Want more housing market stories from Lance LambertsResiClubin your inbox?Subscribeto theResiClubnewsletter.When assessing home price momentum, its important to monitor active listings and months of supply. If active listings start to rapidly increase as homes remain on the market for longer periods, it may indicate potential future pricing weakness. Conversely, a rapid decline in active listings could suggest a market that is heating up.Generally speaking, local housing markets where active inventory has returned to pre-pandemic levels have experienced softer home price growth (or outright price declines) over the past three years. Conversely, local housing markets where active inventory remains far below pre-pandemic levels have generally experienced stronger home price growth over the past three years.National active listings are on the rise (up 22% between December 2023 and December 2024). This indicates that homebuyers have gained some leverage in many parts of the country over the past year, with some markets even feeling like buyers markets on the ground.However, nationally, were still below pre-pandemic active inventory levels (-15.7% below December 2019), and some resale markets still remain tightbut thats not the case anymore in many pockets of the Sun Belt and Mountain West.Here are the historic totals for December inventory/active listings, according to Realtor.com:December 2017: 1,127,799 December 2018: 1,185,865 December 2019: 1,033,887 December 2020: 612,300 (overheating during the pandemic housing boom)December 2021: 445,303 (overheating during the pandemic housing boom)December 2022: 680,925 (mortgage rate shock)December 2023: 714,176December 2024: 871,509Among the states with the biggest inventory jumps: Florida.In Florida, the biggest inventory increases initially over the past two years were concentrated in sections of Southwest Florida. In particular, in markets like Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, and Fort Myers, which were hard-hit by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. This combination of increased housing supply for salethe damaged homes coming up for salecoupled with strained demandthe result of spiked home prices, spiked mortgage rates, higher insurance premiums, and higher HOAstranslated into market softening across much of Southwest Florida.However, the inventory increases in Florida now expands far beyond SWFL. Markets like Jacksonville and Orlando are also above pre-pandemic levels, as are many coastal pockets along Floridas Atlantic Ocean side.One reason being that Floridas condo market is dealing with the after effects of regulation passed following the Surfside condo collapse in 2021. This is compounded by a slowdown in work-from-home migration to Florida and significant home insurance shocks.Back in August 2024, only four states had returned to or surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 active inventory levels. By October 2024, that number grew to eight states. In December 2024, that number was nine states: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington.States likely to join that list soon include Oregon (which surpassed pre-pandemic inventory levels in November, only to slip back under in December), Alabama, Nebraska, Hawaii, and Georgia.Click here to view an interactive of the chart below (best viewed on desktop).Why are Sun Belt and Mountain West markets seeing a faster return to pre-pandemic inventory levels than many Midwest and Northeast markets?One factor is that some pockets of the Sun Belt and Mountain West experienced even greater home price growth during the pandemic housing boom, which stretched prices too far beyond local incomes. Once pandemic-fueled migration slowed, and rates spiked, it became an issue in places like Colorado Springs and Austin.Unlike many Sun Belt housing markets, many Northeast and Midwest markets have lower levels of homebuilding. As new supply becomes available in Southwest and Southeast markets, and builders use affordability adjustments like mortgage rate buydowns to move it, it has created a cooling effect in the resale market. The Northeast and Midwest dont have that same level of new supply, so resale/existing homes are pretty much the only game in town.Big picture: Over the past few years weve observed a softening across many housing markets as strained affordability tempers the fervor of a market that was unsustainably hot during the pandemic housing boom. While home prices are falling in some areas around the Gulf, most regional housing markets are still seeing positive year-over-year home price growth. The big question going forward is whether active inventory and months of supply will continue to rise and cause more housing markets to see outright price declines?

For most of us, income is the easiest-to-understand part of your budget. You know how much you make (usually $100 shy of enough) and how often it comes in (at least a day late). Its figuring out where all income goes each month thats the hard part.But just because income is somewhat easier to keep track of than other aspects of your financial life doesnt mean you can afford to ignore it. A thorough understanding of your monthly and annual income is the foundation of a strong budget. You cant build a solid financial life without this understanding.Heres everything you need to know about your income.What is income?While the definition of income may seem obvious, its helpful to spell out exactly what this important part of your financial life is. Specifically, your income is the entire amount of money that flows into your budget over a period of time. This includes money you earn through workyour salary, wages, bonusesor money you earn through investments, such as dividends or rental income.Your earned income can also be broken down further into your gross versus net income. Understanding the difference between these two amounts will help you make more accurate financial decisions.Gross versus net incomeGross income refers to the amount of money your employer pays you before taxes, benefits, and other payroll deductions are taken from your paycheck. Net income is the amount of money that you actually get to take home with you.Anyone who has been excited to get their first paycheckonly to be left wondering who FICA is and why hes taking all your moneywill recognize the big disparity between gross and net income. According to 2023 data from the Census Bureau, the median gross household income in 2022 was $74,580, while the median household income after taxes was $64,240, or nearly 14% lower than the gross income.But even though taxes are part of the reason for the size of your net pay, they are not the only deductions taken.Nothing but net (income)Taxes may take the biggest bite out of your gross pay, but there are several common deductions that can affect your net pay, including:Federal income tax withholding: Income taxes are calculated based on your income and increase progressively, so that higher-income earners ostensibly pay more than lower-income earners.State income tax withholding: If your state imposes income taxes, it will generally be withheld from your pay like federal income taxes.Social Security and Medicare taxes: The Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) charges employees a tax rate of 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare, while your employer is required to match that contribution amount.Health insurance premiums: Typically, if your employer provides health insurance, your contribution is deducted from your paycheck each pay period.Retirement savings: If you have access to a retirement investment account through work, you can make contributions to the account from your gross pay, which lowers your net payand your taxable income.Wage garnishment: If you have incurred debt, such as unpaid back taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans, a court can order your employer to withhold a percentage of your wage until the debt is repaid.Adjusting your withholdingTaxes may be one of only two certainties in life, but people working a traditional job have more control over the taxes coming out of their paychecks than they might realize. Thats because the W-4 form you filled out with your employers HR department at the start of this job determines your withholding, and you can adjust the withholding by submitting a new W-4 form.If you regularly receive a large tax refund, you can recalculate your withholding allowances on the IRS.gov website, and use your corrected withholding to fill out a new W-4 form. This will increase the amount of net pay you receive with each paycheck. (You can also adjust your withholding in the other direction, if you would like to send more money to Uncle Sam. There are many taxpayers who use this strategy as a form of enforced savings.)The withholding you claim on your W-4 only determines the amount deducted from your paycheck in taxes each pay period. It is not the same thing as your tax bill. Which means its perfectly legal to change withholding allowances on your W-4, as long as you claim the correct number of allowances on your actual tax return. Just note that adjustments to your withholding will affect your tax refund.Know thy incomeWithout understanding your monthly income, it is impossible to create an accurate budget. Thats why you must start any personal money management practice by calculating exactly how much money you bring home.This calculation is simple for those who have a traditional job with a regular paycheck. If you get paid weekly, simply multiply your pay by four to get your monthly income. For biweekly or semimonthly paychecks (i.e. getting paid on the first and 15th of each month), multiply your pay by two to get your monthly income.Freelancers, contract employees, and salespeople who work on commission have a tougher calculation to complete to determine their median monthly income. If you have an irregular income, you can calculate an approximate monthly take home by adding together a years worth of irregular income, then dividing the total by 12. (If you havent been earning an irregular income for a full year, use as many months worth of income as youve earned, and divide the total by that number of months).Once you have this dollar amount calculated, you can start planning how you use your money, rather than simply wondering where it all went when youre paying for gas with couch cushion change.The importance of incomeBecoming a master of your money does not require arcane knowledge or extreme self-restraint. You only need to understand the five pillars of financial literacy, starting with income.Income describes the amount of money that flows into your budget over a period of time. Your gross income is the amount of money you earn before anything is deducted from your paycheck, while your net income is the money you actually get to take home.While taxes are one of the common deductions taken from your gross pay, you may also have such things as health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and wage garnishments deducted from your pay. Its not possible to opt out of paying taxes, but you can adjust the amount of money that is withheld from your paycheck by filing a new W-4 form with your employer. This is perfectly legal, but it will affect your tax refund amount.Knowing your monthly income is the basis of accurate budgeting. If you have a regular income, you can calculate an exact monthly income, but even workers with irregular income can set up a budget using an approximate median monthly income.

At the start of a new year, it can be tempting to commit to new habits or map out major changes you want to make in the months to come. For some people, particularly those who feel burned out or detached from their work, a new job might seem like the solution.But if youre not looking to make any drastic career movesor perhaps youre just being realistic about your ability to find a new job in a challenging job marketthen you might be looking for other ways to improve your professional life without quitting. Here are some things you can do to stay motivated at work, especially when youre not feeling excited about the year ahead:Focus on the positiveWhen you have misgivings about your job, it can be natural to fixate on those issues. But author and time management coach Elizabeth Grace Saunders says its also important to remember what you actually appreciate about your role or workplace. Try to think through any of the things that make you happy, she writes. Maybe its that you get to work from home two days a week or that you like your coworkers or that theres free coffee in the break room. It can be helpful to remind yourself of those things on a daily basisnot just when youre feeling frustrated.Strive for more work-life balanceIts possible you cant do much to alter the overall scope of your job, or maybe a promotion isnt on the table at the moment. Still, there are small changes you can make to improve your work-life balance or invest in activities that bring you joy outside of work. Too often, striving for greater productivity can turn toxic if the end goal is simply to work more or keep longer hours so you look busy. But it might be worth finding ways to be a bit more productive during working hours if that enables you to carve out more time for the things you care about outside of the workplace. Or you may need to request more flexible hours if youre struggling to manage your work schedule alongside your personal commitments.Find opportunities for growthEven if you cant get promoted or move into a new role at your company, you can still seek out opportunities to grow within your current jobor outside of the workplace if necessary. Saunders suggests looking for special projects where you can expand your skill set, or asking for a direct report to develop management skills.Either way, its important to ask for what you need to stay motivated on the job. That could mean discussing your future at the company or requesting more formal mentorshipwhich can be a crucial part of advancing your career. Ask if you can have some consistent one-on-one meetings with your boss or another leader that are primarily focused on your professional development instead of just covering task completion, Saunders says.Of course, sometimes the right decision may just be to leave your companyand if thats how youre feeling, you might want to brush up on how best to optimize your rsum as you prepare for the job hunt in 2025.

In 2025, technology tends to be complex and complicated, but this is where Nothing has made its mark, by adopting simplicity. It was founded in 2020 by Carl Pei, and it has embraced a design philosophy that wholeheartedly adopts minimalism, transparency, and a seamless user experience. Their flagship products combine unique aesthetics with innovative functionality, inspiring the design and tech community. Conceptual designs inspired by Nothings approach are flourishing online, and weve curated some of our favorites. We look forward to seeing these concepts become real, tangible Nothing products in the future!1. Nothing Fold(1)Say hello to the Nothing Fold (1) Concept, this is a complete game-changer in the folding phone market. It elevates portable computing with its innovative design and cutting-edge tech. It features a 6.5-inch screen on the front and an expansive 8.37-inch screen on the inside. It offers users a versatile and immersive experience. It is equipped with a Glyph Interface which spells out the number 1 when the phone is booted up and converts into a third screen for notifications.Equipped with five cameras, including a main shooter, ultrawide, and telephoto/macro lenses, the Fold (1) ensures that photography enthusiasts have all the tools they need to capture stunning images. Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 5G chip powers the device, featuring an 8-core CPU, 12-core GPU, and an NPU for AI tasks.2. Nothing VR HeadsetIn the realm of virtual reality, the Nothing VR Headset concept offers a fresh perspective by integrating the brands design DNA into a product category they havent yet explored. Designed by Pande, this VR headset is a testament to Nothings commitment to aesthetics and functionality. The transparent front panel reveals the intricate circuitry beneath, adding a touch of intrigue to the devices design.The Glyph Interface makes a striking appearance on the headset, enhancing its visual appeal while serving practical purposes. With two front-facing pass-through cameras and additional lenses for proximity awareness and obstacle detection, the Nothing VR Headset promises an immersive and intuitive experience.3. Nothing Hair DryerImagine a hair dryer that not only performs flawlessly but also looks stunning on your vanity. The Nothing Hair Dryer concept does just that, combining functionality with a transparent aesthetic that reveals its inner workings. Designed with monochrome colors and a signature red accent, this concept captures the essence of Nothings design language.The Glyph Interface is cleverly integrated around the power and speed buttons, providing users with a visual indicator of charge levels. The curvaceous motor housing, coupled with stainless steel inlets, adds an industrial design element that sets this hair dryer apart from the rest.4. Nothing Robot Vacuum (1)The Nothing Robot Vacuum (1) concept brings transparency to smart home technology, offering a fresh take on a familiar product. With its circular profile and transparent D-shaped outer shell, this vacuum exudes a preserved in glass aesthetic that is both intriguing and functional. Sensors are strategically placed on the front and top, ensuring efficient navigation and cleaning.The Glyph Interface serves as a progress bar, keeping users informed about the cleaning status. Additionally, the docking station features Glyph lights that indicate the charging process and fill status of the dustbin, making maintenance a breeze.5. Nothing x AIAIA HeadphonesMeet the Nothing x AIAIAI Headphones these are crafted for tech enthusiasts who value both functionality and style. These headphones seamlessly combine transparency and modularity to offer outstanding sound quality while showcasing a distinctive design. The transparent housing allows users to admire the intricate internal components, making these headphones not only a conversation starter but also a visual treat.Designed with modularity in mind, they come with customizable parts that can be easily swapped or replaced, ensuring longevity and adaptability. Ideal for tech-savvy individuals, these headphones perfectly balance form and function in their cherished tech accessories.The post Top 5 Nothing-Inspired Transparent Tech Concepts You Need To See first appeared on Yanko Design.

Begin 2025 with the Artisan Ocean Waves Desk Calendar to turn everyday planning into an inspiring experience! Handcrafted with care and attention to detail, this elegant calendar is designed to bring serenity to your workspace, all while keeping your goals on track.Set your sights on 2025 and start mapping out your goals with the calming presence of ocean waves. Each month, the wave design symbolizes the ebb and flow of time. This gently reminds you to embrace the rhythm of life while staying focused on what matters most.This calendar beautifully captures the essence of the seafrom sunlit shallows to deep blue depths. The durable materials ensure it maintains its charm all year long, and the calendars poplar wood base adds a warm, natural contrast to its aquatic design. This makes it as much a piece of decor as a functional tool.Each calendar is meticulously handcrafted for a premium look and feel. The thoughtful craftsmanship ensures youre getting more than just a planneryoure getting a piece of art that inspires and motivates daily.Whether youre setting new years resolutions, organizing tasks, or simply adding a stylish touch to your workspace, this calendar is a must-have for 2025. Its also a thoughtful gift for loved ones who value beauty and practicality in their daily lives.Buy yours now on Etsy.

There's plenty to celebrate this year (we promise).

Panasonic makes a fiery return with one of the best TVs right now.

A new report claiming to detail Apple's product plans for 2025 says that there will be revisions to the Apple Watch range that include satellite communications, plus new features for AirTags and AirPods.Apple Watch Ultra 2While there was no update to the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024, a new version is now expected in 2025, according to Bloomberg. It will remain the same as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 visually, but as previously rumored, bring with it satellite connectivity. The new report doesn't add any detail, but it's likely that the feature will be similar to the original Emergency SOS via Satellite that was introduced with the iPhone 14 and allowed brief text messages to be sent to first responders.It's also claimed that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will gain 5G RedCap (Reduced Capacity) network access. This is like a lite version of 5G which needs fewer components such as antennas, and has better power efficiency. Rumor Score: Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design has shared its packed slate of Spring 2025 lecture speakers as part of our Get Lectured roundup for the new academic term.Following the presentation of the Kanter Tritsch Medal in Architecture to SANAAco-founders Kazuyo Sejima andRyue Nishizawa on January 22, the month of Januarys lecturers include Dorothy Krotzer (January 23); STOSS founding director Chris Reed and photographer Mike Belleme (January 23); and Bjarke Ingels (January 29).Februarys headliners include Michael Lens (February 4); Boonserm Premthadas EwingCole Lecture (February 5); The Anne Whiston Spirn Lecture on Snhettas landscape designs from Michelle Delk (February 6); artist Leslie Thornton (January 6); Harvard Demonstration Forest Senior Ecologist and Research Director Jonathan Thompson (February 11); Lara Davis (February 13); Bob Inglis (February 13); Garnette Cadogan (February 13); Pier LaFarge (February 14); Clio Andris (February 18); and Je...

LOrals new skincare gadget told me I should try retinolLOrals new skincare gadget told me I should try retinol / According to LOral, the Cell BioPrint is designed to help you learn what products to not buy as well as crafting a routine that suits your skins needs. By Victoria Song, a senior reporter focusing on wearables, health tech, and more with 12 years of experience. Before coming to The Verge, she worked for Gizmodo and PC Magazine. Jan 12, 2025, 2:00 PM UTCShare this storyThe Cell BioPrint is designed to be used in retail spaces and dermatology offices. Photo by Victoria Song / The VergeLas Vegas is punishingly dry. The arid winter air means I woke up on Day 3 of CES 2025 with a nosebleed, chapped lips, and ashy legs. This in spite of the fact I slathered myself with two pumps of a fermented bean essence, eye cream, moisturizer, and a lip mask. Staring at my face in the hotel mirror, I wonder if any of those products were doing what theyre supposed to and if maybe, I should try something different.This is why I was so eager to try LOrals Cell BioPrint. For anyone whos struggled with their complexion, the Cell BioPrint feels like a holy grail gadget. The device is a mini-lab setup that analyzes a skin sample to generate a report about your skins current condition. Itll also grade your skin with regard to oiliness, wrinkles, skin barrier function, pore size, and uneven skin tone. Based on the proteins in your skin, youll also see whether youre more likely to be susceptible to those issues down the line even if they arent issues now. The test also determines whether youre responsive to retinol, a popular and well-studied skincare ingredient that nevertheless causes a ton of confusion online. My results. Im happy to say my skins biological and chronological age were aligned. Photo by Victoria Song / The VergeIn my demo, using the Cell BioPrint was simple. Mainly because I didnt have to do a thing. While LOral hopes to one day make Cell BioPrint an at-home device, itll first be aimed at retail, dermatology offices, and skincare clinics. As in, the actual test will be done by a professional to ensure accuracy. A LOral staffer collected a sample from both my cheeks using a special kind of sticker. I watched as he then dissolved it in a buffer liquid, placed the resulting solution into a cartridge, and fed that cartridge into a machine. I also had my cheeks and forehead scanned with an imaging wand before answering two questions about my age and demographic data. After a few minutes, I got to see my results. Apparently, Im doing something right because the report said that my chronological and biological age were aligned. But it also said that while my skin barrier function is currently good, Im biologically prone to have issues with that as I get older. My report also said that I dont have to be concerned with pore size either now or in the future, and that I am highly responsive to retinol, meaning my skin is likely to tolerate it well. There were several other insights I wont bore you with, but after going over my results, I have a better sense of what I need to focus on. For instance, I should continue using moisturizers with ceramides, button up my sun care habits outside of sunscreen, add a vitamin C to help with my skin tone, and add a retinol. I also know what I dont need or can remove from my routine. For example, I dont need to buy products targeted toward shrinking pores. Most of this wasnt surprising. My results aligned with the concerns Ive noticed and where I tend to concentrate my skincare routine. For example, the few times Ive tried retinol, Ive never had an hint of the sensitivities other people seem to experience.Of course, this kind of personalized recommendation is only as good as the science behind it. After all, lots of health and beauty tech companies promise the moon, but are intentionally coy when it comes to explaining why you should trust them. Barring regulatory certification (which isnt generally required for wellness and beauty tech), its left up to the individual to try to discern whether an explanation passes the smell test. RelatedWith that in mind, I asked LOral to dive deep into the science which Guive Balooch, global vice president of LOrals Technology Incubator, happily obliged.Balooch says the company had 800 biologists working (and publishing clinical studies) to discover whether there are specific proteins expressed in skin cells that could determine your risk factors for certain skin conditions. The challenge, he says, is that there are a lot of proteins produced by the body. Finding the few out of the thousands that can give actionable skincare insights is like finding a handful of needles in a giant haystack. It required LOrals researchers to sequence all of them and then find the relevant biomarkers.This particular branch of research, Balooch says, is called proteomics or the study of how proteins are expressed in the body. Its understanding that our cells every day are making proteins. Depending on our lifestyle, our geography, and our genes, they will make more or less of these proteins. It changes over time and habits can change it as well. Balooch says LOral tested 4,000 people over 10 years across the US, Europe, South America and Asia, and found five proteins related to skin health, including two that are related to how well a persons skin will respond to retinol. And while the Cell BioPrint can only currently analyze responsiveness to retinol, other ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are also in the works. In some ways, its meant to tell people what not to buy.Cynically speaking, a device like this could also be viewed as a pseudoscientific way to sell more products to a group of people already prone to reach for their wallets. But Balooch argues the Cell BioPrint isnt meant to encourage people to buy more. In some ways, its meant to tell people what not to buy, he says. Of course, we would love to sell more products, but not by overconsumption. Thats not actually good for your skin. Its about helping people find the right products based on science. To that end, Balooch has a point. The skincare market right now is rife with misinformation and influencers pushing expensive 10-step routines that sometimes do more harm than good. I know better, and yet Im as guilty as the next skincare nerd. (Im still haunted by the full bottle of snail mucin influencers claimed would fix all my problems. It broke me out instead.) Even now, I know that Ill probably get influenced again. The difference is at least I can choose to be influenced towards a retinol cream or vitamin C serum things that have a higher chance of helping me rather than throwing my money to the wind. Most PopularMost Popular