By Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association Before even starting to search for your dream home, get pre-approved or pre-qualified for a mortgage to know your limits and the best type of financing available. With the current limited supply of homes on the market and the multiple offers many properties draw,…
By Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association If you plan to buy a home or condominium this year, keep in mind that the property may be governed by a homeowners association, or HOA. More than 63 million people live within communities that are overseen by HOAs, according to the Community Associations…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association If you are setting your sights on buying a home or condominium, keep in mind that the property may be governed by a homeowners association (HOA). More than 63 million people live within communities that are overseen by HOAs, according to the…
As inflation continues to put a strain on budgets, talk of an upcoming recession has Americans worried about their finances. Prices on everyday items continue to rise and consumers are trying to find ways to make their dollar stretch further while safeguarding their money against the potential challenges a recession may bring. The future may…
Feeling overwhelmed by your Medicare options? There’s a good reason for that. With more than 3,000 Medicare Advantage plans, over 700 Part D Prescription Plans available and an array of carriers offering Medicare Supplement plans, there’s a lot to consider. “Whether this is your first time enrolling in Medicare or you’ve been through the process…
Health care is essential for everyone throughout their life. To further equity, improve outcomes and increase access, it is important people are able to get the care they need when and where they need it. However, the American healthcare system can be complex. Medicaid is a government-sponsored program to help provide low and often no-cost…
Bank of America announced a new zero down payment, zero closing cost mortgage solution for first-time homebuyers, which will be available in designated markets, including certain African American and Hispanic neighborhoods in Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Miami. According to a news release, the Community Affordable Loan Solution aims to help eligible individuals and…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association If you are setting your sights on buying a home or condominium, keep in mind that the property may be governed by a homeowners association (HOA). More than 63 million people live within communities that are overseen by HOAs, according to the…
Could your finances use a checkup? If so, you’re not alone. According to the Financial Health Network, “Financial Health Pulse: 2021 U.S. Trends Report,” nearly two-thirds of Americans struggle with financial health. But what does that mean? The study considered factors such as people’s ability to pay bills, their amount of short-term savings, and their…
If you have a vision for where you’d like to be financially in the coming years – but no clear idea of how to get there – you’re far from alone. In fact, a recent survey by Wakefield Research and financial services company Digit (now a part of Oportun) found that 78% of American adults…
School is out, and it’s time to start looking forward to your family’s summer travel plans. As you make your packing lists and research the sites and activities for your destinations, don’t forget to review digital safety rules. According to the Better Business Bureau, between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the busiest time for…
With the rising cost of education, you might be thinking, is college really worth the investment? If you’re heading to college soon and trying to figure out what your ideal degree will net you, here are a few considerations to keep in mind. Research majors and corresponding career opportunities A recent study by the Federal…
If your child is college-bound, you probably have questions – including how to pay for their higher education. What may surprise you is how many different sources you’ll draw from to cover tuition, room, and board – plus expenses like books, fees, travel, and more. A recent study revealed over a dozen funding sources parents…
A new survey reveals that the mental health of American moms is going largely unattended, with many living under a near-constant state of stress and few seeking support to ease the burden. The research, commissioned by MDLIVE, an Evernorth company and leading provider of virtual care services in the United States, finds that 33% of…
Much of the country is still in the middle of a red-hot real estate market. Home values are rising due to high demand and first-time homebuyers should be aware of how the value of their home impacts the way their premiums are calculated. Location and structure type are two examples of considerations that can affect…
If you think coping with finances is overwhelming, you’re not alone. A recent study found that nearly 4 in 10 (37%) people avoid dealing with their finances, and more than 3 out of 4 feel stressed and concerned. In the new study, “Path to Prosperity: The Guardian Study of Finances and Emotional Confidence™” conducted by…
By d-mars.com News Provider If you’ve recently started using digital banking tools to help you manage your finances, you’re not alone. A new study found that millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers alike all use digital banking more today than they did just one year ago. In the second annual Chase 2021 Digital Banking Attitudes…
Experts say that with mortgage rates beginning to rise, refinancing your home now might be your last best chance to lower your monthly mortgage payment, as rates remain near all-time lows. Those who refinanced early in 2021 have already reaped the benefits. Borrowers who refinanced their 30-year fixed-rate mortgage into another 30-year fixed-rate mortgage during…
By d-mars.com News Provider As Comerica Bank’s Chief Community Officer, Irvin Ashford, Jr. leads community reinvestment nationally and all associated activities, including development, diversity business resource groups, lending, community investments, volunteerism, and data analysis. Since joining Comerica in 2000, Irvin continues to drive the company’s community efforts forward to better the BIPOC and business community….
By Contributing Writer, Tami V. Allen, MS, LPC With the recent passing of Chelsie Kryst and Regina King’s son, Ian Alexander, Jr., death by suicide is being more heavily looked at in the African American community. Most people never think it can happen to them until it happens to them. We should not let their…