Hello! It’s Bailey Schulz here to guide you through your week with The Daily Money.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has recently disclosed several economic initiatives she plans to implement. Opinions among experts are divided regarding how beneficial these plans would be for ordinary Americans.

Harris’s proposals include controlling rent hikes, capping prescription medication costs, supporting first-time home buyers, eliminating price gouging on groceries, and enhancing the child tax credit. While these ideas appeal to voters dealing with inflation, some analysts are concerned about the potential adverse effects of “price controls” to combat elevated prices and how Harris plans to fund these proposals.

YSL News reporter Medora Lee provides an in-depth analysis of what experts appreciate and criticize about each initiative.

New Real Estate Agent Regulations: Implications for Buyers and Sellers

This past weekend, new regulations were introduced that modify how residential real estate agents receive their commissions. This change may create “a bit of confusion” for both home buyers and sellers, as noted by my colleague Andrea Riquier.

Traditionally, home sellers paid a commission of 5% to 6%, split between their agent and the buyer’s agent. According to the new rules, sellers now have the discretion to determine whether, and how much, they will pay a buyer’s broker, and this information can no longer be part of the official real estate data maintained by local realtor associations. Additionally, buyers must now sign a compensation agreement with their broker before attending property viewings.

Concerns have been raised that first-time buyers may struggle to cover the brokerage commission costs. Others believe that buyers and sellers might not notice immediate changes, but more significant transformations could occur in the future.

“For consumers, things aren’t likely to shift significantly in the short term,” stated Stephen Brobeck, a senior fellow at the Consumer Federation of America, in conversation with YSL News. “However, it’s akin to a dam developing a leak. I’m quite confident that in five years, the industry will look quite different.”

“From my perspective, fewer agents in the market can benefit the industry,” commented Aaron Farmer, owner of Texas Discount Realty in Austin. “This could lead to reduced commission rates and increased transaction volume.”

🍔 Today’s Menu 🍔

The battle for value meal pricing in fast food is still very much alive.

As dining costs rise – increasing 4.1% in July compared to the same month in 2023, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – numerous fast-food chains and restaurants have launched value menus to attract customers wary of surging prices. Explore the comprehensive list of value meals here.