Greater Tampa REALTORS® stands with the people of Ukraine in their unflinching defense of their families, home, and freedom itself.
If you feel compelled to give, the National Association of REALTORS® suggested the following organizations, which are mobilizing across Ukraine and its neighboring countries: International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Doctors Without Borders.
The aggressive actions by Russia and the world’s response continues to dominate the headlines, from worries close to home about rising energy costs to the actions of a group of volunteer hackers, successfully taking down several key Russian websites, including the Russian Foreign Ministry.
They speak to the fact that technology and a global economy have made our world much smaller and actions of all sizes ripple across the U.S. in ways both predictable and surprising.
While mortgage rates dropped a bit in recent days, the war in Ukraine isn’t expected to stop the Federal Reserve from raising interest rates next month. On the watch list is how the economic disruption caused by the war will affect U.S. inflation, which already is at a 40-year high. Related, housing inflation is predicted to surge by about 7% this year. But at this point in our area, there is no sign of a housing bubble, and any flat or declining sales are simply a product of low inventory.
Cryptocurrency in the housing industry has been in the news lately here in Florida. While the dollar has remained strong despite predictions that cryptocurrency would be seen as a hedge against inflation, in perhaps a surprising development, Bitcoin has soared in recent days as markets appear to see the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia as breathing new life into crypto. Donations of crypto have been flowing into Ukraine.
Climate change and supply chain issues are sparking new ways of doing business and people innovate to find solutions.
Autonomous tractor-trailer vehicles are increasingly seen as a solution to shortages of truck drivers. This week CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture of GE and France’s Safran that develops advanced jet engines, said it was partnering with European aircraft maker Airbus to build a hydrogen-fueled aircraft aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Finally, in stark contrast to this week’s other news, the most expensive house for sale in the U.S. will be auctioned next week. The $295 million mega-mansion known as The One in Los Angeles will be on the block for an ultra-exclusive audience.
We will continue to watch the fallout from the war in Europe and keep on top of the innovations and opportunities shaping our world.
