The Clark Howard Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: The Condo Market Now / Moving Abroad
Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Clark Howard (with Krista)

Overview

This episode of The Clark Howard Podcast focuses on two main subjects:

1. The Current State of the Condo Market: Clark analyzes why condos are slumping, where risks and opportunities lie for buyers and sellers, and the importance of understanding total costs, especially regarding insurance and maintenance.
2. Retirement Abroad: Clark discusses the growing trend of Americans moving overseas to retire, motivations behind the movement, and practical advice for those considering it.

The episode is interspersed with listener Q&A covering topics from funding two homes in transition, high-yield savings accounts, wearable fitness tracker accuracy, to teaching kids to save, internet services, and online security concerns.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Condo Market Slump

[00:46 - 07:23]

• Current Market Conditions:

  • Condo values have dropped significantly, experiencing one of the biggest slumps since the Great Recession. More sellers than buyers, especially along U.S. coasts.
  • Many sellers are accepting whatever offers they get; others aren’t selling because offers are so low, so inventory sits.

• Causes for the Slump:

  • Condo prices tend to fluctuate more than single-family homes.
  • Insurance risk and reserves issues (especially in Florida); laws now require better maintenance and higher fees, leading to large increases in condo costs.
  • Deferred maintenance has caught up, increasing fees for all owners.

• Buyer Advice:

  • “There is real opportunity right now if you got your eyes wide open because you have to account for the total cost...” (Clark, [05:54])
  • Analyze not just purchase price but also monthly fees, taxes, and particularly insurance obligations as these drive up the actual cost of ownership.

• Insurance Industry Response:

  • Insurance companies are moving from passive risk calculators to active players, driving up costs or imposing requirements.
  • Example: The only U.S. coastal region not facing insurance problems is Alabama’s Gulf Coast, due to strict building codes.

2. Listener Q&A — Real Estate, Savings, Tech, and Security

Buying a New House Before Selling the Old

[07:23 - 10:57]

• Listener Concern: Ann in Vermont wants to buy a home before selling her current one, avoid timing issues, and minimize loan costs.
• Clark’s Advice:
  • Avoid borrowing from a 401k.
  • Seek short-term, low/no-closing-cost mortgages (even if rates are a little higher), or work with local credit unions that hold loans in their own portfolio.
  • Consider adjustable-rate loans with no prepayment penalties.

Legitimacy of Verizon’s High Yield Savings Account

[10:57 - 11:45]

• Listener Concern: Are Verizon and Santander Bank’s savings accounts safe?
• Clark: “The accounts are fully federally insured and it’s absolutely fine for you to use the Verizon savings account.” ([11:29])

Wearable Tech Accuracy

[11:45 - 16:38]

• Listener Concern: Are fitness trackers (Fitbit, Garmin, Oura Ring, Omron) accurate?
• Clark’s Experience: Wears three trackers; Garmin is best on step counts, Samsung less so.
• Memorable moment about sleep tracking:
  • “You don’t know whether you slept well or not till Aura tells [you].” (Clark, [15:01])
  • Krista relates feeling discouraged by “bad” sleep scores.

Saving for Kids/Teens

[23:30 - 26:58]

• Listener (Clint): Wants to match savings for his niece, unsure about using a bank or a 529 plan.
• Clark: Praises both, suggests introducing investing via a Fidelity youth account alongside a possible 529 for tax advantages.

Social Security Online Security

[26:58 - 28:34]

• Listener Concern: Is login.gov or id.me safer for Social Security logins?
• Clark: Chose login.gov but acknowledges both have privacy/design risks; stresses everyone should have a My Social Security account.

Swapping T-Mobile Home Internet When Changing Cell Providers

[28:34 - 29:37]

• Clark’s Hack: If you switch your cell phone plan away from T-Mobile, move your home internet to Mint Mobile (T-Mobile’s discount arm) — same service, lower price.

3. Moving Abroad for Retirement

[18:09 - 22:30]

• Why Americans are Moving:

  • Increasing numbers (est. 4 million) moving to places where cost of living is a fraction of the U.S.
  • Historically, Mexico was popular, but now Americans are moving everywhere — Portugal, Central and Eastern Europe, and beyond.
  • For some, it’s a necessity due to lack of retirement savings; for others, it’s a choice to increase lifestyle quality.

• Concerns & Cautions:

  • Taxation, safety, and healthcare vary greatly by country.
  • “My key rule, if you’re ever thinking about this, is that you do not buy a place right off the bat... test drive it first in retirement as a renter.” (Clark, [21:14])
  • Even frequent vacationers should rent before buying; long-term living is very different.

• Lighthearted Moment: Krista and Clark fantasize about possible countries to live in, with Clark choosing Australia — only to note with humor that he’d be too old to immigrate there.

  • “...once you hit a certain age and you have to do a medical background... they decide, nope, this one’s out.” (Clark, [22:59])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Condo Risk:
  • “You’re not just marrying that unit, you’re marrying that building...” (Clark, [02:38])
• On Health Trackers Taking Over:
  • “If you just become too obsessed, you got to put it aside for a while so it doesn’t start running your daily happiness by telling you what your daily health is.” (Clark, [15:28])
• On Living Abroad for Retirement:
  • “This is the escape hatch. This is the alternative.” (Clark, [20:10])
• On Teaching Kids to Save:
  • “You’re trying to create a lifelong habit of living on less than what you make and seeing the advantage of building up money over time.” (Clark, [25:28])
• On MLK’s Economic Legacy:
  • “One of the principal reasons the southern states... have had such enormous economic growth is it created a safe environment for companies to feel like it was okay to invest...” (Clark, [29:44])

Key Timestamps

• 00:46 | The Condo Market: current downturn, opportunities, and risks
• 07:23 | Q&A: Buying a new home before selling current home
• 10:57 | Q&A: Verizon high-yield savings accounts and safety
• 11:45 | Q&A: Fitness trackers’ accuracy and health tech banter
• 18:09 | Moving Abroad: Trends, costs, and practical advice
• 22:30 | Q&A: Teaching kids financial habits
• 26:58 | Q&A: Security for My Social Security sign-in
• 28:34 | Q&A: Keeping T-Mobile Home Internet after changing providers
• 29:44 | Clark reflects on MLK’s economic/social impact

Summary & Takeaways

• The condo market is in a unique slump — buyers may find bargains, but total cost (fees, insurance, taxes) must be figured carefully.
• Americans are increasingly retiring abroad, motivated by cost and lifestyle; renting before buying is a must to avoid surprises.
• Listeners’ questions explored the practicalities of real estate transitions, tech accuracy, teaching savings, and digital security.
• The podcast wraps with a meaningful acknowledgment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s economic and social impact.

Overall Tone: Warm, direct, helpful, and full of practical wisdom — Clark Howard’s signature style.

For more advice or to submit your own question, visit clark.com/askclark.