Mortgage and loan news

squatter’s rights laws and tips for all 50 states

Squatter’s rights refer to the rights of a squatter, which is someone that is living on property that is not theirs. In some States, squatters have rights as tenants or claims to ownership of a property through “adverse possession.”

Adverse Possession: Squatters attempting to obtain ownership of the property by proving they have lived on the property for a specified period of time.
Holdover Tenants: Individuals that remain on the property after their lease or time on the property has ended. A holdover tenant can be given a notice to quit for non-payment with eviction proceedings to begin after the statutory period.
Unknown Persons: If the owner of the property discovers an unwanted person living on the premises. The squatter will be converted to a tenancy-at-will (month-to-month tenant) and 30 days must be given to evict.

The squatter may claim adverse possession after living on the property for at least 20 years (Del. Code Ann. tit. 10 § 7901).

Mortgage and loan news

Home buyers tips & tricks

Matt Stout shares all his tips & tricks from his 20+ years of experience.

1st Time Homebuyer Loans

If you don’t already own a home, you may be wondering about how you can break into the pride of homeownership. What are the options, and what are the steps to get there?

Contrary to popular belief, most buyers only need 3% down to buy a home.
Shakey credit? 3.5% down may be enough. Even buyers that miss the mark because of credit or income problems, still have options with as little as 10% down. Low-income, rural areas, and Veteran buyers may even have zero-down options! Keep in mind though that the more you put down, the lower your payments will be. That said, the more you can put down, the better. Depending on where you want to live, you will still need an additional 1 to 3% to cover closing costs. So unless you are eligible for a zero-down loan, as a general rule of thumb, plan on a 5% minimum out of pocket.

What exactly is a 1st-time buyer loan?
Technically speaking, a 1st-time buyer is any buyer that has not owned a home for 3 or more years. As a 1st-time buyer, you may be eligible for reduced monthly mortgage insurance and lower interest rates. They also have fewer restrictions for down payment grants and loans. While some programs have income limits, others have no restrictions on where you live or how much you make.

Mortgage and loan news

Ifo survey cancellations in residential construction continue

The ifo index of business expectations in the residential construction sector has fallen to its lowest level since the survey began. In the eurozone, on the other hand, the trend toward more housing could stabilize the housing market despite rising interest rates.

German residential construction companies are struggling with a continuing wave of cancellations. According to a survey published today by the Munich-based Ifo Institute, last month more than one in ten companies (11.6 percent) reported that builders had withdrawn orders. There had already been a similar picture in July. The reason, according to ifo, is the sharp rise in construction costs with high material and energy prices, higher interest rates and reduced government subsidies.

Accordingly, pessimism has spread in the housing sector, many companies fear worse business. "Companies still have bulging order books, but looking at future developments, fear is taking hold," said ifo housing construction expert Felix Leiss. The ifo index of business expectations in residential construction fell to minus 48.3 percent. According to the institute, this is the lowest level since the monthly surveys began in 1991.

Mortgage and loan news

Deep repository – clear demands from the greens

Nagra's decision to build a deep geological repository in the Nördlich Lägern region will place a heavy burden on the canton of Zurich and the local population. The GREENS have the highest expectations.

And that is to the safety of people and nature and make clear demands on the further planning process: nuclear phase-out, explicit termination criteria, external scientific review and permanent retrievability are the conditions.

For the Greens of the Canton of Zurich, one thing is clear: Switzerland must take responsibility for its own nuclear waste – for waste that the GREENS never wanted to. The Nuclear Energy Act stipulates that highly radioactive waste must be stored domestically, and this is correct. The Greens of the Canton of Zurich therefore take note of Nagra's proposal for a deep geological repository in the region of Nördlich Lägern.

Mortgage and loan news

Singapore airlines gold status its true cost and how to get it more cheaply

Do you want Singapore Airlines’s Gold Membership so you can enjoy free lounge access and priority boarding? Find out how much doing so will really cost you and what you can do to get the status for less.

Getting an airline’s gold member status is a luxury that is highly coveted by frequent travellers. Its numerous benefits include free access to lounges all over the world, priority airport check-in and boarding, faster security and immigration process and even accelerated mile rewards. For those who travel more than just a few times a year, these benefits can be an invaluable asset that reduces both financial cost and mental stress. However, just how much does it really cost to achieve Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer Elite Gold Status? We explore this issue and some ways consumers can get it more cheaply.

True Cost of Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold Status

By our calculation, one would have to spend at least around S$17,000 to S$25,000 per year on Singapore Airlines economy flights to earn its gold membership status. Singapore Airlines requires one to earn 50,000 Elite miles in 12 months in order to qualify for its gold membership. While you can earn Elite miles from most Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Star Alliance airlines, the rate of accumulation varies depending on the distance flown and the booking class of your tickets. In case of a flight from Singapore to Korea, for example, a round-trip economy class ticket could cost anywhere between S$950 to S$1,600. The most expensive ticket earn 100% of the miles flown, while the cheaper ticket earns only 50% of the distance travelled. By comparing the cost of ticket to Elite miles awarded across different flights, we found that one can earn about 2-3 miles per S$1 spent on a flight with Singapore Airlines.

Mortgage and loan news

New finance rate

Check out my new personal finance course that shows you exactly how to build wealth step by step.

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Mortgage and loan news

You want to buy a property in barcelona?

Real estate market / real estate news: Many Germans have the desire to be able to call a property abroad, especially in Spain their own. There are some differences to a land purchase or a real estate acquisition in Spain compared to Germany, but there are not so many differences in the acquisition to Germany. You can dare to buy a vacation property or a plot of land in Spain, for example a property in Barcelona. What is to be considered in particular?

For EU foreigners there are basically no restrictions compared to Spanish citizens regarding the acquisition of a plot of land or a finished property. Just like in Germany, the Spanish constitution guarantees the protection of property.

Similarly, as in Germany, there are also particularly popular and favored regions for real estate in Spain. In Spain, certainly one of the most popular locations is the archipelago of the Balearic Islands but also the metropolitan area of the Catalan capital Barcelona. Barcelona is divided into districts, with each district having several neighborhoods. There are some neighborhoods that are particularly popular with locals and tourists, including the trendy El Born neighborhood located in the southern city center. In this district you can find the best attractions, restaurants and a very special nightlife.

Mortgage and loan news

Managing your mortgage payments budgeting and more

Sticky note reminders on board

Buying a home is a significant investment, but understanding the expectations of assuming a mortgage will ensure that you enjoy it for a long time. New homeowners begin this journey with the best intentions, but a delinquent mortgage can quickly amplify. If you stop making mortgage payments or continually make late payments, it can be challenging to bring your loan back to good standing and cause months or years of financial headaches. Planning for unexpected situations, as well as the routine costs of owning a home, can help you avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy when emergencies arise.

Mortgage budgeting tips

TIP 1: Set up a budget.

The expenses of owning a home go beyond the monthly mortgage and utility payments, and they can create financial difficulties. If you are a first-time home buyer, many of the problems that you simply turned over to the landlord (or your parents) are now yours to fix and pay for. If you have moved from a small house into a larger one, you may find the expenses of maintaining the property have grown along with its size. In either case, careful planning and budgeting are essential to guard against financial problems in the future.

For some homeowners, it might make sense to commit a certain percentage of your monthly income for your home just above what is needed every month. Write down your expenses or use online budgeting tools to help you see where your money is going. You’ll avoid surprises and headaches when it’s time to submit your payment each month.

Mortgage and loan news

Insurance in hungary

Insurance in Hungary promises nothing less than to make life comfortable and convenient for everyone, whether they live in the country or are just visiting. It is common not to plan for the good experiences in Hungary, but most of the time you neglect to think enough about risks. Of course nobody wishes something to go wrong in Hungary, but at the same time shit just happens. No one ever wants to have an accident, be sick, lose a property or similar things, but they happen anyway.

In Hungary, taking out insurance is important as it protects residents from financial losses. Taking out any form of insurance is also a form of security. In most cases, there is a fear of sudden loss; therefore, taking out insurance covers any sudden loss. The other importance of taking out insurance in Hungary is to spread the risk, encourage saving and provide a source for collecting funds.

Health insurance Hungary

Mortgage and loan news

To pay off mortgages or not?

Is it worth it to pay off your mortgage or not? We'll explain when it pays off and the different options available.

To afford a home at all, at least 20 percent of the property's value must be financed with your own capital – that is, with your own savings or by drawing down pension fund assets.

For example, if you want to afford a property worth one million Swiss francs, you would have to pay 200,000 Swiss francs out of your own pocket. A mortgage is then taken out with a bank for the remaining amount.