A newly built home may cost more upfront, but buyers could come out ahead over time as newer properties require less maintenance and use less energy, according to a new Realtor.com report.

The report suggests buyers should look beyond listing prices and consider the long-term cost of homeownership when comparing new and existing homes.

The findings arrive as housing affordability continues to dominate economic concerns for many Americans ahead of the midterm elections.

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Newer homes often feature more efficient systems, better insulation and newer major components that can lower ownership costs. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Realtor.com found buyers of new-construction homes save an average of $25,335 during the first 10 years of ownership compared with buyers of 20-year-old homes. The savings stem largely from lower utility bills and reduced spending on major repairs and replacements, including HVAC systems, roofs and water heaters.

The study compared homes built in 2025 with homes built in 2005, using a standard home size of 1,750 square feet. Researchers found newer homes benefit from updated building codes, improved insulation and more energy-efficient systems.

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New-home buyers can save an average of $25,335 over 10 years through lower utility and repair costs, according to a Realtor.com report. (Mario Tama/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Savings varied widely by region, with New England states seeing the biggest long-term savings. Massachusetts led the nation at nearly $39,000 over 10 years, which researchers attributed to colder climates and stricter energy codes.

Southern states, including Arkansas, South Carolina, Kentucky, Florida and Texas, saw smaller savings despite lower upfront new-construction costs. Realtor.com said milder winters reduce potential energy savings.

The report identified 16 metro areas where long-term savings offset the upfront premium for new construction, including San Diego, Salt Lake City, Seaford, Delaware, Salem, Oregon, and Madison, Wisconsin.

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The report found the financial benefits of new construction differed sharply by state, with the Northeast posting the strongest 10-year savings. (Joshua Lott/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Researchers also noted that builder incentives, including price cuts, cash credits and mortgage-rate buydowns, could further improve affordability.

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Realtor.com estimates new-home buyers currently pay mortgage rates roughly one percentage point lower than buyers of existing homes, potentially saving more than $30,000 over 10 years.

The findings underscore how operating costs and financing incentives are becoming a larger part of the affordability equation for homebuyers.

LOS ANGELES — Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly living increasingly separate lives amid growing concerns from close friends that their high-profile marriage is under serious strain and may not survive long-term, according to multiple sources familiar with the couple’s inner circle.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who once captivated the world with their fairy-tale romance and dramatic exit from royal life, have been spending more time apart in recent months, with Harry frequently traveling for solo projects while Meghan focuses on her lifestyle brand and personal endeavors in California. Insiders say the couple’s once-united front has quietly fractured, raising questions about the future of one of modern royalty’s most scrutinized relationships.

“Friends are genuinely worried,” one source close to the couple told media outlets this week. “They’ve been living quite separate lives for some time now. There’s real fear that the marriage won’t survive in its current form.”

The couple has not commented publicly on the reports, and representatives for Harry and Meghan declined to respond to requests for comment. However, observers have noted a noticeable shift in their joint appearances and public messaging throughout 2026.

Signs of Growing Distance

Harry, 41, has spent significant time in the UK and Africa pursuing conservation and mental health initiatives, while Meghan, 44, has focused on expanding her lifestyle company American Riviera Orchard and creative projects in Los Angeles. The couple’s Montecito mansion has reportedly seen periods where only one spouse is in residence for weeks at a time.

Public appearances together have become less frequent and more formal. Their last joint red carpet event was months ago, and sources say coordination between their respective teams has become more complicated as individual priorities take precedence.

The couple’s two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are said to be at the center of their concerns. Friends claim both Harry and Meghan are committed to co-parenting but differ on long-term plans for the children’s education and public exposure.

Friends Express Private Concerns

Multiple sources describe a circle of friends who are increasingly alarmed by the couple’s dynamic. Some close associates have reportedly urged the pair to seek professional counseling, while others worry that the intense public scrutiny and differing visions for their future are creating irreconcilable differences.

One longtime friend of the couple told media that the strain became particularly evident after Harry’s solo trip to Africa earlier this year. “Meghan has built a life in California that she loves, while Harry still feels pulled back to his roots in the UK,” the friend said. “They’re trying to make it work, but it’s clear they’re on different paths right now.”

The reports echo earlier speculation in 2025 when the couple temporarily lived apart during a period of reported tension, though they later appeared to reconcile publicly. This latest chapter, however, feels more sustained to those in their orbit.

Public Image vs Private Reality

To the outside world, Harry and Meghan continue to project unity through carefully managed social media posts and occasional joint statements. Their Archewell Foundation continues its work on humanitarian causes, and both maintain active professional lives — Harry with his memoir promotions and mental health advocacy, Meghan with brand partnerships and media projects.

However, insiders say the polished public image masks deeper challenges. The couple’s Netflix deal has reportedly underperformed relative to expectations, and their Spotify podcast venture ended after one season. Financial pressures from maintaining their Montecito lifestyle and funding various initiatives have added stress, according to sources.

The intense media spotlight that has followed them since their 2018 wedding has never fully faded. Friends say the constant scrutiny has taken a toll, with Harry particularly sensitive to coverage of his family in the UK.

A Marriage Under Pressure

Harry and Meghan’s relationship has always been unconventional. Their 2020 decision to step back from senior royal duties and move to California marked a dramatic break from tradition. What began as a love story that captivated millions has evolved into a complex partnership navigating fame, family estrangement and the challenges of building independent lives.

Marriage experts note that high-profile couples often face unique pressures, including differing career demands and public expectations. “When two strong personalities build individual brands while trying to maintain a marriage, it requires constant work,” said relationship psychologist Dr. Laura Berman. “Add in the global spotlight and family complications, and the challenges multiply.”

The couple’s friends say both Harry and Meghan remain committed to their children and shared values around service and mental health. However, the question of whether those shared values are enough to sustain the marriage long-term is now being openly discussed in their inner circle.

What’s Next for the Sussexes

For now, Harry and Meghan continue to operate under the Sussex brand while maintaining separate professional schedules. Sources say no formal separation discussions have taken place, but the couple has been quietly exploring options for more independent living arrangements that would still allow co-parenting.

Any potential split would be one of the most closely watched celebrity divorces in modern history, with significant implications for their brand, finances and custody arrangements. The couple’s multimillion-dollar Netflix deal, book contracts and brand partnerships could all face complications in the event of a separation.

Representatives for the couple have consistently declined to comment on personal matters, maintaining a policy of focusing on their work and philanthropic efforts. In public statements, both Harry and Meghan continue to emphasize family unity and their commitment to service.

Broader Cultural Significance

The reported troubles in Harry and Meghan’s marriage reflect larger conversations about modern relationships under public pressure. Their story — from fairy-tale wedding to transatlantic relocation to reported struggles — has become a cultural touchstone for discussions about fame, mental health and the challenges of interracial relationships in the spotlight.

Supporters continue to praise the couple for breaking away from royal constraints and building independent lives. Critics argue their public complaints and business ventures have created unnecessary drama. Regardless of perspective, their relationship remains one of the most analyzed in the world.

As 2026 continues, Harry and Meghan face important decisions about their future together and apart. Whether they can overcome current challenges or decide to part ways will likely play out under intense global scrutiny.

For now, the couple’s friends hope for reconciliation and continued co-parenting harmony. The coming months may prove decisive in determining whether one of the 21st century’s most famous romances can withstand the pressures that have tested it from the beginning.

This article was written by

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Thousands of Long Island Rail Road workers are officially on strike as of midnight Saturday, effectively shutting down the nation’s busiest commuter railroad in its first strike in more than three decades and threatening major economic disruption across the New York region ahead of Memorial Day travel.

The strike halted service for roughly 300,000 daily riders after last-minute contract negotiations between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a coalition of five rail unions failed to produce a wage agreement.

The MTA confirmed Saturday that all LIRR service was suspended and warned there is “no substitute” for the railroad, urging commuters to work remotely if possible as officials brace for severe congestion and delays throughout the metropolitan region.

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office estimated the strike could cost the regional economy up to $61 million per day in lost economic activity, as commuters scramble for alternatives and businesses prepare for disruptions.

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Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) workers picket outside of Penn Station in New York, US, on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The labor action marks the first Long Island Rail Road strike since 1994. Union leaders said workers involved in the coalition have gone more than three years without raises while negotiating a new labor agreement.

“This strike would not have happened if the MTA and LIRR offered our members the reasonable terms the government recommended multiple times. But management refused,” Mark Wallace, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Teamsters Rail Conference, said in a statement.  

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“We hope LIRR gets serious soon to avoid further unnecessary disruptions for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. They know where to find us when they’re ready: on the streets.”

MTA officials defended their bargaining position, arguing the unions were demanding wage increases that could ultimately drive up fares and strain the transit system’s finances.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said the agency “cannot responsibly make a deal that implodes MTA’s budget” and warned taxpayers and riders could ultimately bear the cost of larger wage increases.

A sign displaying the suspension of Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service due to a strike, at Nostrand Avenue station in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Saturday, May 16, 2026.  (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Lieber also accused union leaders of planning to strike regardless of the MTA’s offers, saying the latest proposal gave workers “everything they said they wanted in terms of pay.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul criticized the strike as “reckless,” warning it could hurt commuters, businesses and the broader regional economy. Hochul, who is seeking reelection later this year, said the unions’ demands could force fare hikes and higher taxes for Long Islanders.

President Donald Trump also weighed in on the dispute, blaming Hochul for allowing the strike to occur.

“If you can’t solve it, let me know, and I’ll show you how to properly get things done,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

A commuter sits at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station at Nostrand Avenue in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Saturday, May 16, 2026.  (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The standoff underscores growing pressure facing public transit systems nationwide as labor unions push for higher wages while transit agencies continue grappling with post-pandemic budget pressures and shifting commuting patterns.

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Transit officials have not indicated when negotiations could resume or how long the strike may continue as commuters across the New York area seek alternative transportation options.

NEW YORK — GameStop Chairman Ryan Cohen is refusing to back down from his audacious $56 billion unsolicited bid to acquire eBay, firing back at the online marketplace’s board after it swiftly rejected the proposal as “neither credible nor attractive,” setting the stage for what could become one of the most contentious corporate battles of 2026.

Cohen, the activist investor who transformed GameStop into a meme-stock phenomenon, proposed buying eBay at $125 per share in a mix of cash and stock — a roughly 46% premium to where shares were trading before the offer became public. eBay’s board formally turned down the offer on May 12, citing concerns over financing, strategic fit, governance and the massive debt load it would create for the combined company.

In a pointed response letter released Wednesday, Cohen urged eBay directors not to dismiss the proposal without giving shareholders a chance to evaluate it. He accused the board of protecting their own interests and argued that eBay has become bloated and complacent, missing opportunities to compete more aggressively with Amazon. Cohen also hinted he may take the fight directly to eBay shareholders if the board continues to stonewall.

The dramatic exchange has Wall Street buzzing. Many analysts and investors have openly ridiculed the bid, questioning how GameStop — with a market capitalization of roughly $11 billion — could realistically finance a deal for a much larger company. Cohen has pointed to a “highly confident” financing letter from TD Bank for $20 billion in debt and GameStop’s ability to issue stock, but critics say the math still leaves a significant gap and would heavily dilute existing shareholders.

eBay’s Strong Rebuttal

eBay Chairman Paul S. Pressler, in the rejection letter, outlined multiple reasons for turning down the offer. The board expressed confidence in eBay’s standalone strategy, highlighted its recent growth in advertising revenue and GMV (gross merchandise volume), and raised red flags about GameStop’s track record and leadership incentives.

“After a thorough review, our board unanimously determined that the proposal is neither credible nor attractive,” Pressler wrote. The company also noted concerns about the high leverage that would result and potential disruptions to eBay’s operations under GameStop’s ownership.

eBay shares initially jumped on news of the bid but have since given back gains as skepticism grew. GameStop stock has been volatile, swinging on every new development in the saga.

Cohen’s Vision for a Combined Company

In interviews and public statements, Cohen has painted an ambitious picture of transforming eBay into a stronger competitor to Amazon. He envisions using GameStop’s physical stores as authentication and fulfillment hubs for collectibles and high-value items sold on eBay, cutting costs, improving trust and creating new revenue streams.

Cohen has also criticized eBay’s management for what he sees as slow innovation and excessive bureaucracy. In one memorable CNBC appearance, when pressed on financing details, he repeatedly directed viewers to the company’s website, leading to awkward moments that have since been widely memed.

Despite the ridicule, some observers believe Cohen should not be underestimated. His track record with GameStop — turning a dying retailer into a cultural phenomenon through meme power and activist pressure — shows his ability to mobilize retail investors and create chaos for corporate boards.

Financing Questions Loom Large

The biggest hurdle remains financing. GameStop holds roughly $9 billion in cash and equivalents but would need massive additional debt and equity issuance to reach $56 billion. Rating agencies have already warned that such leverage would be credit-negative for any combined entity.

Cohen maintains the economics make sense and that strategic value far exceeds the headline price. He has also jokingly listed personal items on eBay, claiming it as a way to “help pay for eBay,” which only added to the surreal nature of the saga.

Broader Implications for Tech and Retail

A successful takeover would create a strange hybrid of traditional e-commerce and physical retail with a heavy emphasis on collectibles, gaming and authenticated goods. It could also reshape competition in online marketplaces, potentially pressuring Amazon and other giants.

For eBay, the unsolicited bid has forced the board to defend its strategy publicly. The company has pointed to steady growth, strong cash flow and a diversified revenue base including advertising and payments as reasons for confidence in its independent future.

Wall Street’s reaction has been largely negative toward the deal’s feasibility. Several analysts downgraded GameStop or maintained cautious stances, citing execution risks and shareholder dilution. However, a vocal group of retail investors on platforms like Reddit’s r/Superstonk continues to rally behind Cohen, seeing the bid as another bold move in his long game.

What Happens Next

Cohen has signaled he is prepared to escalate if necessary, potentially launching a proxy fight or taking the offer directly to eBay shareholders. eBay’s board has shown no willingness to engage so far, but prolonged pressure could force negotiations or other defensive measures.

The situation remains fluid. Cohen’s next moves — whether aggressive pursuit or strategic retreat — will be closely watched by investors, corporate America and the meme-stock community that has followed his every step since the 2021 GameStop saga.

For now, the $56 billion bid has injected drama and volatility into both companies’ stocks, reminding the market that activist investors like Ryan Cohen can still create chaos even against much larger targets. Whether this ends in a transformative deal or another memorable chapter in Cohen’s unconventional career remains to be seen.

As the two sides dig in, the business world is left wondering if this is the beginning of a historic takeover battle or simply the latest bold but ultimately unsuccessful swing from one of retail investing’s most polarizing figures.