Comment on U.S. mortgage rates fall again

Deborah and Jason Brawn bought an akiya in rural Japan. NekoAshi Japan. Deborah and Jason Brawn bought an abandoned house in rural Japan for about $23,000 in 2023. The Australian couple plan to restore the property in the coming years as they transition into retirement. They say that integrating into the local community is a crucial part of being a homeowner in Japan.

Freddie Mac reports the 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.60% for the week ending Dec. 12 — down from 6.69% last week.

TikTok first launched its online retail shop in 2023. Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesTikTok Shop is now a more popular online retailer than Shein and Sephora among Americans. TikTok Shop first launched in September 2023. A new consumer trends report found that 45% of surveyed Americans have bought something on TikTok.

The TBBJ editor's weekly news rundown includes a curated round-up of Tampa Bay area business news.

Dallas-based Jacobs Solutions Inc., the largest engineering firm in North Texas, has secured another nine-figure contract with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Mango founder Isak Andic died unexpectedly in an accident in Barcelona. Lorena Sopena/Europa Press via Getty ImagesIsak Andic, the founder of the fashion brand Mango, has died in an accident, the company said. Andic fell into a ravine while hiking in caves near Barcelona, according to reports. Andic and his family have an estimated net worth of $4.5 billion, according to Forbes.