Lay of the land

For a positive note about the near-term future of the economy, check out national economist Mark Dotzour.

The former chief economist and research director at Texas A&M University, Dotzour, speaking recently at a conference in the Omni Orlando Resort, says 87% of his retirement portfolio is in commercial real estate. He also believes “we're in a new bull market for single-family homes,” because millennials will soon start marrying, having kids and buying houses, according to a statement.