Embrace Home Loans Wraps Up Remarkable Year of Giving Back PRNewswire
Source: prnewswire.com
Tag: FinancialWize
Built Into a Hillside, This Concrete and Glass Fixer-Upper Is on Sale for Only $99,900>
Built by a mason from concrete and glass, and notched into the earth, this home in Warsaw, NY, needs serious work to bring it up to date.
Source: realtor.com
‘Dream Home Makeover’ Will Inspire You To Drop Everything and Decorate
HGTV
Utah couple Shea and Syd McGee are back with Season 2 of Netflix’s “Dream Home Makeover”âand their new projects will make you want to drop everything on your plate and decorate.
In this new season, they show off renovations in every room of the house, from the kitchen to the bathroom to the bedroom, doling out style inspiration for the whole house. And while Shea’s signature style is still as clean and calming as ever, she focuses on creative designs like imperfect tile, wallpaper accents, and, yes, even carpet!
Read on to get the best tips from “Dream Home Makeover.” You’ll find some unexpected design choices that will inspire many weekends of fun projects to keep you happy at home through 2021.
Use imperfect tile to bring character to a new kitchen
HGTV
In the episode âLuxury Estate,â Shea and Syd meet up with LaRee and Travis Hansen, who are just about ready to move in to their new home. This new build has been a work in progress for over two years, and now Shea is able to add the final touches, like a stylish kitchen backsplash.
Since this kitchen is so new, Shea chooses a handmade tile. But after it’s installed, the special texture makes the tile look at first like it’s not sitting perfectly flat.
âIn new homes you kind of have to pick a few things that are maybe older or have some imperfections so that the home has a little bit of soul even when you move in to it,â Shea says.
At first, LaRee is unsure about this imperfect backsplash, but once itâs installed, itâs clear this tile is the right choice. It gives this clean kitchen a little personality. With this unique backsplash, the kitchen feels less like a hotel and more like a home.
For a midcentury look, use the right lighting
HGTV
In the episode âMidcentury Makeover,â Shea and Syd meet Omar Poole and Josh Newbury for a midcentury makeover of their guesthouse. Poole knows that his mother will need to move in to this guesthouse eventually, so they want to fix it up for her with a fun midcentury modern design, which will match the main house.
However, this guesthouse was built in 1956, so Shea is forced to make some era-appropriate lighting choices.
HGTV
âHomes of this era donât typically have attics,â Shea explains. âWe canât crawl into the attic space to install can lights. We have to do all fixtures.â
She removes the original fixtures and replaces them with new, white alternatives that have the midcentury look. Plus, she installs a midcentury-inspired pendant light over the kitchen island, which adds even more retro style to the space. These new lights really set the mood.
Make sure different flooring types complement each other
HGTV
The episode âBath Hideawayâ is all about Sheaâs clients Mandi and Bryce Winkelman, and their fabulous primary bathroom. Mandi explains that she wants a peaceful, spa bathroom where she can take a break from the kids, so Shea focuses on finding a spa-inspired flooring choice.
She decides that gray herringbone with light grout is the perfect look for this bathroom because itâs elegant and gives the space some color. However, Shea runs into a challenge when itâs time to install carpet in the adjoining closet. She canât match the carpet color to the tile or else it would look too matchy-matchy. So instead, she brings in an entirely new pattern with familiar colors.
âWe did this kind of warm, gray grout with the dark stone herringbone floor, and then we flip-flopped the color palette in the closet, where we get the plaid thatâs a warm gray with the dark accents,â Shea explains.
In the end, the closet carpet ends up looking great. The light plaid brightens up the space without seeming too stark next to the gray bathroom floors.
Use wallpaper as a classic accent
HGTV
In the episode âRestoring History,” Madison and Nick Panos show Shea around their historic home, which was built in 1908. Madison knows that itâs time to update the old kitchen, but she still wants to keep the homeâs classic look.
So, to keep some 1908 style, Shea brings in wallpaper.
HGTV
âOur days of wallpapering every single room has passed, but when we have a dedicated area like this desk, where you have easy places to stop the wallpaper, itâs a perfect place to use it as an accent,â Shea explains.
She uses some subtle blue and white paper to dress up the built-in desk area. It gives the space a classic style without seeming dated.
Give stone an updated look by brightening the color
HGTV
In the episode âMountain Retreat Makeover,â Shea meets with Shazia and Taylor Chiu, who live in a cozy cabin.
These two want to give their cabin an updated look, but they also hope to keep the old-fashioned stove in the living room, which they still use to heat the house in winter.
To update this feature, Shea uses mortar to turn the stone behind the stove white.
HGTV
âThe cement mortar looks amazing on the stone,â Shea says.
Indeed, this small change to the stove area brightens the space and transforms the entire room.
Give your windows some cozy style
HGTV
In the episode âBedroom Oasis,â Shea works with client Jessica Stone to surprise her husband, Tyler, with a bedroom rehab. Jessica wants the room to feel like Hawaii, so Shea uses lots of soft colors and materials to get that island feel. She even uses those soft materials on the windows.
âWhen it comes to picking window treatments, you could pick shades, or you could pick drapes, but I often like to do both together because the more textures and textiles you have, the cozier a room feels. And blending the two together makes a home feel homier,â Shea explains.
So she installs long, light gray drapes, plus a woven shade. Together, these materials and textures give the room a relaxing vibe thatâs reminiscent of the coast.
The post ‘Dream Home Makeover’ Will Inspire You To Drop Everything and Decorate appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
Source: realtor.com
5 Things You Should Pay Premium for as a Homeowner or Renter
Being a homeowner on a budget is nothing to be ashamed of, if anything, most people prefer to keep their expenses low, especially after recently purchasing a home! But,there are some things you shouldn’t cheap out on, and we’ve got you covered.
The post 5 Things You Should Pay Premium for as a Homeowner or Renter appeared first on Homes.com.
Source: homes.com
5 winter DIY home projects
If youâre the type that loves to take on a good DIY project, the winter season can leave your options ⦠lacking. Donât despair, thereâs still plenty that needs to be done around your home even when itâs cold outside. Hereâs a list of indoor DIY projects you can start tackling today.
- Insulate your water heater. A source of heat during the winter, you can reduce your homeâs energy usage by wrapping your water heater in insulation to keep your water hot, whether youâre using it or not.
- Add a programmable thermostat. This one just makes sense when considering energy conservation. Programmable thermostats allow you to control the temperature of your home from anywhere and set preprogrammed temperature guidelines to lower your homeâs temp when youâre away and raise it when you return.
- A fresh coat of paint. Summer is the time for painting your homeâs exterior, but the winter was made for inside painting projects. This is an easy way to add vibrancy to those dreary winter months. Just try to pick a day when it isnât raining or snowing to make your ventilation easier.
- Clear the clutter. Increase your living space by clearing junk. If you havenât used it in a year, say goodbye.
The post 5 winter DIY home projects first appeared on Century 21®.
Source: century21.com
15 yellow home accessories to add warmth and sunshine to any room – Countryliving (UK)
15 yellow home accessories to add warmth and sunshine to any room Countryliving (UK)
Source: countryliving.com
Home Decor Projects for When You’re Snowed In
Sometimes itâs hard to see the upside of harsh winter weather, especially when snow storms leave you stuck inside. However, you can take advantage of a snow day by using the opportunity to improve your home decor. Here are some simple DIY projects for when youâre snowed in. Ask your children to help out (safely) for family fun time that may add a bit of luxury to your living space.
Decorative Lampshade
Add some pizzazz to a lampshade by gluing an inlaid paper cutout on its inner surface. Use a blade to cut a design from paper (either freehand or from a template), making sure to place a rubber mat down first to protect the surface underneath. With a mixture of 50% glue and 50% water, decoupage the paper cutout inside of the lampshade. Once itâs dry, turn the lamp on and admire the glowing design!
Fabric Wall Art
If you have some bold print fabric, use it to create art that pops. All youâll need to buy are wooden frames of varying sizes and a hot glue gun. Cut the fabric wide enough so that there will be two inches leftover when stretched across a frame. Cover, glue, and voila! Create a gallery wall to display your new pieces.
Hanging Planters
If you have small planters in your indoor garden, consider hanging them for a fun look that will free up surface space. Simply drill two small holes close to the top edge of the planter. Make sure theyâre exactly opposite from one another. Knot a thin but sturdy rope or twine inside each of the holes so you can hang them from a hook. Tip: Install the hook near a window so your plant can still get the sunlight it needs.
Memory Table
Memory tables are a great way to personalize your home. Youâll need a deep photo display and a similar sized coffee table. Using a strong wood glue, adhere the back of the photo display to the table. You can now place objects in the display to create a sentimental scene. Try using objects that are cohesive, such as trinkets and photos from a memorable family trip. You may want to glue the objects in place so they are not disturbed when the table is moved.
If you keep one (or more) of these projects in mind for your next snow day, getting snowed in might not seem so bad!
The post Home Decor Projects for When You’re Snowed In first appeared on Century 21®.
Source: century21.com
7 Cheap or Free Meditation Apps to Foster Mindfulness
Stress is something we all deal with in varying forms. The past 12 months have tested everyoneâs ability to cope with unprecedented stressors, and well, itâs tiring having to adapt to a constantly changing landscape. Meditation is scientifically proven to lower stress levels and help soothe the hamster wheel of thoughts racing through our minds.
Best of all, thanks to modern technology, meditation has never been so accessible. You need no equipment, and there are hundreds of free meditation apps and mindfulness apps to assist you in finding your zen.
1. MyLife Meditation: Mindfulness
Selected as the Apple App Storeâs âApp of the Dayâ in 2020, MyLife Meditation: Mindfulness is a free meditation app that is personalized to how you feel and only asks for a few minutes of your day.
According to the app, users were 82% more likely to be less anxious with consistent use of MyLife Meditation: Mindfulness. Sign us up! This free meditation app also offers breathing exercises to catalyze calm and groundedness, tracking mental health with a daily feelings log, and guided meditations recommended just for you.
For those who are ready to kick things up a notch, the meditation app has a premium membership for $9.99/month or $58.99/year that unlocks 400+ activities, guided journaling prompts, yoga and soundscapes.
2. Simple Habit Sleep, Meditation
With 71,000 ratings totalling 4.8/5 stars on the Apple App Store, Simple Habit Sleep, Meditation is one of the top free mindfulness apps available today.
Simple Habitâs goal is in its name â make daily meditation a simple, easy habit. This free app offers five-minute meditations, progress trackers and downloadable meditations for situations like air travel or remote adventures.
It has programs guided by top mindfulness experts from Google, former monks and leading mental health experts. Whether you need a quick decompression before heading into work or a longer, pre-sleep session, Simple Habit makes meditation easy.
To access even more mindfulness content, Simple Habit has a premium subscription for $11.99/month.
3. Ten Percent Happier
The Ten Percent Happier app was Appleâs best of 2018 award winner and was the top app in the Wirecutterâs list of âBest Meditation Appsâ .
This easy-to-use app is led by Emmy-award winning journalist Dan Harris, who works with some of the best meditation teachers in the world to bring you sessions focused on meditation practices like self-compassion, emotional balance and navigating crises.
Ten Percent Happier opens by asking users a series of questions about their life and lifestyle, then curating a plan specific to each person. You can select goals such as fostering daily calm, lowering anxiety levels and more. You are also invited to choose the way you learn best, whether thatâs through audio, reading, videos or hands-on experiences.
Hereâs the catch: the Ten Percent Happier program isnât free , though you can start with a 14-day free trial before paying $99.99 for a one-year subscription.
4. Headspace
Headspace is one of the best-known mental health apps. Its nearly five-star rating and 65 million downloadsshow Headspace is on it for meditation practice.
One of Headspaceâs more unique offerings is its Weathering the Storm collection, a series of guided meditations, prompts, body scans and stories geared toward helping folks navigate the challenges presented by the past year.
Headspace is changing the meditation app space by offering mindful workouts, too. Led by Olympians Kim Glass and Leon Taylor, Headspace workouts combine mental grounding with body-pumping training sessions to promote holistic wellness.
This affordable (but not free) meditation app has a free 14-day trial before charging $12.99/month or $69.99/year (which brings the monthly total down to $5.99/month).
5. Insight Timer
Another heavy hitter in the free meditation app space is Insight Timer, which was named App of the Year by TIME Magazine and Womenâs Health.
Insight Timer is a must-have for those who want a wide variety of meditation practices, as the app offers thousands of guided meditations and is constantly adding more. It also has no-cost music and ambient soundtracks to promote better sleep and focus.
This free meditation app promotes community by offering numerous discussion groups and ways to connect with other Insight Timer users.
Whether youâre looking to sleep better, move through an addiction, improve leadership at work, or work on your meditation practice, Insight Timer has a guided meditation for you.
6. Calm
Calm is one of the original mindfulness programs for smart devices. It boasts 40 million downloads worldwide and 1.1 million reviews on the Apple App Store.
With its free version, users get access to loads of guided meditations, sleep stories, ambient sounds and breath timers that all seek to promote a more tranquil, fulfilling life.
Calm offers a wide variety of meditations, from flight anxiety to SOS panic sessions designed to ground users in the present. Some of its meditations and bedtime stories are led by famous voices like Bindi Irwin, Matthew McConaughey and Stephen Fry, to name a few.
This app lets you track the number of days youâve meditated, helping to make using Calm a rewarding habit.
If the free version of Calm isnât enough, users can upgrade to a premium subscription for $69.99/year and get access to even more mindful content.
7. Breethe: Meditation & Sleep
With more than 10 million downloads, Breethe: Meditation & Sleep is one of the best meditation apps in the mindfulness market.
Breethe has over 1,000 tracks of nature sounds, guided meditations, bedtime stories, five-minute and three-minute meditations and more.
Wellness experts like mindfulness coach Lynne Goldberg walk you through practices to help you achieve a smiling mind and a calm body. Breethe seeks to help all users find peace with their emotions, physical sensations and current events through deliberate mental health practices.
The app is free to download. But to access its features, you can join the Breethe membership community for $12.99/month or $89.99/year.
Kristin Jenny is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
Source: thepennyhoarder.com
GSCUÂ Mortgage Rates Reviews: Today’s Best Analysis
Granite State Credit Union (GSCU) provides members with a variety of mortgage products across the state of New Hampshire.
GSCU AT A GLANCE
| Year Founded | 1945 |
| Coverage Area | New Hampshire |
| HQ Address | 1415 Elm Street, Manchester, New Hampshire 03101 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-645-4728 |
GSCU COMPANY INFORMATION
- Services the state of New Hampshire
- Offers conventional loans, such as fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages
- Provides FHA and VA loans to qualifying individuals
- Allows first-time homebuyers to make down payments of zero to three percent
- Member of the NHCUL and CUNA
- Allows borrowers to use gifted funds for the down payment and closing costs on certain loan products
Granite State Credit Union provides a variety of mortgage products to individuals across the state of New Hampshire. It offers traditional loans, such as fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages, as well as government-assisted loans and options for individuals who cannot put 20 percent down on a new home.
GSCU Mortgage Facts
- Services the state of New Hampshire
- Offers conventional loans, such as fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages
- Provides FHA and VA loans to qualifying individuals
- Allows first-time homebuyers to make down payments of zero to three percent
- Member of the NHCUL and CUNA
- Allows borrowers to use gifted funds for the down payment and closing costs on certain loan products
Overall
Granite State Credit Union provides a variety of mortgage products to individuals across the state of New Hampshire. It offers traditional loans, such as fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages, as well as government-assisted loans and options for individuals who cannot put 20 percent down on a new home.
Current GSCU Mortgage Rates
GSCU Mortgage Products
Granite State Credit Union provides a variety of home mortgage products. Its offerings consist of traditional mortgages and government-assisted loans, as well as programs for first-time home-buyers and affordable home refinances.
Fixed-Rate Loans
Fixed-rate loans are the best choice for homebuyers who plan on staying in their home for an extended period. With fixed-rate loans, buyers can expect their principal and interest rates to remain the same throughout the loanâs lifetime. GSCU offers fixed-rate mortgages for lengths of 10, 15, 20, and 30 years.
Adjustable-Rate Loans
An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) provides borrowers with an interest rate that may vary throughout the loan term. Typically, these mortgages have a lower initial rate than fixed-rate loans, giving potential customers more financial freedom when looking for a new home.
After the initial period, the rates and payments associated with these mortgages may rise or fall to adjust to market prices. Typically, these costs will fluctuate on an annual basis.
Many companies, including GSCU, provide a cap that prevents these costs from getting too high from one year to the next. GSCU recommends these types of mortgages for home-buyers who do not plan on staying in the house for the loanâs full term. GSCU offers 1/1, 3/1, 5/1, and 7/1 ARMs.
First-Time Homebuyer Loans
GSCU offers excellent deals on mortgages for first-time buyers. The credit union gives borrowers the flexibility to choose a fixed- or adjustable-rate mortgage and even provides no and low down payment options to first-time buyers. The No Down Payment mortgage allows borrowers to take out a 5/1 ARM and pay zero percent down on the home.
The Low Down Payment Adjustable loan offers a 3 percent down payment with a 3/3 ARM and the option to refinance into a fixed mortgage if so desired. The Low Down Payment Fixed loan offers a 3 percent down payment and a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. For Low Down Payment Adjustable and Fixed mortgages, borrowers can use gifted funds for the down payments and closing costs on their homes.
FHA Loans
Unlike some other credit unions, GSCU offers FHA loans to home-buyers who do not qualify for other loan programs. Borrowers may have a high debt-to-income ratio, low credit score, or the inability to put 20 percent down on the home. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) created these types of home loans to grant buyers the opportunity to invest in property. GSCU allows 100 percent of the closing costs to be gifted.
VA Loans
GSCU allows veterans, military members, and their spouses to apply for VA loans. These types of mortgages are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Qualified individuals can make a low down payment on the home and keep up with affordable monthly payments.
HARP Loans
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) introduced the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) as part of their Making Home Affordable⢠initiative. HARP allows eligible homeowners to refinance their mortgages into a lower interest rate to keep their finances secure. HARP provides this opportunity for individuals who otherwise may not qualify for refinancing due to their declining home value.
GSCU Mortgage Customer Experience
Granite State Credit Union offers a variety of online resources that help current and prospective borrowers research home loan options. GSCU’s website contains several mortgage calculators, which assist home-buyers in determining how much they can take out on a home loan.
It also provides information about their different mortgage products, which helps borrowers figure out what type of home loan is right for them. GSCU has a Refer-a-Loan option, which incentivizes borrowers who refer a New Hampshire resident or business owner to procure a loan with the credit union.
In exchange for this referral, both parties can receive $25 for consumer loans or $50 for the mortgage and home equity loans.
GSCU Lender Reputation
Founded in 1945, Granite State Credit Union has provided affordable mortgage rates to New Hampshire residents for over 70 years. Its Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System ID number is 477276.
Since the credit union only services the states of New Hampshire, it does not have many online customer reviews. It is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and has no reviews on the site, but maintains an A+ rating.
GSCU Mortgage Qualifications
Although GSCU has flexible mortgage qualifications for individuals taking out FHA loans, its qualification requirements for individuals requesting other home loans are similar to mortgage industry standards.
First and foremost, the credit union prioritizes credit score when approving someone for a loan or for calculating their rates. FICO reports that the industry-standard credit score is 740. However, those with credit scores above 760 can expect the best mortgage rates.
| Credit score | Quality | Ease of approval |
| 760+ | Excellent | Easy |
| 700-759 | Good | Somewhat easy |
| 621-699 | Fair | Moderate |
| 620 and below | Poor | Somewhat difficult |
| No credit score | n/a | Difficult |
Buyers should typically expect to put 20 percent down on the home, unless they qualify for a government-assisted loan. In some cases, buyers can anticipate paying as little as zero to three percent on their mortgage down payment.
With certain types of loans, such as first-time home-buyer, FHA, and VA loans, GSCU allows borrowers to use gifted funds to make down payments and pay closing costs. However, those taking out a traditional fixed- or adjustable-rate mortgage should anticipate paying these costs on their own.
History of GSCU
Granite State Credit Union (GSCU) was founded in 1945 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Founder John Edward Grace, who previously worked as a city bus driver, put down an initial deposit of $15.
With the work put forth by John and his wife, Betty, GSCU achieved notability and success before merging, in late 2003, with the Acorn Credit Union. GSCU is currently a member of the New Hampshire Credit Union League (NHCUL) and Credit Union National Association (CUNA). It offers a selection of home loan products, including fixed- and adjustable-rate, VA, FHA, HARP, and first-time home-buyer loans.
Bottom Line
If you live in New Hampshire, GSCU may be a great fit for you! With a variety of mortgage products, GSCU has something to offer for everyone. For more information, visit their website.
The post GSCU Mortgage Rates Reviews: Today’s Best Analysis appeared first on Good Financial Cents®.
Source: goodfinancialcents.com
