Owensboro does OK on home affordability
Apr. 11—We did OK — not great, but OK — in a recent study of how wages compare with home prices.
Online Mortgage Advisor looked at metropolitan areas where property prices have outgrown local wages in the last five years.
The study looked at what percentage of homes for sale in February in each city could be bought by a single person and by a couple.
In Owensboro, it said, a single person could afford to buy 45.3% of properties for sale.
And a couple could afford 91.5%.
—Technomic's 2021 Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report said recently that the top 500 U.S. chain restaurants saw sales drop by $27 billion last year — more than 8% from 2019.
Companies that fared the best, the report said, were those that had drive-through and delivery, like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A and Domino's.
Other winners were Wingstop, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Raising Cane's Chicken Tenders.
Wendy's was another success story, the report said.
—Another study by Zenreach says that since Jan. 1, foot traffic to restaurants has increased 47.42% from a year ago.
Of course, most dining rooms were closed this time last year.
—Mother's Day, like most holidays, got put on hold last year by the coronavirus pandemic.
But the National Retail Federation says with vaccinations escalating and the number of COVID-19 cases dropping in much of the country, people are ready to celebrate again.
An NRF survey says we'll spend an average of $205 on Mother's Day gifts and celebrations this year.
Electronics, housewares, gardening tools and books are expected to see a "significant boost" this year, the report said.
Keith Lawrence, 270-691-7301 klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com
270-691-7301
