Reach your goals
Small maintenance tasks can lead to big savings
No matter where you live, your home needs seasonal maintenance to stay looking its best. This will also help avoid future repair bills – some of which may be more expensive than you realize. Here are some maintenance tasks you won’t want to overlook.
Maintaining trees helps prevent limbs from damaging your gutters or roof if one or more falls from a storm. Repairing this type of damage can easily cost thousands.
Checking to make sure water isn’t pooling next to your home will help prevent foundation problems in the future. Skipping this task could ultimately make or break your organization. This may also damage plumbing or other major systems.
Inspecting your home’s electrical system and breaker box can prevent a variety of problems, including damaged appliances, potential fire hazards, and the risk of electrical shock.
If you prefer to hire a professional to perform some of these tasks, an annual maintenance budget can maintain your cash flow. Here are two ways to calculate how much to put aside:
Multiply your home’s value by 1%, or 0.01. For example, a home worth $350,000 will require about $3,500 in home maintenance and repairs.
Other homeowners prefer to calculate maintenance costs by size and allocate $1 per square foot. For a 2,200-square-foot home, that comes to $2,200.
If you are a new homeowner, you may want to check out and download this comprehensive book Home maintenance checklist.
Source: consumeraffairs.com
Mortgage IQ
What is a government sponsored mortgage?
For decades, most homebuyers have chosen a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for permanent affordability, predictability, and ease of budgeting. However, mortgages do not all work the same way.
Most fall into two categories: traditional or government-sponsored. A conventional loan is any mortgage that is not backed by a government entity. Government sponsored mortgages are backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Virginia State (VA), or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Here’s what distinguishes each one from the other.
FHA loans were created in 1934 and are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. They’re designed to help a variety of homebuyers, including those with lower credit scores and lower down payments. Before the FHA was introduced, homebuyers faced significant barriers to homeownership, including 50% down payments.
VA loans were introduced in 1944 to help military members purchase a home after they returned home from World War II. Today, it is limited to current and veteran members of the Army and National Guard, and some relatives. They don’t require a down payment, but buyers may have to pay a financing fee.
USDA loans are backed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). They were introduced to help low- to moderate-income buyers living in certain rural areas. They offer buyer-friendly features like no down payment or private mortgage insurance (PMI) requirements.
If you’re thinking about buying or refinancing soon, Contact your local APM Loan Advisor So you can have an informal discussion about your home financing options.
Source: Tamkeen.com
Financial news
Ownership of your home, without compromising on your mortgage rate
If you’ve been locked into a low mortgage interest rate for a few years, you probably don’t want to give it up. But you’ve also watched your home equity grow in value, and you’re probably wondering if there’s a way to use it.
there. It’s called a HELOC, which is short for Home Equity Line of Credit. It allows you to borrow against the value you’ve built up in your home while your current mortgage and interest rate remain exactly the same.
How it works
A HELOC acts more like a credit card than a loan. You’re approved for a limit, and you can borrow only what you need, when you need it. You only pay interest on what you actually use.
Most HELOCs have two stages. During the draw period (often 10 years), you can borrow and usually make interest-only payments. Next comes the repayment period, during which you repay what you borrowed and can no longer withdraw new money.
What homeowners use
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Home improvements. Finance projects in phases rather than all at once, and you’ll likely add value to your home.
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Pay off high-interest debt. Credit cards and personal loans usually carry higher interest rates. Merging can simplify things by combining them into one batch.
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Safety net. You can open a HELOC and not use it. Since you only pay interest on what you draw, it can stay there for emergencies.
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Big expenses. Tuition fees, a wedding, a medical bill, or a career change. Money is ready when life is not.
IQ Is this right for you?
A HELOC tends to make sense if you have equity, want flexible access to it over time, and prefer not to refinance. It’s not right for everyone, and your home secures the line, so it’s worth considering it carefully.
Every case is different. If you’re interested in what your stocks can do, Contact your local APM Loan Advisor Let’s look at the numbers together.
Read the full article.
Did you know?
What to do if someone hits your parked car
Finding a simple scratch on your car or truck can ruin your day, and if the guilty driver disappears without confessing, it can look even worse. However, following these steps can help reduce potential hassles and expenses.
Take lots of pictures. In addition to the damage, take pictures of any debris if possible, such as parts of a broken fender or headlight. Be sure to take additional photos of where you are standing. If the guilty party is caught on film, nearby CCTV images may help identify the driver.
Submit an accident report. Your auto insurance company will need a copy, especially if the damage turns out to be more than just a scratch. Depending on where you live, the local police may or may not be willing to come out and take your report. However, you may be able to apply online or at your local police station.
Contact your insurance company. Be prepared to provide details such as the time, date, and address where it occurred, photos of the damage and surroundings, and a copy of the accident report.
Did the other driver leave a note? Although you can call them and ask them for their insurance information, this is as far as you should go. Getting a quote to repair the damage and presenting it to the other driver may backfire. Their insurance may not cover the repair costs, or the other driver may scare you when they find out how much it will cost. It’s best to talk to your insurance company before making the call.
So…what happens next?
This depends on your insurance coverage and whether the at-fault driver has been identified. If you cannot locate the at-fault driver, you may decide to file a collision claim with your insurance company. This may result in a bill for your deductible, which is a specific amount you pay when the claim is processed. (Don’t know your deductible? You might want to check it now, before something happens.)
Filing a claim may or may not affect your auto insurance rates in the future, so this is something else you may want to check back sooner rather than later. If you identify the at-fault driver and file a claim with his or her insurance, your insurance rates should not go up.
This article is provided for your information. If you have any questions about your auto insurance, your deductible, or the claim process, talk to your insurance provider.
Source: experian.com
Personal finances
Run a scan of your subscription services
Subscriptions have come a long way compared to newspaper plans since the mid-1800s. Today, you can make monthly plans for almost anything, from streaming TV and movies to meal kits and skin care.
Although subscriptions are convenient and you often get discounts, they’re not always easy to track, especially when you set up automatic payments. Additionally, small monthly payments often create the illusion that the subscription is more affordable than it actually is. Adding features like getting free advertising can increase your monthly costs.
If you’re worried about starting a “subscription creep,” set aside an hour to take matters into your own hands. Creating a list of all your subscriptions makes it easy to review them with other family members and decide which subscriptions can be cancelled.
Reviewing all of your payment methods – debit, credit, and/or online services – will help you add up the exact costs for your subscriptions. You may want to consolidate them all into one account, so you can always see the true monthly cost.
Other tips to consider:
Look for money-saving options such as bundling two or more services. Check out free streaming services like Plex, Tubi, and iHeartRadio. If you are not sure whether to keep the service, initiating the cancellation process may result in a discounted price.
Source: Kiplinger.com
food
Chocolate zucchini cake
Zucchini is in peak season this month, so in addition to buying enough to prepare as a vegetable side dish, have some extra for dessert. this Chocolate zucchini cake It is gluten-free and can be baked with your choice of coconut or brown sugar.
Around the house
Take the greenness of your porch from summer to fall
If you’re ready to prepare for cold weather, you can achieve some major upgrades for your porch with just one or two planters. They combine color and texture, creating a welcoming atmosphere for neighbors and guests. You’ll also enjoy seeing your unique designs every time you come home.
Here are some plants and decorative items you can incorporate into your choice of pots and planters.
Ornamental cabbage and kale provide an easy-to-handle centerpiece. You can choose from a variety of colors and combinations that include green, purple, red, pink and white.
Chrysanthemums are a favorite fall flower and come in a variety of vibrant colors. If you choose a larger pot, they won’t mind being next to an equally large plant.
Trailing ivy comes in many perennial varieties and looks especially attractive when it traces the edges of the pot.
Pumpkins can replace faded cabbage or chrysanthemums as cold weather approaches. You can choose one pumpkin that fits in the empty space or use several sizes of pumpkins and gourds.
Final tip: As temperatures drop, any live plants that are wilting or moved indoors can be replaced with dried flowers, lavender, or some birch and willow branches.
Source: brocantemajolie.com
