Tag: Jessica Merritt

Alliant Credit Union Mortgage Review 2023
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Alliant Credit Union Mortgage Review 2023

Compare Top Mortgage Lenders Lender Learn More Min. Down Payment Min. Credit Score Lender Learn More Min. Down Payment Min. Credit Score Lender Learn More Min. Down Payment Min. Credit ScoreWhat Types of Mortgage Loans Does Alliant Offer?Alliant Credit Union provides conventional mortgages, including fixed- and adjustable-rate loans. The credit union does not offer USDA, VA or FHA loans. However, the Alliant Advantage Mortgage program has a 0% down payment option for first-time homebuyers and 0% down payment option without private mortgage insurance. Qualified non-first-time homebuyers can put as low as 5% down without private mortgage insurance. Alliant Credit Union offers: Conventional mortgages. Mortgage refinancing loans. Mortgages with no down payment. ARM loans. First-time h...
Edly Student Loans Review | Student Loans and Advice
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Edly Student Loans Review | Student Loans and Advice

Borrower tip: Refinancing federal student loans into a private student loan can make you ineligible for certain types of protections, such as income-driven repayment plans, federal debt forgiveness programs and forbearance/deferment options through the Department of Education. Find the Best Student Loans for You Lender Learn More Fixed APR Variable APR Loan Term Lender Learn More Fixed APR Variable APR Loan Term Lender Learn More Fixed APR Variable APR Loan TermWhat Types of Student Loans Does Edly Offer? Edly offers income-based undergraduate and graduate student loans at schools across the U.S. with no co-signer required. Loans are unavailable for parents or international students, and Edly does not provide student loan refinancing.How Does Edly Work? Students can prequ...
5 Best Ways to Use a Home Equity Loan | Mortgages and Advice
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5 Best Ways to Use a Home Equity Loan | Mortgages and Advice

Homeowners have an average of $199,000 in tappable equity per borrower, according to Black Knight, a mortgage technology and data provider. You may be tempted to turn your equity gains into cash with a home equity loan or cash-out refinance. But before you access your home equity, consider the best way to use it. A common, and clever, use of home equity is for home improvements. But can home equity also be a good source of funding for starting a business, purchasing more real estate or taking a long-awaited vacation? Generally, the best use of home equity is to add value to your home or to improve your financial picture.Read on to learn more about the best ways to use a home equity loan and when borrowing against your home could spell disaster.What's a Home Equity Loan?A home equity loan...
Savings Interest Rate Forecast | Banking Advice
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Savings Interest Rate Forecast | Banking Advice

Higher interest rates mean borrowing becomes more expensive. But on the flip side, your savings account can earn more. Interest rates have increased throughout 2023 and aren't likely to come down until 2024. See what that means for your savings account and learn how you can capitalize on a high interest rate.What Savings Interest Rates Have Done in 2023We've only seen savings rates go up in 2023. The Federal Reserve has increased interest rates to fight rising inflation since March 2022, with four rate hikes so far this year. We came into 2023 with a 4.25% to 4.5% federal funds rate. The current interest rate range is 5.25% to 5.5%. As the Federal Reserve increases interest rates, the rates for mortgages, personal loans, credit cards and savings accounts increase. The Federal Deposit Insu...
How Many Mortgages Can You Have? | Mortgages and Advice
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How Many Mortgages Can You Have? | Mortgages and Advice

Multiple mortgages enable you to broaden your real estate investments, but limitations apply. You can have up to 10 conventionally financed properties at a time, including second homes and investment properties. While having several mortgages is possible, you’ll face more requirements as you finance multiple properties at once. Read to understand how many mortgages you can have and what you need to know about getting approved for more than one mortgage.The Maximum Number of Mortgages You Can HaveFor example, you could have a first mortgage and take out a home equity loan as a second mortgage on your primary residence. Or you could take out a mortgage for your primary residence, sell it or pay off your mortgage, and get another mortgage for a new primary residence.For second homes or inves...
Everything You Need to Know About Land Loans | Mortgages and Advice
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Everything You Need to Know About Land Loans | Mortgages and Advice

Buying land can open potential for business, investment or building a home, but lenders typically don’t offer traditional mortgages for land without a valuable structure on it such as a home. Specialized land loans can be used to finance land purchases, but you should understand the limitations, benefits and drawbacks of land loans before you apply for one.Read on to learn about getting a land loan if you want to buy land and need to finance it.What Is a Land Loan?Just as mortgages are for buying homes, land loans are for purchasing property without a home built on it. The property typically secures a land loan, so if you default, the lender may take ownership of the land to recoup its losses – just as it would if you defaulted on a mortgage.Find the Best Personal Loans for You Lender Lea...
What Is Offshore Banking? | Banking Advice
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What Is Offshore Banking? | Banking Advice

When you open a bank account in a country you don't otherwise live or do business in, you engage in offshore banking. Offshore banking can offer privacy, asset protection and potential tax benefits, but it's associated with concerns related to tax avoidance, money laundering and other illegal activities.Learn what's appealing about offshore banking, its drawbacks and how to maintain compliance using an offshore banking account.The Perks of Offshore BankingOffshore banking can appeal to businesses and individuals seeking financial privacy, asset protection and tax efficiency."There are various benefits, mostly protections associated with privacy and guaranteeing anonymity, that incorporating offshore will bring," says Bill Maurer, professor of anthropology and law at the University of Cali...
Should You Use Buy Now, Pay Later for Travel? | Personal Loans and Advice
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Should You Use Buy Now, Pay Later for Travel? | Personal Loans and Advice

Buy now, pay later financing options offer a flexible alternative to traditional payment methods when you make a purchase – including travel purchases. Whether traveling for family obligations or jetting off on a fabulous vacation, BNPL may offer the option to book travel without making a full upfront payment. But while BNPL can offer flexibility, it isn’t without risk.Read on to understand the benefits, drawbacks and factors you should consider before using BNPL to book travel.What Is Buy Now, Pay Later?BNPL is an alternative to credit cards and loans. It’s popular for travel expenses such as flights, hotels and vacation packages. BNPL can offer convenience and flexibility, particularly for costly trips that might be difficult to pay upfront, but you should exercise caution.“Participatin...
LightStream Personal Loans Review 2023
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LightStream Personal Loans Review 2023

Find the Best Personal Loans for You Lender Learn More APR Loan Amount Min. Credit Score Lender Learn More APR Loan Amount Min. Credit Score Lender Learn More APR Loan Amount Min. Credit ScoreWhat Can LightStream Personal Loans Be Used for?LightStream requires you to use your personal loan for the purpose you selected in your application. Loans can be used to finance: Vehicles. Purchase a new, used or classic car; get a motorcycle; buy out a lease; or refinance. Home improvement. Finance a basement remodel, a hot tub, a kitchen makeover, a landscaping project, a solar energy system or a pool. Recreation. Pay for a big-ticket item, such as a boat, an aircraft, an RV, a timeshare or destination club, or refinance a boat loan, an RV loan or boat repair. Family needs. Cover adoption cost...
Costco Mortgage Review 2023 | US News
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Costco Mortgage Review 2023 | US News

Editors' note: Costco no longer offers this program.Compare Top Mortgage Lenders Lender Learn More Min. Down Payment Min. Credit Score Lender Learn More Min. Down Payment Min. Credit Score Lender Learn More Min. Down Payment Min. Credit ScoreWhat Types of Mortgage Loans Does Costco Offer? The Costco mortgage program's lenders offer a variety of loans options, which include: Conventional 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-year mortgages. 7/1 and 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages. First-time homebuyer mortgages. Low-down-payment mortgages. Jumbo loans. Federal Housing Administration loans. Department of Veterans Affairs loans. Refinancing. How Do Costco Mortgages Work? On Costco's website, enter basic information to generate offers, including property amount, down payment, credit score range and Z...