The mystery of the murdered economic expansion

​Former Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen: "I don’t think economic expansions die of old age." Yellen’s predecessor, Ben Bernanke, in response: "I like to say they get murdered." The "murderers" in the past have been financial imbalances like over-leveraging or the Federal Reserve raising rates

Buying a home in a flood-prone area? Do some homework first

​​ Texas coastal cities have been hit by numerous flood events over the past 30 years, resulting in billions of dollars in damage. ​​Recently, a reporter with Bankrate.com asked for advice for homebuyers looking to buy in flood-prone areas. The bottom line: a little research in advance can save buye

In search of Tierra Grande on a Saturday afternoon

​​​​​​​​​​​ ​”Here’s an idea.” Those three words fill me with two parts excitement and one part trepidation. My boss, Senior Editor David Jones, says this. A lot. He’s an idea guy. David recently Googled “Tierra Grande” and discovered what appeared to be a C​ensus-designated place in Nueces County o

Advice for young real estate agents

​​​​​​​In an April 24, 2019, article titled "2019’s Best Places to Be a Real Estate Agent,"​ WalletHub included some comments of mine in its "Ask the Experts" section. Here’s what I said. Q. Should real estate agents feel threatened by new apps and other online tools offering services to potential h