The two-story house at 601 W. Benton St. in Wapakoneta has been owned since 1988 by retired educator Karen Mikesell, who has spent decades preserving many of the home’s historic features. Although the residence has never operated as a public museum, it has attracted visitors interested in Armstrong’s legacy because of its proximity to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.

Home Played a Key Role in Armstrong’s Early Years

Armstrong’s family moved into the home in 1944 after years of relocating throughout Ohio because of his father’s work as a state government auditor.

While living there, Armstrong pursued his growing interest in aviation by building model airplanes in the dining room and constructing a wind tunnel in the basement to test their designs. He also regularly rode his bicycle to a nearby airfield for flying lessons.

At age 16, Armstrong earned his student pilot’s license before obtaining a driver’s license, an achievement that reflected his early dedication to aviation.

He later became a naval aviator, test pilot and NASA astronaut before commanding the Apollo 11 mission that landed the first humans on the moon in July 1969. After leaving NASA, Armstrong taught engineering at the University of Cincinnati.

Owner Preserved the Home’s Historical Character

Mikesell said she did not know the home’s connection to Armstrong when she purchased it. After learning of its history from another teacher, she made preserving the residence a long-term personal project.

Over the years, she welcomed nine astronauts to the home, including Apollo 11 lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin.

Mikesell recalled that Aldrin became emotional while visiting Armstrong’s former bedroom several years after Armstrong died in 2012.

The home also contains numerous space-related artifacts collected over the years, including signed astronaut photographs, a moon rock and a piece of gold foil from the Apollo 11 command module that was presented by a U.S. Navy recovery diver involved in the spacecraft’s recovery after splashdown.

Several visiting astronauts also left handwritten notes thanking Mikesell for preserving an important part of American space history.

Many Original Features Remain

Although portions of the home have been modernized, much of its original layout remains intact.

Armstrong’s former bedroom now contains photographs, artwork and aviation memorabilia, including a model of one of the Wright brothers’ early aircraft, honoring the pioneers who inspired his interest in flight.

Outside, a garage Armstrong built with his father from salvaged lumber still stands. A former chicken coop that once served as a meeting place for Boy Scout activities no longer exists.

Although Armstrong valued his privacy throughout his life, Mikesell said she maintained contact with members of his family, including his parents, siblings and children, even though she never met Armstrong personally.

Future Ownership Remains Uncertain

Now 82, Mikesell said she hopes a future owner will continue preserving the home’s historical significance and perhaps eventually donate it to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.

Museum spokesperson Logan Rex said the institution currently does not have the financial resources to purchase the property.

Listed for $430,000, the home is not protected under historic preservation laws, meaning future owners could alter the property. Mikesell nevertheless expressed confidence that whoever purchases the residence will recognize its importance as part of America’s space exploration heritage.

She said she believes the home has been well cared for during her ownership and hopes its next chapter will continue honoring Neil Armstrong’s remarkable legacy.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate increased to 6.66%, up from 6.58% the previous week. A year ago, the average stood at 6.72%.

The latest increase means higher monthly mortgage payments for many buyers and could further dampen demand in a housing market that has struggled to regain momentum.

The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage, a common option for homeowners refinancing existing loans, also climbed to 6.04% from 5.96% a week earlier. During the same week last year, the average was 5.85%, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage Rates Reach Highest Level in a Year

The average 30-year mortgage rate is now at its highest level since July 31, 2025, when it reached 6.72%.

Earlier this year, mortgage rates briefly fell below 6% for the first time since late 2022. That decline proved short-lived as borrowing costs resumed their upward trend.

Mortgage rates are not set directly by the Federal Reserve. Instead, they generally move with the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note while also reflecting investor expectations for inflation and the broader economy.

The 10-year Treasury yield traded at 4.66% around midday Thursday, up from 3.97% in late February before fighting between the United States and Iran intensified, according to the supplied material.

Higher oil prices linked to the regional conflict have strengthened inflation concerns, pushing Treasury yields and mortgage rates higher.

Federal Reserve Outlook Shapes Expectations

The latest increase followed the Federal Reserve’s decision this week to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged.

Policymakers continue to confront inflation that has remained above the central bank’s 2% target for more than five years.

The meeting also exposed divisions within the Fed. Three regional Federal Reserve bank presidents voted in favor of raising interest rates.

Anthony Smith, senior economist at Realtor.com, said the outcome suggests financial markets should not expect interest-rate cuts in the near term.

“With the Fed signaling that its next move is more likely a hike than a cut, near-term rate relief looks unlikely,” Smith said.

Smith added that higher oil prices remain the main way the Iran conflict affects inflation. He said easing regional tensions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz would provide the clearest path toward lower mortgage rates.

Housing Market Remains Under Pressure

Higher borrowing costs continue to reduce affordability by increasing monthly mortgage payments and limiting buyers’ purchasing power.

According to the supplied material, seasonally adjusted sales of previously occupied U.S. homes were 0.7% higher from January through June than during the same period last year.

Even so, sales remain near an annual pace of 4 million homes, well below the long-term average of roughly 5.2 million.

The housing slowdown began in 2022 after mortgage rates climbed sharply from pandemic-era lows.

Existing-home sales changed little last year, leaving the market at its weakest level in about three decades.

Recent lending data also point to softer demand.

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that mortgage applications—including loans for home purchases and refinancing—fell 6.4% last week from the previous week.

MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit said upcoming economic data will continue to shape interest-rate expectations. However, he said elevated borrowing costs remain a significant obstacle for many prospective homebuyers this summer.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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A Legacy Built on Real Estate

Nicknamed “Uncle Four” for being the fourth oldest among his siblings, Lee was born into a middle-class family in Guangdong, China, where his family owned gold and silver shops. At the age of 20, he moved to Hong Kong, where he laid the foundation for his real estate empire.

In 1976, he founded Henderson Land, one of Hong Kong’s most influential property firms. He served as chairman until his retirement in May 2019, leaving the company under the leadership of his two sons, Peter and Martin Lee. Before his passing, Lee had an estimated net worth of $30 billion, according to Forbes.

Beyond Real Estate: A Business Empire

Like many of Hong Kong’s prominent tycoon families, Lee expanded his holdings beyond real estate, with investments in energy, retail, and transportation. His business success was closely tied to strong relationships with Chinese leadership. As part of a delegation of Hong Kong tycoons, Lee met with Deng Xiaoping and was once seated next to former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, as seen in photos on his personal website.

Public Persona and Investment Philosophy

Unlike the newer generation of Hong Kong’s ultra-wealthy, who maintain a low profile, Lee and his contemporaries were vocal on social and financial matters. He advised young people against early marriage without financial stability, emphasizing the challenges of building a career while raising children.

Dubbed “Hong Kong’s Warren Buffett,” Lee had a strong belief in real estate investments. He once stated, “Buying real estate stocks is more profitable than doing real estate business,” a philosophy that saw his fortune quadruple in a few years before the 2008 financial crash.

Lee was highly active in equity investments in the early 2000s, particularly in Chinese state-owned enterprises like Bank of China and PetroChina. However, after suffering losses during the financial crisis and receiving complaints from retail investors who had followed his lead, he jokingly referred to himself as a “fake god of stocks.”

Philanthropy and Giving Back

Beyond business, Lee was known for his philanthropy, donating billions of dollars to causes in both Hong Kong and mainland China. In 2018, he fulfilled a promise to donate 1 billion Hong Kong dollars ($128.7 million) to charities when the Hang Seng Index reached 30,000 points.

Remembering Lee Shau Kee

Lee Shau Kee leaves behind a legacy of business acumen, generosity, and influence in shaping Hong Kong’s property landscape. He is survived by his two sons and three daughters. His impact on Hong Kong’s economy and real estate sector will remain a cornerstone of the city’s history.

Source: CNN – Hong Kong property tycoon Lee Shau Kee dies at 97

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Jessica Simpson is taking a step forward in her new chapter after announcing her separation from husband Eric Johnson. The singer’s Hidden Hills, California mansion is now on the market, marking a significant shift in her personal life following the couple’s 10-year marriage.

Separation Announcement

On Tuesday, January 14, PEOPLE confirmed that Simpson and the retired NFL star are parting ways after a decade together. Simpson shared an exclusive statement with PEOPLE, explaining that she and Johnson have been living separately while navigating a difficult situation in their marriage. She emphasized the importance of their three children — daughters Maxwell “Maxi” Drew, 12, and Birdie Mae, 5, and son Ace Knute, 11 — and stressed their focus on what’s best for them. She also expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received and requested privacy during this challenging time.

Mansion on the Market

Simpson’s sprawling estate in Hidden Hills has been listed for sale for $17.9 million as of January 11, just days before the separation news broke. The mansion, which has served as the family home since 2013, was initially put up for sale in September 2023 for $22 million. However, the listing was removed in August 2024 after not attracting a buyer.

The 13,274-square-foot property features seven bedrooms, six full bathrooms, seven partial baths, and a four-car garage. Set on 2.3 acres, the mansion boasts luxurious amenities, including a large pool, a separate shallow pool, a hot tub, a BBQ island, and an outdoor shower.

Life in Tennessee and the Couple’s Separate Lives

Before the listing, Simpson had shared her joy about relocating to Tennessee for the summer with Johnson and their children. In August 2023, she told E! News that she felt “so happy” in Nashville, where she was surrounded by like-minded people and where the focus was on music and meaningful conversation, not celebrity status.

A source close to the couple revealed in November that the pair had been living separate lives for some time. The separation seemed evident when Johnson was seen without his wedding ring around the same time Simpson posted a cryptic Instagram photo from a recording studio, hinting at her musical comeback.

A Decade of Marriage

Simpson and Johnson first met through a mutual friend in 2010. After just six months of dating, they got engaged in November of that year. The couple married in July 2014 after four years together, building a life centered around their growing family.

As Simpson moves forward, the sale of her mansion marks a new beginning in what has been a difficult personal journey. The property, now listed by Coldwell Banker’s Brett Harrison, remains a part of their shared past as Simpson focuses on her future.

Source

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