When you’re in the market to buy a home, a lot of factors must be taken into consideration. Among them, financing may be the most important. How a new home is paid for matters for buyers and sellers. It’s important to know the difference between the pre-qualification and pre-approval steps for home mortgages. The Main… Read more »
HRCCU Blog on Finance, Banking, Saving & More – Page 4
Housing Market Predictions for 2023: What’s in Store?
If there’s one way to sum up the housing market over the past few years, the word is unpredictable. From the fierce bidding wars of the pandemic to the subsequent — and unprecedented — rise of interest rates, homebuyers have experienced a multitude of struggles when trying to find, bid on, and purchase homes. In… Read more »
New Year, New Tips for Saving
One of the best parts of any new year is using it as a “fresh start,” an opportunity to break bad habits and start anew. When it comes to good financial habits, committing to save in the new year is a popular choice, but it’s not always a choice that is easy to follow through… Read more »
‘Tis the Season: Tips for Keeping You on Budget and Saving Money
The holiday season is officially upon us. From window displays to party space rentals, retailers across the country are gearing up for another robust holiday season, with total consumer spending anticipated to reach $1.45 trillion. However, for many people, especially those who continue to feel the sting of global inflation, learning how to budget while… Read more »
How to Cash Checks Using the HRCCU Mobile Banking App
Using a mobile checking deposit feature can save a lot of time. In the past, depositing a check meant traveling to the bank and waiting in line to see a cashier, but now mobile deposit offers a quick and easy way to add money to a banking account from anywhere. All you need is a… Read more »
When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?
Buying a car is a big decision. From saving for a down payment to calculating the real cost of an auto loan, smart buyers know that it is important to consider every financial aspect of such a major purpose. For that reason, taking time to consider when the best time is to buy a car… Read more »
What Mortgage Lenders Look for in Bank Statements
When you are trying to buy a home or get a home equity line of credit, a lot of paperwork is involved, from credit reports to legal contracts. In particular, mortgage lenders require a lot of documentation to put together a full financial picture of potential borrowers. This financial assessment involves reviewing bank statements from… Read more »
How Does Inflation Affect the Cost of Living?
For most of recent history, the concept of inflation has been fairly abstract. As recently as 2018, the worldwide inflation rate was as low as 1.8%. However, much of that changed in 2021 when inflation started to skyrocket, partially in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. For the average consumer, however, the abstract concept of… Read more »
Understanding Bank Appraisal vs. Market Value When Buying a Home
When consumers are in the market to buy a home, financial factors are often top-of-mind. This includes everything from monthly payments and interest rates to the difference between the appraisal and market value of homes they are considering buying. In a dynamic real estate market, understanding bank appraisal versus market value is critical when it… Read more »
How Beginners Can Get an Auto Loan
Buying your first car, whether it’s brand new or previously owned, is a huge and exciting milestone in life. However, navigating the world of auto loans is also incredibly complex. For those who are unsure about how to get a car loan, it’s important to get educated — and pre-approved, before going to a dealership…. Read more »