The Social Security Administration implemented their highest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in four decades earlier this year. This annual COLA is based on increases in the Consumer Price Index as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means former workers receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits saw an increase of 8.7% in their…
Initiatives have been passed by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Council in support of creating more affordable housing projects, in alignment with the affordability objectives that will span over 40 years by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. This flexible roadmap to homeownership is tailored specifically for households earning 120% or below…
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…
Owning a home has long been an aspiration for many people across America, and one of the most effective ways to build generational wealth. Yet, due to the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and housing affordability concerns, including the lack of affordable housing supply, homeownership may seem out of reach for…
by d-mars.com News Provider Thinking of remodeling your home? From safety and security to product and contractor selection, there are many factors to consider. Follow these eight remodeling tips to help minimize hassles during a renovation: Bottom line: working with reputable professionals makes all the difference in the quality of the work and the materials…
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…
More veterans are taking advantage of an important benefit for service members: A Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 1.4 million VA loans were taken out in 2021, a 15.6% increase from the previous year. However, there are still many veterans who are not using this…
Owning a home has long been an aspiration for many people across America, and one of the most effective ways to build generational wealth. Yet, due to the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and housing affordability concerns, including the lack of affordable housing supply, homeownership may seem out of reach for…
Third Ward Community Cloth 30th Anniversary Celebration Honors Distinguished Public and Community Servants For three decades, The Third Ward Community Cloth (the Cloth) has served a vital role in extending the outreach of community organizations, agencies, churches, schools, and businesses, that provide life-enhancing services, programs and resources for Third Ward children, youth, and families. As the Cloth’s outreach has grown to include…
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…
If you’re unsure of how to start planning for your financial future through investing, you’re far from alone. In fact, it might surprise you to know that 80 million Americans are interested in investing but don’t know where to begin. Yahoo Finance even reports that 54% of millennials have less than $5,000 of their money…
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…
Written by: Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent In the past, it hasn’t always been clear when a recession loomed, let alone when it has already begun. However, the silver lining now is that, unlike in previous downturns, the Federal Reserve and the U.S. government have already taken action by making critical adjustments…
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…
For the second time in three years, Comerica Bank Chief Community Officer Irvin Ashford Jr. has been named as one of Savoy’s Most Influential Black Executives, a definitive listing of African American executives, influencers, and achievers impacting corporate America. “Weare proud to present the 2022 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America. We assembled an…
The last few years have been rocky times for the 32.5 million U.S. small businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). They have faced big challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, and rising inflation. These firms, which account for 43.5% of gross domestic product, are also facing a lending crunch. The…