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Marketplace · June 23, 2026 · 25m 21s

A 'starter' home for $1 million?

A typical starter home in nearly 250 U.S. cities now costs at least $1 million, according to Zillow, redefining what first-time homebuyers can afford. The episode explores how rapid housing inflation pushes more Americans to the suburbs and what that means for the economy. It also looks at strong manufacturing data masking tariff uncertainty, U.S. trading partners feeling the effects of conflict with Iran, and lessons from the 1973 oil crisis for today's energy volatility.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

The $1 Million Starter Home
Zillow reports that a typical starter home in nearly 250 U.S. cities now costs $1 million or more, erasing the traditional entry point for first-time buyers.
Strong Manufacturing Data Masks Trade War Uncertainty
A key manufacturing index shows expansion, but the data reflects companies stockpiling to hedge against potential tariffs and military conflict with Iran.
U.S. Trading Partners Absorb Cost of Iran Conflict
While the U.S. economy shows resilience, its major trading partners bear the immediate economic brunt of the conflict with Iran.
1973 Oil Embargo's Modern Echoes
The 1973 oil crisis, when an OPEC embargo quadrupled oil prices, offers lessons for managing today's chaotic fuel costs.

Editorial

A Fixer-Upper Becomes a Forever Home
A Massachusetts couple shares how buying a fixer-upper transformed into their long-term home, defying the starter home expectation.

Misc

A Massachusetts couple describes how their fixer-upper turned into a forever home, highlighting changing expectations for first-time buyers.
A London honey seller calls Brexit 'a chaotic 10 years' for her business, illustrating long-term trade disruption.
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