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For homebuyers and sellers alike across America, theres a massive “struggle” being felt to close deals or make any money.

“The challenges to real estate buyers and sellers right now are probably the greatest ever,” real estate powerhouse Dolly Lenz told Fox News Digital. “It’s a struggle for every buyer and a struggle for every seller they really have to look and say: What am I doing? Do I struggle to stay where I am and just wait this out? Do I struggle to buy?”

“Which struggle am I willing to take on? And every family has to sit down at the dining room table and decide that,” she continued. “It is a struggle and people really are suffering. So it’s not a good time for real estate overall.”

Recent data from mortgage buyer Freddie Mac indicated the U.S. homebuyer’s monthly costs have surged nearly 20% compared to one year ago. Lenz daughter and managing director of the brokerage painted the current housing landscape as “a tale of two cities,” joining the warning calls around a sticky real estate market with people who are “plagued” with high prices.

“We’re still doing deals because [clients] have cash. And like they say, cash is king,” Jenny Lenz also told Fox News Digital. “But other than the very, very high-end, we are seeing people who are pretty skittish. And again, the first-time homebuyer is suffering the most.”

A mix of constantly changing insurance coverage and the Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike pushing 30-year fixed mortgage rates above 7.6% come at a time when Americans are “plagued” with high food and gas prices, according to the mother-daughter real estate team. They both argued that recession-like impacts are keeping homeowners in place, thus affecting the U.S. market and related sectors.

“Sixty-percent of the country has a mortgage rate 4% or under, so it really doesn’t make sense for them to sell should they want to upsize or downsize, because their monthly payments are going to be the same, if not more,” Jenny pointed out.

“None of those homes are coming on the market, which means lack of inventory, which means high prices, which basically means golden handcuffs for everyone,” the managing director added.

“Think about how that reverberates throughout the economy,” Dolly chimed in. “So there’s no movers making moves. There’s no architects people aren’t buying rugs and they’re not buying new furniture a list that goes on and on and on, how that impacts the entire economy.”

While Dolly admitted its “not the absolute worst” real estate market shes worked in, it is the worst for daughter Jenny.

“People can’t get mortgages. Insurance is becoming astronomically expensive,” Jenny said. “Highest ever median home price. So we’re getting all of these things at the same time.”

In certain states like Texas and Florida where theres no individual income tax, buyers and sellers may find more success.

“Migration trends are going to make a big difference,” Dolly noted. “After SALT disappeared, people can’t deduct their real estate taxes or the state and local taxes. So it’s a very expensive thing. Now they’re eating that entire nut themselves since they can’t deduct it.”

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For metropolitan areas like New York City and San Francisco, renting has become more expensive than purchasing a property, the duo warned.

“All these places where crime is at an all-time high, but its cost of living is even worse, it’s absolutely ridiculous,” Jenny said. “People are saying, These mortgage rates are so high, these prices are so high, I’m still going to dip my toe here, even though just a year ago I could have purchased a bigger home, a more expensive home, because the rent is just so high.”

They also cautioned against buyers making too many concessions, advising they be “flexible” through the process.

“A lot of our buyers say to us: Look, I really want to get this house, so I’m going to waive my right to inspection as an example. And we’re like, it’s not really a good idea because if you do that, you don’t know how big a pot that is you’re going to have to eat up,” Dolly said.

“You have to really keep your eyes open,” Jenny added. “You have to be ready with that mortgage and a loan commitment letter, if you can even get one, and really be ready to jump in and get the home, because it’s really hard out there.”

Though these factors pitch a “negative” market outlook for the Lenzes, they put the onus on individuals to find their own optimism.

“We’re in a slight recession now. I see it as getting worse between Fitch, insurance, gas prices, everything becoming so expensive,” Dolly said. “And that’s not good. That really is a sign of a not-chugging-along economy.”

“People are struggling and we hope that [the Federal Reserve] can keep rates down so that we can have a great economy,” Jenny said as Dolly added, “and so people can navigate and have some options.”

The Lenzes best advice for home buyers and sellers right now? Be patient and do your research.

“Real estate is local and hyper-local. What’s going on in one market could be very different than one that’s seemingly next door, but a 45-minute drive,” Dolly said. “So do your homework there. Don’t just be bidding on houses. Asking prices of homes do not reflect value.”

“You need to be tracking a market for, I would say, a couple of months to see what’s going on, what’s selling, how long it’s taking to sell and then have an educated offer on whatever property it is, while at the same time trying to secure that lowest mortgage rate possible for yourself,” Jenny weighed in.

“All the balls in the air at the same time, and that’s what you need to do,” the Dolly Lenz Real Estate founder said. “And very likely, if you have good credit, will be successful. You will get that house.”

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Vertical Aerospace completes first ever public airport-to-airport eVTOL flight

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Vertical Aerospace completes first ever public airport-to-airport eVTOL flight

Air taxi startup Vertical Aerospace achieved a world’s first this week, completing the first flight between two airports through public airspace for an eVTOL at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England.

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world’s largest military airshow, held every July and serving as a public showcase for the latest advancements in aviation technology. It’s fitting, then, that RIAT served as setting for the Vertical VX4 prototype’s first piloted public flight.

The eVTOL aircraft flew 17 miles from the company’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station used by the US Air Force. The Vertical VX4 reached speeds of 115 mph, and an altitude of 1800 ft, and also marked the first landing at a public location for an aircraft of this type.

The Vertical Aerospace entry was the only battery-electric aircraft present at RIAT 2025, and the flight served as a demonstration of the company’s broader strategy to unlock new hybrid-electric applications for defense, logistics, and special/close support missions where the eVTOL’s (relatively) quiet operations could give it a tactical advantage.

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“RIAT is a global stage for the most advanced, mission-ready aerospace technology, and we’re proud to showcase how electric aviation will support the future of defense,” says Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Our hybrid-electric roadmap unlocks new capabilities for military operations, and Vertical’s RIAT presence reinforces our commitment to playing a meaningful role in the future of military and special mission aviation.”

Vertical’s VX4 debuted last year, with a 20% increase in the power-to-weight ratio that enables a top cruising speed of 150 mph and transports four passengers plus a pilot up to 100 miles on a single charge.

The inaugural VX4 flight was witnessed by several thousand UK aircraft enthusiasts, and showed how an eVTOL aircraft could integrate with real-world airport operations, building momentum toward more regular, certified deployment.

Electrek’s Take


Archer, BETA, EHang, Joby, XPeng – the list of eVTOL manufacturers seems to be as long as the list of new electric car brands that didn’t exist back when I first started working with EVs back in ::gulp:: the 1990s. The future of regional point-to-point air travel certainly seems to be vertical, and electric.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Vertical Aerospace.


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Bob Geldof accuses Israeli authorities of ‘lying’ about starvation in Gaza

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Bob Geldof accuses Israeli authorities of 'lying' about starvation in Gaza

Bob Geldof has accused the Israeli authorities of “lying” about starvation in Gaza – after Israel’s government spokesperson claimed there was “no famine caused by Israel”.

Earlier this week, David Mencer claimed that Hamas “starves its own people” while on The News Hour with Mark Austin, denying that Israel was responsible for mass hunger in Gaza.

Appearing on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Geldof said the claims are false.

Follow latest: Gaza aid airdrops a ‘smokescreen’ and ‘distraction’, says UN agency chief

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Israel challenged on starvation in Gaza

Mr Phillips asked the Live Aid organiser: “The Israeli view is that there is no famine caused by Israel, there’s a manmade shortage, but it’s been engineered by Hamas.

“I guess the Israelis would say we don’t see much criticism from your side of Hamas.”

In response, Geldof said “that’s a false equivalence” and “the Israeli authorities are lying”.

The singer then added: “They’re lying. [Benjamin] Netanyahu lies, is a liar. The IDF are lying. They’re dangling food in front of starving, panicked, exhausted mothers.

“And while they arrive to accept the tiny amount of food that this sort of set up pantomime outfit, the Gaza Humanitarian Front, I would call it, as they dangle it, then they’re shot wantonly.

“This month, up to now, a thousand children or a thousand people have died of starvation. I’m really not interested in what either of these sides are saying.”

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Gaza: ‘This is man-made starvation’

In the interview with Mark Austin on 23 July, Mr Mencer added: “This suffering exists because Hamas made it so. Here are the facts. Aid is flowing, through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Millions of meals are being delivered directly to civilians.” He also claimed that since May more than 4,400 aid trucks had entered Gaza carrying supplies.

It comes after MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders, warned 25% of young children and pregnant women in Gaza are now malnourished.

The charity said Israel’s “deliberate use of starvation as a weapon” has reached unprecedented levels, and said that at one of its clinics in Gaza City, rates of severe malnutrition in children under five have trebled over the past two weeks.

MSF then called the lack of food and water on the ground as “unconscionable”.

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Aid waiting to be distributed in Gaza

In a statement to Sky News, an Israeli security official said that “despite the false claims that are being spread, the State of Israel does not limit the number of humanitarian aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip”.

Read more:
What does recognising a Palestinian state mean?
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Security shot at Palestinians at Gaza aid centre – ex-guard

It then blamed other groups for issues delivering aid. They said: “Over the past month, we have witnessed a significant decline in the collection of aid from the crossings into the Gaza Strip by international aid organisations.

“The delays in collection by the UN and international organisations harm the situation and the food security of Gaza’s residents.”

The IDF also told Sky News: “The IDF allows the American civilian organisation (GHF) to distribute aid to Gaza residents independently, and operates in proximity to the new distribution zones to enable the distribution alongside the continuation of IDF operational activities in the Gaza Strip.

“Following incidents in which harm to civilians who arrived at distribution facilities was reported, thorough examinations were conducted in the Southern Command and instructions were issued to forces in the field following lessons learned.

“The aforementioned incidents are under review by the competent authorities in the IDF.”

You can watch the full interview on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips at 8.30am tomorrow.

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Honda takes a page from Tesla playbook, launches new insurance business

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Honda takes a page from Tesla playbook, launches new insurance business

Say what you will about Elon Musk, but Tesla has changed the way that millions of people buy cars and, by extension, car insurance. Now, Honda is taking a page from Tesla’s successful playbook and launching its own in-house insurance business. Enter: Honda Insurance Solutions.

Honda Insurance Solutions is being launched as a fully licensed insurance agency serving the insurance needs of Acura and Honda customers, but it’s not stopping at competitive pricing and coverage options for Honda cars and motorcycles. Honda Insurance Solutions promises to go several steps beyond Tesla’s offering with coverage for trailers, RVs, homes, and even pets.

“Honda Insurance Solutions offers customers access to coverage through a brand they know and trust,” says Petar Vucurevic, President, American Honda Insurance Solutions, LLC and Senior Vice President, American Honda Finance Corporation. “Insurance is a key touchpoint in the vehicle ownership journey, and we aim to deliver a superior experience tailored to the unique needs of each customer, while promoting safer driving and increased peace of mind on the road.”

The company says the launch of its new insurance business is just part of Honda’s broader digital vehicle sales platform strategy, with future plans to integrate insurance offerings into new products.

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Electrek’s Take


Electric CUVE scooter; via Honda.

It’s important to note some of the key differences between Honda’s insurance offering and Tesla’s. Honda isn’t offering discounts, they’re not bundling insurance premiums into the vehicle financing, and they’re not building their insurance offerings into their dealerships’ checkout/F&I offices. Not yet, anyway.

What Honda is doing right now is deepening relationships with its existing customers and finding ways to make money on products it hasn’t sold them – whether that’s the Harley parked in the garage next to their Prologue or the garage itself.

It’s a smart play. And, once Honda figures out a way to cut franchise dealers out entirely and go to a direct sales model, it’ll look even smarter.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Honda.


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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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