As high interest rates tamp down homebuying demand, more homebuilders are offering free appliances or upgraded hardware to sweeten the deal. Throwing in a free dishwasher is one thing, but how are they able to offer lower mortgage interest rates? In this episode, we check on the homebuilding sector. Plus: Hotel housekeepers say AI-driven app makes work more difficult, scientists design sunshades built for space, and a “talking book” nonprofit brings news and books to blind people. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future. Read the stories from today’s episode: Builders offer incentives to attract homebuyers as high interest rates persist Nebraska nonprofit brings local news and opportunities to blind and low-vision listeners More stress, fewer breaks: Hotel housekeepers reveal what it’s like working for an app A climate change solution from science fiction

What's with the uptick in homebuilder incentives?

Marketplace

# Full Transcript

**Podcast:** Marketplace

## Transcript

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[SPEAKER_C] On the show today, signals or not from the new Fed chair, the economy post-Iran deal, and an out-there idea to cool the planet from space. From American Public Media, this is Marketplace. In Denver, I'm Amy Scott in for Kai Ryssdal. It's Friday, June 19th. Happy Juneteenth. It was a big week for the Federal Reserve. Kevin Warsh's first interest rate meeting as chair, followed by his first press conference at which he set a decidedly different tone. With me to talk about what we might expect from the new Fed chair and the rest of the week's economic news, are Stacy Vanek Smith with Bloomberg and Jordan Holman at The New York Times. Thanks for joining us.

[SPEAKER_D] Thanks, Amy.

[SPEAKER_E] Thanks.

[SPEAKER_C] Thanks, Amy. All right, Stacy, let's start with you. What did you make of that first press conference? Anything stand out to you?

[SPEAKER_D] Oh yeah. Well, I mean, everyone was watching this press conference to see what Warsh was going to say, if he w...

What's with the uptick in homebuilder incentives?

Transcript

Built for investment professionals

Every day you wait, your competitors are finding
edge in conversations you're not hearing.

What's with the uptick in homebuilder incentives?

Transcript

Built for investment professionals

Every day you wait, your competitors are findingedge in conversations you're not hearing.

Every day you wait, your competitors are finding
edge in conversations you're not hearing.