SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center:The Daily Money: Will new real estate rules hurt Black buyers?

Happy Monday! It's Bailey Schulz with The SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank CenterDaily Money.

Good news for drivers: Gas prices are falling.

The national average for regular fuel at the pump was $3.35 per gallon on Monday, down about 17 cents from last month and nearly 50 cents from a year ago, according to data from AAA. Barring any unexpected road bumps ahead, experts say prices should keep falling through the remainder of the year.

New real estate rules could negatively impact Black buyers

New rules that went into effect this month were supposed to raise transparency in real estate, but there are concerns these changes could lead to unintended consequences for Black buyers.

Because of rule changes following litigation against the National Association of Realtors and large national brokerages, it is no longer assumed that a seller will pay a home buyer's broker. The concern is that Black buyers, who often come to the house hunt with the deck stacked against them, will be further disadvantaged by having to pay more money out of pocket for an agent to represent them – or will choose to go without representation in a transaction that’s expensive, confusing and laden with unfamiliar pain points.

“I am concerned,” said Denise Franklin, a long-time real estate agent in Greenville, South Carolina. “We may see more fair housing complaints and lawsuits.” You can read real estate reporter Andrea Riquier's story here.

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🍔 Today's Menu 🍔 

We still have a few more weeks left of summer, but that hasn’t stopped coffee chains from putting pumpkin spice options back on the menu.

Starbucks brought back its seasonal beverages last week, and Dunkin’ has hinted that its menu will be updated soon. The chain’s official Instagram account on Wednesday shared a post captioned, "Apparently I'm not allowed to say when pumpkin comes out but it rhymes with shmaugust shwenty shmeighth."  

Dunkin' confirmed the Aug. 28 launch date of the fall menu in an email to USA TODAY but declined to share the contents of the menu.

About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer news from USA TODAY. We break down financial news and provide the TLDR version: how decisions by the Federal Reserve, government and companies impact you.