How to find the right USDA mortgage lender

A USDA home loan comes with many perks, including no down payment required and competitive interest rates. But finding the right USDA lender and sometimes be a challenge.

Learn more about this topic by reading my first article for new client USDALoans.com, available here.

More single women are purchasing homes – Here's why

As that beloved song by Aretha Franklin and the Eurythmics from 40 years ago reminds us, sisters are doin’ it for themselves – and in increasing numbers when it comes to homebuying, fresh data suggest.

Indeed, a greater portion of single women are buying residences nowadays than years ago. Considering that women continue to make less than men, on average, that’s an impressive feat, although buying as a solo female has its risks and challenges.

Take a closer look at what the latest numbers show and what factors the experts attribute to this trend by reading my latest article for The Mortgage Reports, available here.

Cineversary podcast honors 100th birthday of Chaplin's The Gold Rush

Jeffrey Vance

In Cineversary podcast episode #81, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ goes prospecting for comedic gold by revisiting Charles Chaplin’s The Gold Rush on its 100th anniversary. Accompanying him on this expedition is Jeffrey Vance, a film historian, film archivist, and author of the book Chaplin: Genius Of The Cinema. Together, they mine the priceless merits of the Little Tramp’s hilarious and impressive adventure, examining how it has stood the test of time, what makes the laughs evergreen, and how scores of imitators have been influenced by this masterwork.

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 Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Thinking about buying a second home? Consider using a HELOC

Dreaming of purchasing a second home for a family getaway or rental? There are several financing options available to help you. One of the most flexible is a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which allows you to tap into your equity. 

Using a HELOC to buy a second home can make a lot of sense for homeowners who have built significant equity in their primary residence. But that raises some important questions: How much can you borrow using a HELOC to buy another house? What are the benefits and drawbacks of applying HELOC funds to a second home purchase? What steps should you take to apply for a home equity line of credit? And what other financing options, like a home equity loan or cash-out refinance, should you consider? For answers, read my first article for new client Better.com, available here.

Shed of the class

Own a backyard shed, deck box, hose cart, snow shovel, or garage cabinet? Chances are it’s made by Suncast, a Batavia, Illinois-based company that has revolutionized the outdoor storage and home and garden space since its founding in 1984.

For 40 years, Suncast’s secret weapon has been high-density resin, a synthetic compound in granular form that’s lighter, more durable, and easier to maintain than wood or metal. It arrives via rail cars and is stored in the company’s 20 silos (each of which holds 200,000 lbs. of pellets), then is pumped as needed through pipes to specialized state-of-the-art machines. These powerful transformers heat the resin into liquified form, then mold it into a finished piece—such as a roof panel or wall section for an outdoor shed. Proprietary resin casting techniques also enable Suncast to fashion attractive textures, patterns, and hues, mimicking the look and aesthetics of more costly materials.

Learn more about Suncast and the secret behind its success by reading my latest article, which happens to be the cover story for the April issue of The Costco Connection, available here.