January 26, 2021

Weigh the pros and cons before accepting an instant home offer

They're not as popular as they were before the coronavirus hit, but instant home offers from iBuyers to purchase your home remain a viable and convenient option for some sellers, especially those who need to unload a property quickly due to a work relocation or financial predicament.

It's important to explore your options carefully before committing to an iBuyer, as you will likely earn less money on your home than you would if you sold it traditionally.

For more information and recommendations, read my latest article for Bankrate on this topic, available here.

January 19, 2021

How to save serious dollars on health insurance

Health insurance costs continue to skyrocket. Today, even those with employer-sponsored group insurance coverage find themselves shouldering more of the financial burden of paying for premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. It’s no surprise then that more Americans are seeking ways to cut costs and fine-tune their coverage options.

But due to the complexity of the healthcare system and insurance marketplace, it can be challenging to know where to start. For valuable tips that can possibly help you save thousands on health insurance bills, read my newest article for Insurance.com, available here.

January 13, 2021

Speaking up about a silent masterwork

In Cineversary podcast episode #31, host Erik Martin wishes a happy 90th birthday to Charles Chaplin's City Lights with film historian Jeffrey Vance, author of the book Chaplin: Genius of the Cinema and film archivist for the Chaplin family's Roy Export Company. 
Jeffrey Vance

Jeffrey and Erik will explore why this movie is worth celebrating all these years later, its cultural impact and legacy, what we can learn from the movie today, how it has stood the test of time, and more. 

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 PodcastsStitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

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

January 4, 2021

How to get first-time homebuyer grants and loans in 2021

You’ve got your heart set on buying your first home. But you’re not quite sure how to qualify for a home loan as a first-time buyer. You’re also wondering how you can qualify for first-time home buyer grants.

The good news is that home buyer assistance in the form of grants and down payment help may be available if you know where to look. The bad news is that lenders have tightened their rules a bit lately, making it possibly tougher to qualify for a mortgage.

Do your homework and research what’s required to be eligible for both a mortgage loan and buyer assistance programs in 2021. For starters, read my article on this topic recently published by The Mortgage Reports, available here.