Geek's Number Talk: The Honeymoon is Over

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According to a new report from Redfin, average monthly mortgage payments are up 39% over just one year ago — a record spike — while interest rates are at their highest mark in more than a decade. But while median sales and asking prices are still rising, home searches, touring activity, and mortgage applications are all in decline, indicating a slowing market as buyers take pause. Get more numbers from Forbes.

Chic vs. Geek: Gaming the Rates

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With interest rates soaring, how can buyers keep their mortgage payments manageable?

CHIC (PEARL)

If you want to reduce the burden of interest, the best thing to do is pay off your mortgage as quickly as possible. That could mean making a higher down payment or devoting any unbudgeted income to reducing your principal. Turn your side hustle from a money maker to a money saver!

GEEK (KEVIN)

If you don’t have a lot of extra cash lying around, congratulations! You’re officially the average homebuyer. But you can’t let the uncertainty of interest rates dictate when and how you make an offer on a home you want. And there’s no guarantee that rates won’t keep rising!

Geek's Number Talk: Gallons of Savings

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Did you know? Californians use an average of 196 gallons of water per day, and I guarantee most of us don’t drink more than half a gallon a day. So where does all that other water go?

Well, at least half our household water is used outdoors, so we can start by following the mandate from the County to cut our lawn watering down to two days a week. It’s also important to check your house for leaks, which cost the average American household 27 to 90 gallons of water each day.

Get more tips for reaching your 15% reduction goal.