How Much of Your Income Should Go to Housing Expenses?

November 16, 2022 by First Federal Bank

It’s easy to fall in love with the grandeur of a home or the amenities and hip location of an apartment or condominium. So easy, in fact, it may blind you to its cost — a cost that may exceed your budget. Before you start searching for a home and falling in love with a dwelling, you should figure out how much you can afford to spend on a space.

Topics: Financial Education, Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - November 14, 2022

November 15, 2022 by First Federal Bank

Last week’s scheduled economic news included readings on monthly and year-over-year inflation and the University of Michigan’s preliminary reading on consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

Topics: Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity

3 Trends That Are Good News for Today’s Homebuyers

November 01, 2022 by First Federal Bank

Topics: Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity

What's Ahead for Home Prices?

October 20, 2022 by First Federal Bank

Topics: Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity

What Are Experts Saying About the Fall Housing Market?

October 13, 2022 by First Federal Bank

Topics: Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity

Should You Rent or Purchase When You Downsize?

September 09, 2022 by First Federal Bank

Downsizing can help retirees save money and energy they might otherwise waste on space they do not need. But in the process of downsizing, they must choose whether to rent or purchase their next home. What are the pros and cons?

Topics: Retirement, Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity

Tips for Decorating Walls in Your Home

August 29, 2022 by First Federal Bank

A blank wall holds endless possibilities for decoration! Here are a few suggestions to transform your bland walls into focal features and design statements you, your family, and your guests will love.

Topics: Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity

Pre-Qualified vs. Preapproved: What's the Difference?

August 24, 2022 by First Federal Bank

Financial jargon can be confusing, especially when certain terms sound weirdly similar. Take pre-qualified and preapproved, for example. These words appear to be synonyms, but when it comes to securing a mortgage, they have differences and specifically applied circumstances. Here is a closer look at the variances between pre-qualified and...

Topics: Financial Education, Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity

Starting Your First Container Garden

July 25, 2022 by First Federal Bank

Gardening doesn’t have to break your back and your budget. With a container garden, you can enjoy the literal fruits of your labor without spending a fortune, having a large tract of land, or spending hours in the sun tending to your crops. Whether you’re looking to grow fresh herbs on your balcony, or spruce up your front porch with a splash of...

Topics: Lifestyle, Homeowners

How to Prepare for the Cost of Becoming a Homebuyer

July 22, 2022 by First Federal Bank

Are you preparing to purchasa house for the first time?It’s important to understand the additional costs beyond the down payment and monthly mortgage payments. Incorporating and preparing for the costs below will help guide you to becoming a responsible homeowner.

Topics: Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity

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