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This week, Donald Trump picked Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence. The appointment of Chennai-born techie Sriram Krishnan as Senior White House Policy Advisor on AI has triggered a fresh debate that pits Silicon Valley’s tech titans against the populist MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. At the heart of this clash is a growing tension over the future of US immigration policy and the role that foreign talent, particularly from countries like India, should play in shaping America’s technological landscape. ET Year-end Special Reads It's all Gucci for Indians' luxury craving even as economy shows wrinkles Investing in 2025: Will domestic funds continue to counter FPI sell-offs amid rising valuations? 2024 exposed the underbelly of India's Silicon Valley Following a post by an X user, who wrote, "Did any of yall vote for this Indian to run America", David Sacks, a prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneur and ally of Krishnan, has once again stepped forward to defend his friend amid increasing criticism. — nasescobar316 (@nasescobar316) Sacks responded by emphasizing Krishnan’s qualifications and US citizenship. A community note on the post had already clarified that Krishnan, a US citizen, was selected by President-elect Donald Trump to advise on AI policy, but Sacks took the opportunity to rebut further: "Sriram has been a US citizen for a decade. He’s not 'running America.' He’s advising on A.I. policy. He will have no influence over US immigration policy. These attacks have become crude, and not in the holiday spirit. I’m signing off now. Have a merry Christmas." (sic) ALSO READ: Sriram Krishnan, who worked for Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, is now Trump's AI advisor Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Microsoft Word Mastery: From Beginner to Expert By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Django & PostgreSQL Mastery: Build Professional Web Applications By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Design Microsoft Designer Guide: The Ultimate AI Design Tool By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Design Canva Magic Write: Ideas to Stunning Slides in No Time By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Entrepreneurship Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Finance Crypto & NFT Mastery: From Basics to Advanced By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Data Analysis Animated Visualizations with Flourish Studio: Beginner to Pro By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Laura Loomer's criticism and the MAGA backlash The venture capitalist’s incoming move met with a similar backlash, especially from Laura Loomer. Sacks’ defense follows a string of attacks from far-right critics, including conservative commentator Laura Loomer. Loomer has been vocal in her disapproval of Krishnan’s appointment, accusing him of betraying the “America First” agenda by advocating for immigration reforms that she claims would undermine American workers. Loomer’s criticisms focus on Krishnan’s support for removing country-specific caps on green cards, which she argues would prioritize foreign workers over American talent. Condemning the “disturbing” appointment of Krishnan as part of the Trump administration 2.0, Loomer wrote on X, “It’s alarming to see the number of career leftists who are now being appointed to serve in Trump’s admin when they share views that are in direct opposition to Trump’s America First agenda.” ALSO READ: Prince Harry was left 'red-faced' over Meghan Markle's actions in Netflix docuseries. The reason might shock you Lambasting the move that according to her does not stand by an “America First policy,” she alleged that Sriram Krishnan’s appointment would work against Trump’s immigration control agenda as the Indian American member in his cabinet “wants to REMOVE all restrictions on green card caps in the United States so that foreign students (which makes up 78% of the employees in Silicon Valley) can come to the US and take jobs that should be given to American STEM students.” Sriram Krishnan gains support However, Sacks and others have pushed back against these accusations, clarifying Krishnan’s stance on immigration. In a series of posts, Sacks explained that Krishnan’s position on green card reform is focused on removing country-specific caps, which currently create long wait times for applicants from countries like India, while applicants from other nations face little delay. "Sriram didn’t say he wants to remove all caps on green cards. ALSO READ: Ro Khanna defends Indian-origin Sriram Krishnan's appointment as Trump's AI advisor; calls it 'American exceptionalism' He said he wants to remove country caps on green cards," Sacks explained. "Right now, every country in the world gets allocated the same number of green cards, no matter how many qualified applicants it has." Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna also weighed in on the controversy , highlighting that Krishnan’s rise to a senior policy role in the US government reflects the values of American exceptionalism, not a threat to it. Khanna posted on X: "You fools criticizing @sriramk as Indian born criticize Musk as South African born or Jensen as Taiwanese born. It is GREAT that talent around the world wants to come here, not to China, and that Sriram can rise to the highest levels. It’s called American exceptionalism." — RoKhanna (@RoKhanna) Khanna’s remarks underscore a key point in the ongoing debate: the notion that the US benefits from attracting global talent, especially in the rapidly evolving fields of technology and AI, which require highly skilled workers. ALSO READ: Panama Canal, Canada and Greenland: Why is Trump teasing US expansion? All you need to know H1-B visa debate and Krishnan's immigration stance A major point of contention in this debate is the H-1B visa program, which allows US companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers, particularly in the fields of technology and engineering. Critics of the program, like Loomer, argue that it is often abused by companies seeking to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. On the other hand, supporters like Sriram Krishnan argue that such programs are essential for maintaining the US’s competitive edge in global tech, according to a TOI report. Krishnan has long advocated for reforms to the green card system, emphasizing a merit-based approach that prioritizes highly skilled workers rather than basing allocation on country quotas. Under the current system, applicants from high-demand countries, like India, can face decades-long waiting periods for green cards, while applicants from other nations face little to no delay. By removing country caps, Krishnan believes the US can create a more efficient system that better meets the needs of the country’s technology sector. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Video games have become an important part of millions of people’s lives, offering unique opportunities for recreation, entertainment and personal development. But what makes us spend hours in front of the screen, immersed in virtual worlds? The answer to this question lies in psychology. Games affect the brain by activating pleasure centers, stimulating creativity and developing skills. They create the perfect environment for achieving goals, socializing with like-minded people, and temporarily escaping from everyday life. In this article, we’ll delve into why we are so attracted to games and how they influence our thinking and behavior. Games as a source of fulfillment and challenge Games provide a unique opportunity to accomplish goals and overcome challenges. Completing a level, winning a tournament, or learning a new skill provides an instant sense of satisfaction, triggering the release of dopamine, the pleasure hormone. This makes games especially appealing to those looking for challenge and a clear goal. For competitive games such as Dota 2, it’s not just reactions that are important, but also the ability to strategize. The tips available on resources such as dota 2 betting tips help players improve their skills, making gameplay more fun and successful. The social side of gaming Games create a unique social space where people from different parts of the world can interact, share experiences and work in teams. This makes games a powerful tool for creating and strengthening social connections. Equally important are platforms such as https://egamersworld.com/ , which offer valuable tips for players, strategy discussions and news updates. Such resources bring the gaming community together, creating a sense of belonging and collaboration. Emotional fulfillment and escape from reality Games provide a safe space where we can distract ourselves from real-life problems and enjoy the process. They allow us to temporarily forget about stresses, creating worlds filled with adventure and possibilities. Games with an engaging story, such as The Last of Us or Red Dead Redemption, immerse us in emotional stories that help us cope with life’s challenges. For many players, these worlds become a source of inspiration and support during difficult times. Development and learning through games Many video games help develop cognitive skills such as attention, analytical thinking, and strategic planning. Simulation and strategy games like Civilization or Starcraft teach resource management and help you understand complex systems. For youth and adults, educational games like Minecraft: Education Edition become an important tool for learning math, physics, and even programming. Games teach through experimentation and creativity, making learning a fun process. Conclusion Video games are not only entertainment but also an important tool for personal and social development. They fulfill our need for achievement, create a space for socializing, and help us cope with everyday challenges. Resources such as dota 2 betting tips offer valuable advice and help players achieve success. And platforms like dota 2 betting tips support the gaming community by connecting people around the world. 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The Albanese government dropped six separate documents explaining what is happening on climate change and clean energy on Thursday in an annual event some call "climate Christmas". Here is some of what we learned. Emissions are falling – but not fast enough The latest Australian emissions data tells a slightly complicated story, mainly due to the Covid-19 shutdown years. Have emissions increased under Labor, as the Coalition and Greens claim? Or is that just in comparison with those during lockdowns? Emissions fell slightly last financial year – about 3m tonnes, or a 0.7% drop – and are now estimated to be 28.2% below 2005 levels. This followed a small post-pandemic rise the year before. A progress report by the Climate Change Authority gives the backdrop to this: pollution declined rapidly when Covid hit, largely because we stopped driving and flying as much, and has plateaued over the three years since. Its conclusion is that emissions are falling but not fast enough. Labor has passed its proposed social media ban for under-16s. Here's what we know – and what we don't Read more Climate pollution needs to be reduced on average by 15m tonnes a year between now and 2030 to reach the government's legislated target (a 43% cut below 2005 levels). Projections suggest this is possible under existing policies – if everything goes according to plan. The biggest driver of this should be the capacity investment scheme, a program to underwrite 32GW in new large-scale renewable energy and batteries before the end of the decade. That is roughly equivalent to building half the current capacity of the grid again. But it is worth remembering what scientists say: that Australia should be making a deeper cut by 2030 and setting a much more ambitious target for 2035 in the months ahead, to live up to... Adam Morton , Petra StockNorfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey remains on the hot seat as Karen Read’s defense team argues he has used his personal cellphone and email to communicate with the court and witnesses in the case. Defense attorney David Yannetti has said he learned that Morrissey’s text messages are “somehow remarkably set to auto-delete after 30 days,” sparking concern about what the DA may be hiding. “That obviously raises some questions for us, maybe the subject of a future motion, but more immediately, the concern is that every day that passes we’re losing text messages from 30 days prior,” Yannetti said at the end of a hearing at Norfolk Superior Court last week. Read’s defense team filed a motion in early November to look into Morrissey’s personal email and cellphone for any reference to their client’s case, saying they have evidence he’s made improper communications. Yannetti expanded on the request last Tuesday, detailing how they’d like to search Morrissey’s personal iCloud email for references of “Read” and “Reed,” names of relevant witnesses, all judges who have sat on the case and clerk’s office employees at Stoughton District Court and Norfolk Superior Court. “We don’t know if he did that for the purpose of avoiding a FOIA request or if he just misspelled my client’s name,” Yannetti said of Morrissey spelling his client’s last name “Reed.” “We have reason not to trust Mr. Morrissey in the light of his actions using this personal email account to make an ex parte communication,” Yannetti added, “and we ask that a more thorough search be done for these types of communications.” The defense has taken exception to how Morrissey communicated ex parte with personnel and judges at Stoughton District Court, according to “documentary evidence.” Morrissey’s personal cellphone and email use sprung into the spotlight amid the witness intimidation case involving Aidan “Turtleboy” Kearney . The Holden-based journalist has extensively covered the Read case on his blogs and social media accounts from an intensely pro-Read perspective, and he has been charged with intimidating witnesses in Read’s case for her benefit. Read’s defense team requested access to Morrissey’s personal cellphone and email after Kearney’s attorney Mark Bederow filed a similar motion in October. Bederow claimed Morrissey used his personal email address to chastise Stoughton District Court for “leaking” information about a public proceeding against Kearney to the defendant and that his communications included screenshots of text messages from a pro-prosecution witness in Read’s case, as well as other information indicating more than one witness was in communication with the DA’s office. Public officials’ use of private emails for government business is considered a violation of state law. In a blog post on Nov. 19 , Kearney highlighted how his defense team filed another motion in Norfolk Superior Court asking specifically for “access to Morrissey’s private email account that he used to communicate with judges ex parte about Turtleboy’s activism on September 29, 2023.” “It’s clear from the postings that Stoughton Court is directly involved in this dissemination of information affecting our murder prosecution,” Morrissey wrote in an email that day to Stacey Fortes, chief justice of the Massachusetts District Court. Kearney included a screenshot of the communication in his post. “From the comments from one of the witnesses, you can see that they have clearly lost all confidence in the Courts of the Commonwealth,” Morrissey continued. “I have to agree that the actions erode the trust and integrity between the courts and the public and the relationship with the District Attorney’s Office.” On Friday, Kearney posted on his X account that the court “withheld ‘embarrassing’ emails. (Morrissey) used this account regularly to email dozens of judges about court business. He even mocked the trial courts and their efficiency in one email.” Also Friday, Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone, overseeing the Read murder case, denied the prosecution’s request for her parents’ phone records, which they said could have bolstered their argument that the defendant knew she struck and left John O’Keefe to die in a snowstorm. Read, 44, of Mansfield, is charged with second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident causing death in the killing of her boyfriend of roughly two years, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, in the early morning of Jan. 29, 2022. Prosecutors say that she struck O’Keefe with her SUV after yet another drunken bout of fighting in the troubled relationship, and left him to freeze and die on the front yard of a Canton home where the pair was supposed to continue a night out after the bars closed. The defense counters that O’Keefe made it inside that home and was killed by others inside, including possibly then-homeowner Brian Albert, who was a fellow Boston Police officer. It alleges the well-connected police family then worked with local and state police investigators to cover up the crime and frame Read. Read’s first trial ended with a hung jury in July. The defense and prosecution have requested the retrial, scheduled for late January, be pushed back to April. Morrissey has received backlash after he blasted internet trolls in an August 2023 video for spreading “baseless” theories in the case. “The harassment of witnesses in the murder prosecution of Karen Read is absolutely baseless,” the DA said in the video, which he described as “the first statement of its kind” in his tenure. “It should be an outrage to any decent person — and it needs to stop. Innuendo is not evidence. False narratives are not evidence.” “However, what evidence does show is that John O’Keefe never entered the home at 34 Fairview Road in Canton on the night he died,” he added. “Location data from his phone — recovered from the lawn beneath his body when he was transported to the hospital — shows that his phone did not enter that home.” Morrissey is up for reelection in 2026 and faces two candidates who have already vowed to run for the position.Today’s NYT ‘Connections’ Hints And Answers For November 28 - Forbes
Every top head coach is only as good as the sporting director charged with building the squad from which they select their team. So Manchester United 's decision to part ways with Dan Ashworth , just five months after hiring him from Newcastle United, highlights how much of a hurry the club are in to become competitive under new boss Ruben Amorim. One source told ESPN that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United's minority owner and principal decision-maker, had quickly become unimpressed by Ashworth, believing he lacked the personality and skill set to do the job. So rather than allow an unsatisfactory situation to deteriorate, a decision was made to act now in a dramatic damage-limitation exercise. Sources said that relations between Ashworth and Ratcliffe had been "rocky" for weeks, but that the swiftness of the decision to part company on Sunday morning has surprised many at the club. Editor's Picks Dan Ashworth to exit Man Utd as sporting director 30m Rob Dawson Forest loss makes scale of Manchester United rebuild clear to Ruben Amorim 15h Rob Dawson Is managing Man United an impossible job? Amorim will soon find out 11d Rob Dawson Ashworth had been in charge of United's summer recruitment strategy, when £182 million was spent on five players. Yet less than six months on, arguably only £12.8m defender Noussair Mazraoui has lived up to his contract. The rest have been distinctly underwhelming. And although Ashworth was involved in the decision to fire manager Erik ten Hag in October, the identification and recruitment of highly rated 39-year-old coach Amorim from Portuguese champions Sporting CP was overseen and executed by CEO Omar Berrada. Since assuming full control of football operations at Old Trafford in February following the acquisition of a 25% stake as minority owners, Ratcliffe's INEOS group have torn up the existing structure at the club. Senior executives from the previous regime have gone, including football director John Murtough, and subsequently Ten Hag, following a dismal start to the season. Ashworth, previously technical director at the English Football Association and sporting director at both Brighton and Newcastle, was supposed to be part of the new era as INEOS moved quickly to hire experts with successful track records to fill the vacuum of knowledge at United that had developed and grown since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement as manager in 2013. Ashworth was recruited from Newcastle after a lengthy compensation battle with the St. James' Park club -- United ultimately paid £3m for him to start work on July 1 -- and Berrada (formerly at Manchester City ), technical director Jason Wilcox ( Southampton ) and interim director of recruitment Christopher Vivell ( RB Leipzig and Chelsea ) were also hired to form part of the senior leadership team under INEOS. Sources have told ESPN that INEOS spoke to Michael Edwards , the former Liverpool sporting director credited with building the squad with which Jurgen Klopp turned the team into Premier League and Champions League winners, in the months prior to their United investment in the hopes of persuading him to return to football at Old Trafford. The 45-year-old had been out of work since leaving Liverpool in the summer of 2022 and had rejected a number of offers to work again in football, but despite holding talks with INEOS, Edwards rejected the opportunity. STREAM ESPN FC DAILY ON ESPN+ Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and others to bring you the latest highlights and debate the biggest storylines. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only). Shortly after those talks with INEOS, Edwards returned to Liverpool in March this year in a role as CEO of football operations for the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group. Edwards was immediately tasked with finding a successor for Klopp, who had announced his decision to stand down as manager at the end of the season, and Liverpool ultimately appointed Feyenoord coach Arne Slot, who has guided to the team to top spot in the Premier League and Champions League tables, losing just once all season. Ashworth had less immediate success at United. His start date came after INEOS had decided to retain Ten Hag as manager, despite speaking to several potential successors in the run-up to the FA Cup final win over Manchester City in May, but he was nonetheless charged with overhauling Ten Hag's failing squad. Sources have told ESPN that aside from Matthijs de Ligt , the Netherlands international centre-back signed from Bayern Munich in a combined £50.5m deal with Mazraoui, every summer signing was driven by the recruitment department headed up by Ashworth. Ten Hag wanted De Ligt and, despite believing the squad was already well stocked with centre-backs, Ashworth sanctioned the move in order to show faith in the manager following his retention in the role weeks earlier. Sources added that the decision to sign forward Joshua Zirkzee , a £36m signing from Bologna , was driven by Ashworth's team based on data analytics, and the Netherlands forward has so far looked out of his depth in the United team, scoring just three goals in 21 appearances. Defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte (£42.2m from PSG) has had a disrupted start at United and yet to secure a regular place in the team, while centre-back Leny Yoro (£52m from Lille ) only made his debut in last Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal after suffering a foot injury during preseason. So the jury is still out on Ashworth's one, and only, summer window, but United have little time to waste. The club's finances are stretched to the limit due to losses of £113.2m in their most recent accounts and continued struggles on the pitch will only deepen the problem if they fail return to the riches of the Champions League. Astute recruitment has always been a key factor in success, but with so many teams now mastering the art of data analytics, United are playing catchup. Ratcliffe was damning of United's recruitment in an interview with the fanzine United We Stand this weekend, saying the club were a long way behind in data analysis. "It doesn't really exist here," he said. "We're still in the last century on data analysis here. There's immense amount of useful data that we can get from data analysis and we're in the 'very poor' bracket with data analysis here." None of that can be blamed on Ashworth, who only started work in July, but the signings made on his watch were not good enough to buy him more time. Edwards has shown at Liverpool how the right person with the crucial expertise can make an instant impact and the challenge for Hugo Viana, who will replace the hugely successful Txiki Begiristain as Manchester City sporting director next summer, is to be more like Edwards than Ashworth. Viana made his name at Sporting CP, alongside Amorim, and one of his most impressive deals was the £17m signing of Viktor Gyökeres , a relatively unknown forward playing for Coventry City in the EFL Championship, in 2023. After scoring 68 goals in 72 games, Gyökeresis now one of the hottest prospects in Europe and being linked with an £80m move next summer, with United and Amorim high on the Sweden forward's list of admirers. Ashworth knows all about Gyökeres, having sanctioned his £1m transfer from Brighton to Coventry in 2021. That's the price on the ticket for all sporting directors. Managers and coaches are judged on results, but sporting directors are only as good as the decisions they make on players and Ashworth has already paid the price for his.Kimberly Guilfoyle picked by Trump to be ambassador to Greece
Biden calls for Assad to be 'held accountable'Sikkim: Indian Army ATGM units showcase precision in high-altitude exerciseBy 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.” Check the forecast 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. 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. Set a budget 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. Find a buyer’s agent 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. Shop and negotiate 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. Should you buy a house in 2025? 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 .
NoneMissing 54A absentee ballots likely thrown out, Scott County attorney says