Difficulty qualifying for a mortgage? Try an FHA loan

You want to buy a home so bad you can practically taste it. Yet you have less-than-desirable credit and not enough salted away for a down payment as you had hoped.

Truth is, it’s likely going to be difficult to qualify for a conventional mortgage loan. That’s because traditional home loans often require putting more than 5% down and having a FICO credit score in the 640 or higher range.

But you’re not licked. Fortunately, there are options you can pursue that can fulfill your dream of homeownership. One of them is an FHA loan, which is backed by the government and offered by lenders approved by the Federal Housing Administration.

Learn more about an FHA home mortgage by reading my article on this topic for my newest client, The Lenders Network, available here.

The hills are alive with the sound of Cineversary

For Cineversary podcast episode #22, host Erik Martin sings the praises of "The Sound of Music," celebrating a 55th anniversary this month, and is joined by Julia Hirsch, former story editor for director Robert Wise and author of the book "The Sound of Music: The Making of America’s Favorite Movie." Erik and Julia examine why this beloved musical is worth celebrating all these years later, its cultural impact and legacy, what we can learn from the picture today, how it has stood the test of time, and more.

Julia Hirsch

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Google Play Music, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at tinyurl.com/cineversarypodcast and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

Spotlight on repurposed products

There are many things you can do to lessen your ecological impact and protect the environment—from reducing electrical consumption and driving a hybrid car to recycling your trash and planting a tree. But there’s another sustainable step you also take, one that combines your passion for the planet with your love of gardening and alfresco entertaining: Opt for lawn and garden products made from repurposed materials.

More brands today are recycling plastic, rubber, and other discarded ingredients and transforming them into popular products that can be used in your yard, including mulch, landscape fabric, and outdoor furniture. Only consumers are getting more than merely guilt-free green goods; they’re also benefitting from high-quality durable merch, say the experts.

For success stories and more information, read my latest article for The Costco Connection, available here.

Thinking about refinancing? Here's what you need to know

Mortgage rates hit an all-time low recently. That has prompted a flurry of homeowners to refinance. Others may be waiting things out or need to know more before proceeding. They may be asking themselves: How does refinancing work? And what is refinancing a home all about?

The refinancing process isn’t much different from what was involved when you first purchased your home and closed on a mortgage. Understanding how refinancing works and the options available to you can put you in a better position to make a more informed decision. To help guide your choices, read my first article for new client Bankrate.com, available here.