The Clark Howard Podcast
The Clark Howard Podcast

01.19.26 The Condo Market Now / Moving Abroad

January 19, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

  • The Format: Solo-hosted consumer finance radio show with co-host banter, listener questions, and advice segments.
  • The Key Players:
    • Clark Howard: Veteran consumer advocate and financial expert, delivering practical tips with personal anecdotes.
    • Krista: Co-host providing light-hearted responses and interacting on fitness trackers and hypotheticals.
  • The Vibe: Educational and empowering, with fun, relatable banter—practical yet optimistic amid economic challenges.

🗝️ Key Themes & Topics

The episode dives into real estate volatility, retirement strategies, and everyday finance hacks amid ads and a MLK tribute.

  • Topic 1: Condo Market Slump. Clark explains condos' unique volatility due to building-wide issues like insurance shortages, deferred maintenance, and rising fees—creating buyer opportunities if total costs (fees, taxes, insurance) are vetted. Contrasts with stable single-family homes; urges risk reduction via stricter building codes like Alabama's Gulf Coast model.
  • Topic 2: Home Buying While Owning. Addresses Ann's dilemma (55, paid-off home, downsizing): Prioritize low/no closing-cost mortgages, short-term ARMs (1-5 years, no prepay penalties), or credit union portfolio loans over HELOCs/401k loans for bridge financing.
  • Topic 3: Retiring Overseas. Highlights 4M Americans moving abr

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:58) **Condo Market Slump and Opportunities**
  • 2 (05:46) **Insurance Pricing Signals in Housing**
  • 3 (07:24) **Buying a New Home While Owning One (Ann in Vermont)**
  • 4 (10:58) **Verizon High-Yield Savings Account (Elaine in Virginia)**
  • 5 (11:45) **Fitness Tracker Step Accuracy (Stephen in Illinois)**
  • 6 (18:49) **Retiring Overseas for Lower Costs**
  • 7 (24:04) **Encouraging Niece's Savings Habit (Clint in New York)**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

The condo market is struggling around the country, particularly in coastal areas. This creates both opportunity and hazard for potential buyers, and insurance is certainly a factor. Speaking of moving, more and more Americans are moving overseas to save money or retire. Should you become an expat? Clark shares his essential "test drive" rule for anyone considering an international move and breaks down the vital questions you need answered before you commit, concerning taxation, safety, and healthcare.

  • Buying A Condo: Segment 1
  • Ask Clark: Segment 2
  • Should You Retire Abroad?: Segment 3
  • Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show:

Clark.com resources: