Household income cannot exceed $135,120 (for one to two people) or $157,640 (for three or more people) Must attend an eight-hour homebuyer education seminar Must occupy the property as a primary residence Purchase price cannot exceed $679,847 (non-target areas) or $830,924 (target areas) Home must be in an eligible area…

Key takeaways You can find equipment loans from traditional banks, online lenders and even equipment manufacturers in some cases SBA 504 loans are an option if you’re looking to apply for an SBA loan for an equipment purchase If you can’t get approved for an equipment loan or need an…

Homeowners insurance is a no-brainer for people who purchase a property. In fact, if you finance a home, your lender will likely make it a condition of loan approval. But what about renters? You may or may not be required by a landlord to have similar coverage. Even if your…

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Credit Sesame explains why credit in 2025 matters more than ever, how emerging financial trends impact your score, and what you can do to stay ahead in a changing credit landscape. The evolving role of credit in 2025 Credit in 2025 is more than just…

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VioletaStoimenova/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Financial advisors and accountants are both financial professionals who assist clients with different aspects of their financial lives. While both jobs involve financial analysis, there are significant differences between the two roles. Here’s what you should know about financial advisors and accountants, including…

Boarding1Now / GettyImages If you fly often in the U.S. or to Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean, you’re probably familiar with Southwest Airlines. Known for its affordability and customer service, it also boasts a popular loyalty program — Southwest Rapid Rewards. You can sign up for the Rapid Rewards…

FrankvandenBergh/Getty Images Trillions in currency are zipping around the world, 24 hours a day, five days a week, making the foreign exchange (also known as forex or fx) markets the world’s most active. Fortunes can be won and lost quickly, as brokers routinely let traders borrow heavily to finance their…

Key takeaways Small business financing isn’t limited to traditional banks Online lenders provide accessible and fast loans compared to traditional banks Loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration offer financing for small businesses that don’t qualify for conventional loans CDFIs and MDIs specialize in helping provide capital to businesses in…

Credit Sesame explores how financial milestones at 30 have evolved across generations, from income and homeownership to credit access and debt management. Turning 30 has long been seen as a significant life and financial milestone. For some, it marked homeownership, stable careers, and growing savings. For others, it meant struggling…

Key takeaways There are many factors that affect the cost of home insurance, including your home’s specific features, the state you live in and the company you choose. Certain natural disasters, like floods and earthquakes, are excluded from a standard homeowners insurance policy and may require separate, specialized coverage. Understanding…

Our writers and editors used an in-house natural language generation platform to assist with portions of this article, allowing them to focus on adding information that is uniquely helpful. The article was reviewed, fact-checked and edited by our editorial staff prior to publication. Key takeaways Joint bank accounts can work…

Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images The stock market is a great way to generate wealth, but it can sometimes be quite volatile. Investors who either lack the time or the risk tolerance to endure such volatility tend to look for safer strategies. This is what gives rise to strategies like the…

gesrey/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways Working capital loans are short-term loans used for expenses like payroll, rent and utilities Working capital loans can come in many forms, including term loans, lines of credit, invoice financing and SBA loans Online lenders offer the fastest funding for working capital…

Key takeaways While it is possible to pay your mortgage with a credit card, the process can be complex, and many mortgage lenders do not accept credit card payments. If you choose to pay your mortgage with a credit card, options include exploring direct payments to your mortgage company (if…