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Realtor.com lowers its 2026 forecast for home price appreciation, citing slower growth

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Realtor.com has lowered its 2026 home price growth forecast to 1.2%, down from 2.2%, saying prices are now expected to rise more slowly than inflation.

• Existing home sales are still projected to increase this year, but the forecast has been trimmed slightly to 4.10 million homes as elevated mortgage rates continue to restrain buyers.

• The housing market is expected to become more buyer-friendly in the second half of the year, with slower price growth, improving affordability and declining rents.

A major housing platform has issued its mid-year report on the housing market, and even though affordability remains a serious issue, the report is favorable for buyers.

Realtor.com expects the housing market to remain sluggish through much of 2026, and that may gradually favor of buyers as home price growth slows, affordability improves and sellers become more realistic about pricing.

The online real estate marketplace this week revised its forecast for existing-home price appreciation to 1.2% this year, nearly half the 2.2% increase it projected in December. Because inflation is expected to outpace home price growth, Realtor.com says home values are effectively declining in real terms, giving buyers some long-awaited relief.

Inching forward

"The housing market is inching forward as sellers reset expectations, price growth cools, and buyers gain more negotiating power," Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, said in the report. She added that momentum should build during the second half of the year as more buyers and sellers find common ground.

Despite the softer pricing outlook, Realtor.com left its mortgage rate forecast unchanged. The company expects the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate to remain around 6.3% throughout 2026, saying a resilient economy and persistent inflation pressures have offset hopes for significantly lower borrowing costs.

The firm also modestly reduced its forecast for existing-home sales to 4.10 million, down from the 4.13 million projected at the end of 2025. Even so, that would represent a 1% increase over 2025, with sales activity expected to strengthen during the second half of the year after a slow start.

Encouraging sign

One encouraging sign for buyers is affordability. Realtor.com now expects the typical monthly mortgage payment to decline 1.9% from last year, reflecting slower home price growth and steady mortgage rates. Combined with rising household incomes, that should reduce the share of income needed for housing payments.

Inventory is also expected to continue growing, though at a slower pace than previously forecast. Realtor.com now projects the number of homes for sale will increase 3.6% this year, providing buyers with more choices while easing some of the intense competition that characterized the market in recent years.

The outlook also calls for rents to decline another 1.2% in 2026, continuing a trend that has made renting a more attractive option for many households, although the gap between renting and buying has narrowed as homeownership costs have eased somewhat.

While affordability remains a challenge, Realtor.com said first-time buyers are beginning to play a larger role in the market. They accounted for 35% of home purchases in May, up from 30% a year earlier, a sign that improving conditions are encouraging more households to make the leap into homeownership.

AAA reports the average price of regular rose 5 cents in 24 hours

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. gasoline prices are climbing sharply after President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran "over," raising fears of renewed disruptions to global oil supplies.

• Crude oil prices jumped about 5% after Trump's comments, prompting analysts to warn that the recent decline in gas prices could quickly reverse if fighting intensifies.

• GasBuddy and AAA analysts say motorists should expect higher prices at the pump in the coming days as retailers pass along higher wholesale fuel costs.

U.S. motorists are facing another jump in gasoline prices after President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran is over, triggering an immediate rally in global oil markets and raising concerns that the conflict could once again disrupt energy supplies from the Middle East.

Oil prices climbed roughly 6% after Trump's announcement that the ceasefire had ended and that negotiations with Iran were no longer worthwhile. The sharp move reflected renewed fears that fighting could threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil transit routes.

The surge in crude prices is expected to filter quickly into retail gasoline prices across the United States.

According to AAA, the national average price of regular gas has risen 5 cents a gallon since Wednesday, to $3.84 a gallon. Thats a penny a gallon higher than one week ago.

Back to $4 a gallon?

Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy's head of petroleum analysis, said the recent relief drivers had been seeing at the pump could be short-lived. He warned that the national average could move back toward $4 a gallon if oil prices remain elevated, although the speed and magnitude of the increase will depend on whether the conflict escalates further and how long higher crude prices persist.

AAA has also warned that gasoline prices remain closely tied to movements in crude oil, which accounts for more than half the cost of producing gasoline. The organization noted that while national pump prices had fallen below $4 per gallon in recent weeks, geopolitical events can rapidly reverse that trend.

A dramatic reversal

The renewed fighting marks a dramatic reversal from the optimism that followed the ceasefire agreement reached only weeks ago. At the time, easing tensions allowed oil prices to retreat and gasoline prices to steadily decline as markets anticipated fewer disruptions to global energy supplies.

Instead, investors are once again focusing on the risk that tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could be interrupted. Roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply moves through the narrow waterway, making it one of the most strategically important shipping lanes in the global energy market.

Even though the price at the pump is rising, analysts caution that there may be more pain ahead. They note that wholesale gasoline markets have already reacted more sharply than retail stations, meaning consumers could see additional increases over the next several days.

USPS is trying to offset declining mail volumes, inflation and rising operating costs

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The U.S. Postal Service is seeking approval to raise the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents beginning July 12.

• The proposed changes would increase mailing services prices by about 4.8%, pending approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission.

• Postcards, international mail and other mailing products would also see higher prices, while the additional-ounce charge for letters would remain unchanged at 29 cents.

The U.S. Postal Service has warned for months that it is running out of money. Its now put an exclamation point on that warning.

USPS is proposing another round of postage rate increases, including a 4-cent hike in the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, as it continues efforts to improve its financial position. The USPS last raised rates 12 months ago.

The Postal Service announced it has filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) seeking approval for new mailing service prices that would take effect July 12. If approved, the cost of a Forever stamp would rise from 78 cents to 82 cents, an increase of about 5.1%.

Overall, the proposed adjustments would raise mailing services product prices by approximately 4.8%, according to USPS. The agency said the changes are consistent with its pricing authority under federal law and are part of its long-term financial strategy.

Whats going up

Under the proposal, several commonly used mail products would increase in price:

First-Class Mail Forever stamp: 78 cents to 82 cents

Metered one-ounce letters: 74 cents to 78 cents

Domestic postcards: 61 cents to 65 cents

International postcards and one-ounce international letters: $1.70 to $1.75

The price for each additional ounce on single-piece letters would remain unchanged at 29 cents.

USPS also proposed price adjustments for Special Services products, including certified mail, money orders and post office box rentals, as well as changes affecting periodicals, marketing mail and package services. Details of those adjustments are included in the filing submitted to the PRC.

Subject to approval

The Postal Regulatory Commission must review and approve the proposed rates before they can take effect. The commission evaluates whether the changes comply with federal postal pricing laws and regulations.

The proposed increase continues a series of postage hikes in recent years as the Postal Service works to offset declining mail volumes, inflation and rising operating costs. USPS has said its pricing strategy is part of its long-term "Delivering for America" plan to place the agency on more stable financial footing while maintaining universal mail service.

How 'saving' money can quietly blow your budget

• "Spaving" can backfire: Spending extra to earn free shipping, discounts, or rewards often leaves shoppers spending more.

• Don't fall for the math: Before adding another item to your cart, ask yourself if you'd buy it without the promotion and compare the cost to paying shipping.

• Spend more only when it adds value: Buying everyday essentials in bulk and investing in durable products can be smart long-term savings strategies.

Who doesn't love a good deal? Whether it's free shipping, a buy-one-get-one offer, or a coupon that unlocks a bigger discount, retailers have become experts at convincing shoppers to spend just a little more.

The problem is that sometimes those "savings" actually leave you spending far more than you planned.

Consumer guru Clark Howard recently highlighted the growing shopping habit known as "spaving," a blend of the words spending and saving. The concept is simple: You spend extra money to qualify for a discount, free shipping, bonus rewards, or another promotion.

While it feels like you're saving, your wallet may tell a different story.

How retailers encourage spaving

You've probably seen messages like these while shopping online:

• "Spend $15 more for free shipping."

• "Buy two and save 25%."

• "Spend $100 and receive a $20 gift card."

These offers create a sense of urgency and make shoppers feel like they're leaving money on the table if they don't qualify.

The reality is that retailers design these promotions to increase the average amount customers spend and not necessarily to help them save.

Pro tip: Track your impulse buys. For one month, make a note every time you buy something solely to qualify for a promotion. You may be surprised how much those "little extras" add up over the course of a year.

Five ways to avoid the spaving trap

• Know your budget before you shop: Decide how much you're willing to spend before you start browsing. Having a firm budget makes it easier to ignore tempting checkout offers.

• Ask one simple question: Would you buy the extra item if there wasn't a promotion? If the answer is no, skip it.

• Compare the math: Don't spend an extra $25 just to avoid a $7 shipping charge. In many cases, paying for shipping costs less than buying something you didn't need.

• Keep a shopping list: Whether you're grocery shopping or buying household items online, sticking to a list helps reduce impulse purchases.

• Wait 24 hours: If you're shopping for something that's not an everyday necessity, leave it in your cart overnight. Many impulse purchases lose their appeal after a little time.

Pro tip: Don't let free shipping dictate your purchase. Before adding another item to your cart, compare the shipping fee with the cost of the extra product. Paying a small shipping charge is often the cheaper option.

When spending more actually makes sense

Not every "spaving" situation is a bad idea.

Buying larger quantities of stuff you regularly use, (think paper towels, laundry detergent, and pet food) can save money if the unit price is lower and you'll use everything before it expires.

The same goes for annual subscriptions that cost less than paying month to month, provided you're confident you'll use the service all year.

Also, investing in a higher-quality product that lasts significantly longer (think tools, tech, furniture, or luggage) can be a smart financial decision in the long run, since you won't have to replace it anytime soon.

The AI platform found many common features with other phishing

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• After analyzing a reader's suspicious "Microsoft 365" email, ChatGPT concluded it was "very likely a phishing scam" with 9899% confidence, citing multiple warning signs common to credential-stealing attacks.

• The analysis highlighted scare tactics about account deactivation, vague language, a prominent "Verify Here" button, and an unrelated construction company disclaimer all hallmarks of phishing emails rather than legitimate Microsoft communications.

• ChatGPT determined the verification button did not lead to Microsoft but instead redirected through a Google Barbados URL to a suspicious third-party website, illustrating how AI can help consumers identify online before they click.

A ConsumerAffairs reader recently forwarded us an email they received that they thought was suspicious. The email claimed to be from Microsoft 365 and warned the recipients email address, which was listed in the body of the text, was about to be deactivated.

We agreed it looked sketchy, but decided to have ChatGPT analyze it. We copied the text and asked the platform to render an opinion.

Based on what you've shared, I would rate this email as very likely a phishing scam (9899% confidence), ChatGPT responded.

Red flags

It pointed to several red flags, noting that several characteristics were consistent with Microsoft 365 phishing campaigns. For example, it tried to create a sense of urgency by warning an email account was about to be taken down.

Microsoft 365 does not typically send generic emails threatening immediate deactivation simply because an account is inactive," the analysis said. Legitimate notices usually include specific information about the tenant, administrator, subscription, or service changes.

The message also used very generic language. It never identified:

• Your Microsoft 365 tenant

• Your organization

• Your administrator

• Any specific reason for deactivation

Instead, it uses a vague statement designed to make recipients click. The body of the email also contained a verify here button.

Nearly all Microsoft account phishing campaigns rely on a prominent verification button that leads to a credential harvesting page or an OAuth consent screen, the analysis said. Microsoft specifically advises users not to follow email links when uncertain, but instead log into their account directly.

A strange footer

The email contained many other strange red flags, including a footer belonging to a construction company in Melbourne, Fla.

So, where did the email actually come from?

ChatGPT was able to confirm that the link connected to the verify here button was not a Microsoft link. The destination was actually a Google Barbados (google.bs) address as an intermediate redirect to send you to another website. The analysis gave us the URL of the website, but we arent including it because it is probably dangerous.

But the lesson is clear: AI platforms can be useful tools for consumers who are trying to avoid a scam.