Plain-English news and explainers on housing, money and the economy, for everyday decisions about renting, buying, borrowing and saving.https://newscenter24.com/https://newscenter24.com/social-security-cola-2027/https://newscenter24.com/social-security-cola-2027/The official 2027 COLA comes in October, after September inflation data. Here's what TSCL and AARP estimate, how the raise is calculated and how 2026 compares.Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTEconomyhttps://newscenter24.com/mortgage-rates-forecast/https://newscenter24.com/mortgage-rates-forecast/Freddie Mac's 30-year average hit 7.03% in late September. Here's what Fannie Mae and MBA forecast for late 2026 and 2027, and what could change the outlook.Sat, 26 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTEconomyhttps://newscenter24.com/home-insurance-cost/https://newscenter24.com/home-insurance-cost/The average HO-3 homeowners policy cost $1,737 in 2023, NAIC data show. See what drives your premium, why costs keep climbing and how to compare quotes.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTHousinghttps://newscenter24.com/standard-deduction-2026/https://newscenter24.com/standard-deduction-2026/The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for joint filers and $24,150 for heads of household. See the extra amounts for 65 and over.Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTMoneyhttps://newscenter24.com/how-does-rent-to-own-work/https://newscenter24.com/how-does-rent-to-own-work/Rent-to-own lets you rent a home with an option or a duty to buy it later. Learn how option fees and rent credits work, what they cost and what can go wrong.Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTHousinghttps://newscenter24.com/how-to-raise-credit-score/https://newscenter24.com/how-to-raise-credit-score/Paying on time, cutting card balances and fixing report errors do the most for your credit score. Here's how each step works and how long it takes.Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTMoneyhttps://newscenter24.com/home-equity-loan-vs-heloc/https://newscenter24.com/home-equity-loan-vs-heloc/A home equity loan pays a lump sum at a set rate, while a HELOC is a credit line you draw on over time. Compare payments, costs, risks and tax rules.Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTHousinghttps://newscenter24.com/what-is-a-recession/https://newscenter24.com/what-is-a-recession/A recession is a broad drop in economic activity that lasts months. Here's who makes the official US call, and why two quarters of falling GDP isn't the test.Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTEconomyhttps://newscenter24.com/50-30-20-rule/https://newscenter24.com/50-30-20-rule/The 50/30/20 rule splits take-home pay into needs, wants and savings. Here's how it works, a worked example, and what to do when the numbers don't fit.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTMoneyhttps://newscenter24.com/what-is-pmi/https://newscenter24.com/what-is-pmi/PMI protects your lender when you put less than 20% down on a conventional loan. Learn what it costs, how FHA premiums differ and when you can stop paying.Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTHousinghttps://newscenter24.com/what-is-apr/https://newscenter24.com/what-is-apr/APR is the yearly cost of borrowing, including interest and certain fees. Here's how it differs from an interest rate and APY, with worked examples.Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTMoneyhttps://newscenter24.com/what-is-escrow/https://newscenter24.com/what-is-escrow/Escrow holds money until a deal's conditions are met. Here's how it works when you buy a home, and how a mortgage escrow account pays taxes and insurance.Sat, 22 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTHousing