The Sunday Morning Post

The Sunday Morning Post focuses on the economy, personal finance, and the impact of financial trends and regulations on sectors such as banking, real estate, and construction, with a specific interest in Maine. It covers banking crises, market adjustments, consumer debt, regulatory changes, and technological advancements in housing.

Economy Personal Finance Banking Sector Real Estate Construction Industry Consumer Debt Market Trends Regulatory Changes Technological Advancements in Housing Environmental and Economic Risks

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

New York City Hits the AirBNB Kill Switch

137 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
💼 Business Real Estate Regulations Market Analysis Financial impact
  1. New York City enforced strict restrictions on AirBNB and short-term rentals due to rising rents and limited housing supply.
  2. AirBNB, fighting against the regulations, faced lawsuits and ultimately a decline in listings in New York City.
  3. The recent enforcement of regulations in New York City marked a significant shift, with few approved permits for short-term rentals and a decrease in available AirBNBs.

How Banks Are Adjusting for Risk

117 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
💰 Finance Banking Risk management Economy Interest Rates
  1. Banks are tightening lending standards due to economic uncertainty and risk concerns
  2. Banks are responding by decreasing loan-to-value ratios, adding interest rate premiums, and shortening loan maturities
  3. Borrowing money from banks will become tougher in the coming months due to higher interest rates and stricter underwriting standards
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Rental Market Preview 2024

98 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
💼 Business Real Estate Investing Economy Housing Market
  1. Rents have been increasing but are expected to flatten and possibly decline in 2024 due to a surge in new rental units hitting the market.
  2. Vacancy rates are starting to increase, indicating an evolving rental market tied to new inventory.
  3. Investors should be cautious as margins are expected to get tighter with declining rents, a tough borrowing environment, and tighter lending standards.

Shipping Costs Rise Amid Global Tension

98 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Humanitarian Crisis Global Economy
  1. Shipping costs have significantly increased due to disruptions in global trade routes, impacting the U.S. economy and potentially leading to inflation.
  2. The conflict in the Red Sea, led by Houthi attacks, has forced ships to take longer routes, costing more in time and money.
  3. The U.S. involvement in the conflict with the Houthis raises concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East and potential long-term military campaigns.

A Modern Look at an Old Banking Risk

78 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
💰 Finance Banking Regulation Stability Risk management Social media
  1. Bank runs can still happen today, triggered by various factors like social media rumors and liquidity issues
  2. The FDIC, established in 1933, guarantees a certain amount of depositors' funds to prevent bank runs and provide stability to the banking system
  3. Modern banking faces new challenges like swift fund transfers, online activism affecting stock prices, and the need for regulators to adapt to the changing landscape

The Credit Card Debt Bomb is Ticking

78 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
💰 Finance Economy Interest Rates
  1. Total credit card debt in the US surpassed $1 trillion for the first time in history, with high interest rates reaching an average of 20.68% in May 2023.
  2. Credit card delinquencies hit an 11-year high in the second quarter of 2023, with 2.77% of all credit card payments being missed.
  3. Delinquency rates for home mortgages and commercial loans are remarkably low, contrasting sharply with the concerning trend of rising credit card debt and delinquencies.

Lawsuits Rock Realtors and What it Means for Home Sales

78 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
💼 Business Real Estate Lawsuits Market Industry
  1. A series of lawsuits have shaken up the National Association of Realtors and real estate brokerage firms, potentially leading to changes in how homes are bought and sold.
  2. The lawsuits focus on inflated commissions in real estate transactions, aiming to decouple commissions between buyers' and sellers' agents, and could lead to different compensation structures in the industry.
  3. A new organization, the American Real Estate Association, has emerged to challenge the NAR's hold on the real estate market by offering more flexible commission fees and membership dues.

"A Year of Moderation" Begins for the Construction Sector

58 implied HN points • 21 May 23
💼 Business Construction Economy Inflation Consumer spending
  1. Home Depot reported a 4.2% decline in sales for Q1 2023, marking the start of a period of moderation in the construction sector.
  2. Lower home construction numbers are impacting sales of materials like lumber and affecting big-ticket item purchases.
  3. Factors like higher interest rates, inflation, and economic uncertainty are contributing to the slowdown in the construction market.

The College Crisis

58 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🚌 Education Demographics Higher education
  1. Demographics are impacting college enrollment, there are fewer young people to fill classrooms
  2. College tuition has been rapidly increasing, leading to a decline in student enrollment
  3. Trade schools are seeing enrollment growth as an alternative to traditional colleges

The Math of the Housing Crunch

58 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💰 Finance Housing Market Interest Rates Construction Economy
  1. The housing crisis has worsened in recent years due to factors like increased rents and higher home prices, impacting policymakers and individuals alike.
  2. The root of the housing crunch dates back to the Great Recession in 2007, leading to a significant drop in new home construction that never fully recovered.
  3. To ease the housing crunch, there is a need for an increase in the construction of various types of housing units, which has already shown some promise in the rental market.

It's Getting Harder to Get a Loan

39 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
💰 Finance Loans Interest Rates Economy Banking
  1. Banks are making it harder to get a loan due to higher interest rates and tightened lending standards across all loan categories.
  2. Rising deposit costs are influencing banks to be more selective in lending, preferring customers with deposits in their institution.
  3. Banks are tightening lending standards to protect themselves, leading to fewer loans offered and increased charges, covenants, collateral requirements, and reduced loan sizes.