Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. Download our first-time homebuyer’s handbook to learn what’s involved.
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Common phone and internet scams and ways to stop them
Older adults are increasingly the targets of scammers who use deception and fear tactics to convince the elderly to send money or provide personal account information. Make sure your loved ones are aware of these common type of scams.
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What to avoid when buying a home
The average homebuying timeline will vary for everyone, but yours could potentially be delayed if you make a handful of certain financial moves. Learn what to avoid when buying a home.
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Don’t Trust Pop-ups
If you’re known to dabble in a little online browsing, odds are you’ve encountered a pop-up once or twice. There are times when you may think, “Wow, that’s a great deal!” and click on a pop-up. If you ever see a pop-up, put down the mouse. Why? That pop-up could be malicious or dangerous. There…
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How You Can Develop a Solid Savings Plan
This America Saves Week, set some time aside to see if your savings plan is working for you.
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Focus on Seniors: Watch Out for Holiday Scams This Season
Holidays are a busy and stressful time of year. There’s traveling and planning for visitors. Buying and wrapping presents for loved ones. Avoiding the flu. Cybercriminals know the hectic nature of holiday preparation and attempt to take advantage of anyone who may not be paying close attention, particularly older adults. It’s crucial that the elderly…
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It’s Time To Get Smart About Credit
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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Note the Rules of Using Gift Money for a Down Payment
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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How to Have the Life Insurance Talk
There are some tips to keep in mind to begin the conversation about life insurance.
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Taking inventory of your homeowners insurance
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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What Not To Do Yourself Before Selling Your House
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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Why Should I Use a VA Loan
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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How does a home appraisal really work?
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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Is Buying a Home With a 20% Down Payment Standard?
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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First-time homebuyers reality check
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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Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
Paying down your mortgage early may be possible, but is it smart?
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Your step-by-step summer vacation savings guide
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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Fire Protection and Safety Tips
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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3 Types of Disaster Preparation You Can Start Today
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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Your most important mobile wallet questions, answered
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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