October 18, 2019, is Get Smart About Credit day! The American Bankers Association Community Engagement Foundation works with banks around the country to raise awareness about the importance of using credit wisely. This national campaign aims to help young people develop responsible credit habits — from building a credit history to making responsible decisions regarding…
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Down payments are challenging for many first-time homebuyers. It seems that the initial financial stab at home ownership is among the greatest roadblocks of owning a home. If you are in the process of buying a home, using a gift can allow you to achieve that 20% down payment. This can help you get…
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There are some tips to keep in mind to begin the conversation about life insurance.
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Flooding, hurricanes, fires or tornadoes. We know they can happen. If you haven’t witnessed it personally, just turn on TV or your computer to see the devastation in our region and elsewhere in the country. It’s hard to imagine the actual experience of having your home destroyed or living in temporary shelters. This inability to fathom the horrors of natural…
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It’s not all that uncommon. You tried to fix something in your house using all the analytic skills you apply to other parts of your life, inspired by how easy it looks on HGTV. With all the best of intentions, however, what seemed simple turned into an obviously less-than-expert job. In fact, even your Realtor…
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The VA loan is one of the best mortgage loans there is. Here are some reasons why. First, VA guarantees the loan for 100% of the appraised value of the property (technically, the loan is for the Notice Of Value amount, which in most cases is the same thing). This guarantee means that the lender…
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Home appraisals are typically required during the home buying process in order to determine the current fair market value of the home. The home appraisal process is a combination of science and opinion—but mostly science, even though the value that the appraiser delivers is called an “opinion of value” as of the effective date of…
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A 20% down payment is anything but standard. Making a smaller down payment does involve some form of mortgage insurance (MI). Conventional loans are available with as little as 3% down.
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Many first-time home buyers have stars in their eyes when they first begin house-hunting. Their ideal is a house that is move-in-ready, offers the number of bedrooms/baths/square footage they’re looking for, is in a great neighborhood and, of course, is within their budget. Matching all that criteria is often a tall order, especially the move-in-ready…
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Moving into your own house can be exciting and frightening at the same time. Before transitioning from renting to owning a home, you’ll need to create a savings plan that not only includes your down payment (typically 5 to 20% of the home’s value) but also a reserve fund to cover unexpected emergencies. Tips on…
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Paying down your mortgage early may be possible, but is it smart?
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A good summer trip takes careful planning and budgeting. Here’s a step-by-step guide for planning a fun but financially responsible summer vacation.
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Here’s what citizens should know about keeping themselves, their loved ones and their homes and businesses safe from fires this year.
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Take some time to determine which ways you’re prepared for a sudden disaster, and in what ways you’re not.
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Bank Midwest debit cardholders enjoy the convenience and security of using a mobile wallet to pay for their purchases in person or online using Apple Pay, Google Pay or or Samsung Pay. Learn how to add your debit card to your mobile wallet!
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The second step in buying a home is finding out your credit score, and deciding how to proceed based on that.
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Though babies are sweet, and starting a family is a joyous occasion, there’s no denying that having a child is expensive.
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Budgeting for retirement isn’t the easiest thing to do, but it is incredibly important.
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If you’re in the market for a new car, your two main options are to sell your car yourself, or to trade in your wheels at a dealership. Each option has its own pros and cons.
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Retirement can be a tough decision to make.
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