Boston has the healthiest housing market in the U.S., when compared to 25 of the largest metropolitan areas, according to a new ranking by WalletHub. The website ranked cities across 10 key metrics, including down payment percentage, mortgage costs, first-time home-buyer assistance and access to financing. Beantown had the lowest percentage of “precarious” mortgages, the lowest mortgage cost, and the lowest percentage of “easy” mortgages, WalletHub said. Boston was followed by Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Northern New Jersey, N.J., and Hartford, Conn. Meanwhile, Las Vegas was ranked last on the list, with the lowest equity level and the highest percentage of “underwater” mortgages.
Wealth Management For the Masses
Banks can boost their revenue by anywhere from 50 to 400 percent by offering their wealth management products to middle-market commercial banking clients, Russ Alan Prince writes on Forbes.com. But it's been difficult for banks to get these programs off the ground. The reason: "Banks have failed to put in the systems and processes that are essential for leveraging their middle-market banking relationships." In order to be successful, Prince lists three criteria the banks need to master: identifying a client profile, compensating the bankers and tracking and following up.
While millennials aren’t as bad at saving as many believe, the younger end of the generation – those still in college – are showing some strain. According to a three-year study from EverFi and Higher One, incoming freshman are increasingly less likely to do fiscally responsible things like follow a budget, pay credit card bills on time or use a debit card than the class before them. However, the study found that students at two-year community colleges tend to make much smarter decisions than those are four-year universities, perhaps because they tend to have more real-world experience. ““It’s amazing that our educational system prepares young adults for math, reading, science ... but it doesn’t prepare them for the one thing that they’ll be forced to make life-changing decisions on — money,” said Gary Herman, president of ConsolidatedCredit.org.
According to Time, an increasing number of senior citizens and retirees are choosing to move to states that have relaxed marijuana laws. Recent studies show that Oregon and Colorado, two of the four states that have legalized recreational marijuana use, are among the most popular destinations for seniors. The evidence is flim, but the article suggests that the aging boomer/counterculture population is seeking safer pastures for better acceptance of medical marijuana or just to indulge. Groovy.