First Federal Bank Blog

From rising home prices to mortgage rate swings, the housing market has left a lot of people wondering what’s next – and whether now is really the right time to move. There is one place you can turn to for answers you want the most. And that’s the experts.

You probably know there are many benefits to having a high credit score. Perhaps you are aware of some strategies you can employ to raise yours. Jenny Groberg, CEO of accounting platform BookSmarts offers some tips that go beyond the basics, and can be easy to implement:

You have probably heard the phrase, “reduce, reuse, recycle.” But have you ever thought of using toilet paper rolls for gardening? Turns out they have many practical uses beyond kids’ arts and crafts projects. Here are a few ways you can put toilet paper rolls to use in your garden:

Saving up to buy a home can feel a little intimidating, especially right now. And for many first-time buyers, the idea that you have to put 20% down can feel like a major roadblock.

We tend to think of fraud as being an issue primarily impacting older people. And it is true the elderly are often the target of scammers. However, young people are more commonly impacted by fraud. Given the higher adoption rates of new technology among younger age groups, it really should not come as a surprise. These behaviors offer today’s...

If you’ve ever doubted how important sleep is, all it takes is one night of tossing and turning to find out. Chances are you know how much a night of poor sleep can impact your quality of life. And when sleep issues persist, it can be very disruptive. The quest for consistent and quality sleep is one many struggle with. Research has found there...

It’s not really a surprise that 70% of buyers paused their home search last year. Maybe you were one of them. And if so, no judgment. Conditions just weren’t great.

Inventory was too low, prices were too high, and mortgage rates were bouncing all over. That made it really hard to find a home you loved – and could afford. And why sell if you’re not...

There is no doubt Americans are concerned about grocery prices today. We’re all looking for ways to save on everyday items, and perhaps changing our spending habits where we can to limit expenditures.

Regardless of how you may feel about electric vehicles (EVs), they have just enjoyed a record year. About 1.7 million EVs were sold in the U.S. in 2024 — a 21% increase over 2023. California, Florida, and Texas are the top three states in the country in terms of the number of EV registrations. 

Have you seen where mortgage rates have been lately? One day they go down a little. The next day, they go back up again. It can feel confusing and even frustrating if you’re trying to decide whether now’s a good time to buy a home.