Every election cycle, Allan Lichtman does the rounds on cable news and social media, touting his system for predicting the next President. Outlets tout his straightforward methods and 'perfect record'. The problem is that his system isn't simple and hasn't always been right. Worse, he's willing to change his own predictions after the fact to preserve his clout.
Over the last decade, housing costs in the US have risen 7% annually to reach all-time highs. These highs are a boon for homeowners, but a bane for society as a whole. If housing is a high-performing investment, it must get less affordable, by definition. At its core, housing as an investment is in direct conflict with the universal human need for shelter.
As a 30-something lifelong renter, I constantly ask myself: how dumb am I for renting? Based on the current combo of high mortgage rates and home prices, however, the answer right now is not that dumb, maybe even smart. Relieved as I was to hear this, I still feel dread. Renting is the better option not because it's a steal, but because all housing options have become ludicrously expensive.