“Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services—offered by companies like Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay, and PayPal—have exploded in popularity over the past few years. They allow consumers to make purchases and pay for them over time in smaller installments, often interest-free if paid on time. For many shoppers, BNPL is a convenient and flexible alternative to credit cards.

However, as their use becomes more widespread, BNPL loans are starting to factor into credit scores, bringing both opportunities and risks for consumers.

What has happened to County offices / public offices, that we have to frequent for our jobs? They are elected ''public servants.'' However, that seems to have gone by the wayside lately more than ever. I have been a real estate title examiner since 1980 and I find the service aspect of their offices has been forgotten.

One County Recorder's office now refuses to make copies of the records in their office. They insist you come into their office and make them yourself. They say they are too busy to make copies. Even if you email them a list of copies in advance they won't make the copies and send them to you or have you come in and pick them up.

Another county, which closes at 4pn., won't accept copy request after 3:30 pm and their record room closes at 3:45 pm. If by chance there is nobody from the general public in the office between 3:45 pm. and 4pm, they lock up and go home for the day. Regardless that the rest of the courthouse is open until 4 pm. This same office has laminated signs posted all over the office of do's and don'ts as if the record room is frequented by kindergardners.

Another office also with multiple signs, has one that says if your copy request isn't turned in by 3:15 pm, they are a 4pm office, you may not receive your copies the same business day. I know a great majority of us title examiners have 100% remote access. However, the six Central Ohio counties my office serves, none of them have 100% access. We are still going to the county courthouses on a daily basis. I thought with computerzation and remote access my job would be easier. In some cases, it has, but too often it has become more tedious than it needs to be. Do I think anything will change, but this site seems to be the only place I can express my frustrations. 

The prospect of a new war in the Middle East carries serious geopolitical and economic consequences—and the ripple effects could reach deep into the U.S. housing market. While it’s impossible to predict the future with certainty, history offers insight into how war, global instability, and energy disruptions can shape real estate trends at home.

Here’s a breakdown of how another Middle Eastern conflict could impact the U.S. housing market, from interest rates and inflation to home prices and buyer sentiment.