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Change in how roofs are insured could make the biggest difference

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• New federal mortgage guidelines could reduce insurance costs for many U.S. homebuyers.

• Changes affect loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including condos and rural properties.

• Updates aim to reflect rising insurance costs while maintaining core property protections.

Federal housing officials have announced changes to mortgage insurance requirements that could lower costs for many homebuyers, particularly those purchasing condos or homes in rural areas.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, said the updated rules are intended to address rising property insurance premiums that have made homeownership more expensive and, in some cases, harder to obtain.

The revisions focus largely on how insurance coverage is structured for properties financed through government-backed mortgages.

Key changes to insurance requirements

One of the most significant updates allows lenders to accept Actual Cash Value (ACV) coverage for roofs on both single-family homes and condominium buildings. Unlike full replacement coverage, ACV policies factor in depreciation, meaning insurers pay the current value of a roof rather than the cost to fully replace it.

However, the rest of the property must still be covered at Replacement Cost Value (RCV), ensuring that major structural damage would be fully repaired or rebuilt.

Housing officials say this hybrid approach is designed to balance affordability with adequate protection, particularly as roof replacement coverage has become more expensive and harder to obtain in some regions.

Impact on condo buyers and associations

The changes are expected to have a notable effect on condominium markets. Condo associations will now have more flexibility in how they structure insurance policies, including the ability to use ACV coverage for roofs.

In addition, a previously complex rule governing per-unit insurance deductibles has been simplified. Industry groups had argued that the earlier requirements made it difficult for some condo buildings to qualify for financing backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

With the revisions, more condo developments may meet eligibility standards, potentially expanding options for buyers.

Removal of prior guidance

The FHFA also eliminated a 2024 policy clarification related to insurance claims. Critics of that rule had said it could complicate claims processing and contribute to higher costs, though the agency did not characterize the change in those terms.

The updates come as insurance premiums have risen sharply in many parts of the country due to increased risks from natural disasters, inflation in construction costs, and insurers pulling back from certain markets.

By adjusting insurance requirements rather than coverage for entire structures, policymakers are attempting to reduce monthly housing costs without significantly weakening overall protection for homeowners.

What it means for buyers

For prospective buyers, especially first-time purchasers, lower insurance costs could translate into reduced monthly mortgage payments and improved loan qualification prospects.

Current homeowners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac may also see changes in how their insurance policies are structured over time, depending on lender and insurer practices.

Housing experts say the real-world impact will vary by location and insurance market conditions, but the changes could provide some relief in areas where premiums have been a major barrier to homeownership.

Gas prices have jumped by nearly 90 cents a gallon since the start of the war

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. gas prices have surged to nearly $3.89 per gallon, rising more than 80 cents in just over two weeks as the Iran war disrupts global oil supplies.

• Attacks on energy infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz responsible for about 20% of global oil shipments have pushed crude prices above $100 per barrel.

• Analysts warn the conflict could drive prices even higher, adding inflation pressure and straining household budgets nationwide.

Motorists are feeling the financial impact of the escalating war involving Iran, as gasoline prices climb rapidly in response to disruptions in global oil supply.

AAA reports the national average price for regular gasoline has jumped to about $3.89 per gallon, marking one of the sharpest increases in recent years. Prices had remained below $3 for months prior to the outbreak of hostilities in late February, underscoring how quickly geopolitical tensions can translate into higher costs at the pump.

At the heart of the surge is a shock to global energy infrastructure. Iranian attacks on oil and gas facilities across the Persian Gulf, combined with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have choked off a key artery for the worlds oil supply. The narrow waterway typically handles roughly one-fifth of global petroleum shipments, making any disruption there especially consequential.

As supply fears mounted, crude oil prices spiked above $100 per barrel, a level not seen since earlier global crises. Brent crude has climbed dramatically from pre-conflict levels below $75, while U.S. benchmark crude is approaching $100.

Highest fuel prices in years

Consumers continue to feel the sting of rising oil, gasoline, and diesel costs as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain elevated, pushing gasoline prices to their highest levels in years, while diesel could soon approach the $5-per-gallon mark nationally, Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in the company blog.

Until we see a meaningful resumption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, upward pressure on fuel prices is likely to persist. At the same time, seasonal forces are beginning to intensify as several regions complete the transition to summer gasoline, creating a double headwind that could continue driving pump prices higher in the weeks ahead.

The effects are uneven across the United States. Western states, which often face higher fuel taxes and stricter environmental regulations, are seeing the steepest prices, with some exceeding $5 per gallon. Meanwhile, even traditionally lower-cost regions have seen sharp increases, leaving no state untouched by the surge.

Government officials have taken steps to blunt the impact, including releasing oil from strategic reserves and temporarily easing shipping regulations to improve fuel distribution. However, analysts say such measures may offer only limited relief if the conflict drags on.

Economists warn that persistently high fuel costs could ripple through the broader economy. Higher gasoline and diesel prices raise transportation costs, which in turn can push up prices for goods and services. Some analysts caution that prolonged energy volatility could dampen consumer spending and complicate efforts to control inflation.

Turn your everyday expertise into a steady side income

• Instead of starting a brand-new side gig, professionals are getting paid to answer questions in their existing field, often earning $2K$7K/month just by logging in during downtime.

• People are monetizing lunch breaks, evenings, and weekends by simply sharing knowledge they already use daily.

• As problems get more specific (legal, medical, tech), consumers are willing to pay for personalized answers from verified experts, fueling rapid growth in this anti-hustle hustle.

Side hustles often mean working extra hours doing something completely unrelated to your day job. But a new trend is flipping that idea on its head.

According to new data from JustAnswer, a growing number of professionals are earning extra income simply by answering consumer questions online during their downtime. These include doctors, lawyers, CPAs, IT specialists, and even veterinarians.

Theyre logging in at night, during a lunch break, or on weekends and getting paid to share expertise they already use every day.

And the income potential is real. Many experts report earning between $2,000 and $7,000 per month on average, turning small pockets of free time into meaningful supplemental income.

Why this side hustle is catching on

This isnt your typical side gig. Theres no inventory, no driving, no selling. The product is your knowledge.

Professionals are tapping into moments that would otherwise go unused. A pediatrician might answer questions after clinic hours. A family law attorney might respond to custody questions in the evening. A veterinarian might help worried pet owners on weekends.

Whats surprising is that the motivation isnt just financial. More than three-quarters of experts say theyre primarily driven by the ability to help people, not just the paycheck. That makes this feel less like a hustle and more like an extension of their profession.

Why demand is rising (even in the age of AI)

You might expect AI to replace this kind of work, but the opposite is actually happening.

As everyday problems become more complex, consumers are increasingly willing to pay for real, personalized advice from a verified professional. As you might expect, generic AI answers and automated tools often fall short when the situation is specific or urgent.

That demand is growing so quickly that JustAnswer plans to add more than 4,000 new experts in 2026 to keep up.

What this means for consumers and professionals

For consumers, it signals a shift. Getting fast, reliable help from a real human is becoming a paid convenience, especially for higher-stakes legal and health questions.

For professionals, it opens up a unique opportunity. This is one of the rare side hustles where you dont need to learn something new to make money. Youre just monetizing what you already know.

New research shows cardiovascular protection fades quickly after treatment stops

• Stopping GLP-1 medications is linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.

• Recent research found that even short gaps in treatment may begin to reverse cardiovascular benefits.

• Longer discontinuation periods are associated with greater increases in risk.

GLP-1 medications, widely used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, have gained attention not just for helping people shed pounds, but also for their ability to protect heart health. But new research suggests those benefits may not last if treatment is interrupted.

A study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, published in BMJ Medicine, found that stopping these drugs even temporarily can quickly erode their cardiovascular advantages.

There is enormous exuberance about starting GLP-1 drugs, but not nearly enough attention to what happens when people stop, senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, M.D., said in a news release. Many quit after a few months because of cost, side effects or shortages. When they stop, its not just weight that comes back; they experience a resurgence in inflammation, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Weight regain is visible; the metabolic reversal is not.

Our data suggest this metabolic whiplash is detrimental to heart health. Restarting the medication helped restore some protection, but only partially, showing that discontinuation leaves a lasting scar.

The study

To better understand what happens when patients discontinue GLP-1 drugs, researchers analyzed health data from more than 333,000 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes.

Participants were followed for up to three years, allowing researchers to compare outcomes between those who continued taking the medication and those who stopped or had gaps in treatment.

The study focused on major cardiovascular outcomes specifically heart attack, stroke, and death. Researchers also examined how the length of time off the medication affected risk, looking at both short-term interruptions and longer-term discontinuation.

What the study found

The results showed a clear pattern: stopping GLP-1 drugs was linked to a higher risk of serious cardiovascular events compared to staying on the medication. Even a break of about six months was associated with a noticeable increase in risk.

The longer patients remained off the drugs, the greater the impact. After two years without treatment, the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death rose by as much as 22%, effectively wiping out much of the cardiovascular protection gained while on the medication.

Overall, the findings suggest that the heart-related benefits of GLP-1 drugs build over time but can diminish relatively quickly when treatment stops. Researchers emphasize that interruptions in therapy dont just affect weight they may also carry meaningful consequences for cardiovascular health.

Clinicians should treat adherence to GLP-1 treatment as an important outcome in its own right not an afterthought, Dr. Al-Aly said. Health systems need plans in place to help people continue their medication indefinitely, recognizing that GLP-1s treat chronic conditions. That includes proactive management of side effects, candid conversations about the long-term nature of treatment, infrastructure to identify and support patients at risk of stopping, and addressing the cost barriers that make GLP-1 therapy unsustainable for many.