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...
Pre-Qualified vs. Preapproved: What's the Difference?
Topics: Financial Education, Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity
Starting Your First Container Garden
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
Are you preparing to purchase a 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
The Benefits of Battery-Powered Lawn Tools
From cutting grass and whacking weeds, to blowing leaves and trimming hedges, keeping your lawn looking its best can take up a lot of time and effort. To make all these chores easier, it’s essential to choose the right tools for the job. As you shop for lawn appliances, be sure to consider battery power — today’s best electric options are often...
Topics: Homeowners
How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House?
Selling a house can be a stressful, complicated, and surprisingly costly process. If you are a first-time home seller or haven’t sold a home in some time, here are some costs you need to know about before you list your house:
Topics: Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity
How to Make Your Home Wi-Fi Network More Secure
The safest place to do your online banking is at home over a secure Wi-Fi network. Unfortunately, many private internet connections are not actually that private — including yours. Your internet security may be vulnerable to hackers and thieves. To ensure your online banking is secure, follow these suggestions to bolster your Wi-Fi’s defenses:
Topics: Family, Homeowners
The Pros and Cons of Refinancing Your Mortgage
When interest rates dip lower than your current rate, you might be tempted to refinance your mortgage. After all, lower interest rates should equal lower monthly payments. This means you could have more room in your budget while still paying on your home. Refinancing, however, is a serious financial decision and should be based on several...
Topics: Homeowners, Mortgages / Home Equity
Design Tips for Improving Your Master Bedroom
Your bedroom should be more than just a place to lay your head. It should serve as a refuge, a comfort, and a respite from the rest of the world. If your bedroom is lacking the calm you need, the design inspiration you want, or the amenities to make it a place you enjoy spending time in, consider these tips to update your space:
Topics: Homeowners
How to Make DIY Cleaning Solutions
In the last few years, many of us have increased our cleaning habits at home. If you’re looking for a more natural way of doing so, consider some of these DIY solutions you can whip up in no time:
Topics: Lifestyle, Homeowners
Affordable Home Style Upgrades
Over the last couple of years, we have all spent much more time indoors. You may be thinking of ways to enhance your surroundings. Whether you recently purchased a new house or you simply want to increase your home’s value, consider taking on some of these affordable upgrades:
Topics: Homeowners
The content on this site is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered accounting, legal, tax, or financial advice. First Federal Bank recommends that customers conduct their own research and consult with professional legal and financial advisors before making any financial decisions. Links to third-party websites may be provided for your convenience; however, First Federal Bank does not guarantee the reliability, accuracy, or safety of the information, products, or services offered on these external sites. We are not liable for any damages resulting from the use of these links, and we do not investigate, verify, or endorse the content or opinions expressed on any third-party sites. NMLS # 408902.