Connecticut is the hottest U.S. market, dethroning Buffalo, New York after two years at number one. In Hartford, home prices grew faster than in any other major metro in 2025 and are expected to continue rising in 2026, albeit slightly more slowly.  Buffalo ranks second, with strong competition and seller advantages, while the New York metro area is third.  Other top-ranked markets include Providence and San Jose. Zillow’s model factors in recent price growth, expected future growth, market competition, and job growth relative to new housing. Overall, Zillow forecasts modest national home-value increases…

A recent Daily-Download chart from HousingWire breaks down mortgages by interest rate to illustrate the percentage of homes in each bracket – i.e. more people have 6% than 3% or lower.  Even though the data is from 2025, it helps explain why there is a large block of homeowners staying put and holding onto their houses… HousingWire’s Daily Download.

Realtor.com says buying that first home is a milestone filled with a variety of meanings for young Americans. Not only does it mean striking out on your own, but it also means investing in your financial future and finding the place where your family will grow. They say choosing where to buy that first home is an essential first step toward building wealth and achieving your desired lifestyle.  Indeed….that’s why they put pen to paper to identify the 10 best markets for first-time homebuyers in 2026.  They looked at metrics such as affordability, availability, and amenities – along with the economic…

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis is reporting that America’s real gross domestic product increased 4.4% nationally AND in 50 states & DC in Q3 2025 – with the percent change ranging from 6.5% at an annual rate in Kansas to .4% in North Dakota.  In addition, personal income increased in all 50 states &DC in Q3 2025. Current-dollar personal income increased at an annual rate of 3.3% and ranged from 6.3% in Kansas to .1% in Louisiana. Click here to read the full report at the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

According to recent data from the Tax Foundation, 44 states levy a corporate income tax with top rates ranging from a 2% flat rate in North Carolina to an 11.5% top marginal rate in New Jersey. Interestingly, four of those states (Georgia, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania) actually reduced their corporate income tax rates effective January 1, 2026.  Their recent report takes a deep-dive into these taxes as well as the rates & brackets as well as any notable changes for 2026. Click here to read the full report at the Tax Foundation.

The latest S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has reported a 1.4% annual increase for November, 2025.  Their 10-City Composite posted 2% increase year-over-year and their 20-City Composite posted a 1.4% year-over-year increase.  They say the housing market has entered a period of tepid growth: “High mortgage rates continue to cast a long shadow over housing…Thirty-year loan rates hovered in the mid-6% range during November, weighing on affordability even as they eased slightly from recent peaks. This elevated financing cost continues to cap home price growth. Inflation has erased most nominal gains, leaving home values essentially flat…

As you may know, there is a growing (and troubling) “tenants union” movement across the nation.  A recent news story from Cincinnati’s WCPO (TV ch 9) talks with organizers and renters who are among a group that recently joined the Cincinnati Tenants Union to negotiate a new lease with their landlord.  WCPO says their 25-page proposal calls for a 12-month rent freeze for existing tenants and prohibits pet fees and security deposits. In addition, it adopts “just-cause eviction standards” that are common in other cities but are new in Cincinnati. Tenant unions are on the rise in the U.S. because…

We have had many posts about the dangers of cybercrime and how it is perpetrated.  Today’s graphic from Statista illustrates the prevalence of cyber-enabled fraud over the past year.  Their data show phishing (vishing/smishing) which involves tricking users with an email or a voice/text message appearing to come from a trusted third party, remains the most common type of cyberattack to affect businesses.  Indeed….Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! As AI-related capabilities and vulnerabilities are accelerating at an unprecedented pace, cyber-enabled fraud continues to proliferate worldwide, with several major cybercrime cases having made the headlines recently. Hat tip to…

Local Market Monitor recently released their monthly National Economic Outlook where they share their thoughts on developments taking place in the U.S. economy. “U.S. job growth slowed significantly in December, signaling potential economic weakness ahead. Federal job cuts, losses in manufacturing and retail, and slowing healthcare hiring point to a softening labor market. With lower immigration and an aging population, the U.S. economy may face slower job creation and weaker consumer demand in 2026” Click here to read more at Local Market Monitor.