First Federal Bank Blog

With the real estate market on fire, you might be considering selling your home. As the saying goes, first impressions are everything. The curb appeal of your home sets a clear standard of excellence. If you feel like your property could stand to pop a bit more, building curb appeal can be easy, affordable, and well worth the effort.

Just like your car or your own body, your house needs regular care to keep its condition in top shape. To help you make this a habit, here’s a helpful summary of the most common maintenance tasks every house requires. Use this guide to make a checklist for your own house’s particular needs.

Your home is a major investment, and anything that goes wrong on your property could result in extensive repair costs. You don’t want to find out when filing a claim that your policy doesn’t cover what you thought it did — and you’re stuck paying for repairs out of pocket. These are the four primary categories that most standard homeowners...

A bridge loan is a short-term loan used to provide immediate cash flow when financing is impending but not available right away. Bridge loans are sometimes also known as swing loans, gap financing, or interim financing. Homeowners typically use these loans to cover the cost of new property before they can sell their current house.

In the last year, many of us have found new ways to stay entertained at home. From building amazing blanket forts to finding great new board games to play with the family, there was a constant need for new and fun things to do. Now that the weather is warming up, there’s an opportunity to discover some exciting yard games to play with the family....

Warmer weather has returned, which means more time spent enjoying the great outdoors. Unfortunately, relaxing in nature often brings with it the annoyance of pests like insects, rodents, and even parasites. These pesky critters can ruin the nicest backyard or garden, and can potentially pose a threat to children or pets. Fortunately, there’s an...

If used responsibly, a second mortgage can act as a powerful tool to help you achieve your financial goals. First, though, you’ll want to think carefully about the potential benefits and risks of taking out a second mortgage on your home. It’s also wise to educate yourself on the best ways to use a second mortgage and whether this step is right...

When you are dealing with a limited amount of square footage, whether it is a living room, bedroom, or studio apartment, you want it to feel as open, airy and spacious as possible. With the following design tips, you’ll be able to take advantage of every inch and make a small space feel much larger than it is.

When choosing windows for your home, it’s important to research all of the different types and their associated benefits. Though all windows serve a few common functions, such as letting in light while keeping out rain and wind, they also vary in many ways. For example, some do a better job ventilating your home while others may simply fit a...

While cleaning your household appliances may not be the first task you put on your chores list, it’s just as important as vacuuming and mopping your home. The next time you clean your home, extend your efforts to the following appliances: