Hey guys,
I’ve been curating a list of companies that employ remote data analysts from anywhere. As I’ve seen some people on this subreddit asking about remote jobs, I thought it’d might be interesting to share here.
If this is interesting to you, let me know. I’ll continue building this and might try to source some jobs from these companies as well. Maybe I can start an e-mail list or something similar to keep you updated.
Cheers!
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1. ConvertKit
https://convertkit.com/
ConvertKit empowers creators with a robust email marketing platform designed to build and nurture meaningful relationships with their audience. Their user-friendly interface and automation tools make it easy to create engaging email campaigns, landing pages, and forms. With ConvertKit, creators can effortlessly segment their subscribers, track their engagement, and drive conversions like never before. The company's culture thrives on the spirit of innovation and a deep understanding of creators' needs. They foster a supportive and collaborative environment where individuals can unleash their creativity and shape the future of email marketing.
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2. Automattic
https://automattic.com/
Automattic is the driving force behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, and several other popular web development tools. This globally distributed company is fueled by a passion for empowering individuals and businesses to create impactful online experiences. With a vibrant culture of remote work, Automattic encourages autonomy, flexibility, and continuous learning. They foster a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives flourish, fueling innovation and the creation of exceptional products. At Automattic, you'll find a dedicated team of professionals united by their love for the web and a shared mission to democratize publishing and make the internet a better place.
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3. GitLab
https://about.gitlab.com/
GitLab revolutionizes the way software development teams collaborate and streamline their workflows. As a complete DevOps platform, GitLab provides a single application for code versioning, CI/CD pipelines, project management, and more. With a culture of transparency, inclusivity, and remote-first principles, GitLab fosters a sense of belonging and encourages collaboration across teams and continents. They embrace the values of efficiency, iteration, and open communication, empowering individuals to contribute and make an impact. At GitLab, you'll discover a community-driven company where innovation and continuous improvement are at the core of everything they do.
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4. 10up
https://10up.com/
10up is a full-service digital agency that combines strategy, design, and engineering to create exceptional web experiences. They specialize in WordPress development, crafting custom solutions for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to quality, 10up delivers cutting-edge solutions that push boundaries. Their company culture thrives on collaboration, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. They foster an environment where talent flourishes, ideas are celebrated, and employees are empowered to take ownership of their work. At 10up, they're not just building websites; they're creating digital experiences that leave a lasting impact.
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5. Zapier
https://10up.com/
Zapier is a game-changing automation platform that connects apps and simplifies workflows, empowering businesses to automate repetitive tasks and focus on what matters most. With Zapier, users can seamlessly integrate their favorite apps and create custom automated workflows without any coding knowledge. The company culture at Zapier is driven by the values of empathy, transparency, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. They champion remote work and believe in giving individuals the freedom to work from anywhere while fostering a supportive and inclusive community. Zapier is the go-to solution for those seeking efficiency, productivity, and a touch of magic in their everyday workflows.
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6. Groove
https://www.groovehq.com/
Groove is a customer support software that helps businesses deliver exceptional customer experiences. With its intuitive ticketing system and collaborative features, Groove enables teams to provide timely and personalized support. The company culture at Groove revolves around empathy, customer-centricity, and a passion for continuous improvement. They foster a work environment that encourages innovation, growth, and open communication. Groove believes in the power of human connections and strives to create a positive impact on both their customers and employees. Join Groove, and you'll be part of a team dedicated to transforming customer support into an art form.
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7. Banzai
https://www.banzai.io/
Banzai is an event marketing platform that helps organizations drive engagement, expand their reach, and deliver exceptional virtual and in-person events. With Banzai, event marketers can streamline event planning, maximize attendee participation, and measure the impact of their efforts. The company culture at Banzai is driven by a passion for events, innovation, and collaboration. They value creativity, adaptability, and a deep understanding of their customers' needs. Banzai's team is made up of experienced event professionals who are dedicated to providing the tools and expertise needed to create memorable and impactful events that drive business growth.
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8. Zyte
https://www.zyte.com/
Zyte (formerly Scrapinghub) is a leading web data extraction and scraping platform, enabling businesses to gather valuable insights from the web at scale. Their powerful tools and services make it easy to collect, structure, and analyze web data for a wide range of applications. Zyte's company culture revolves around curiosity, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. They foster a collaborative environment where individuals are encouraged to explore new ideas, embrace challenges, and push the boundaries of what's possible. Join Zyte, and you'll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to unlocking the potential of web data and empowering businesses worldwide.
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9. Sonatype
https://www.sonatype.com/
Sonatype is a software supply chain automation and security company, helping organizations build secure and reliable software faster. With their advanced tools and insights, Sonatype enables developers to make informed decisions about open-source components and mitigate risks. The company culture at Sonatype is driven by a passion for innovation, collaboration, and creating a secure software ecosystem. They value diversity, inclusion, and the power of continuous learning. Sonatype's team is united by a shared mission to ensure that software is always secure and dependable, empowering developers to build with confidence and deliver exceptional results.
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10. Podia
https://www.podia.com/
Podia is an all-in-one platform for creators to sell online courses, digital products, and membership subscriptions. With Podia, creators can build beautiful storefronts, market their offerings, and connect with their audience—all in one place. The company culture at Podia thrives on creativity, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to helping creators succeed. They foster an environment where individuality is celebrated, collaboration is encouraged, and big ideas are turned into reality. Podia is more than just a software company; it's a community of passionate individuals who are empowering creators to monetize their expertise and make a meaningful impact on their audience.
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11. Doist
https://doist.com/
Doist is the creator of Todoist, one of the world's leading productivity apps, and Twist, a communication platform designed for remote teams. Doist is driven by a mission to help individuals and teams achieve their goals and find work-life balance. Their company culture emphasizes autonomy, remote work, and a focus on personal well-being. They believe in creating a positive and supportive work environment where individuals have the freedom to do their best work. Doist values simplicity, efficiency, and the power of collaboration, making them the go-to choice for those seeking productivity and harmony in their professional lives.
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12. Articulate
https://articulate.com/
Articulate is a leading e-learning software company that empowers organizations to create engaging and interactive online courses. With their suite of tools, including Rise 360 and Storyline 360, Articulate enables instructional designers and educators to build impactful learning experiences. The company culture at Articulate is centered around creativity, innovation, and a passion for education. They foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where ideas thrive, and individuals are empowered to make a difference. Articulate's mission is to transform how people learn, equipping organizations with the tools they need to deliver compelling and effective online training.
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13. Epic
https://www.getepic.com/
Epic is a digital reading platform designed for children, offering an extensive library of books, audiobooks, and educational resources. With Epic, kids can explore a world of stories and develop a love for reading. The company culture at Epic revolves around a deep commitment to education, imagination, and fostering a lifelong passion for learning. They believe in creating a safe and engaging space where kids can discover new worlds through literature. Epic's team is comprised of passionate individuals who are dedicated to providing children with exceptional reading experiences, empowering them to become lifelong learners.
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14. TaxJar
https://www.taxjar.com/
TaxJar is a leading provider of sales tax automation solutions, simplifying the complexities of tax compliance for businesses. Their robust platform automates sales tax calculations, reporting, and filing, allowing companies to focus on growth and profitability. The company culture at TaxJar is built on a foundation of expertise, efficiency, and customer-centricity. They value transparency, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the challenges businesses face when it comes to sales tax. TaxJar's team is committed to providing exceptional service and ensuring that businesses can navigate the ever-changing world of sales tax with ease.
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15. Arcadia
https://arcadia.io/
Arcadia is a leading population health management company that leverages data and technology to improve healthcare outcomes. Their platform integrates and analyzes health data from various sources, providing insights that enable healthcare organizations to deliver personalized and effective care. The company culture at Arcadia is driven by a passion for improving healthcare, innovation, and data-driven decision-making. They foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where individuals are empowered to make a positive impact. Arcadia's team is united by a shared mission to transform healthcare through advanced analytics, ultimately improving the lives of patients and communities.
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16. Harvest
https://www.getharvest.com/
Harvest is a leading time tracking and project management software designed to help businesses streamline their operations and maximize productivity. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Harvest enables teams to track time, manage projects, and analyze data for efficient decision-making. The company culture at Harvest is rooted in simplicity, transparency, and a commitment to work-life balance. They value collaboration, personal growth, and creating a positive impact in the lives of their customers. Harvest fosters an environment where individuals are empowered to do their best work and find harmony between their professional and personal lives.
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17. Ad Hoc
https://www.getharvest.com/
Ad Hoc is a digital services company that partners with government agencies to design and build user-centric digital experiences. They specialize in creating intuitive and accessible websites, applications, and platforms that enhance public services. The company culture at Ad Hoc is characterized by a deep commitment to public service, innovation, and collaboration. They value diversity, inclusivity, and the power of human-centered design. Ad Hoc's team consists of talented professionals who are passionate about using technology to improve the lives of citizens and create meaningful impact in the public sector.
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18. Fyusion
https://fyusion.com/
Fyusion is a computer vision and deep learning company that develops cutting-edge technologies for creating and analyzing immersive 3D visual content. Their solutions empower businesses in industries like automotive, e-commerce, and real estate to leverage the power of 3D imagery and augmented reality. The company culture at Fyusion is driven by a spirit of innovation, collaboration, and a deep passion for visual storytelling. They foster an environment where creativity thrives, ideas are nurtured, and technological boundaries are pushed. Fyusion's team is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we interact with visual content and unlocking new dimensions of human perception.
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19. Dandy
https://www.meetdandy.com/
Dandy is a modern insurance company that offers affordable and customizable home and renters insurance. With a user-friendly online platform, Dandy simplifies the insurance process, providing individuals with the coverage they need and a delightful customer experience. The company culture at Dandy is built on the principles of simplicity, transparency, and customer-centricity. They value innovation, integrity, and going above and beyond to exceed customer expectations. Dandy's team is committed to reimagining the insurance industry, making it accessible, straightforward, and tailored to the needs of the modern consumer.
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20. Addepar
https://addepar.com/
Addepar is a leading wealth management platform that provides comprehensive data aggregation, analysis, and reporting for financial advisors and investors. Their intuitive platform brings together complex financial data, enabling users to gain insights, make informed decisions, and optimize their portfolios. The company culture at Addepar is driven by a passion for empowering financial professionals, integrity, and a commitment to excellence. They foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where expertise is valued, and ideas are encouraged. Addepar's team is dedicated to transforming the wealth management industry and helping clients achieve their financial goals.
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21. Pachama
https://addepar.com/
Pachama is a technology-driven forest carbon marketplace that connects forest conservation projects with companies and individuals looking to offset their carbon emissions. By leveraging advanced satellite imaging and machine learning, Pachama ensures accurate measurement and monitoring of carbon sequestration efforts. The company culture at Pachama is rooted in environmental stewardship, innovation, and a commitment to combating climate change. They value collaboration, transparency, and the power of collective action. Pachama's team is composed of passionate individuals who are dedicated to protecting and restoring forests, making a significant impact on the health of our planet.
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22. Clipboard Health
https://www.clipboardhealth.com/
Clipboard Health is a technology platform that connects healthcare facilities with qualified healthcare professionals, simplifying the staffing process in the medical industry. Through their innovative platform, healthcare providers can efficiently fill shifts, while medical professionals gain access to a wide range of job opportunities. The company culture at Clipboard Health is centered around compassion, reliability, and a commitment to improving patient care. They value teamwork, adaptability, and providing support to both healthcare providers and professionals. Clipboard Health's team is united by a shared mission to transform the way healthcare staffing is done, ultimately making a positive impact on the lives of patients and medical professionals.
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23. Illuvium
https://illuvium.io/
Illuvium is an open-world, decentralized game that combines blockchain technology and captivating gameplay. Players can collect, battle, and trade digital assets within a vibrant and immersive fantasy world. The company culture at Illuvium is driven by a love for gaming, innovation, and community engagement. They value creativity, inclusivity, and the power of shared experiences. Illuvium's team consists of passionate game developers and blockchain enthusiasts who are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of blockchain gaming, creating a truly unique and thrilling gaming experience for players worldwide.
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24. Overleaf
https://www.overleaf.com/
Overleaf is an online collaborative writing and publishing platform that simplifies the process of creating scientific documents and academic papers. With its intuitive editor and seamless collaboration features, Overleaf enables researchers and academics to focus on their content while streamlining the writing and publishing workflow. The company culture at Overleaf revolves around creativity, academic excellence, and a commitment to accessibility. They value collaboration, continuous learning, and supporting the global scientific community. Overleaf's team is passionate about advancing research and education, providing researchers with the tools they need to communicate their ideas effectively and make a lasting impact.
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25. Hopper
https://hopper.com/
Hopper is a mobile app that uses artificial intelligence to predict and analyze airfare to help travelers find the best deals and make informed booking decisions. With its user-friendly interface and personalized recommendations, Hopper takes the stress out of travel planning. The company culture at Hopper is centered around innovation, simplicity, and a passion for wanderlust. They value diversity, data-driven decision-making, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Hopper's team consists of travel enthusiasts and technology experts who are dedicated to revolutionizing the way people discover, book, and experience travel, making it more accessible and enjoyable for all.
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26. Percona
https://www.percona.com/
Percona is a leading provider of open-source database software and services, specializing in MySQL, MongoDB, and other popular database technologies. Their solutions help businesses optimize their database performance, scalability, and reliability. The company culture at Percona is built on a foundation of expertise, collaboration, and a commitment to the open-source community. They value innovation, knowledge-sharing, and empowering customers to achieve exceptional results with their database infrastructure. Percona's team consists of highly skilled database experts who are dedicated to helping businesses succeed by harnessing the power of open-source technologies.
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27. Pocket Worlds
https://www.pocketworlds.com/
Pocket Worlds is a blockchain-based gaming platform that allows players to collect, own, and trade virtual assets in a variety of engaging and immersive games. With its decentralized infrastructure, players have true ownership and control over their digital items. The company culture at Pocket Worlds is driven by a passion for gaming, blockchain technology, and community building. They value creativity, inclusivity, and fostering a sense of belonging among their players. Pocket Worlds' team is dedicated to revolutionizing the gaming industry by leveraging the power of blockchain, creating unique and rewarding experiences for players around the world.
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28. Mailerlite
https://www.mailerlite.com/
Mailerlite is an intuitive email marketing platform that helps businesses create, automate, and analyze effective email campaigns. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Mailerlite enables companies to connect with their audience and drive engagement. The company culture at Mailerlite is rooted in simplicity, innovation, and a customer-centric approach. They value transparency, continuous improvement, and providing exceptional support to their users. Mailerlite's team is passionate about helping businesses succeed in their email marketing efforts, empowering them to build meaningful connections with their subscribers and achieve their marketing goals.
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29. Xapo
https://www.xapobank.com/
Xapo is a digital banking platform that provides secure storage and management of cryptocurrencies, making it easy for individuals and businesses to buy, sell, and store digital assets. With their advanced security measures and user-friendly interface, Xapo offers a trusted and convenient solution for cryptocurrency management. The company culture at Xapo is centered around security, innovation, and financial empowerment. They value privacy, trust, and providing a seamless user experience. Xapo's team consists of experts in blockchain technology and financial services who are committed to revolutionizing the way people interact with and manage their digital wealth.
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30. Superside
https://www.superside.com/
Superside is an on-demand design platform that connects businesses with a global network of talented designers. From graphic design to branding and illustration, Superside offers a wide range of creative services to support companies' design needs. The company culture at Superside is driven by creativity, collaboration, and a dedication to delivering exceptional design solutions. They value diversity, customer satisfaction, and empowering designers to showcase their skills. Superside's team is committed to making top-quality design accessible and affordable, helping businesses elevate their brand presence and stand out in a visually competitive landscape.

FEMA Inspections Launched: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspections have begun for those that applied for disaster assistance for damages caused by Typhoon Mawar.
FEMA inspections will help determine whether a home is safe, sanitary and livable. To determine whether an applicant is eligible for assistance, FEMA considers the home’s interior and exterior structural soundness; whether the electrical, gas, heat, plumbing and sewer or septic systems are functional; and whether the home is livable and can be entered and exited safely. FEMA inspections will also consider damages to personal property.
If you need accommodations for language translations or a disability, call 1-800-621-3362 in advance of the inspection and let FEMA know your needs.
The first step for a FEMA inspection starts with a phone call, text message or email from a FEMA inspector to the applicant to schedule an appointment. Be aware that phone calls from FEMA may come from an unknown number. The inspector will try to make contact up to three times over three days. The case will be locked if the inspector cannot reach you after three attempts.
The inspection process usually takes 30 to 40 minutes. If you were able to take photos or video of interior or exterior damage to the home, show them to the inspector.
Those who are unable to meet with the FEMA inspector for an inspection can have a friend or relative act on their behalf to meet with the inspector. But first they must submit to FEMA a written and signed request for third-party involvement, which is a legal document, authorizing another person who is at least 18 years of age to meet with the inspector and to provide and receive information from FEMA on their behalf.
Important to Know: The inspector will not be collecting any documentation and will never ask for personal information like a Social Security number. FEMA never charges for an inspection. If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If so, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop all further processing on the application. A fraudulent application could be a sign of identity theft. For information on what to do if you suspect identity theft, please visit identitytheft.gov. If you wish to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the FEMA Helpline will need to assist you in creating a new application. Call 1-800-621-3362.
FEMA May Be Able to Help with Transportation Repairs: FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance (ONA) provides financial help after a disaster to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. This may include repair or replacement of a vehicle. You must first apply to FEMA (disasterassistance.gov, FEMA mobile app, 1-800-621-3362), then submit an application for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). If you are denied a loan, or if the loan does not cover all expenses, you may be referred to FEMA for ONA consideration.
For assistance to repair or replace a vehicle, the damage must have been caused by the disaster and the vehicle must no longer be operable or safe to drive. Cosmetic repairs will not be covered. Other conditions include: The vehicle must have been damaged by Typhoon Mawar. Assistance is usually limited to one vehicle. If there is a second functional vehicle in the household, the applicant must certify in writing that the damaged vehicle is essential for the household’s daily use. The vehicle must be in compliance with motor vehicle division’s registration and insurance requirements. The vehicle must be owned or leased (not a rental) by the applicant, co-applicant, or household member. The damaged vehicle must be an approved vehicle type, such as a car, truck, SUV or van. The amount provided for repair or replacement is based on the degree of damage and the amount the motor vehicle division has determined for the maximum repair and replacement value.
Documentation required for consideration, includes, but is not limited to: Proof of insurance policy showing the type of coverage or proof of vehicle meets the territory’s requirement. Insurance provider settlement or statement that insurance coverage does not exists, for vehicle repair. A verifiable estimate, bill, or receipt confirming the damage was caused by the disaster, with labor and parts/replacement costs. For vehicle replacement, additional documentation is necessary from the motor vehicle division confirming the vehicle was salvaged due to the disaster.
Guam homeowners and renters who were affected by Typhoon Mawar can also register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362, visiting disasterassistance.gov or downloading the application on the FEMA App. For more information about registration, processing and FEMA’s Individual Assistance Programs, visit fema.gov.
When you apply for assistance, have the following information ready: A current phone number Address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying Social Security number List of damage and losses Banking information if you choose direct deposit If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name
Survivors may be eligible to receive assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from Typhoon Mawar. If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
Disaster assistance may include financial help with temporary lodging and home repairs, as well as other disaster-related expenses.
To date, over 10,000 Guam residents have applied for disaster assistance.
Disaster Recovery Centers: FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open at the Guam Community College, Building E and the Dededo Sports Complex, seven days a week from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. The DRCs are open to assist island residents impacted by Typhoon Mawar with disaster relief programs.

During my most recent bender, I somehow lost one of my most favorite earrings. I looked at photos throughout the night to triangulate where it could have gone, and deduced it most likely fell off at one of the bars I visited during the night.
So I drove there, and asked the bartender if anyone turned it in to the lost and found. Shit. No luck.
I was a little devastated, to be honest. They don’t make these earrings anymore.
Aside from my lost jewelry, it was otherwise turning out to be a nice night. The weather was beautiful and it had been about a week since I’d been out and social, near the buzz of people. It was also a full moon.
So I ordered a tonic water, got comfy at a table, and decided to make a little list called “Alcohol Co$t Me”. I’d like to say I made good headway into this list, but I was quickly distracted by random bar patrons looking for a place to sit and drink. If I’m being honest, half of me was annoyed, but the other half was intrigued. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been sober at the bar long enough to talk to drunk people. So talking to them, watching them be vulnerable, and distracted, and sloshy, it was a surreal experience. Did I used to act that way? Had I been unknowingly pushing people away with my honesty? Was I also too raw in my vulnerability over feeling alone? And was that loneliness real, or was it the alcohol numbing me?
I did meet some lovely people. A drunk nurse showed me nudes of his ass, and lamented that it’s shrinking, even tho he never trains it. I met a saltwater aquarium enthusiast who told me how to keep my coral alive. I also leant an ear to a grieving older man, trying to re renter the world after losing his husband to cancer. (Funnily enough, I had actually met all of these people before. I just was too blackout to remember. Life is funny that way.)
It was a learning experience, for sure. Lovely all the same, but it felt like a sweet goodbye. Goodbye to the chaos, the blasting music, and the thrill of the hookup. Goodbye to the compulsion to obliterate my mind. Hello to reality, good bad and ugly.
As for me right now, I’m over here sitting pretty still feeling shaky. Getting night sweats, feeling shaky, fighting waves of fatigue and confusion. Sex is overstimulating and my skin often feels like it’s crawling. I’m moving back home to re-center and gain some weight. Alcohol did a lot of damage, but I’m confident in my recovery. I’m so grateful to my family for being there for me so I can start over. And I’m grateful to you all for bolstering my resolve with your stories and support
IWDWYT

Before I call my property manager again, I thought I would see if anyone had any advice for me.
On Friday at 9am, I discovered a massive leak at the water meter. I contacted our city water department and my property manager. Within an hour, the city was out and shut off the water at the meter. There is a pipe on our side of the meter that has come unattached. The city person advised me that it would be an easy fix and cost a few hundred dollars but since it’s on our side of the meter he can’t touch it.
I contacted the PM back again and let them know that the water was off but I needed someone out ASAP to fix the pipe. This is a nationwide company so I’m just talking to reps in a call center. I stressed to them that we are a family of four, including 2 young children and 2 large dogs, we live in the desert and it is summer and we have absolutely no access to running water in the home. They assured me they would get someone out. I called every hour on Friday. Finally at 3:30pm, someone showed up but they were told to shut off the water, they were not authorized or equipped to do any repair. I called the PM again and asked about hotel accommodations as we could not even flush toilets. I let them know that I would have to bring in water from the pool to fill toilet basins so we could use the facilities. They forwarded my concerns and assured me again that someone would call me back. Again, no call back.
Saturday, I called again at 8:30 am. Same thing. Forwarded my concerns and said they would see about scheduling someone to come out. At 10:30, they said they had posted the job on a job board and would let me know. At 3pm, I booked a hotel room for us and emailed the PM and said I would be deducting the amount from Next months rent as the home is uninhabitable. They advised me to check with my renters insurance for coverage and let them know. Funnily enough, they administer my renters insurance policy so I let them know that and have heard nothing back.
Today….nothing. No phone calls, emails or texts from the PM. We have the hotel booked for tonight as well so I’m hoping they will get someone here tomorrow to fix it.
I’d just like to know, am I in the right here that they should pay for the hotel? Every time I google it it talks about hot water but I haven’t found anything about running water. To me, they should pay. I can guarantee that if I called plumbers I could get someone out here within the hour. They just don’t want to pay the higher weekend rates.
State is Nevada.
Thanks!

Ok, so I'm a first time renter, and at the moment I have 2 apartments in the Cambridge area that me and my roommate really like. My roommate is my sister, and she agreed to pay up to one third in rent costs.
Apartment A is in a 100+ year old building (in a safe and historic part of town) at $3400/month for 2 beds 1 bath, with heat, at 900 sqft on the top floor. The broker even warned that it gets HOT in the summer (there is no AC). It has 4 large rooms, all of which are around 150 sqft. It has a very... derelict bathroom (which I guess is a given for an old building, but it looked absolutely apalling in person). There is also shared laundry and costs $2.25 per load. That isn't much of a concern.
It is less than a <10 minute walk to Porter, which is nice since I don't have a car. It is also closer to the center of town, so feasible to walk to it than to take just the subway. The downside is that my work commute would be longer by about 5-10 minutes one way. The neighborhood itself is very quiet and densely residential.
Apartment B is a luxury apartment for 2 bed 1 bath at $3500/month, at 800 sqft (not technically 2 bed, but has a 'den' that can act as one). It has in-unit laundry and better appliances (and a microwave) and is also close to Alewife station (also <10 minutes). The neighborhood honestly looks like a boring office park, full of similar (but more expensive) complexes.
Apartment B also has additional building amenities, typical of a luxury apartment (such as a gym, communal work and lounge space, etc.). My commute would also be shorter by a few minutes but is farther from Porter but nearby to Fresh Pond Mall within walking distance.
My roommate's room would also be smaller at around 85 sqft but can fit a queen size bed and dresser with some creativity. The other bedroom is 135 sqft and the living/dining at 160 sqft.
Another downside is that my sister wants to bring her car with her, and it has a whopping $250/month garage parking fee, which my sister can barely afford if she uses her car to get around (unless I pay more in rent).
I already got approved for apartment A. I would still have to apply for apartment B, but it requires an application deposit. Both apartments are within my roommate's and I's combined income budget, but she prefers apartment A and I prefer apartment B. If I were to choose apartment A I would have to also pay an additional broker's fee, costing another month of rent upfront, totaling 3 months. Apartment B only requires 2 months rent upfront.
Which is the better apartment to choose in this situation? I am also the one paying majority rent/signing the lease so I'm not really sure what to decide on. Is apartment A even worth it? Is apartment B worth it if I pay almost $100 more in rent each month? My monthly takehome pay alone is already 6k so does it really matter in the grand scheme of things?
TL;DR: Worse apartment in a better location or a better apartment in a worse location for $100 more?

Ok, so I'm a first time renter, and at the moment I have 2 apartments in Cambridge that me and my roommate really like. My roommate is my sister, and she agreed to pay up to one third in rent costs.
Apartment A is in a 100+ year old building (in a safe and historic part of town) at $3400/month for 2 beds 1 bath, with heat and water, gas stove, at 900 sqft on the top floor. It is also less than <10 minute walk to Porter square, which is nice since I don't have a car. Downside is that my work commute would be longer by about 15 minutes. There is also shared coin-op laundry (2 sets of machines) for almost 20 units. Me and my roommate plan to wash 3 loads and dry one weekly (most of our clothes are line dry anyway). Costs almost $3 per load.
Apartment B is a luxury apartment for 1.5 bed 1 bath at $3600/month, with only trash utility covered at 800 sqft. It has in-unit laundry and better appliances and is also close to Alewife station (also <10 minutes). It also has additional building amenities, typical of a luxury apartment. My commute would also be shorter by a few minutes but is farther from a shopping center but nearby to Fresh Pond Mall. My roommate's room would also be smaller, since it is technically a 'den' and not a bedroom. Despite this, it can fit a queen size bed and dresser with some effort.
I already got approved for apartment A. I would still have to apply for apartment B, but it requires an application deposit. Both apartments are within my roommate's and I's combined income budget, but she prefers apartment A and I prefer apartment B.
Which is the better apartment to choose in this situation? I am also the one paying majority rent/signing the lease so I'm not really sure what to decide on. Is apartment A even worth it? Is apartment B worth it if I pay almost $200 more in rent each month? My monthly takehome pay alone is already 6k so does it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

Housing Information
City of boston Rental Relief Program is offering $15000 grant “The Rental Relief Fund provides up to $15,000 in rental and utility assistance for income eligible households for up to 12 months. Eligible households can receive assistance for both back rent and rent going forward. Households receiving assistance for future rent will need to recertify income every 3 months to verify continued need” past due March 13 2020
Homeowners Assistance Fund is offering up to $50,000 “Mass HAF will provide up to $50,000 in financial assistance to eligible homeowners who have missed at least 3 home mortgage payments to help them avoid foreclosure. If a homeowner's application is approved, funds will be provided to a homeowner’s mortgage servicing company (the company that collects their mortgage payments) in order to apply it to the housing loan)”
MASShousing continues to offer up to 50,000 for first time homebuyers in Attleboro, Barnstable, Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Randolph, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield and Worcester. For more information and check eligibility :
RAFT Program is offering up to $10,000 “RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent”
HOMEBASE through DHCD is offering $20,000 for move in cost, household items for those at risk of homelessness
Family Aid also assist families at risk of homelessness (617) 542-7286
Furniture Information
Masshealth MATCH program is offering up to $5,500 for eligible households. For more information
Rosie’s place 617-442- 9322
My Brothers Keeper (508) 238-4416
Inquire with DTA as well as your health center for referral for furniture may need uhaul to pick up
Family aid also offers 3000 for furniture
Education/ Job training programs:
YEAR UP Average starting annual salary for students is 52k a year. You will learn a new skill, intern at one of their 250 contracted companies and they will assist in helping you land a job (617) 542-1533
City Year Job training for those interested in tech job (617) 927-2500
YMCA training inc “The 16-week Medical Administrative Assista training program prepares participants for general registration and front desk administrative office support, including basic medical terminology, overview of billing and claims processing, HIPAA and OSHA guidelines, and health insurance overview. At the conclusion of training, participants will take a certification exam to receive their industry recognized Medical Administrative Assistant credential.” Inquire online :
MASSHIRE continues to offer their ESOL , GED/HISET, ADULT DIPLOMA, PRE GED, Literacy Programs
Automatic technician training program Carpentry apprentice program and other programs Inquire at :
JVS Boston offers the following programs: Animal Care Technician Training Automotive Technician Training Bank Career Training Biotechnology Manufacturing Associate Training Program Bridges to College & Careers - Biotechnology Training Carpentry Apprentice Training Certified Nursing Assistant Training Customer Service Training Early Childhood Educator Training Healthcare Cleaning Training Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) Training Hotel Training Patient Care Technician Training Substance Addiction Assistant Training Inquire at :
Legal Services Organizations:
GREATER BOSTON LEGAL SERVICES 197 Friend Street, Boston (617) 603-1807 (Housing Law) (617) 603-1700 (Eastern Regional Intake) Services: Eviction defense; defense of tenants after foreclosure; subsidy preservation; tenant rights; plus other non-housing services Website: l
VOLUNTEER LAWYER'S PROJECT (617) 603-1700 (Eastern Region Intake) Services: Legal services - for renters facing eviction. Filing court documents against landlord. Post-foreclosure eviction. Website:
HOMESTART 105 Chauncy Street, Suite 502, Boston (617) 542-0338 (857) 415-1454 (Eviction Prevention Hotline) Services: Housing court assistance and legal support. Payment for back rent. Moving expenses for relocation. Email: Website: l
LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS (617) 482-1145 Services: RAFT or Boston Rental Relief Fund application help; help with eviction discrimination or harassment; no individual eviction cases. Website:
Community Organizations:
CITY LIFE/VIDA URBANA 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain (617) 934-5006 (English COVID Hotline) (617) 397-3773 (Español Línea Directa) (617) 524-3541 Services: Eviction prevention; rent relief; tenant rights; community organization services. Website:
JUSTICE 4 HOUSING Services: Help justice-involved individuals who are denied housing opportunities due to a criminal record secure stable housing. As well as justice-involved and domestic violence housing agency evictions. Facebook: @justice4housing Email: [email protected] Website:
NUESTRA COMMUNIDAD 56 Warren Street, Suite 200, Roxbury (617) 427-3599 Services: Housing resource services; housing counseling; homelessness prevention; special expertise for ages 60+. Website:
PROJECT HOPE 550 Dudley Street, Roxbury (617) 442-1880 (ext. 242 for Housing) Services: Provide housing support services including rehousing and case management to low-income women with children. Also education, employment, and emergency services. Website:
CITY MISSION 185 Columbia Road, Dorchester (617) 742-6830 Services: Limited, one-time grants for back rent; various other non-housing services. Website:
ASSOCIATION OF HAITIAN WOMEN IN BOSTON (AFAB-KAFANM) 330 Fuller Street Dorchester (617) 287-0096 Services: Assist newly arrived Haitian immigrants in applying for public housing benefits and facilitates workshops on housing issues such as tenant rights, home buying, etc. Website:
KENNEDY CENTER 15 Tufts Street, Charlestown (617) 241-8866 ext. 1352 Services: Housing or food emergency services. Application assistance and case management. Email: [email protected]. Website:
CASA MYRNA (617) 521-0126 Services: Provide culturally competent and trauma-informed emergency shelter and critical supportive services for adults, youth and families who are homeless due to domestic violence. Email: Website: m
NEIGHBORHOOD OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING (NOAH) 143 Border Street, Boston (617) 418-8260 Services: Financial Assistance - Emergency Housing Assistance Program. Bilingual (English/Spanish) rental housing counseling and. Website:
ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 178 Tremont Street, Boston (Numerous locations) (617) 348-6329 Services: Rent assistance; housing counseling. Email: Website:
No person is all bad , hard times do not discminate nor are they schedule, we all deserve to live comfortably and be happy. I hope this helps. Heal, Be confident & stay consistent. Wishing you all the best
ITS NOT LETTING ME INCLUDE LINK I APOLOGIZE

Over the past few years State College, PA and other college towns have had an increase of fraud schemes against college students. The top culprits of these scams are CARDINAL GROUP MANAGEMENT, CARDINAL GROUP COMPANIES and all their subsidiaries, GREYSTAR, and KEYSTONE. Across the nation, CARDINAL GROUP has carried out the same fraud scheme against college students.
Potential Tenants should avoid becoming a victim of these predatory corporations, who will only show a clean, beautiful Model, lie about the true conditions of the apartments, take your money, and only at the time of move-in will the Victims discover the uninhabitable apartments. The apartments are often infested with black mold, bugs, filth, and never cleaned between tenants. The appliances are old, almost 30 years old and non-working. Victims have gone sometimes 6 months or more without a stove to cook on, forcing them to eat out for every meal, at a considerable cost. Others have gone almost their entire fraudulent lease, with no working stove or other appliances.
There are remedies for this fraud. These are criminal acts, and not mere civil violations. If a private citizen were to carry out the same fraud scheme, they'd be arrested.
Currently, CARDINAL GROUP and GREYSTAR are being sued in multiple lawsuits in the US. CARDINAL GROUP is being sued also in Denver, Colorado and in Illinois. The Colorado case is Smith vs. Mint Urban Infinity and Cardinal Group. In Illinois, the case is Rossetti vs. Haim Saban, et al, 1:21-CV-04324. The other cases can be seen on the following, or with a quick Internet Search of CARIDINAL GROUP COMPANIES, CARDINAL GROUP MANAGEMENT, CARDINAL GROUP HOLDINGS:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221102006062/en/Hagens-Berman-College-Student-Renters-Take-on-Mega-Property-Management-Companies-in-New-Antitrust-Class-Action-Lawsuit
https://www.classaction.org/news/realpage-at-center-of-collusion-among-lessors-to-artificially-inflate-student-housing-prices-class-action-alleges
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/esg/realpage-landlords-now-face-collusion-claims-on-student-housing
https://www.propublica.org/article/realpage-accused-of-collusion-in-new-lawsuit
https://www.propublica.org/article/yieldstar-realpage-rent-doj-investigation-antitrust

Renting a service apartment in Bangalore can be the perfect solution if you're looking for an affordable and comfortable living space. Service apartments offer cozy accommodation at budget-friendly rates, making them the ideal choice for those who want to find a place to call home without breaking the bank.
Fully furnished apartments with modern appliances
In comparison to a regular apartment, Service Apartments Bangalore provides more amenities and features that make your stay more enjoyable. You'll have access to modern appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, and washing machines; high-speed internet; cable TV; and even air conditioning in some cases. What's more, you won't need to worry about any hidden costs such as utility bills or parking fees—the price of rent includes all these services!
The best part is that you don't have to sacrifice comfort when you're staying in a service apartment. These dwellings are typically designed with comfort in mind and come fully equipped with furniture and other necessary items so that all you have to do is move in and start living. The bedrooms are usually spacious with plenty of storage space for clothing and other essentials while the living room may feature comfy couches or chairs along with a television set up for your entertainment needs.
And it doesn't stop there—Service Apartments Whitefield also offer additional amenities such as swimming pools, fitness centers, spas, business centers, meeting rooms and more. You can enjoy all these luxuries without having to pay expensive hotel rates—making service apartments an excellent value for money option for travelers on a budget.
So if you’re looking for an affordable yet cozy place to stay while on vacation or simply relocating somewhere new, look no further than service apartments! With their top-notch amenities combined with great prices, they can provide the perfect home away from home experience at an unbeatable cost!
Comfortable living experience as traditional home
Modern Service Apartments Koramangala is designed to provide you with the same comfortable living experience as a traditional home. They come fully equipped with all the necessary amenities and conveniences, making them an ideal choice for those looking for short-term accommodation. From stylish furnishings to luxurious features, you can find the right rental apartment that meets your needs.
Service apartments offer a range of amenities such as modern kitchens, spacious bedrooms and bathrooms, washing machines and dryers, air conditioning units, cable TV connections, internet access and other services. You can also enjoy unlimited access to outdoor areas like swimming pools, gyms and parks. Furthermore, these apartments provide a safe environment with 24/7 security surveillance systems in place.
The modern layout of Service Apartments HSR Layouts makes them highly attractive to renters. Their well-designed layouts allow for easy navigation throughout the apartment complex while still providing plenty of room for relaxation and leisure activities. The quality furniture used in these units ensures that they look their best both inside and out. With spacious bedrooms complete with modern beds and plush mattresses along with inviting living rooms complete with sofas and chairs, you'll find yourself feeling right at home in no time!
Conclusion- service apartments are a great choice for those seeking short-term rental solutions with the comforts and conveniences of home. From modern amenities such as air conditioning units and fully equipped kitchens to nearby attractions, these units provide everything needed to make them feel like a second home.
Source URL- https://sites.google.com/view/service-apartments-bangalore14/home

TO ALL STUDENTS: Avoid renting an apartment from TREMONT, THE BRYN, or THE POINTE in State College, Pennsylvania or any property managed or owned by CARDINAL GROUP COMPANIES or GREYSTAR, or KEYSTONE PROPERTIES in all states! These are predatory businesses, that target college students. Although GREYSTAR reflects a "warning" on their website to avoid any association with properties that prohibit potential Tenants from viewing their apartment before Leasing, that is exactly what GREYSTAR employees do! THE BRYN at 601 VAIRO BLVD in State College, Pennsylvania is a "slum property", and so is THE POINTE at 501 S. VAIRO. They forbid potential Tenants from viewing apts before paying them multiple months of rent in advance, and signing a Lease. They only allow the view of a "Model", which is nothing like the actual apartments that look like "crack-houses". They scam people by making false representations about the true conditions of the apartments. Their Marketing Manager is WENDY DONOVAN. She lies to potential Tenants about everything. She has also stated that they will not, under any circumstance, allow potential renters to see their apartment before they actually take possession of it, even if the apt is vacant. THE POINTE'S Regional Manager is ZACH LOVETT. He carries out the same RACKETEERING SCAM that CARDINAL GROUP does at THE BRYN and TREMONT, both on VAIRO.
These properties will lie to potential Tenants and say there is only 2 apts left and they need to put a deposit/sign a lease fast to ensure they have an apt. They'll ask for approximately 3 months rent, or multiple months, in far advance. In the Illinois case, the VICTIMS discovered that they'd paid for an apartment that did not exist, on the day the Victim Tenant moved-in. The apt was uninhabitable! There was Black Mold throughout, filthy, black carpets, although the Marketing Manager, KATIE LIBERMAN LOVETT said that the apt and ALL apts are "deep steam cleaned". She and other staff make false claims about doing extensive cleaning to avoid COVID-19 exposure, especially if a previous Tenant vacated in a short period of time before the new Tenant(s) moved in. This is also false! These misstatements and misrepresentations are all part of their scheme to defraud. THE POINTE does the very same thing. Although they are owned and managed by different companies, ZACH LOVETT, THE POINTE'S Regional Mgr. and KATIE LIBERMAN LOVETT, CARDINAL GROUP'S former Marketing Mgr at THE BRYN and current employee of CARDINAL GROUP, are married, and carried out the same scheme to defraud.
These predatory businesses will take their time to repaireplace old, non-working appliances. THE BRYN had ALL non-working appliances at the time the Plaintiff in the Illinois lawsuit moved in, although they claimed that they had ALL updated and up-to-date appliances. Their webpage reflects that as well, but the appliances were 25-27 years old and NOT working. CARDINAL GROUP staff will then tell Tenants, "Too bad! You signed a Lease! Pay us or we'll send you to collections!"
They will also delete Tenants MAINTENANCE WORK ORDERS so that there is not a "paper trail" and no evidence, in their efforts to further their scheme to defraud.
THE BRYN, along with it's Owner, HAIM SABAN, CARDINAL GROUP COMPANIES, CARDINAL GROUP MANAGEMENT, and the CEO, ALEX O'BRIEN, KATIE LIBERMAN LOVETT, and VALERIE HERRERA are being sued in the state of Illinois, Federal Court Northern District of Illinois, Case# 1:21_CV- 4324. HERRERA is a CARDINAL GROUP MGMT. employee and worked/works at THE BRYN.
If you're a Penn State student, or you know of any student who has been been defrauded / scammed by these people / predatory businesses, contact PSU's Student Legal Services. Do not contact LAURA ROBBINS, Attorney in State College. She has claimed that she "handled" legal disputes on behalf of THE BRYN. She's also a liar. Beware of Attorneys that don't "sound right". It is also important that those who have been scammed by these people, file an online Complaint with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. It takes about 7 minutes to complete!
\**CARDINAL GROUP COMPANIES, ALEX O'BRIEN, and CARDINAL GROUP MANAGEMENT ARE ALSO BEING SUED IN DENVER, COLORADO for the same Racketeering Scheme, Scheme to Defraud! They are involved in another Class Action Lawsuit filed by* Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP in Seattle, Washington.
\**BEWARE OF ANY PROPERTY OWNED/OPERATED BY CARDINAL GROUP, OR GREYSTAR (HAS SIMILAR LAWSUITS AGAINST THEM).*
Last, do your research. There are not many Student Housing properties Off-Campus, that have not been recently sued in the past, or have pending lawsuits against them by the Pennsylvania Attorney General, for defrauding and scamming college students!!! A quick "google search" or accessing their website, go in the upper-left-hand corner, enter "State College" in the Search bar. There, you can see some current cases. You can contact them directly as well. That online Complaint is important! They can't do anything unless they know about it.
****Most important: Know your state's eavesdropping/tape-recording laws! If you do business with these slumlords & fraudsters, make sure you tape-record every communication with them. Courts and Jurys love tape-recorded evidence; it's indisputable!
Here's an article about the Denver, Colorado Class Action Lawsuit against CARDINAL GROUP COMPANIES & MANAGEMENT: https://coloradosun.com/2021/10/29/cardinal-group-management-lawsuit/ There's also posts on Reddit. There are also fake positive Reviews for these slum-properties on Google and Yelp, by staff members.
\***REMEMBER: SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!! And contact an Attorney if you've been scammed by them OR if you've rented from CARDINAL GROUP or GREYSTAR at any time after 2010: Fill out this form for updates on the Class Action Lawsuit in connection with "RealPage". Currently, 13 Members of Congress have reached out to the Dept. of Justice to go after* CARDINAL GROUP & GREYSTAR. You can read about them here. PLEASE SHARE THE INFO WITH OTHERS & SCHOOLS!\**\**
Class Action Link: COLLEGE STUDENT RENTAL PRICE FIXING
Dept. of Justice Investigation of Cardinal Group for Fraud: DEPT. OF JUSTICE OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO REAL ESTATE TECH CO. ACCUSED OF COLLUSION WITH LANDLORD (CARDINAL GROUP, GREYSTAR & OTHERS).
Lawsuits: Class Action Lawsuit against CARDINAL GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC (CARDINAL GROUP), GREYSTAR & OTHERS
Illinois Lawsuit Against CARDINAL GROUP HOLDINGS, CARDINAL GROUP COMPANIES, CARDINAL GROUP MANAGEMENT MIDWEST, & CEO ALEX O'BRIEN

I'm a renter, as the lease was expiring mold was discovered growing through a few of the walls all at once.
Landlord was notified, moved objects away from wall. A leak from the unit above either sprung new during this time or was leaking the whole time and was causing the mold, either way it began leaking from the center of the unit and damaged my mattress.
I am now moving out, and the landlord has stated he is only reimbursing 60% of the deposit (even though he has to replace three whole walls of the unit due to mold), and is not responsible on any level for my mattress.
I need help! I think I need a lawyer to help me find out his insurance company and the identity of the upstairs neighbor. He now says he'll only respond to certified letters from my attorney.

hi all! i’m working on a project to generate an unconventional living room area, tailored to a one person living situation. it’s not going to be a studio apartment layout so i won’t be including bedroom furniture which tends to be the main “unconventional” layout.
i want to make this renter friendly, and generate an appealing space that’s more than just a room to sit in. the themes/inspiration are the majority renting, covid living spaces (functional, creativity, etc) that aren’t centered around work spaces, and any other ideas that make for a fun space.
i’m thinking more condensed seating area, a reading nook, crafting station. i wanted to get any input to see what the general consensus of this is and if anyone has fun add ins to their living situations.
thanks! (:

**DO NOT MOVE TO MADISON OAKS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY**
I do not enjoy human interaction very much.
My parents called me a hermit, I say that I’m learning from experience. People did not enjoy having me around, so I made myself scarce. My parents did not enjoy this explanation from a child so they brought me to the Pediatrician, and at a very young age I was diagnosed with Dysthymia, which is now referred to as Persistent Depressive Disorder. Normally the diagnosis changes as you get older and your symptoms are easier to read. Mine did not. I do believe this is important to my survival now (ironic I know). It'll make sense later. Maybe.
I’ve learned to live with it. I got through high school the best I could with how quiet I was, did college online to avoid a repeat of high school and got a comfortable job as a technical consultant. I couldn't work from my bedroom in my parent's house for the rest of my life though, so I started looking for a place to rent. A simple google search was all it took to find Madison Oaks Retirement Community. My first google search result to be exact. I, at the ripe age of 24, am not ready for retirement believe it or not. It being the top result under “houses for sale near me” should have been a huge red flag, none of my search parameters should have led me there. But before I knew it I had clicked on the site, the application auto-filled with my information and was submitted within a few minutes.
To this day I don’t remember the entire process, just bits and pieces. I remember clicking the ad and then receiving an email that I was accepted. I was flabbergasted, there was no way they would allow someone my age there. After emailing back and forth with the property manager it was decided that I was an acceptable renter even with the large age gap and no prior renting experience. So I went for it. My thought was the older the demographic, the less likely interaction was.
I was wrong. Very wrong. On my first day moving in I was interrupted more times than I can count while I was trying to artfully stack my Tupperware in the cabinets. People would bring casseroles and cookies, stacks upon stacks of food to store in my barren fridge.
As the day drove on it started to feel like there was a manufactured assembly line of old people with homemade goods outside my door. The conversations started to match up with each other, the couple handing me over a plate of cookies would utter the same exact greeting as the couple two casseroles before, with the same exact sweet-toned inflection. It felt almost rehearsed, but I pushed that thought from my brain quickly. They were all just trying to be sweet I told myself, and there's only so many greetings to utter. By the end of the day, I knew every surrounding neighbor's name and had made plans with my closest neighbor, a sweet and small woman named Beth.
Beth was the last person to come to my door. At exactly 5 pm she rang my doorbell and stood in my threshold. Beth had talked me into having an afternoon “Tea Time” (her words) with her the next day, no matter how many times I had politely refused, she persisted with a firm tone. Finally, I agreed, mostly to get her off my porch, and it resulted in me sinking into her plastic-covered floral couch in her home the next day. She was busying herself in the kitchen as I sat there, I had asked to help as I came in but she just swept me over to sit on the couch without saying much.
It smelled heavenly there. The longer I sat swallowed in her couch the more at ease I felt. An hour ago I was absolutely dreading this interaction, now I feel drunk with comfort. Literally. The air had a lilac smell permeating it, and it was infesting me. It felt as if my arms were being weighed down in to the couch, the cushion felt like it would swallow me whole every time I inhaled. I couldn't help but take long drags of the smell. It was addicting, but it felt very, very wrong.
I started to drift off to sleep when Beth came back into the living room, her setting the porcelain mugs on the table in front of us startled me back to my senses, and yet I could barely move my head to look in her direction.
Annoyed with my slowness, Beth grabbed my chin and moved my face to look at hers with a roughness that didn’t fit the environment we were in or the personality of the woman handing me macaroons on my porch yesterday. My brain supplied warning bells to get away from this situation, to pull back from her hard grip, but I couldn't react at all. My mind was screaming but I felt disconnected from my body. I tried to move anything, even my mouth wouldn't twitch. I could only sit there, paralyzed while Beth looked over my features with a gnarled, wrinkled sneer.
For the longest time she just…looked at me. Her eyes darted all over my face until they landed on my droopy eyes. Slowly her sneer turned into a long smile across her face, a sharp cut that reached too far on either side. “You’re melting into my couch, honey. That didn't take long at all.” she said, the corners of her smile never moving from the apples of her cheeks, a false sense of sweetness on her tongue. She was mocking me. I could feel tears forming in my eyes, tracking down and pilling at the corners of my lips.
She flicked my face from her grip, her hold being the only thing keeping my head up as I slouched my chin into my clavicle. I heard her offended scoff, then felt a dangerously cold palm center on my forehead and shove me back into the soft cushion until the couch kept me propped. Using a long fingered hand she haphazardly slid the full tea mugs to the left of the table, steaming tea bounced out and onto her hand with no reaction from her. She sat on the table, positioned her legs in between my skewed ones, and got as close as she could.
Looking at her from under my heavy lids I finally took in all of her malformed features. This was not the woman I met yesterday. Her face made no sense, nothing fit in the space it was made for, and the more I looked the more things..changed. The skin under her eyes drooped and slid away from her sockets, leaving a deep void between her eye bags and her reddened eyes. The skin slipped over the apples of her cheeks that were taut unlike anything else on her face. They sat high up, keeping her mouth arched and long, a harsh imitation of a smile meant to fool no one. I couldn't see her teeth between her sealed smiling lip and I didn’t want to. Her hair sat in wisps framing her face, her thick gray hair I saw on my porch was completely gone, and guessing from the red and awful marks on her forehead, it seemed that she ripped it out herself moments ago.
At first I thought she was going to continue her long observations of me from the space between my legs, but instead she leaned in, closed her eyes, and with flared nostrils she… smelled me? She kept leaning in, taking deep inhales until she was inches from my face. Flicking her eyes open she looked deep into mine for a moment, I could feel her wet breath against my skin but couldn't look down to see. Leaning back only an inch she moved higher up, extending her neck until her nose was level with my eyes, I could finally see deep into her curved open mouth. Rows and rows of sharp jags poked in every direction, a tunnel of teeth that lunged and reached for my face, and in the middle sat a long tongue that unfurled right next to my open eyes. Slowly, she dragged her tongue up my cheek, tasting my sweat and tears with a harsh draw.
The face of disgust she made was unexpected. She flinched her head back away from mine with wide eyes, the skin around her sockets forming a facsimile of an arched brow. Hesitating, she brought her face in for another taste and that repulsive look of disgust was back.
“You taste foul. Like a rancid stain.” she muttered, more to herself than to me.
She stood quickly, moving away from my spittle and tear-soaked face like one would after smelling something spoiled. She started to move around in the space behind me, I loathed this paralyzed state that didn’t allow me to turn and watch. All I could hear was mutterings of disgust as she poked around in her house, all I could pick out from her whispered insults was the end of a "...eave her for the others."
Once she came back around to my periphery, the Beth I met yesterday was present again. Everything was back in its place, her normal blue eyes and the pixie cut of thick gray hair was present again. The only thing that hadn't slid back into place was her smile, I watched as the malformed arch shrunk back down into the thin line that was present when I knocked on her door.
She reached out, smiled a small odd smirk at me, and lightly touched my eye lids with her fingertips. That's the last thing I remember.
I awoke in my bedroom. The only place in the house I had set up before the bombardment of people came. I felt awful, like someone dipped their hand into my skull and slurried everything up. It took me almost an hour to fully control my limbs enough to move from my spot in the bed over to my kitchen where my laptop is. Looking at the date at the bottom right, it read 5/22/2023. I had my afternoon with Beth three days ago.
I’m writing this now, I need to before I forget or convince myself it never happened. I know it was real. I can still feel the phantom touch of her awful tongue on my cheek. I don’t know if she's coming back. I don’t think she will. I honestly don’t know much about this, or what to do.
The only conclusion I have is I must have tasted bad. I'm not sure if the others I met will think the same. It's already to late for me, I'm surrounded by them.
I can only say to you, don't come to Madison Oaks.

More real estate investors are becoming interested in the investment possibilities of a studio apartment because it provides the ideal balance of stability, affordability, and financial returns, asserts Joe Ricotta, a real estate developer in the UK.
In fast-growing cities all throughout the UK, studio flats are becoming more prevalent than ever, especially in city centers where there is a high demand for accommodation. Purchasing a studio apartment may result in higher rental returns, bigger capital gains, and a constant flow of potential renters, particularly young professionals and students.
Over the past ten years, the popularity of studio flats and apartments has increased throughout the UK. “A self-contained living area is what is meant by a studio apartment. The living room, kitchen, bedroom, and separate bathroom are typically all located in the same open-plan area” Joe Ricotta explained.
The terms "bachelor apartments" and "efficiency apartments" may also be used to describe studio apartments. Small apartment studio flat floor plans will vary, and some may have a wall or sliding doors to divide the living space from other areas, while others will have just one room. A studio apartment will typically be between 400 and 600 square feet in size.
People that don't need a lot of space, such as singles or couples, should choose these types of flats, says Joe Ricotta. As per Joe Ricotta, people who wish to live in a city center and be close to facilities are also growing more and more interested in investing in Studio Apartments. Small studio apartments are an appealing choice for folks on a budget because they are also significantly less expensive than larger properties. Additionally, because there is just one room to clean and maintain, studio apartments require less maintenance.
Reasons to invest in Studio Apartment
1: A lower price of purchase In general, studio apartments are less expensive to purchase than one-bedroom apartments or other kinds of real estate. Agreeing to the words of Joe Ricotta, it is very visible that investors are finding studio apartments to be the steppingstone they've been waiting for to climb the increasingly competitive property ladder because they are more cost-effective and safer than larger properties like HMOs.
2: Exceptional Rental Yields Despite having a lower total purchasing cost, some tenant groups frequently have a high desire for city center studio apartments. The returns on studio flats may be good with yields of about 8% in the ideal location. Studio apartments might be a fantastic investment because rents are rising and are expected to do so in the upcoming years, says Joe Ricotta.
3: Less Maintenance City inhabitants typically seek modern studio apartments that are easier to maintain, more cost-effective, and ecologically friendly. Joe Ricotta asserts, studio apartments typically cost less to maintain and have less repair and maintenance expenses because of their smaller size. They often have less issues compared to other forms of housing because they have a single room for living space and are typically newer constructions.
4: Attracting Tenants For couples, young professionals, and students searching for a well-located place to live, studio apartments typically offer a modern, trendy living area. Your investment is more likely to be lucrative to both rental demographics if you target these premium rental groups.
5: Environmentally responsible Utility costs in a studio apartment are often lower because they are typically newer and occupy less space. Modern heating and lighting systems are also more likely to include energy-efficient products with lower utility costs.
Conclusion!
Apartment living and the appeal of studio flats are both growing in cities with expanding populations. It's probable that you will always have a stream of renters eager to rent your house because this sort of property is likely to stay popular. Since real estate prices are at an all-time high and more individuals are choosing to rent for longer periods of time, as per Joe Ricotta, studio apartments are expected to stay popular for a while.
Know More : https://directory.mirror.co.uk/company/249547b0b5395a389ba77695ecb1358a

More real estate investors are becoming interested in the investment possibilities of a studio apartment because it provides the ideal balance of stability, affordability, and financial returns, asserts Joe Ricotta, a real estate developer in the UK.
In fast-growing cities all throughout the UK, studio flats are becoming more prevalent than ever, especially in city centers where there is a high demand for accommodation. Purchasing a studio apartment may result in higher rental returns, bigger capital gains, and a constant flow of potential renters, particularly young professionals and students.
Over the past ten years, the popularity of studio flats and apartments has increased throughout the UK. “A self-contained living area is what is meant by a studio apartment. The living room, kitchen, bedroom, and separate bathroom are typically all located in the same open-plan area” Joe Ricotta explained.
The terms "bachelor apartments" and "efficiency apartments" may also be used to describe studio apartments. Small apartment studio flat floor plans will vary, and some may have a wall or sliding doors to divide the living space from other areas, while others will have just one room. A studio apartment will typically be between 400 and 600 square feet in size.
People that don't need a lot of space, such as singles or couples, should choose these types of flats, says Joe Ricotta. As per Joe Ricotta, people who wish to live in a city center and be close to facilities are also growing more and more interested in investing in Studio Apartments. Small studio apartments are an appealing choice for folks on a budget because they are also significantly less expensive than larger properties. Additionally, because there is just one room to clean and maintain, studio apartments require less maintenance.
Reasons to invest in Studio Apartment
1: A lower price of purchase In general, studio apartments are less expensive to purchase than one-bedroom apartments or other kinds of real estate. Agreeing to the words of Joe Ricotta, it is very visible that investors are finding studio apartments to be the steppingstone they've been waiting for to climb the increasingly competitive property ladder because they are more cost-effective and safer than larger properties like HMOs.
2: Exceptional Rental Yields Despite having a lower total purchasing cost, some tenant groups frequently have a high desire for city center studio apartments. The returns on studio flats may be good with yields of about 8% in the ideal location. Studio apartments might be a fantastic investment because rents are rising and are expected to do so in the upcoming years, says Joe Ricotta.
3: Less Maintenance City inhabitants typically seek modern studio apartments that are easier to maintain, more cost-effective, and ecologically friendly. Joe Ricotta asserts, studio apartments typically cost less to maintain and have less repair and maintenance expenses because of their smaller size. They often have less issues compared to other forms of housing because they have a single room for living space and are typically newer constructions.
4: Attracting Tenants For couples, young professionals, and students searching for a well-located place to live, studio apartments typically offer a modern, trendy living area. Your investment is more likely to be lucrative to both rental demographics if you target these premium rental groups.
5: Environmentally responsible Utility costs in a studio apartment are often lower because they are typically newer and occupy less space. Modern heating and lighting systems are also more likely to include energy-efficient products with lower utility costs.
Conclusion!
Apartment living and the appeal of studio flats are both growing in cities with expanding populations. It's probable that you will always have a stream of renters eager to rent your house because this sort of property is likely to stay popular. Since real estate prices are at an all-time high and more individuals are choosing to rent for longer periods of time, as per Joe Ricotta, studio apartments are expected to stay popular for a while.
Know More : https://directory.mirror.co.uk/company/249547b0b5395a389ba77695ecb1358a

I have the opportunity to move to a one-bedroom apartment (1-Zimmer-Wohnung). It has a very good price and location (at the center), but considering the internet options, being in an attic, the only coverage available is Vodafone with 16 Mbps DSL in Germany. There are no other options available. (https://zuhauseplus.vodafone.de/internet-telefon/dsl/)
It might sound silly, but I'm seriously considering rejecting the apartment just because of this internet. What I really want it for is to play online (which would require low latency), actually not more (barely watch streamings, and when I watch videos, not in 4K), but I'm afraid to sign up and find out it's not enough. Does anyone have experience with this package?
​
Edit: A lot of responses, thank you so much :D, sadly (or maybe a bullet dodged), i think the renter ghosted me after a visit.
Thank you very much!

Catch the full episode: https://www.wealthformula.com/podcast/369-big-government-craziness-in-a-troubled-economy/
Buck: Welcome back to the show, everyone, today. My guest on Wealth Formula podcast is Marc Calabria. Marc is senior adviser to the Cato Institute and co-founder of the Cato Center for Monetary and Financial Tentatives, who provide strategic input and direction on the federal economic policy making process. He's also former director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates and supervises Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks. He is the author of Shelter from the Storm How a COVID Mortgage Meltdown Was Averted. Marc, welcome to the podcast. Thanks for joining us.
Mark: Buck It's great to be here.
Buck: So, you know, your your background is is interesting. And for those people who don't know. Tell us a little bit about the Cato Institute.
Mark:
So the Cato Institute is a think tank. And again, you can kind of think about think tanks as academics who don't teach and generally share a point on the political spectrum, a broad point of view. So Cato, founded in 1977, in the Bay Area of San Francisco, moved in the early 80s to Washington, DC, is generally considered, you know, libertarian-ish. So there are issues in where we agree with the left, there are issues we agree on the right. And we tend to be very nonpartisan about it and tend to, you know, really call out things we disagree
with and call out things we agree with. But again, we work on a broad set of policy issues. I'm in where the economic space but we at Cato do work on immigration, criminal justice, I mean, pretty much, you know, healthcare reform, everything under the sun that has a policy angle and should say we are, we don't take any government money, we are 100% supported by kind contributions from people who want to share our philosophy and want to see us change the world.
Buck: That's great. And and, you know, obviously from your perspective, your your focus is a lot of it has been on mortgages and things like, you know, financial markets that way. I'm curious, there was some recent there's a recent article that I saw in The Wall Street Journal regarding this concept of upside down mortgage policies. You and I, I mean, this I think this is going to be kind of a surprise to people. Like, do you want to tell tell us what this is? Because this is like a new essentially new law. Right? It's not something that's being discussed real.
Mark: Well, it's an it's a new pricing. So as you touched upon. You know, I've spent a lot of my professional career in the financial services space, particularly mortgage. You know, what was the primary regulator for the mortgage market during COVID And since about the 1980s, you know, pre 1980s, that was really the case that everybody kind of paid the same for a mortgage. But if you were a higher risk, you didn't really get a mortgage or you went you got it from a hard money lender or you got it from from the seller like, you know, the typical going to a bank. Again, if you were a marginal credit, you simply didn't get a loan then. So certain about the eighties, you know, we had the development of risk based pricing largely because of the creation of the credit rating agencies and other things.
And so you developed over time a system where if you had a if you were a lower risk, that is like you had a higher FICO, you were able to put a lower down, you know, bigger down payment down, you know, you pay the lower rate. And again, over time, that really started to reflect tightly. And again, the flip side of that, of course, is if you're high risk and you have a low FICO and you're putting very little down, you tend to pay a higher rate. And again, we've seen the financial markets kind of gravitating that way. And of course, it's not just mortgages. That's true in auto credit card, other lines of credit as well.
Buck: By the way, that makes a lot of sense. Right? Basically from the lending side, you're de-risking you know, you're de-risking the the opportunity for the lender here. And you should be paying less if you're providing them less risk. So that that makes us.
Mark: 100%. I would also argue from the borrower side, I mean, I understand that nobody likes to have to pay a higher rate, but first of all, price just convey information. And if you are going for a loan of some sort and it's a high rate, that's the information about perhaps you're in fits the initial situation. In many instances, you can six, 12 months make considerable progress in your credit history if you work on fixing it.
So to me, A, you know, if the markets charge you higher rate to borrow, the market is telling you something, perhaps you should listen. So that's one factor. And the other factor is, you know, as I mentioned earlier, before, the risk based advent of risk based pricing, higher risk are simply just to get mortgages. And so it's increased access. So we can debate whether paying a higher rate and get in a mortgage is better than not being able to get a mortgage. At any rate, personally, I think it is, but it's increased access. So I think it's a win win. Now, what the Biden administration has proposed doing is using their control of Fannie and Freddie to kind of flatten that relationship between what you pay and the risk.
Now, there still be a connection between if you're better, risky or get a better rate, but they're really trying to flatten that to create more of a cross-subsidy. So they are trying to essentially make you the better borrower, pay more to somewhat subsidize the lower borrower. But I do want to be very clear. This is this in no way suggests you should stop paying your bills and ruin your credit because you think you'll get a better mortgage rate. You won't. So you should still work at your credit and do those things. But it is very much geared to be, you know, a cross-subsidy within the system only applies in the Fannie and Freddie space. So.
Buck: So to be clear, though, Mark, to be clear, you're saying that if you are so so the stratification here is based on purely on a credit score.
Mark: Yes. And again, you know, it's important to remember part of the argument from the Biden administration that this is meant to help low income folks. But let's make two observations important. First of all, it's only the Fannie Freddie space. So if you're the jumbo, if you you know, if you're truly rich, this isn't affecting you because you're not in the Fannie and Freddie space.
And then it may surprise some folks, but I think you probably know this for a while. The relationship between income, a person's income and credit is positive. It's actually quite weak. There are a lot of well-off people who don't pay their bills on time the basis and there are lots of poor people who actually do pay their bills on a timely basis. So even if you is a social policy, you feel like, well, you know, let's do something to help the less off. This is what it is. It actually and again, most of most of poor households are likely to be renters. This is really, in a sense, a cross-subsidy within the middle class between those who have better credit and have taken years to build that and those who have weaker credit. I should also note one of the biggest connections between your credit is your age. And you know, it's not, you know, fair to say with many of us who are at our toes, perhaps we weren't as responsible as we were later in life. And, you know, it often takes years to build up a good credit score. So this is, in a sense, a subsidy from those in their forties and fifties to those in their twenties and thirties.
Buck: Yeah. And you know, that credit thing is, is is really interesting to me in general because I mean, after a certain point too, it becomes a lot less important. Like I know in my case my credit is not perfect at all and I don't know exactly why. You know, like I'm, you know, maybe just a little bit over 700 or something like that. So when I was buying, you know, I was getting a few mortgages around here. And I have a lot of real estate debt, tons of real estate, like, you know, and and I suspect that's part of what it is. But when I went to a private bank that that I get my mortgage from, they didn't really even care what my credit report said. That was not part of their you know that was you.
Mark: Raise your grace a grade point, which is that credit scores are important, but they're not the end all be all a lot. And again, perhaps the biggest takeaway from this change is for better credit borrowers, there's going to be a bigger difference in rates. So this only affects Fannie and Freddie borrowers a lot of higher income, but not necessarily rich borrowers. You know, the bank wants that loan. So if if you're getting a mortgage for, say, seven or $800,000, often the bank will want it to want that relationship and they'll want to keep that loan on their books and they'll give you a better deal. But if you're sold to Fannie and Freddie. So the first and most important takeaway for for folks is that this makes it all the more important to shop for rates because it will be a bigger diversion.
And again, if the bank has a bigger distribution, if the bank has an existing relationship with you, they try to take that holistic plea. So in your case, if you've got all these other deals with the bank, I'd rather you got loans and you're doing business and they want to keep the relationship, They might look at it and say, well, you know, okay, the overall relationship is important. It's also obviously important to keep in mind that, you know, the bigger down payment. So before there was a real growth in Fannie and Freddie sub prime, if you go back to kind of what subprime looked at look like in the 1990s, you know, if you had a 60, 6685 CO you would get a you know, you would get a loan and they would require you to have like 30 or 40% down.
So there are other offsets there that can factor into it. So yeah, you're credit's important. It's good to have good credit. It tends to be more buckets if you will. I'm not saying you shouldn't strive to have that. 850 but if you've got seven 8800, it's it's fairly similar. There may be some differences in some products, but again, a lot of other factors. But it's a smart thing to do to try to get to try to keep the best credit you can. I wouldn't necessarily worry about it on a month to month basis, but if you are applying for a rate have in prime credit is extremely helpful.
Buck: So let's go to a different topic. You were at once the federal Housing Finance Agency director when you were. How did you determine that rent forbearance was the right policy during the pandemic? And I guess a follow up on that is, are you satisfied with, you know, what was achieved from that?
Mark: Well, it's one of the reasons to write the book is I felt very strongly about trying to tell the story of not only where I thought we were successful, but where we were constrained and perhaps in some areas fell short. And I should clarify, you know, later in the summer of 2020 was when the CDC invoked their eviction moratorium, we'd have anything to do with that in March of 2020. You know, we initially saw that only about and again, remember from about February to May, we lost 22 million jobs. So shockingly quick and deep job loss. But the thing that we immediately saw in our data was only about 40% of those people using they're losing their jobs and mortgages. And of course, this is not surprising. We all remember bars, restaurants, I think.
So we saw immediately that renters were being most impacted. So because we didn't have a way to mandate it, what we essentially set up was a system where the landlord because again, keep in mind, I'm running Fannie and Freddie. I have information on the mortgage, I have information on who holds the mortgage. We don't even know whether the units occupied to be to be frank. All we know is this is a rental unit with a mortgage on it. And so we set up a system where the landlord could agree to not evict for nonpayment. Of course they can evict for nuisance and all the other legitimate things beside that. And then we would give them a pause on their mortgage. Now, the reasons why I say there's some limitations to this between us and FHA, which is also obviously a big landlord, not only public housing but multifamily.
Maybe we got about 40% of the rental market. Some of this, of course, is, you know, it's easy to think about big high rises when you think rental, but half of renters live in units with in properties with under five units. Most renters live actually in like a third of renters, single family housing or a surprisingly large number of renters. Renting households have the rental property has no mortgage on it. And if there's not mortgage, we have no way to offer assistance. So on one hand, I thought we were very effective in this small part of the market in which we had an influence.
Buck: Well, I think, yeah, I was kind of getting at that a little bit. You know, our group, you know, we deal in larger apartment complexes, a lot of Freddie Fannie stuff. And there wasn't really a whole lot of relief for landlords in those situations. Right. It was forbearance type thing. And then the landlords were kind of like and the investors were kind of like, you know, out to dry and try to figure out what to do about it. And I'm just curious on the justification on that.
Mark: It was a very tough situation. You know, and I had, you know, only one. So I had a single rental property for much of COVID myself and lost a fair amount of COVID rent from one of the tenants who lost their job. And they eventually moved out and oh, I hate it. I mean, it sucked. But it was it it was the situation. And, you know, later Congress, of course, provided assistance directly to landlords kind of before, but that was pretty late in the game. Not so I think 2021. And and even that it was so bureaucratic. So the truth is, is most landlords hate that. And again, while the homeowner side most people who took COVID forbearance as I talk about in the book, had a lot of equity restructured the forbearance in a way that they were incentivized to pay it back.
But it was very different with tenants. We didn't have a direct relationship with the tenants. We had no way to penalize anybody who took six months, didn't pay their rent and left. And there was a lot of that. So I'd be the first to say I think this was the situation was extremely unfair to landlords. That's why we made, unlike the CDC moratorium, what we did. We made voluntary, but we also had no ability, you know, the most we could do is give the landlord a break time wise on the mortgage because we had no ability, just forgive it. Obviously, if they were going to be landlords who were stressed, we would work with them to try to work out a modification plan. But ultimately we had FHA overseeing Fannie and Freddie, had no way to make landlords whole, and I think that was a real tension and stress point during the crisis.
Buck: Yeah, now I get it. I mean, it it wasn't really any great, great solutions to I mean I truly unusual situation like that.
Mark: You know and I'm really you know I guess personally, you know, I worry that particularly 2020 but we've seen this broader trend, you know in the public of demonizing landlords and, you know, personally, I don't think there's a better you know, it's a noble thing to provide shelter for somebody else, you know, And and I think it's a great profession. It's a hard profession. And I don't think policymakers appreciate how difficult it is to be a landlord. And you get very little sympathy. And I wish we could have done more, but we were in our own box, if you will.
Buck: Well, at least we get the tax benefit.
Mark: That's it's true.
Buck: So we shift gears a little bit here and talk a little bit about the, you know, the the bank failures and maybe more specifically the the the bailouts. And again, I'm I'm looking at this from your perspective, as you know, as a libertarian and the outcome of this in the long term and the implications of all of this, frankly, I mean, even going back to our discussion here of, you know, essentially demonizing owners and not providing anything, any support for them in the large apartment building space and then going here and, you know, and then the banks have these bailouts that, you know, we've had FDIC protections and all that kind of thing for years and years. And the next thing you know, it's actually challenged and boom, you change it a lot. So tell me, tell me what's what do you think all this?
Mark: I'm extremely frustrated with the response. And, you know, one of the things you may recall and I know this is probably little weeds per COVID, but in 2020 there were big calls to assist have the government assist mortgage servicers because of some of the assistance that was provided. And I walk through in the book, you know what it's like to be in the hot seat of getting 99% of the phone calls.
You're getting to rescue companies and bailouts. And of course, there were lots of industries, airlines, others, cruise ships that got bailouts in 2020. So one of the reasons I write the book was I wanted to convey to that to the public, you know, what it's like to be the recipient of all of demands for bailouts. Personally, I don't I still don't think that while we're still getting information that the Silicon Valley Bank rescue of the depositors was was justified, I don't think it's systemically important. It's not a big bank, obviously, it's an important bank for Silicon Valley. But, you know, the uninsured depositors would have gotten $0.90 on the dollar, which to me, I understand who wants to take a haircut. But, you know, you have to have that market discipline. I thought the initial messaging on the part of the administration was muddled. You know, you didn't know from day to day whose deposits and what banks were covered. So to their credit, the first Republic assistance was done better. It's not it's not perfect or not well, because the cost of it still looks extremely. I so I do worry that, you know, we have set out a standard where, you know, if you've got deposits over to 50, are they covered by the government or are they not?
And those are depending on what banks are in. And I very much worry that, you know, people are going to look at this and say, I'm much better off if I've got big deposits. Having it with Chase or, you know, Bank of America than I am with a community bank. And one of the reasons this concerns me, of course, is the community banks and the regional banks are incredibly important sources of small business lending. They're important, you know, as you know from being a physician, if you're you're not going to go to chase necessarily for your loan to start your your doctor's office, you're going to go to community regional bank. And they're also important sources of construction lending. So I worry that part of this consolidation that this will drive is going to make it harder to get certain types of lending.
know, obviously, I mean, I mean, this is probably a contrarian view, but I think the uninsured depositors pulling their money out of Silicon Valley Bank did us a favor because judging from the reports and the research was done, it would have taken the regulators another six or 12 months to do anything and the hole would have been deeper and it would have been more so to me. Having uninsured depositors forced the closure of a bank that the regulators should have been closed in already is generally a good thing. And I think we need more market discipline, not less. You know, the Fed and the FDIC have all done kind of back after action reports. And it's not pretty. I mean, it really is. I guess I put it this way for an investors perspective, if you don't have strong faith in the management of a bank, then you should have nothing to do with that bank because the regulators are not going to address it on a timely basis.
So and the reason I guess I'd almost put it this way, the kind of regulatory failures we saw at Silicon Valley Bank by the Fed are more the norm than they are the exception. And you should never necessarily, I guess, a roundabout way of saying I don't trust the government to do your due diligence for you. They're not going to do it.
Buck: You know, the party line, literally the party line, right. Yelling Paul Biden, they they're they're insisting that the banking system is sound. Right. I'm curious in your take on that because to me, you know, obviously and maybe this is stratified in terms of the community banks and the big banks in all that. But is your what's your take?
Mark: Well, first, let's note what seems to be, at a minimum, a tension, if not a contradiction, which is they tell us on one hand the system is fine and sound, but they also tell us the system can't withstand uninsured depositors. In the Silicon Valley Bank taking a 10% haircut. So in which is it? If the system can't take that, that it's probably not fine inside. So they need they kind of need to make their choice. Personally, I think, you know, the way they look at this is Silicon Valley Bank had about half a dozen serious problems or serious vulnerabilities. Your typical bank, your typical regional small bank has one or two of those, like a lot of banks have Treasuries and Fannie and Freddie securities that they haven't fully, perfectly hedged against and they're going to take losses on.
So at this point, I would say I'm expecting four or five more regional banks to get in trouble and to perhaps even fail. And in fact, or at least the reality of it. But that said, I think it's I think it is concentrated in a handful of banks. This isn't a problem where the entire system, if you think back to the savings and loan crisis in the eighties, you were at points for the at that entire industry was insolvent economically. That's not the case with the banking industry today. You have important but not systemically overwhelming chunks that are in trouble. And my view is I think you need to deal with those institutions directly. You know, you get you get this argument from the administration that there's contagion. It's not really contagion. It's the fact that you've got some of these institutions that are functionally insolvent and investors are waking up to it.
You also have the situation where, you know, in the year or so leading up to the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, you're about 800 billion in deposits taken out of the system. That's not surprising because the banking system during the pandemic grew by $5 trillion in deposits on a base of 13 trillion. And, you know, when people were getting zero for their alternatives and maybe that was acceptable, but in a world where you can get four or 5% on three month T-bills, you're going to leave that deposit. So I guess one way is I expect over the next 12 months to at least another trillion. On the positive side, the banking system for no other reason that you've got much better alternatives, whether it's mutual funds or whether it's T-bills directly. And that's going to put stress on some banks, but it's not going to be enough to sink the system. It will be enough to sink again, another four or five.
Buck: Right. And that that also has, you know, I guess, confidence implications as well. Right. And then we're talking about, you know, almost certainly a significantly compromised lending environment for small business in all of this. And so, in effect, there is there is a little bit of contagion in terms of what the net net result is on the economy. Presumably.
Mark: There's an impact. I mean, I've never been I mean, I know it's a commonly used term. I feel like contagion just assumes that like, you know, Silicon Valley bank sneezes and everybody else catches it. Where I think it's a little more nuanced than that. I mean, first of all, we're already seeing the regulators clamp down in response. So there's nothing like a bank failure to make the regulators feel embarrassed that they weren't doing their jobs.
Mark: And of course, their response to being embarrassed about not doing their jobs is to clamp down on Monday in your particularly got to see this remember signature bank in New York was one of the more important multifamily commercial real estate lenders there as well as a little bit in the crypto space. And you're certainly seeing already bank regulators clamped down on commercial real estate.
So getting construction lending, getting apartment lending. And you were obviously at a point in the cycle. Well, my view is the apartment sector writ large is already going to be overbuilt. But that said, it's going to get tougher to get construction lending, small business lending in many instances because of the regulators and sometimes overreacting. But all that said, that's one part of it. Certainly, you know, I kind of describe it this way, and I'm sure you run into this a lot. As I mentioned, the spreads between alternative investments and deposits have been widening for some time now in many of us, you know, tell ourselves for sometimes days, weeks, months on end, you know, I'm going to rebalance my portfolio at some point and then, you know, you take a while to do that and then all of a sudden there's a shock like this and you're just sort of like, okay, today, the next two days, today I'm really going to do it.
And so I think you're certainly going to see a stress. Like I mentioned, you're going to see at least a trillion. The deposits leave the system. That's going to put stress, particularly on regionals and small banks. You know, some of them are going to do fine. But again, it's going to be tougher to get credit. Certainly, it changes the pessimism. You know, people are you know, despite that, we still continue to have, you know, strong enough job growth. I mean, obviously, I think people are getting much more pessimistic about the economy and that that hits, you know, your willingness to want to invest and start a business in many things. So I do think that these events, you know, are putting a damper in you need to be cautious of numbers that are pre bank failures. Say, for instance, a lot of the, you know, real estate, you know, the single family sales numbers from February were strong, but they were before the these bank failures. And so are we starting to see that put a drag on the market. So what I would say is you got to pay attention to the next two months worth of data to really figure out, you know, are we going to be lucky and have a soft landing or is this going to be a hard landing?
And I think it's just too early to tell. But, you know, it's also a reminder, you know, the some of the best investments are made at the bottom of the market. You know, if you're the person sitting there with us with the liquidity and you can be a provider and seller of liquidity in a stress environment, you can do quite well. And I would argue that's kind of the Warren Buffett model. And that's, you know, he waits around for five years or so for everybody else to mess up and then comes in and provides the floor. That's a great investment strategy if you've got the patience and liquidity for it. Yeah.
Buck: What do you think? You know, one of the things that we're kind of watching is the uncertainty. Certainly apartment building sector things are at a snail's pace. I mean, there's virtually like zero market rate, very little liquidity in this market right now. And a lot of that is because of the lending environment. And, you know, Fannie, Freddie, Fannie kind of debt that we're usually typically looking at in that it's dried up pretty well in terms of or made the requirements are have been very stringent. Do you what do you think you think that's going to loosen up any time soon or or what?
Mark: It'll be at least 6 to 12 months. And I would say we're in the second or third inning of this game in terms of multifamily correction. And I hate to put it this way, but it's going to get worse before it gets better. And, you know, we've been building apartments at a higher rate than we have since since like the eighties. And so a tremendous amount of apartment construction, A big difference between now and then is a huge amount of it is subsidized. I mean, something like a third to half is typically tax credit properties, and then there's a lot of local subsidies involved. The reason the importance of that one and one importance to that is it takes a longer for that ship to turn because once you've gotten all these subsidies and you've gone through all the approval process, you're going to finish that and you're going to open it up regardless of whether it covers its costs or whether, you know, you're going to be able to have, you know, high level absorption of the properties.
So I think we've got a lot of inventory coming online and the apartment market, you know, I would probably be someone who would want to be in that cellar right now. But, you know, in 12 months you're going to get to a spot where perhaps it's wise to come back into that market as an investor. Of course, you know, as our realtor friends tell us, location, location, location.
So, for instance, I mean, New York is a very different market. Multifamily within, say, Sacramento. And in of course, we're also in the bizarre world of the California. And your real estate has taken a beating while Florida real estate's doing well. So, you know, you really have to I'm not going to quite say that we've abandoned having some sort of national convergence or similarities or core aspects to it.
But this is one of those things where what's going on out west is very different for what's going on in the Southeast. And so you have to be aware of local market conditions because at the end of the day, I mean, the fundamentals for real estate are demographics and income. You know, is the population growing in that area. And, you know, I think after prices reset, which will be painful for California, you'll start to stabilize. But a lot of people moved out of California during the pandemic. A lot of people were, you know, stretched in terms of affordability. And until that really resets and until you get a little more construction going, their prices just aren't sustainable.
Relative rents are unsustainable relative to where incomes are in California. So you're going to continue. We've seen it. We've seen a painful correction there. We're going to continue to see that. But again, I would really emphasize for those who really kind of want to be in the real estate game, there are markets of opportunity. You just need to do a lot of research and appreciate that Miami is not you know, it's not soccer is not Los Angeles. And there's very big differences.
Buck: I guess the last topic I want to touch on is inflation. This is a Fed on track to kill inflation. And.
Mark: You know, they I think they've turned the corner and it's been painful. Let me be very clear. They are they were so behind the curve. I mean, I'm of the view that they really should have started, you know, normalizing in the second half of 2020. I mean, what we saw that summer in June, July was just such a dramatic job recovery. So there really wasn't a rationale for the kind of liquidity Fed was dropping in the system later part of 2020. But, you know, we are where we are. I mean, I only raised that to say the best way to deal with these situations is to not to get into them to begin with. But again, here we are. So Powell has been very aggressive.
I actually talk a little bit about in the book how I was involved in his initial selection and some of the pros and cons I saw a lot of people want a little bit of Washington insider take in some of the book. You know, we've seen a contraction in the money supply. We're starting to see a contraction in lending, partly because of the regulatory response. So that said, I still think it will be 2025. And so we're near the Fed's 2% target. And so we were going to be the worst of inflation is behind us, but we've still got some painful inflation ahead of us.
Buck: It's just that you think they're going to keep being hawkish. I mean, they actually kind of took their foot off the pedal in the last.
Mark: Yeah, a little bit. And, you know, first, keep in mind, despite what the Fed might want you to believe, they are a deeply political organization. So perhaps a little backwards induction here, the.
Buck: Presidential election coming up too.
Mark: You. Exactly what I was going to say. So, you know, it would have to be pretty bad on the current pace for on the Fed will not raise rates, nor were they likely lower rates next year in 2024 because of the presidential election. And in fact, I would go as far to say, you know, come the November, December meetings this year, they're going to be very hesitant to move. So my prediction would be that I think the last window for a rate increase is September, is the September meeting. They may not they may just stand pat then. But I think because, you know, we really need to start to see some changes in the strength of the job market really suggests to me that we've got at least one more rate increase coming.
So I don't think we're done. And in fact, again, I think the last increase will be a quarter point either July or September, and then I think they'll be done until after the election. That's, of course, contingent on things not going sideways in a big way. If we if we are in a deep recession, 20, 25, 28, 2024, they'll cut rates. But if we're kind of on the slow in landing inflation moderating, jobs moderating, but still positive, that again, July, September is my expectation. So the last increase.
Buck: Good stuff. Now, the book mark again is Shelter from the Storm How a COVID Mortgage Meltdown Was Averted. Tell us a little bit about that. I mean, obviously, it sounded fairly self-explanatory and.
Mark: I thought it would be, you know, well, there's the core of it is somewhat self explanatory because, you know, the core story is the kind of how you say should roll it back and say, I was on the Senate Banking Committee in 2008 and I was of the view that much of the response to the mortgage crisis in 2008 was poorly handled.
So to be frank about it, and so part of the narrative of the book is how I looked at how poorly handled things were in 2008. And then, as fate would have it, I happened to be the person in that seat in 2020. And I talk about in the book why we did it differently in 2008. You know, when I walk through kind of decisions, the trade offs, the uncertainties, you know, and why I think it turned out much better.
Now, there are other aspects of it. You know, we talked earlier about the rental issues. Now, one aspect that I thought was incredibly important when we are setting up forbearance programs was we wanted to make sure they didn't punish people to go back to work. And so one of the problems in 2008 was you would lose a lot of your mortgage forbearance if you started working.
And so we wanted to make sure we had a program that didn't punish work. And that's talked about in the book. There's some again, I mentioned, you know, why we said no to bail out some of the mortgage industry and kind of the the ins and outs of mad games, some leadership lessons, you know, on terms of coming into a very troubled agency and give a background on that, how we kind of turned that around. And of course, a few insider stories here and there. So those are just kind of interesting, what it's like to try to guide an agency in a mortgage market crisis. Now, I just wanted to put that out there and let people know why we made certain decisions in some way. So I think it's a fun read, little stories and anecdotes here and there, as well as probably more than you ever want to know about the mortgage market.
Buck: Great. Mark, thanks so much for being on. Well, from your podcast.
Mark: Buck, it's been a pleasure.
Buck: We'll be right back.

The company that handles military housing at my base, Balfour Beatty, recently announced they'll be increasing rent to take the full BAH. In my case, that'll be a nearly 50% increase in rent if I renew my lease.
Like 6 months ago they were offering cash incentives to refer people to the community, including non-DOD renters, because they needed to fill units. Now they're full, people are waiting multiple months to get in, so I guess it was time to jack up the prices.
Oh, and this is the same company that takes multiple requests and months of time to complete work orders, usually poorly. They also shut down or refuse to maintain community amenities like the pool or rec center.
Fuck these people, I guess is my point.