How a ‘distraction’ wallet can protect you from being pickpocketed on holiday – with some for just £4
If you’ve been eyeing the powerful Apple MacBook Air with M2 chip, this Black Friday deal on Amazon is your golden opportunity. This MacBook Air is now available for just $749, down from its original price of $999 . This represents a huge 25% discount (quite unexpected for an Apple device) which is great if you’re looking for a high-performance laptop. See at Amazon Apple never offers discounts in their own Apple stores, so this Amazon deal is a rare chance to snag a MacBook at a significantly reduced price. As an authorized Apple reseller, Amazon provides the same product and warranty you’d get directly from Apple but at a much more attractive price point. With Black Friday deals on MacBooks being uncommon, we recommend you to act very quickly before this offer expires. Our Black Friday’s Top Pick At the core of the MacBook Air is Apple’s powerful M2 chip. This 2022 processor is engineered specifically for Macs and delivers impressive speed and efficiency. Whether you’re juggling multiple applications, editing videos or simply browsing the web, the M2 chip ensures great performance that can handle it all without breaking a sweat. One of the standout features of this MacBook Air is its stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display. With vibrant colors and deep blacks, this screen elevates everything from document editing to streaming your favorite shows. Thanks to the very popular True Tone technology, the display automatically adjusts to your surroundings and ensures a comfortable viewing experience no matter where you are. The design of the MacBook Air is equally impressive, as for all Apple products: its lightweight aluminum chassis makes it easy to carry around while the backlit Magic Keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience. Plus, with Touch ID for secure authentication, you can access your device quickly and safely. When it comes to video calls or online meetings, you’ll appreciate the 1080p FaceTime HD camera. Paired with a three-microphone array, it delivers clear audio and video quality. At just $749, the MacBook Air M2 offers incredible value, especially when compared to the newly released MacBook Air M3 models of 2024. It’s unlikely you’ll find the M3 at such a low price anytime soon and it makes the M2 a smart choice for budget-conscious consumers. For most users, the differences between the M2 and M3 chips are subtle at best . Unless you’re engaged in extremely demanding tasks like high-resolution video editing or complex design work, you likely won’t notice a significant performance gap in everyday use. The robust capabilities of the M2 processor mean that you can enjoy a powerful laptop today and still be well-equipped for the next decade of computing needs without feeling outdated. See at Amazon
By Abby Badach Doyle, NerdWallet It won’t be impossible to buy a house in 2025 — just be prepared to play on hard mode. According to a November 2024 report from ICE Mortgage Technology, the monthly principal and interest payment on an average-priced home is $2,385. While that’s not the highest it’s ever been, it’s still a sharp increase — nearly 80% — from just three years ago. In November 2021, when mortgage rates averaged 3%, the monthly principal and interest on an average-priced home was $1,327 per month. So here’s the key to buying in 2025: Look ahead, not back. Regret won’t help you budget for today’s new normal. And with this year’s election also in the rearview mirror, so is some uncertainty among buyers and sellers that historically slows the market during every presidential election cycle. “People have just been kind of sitting waiting to see what’s going to happen,” says Courtney Johnson Rose, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, an industry group for Black real estate agents. “I’m hopeful that the new year will bring more attention to real estate, more excitement to real estate, and more opportunities for first-time home owners to get in the game.” Preparing to buy a house is a lot like dressing for the weather. It’s easier when the outlook is sunny — but with some planning, you can gear up to face any condition. Here’s what housing market experts are forecasting for the upcoming year. Related Articles Real Estate | New law could help California renters facing eviction stay in their homes Real Estate | California No. 1 for crazy, pretentious residents, poll says Real Estate | Southern California hiring dips 47% below average in November Real Estate | Is California living worth the costs and taxes? Real Estate | California homebuying jumps 20%, biggest gain in 41 months First, home prices: We’ll likely see more modest growth in 2025, a change from skyrocketing prices in recent years. After 16 consecutive months of year-over-year price increases, the median existing-home sales price hit $407,200 in October, according to the National Association of Realtors. In 2025, with more supply trickling in to temper price increases, NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun forecasts a median existing-home sales price of $410,700, up just 2% over this year. Next, housing inventory: Demand still outpaces supply. While we don’t expect a return to a buyer’s market, competition should be less cutthroat. Realtor.com forecasts a balanced market in 2025 with an average 4.1-month supply of homes for sale, up from an average 3.7-month supply so far in 2024. That would make 2025 the friendliest market for buyers since 2016, which had an average 4.4-month supply. Finally, mortgage rates: After topping 8% in October 2023, the 30-year mortgage rate has slowly eased into the 6.5%-7% range this year. Rate cuts from the Federal Reserve have helped nudge that downward. Despite earlier optimism, forecasters’ latest consensus is for rates to effectively plateau above 6% throughout 2025. That said, every year has its wild cards. In 2025, it’s still uncertain how President-elect Donald Trump and a Republican-led Congress might shake up regulations and tax policies that affect the U.S. housing market. National forecasts don’t analyze what matters most: Your personal cash flow. To get ready to buy, first meet with a financial advisor or use an online calculator to determine how much house you can afford . You can also get free or low-cost advice from a housing counselor sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Next, look into down payment and closing cost assistance from state housing finance agencies, local governments, nonprofits and mortgage lenders. Your employer or labor union might offer assistance, too. First-time buyers with income below their area median have the most options, but repeat or higher-income borrowers can qualify for some programs as well. “I think that there’s a lot of free money being left out there,” Rose says. Your not-so-secret weapon for buying in 2025 just might be an experienced buyer’s agent. “Anybody can write a contract,” says Sharon Parker, associate broker with Tate & Foss Sotheby’s International Realty in Rye, New Hampshire. “But you need somebody who’s seen the market, the ups and downs, who knows how to get creative because every transaction is different.” Following a settlement with the NAR , buyers can now negotiate their agent’s compensation up front. (Previously, home sellers took on that task.) While new norms are still shaking out, Rose says she hasn’t seen too much drama since the change took effect in August. “So as long as buyers remember that we have to talk about this in the beginning of our relationship, everything typically works out fine,” she says. Finally, it’s time to shop for a mortgage. To get the best interest rate, get a quote with at least three different lenders. You could also delegate the shopping to a mortgage broker, who can compare quotes and even negotiate a lower rate on your behalf. Though brokers charge a fee, their access to more mortgage options and lower rates can often mean net savings overall. With a mortgage preapproval in hand, it’s go time. And you don’t have to wait until spring: If you’re ready to buy now, buyers have less competition and more negotiating power from December through February, so you could snag a deal. “The people who are selling and the people who are buying in the off season are very serious,” Parker says. “They’re not just lookie-loos.” However, lower inventory means fewer choices for buyers. So start your search prepared to compromise — a “good enough” house will still help you build equity. If a down payment or monthly mortgage payment is financially out of reach, there’s no shame in postponing your search to pad your savings. And owning a home isn’t the right lifestyle choice for everyone, with the ongoing commitment of money and time. But once you’re ready to buy — whether for the first time, or to upgrade or downsize — avoid the trap of waiting for a dip in mortgage rates. “Nobody can predict what the market, or the world, is going to do,” Parker says. “There is no better time than right now.” Mortgage rates will always fluctuate, and if they drop significantly, you can refinance. For first-time buyers, homeownership is a major financial glow-up — and the sooner you jump in, the longer you’ll have to build home equity. “Time value of money is really, really critical when it comes to real estate,” Rose says. “So I would always encourage somebody to buy as soon as you can and get the clock ticking.” More From NerdWallet Abby Badach Doyle writes for NerdWallet. Email: abadachdoyle@nerdwallet.com. The article Buying a House in 2025: Your How-To Guide originally appeared on NerdWallet .
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Buying a house in 2025: your how-to guideFRANKLIN, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- HubSync Co., a pioneer in SaaS for tax and accounting automation, today unveiled dramatic enhancements to its product suite, set to launch in 2025. This release promises not just tools but a transformation in how firms manage tax and accounting processes, leveraging cutting-edge AI and user-centric design. CEO Insight: "We're not just updating; we're redefining what tax and accounting automation can do," stated John McGowan, CEO of HubSync. "Our focus has been relentless innovation, driven by direct client feedback, to ensure our platform not only meets but exceeds modern business needs." Key Product Enhancements for 2025: Why It Matters: These updates are not just about functionality but about transforming the workflow of tax professionals. "Our goal is to automate the mundane, allowing professionals to focus on strategy and client service," McGowan added. This approach not only saves time but also introduces unprecedented levels of accuracy and security in tax processing. Looking Ahead: As tax laws evolve and businesses seek efficiency, HubSync's 2025 updates position it as a leader in providing not just solutions but strategic advantages through technology. Firms adopting these tools can expect a significant uplift in operational efficiency and client satisfaction. For More Information: Contact HubSync's media team at bweissman@hubsync.com or visit www.hubsync.com for further details or to schedule a demo. About HubSync HubSync’s mission is to simplify and automate the tax and accounting processes for CPA firms with best-in-class technology and solutions enabling firm professionals and their clients to enjoy the tax, accounting, and advisory processes. Top CPA firms and firm professionals have come to rely on HubSync’s integration technologies to elevate their services and modernize their offerings. Visit www.hubsync.com to see all HubSync has to offer. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219626981/en/ bweissman@hubsync.com KEYWORD: TENNESSEE UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: LEGAL SOFTWARE FINANCE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DATA MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY SOURCE: HubSync Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 02:17 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 02:17 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219626981/en