Asian Stocks End Slightly Up; Europe Gains

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Jan. 18.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for the Jan. 18 Strands puzzle, No. 321.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The U. S. Justice Department is accusing Walgreens of filling millions of prescriptions in the last decade and more without a legitimate purpose, including for dangerous amounts of opioids, according to a lawsuit filed this week. Filed in the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the complaint says the drugstore chain’s pharmacists filled controlled substance prescriptions with clear red flags that indicated they were highly likely to be unlawful.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections: Sports Edition No. 117 for Saturday, Jan. 18.

The tech giant's credit card has consistently lacked great features — here's what a new issuer could bring.

Although many potential Colorado homebuyers continued to wait for more favorable conditions, December recorded a 14% increase in homes sold statewide over the same period a year ago. According to the December Market Trends Housing Report from the Colorado Association of Realtors, despite a rise in average days on the market to 70 days and a slight uptick in inventory supply, single-family home sales surged by 19%. However, the condo and townhome market faced challenges, with sales increasing only modestly and median prices declining in some regions. Statewide, the median sale price for all properties increased 6% to $543,100 last month compared to $515,000 in December 2023. Months of supply increased 8% to 2.7 months last month compared to 2.5 months in December 2023. Cooper Thayer, a broker associate with the Thayer Group in Castle Rock, said buyers and sellers took a slower, more methodical approach to the market last year. “With the slowdown in buyer activity, inventory on the market consistently remained over three months’ supply throughout most of the year, and homes took longer on average to sell,” Thayer said. “However, the slower market was not necessarily unhealthy and provided cost-conscious buyers with relatively more options and more time to find a home.” Many potential buyers waited for interest rates to drop. “During the brief 2024 moments when interest rates fell into the low sixes, buyers rose to the occasion and made purchases,” said Chris Hardy with Elevations Real Estate in Fort Collins. Looking ahead to 2025 Realtors anticipate next year’s housing market will be similar to this year. “Based on my 46 years as a realtor in Aurora, it’s going to be more of the same,” said Aurora-area realtor Sunny Banka. “I don’t believe that we will see the crazy price increases or interest rate drops of 2020 and 2021. Buyers are now able to purchase in a fairer market. Most sellers are adjusting to the probability that they will have to negotiate.” Kelly Moye of Compass anticipates buyers and sellers will stop waiting for lower rates. “They will progress with their moving plans and not continue to sit and wait for something better,” she said. “If the first weeks of 2025 are any indication, the first half of the year may bring the promise of renewed energy in the market that we are all hoping for.” Ongoing challenges In addition to rising prices and limited housing availability, homebuyers face increased challenges securing home insurance. According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association, Colorado is second nationally for wildfire and hair risk. Related ArticlesJanuary 10, 2025 Sponsored: Real Estate Voices | Sponsored: The best time to sell: Heritage Eagle Bend couple makes a senior move, as agents see a jump in sales January 10, 2025 Sponsored: Real Estate Voices | Sponsored: Denver housing market shows resilience as buyer demand remains high January 3, 2025 Sponsored: Real Estate Voices | Denver housing market: Cautious optimism for 2025 despite challenges December 26, 2024 Sponsored: Real Estate Voices | Sponsored: Denver realtors share lessons from 2024 housing market for sellers, buyers December 20, 2024 Sponsored: Real Estate Voices | Sponsored: Colorado home buyers continue to wait for better prices, interest rates That’s causing more homeowners to face canceled insurance or premiums so high they can’t afford to purchase or continue owning a home. The Colorado Association of Realtors named homeowner insurability a top legislative priority for the 2025 legislative session. “Challenges finding homeowners insurance coverage and the cost are becoming a true affordability factor,” said Marci Valicenti with The Group Real Estate in Steamboat Springs. The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.