Wednesday’s business headlines

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Here’s a look at Wednesday’s business headlines.

Home buying

November was the most affordable month to buy a home in 2020.

RedFin also said the median monthly mortgage payment was $1,094 in November, the lowest of the year, thanks to historically low rates.

Indianapolis the median mortgage rate is $678.

Mortgage rates have hit 15 record lows this year.

Simon

Simon property is working with Spanish store chain Mango and their expansion strategy in the U.S. with the opening of the new stores in 2021.

Three stores will open as part of the initial phase.

Those are in New York, Florida and California.

Simon says Mango has both a strong e-commerce and brick and mortar business.

National parks

Many Americans sought refuge at national parks this year during the pandemic.

The parks service also says it saw more usage of its virtual tours, webcams and digital experiences than ever before.

The national park service is offering six free days in 2021. The first is January 18 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Although, military members can get in free all year.

Tip pool

The Department of Labor issued final regulations changing how tipped workers are paid, which includes a controversial provision allowing back-of-house staffers, such as cooks and dishwashers, to be added to tip pools.

The expansion of tipping pools is meant to address the wage disparities between servers and other kitchen staff, which has made it difficult in some states to find people to fill those back-of-house roles.