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Jul 03
4th of july drinks

5 Red, White, and Blue Drink Ideas For Your Backyard Barbecue

Are you planning on hosting people at your home this 4th of July? Make sure you keep your party guests refreshed with these 5 perfect drink recipes for your backyard barbecue. GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the... read more →
Jul 03
july 4th decorations diy

DIY Fourth of July Decorations

July is here and we all know what that means... Fourth of July! Get ready for BBQs and kicking it back near the pool. One problem: decorations. It's no secret that decorations can get pretty pricey for any holiday, especially if that holiday is America's birthday. When it comes to... read more →
Jul 03
hurricane preparation

Preparing for Hurricane Season in Florida: A Few Tips

In Florida, summer time means hurricane time. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Atlantic Ocean's 2017 hurricane season will be out of the ordinary, predicting 11-17 storms. Of those 11-17 storms, 2-4 of them will be major hurricanes. Florida is a high risk area for hurricanes,... read more →
Jul 03
mortgage after divorce

Getting a Mortgage After a Divorce

Getting a divorce can be a stressful and drawn-out experience. However, it can also be a fresh start on life. Although managing a mortgage on top of this might seem like unnecessary stress, it can actually help you work through your divorce. Having a mortgage application to focus on and... read more →
Jul 03
brighten your home

How to Brighten Your Home for the Summer

Leave winter behind and embrace the summer season. Pull out your outdoor furniture, new bathing suits, and enjoy the beautiful weather. If your house still feels dark and cold from the winter season, change it up.  Welcome the warm weather and summer time, by revitalizing your home with a new... read more →
Jul 03

Living Aboard a Boat: A Quick Overview

Ever Considered Living Aboard a Boat? People have always expressed their deep love for the sea. Whether it’s going to the beach and swimming, living aboard a boat,  hearing the waves of the ocean, or watching the sun set across the horizon, the ocean is a place of peace and... read more →
Jul 03
tips for throwing a housewarming party

Six Tips for a Housewarming Party

There is no better feeling than finally putting all the finishing touches on your new home. After all your hard work and dedication, all you want to do is show your new home off to your closest family and friends. Having a housewarming party is the perfect way to gather... read more →
Jun 30
affordable cities to buy a home in new york

Affordable Cities to Purchase a Home in New York

Looking for an affordable home in New York state? Be sure to include these five cities in your search. Affordable Cities to Purchase a Home in New York Binghamton Binghamton is a vibrant and growing city in the middle of New York state. Many famous businesses have been started here,... read more →
Jun 30
what are fannie mae and freddie mac

What are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

If you're looking into getting a mortgage, you may find yourself asking "Who are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and what do they want with my mortgage?" But, that's the wrong question. Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) are Government Sponsored Enterprises,... read more →
Jun 29
what is a closing disclosure

What is a Closing Disclosure? A Brief Overview

There are many important documents that you will read and sign throughout your mortgage application process. One of these is the closing disclosure. The closing disclosure provides final details about your specific mortgage loan. It contains the loan terms, interest rate, projected monthly payments, rate schedule (fixed or adjustable), and... read more →
Jun 29
4th of july bbq

How to Prepare for a July 4th Backyard Barbecue

Celebrate the Independence of the United States with a fun backyard barbecue party! Enjoy the fantastic weather with all your closest friends and family while celebrating this holiday. Before the big day, spend a few days planning and preparing for all your guests. Tips for a Successful July 4th Backyard... read more →
Jun 29
dream home

What To Do After Finding Your Dream Home

Searching for a home can be a long and arduous process, but finally discovering that perfect house or apartment makes it all worthwhile. Once you've found your new home, however, there's a few things you should consider. This article discusses the steps you can take after finding the home of... read more →
Jun 29
Innovative Mortgage Technology

5 Innovative Mortgage Technology Companies

With bigs trends developing and a greater shift towards big data, the mortgage industry is experiencing exciting changes that will promote growth and a spirit of innovation. These changes are being supported largely by small, creative companies in the tech sector. Here's some of the most innovative companies in mortgage... read more →
Jun 28
how to maintain a good credit score

Tips for Maintaining a Good Credit Score

Interested in buying a house, taking out a car loan, or starting a business? Then you should be mindful of your credit score. Your credit history is crucial to many financial decisions. There are several pieces of information that are used in calculating your credit score, such as payment history,... read more →
Jun 28
how to choose a mortgage lender

Choosing a Lender: Does Size Matter?

When making a purchase, people usually have to decide between big name brands and smaller, lesser-known brands. Some may say that a better-known brand has more legitimacy, others may vouch for the smaller brand's customer-centric approach. The same goes for the mortgage industry. When seeking financing on your property, you'll... read more →
Jun 27
famous athletes' houses

Famous Athlete’s Houses

  If you're an avid sports fan, then you probably know a lot about your favorite athletes. Often high-profile celebrities, athletes are very open about their lives and hide very little from the public. Shows like Welcome to My Crib on MTV, for example, have athletes and celebrities showing us... read more →
Jun 26
mortgages and big data

Big Data and the Mortgage Industry

The world is becoming increasingly entangled in the web of big data. Big data refers to huge data sets that require sophisticated technology and methodology to unpack. With the help of new tools and tactics, information collection from the expanses of the internet has been streamlined, giving companies and other... read more →
Jun 26
Amortization definition

What is an Amortization Schedule?

What is an amortization schedule? An amortization schedule is a visualization of your mortgage payments over time, month-to-month. It breaks down each payment into money towards principal and money towards interest. It also tracks how many payments you've made, when you made them, and how many you have left to... read more →
Jun 26
mortgage points

What You Need to Know About Mortgage Points

One decision you have to make for yourself when settling on a home is whether to purchase mortgage points. What are mortgage points? Mortgage points, also known as discount points, are a way to lower one's interest rate by 'pre-paying' a certain amount towards your interest total at closing. Mortgage... read more →
Jun 26
Extremely Expensive Homes

5 Extremely Expensive Houses for Sale in NJ

A Few Extremely Expensive Homes in New Jersey 1. On sale for $9,900,000 on Zillow, this luxurious home in Avalon has a whopping 9 bathrooms, one for just about anybody you may invite down the shore with you. A 30 year mortgage taken out on this house your would cost... read more →
Jun 26
paying off student loans

Tips on Paying Off Your Student Loans Faster

Student Loans Coming out of college with student loans can be extremely overwhelming. Some feel as though their loans are so large that they will never be able to pay them off. Although paying off these loans seems impossible, in actuality, there are many ways for you to manage your... read more →
Jun 26
tiny home

Tiny Homes: Simple Living

Tiny Homes The allure of living a simple life seems to have faded. Now everyone wants massive homes with luxurious amenities, most of which no one uses after a week. We often think that we need more than we actually do, but why not subject yourself to a little minimalism?... read more →
Jun 26
renting vs buying

Renting vs Buying: Which One is Right for You?

Renting vs Buying For decades, homeownership was central to the American dream. It was simple, really: you’d go to school and find a job, get married, then buy a home. In your home you’d start a family and grow old, enjoying the comfortable lifestyle that Americans are supposed to have.... read more →
Jun 26
home office organization

Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Office Organized

Home Office Organization Working from home appears to be the ideal arrangement. To be able to complete your work day from the comfort of your own home seems cheap, easy, and far less stressful. Although a great deal of people envy those that are able to do their work in... read more →
Jun 26
how to increase home value

Simple Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

Increasing your home's value is important, but if you've only recently moved into a new home, you'll probably need some time to settle in before starting large-scale home improvement projects. Still, there are plenty of small, inexpensive things you can do to increase the value of your home. Small Repairs... read more →
Jun 26
Boho Bedroom

Turn Your Bedroom into a Bohemian Paradise

Bohemian Bedroom Bedrooms are often a form of self-expression. Posters, pictures, a bed-spread, wall-paper - these are just a few of the ways that people choose to decorate their bedrooms. For many people, a bedroom serves as a home within a home, a space in which you are able to... read more →
Jun 26
home repair

Save Yourself Stress with These Home Repair Tips

The greatest moment of being a new homeowner is arguably the first time you get to relax. After having endured all the stresses of moving and settling in, you're finally given some time to rest. Unfortunately, this moment is often short-lived. As the dripping faucet reminds you of that leak... read more →
Jun 26
diy pallet couch

DIY With Wood Pallets: Outdoor Couch

Ever shop around for outdoor furniture and wonder why it’s so expensive? Well, you’re not alone. Outdoor furniture can range from $200-$3,000, depending on where you look. Faced with these high costs, it's reasonable to seek a way out. "Why can't I just build it myself?" you may ask yourself.... read more →
Jun 22
millennial homeownership

Becoming a Homeowner: Quick Tips for Millennials

Millennials & Homeownership The common perception is that millennials don’t want to become homeowners, largely due to a volatile labor market and bloated student loan debt. According to a survey from Michigan State University and United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), however, millennials are eager to have their own houses. 95 percent... read more →
Jun 22
how to avoid foreclosure

How to Avoid Foreclosure: A Brief Overview

Foreclosure is a very real threat to many people these days for many different reasons. It could be because a couple overestimated themselves and bought a more expensive house than they could afford. Maybe the homeowners have bad spending habits and recklessly spent their money, putting them in a bad... read more →
Jun 22
mortgage education

Why Aren’t We Educated On How Mortgages Work?

From kindergarten to college, we go to school for an education in the hopes that it will prepare us for the “real world.” But, when thinking back to everything we learned throughout our years of schooling, does it really set us up for everything we need to know about being... read more →
Jun 21
house vs condo

First Time Homebuyers: Buying a House vs. Buying a Condo

Buying a home for the first time can be an exciting but nerve-racking experience. In today's day and age a very common question for new homebuyers entering the market is: Should I buy a house or a condo? In the end, only you can answer, but you can easily come to... read more →
Jun 21
good credit score

The Importance of Maintaining a Good Credit Score

The Importance of Maintaining a Good Credit Score This is the foremost question a lender or realtor asks when you are interested in buying a house or other real estate. As a consumer, you have no doubt heard advice like "It is important to have a good credit score." or... read more →
Jun 21
grandson pays off grandparents mortgage

Grandson Pays Off Grandparents’ Mortgage

While many of his friends said he was boring and cheap, Stefun Darts was focused on achieving a more important goal. 24 year old Stefun Darts was able to pay off the remainder of his grandparents' mortgage and give them a little extra as a way of thanking them for... read more →
Jun 21
remove household toxins

How to Avoid Household Toxins

That ‘new-home’ smell may be less innocent than you think. Produced by new paints, varnishes, and air fresheners, this smell contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the most common toxins found in household products. Short-term exposure to these compounds can cause fatigue, headaches, visual disorders, skin allergies, and even memory problems.... read more →
Jun 21
play room organization

How to Organize a Playroom on a Budget

Do you find yourself feeling extremely stressed when you walk into your child’s playroom? Are you constantly picking up small toys and cleaning up messes so much that it almost feels like a full time job? You are definitely not alone: keeping a tidy playroom is a daily struggle for... read more →
Jun 21
buying a house in fl

Tips for Buying a House in Florida

Whether you're ready to settle down for retirement or just want to move someplace sunny, Florida is a great place to buy a house. Here's a few tips to navigate the Sunshine State's housing market: Buy a Home Built to Last Don't be fooled - in sunny paradise Florida, strong... read more →
Jun 20
garden state home loans internship

GSHL Opens Up Internship Opportunities to Ten College Students

News provided by Garden State Home Loans, Inc. NMLS#473163 CHERRY HILL, New Jersey, June 20th, 2017 - After receiving over 350 applications, Cherry Hill-based mortgage lender Garden State Home Loans accepted 10 college students for participation in its new summer internship program. Both graduate and undergraduate, GSHL’s interns come from... read more →
Jun 20
most affluent counties in fl

5 Most Affluent Counties in Florida

Here's a list of the five most affluent counties in Florida 1. Collier County Collier County is the most affluent county in Florida with the median per capita income of $37,046. There are about 357,305 people living in Collier County, and average age is 50 years old. Collier County is... read more →
Jun 20
HARP eligibility

HARP Eligibility: Home Affordability Refinance Program

What is HARP? The Home Affordability Refinance Program, or HARP, is a HUD-sponsored program intended to help lower income homeowners with refinancing. Started in 2009 after the financial crisis, HARP can help people with low home equity refinance their homes and save themselves money. Although this program ends on September... read more →
Jun 20
haunted houses in fl

Five Must-see Haunted Houses in Florida

Looking for some chilling spooks to accompany your trip to the Sunshine State? Here's five frightening homes to give your relaxing vacation a well-needed jolt of terror: 1. The May-Stringer House, Brooksville One of the oldest homes in the area, the May-Stringer House is now a museum as part of... read more →
Jun 20
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Jun 19
largest cities in fl

5 Largest Cities in Florida

  The Largest Cities in Florida 1. Jacksonville Jacksonville is Florida's largest city with a population of about 853,382 people. The median age is 36 and median household income is $46,768 annually. The Duval County Public School system is the largest school system in Jacksonville, operating about 163 schools. The... read more →
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