Daniel Kaufman’s Blog

The Grinch is Coming for Your Health Insurance (And Congress Left the Door Unlocked)

Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope you’re all getting some time to relax, maybe hitting the slopes, or just staying warm with family. I hate to be the one to spike the eggnog, but we need to have a little “real talk” about what’s waiting in the mailbox come January 1st.

If you get your health insurance through the ACA (Obamacare) exchanges, hold onto your wallets. Those Covid-era subsidies we’ve gotten used to? They are about to expire. We aren't talking about a normal “inflation sucks” price hike.

We are talking about premiums potentially doubling or tripling overnight.

Imagine budgeting $600 for insurance and suddenly getting a bill for $1,800. That is the reality for millions of families in a few weeks unless Congress pulls a massive rabbit out of a very small hat.

So, who do we thank for this?

Look, I’m a business guy. I look at results. And right now, the party in charge—the Republicans—are effectively letting the clock run out on the American middle class. They had a chance to fix this. But instead of a clean extension (which the Democrats and a few sensible Republicans like Murkowski and Hawley supported), we got political theater. The Senate couldn't get the votes. The House is trying to tack on 111 pages of extra “healthcare modifications” to the bill at the last minute—which is basically a poison pill.

I didn’t love the government shutdown the Dems forced earlier this year (lots of pain, very little gain), but on the actual policy? They were right. Letting these subsidies expire is an unforced error of epic proportions.

The Fallout

This isn't just lines on a spreadsheet. This is real life. When premiums spike, people drop coverage. When people drop coverage, they get vulnerable.

Republicans usually count on gerrymandering or culture wars to keep them safe, but this? This hits the wallet. Hard. If this doesn't get fixed by a Hail Mary pass this week, their own base is going to be absolutely livid in the New Year.

And honestly? They should be. It frustrates me to no end that leadership and accountability seem to be optional in DC these days. We have real challenges in this country, and we deserve leaders who treat our well-being as a priority, not a political football.

Enjoy the holidays, folks—but keep an eye on those insurance updates. It might be a bumpy start to 2026.

The Shutdown Is (Mostly) Over. Here’s What Actually Happened

Hey everyone, I wanted to share a quick update on the government shutdown, because I know the news has been loud and confusing, and a lot of people have been asking what actually ended it and why.

Over the weekend, the shutdown essentially came to a close after 8 Democratic Senators voted to reopen the government. In exchange, they received a promise that Congress would take up a vote on healthcare subsidies later, and that federal workers who had been furloughed would be rehired and paid back for the time they missed.

You’d think that might feel like progress, but the reaction inside the Democratic Party was the opposite. A lot of Democrats were furious, calling this a surrender. High-profile leaders were openly criticizing Chuck Schumer, saying he backed down too easily. Online, there were even polls and conversations about primarying him and replacing him with someone more aggressive.

So, why did Democrats agree to reopen the government if so many people in their own party were opposed?

The short answer: real people were getting hurt, and it wasn’t moving policy any closer to the Democrats’ goals.

Several Senators said that Republicans simply weren’t going to budge on healthcare subsidies, no matter how long the shutdown continued. Meanwhile, the impacts of the shutdown were getting worse every day:

• Over 187,000 federal workers in Virginia alone weren’t getting paychecks. • The federal employee union (which originally supported the shutdown) publicly changed course and asked Democrats to end it. • SNAP (food stamp) benefits were becoming uncertain for millions of families. • Flights were being canceled as FAA staff left or went unpaid. • Many workers had already been laid off.

That’s when it became clear the shutdown wasn’t applying pressure to change policy, it was just hurting everyday people.

So the shutdown ended not because Democrats “gave up,” but because the cost to families, workers, and basic government functions was too high to justify continuing. The only reason someone might argue it should have continued is if they genuinely believed that Republicans were about to cave on healthcare. But the opposite happened. Trump actually dug in harder over the weekend.

Some people think Schumer also made the call because the Senators who voted to reopen the government aren’t up for reelection next year, meaning they could take the political heat. There’s probably some truth to that. But at the end of the day, the decision came down to recognizing that the shutdown wasn’t going to achieve the policy goal and was actively damaging the country.

Personally, I think ending it was the right decision. Shutdowns rarely (if ever) deliver the policy outcomes people hope for, but they do create real-world harm. If the goal is to have a functioning government and things like reliable air travel, working food assistance programs, and federal employees being paid then reopening made sense.

What concerns me more is the reaction. The loudest voices right now are calling for more aggression, more fighting, more “never back down.” But governing isn’t just about winning fights — it’s about making difficult choices and protecting the people who get caught in the middle.

There’s a difference between leadership and just being loud. And I hope, going forward, we choose the former.

How I’ve Been Helping Developers This Year

It’s been a complicated year for real estate developers. Rising interest rates, higher construction costs, and unpredictable zoning and entitlement processes have made even strong projects harder to move forward. But I’ve also seen how much progress can happen when people share knowledge, connect early, and look at deals from every angle.

Here are a few stories from this past year that show the kinds of ways I’ve been able to help.

Finding Off-Market Land for a Townhome Project

A developer I’ve worked with for years wanted to build townhomes in a growing corridor but couldn’t find a site that penciled out. After some digging, I located an off-market parcel that had been quietly held for years. It checked all the boxes: utilities, access, and zoning potential. We got it under contract, and after some early coordination with the planning department, the project moved forward with increased density and a clear path to approvals.

Turning a Commercial Parcel Into a Residential Opportunity

Another project started with a long-vacant commercial parcel in a transitional area. Working with the development team, I helped prepare the case for rezoning to residential—lining up data on housing demand, traffic flow, and community benefits. The rezoning was approved, and the site that had sat idle for over a decade will now become new homes for local families.

Identifying Sites for Data Center Development

On the infrastructure side, I’ve helped groups searching for land suitable for data centers—balancing access to power, connectivity, and local entitlements. In a few cases, we found properties that hadn’t been on anyone’s radar, opening up entirely new locations for this kind of investment.

Reducing Construction Costs Without Sacrificing Design

For a multifamily project facing budget pressure, I reviewed the plans and bids alongside the development and construction teams. We identified smarter sourcing options, adjusted site sequencing, and saved meaningful dollars—all without compromising the project’s architecture or long-term value.

Every one of these projects was different, but they all share a theme: collaboration. Developers today need partners who understand how land, zoning, design, and capital fit together. That’s where I try to help—by connecting dots and finding practical paths forward, even when the environment isn’t easy.

If you ever want to talk about a project, share an idea, or see how I might be of assistance, you can reach me anytime through my website:

👉 www.danielkaufmanre.com

— Daniel Kaufman

Is AI a Bubble—or Just a Wild Ride?

Lately, I keep seeing the same question pop up: is AI a bubble? It’s everywhere—Andrew Ross Sorkin, Derek Thompson, Hank Green—you name it. Everyone’s weighing in. Sorkin even compared this moment to the run-up to the crash of 1929. Not exactly comforting bedtime reading.

The numbers are, honestly, insane. Around $300 billion is being spent on data centers every ten months. AI companies have made up 70% of the stock market’s gains this year. Strip away the data centers, and U.S. GDP growth in the first half of 2025 was basically flat—just 0.1%. Every time a company says “we’re investing billions in AI,” investors act like it’s Christmas morning.

But here’s the thing: AI revenue is only about $60 billion this year. If I told you I’d pay you $60 this year, would you spend $300–400 to improve your product with no guaranteed return? Probably not… unless you thought that $60 would turn into $600 or $6,000 real soon. That’s the mindset right now—betting on explosive growth that hasn’t quite shown up yet.

The Spending Web (a.k.a. Everyone’s Funding Everyone Else)

The chart above (thanks to Bloomberg) says it all. Nvidia, OpenAI, Microsoft, Oracle, AMD—they’re all throwing money at each other in a dizzying circle. Nvidia is even financing purchases of its own chips through other companies. Oracle is borrowing tens of billions just to keep up with AI spending.

This kind of financial loop-de-loop actually has a name: round-tripping.

Back in the late 90s, during the dot-com boom, it was the same move—Company A gives Company B money so Company B can buy from Company A (maybe through Company C just for flair). It made industries look bigger and healthier than they were. Until they weren’t.

I still remember those days. Anything with “.com” in the name went stratospheric—then crashed just as hard. Pets.com, AOL-Time Warner, all of it. I was a wannabe entrepreneur back then, sneaking into launch parties for free food, watching startups flame out a few years later. But you know what? The underlying tech did change everything. The hype died, but Amazon and Google rose from the ashes.

So What About AI?

I talk to CEOs who are actually cutting customer service teams in half because AI bots are faster and, frankly, less cranky. Friends at law firms tell me they’re rethinking how they train new associates—why spend years teaching someone to draft contracts when an AI can do it faster (and cheaper)?

Entry-level white-collar jobs are disappearing. Designers, writers, composers—they can all feel the ground shifting. Even the stuff that still needs a human touch, like editing or reviewing, takes 90% less time. And the self-driving thing? I’ve been in Waymo cars a few times now—they’re legit.

So, Is It a Bubble?

Both yes and no. In terms of company valuations and how much money’s being thrown around? Yeah, it’s bubbly as hell. The math doesn’t make sense yet.

But in terms of impact—on how we work, learn, think, and live? Not a bubble at all. This tech is real. It’s already here. It’s just that the numbers haven’t caught up to the narrative yet.

So maybe we are in a bubble. But like the Internet in 1999, when the froth clears, the world will look completely different—and a few companies will own the future.

The Stories We Tell, and the Ones We’re Losing

I grew up in the 80s and early 90s when America still had something close to a shared culture. I remember seeing Back to the Future Part in a packed theater and watching Field of Dreams with my dad, who pretended he didn’t tear up at the end (he totally did). Die Hard marathons, Saturday mornings with The A-Team, and the first time I saw Prince perform, those moments still sit somewhere deep in the memory banks.

For a kid like, pop culture was a kind of roadmap. It was loud, colorful, and full of swagger. Everyone was tuned to the same channels. When Thriller or Purple Rain dropped, you didn’t need an algorithm to tell you. You felt it in the air.

Fast-forward to today, and it’s a different world. Kids aren’t watching Spielberg classics or quoting Ghostbusters. They’re watching creators on YouTube with usernames I can’t remember, people shooting videos from their bedrooms and somehow reaching millions. It’s a new kind of storytelling ecosystem, decentralized and deeply personal. But something’s been lost in the shift too.

Last week I read a sobering piece in the Wall Street Journal about how Hollywood’s creative middle class has collapsed. Not the A-list celebrities — the people who actually made the machine run: the gaffers, camera ops, editors, set builders, costume designers. The folks who used to fill every diner on Ventura Boulevard after a long shoot. In just a couple of years, the number of workers in L.A.’s entertainment industry fell from 142,000 to around 100,000.

One makeup artist took a 66% pay cut to become a phlebotomist. A baker who ran two cookie shops serving film sets had to close both. “Survive until ’25” became the local motto, but ’25 isn’t saving anyone.

It’s not just strikes or AI, though that’s definitely the next tidal wave. It’s a perfect storm: runaway costs, new filming hubs in cheaper states, the streaming bubble bursting, and audiences staying home. Fewer shows are being greenlit. Production days are down nearly 60%. The world’s storytelling capital is bleeding out.

It reminds me a little of New York in the early 2000s, when the magazine world I loved began to hollow out. Those were the people who made the city sparkle, the ones who always had a story, a deadline, and a theory about where culture was headed next.

Now it’s L.A.’s turn. The dream factory is going dark.

Look, I know sympathy for Hollywood doesn’t come easy. But this isn’t about red carpets. It’s about an entire creative class — people who built careers, raised families, paid mortgages, and took pride in their craft, suddenly finding the ground gone beneath their feet.

And here’s the thing: it’s not just them. The same forces are coming for all of us. AI is already writing songs, producing videos, and designing ad campaigns. Even MrBeast, the biggest YouTuber on Earth, posted recently, “When AI videos are just as good as normal ones, how will it impact the millions of creators making content for a living?”

That’s the question we should all be asking, because at some point, it’s going to hit our own corner of the world too.

When the ways we make a living start disappearing, what do we hold on to?

Maybe the answer is the same as it’s always been, each other.

— Daniel

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🇺🇸 A Government Shutdown — and What It Says About Where We Are

Well… it’s official. The federal government is shutting down again because Congress couldn’t come to an agreement to extend funding.

How long this lasts is anyone’s guess. The last major shutdown back in 2018 dragged on for 35 days — the longest in U.S. history — and cost the economy at least $3 billion. Hundreds of thousands of government workers were furloughed, asked not to show up, and went weeks without pay.

This time could be even worse. There are around 2 million civilian federal employees today, not counting the military. A friend of mine in D.C. told me people there are already hunkering down — families tightening budgets, small businesses bracing for fewer customers, and a general sense that this could get messy fast.

And honestly, it didn’t have to be this way.

Both Sides Are Getting It Wrong

Here’s my take: this is a mistake on both sides.

Republicans should be using this moment to clean up parts of their own healthcare proposal that have proven unpopular — not push harder into ideological corners.

Democrats, meanwhile, are overplaying their hand. They’re trying to draw a hard line in the sand, but this administration won’t hesitate to weaponize a shutdown to reshape the government in ways that could be hard to reverse. You can’t negotiate with people who have a deep anti-government streak and see dysfunction as a strategy.

And yet, that’s where we are.

A Fight Over Optics, Not Outcomes

This isn’t the first time we’ve been here. Back in March, Chuck Schumer faced the same decision and ultimately chose to keep the government open — taking political hits from his own party for doing what was, in my opinion, the responsible thing.

This time, he’s standing firm to prove he won’t back down. But that determination may come at the cost of real people — government workers, contractors, small businesses, and families who will feel the ripple effects almost immediately.

Today’s political incentives don’t reward pragmatism. They reward noise. They reward the appearance of “fighting” over the actual outcomes for everyday Americans. And that’s part of why we’re stuck.

What’s at Stake

If you step back, this isn’t just about funding bills or partisan games. It’s about the health of our institutions — the basic ability of government to function, to pay its workers, to keep services running, to maintain confidence in our system.

The Democrats have positioned themselves as the party of institutional stability. But refusing to fund the government undercuts that identity. Meanwhile, Trump and his allies will use this moment to argue that government doesn’t work — and then reshape it in their image while the rest of us deal with the fallout.

As one friend in D.C. said, half-jokingly:

“The National Guard’s on the streets, the government’s shutting down, and everything’s going great.”

That about sums it up.

Where This Leads

No one knows how long this will last or what the final deal will look like. Some Republicans are floating a one-year extension to delay healthcare cuts. Trump might be open to a deal because he sees the political risk. But in the meantime, the damage builds by the hour — economically, institutionally, and emotionally.

We deserve better than this. Our leaders owe the American people a functioning government, not a political theater that hurts the very people they’re supposed to serve.

I still hope common sense will prevail. But if the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that hoping for common sense in Washington is no sure bet.

For now, all we can do is stay informed, stay grounded, and remember that even in moments like this, the work of building and caring for our communities continues — because it has to.

💬 I’d love to hear what you all think:

How does this affect you or your community? Are you worried? Or do you feel like shutdowns have just become another symptom of a broken system?

Drop a comment or share this post — I’m curious how others are processing this.

Hello friends—hope your Fall is off to a great start. 🍂

Lately, I’ve had people ask me the same question over and over: “Daniel, I feel so discouraged by everything going on. What can I do to make things better?”

I get it. The news can feel overwhelming—violence, politics, the economy, jobs, AI—you name it. I read the same headlines you do, and I feel the same weight some days.

Here’s what I do when it really gets to me: I tip.

Generously. Like, leave $20 on a $25 lunch bill kind of tipping.

Why? Because it shifts everything.

• It instantly makes me feel better—doing something kind for someone else is like a reset button.

• It brightens the other person’s day, and sometimes you can see it in their face right away.

• It reminds me that everyone has their own challenges, and I’m not the only one carrying weight.

• It gives me a sense of agency. I can’t fix Washington, but I can make a barista or server smile today.

• And, honestly, it connects me back to where I started. My very first job was bussing tables at Imperial Wok, living off those tips. I don’t forget that.

All of that for twenty bucks. Sometimes fifteen. Not a bad deal.

If I’m really in a funk, I might just do it all day—coffee, dinner, the parking attendant. Nobody is safe. And you know what? It works. It keeps me positive.

Now, maybe tipping big isn’t the right move for you. But the principle is the same: do something small, generous, and direct. Smile at someone. Call an old friend. Pay a compliment. These tiny actions ripple out more than you think.

Because here’s the truth: gratitude and generosity are fuel. They pull you out of your own head and reconnect you to what’s real and good. They remind you that you do have influence—even if it’s just over one person’s day.

So if you’re feeling weighed down by the state of the world, start small. You can’t solve polarization overnight. But you can lift someone’s spirits today. And that’s a lot.

Don’t let the headlines steal your light. Someone you know needs you, even in the simplest ways. Start there.

My Ongoing Battle with My Phone (and How I’m Trying to Win Back Some Peace)

Okay, let’s be honest: I use my phone a lot. Like… a lot. The first thing I do when I wake up is check it. Social media, emails, texts—I want to feel connected, like someone out there might be trying to reach me.

But if I’m being real, I can also feel it draining me. I’ll open Instagram with some purpose in mind, and ten minutes later I’m watching a reel of someone making pancakes in Japan and thinking, “Wait, what was I here for again?” At dinner, I sometimes catch myself paying more attention to my buzzing phone than the actual human being sitting across from me. Not my best look.

So I’ve been experimenting with a few changes. They aren’t life-changing hacks, but they’ve made a real difference. Maybe they’ll help you too.

Don’t Sleep with Your Phone

This was a game-changer. I used to sleep with my phone on my nightstand, and it was the last thing I looked at before bed and the first thing I grabbed in the morning. Not great. Now my charger lives in the living room. If you’re worried about waking up on time—good news, alarm clocks still exist, and they cost about twenty bucks.

No late-night scrolling, no blue light messing with melatonin, no buzz of notifications at 2 a.m. Instead, I read before bed. A book might not be as flashy as TikTok, but it helps me wind down. And if the book is boring? Even better—instant sleep aid.

Tame the Notifications

Here’s the thing: not every vibration in your pocket is an “emergency.” A like on your avocado toast photo is not urgent news. What I’ve done is set up my phone so that close friends and family can always reach me, but social media and borderline work stuff don’t get through unless I want them to.

On iPhone, it’s Settings > Focus. On Android, it’s Settings > Digital Wellbeing. You can make modes for Work, Personal, Sleep, or Do Not Disturb. The best part? Once it’s set, it runs on autopilot.

Take Mini Breaks Without It

This one’s harder for me, but it feels good every time I manage it. I’ll leave the phone behind for a jog, a short errand, or even just a walk around the block. Once in a while, I even go to the bathroom without my phone. (Yes, it’s possible.)

When I do this, it feels like my brain resets a little bit. Like I actually gave myself a moment of quiet.

Phone-Free Lunches and Meetings

Next time you’re at lunch with someone, try leaving your phone in your bag or pocket. If it’s sitting on the table, studies say people assume you’re only half-paying attention. I’ve noticed the difference: conversations feel more natural, and people notice when you’re truly present.

Don’t Rush to Respond

I used to think answering instantly made me look “on top of it.” Now I’ve realized most things don’t need a reply within 30 seconds. In fact, letting something breathe for 30–60 minutes often helps me respond better. And let’s be honest, sometimes it even makes you seem a little more important—like you’re busy doing high-impact things (or just living your life).

Finding Balance

I’m not about to pretend I’m cured. I still use my phone a lot, probably more than I should. But I’ve started to see it differently: these apps are designed to eat up as much of my time and attention as possible, and if I don’t set boundaries, they’ll win every time.

So I’m trying to reclaim some balance—one phone-free walk, one ignored notification, one book-before-bed at a time.

If you’ve been feeling the same pull, maybe one of these little shifts will help. At the very least, try it once: leave your phone behind for a bathroom break. Trust me, it’s survivable.

The Assassination of Charlie Kirk and the Rising Tide of Political Violence

Charlie Kirk, a polarizing but deeply influential political activist, was shot and killed in Utah on Wednesday in front of thousands of people. He was just 31 years old, leaving behind a wife and two young children. His death is shocking, brutal, and heartbreaking. And while the investigation is ongoing and the shooter remains at large, it’s hard to imagine that his killing wasn’t politically motivated.

This tragedy isn’t just about one man. It’s part of a disturbing pattern — a growing wave of political violence that is threatening the very fabric of our country.

Violence Is Not a Partisan Problem

Some commentators were quick to point fingers, claiming that the political left is more prone to violence, citing the assassination attempts on Donald Trump and the killing of the UnitedHealth CEO. But that narrative doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. In June, Minnesota legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband were murdered in their home. Not long before that, Paul Pelosi was violently attacked in his.

Political violence isn’t a “right vs. left” problem. It’s a societal one. Threat monitors say that online chatter from extremist groups is at an all-time high on both sides of the political spectrum. The idea that only one party or movement is responsible for this rising hostility is not just false — it’s dangerous.

A Dangerous Moment

The murder of a young, well-known figure like Charlie Kirk in front of a live audience is a turning point moment. His supporters will rightly be horrified and angry. The best leaders will step up, lower the temperature, and try to keep us from spiraling further. The worst will seize on this tragedy to weaponize fear and channel outrage toward their political opponents.

Some voices will even suggest Kirk brought this violence upon himself because of his outspoken views. That’s reprehensible. No one deserves to be attacked or killed for their beliefs or their words. Violence is never the answer.

Lessons From History

We’ve seen this before — in our own history and in other democracies. When a nation is this polarized, violence often escalates over years. Eventually, something breaks the fever, but not before a period of deep pain and loss.

Think of Northern Ireland during The Troubles. Think of America in the 1960s, a time of assassinations, riots, and social upheaval. History tells us that unless leaders and citizens actively work to de-escalate, things will get worse before they get better.

I fear we are closer to the beginning of this cycle than the end. I hope I’m wrong. But every sign points toward the fever rising, not breaking.

A Call for Change

Our political system is designed to reward division. A viable third party or structural reforms could help realign incentives and reduce polarization. The vast majority of Americans know violence is not the answer, yet we’re trapped in a cycle that keeps pushing us further apart.

Charlie Kirk should still be alive today. So should Melissa Hortman. Their deaths are not just tragedies — they are warnings.

If we want to avoid more bloodshed, it starts with us. It starts with choosing dialogue over violence, humanity over hatred, and empathy over vengeance. We can demand more from our leaders, our media, and ourselves.

For now, I pray for Charlie’s family, Melissa’s family, and every family that’s suffered senseless loss. May their deaths remind us of what’s at stake and pull us back from the brink.

How Tariffs Are Driving Up Housing Costs and Shaping the Real Estate Market

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share some thoughts on a topic that’s been making headlines this year: tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other materials. I know “tariffs” might sound like something that only affects politicians or big corporations, but the truth is, they have a direct impact on the homes we live in, the rent we pay, and the investments we make.

As many of you know, I spend my days building, financing, and investing in real estate. Part of that work is paying close attention to policy changes like this, because they shape the entire market. So, here’s a quick breakdown of what’s happening and why it matters to all of us.

Tariffs Are Rising Fast

This year has been a rollercoaster:

• In February, the administration added a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports.

• In June, they raised it to 50%.

• In August, they expanded those tariffs to cover over 400 other imported products.

While tariffs are designed to support U.S. manufacturing, the ripple effects reach every corner of the economy—and real estate is right in the middle of it.

Why It Matters to Housing

Steel and aluminum are the backbone of construction. From the skeleton of new apartment buildings to pipes, wiring, and even appliances, these materials touch everything. About one-quarter of the steel we use in the U.S. is imported, mostly from Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. When tariffs go up, costs climb across the board.

And it’s not just big steel beams. Smaller parts like sheeting, piping, and fixtures all get more expensive too. Even the finishing touches—like refrigerators, ovens, and HVAC systems—are affected.

The Domino Effect You’ll Feel

Here’s what all that means for us:

1. Higher construction costs → Developers (like me) pay more to build new homes and apartments.

2. Higher prices and rents → Builders and landlords pass those costs along, meaning homes and rent are more expensive.

3. Less housing supply → If costs get too high, fewer new buildings go up, which keeps prices elevated.

That’s why tariffs aren’t just a trade issue—they’re a cost-of-living issue.

Why I’m Sharing This

I know most of you don’t spend your days analyzing construction budgets or supply chains, but these policies are already shaping our neighborhoods. If you’re a homeowner, you’ll probably see higher costs for renovations and upgrades. If you rent, expect slower relief on affordability. And if you invest in real estate, tariffs need to be part of your long-term strategy.

These policies may help U.S. steel producers, but for the average family, they’re making housing and construction more expensive and less accessible.

I’m sharing this because understanding these changes is the first step to making smarter decisions—whether that’s buying a home, planning a renovation, or considering an investment. This is the kind of shift that affects all of us, and I think it’s important to keep an eye on it.

If you ever want to chat about what this means for your own plans or investments, I’m happy to share more of what I’m seeing in the market.