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Owning your own home is more than just a dream. It’s a life milestone and one of the best things you can do to build wealth. At First Federal Lakewood, we want homeownership to be within reach —not just someday, but soon. That’s why we’re proud to offer the Ohio Homebuyer Plus Savings Account (OHB+), a high-yield savings account with special tax advantages for Ohio residents ready to level up their living situation and make homeownership a reality within the next five years.
Whether you’re buying your first home or your next one, an OHB+ account with First Federal Lakewood not only allows your money to grow faster, but can offer you the guidance you need along the homebuying journey.
What Exactly is Ohio Homebuyer Plus?
OHB+ is a state-backed savings account created to help more Ohioans afford homeownership. It offers above-market interest rates and Ohio state income tax deductions to savers.
Why Open Your OHB+ Account with First Federal Lakewood?
Because choosing us means you’re saving with a mutual bank that puts community first. With an OHB+ account from First Federal Lakewood, you’ll enjoy:
Who’s Eligible for OHB+?
You’re eligible if you are:
Reminder: You do NOT have to be a first-time home buyer to qualify!
How It Works
Own Your Future, One Smart Move at a Time
We’re excited to offer our fellow Ohioans the Ohio Homebuyer Plus Savings Account — start saving for your new home today!
*Consult a tax advisor regarding tax deductions.
Since 1935, First Federal Lakewood has been committed to helping Ohio residents and businesses achieve their financial goals by actively listening to and understanding their needs. Getting a mortgage can be an easy process with the right bank.
John Litten, President and CEO of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity, talks about how First Federal Lakewood helped the business grow and how the bank understands the needs of small businesses.
John Litten, President and CEO of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity, talks about how First Federal Lakewood helped the nonprofit grow and how the bank understands the needs of small, nonprofit businesses.
While teens should start with the basics of personal finance, like saving and budgeting, learning how to grow their money through investing is also essential. While investing may initially seem complicated, teaching teens about financial literacy can simplify the process. Starting to invest at a young age allows teens to take advantage of time and the power of compounding, giving them a head start toward building long-term financial stability and wealth.
While teens cannot open a brokerage account independently before age 18, they can collaborate with an adult to start investing. This collaboration can set the foundation for a solid financial future, equipping them with knowledge and practical experience to serve them throughout their lives.
Why Teens Should Start Investing Early
Investing at a young age gives teens the benefit of time and the power of compounding, which can significantly grow their investments. Investing early in their lives helps teens build a strong foundation for long-term financial stability and wealth.
The Benefits of Early Investment Include:
Investment Options for Teens
Although teens cannot open a regular brokerage account until they are 18, they can open a custodial account under the supervision of an adult. In a custodial account, an adult manages the investments on behalf of the teen until they reach the age of majority, typically 18 or 21, depending on state laws.
The Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) and the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) deal with custodial accounts. These acts enable the transfer of assets to teens while giving adults legal responsibility over the accounts until the minor reaches adulthood.
Teens Have Access to Various Investment Options, Including:
Tips for Teen Investors
Parents and guardians can help teens develop strong investing habits by providing guidance and support in key areas:
Understanding the Basics of Investing
Introduce teens to fundamental investment concepts, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Simplify complex ideas like compounding and risk diversification to help them grasp the importance of these principles.
Setting Investment Goals
Help teens define clear investment goals, whether saving for college, a car, or long-term wealth building. These goals will guide their investment decisions and make their efforts more purposeful.
Opening an Investment Account
Teens need a brokerage account to start investing. Since individuals under 18 cannot open accounts independently, they have two primary options:
To keep costs low, look for brokers offering features like no account fees, no minimum deposit requirements and commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs.
Selecting Investments
After opening an account, teens can choose investments in familiar companies or industries they understand. As their knowledge grows, they can diversify their portfolio to reduce risk and maximize returns.
Takeaway
Although teens cannot independently open brokerage accounts, they can start investing with the help of a parent or guardian. Custodial accounts, joint accounts or other supervised options allow them to gain early exposure to investing, which is essential for financial growth. By learning the basics of investing and developing strong habits, teens can lay the groundwork for long-term financial success and prosperity.
Child Tax Credits are tax breaks the federal government offers to support U.S. taxpayers with eligible dependent children under 17. These credits aim to reduce the economic burden of raising children and make it easier for families to afford essential expenses.
What is the Child Tax Credit?
The Child Tax Credit is a federal tax benefit that financially supports taxpayers with dependent children under 17. The base credit is $2,000, but the amount varies depending on the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). High-income earners may receive a reduced amount or become ineligible altogether.
Eligibility for the Child Tax Credit depends on factors such as the caregiver’s filing status, relationship to the child and age. This benefit is supposed to provide significant relief to needy families while incentivizing care for dependent children.
The Child Tax Credit is nonrefundable, reducing taxes dollar-for-dollar, although some taxpayers may qualify for a partial refund depending on their financial situation.
Additional Child Tax Credit
The Additional Child Tax Credit is the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit, capped at $1,700 for 2025. This credit is available to taxpayers whose tax liability is lower than their Child Tax Credit amount or individuals who do not file a tax return. By providing a refundable portion, this credit ensures that low-income families can still benefit, even if they owe no taxes.
Adoption Tax Credit
The Adoption Tax Credit is a non-refundable federal tax credit designed to assist families with adopting a child, including legal fees, travel expenses and other qualified costs.
2025 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits individuals and families with moderate to low incomes. Eligible income includes wages, self-employment earnings, or income from an owned farm or business.
The investment income limit for EITC eligibility is $11,950 or less.
Child Tax Credit 2025
For 2025, the Child Tax Credit has the following features:
These thresholds ensure that middle—and high-income earners can still benefit from the credit while targeting low-income families for the most significant assistance.
Requirements to Qualify for the Child Tax Credit
To qualify for the Child Tax Credit, both the taxpayer and the qualifying child must meet seven key requirements:
While most travel insurance policies provide certain trip cancellation benefits, they often only cover specific reasons like natural disasters or medical emergencies. Cancel-For-Any-Reason (CFAR) insurance could be worth considering if you need more flexibility with your travel insurance.
CFAR insurance is an optional add-on to a standard travel insurance policy. It allows you to recover a significant portion of your non-refundable travel expenses if you cancel your trip for reasons not covered by standard policies.
What Is CFAR Insurance?
Cancel-For-Any-Reason (CFAR) insurance is supplemental coverage that refunds a portion of your non-refundable travel expenses if you cancel your trip for any reason not included in your standard travel insurance.
However, CFAR is not a standalone product. Instead, you can purchase it as an add-on to your standard travel insurance policy, making it ideal for travelers seeking maximum cancellation flexibility.
How Does CFAR Work?
Standard travel insurance protects against specific trip-related losses, including cancellations due to medical emergencies, severe weather or other specified reasons. CFAR expands cancellation options by allowing you to cancel for almost any reason, provided you meet specific conditions.
For example, CFAR can help if you decide not to travel due to changing personal circumstances, even if your reason isn’t under standard policies.
What Does CFAR Cover?
CFAR insurance offers broad coverage for cancellations, though exact terms vary by provider. Typical scenarios where CFAR may apply include:
It can also cover cancellations due to:
However, CFAR does not reimburse for refundable expenses or interruptions after the trip begins.
Costs of CFAR Insurance
Adding CFAR coverage significantly increases the cost of travel insurance. While standard policies typically cost 5 to 10% of your trip’s total expenses, adding CFAR can raise the cost to 40 – 50%.
For example, if your trip costs $5,000, a standard travel insurance policy might cost $250 to $500. Adding CFAR could increase your total premium to $750 or more. While costly, CFAR’s flexibility may justify the price for high-value or complex itineraries.
Benefits of CFAR Insurance
Limitations of CFAR Insurance
Despite its advantages, CFAR has important limitations:
CFAR also excludes benefits for trip interruptions. For instance, it won’t cover the cost of unused accommodations or additional travel if you need to return home early.
Cancel-For-Any-Reason (CFAR) insurance is a valuable add-on for travelers seeking maximum flexibility and peace of mind. While it increases the cost of travel insurance, it allows you to cancel your trip for almost any reason and recover up to 75% of non-refundable expenses.
For expensive trips, long-term plans or uncertain circumstances, CFAR offers a safety net that standard travel insurance doesn’t. By weighing the benefits, costs and limitations, you can decide if CFAR is the right choice for your travel needs.
FAIR Plan insurance, which stands for Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, is a high-risk home insurance policy designed as a last resort option for homeowners who cannot obtain coverage from a standard insurance provider. It helps those who live in areas or have homes considered too risky by traditional insurers.
FAIR Plan policies typically offer less coverage than standard home insurance and are generally more expensive. However, they are an excellent option for homeowners living in high-risk zones or those with other red flags that prevent them from getting standard home insurance.
How Does FAIR Plan Insurance Work?
FAIR Plan insurance is a state-regulated program supported by a pool of private insurance companies. Instead of being directly provided by one company, the FAIR Plan pools resources from multiple insurers to collectively cover high-risk properties. This approach distributes the risk, limiting the exposure of any single insurer while ensuring coverage for homeowners who cannot obtain insurance through standard providers.
When filing a claim under a FAIR Plan policy, the pool of participating insurers shares the financial responsibility for the loss. FAIR Plan insurance is typically considered a last-resort option, and homeowners must demonstrate that they have been denied coverage by private insurers before they are eligible to apply for a FAIR Plan policy.
Coverage and Limitations
FAIR Plan homeowners insurance generally provides more limited coverage compared to standard policies. FAIR Plans typically cover specific perils such as windstorms, fires, vandalism, and riots, but coverage can vary and may be more restrictive depending on the state.
Most FAIR Plans offer:
Some states may expand coverage to include:
In most states, FAIR Plan insurance covers homes at their actual cash value, meaning the home’s depreciated value rather than the cost to replace it.
Eligibility and How to Obtain FAIR Plan Insurance
Eligibility for FAIR Plan insurance varies by state; however, the plan is generally available to homeowners in high-risk areas. These areas may be deemed high-risk due to environmental factors, crime rates, or the condition of the homes.
A property may be high risk if it is:
Homeowners with a claims history may also struggle to obtain a standard insurance policy. They may need to resort to the FAIR Plan. In many cases, high-risk homeowners must make improvements to reduce the risk to their property.
Examples of improvements could include:
Other eligibility criteria may include:
How to Obtain a FAIR Plan Insurance Policy
The process for obtaining FAIR Plan insurance varies by state, but homeowners generally need to follow these steps:
Homeowners should review the specific eligibility requirements for their state to ensure compliance and understand their coverage options.
Living in certain high-risk areas can prevent homeowners from getting standard home insurance. FAIR Plan insurance provides a state-approved solution for these individuals, offering coverage when other options are unavailable. While it may be more limited and costly, it allows homeowners in high-risk zones to protect their property from major losses.
Discussing death and dying with family members is challenging, but it’s essential when it comes to planning for the future. A living will, similar to a last will that dictates asset distribution after death, is a document outlining your preferences for medical treatment if you cannot make decisions yourself.
This document is deeply personal, detailing your specific wishes for medical care under various circumstances.
So, what exactly is a living will? How does it function, what does it encompass, and how can you create one? In the following sections, we’ll address these questions about living wills, providing clarity and guidance to help you understand and prepare one.
What Is a Living Will?
Imagine you’re seriously ill or injured, and someone needs to make an important medical decision regarding your treatment, but you’re unable to communicate. How do doctors ensure they provide treatment consistent with your desires?
A living will answers medical care decisions when you cannot make them yourself. It is a critical component of advance care planning, which involves preparing for future healthcare decisions when you might be incapacitated.
In this sense, a living will is like a durable power of attorney for health care. This legal document dictates your medical decisions on your behalf if you’re incapacitated.
Typically, a living will becomes relevant when an individual faces a medical situation without hope for a cure or recovery. It dictates whether to administer or withhold life-saving treatments or artificial life support. In such circumstances, doctors and family members can refer to the individual’s living will to guide their healthcare decisions.
What Is Covered in a Living Will
A living will includes directives to withhold or withdraw artificial means of life support if a person cannot express their preferences. But what does this mean, and what does it include?
The person named in a living will is the “principal.” A living will comes into play whenever the “principal” sustains an irreversible or incurable medical condition that can result in death within a short period (often six months or less).
Then, the living will addresses and covers preferences for the following:
Other inclusions to consider:
Ideally, you want your living will to be exhaustive so your proxy isn’t making any direct medical decisions. In addition, your living will should list a proxy, someone who will act on your behalf to relay decisions outlined in your living will and ensure they are being adhered to.
Preparing a Living Will
It can be a tricky subject, and you may not want to think about it, but being prepared for the worst puts you in a better position in case the worst does happen. If you wish for life-saving support, you don’t want to risk not getting it. On the other hand, if you don’t want artificial life support in the case of a terminal illness, having a living will is the best way to ensure meeting your medical care desires.
Encouraging your teen to secure their first job is significant. It’s an opportunity for them to contribute to expenses, gain independence and acquire real-world experience. This initial job can shape their development and possibly guide their career path. As a parent, you can support them in this endeavor by offering guidance and resources.
As your teen prepares for their first job, they should consider several factors. They need to think about how to find the right job, manage their earnings, and learn to save. In the following, we guide these aspects to help your teen successfully navigate their entry into the workforce. While you can assist them in this process, the responsibility of job searching and financial management ultimately lies with them.
Finding the Right Fit
First, your teen must apply for and secure a job that aligns well with their abilities and interests. Not everyone is a match for every position, even at the entry level. Although finding a job that challenges your teen may seem beneficial, keep in mind that starting any job is a new and unfamiliar experience for them, naturally pushing them beyond their usual routines and environments.
Therefore, help them choose a job that matches their interests and strengths. If they’re a people person, a server or cashier may be a good choice for them. However, stocking shelves at a grocery store could be great if they’re shy and introverted. Or if they’re athletic and love the outdoors, working as a lifeguard could suit them perfectly.
Whatever the job is, play to their strengths. While they don’t have to love their first job, they shouldn’t hate it either. Some level of positive engagement will set them up so they don’t detest the idea of getting a career later in life.
Handling the First Paycheck
Do you remember the first time you received a paycheck and opened it eagerly to find that it was much less than you expected? You may have wondered what FICA is and what the deductions are on your paycheck. With this in mind, it may help to explain how paycheck deductions and taxes work so your teen can better understand how finances work.
Even with deductions, that first paycheck is probably the most money your teen has seen unless they’re an avid saver. As those paychecks roll in, they may be over-eager to spend and buy things they never considered. It helps to know beforehand what kind of person your teenager is. Are they a big spender or a cautious saver?
If you want your teen to contribute to household bills, have a frank discussion with them. If not, you may want them to save towards their college fund. Whatever the case, they must learn how to budget and save.
Learning to Budget and Save
Even if you don’t anticipate your teenager contributing financially to the family or their future, they must learn budgeting and saving skills. Actively teaching your teen these skills early on will equip them for financial success in later life.
However, teaching some teens this is challenging, so it’ll take some work.
The first step is to help them open a bank account so they can set up direct deposit so paychecks go straight into their account. Then, you’ll want to go over a budgeting plan with them. A common one is:
However, if your teen isn’t paying any bills or owing any debts, they may want to adjust their plan. For example, suggesting they save 50% of their paycheck will help condition them to save in the future while guaranteeing a cushion for college and beyond. In addition, even with savings deductions, they’ll still have a solid amount of spending money.
A first job is a big deal. With it comes your teen’s first taste of financial independence. Ensure you’re taking time to prepare them for their first job and paycheck so you can help set them up for success later in life. While convincing your teen to save can seem daunting, doing so is vital for their future.
Home hospital care is a healthcare model that gained significant traction during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing patients to receive acute hospital-level care in their homes.
What Is Home Hospital Care?
Recognized by the federal government, home hospital care is designed for patients requiring acute hospital-level care but prefer receiving it in their homes. This model became particularly relevant during COVID-19 to reduce hospital overcrowding.
Home hospital care is different from regular home health care. It is for more severe health problems that usually need a hospital stay. It includes help after surgeries or taking care of sudden worsening of long-term sicknesses like diabetes, COPD, and heart disease.
Types of Home Hospital Care
Home hospital care primarily involves medical services, focusing on medical care services. These include care by doctors, registered nurses or physical therapists for conditions like diabetes and support in rehabilitation therapies.
While home hospital care is primarily medical, some patients may also receive non-medical care services, which include assistance with daily activities like bathing and housekeeping, often part of broader home care services.
Home Hospital Care Costs
The cost of home hospital care varies based on patient needs and location.
While these services can be more affordable when covered by private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, specific coverage and out-of-pocket costs depend heavily on individual plans and treatments.
Does My Insurance Cover It?
Insurance coverage for home hospital care depends on several criteria:
Advantages and Benefits
Home hospital care offers several benefits:
Drawbacks and Challenges
However, there are challenges:
Home hospital care brings medical services to the comfort of your home. It offers safety, faster recovery and mental health benefits, making it a preferred option for many. However, it’s essential to consult healthcare providers to determine if it suits your needs.
Even though anyone can be a victim of a personal loan scammer, some people are at more risk than others.
Advance loan scammers typically target those financially struggling as they are more desperate for cash and will ignore red flags like “guaranteed loan approval.”
In addition, those with poor credit and urgently needing money may fall for scammer companies that offer loans or credit regardless of creditworthiness.
What Is an Advance-Fee Loan Scam?
An advance-fee loan scam is a personal loan scam that targets consumers with a poor credit history while promising easy access to loans that never materialize.
Scammers can post ads or make calls offering attractive loans to lure in people with bad credit.
It’s best to be cautious to avoid a personal loan scam. If you have poor credit and need a personal loan, watch out for these signs of a loan scammer:
Warning Signs
Here are some of the warning signs of a typical advance-fee loan scam:
Protecting Yourself
If you have a poor credit history while looking for a loan, consider taking valuable steps to protect yourself from scammers:
Personal loan scammers typically target those looking for a loan with poor credit history. When successful, they can steal your identity while devastating your bank accounts. It’s best to take some protective measures when securing a loan to help protect your identity and money.
Even though anyone can be a victim of a personal loan scammer, some people are at more risk than others. Advance loan scammers typically target those financially struggling as they are more desperate for cash and will ignore red flags like “guaranteed loan approval.” In addition, those with poor credit and urgently needing money may fall for scammer companies that offer loans or credit regardless of creditworthiness.
Scammers often aim to steal your money and identity by exploiting those confused about health insurance laws and plans.
Health insurance scams typically target older adults, veterans, and immigrants, preventing them from getting the necessary medical coverage.
Warning Signs of a Scam
Here are some signs of a health insurance scam:
Make sure you have the details of the medical discount plan in writing before you sign up.
Verifying a Scam
Before signing up for a health insurance plan, consider the following steps to help you avoid health insurance scams:
Common Medicare and Medicaid Scams
People on Medicare and Medicaid plans can get calls from scammers impersonating government officials who try to steal money and personal information.
Medicare scams are mostly related to Medicare Part-D, which requires paying a monthly premium to an insurance carrier. You pay by using the carrier’s network to get prescription medicines.
Medicare plan representatives will never contact you first or come to your house uninvited to ask for personal information or payment.
The state Medicaid Agencies will never ask for your personal information or bank and credit card details to renew your enrollment in the state’s program.
Reporting Scams
If you have spotted a health insurance scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your State Attorney General.
You can report Medicare scams at Medicare.gov or 1-800-633-4227.
Health insurance plans can be daunting and confusing for the general public. Staying vigilant and reporting insurance scams to trusted authorities can help you stay safe.
Scammers often aim to steal your money and identity by exploiting those confused about health insurance laws and plans. Health insurance scams typically target older adults, veterans, and immigrants, preventing them from getting the necessary medical coverage.
Wire transfers and online payments are excellent ways to transfer funds to individuals and businesses. However, digital payments are immediate and irreversible, and scammers frequently use them in money fraud schemes.
What Are Wire Transfer Scams?
A wire transfer scam happens when scammers pose as an authoritative body like a bank, colleague, or family member and pressure victims into wiring them money.
Scammers often quickly withdraw money from wire transfer scams, making them usually irreversible. With the rise in digital banking, wire transfers happen instantaneously. Scammers transfer the stolen money into another account and disappear before the victim can cancel or recover it.
Types of Wire Transfer Scams
Here are some examples of money-wiring scams:
How Does a Wire Transfer Scam Play Out?
In a typical wire transfer scam:
Warning Signs of a Wiring Scam
Money-wiring scams are easy to spot if you recognize the red flags. Don’t wire money in the following circumstances:
What to Do if You Wired Money
If you are a victim of a wire transfer scam, you must:
With the increase in the popularity of digital banking, money-wiring scams have made an enormous comeback.
If you are a victim of a money-wiring scam, you may have a small window where you can reverse the transfer. Protecting your online money transfers can save you from online financial threats.
A USDA home loan is a unique form of mortgage the government offers to low-to-moderate-income home buyers in qualified towns and rural areas.
What Is a USDA Home Loan?
USDA home loans are mortgages offered or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture housing loan programs that allow first-time home buyers in rural areas or those who cannot get a conventional loan to purchase a house.
Also known as RD or rural development loans, USDA home loans have zero down payment requirements and lenient credit scores. Additionally, they allow home buyers with a low income to qualify for a modest interest rate, making homeownership more accessible.
Pros and Cons of USDA Loans
Benefits
Drawbacks
The loan also comes with certain upfront and annual fees.
Key Features and Eligibility
USDA loans are government-backed loans offered to qualified low- or moderate-income borrowers living in designated rural areas. The key features of the USDA loans include:
The eligibility requirements for a USDA loan include:
Types of USDA Loans
Direct Loans
USDA direct loans help low- and very low-income individuals who lack safe housing or cannot qualify for a conventional loan. As of December 1, 2024, the interest rate for single-family housing direct loans is 4.375%.
These loans cover homes with market values below the area loan limit, which varies by location. Depending on the county or state, loan limits range from $398,600 to $919,800. For example, limits may be around $330,000 in rural areas or exceed $700,000 in high-cost markets like Hawaii or California. Borrowers with very low incomes qualify for loan terms of up to 38 years.
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Loan Guarantees
The USDA guarantees loans from participating local lenders, allowing home buyers to enjoy a lower interest rate with zero down payment requirements. Instead of paying a traditional PMI, borrowers pay a lower interest rate of 1% and an annual fee of 0.35% of the loan balance.
Home Improvement Loans and Grants
The USDA provides loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 to help homeowners upgrade or repair their homes. Homeowners can combine loans and grants for a total assistance amount of $50,000.
The loans have a 20-year term with a 1% interest rate. If homeowners sell their property within three years of receiving a grant, they must repay it.
USDA offers direct and guaranteed loans to low- and moderate-income borrowers living in designated rural areas to purchase modest housing at affordable rates. By providing additional support for home improvement projects, the program aims to make homeownership more accessible, ensuring borrowers can upgrade and maintain their homes with minimal financial strain.
Jumbo loans, or jumbo mortgages, are designed for financing properties that exceed the loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for conventional mortgages. These loans are commonly used by borrowers in high-cost real estate markets where home prices surpass the maximum limits of traditional loans. Jumbo loans are a popular option for high-net-worth individuals and buyers who require larger loan amounts but do not have the liquidity to purchase a high-priced property outright. However, due to their size and lack of government backing, they come with stricter credit requirements and often require a more substantial down payment.
Jumbo Loan Essentials
Jumbo loans are home mortgages that exceed the limits of a conventional mortgage, as set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac cannot guarantee, purchase or scrutinize them.
Unlike conventional mortgages, jumbo mortgages or loans are typically riskier as they lack the guarantee offered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, that means that the lenders of jumbo loans are not protected from losses if the borrower defaults.
Because of this, borrowers of jumbo loans need to meet stricter credit requirements, such as a stellar credit score with a very low debt-to-income ratio.
While jumbo loans are considered non-conforming because they exceed the loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and are not eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, many lenders structure their jumbo loans to meet the guidelines of a ‘qualified mortgage’ (QM) under Regulation Z of the Federal Truth in Lending Act. However, not all jumbo loans meet QM standards. Qualified mortgages provide certain legal protections to lenders, making them more attractive, but jumbo loans can also be offered as non-qualified mortgages (non-QM), which may come with more flexible underwriting criteria but often carry higher interest rates.
What Is a Jumbo Loan?
A jumbo loan is when the loan exceeds the maximum limit for conventional loans as determined by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
In 2024, the conforming loan limit for single-family homes in most areas of the U.S. will be $766,550, with limits increasing to $1,149,825 in higher-cost areas.
Qualification Requirements
Jumbo loans are specialized and riskier lending options that require stricter underwriting criteria than conventional loans. Because they don’t conform to FHFA standards and involve more money, lenders often set their qualification requirements.
Here are some key requirements:
Advantages and Drawbacks
Advantages:
Drawbacks:
Jumbo loans are a type of mortgage financing that exceeds the government-set limits for conventional loans. They often come with more rigorous credit requirements, a high credit score and a low debt-to-income ratio. These loans are popular among high-income individuals who may choose not to pay for a high-priced home in cash, preferring instead to finance the property and preserve their liquidity for other investments.
VA loans are issued by private lenders but guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They are available to active-duty service members, eligible veterans, and certain surviving spouses and can be used for various purposes, such as purchasing homes, refinancing, or covering renovation costs.
Overview
Private lenders issue VA loans, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guarantees or partially covers them.
Types of VA loans
There are various types of VA loans:
Key Features and Requirements
VA loans have unique features, eligibility requirements and loan limits.
VA Loan Features
VA loans offer these key benefits:
VA Loan Eligibility
To qualify for a VA loan, you must meet these criteria:
VA Loan Limits
There’s no set VA loan size limit if you have full entitlement, but lenders may impose limits based on income and debt. Your loan entitlement is also subject to mortgage limits.
For 2024, the standard VA loan limit in a typical U.S. county is $766,550 for a single-family home, but it can go up to $1,149,825 in high-cost areas. If the home price exceeds the county limit, you can still get a VA loan with a downpayment.
Refinancing a VA Loan
You can refinance a VA loan using these options:
How to Apply for a VA Loan
Here are the steps to apply for a VA mortgage:
Pros and Cons of VA Loans
Pros:
Cons:
Service members can use VA loans, guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, to buy or refinance their primary residences. These loans provide benefits like no down payment, no mortgage insurance and competitive interest rates.
In the past several years, mortgage rates have risen from record lows to the highest in decades. High rates and high housing prices are a tough combination for potential homebuyers. However, even when rates are high, there are ways you can become eligible for lower rates.
Understanding Mortgage Rates
When you take out a loan, mortgages come with interest rates, meaning you’ll pay more than the home’s cash value. When securing a mortgage, you aim to find the lowest rates possible. The lower the rate, the less you’ll pay every month and, therefore, in total.
For example, imagine you’re buying a house for $500,000. You’re putting $100,000 down; your mortgage is a $400,000 30-year fixed loan. For simplicity, these figures focus only on principal and interest and do not include other costs like property taxes, homeowners’ insurance or mortgage insurance.
Consider the following rates based on this example:
In this example, paying an extra 3% would result in paying $283,680 more than if your mortgage rate were 5%.
Strategies to Lower Your Mortgage Rate
Some factors are beyond your control regarding mortgage rates, such as the Federal Reserve raising rates due to current economic conditions. However, there are some strategies you can implement to ensure you’re getting the best mortgage rate available.
Timing and Market Considerations
Once you’ve chosen a lender, lock in your mortgage rate to protect yourself from potential increases before closing. Rate locks typically last 30 to 60 days, though some lenders offer extensions for a fee.
If you aren’t in a rush to purchase a home, consider waiting for home prices and rates to decrease. Timing your purchase in line with market conditions could save you money in the long run.
Mortgage rates significantly impact how much you’ll pay for your home. Even a small difference in your mortgage rate can lead to substantial savings. Take the time to ensure you’re getting the best rate available and always ensure the mortgage you choose is one you can comfortably repay.
Brian Boyed, co-owner of Corps 1 Construction & Skylights Now, talks about how First Federal Lakewood helped the business grow and how the bank understands the needs of small businesses.
The Dublin Food Pantry team talks about how First Federal Lakewood helped them to open another building to serve 72% more people.
Discover how our tailored solutions can help your business thrive.
Banking local with First Federal Lakewood, a mutual bank, means the dollars you deposit have a direct, positive impact in your neighborhood. Deposits are reinvested into our local economy as mortgage loans, business loans, charitable donations, hands-on help for local residents, and more.
Thinking of getting an online degree? We break down the pros and cons:
Benefits of an Online Degree
Some benefits of obtaining your college education online are:
What Can You Achieve With an Online Degree
There are many things you can achieve with an online degree, but a few include:
Also, the online academic work can explain any gaps or discontinuity in your resume too. Earning an online degree can show prospective employers your ambition and eagerness and your desire to stay prepared and informed for new challenges.
You may even receive a free tablet or laptop from your school.
Where Should I Get My Online Degree?
First, understand that legitimate programs are accredited. In fact, this is the most essential factor you should be looking for when considering online degrees. When schools are accredited, it means they meet outside regulating agency standards from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education. Typically the program will provide information on its brochure or website.
There are several types of accreditation. These are national, programmatic, and regional.
National
National accreditation is a federal agency approved. This accreditation’s standards aren’t as hard to meet as those of regional standards. Programs and colleges of this accreditation aren’t as expensive either.
Programmatic
Programmatic accreditation applies to certain pre-professional programs such as:
Regional
Regional accreditation is a local or regional agency approved and is more stringent and frequently more academically challenging.
Alumni Networks
There is also an extensive range of alumni networks for online graduates of mostly or entirely online institutions, like the University of Phoenix or Southern New Hampshire, for instance. When you have access to a vast alumni network, it’s more likely you will make connections resulting in lucrative contracts or job offers.
If you are considering pursuing an online degree program, you have much to consider. Being prepared helps you make the most of the convenience and flexibility that is offered. You will want to do your research and see all the options you have available to you. This will also help you bust the myths related to costs, requirements, and acceptance of online programs. You will be a better fit to move towards your professional goals by setting realistic expectations for what you will experience, both as a student and after graduation.
As a student (or a parent of a college-bound son or daughter), you may be asking yourself how much student loan debt is too much. You are not alone. While the amount is different for everyone, you can do things to calculate a recommended student loan limit and reduce the amount of debt you or your child incurs.
Challenges of Paying for College
Most students end up graduating with some amount of student loan debt. Your goal, however, should be to finish your education with a student debt level that you can manage based on your post-education income. The best position you can put yourself into is by having little or no debt at all by the time you graduate and enter the workforce. Unfortunately, this is no longer a possibility for the majority of students.
The problem is that many students take out student loans without knowing how they will pay the debt back. Worse, they might not realize how much debt they are piling on and obligating themselves to repay.
Current Student Loan Debt Profile
According to EducationData.org, roughly 62% of students are graduating with an average of $37,853 in student loan debt.
Other related statistics reveal:
Many college students think of student loans as a sore subject, particularly with tuition steadily increasing nationwide. Moreover, this continued escalation of costs is not going away anytime soon. So what is a student who cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket for their college education to do?
Avoiding Debt
The best approach you can take is to do all you can to take advantage of non-loan financial aid while minimizing your costs before you get into college and during your years there. For example, suppose you are a high school student investigating your college options. In that case, you can shop around for colleges that offer generous tuition discounts, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs, rather than encouraging their students to take out school loans and over-borrow.
Before you take out a student loan, learn the details of your repayment plan, including:
Although a student loan repayment may feel like it is far away into the future, that monthly bill will eventually creep up on you someday. So, by knowing and understanding the numbers, you can make an educated decision about taking out a student loan.
Setting Proper Debt Levels
It is essential to set up proper debt levels for yourself. To start, it is a good rule of thumb not to take out a student loan that’s more than your anticipated annual salary.
For example, if the average student is in debt by $40,499, and yours is likely to be similar or more, obtaining a starting salary that either matches or exceeds that number is prudent. As long as you get a salary that exceeds your student loan debt, you will be in a better position to handle a 10-year repayment plan, for instance. However, if your salary is lower than your debt, you may have problems making the monthly payments.
The logical extension of that rule of thumb is finding a field of study that will provide you with a level of income that will comfortably allow you to repay your loans. But, of course, the flip side of that is that you do not take on too much student loan debt if your chosen field of study will not pay enough to allow you to repay those loans.
Set Up Your Budget
You should set up a budget for yourself based on the salary you anticipate making once you have graduated from college. To get an idea of the average starting salary in your chosen field, check out websites like the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook and Salary.com.
Once you decide how much you intend on borrowing, you should ensure the loan amount, along with other anticipated debts like car or rent payments. Try not to exceed 33 percent of your anticipated future income, advises Millstone Evans Group of Raymond James & Associates financial advisor, Rita Johnson. If your student loan and other debts make up more than that 33 percent, look for other alternatives.
To recap, strive to get as much “free” help you can with grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts. Also, learn as much as you can about your loan prepayment plan so you can make an informed decision. Finally, don’t take out loan amounts greater than your annual salary once you graduate college. If necessary, you can take on a part-time job while in college to keep your student loan debt from increasing due to interest.
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Our goal is to keep you in your home, foreclosure will only be considered after all other options have been exhausted.
We want you to have the facts about your options. There are several payment alternatives available that you may qualify for that may help you stay in your home.
Foreclosure is the legal process by which a lender takes possession of the mortgaged property when the borrower fails to make monthly payments in a timely way or otherwise violates the loan agreement. We never want to foreclose on a customer’s home. Only when all other options are exhausted will we initiate the foreclosure process. Foreclosure will affect your credit score and possibly your ability to obtain financing in the future.
ForbearanceThe action of the lender to refrain from exercising a legal right, especially enforcing the payment of a debt. An example would be a temporary reduction or suspension of payments on a loan, followed by an arrangement to cure the delinquency.Repayment PlanThis is a type of Forbearance in which an arrangement is reached to repay past due amounts over a period of time in conjunction with regular monthly mortgage payments.ModificationOne or more of your existing loan terms may be changed in order to help. This could include: a change in mortgage loan type (such as from an adjustable to a fixed), an extension of the mortgage terms, a step rate, capitalization of delinquent amounts, and/or reduction of your interest rate.Partial ClaimsFor FHA Loans only, your lender may be able to work with you to obtain a one-time payment from the FHA Insurance Fund to bring your mortgage current.
Scam artists have stolen millions of dollars from distressed homeowners by promising immediate relief from foreclosure or demanding cash for counseling services when HUD-approved counseling agencies provide the same services for FREE.If you receive an offer, information or advice that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, help can be found FREE.How to Spot a Scam – beware of a company or person who:
How to Report a Scam – do one of the following:
Pre-foreclosure or Short SaleOccurs when a property is listed for sale and proceeds of the sale are accepted in exchange for a release of the lien, even if those proceeds are less than the amount owed.Deed-In-Lieu of ForeclosureThis option voluntarily transfers the title and possession of the property to the Lender in order to satisfy the mortgage loan debt and avoid foreclosure.Am I eligible?Every situation is unique, and will be reviewed carefully to determine if foreclosure is the only possible remedy. Use this list as a general guideline of the information we look at to determine if you qualify for a payment alternative.
Credit scores are a concern for most of us. can help you understand what makes up a credit score, what affects it and what you can do to maintain good credit.Be advised that as a lender/servicer, we are required to report the current status of your loan. Any missed payments or loss mitigation option will affect your credit.The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has provided an extensive list of HUD-approved credit counseling agencies who can help evaluate your situation and address your needs. They can help you develop a budget, provide recommendations for freeing up cash, and provide housing counseling assistance.Visit the official HUD.gov page containing tips for avoiding foreclosure as well as summaries of various government programs designed to help lower your monthly mortgage payment, modify or refinance your loan, transition to more affordable housing and more.KnowYourOptions.com is an official Fannie Mae website filled with helpful information about every phase of home ownership, including detailed advice and resources for avoiding foreclosure, deciding whether to stay in your home or leave it, understanding reverse mortgages, and helpful advice for those who are already in foreclosure.This site provides step-by-step information on how to become financially literate in order to make informed financial decisions. Learn about credit reports and scores, see the true cost of owning a home, compare the costs of renting vs owning, and get in-depth, easy-to-read home loan product information.County ResourcesVisit your county’s official web page to learn about the financial programs and related resources they may have to offer.An official program from the Department of the Treasury and HUD, this site is filled with helpful information and valuable programs that can help you avoid foreclosure, lower your monthly mortgage payments, modify a second mortgage or apply for mortgage assistance if you are unemployed.This site provides information on taxes, grants, housing finance reform, the Recovery Act, the Making Home Affordable program and much more. You’ll also find links to other helpful government bureaus.Visit the official site of United Way’s 2-1-1 / First Call For Help initiative. This free community service provides confidential information and referrals for help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more. Click to visit the site, or simply call 2-1-1 to get started.
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