Key takeaways Standard homeowners insurance often covers other structures on your property, such as fences. Only certain types of damage to a fence like vandalism and storm damage are covered by insurance. Filing a claim for damage to a fence is typically a straightforward process that requires documenting the damage…
Key takeaways Ordering checks online from third-party retailers is often a cheaper alternative to getting them from your bank. When choosing a check design, you can personalize it by selecting from a variety of options, including cause-related designs and the option to upload a custom image. While it is legal…
Borrowers with credit scores below 680 must complete a face-to-face educational component Multi-unit properties are not eligible Keystone Home Loan The Keystone Home loan program serves first-time homebuyers, discharged veterans of the armed forces and buyers of homes in targeted Pennsylvania counties. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the Keystone…
It’s a tough time to be a homebuyer. Home prices continue to flirt with record highs, and mortgage rates have more than doubled from their pandemic lows. Bankrate conducted several surveys in the last year with polling agency YouGov Plc to keep up with the country’s changing opinions on homebuying.…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
Technology has transformed some parts of the daunting homebuying process–making it easier to search and compare properties online, to prepare…
The Covid pandemic crushed immigration and demand for Nova Credit’s tech. Then its founder discovered a second line of business.…
A perfect storm is brewing for millions of federal student loan borrowers, who may experience dramatic increases in their monthly…
As the Biden administration exits Washington, President-elect Donald Trump inherits a federal student loan system that looks much different than…
Featured Articles
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate It has never been easier to get started with investing thanks to an array of online brokers and robo-advisors, many of which offer investing apps that put financial markets in the palm of your hand. Many of these apps…
Dept Managmnt
Key takeaways Governments often borrow money to cover deficits when taxes and other revenues don’t cover expenses. The national debt is the total…
Banking
F or private financial technology companies, last year was a quiet one for fundraising. Fintechs raised $34 billion in 2024, down from $42…
Credit Cards
Key takeaways The Southwest Companion Pass is attainable by using Southwest credit card welcome bonuses to meet the 135,000-point requirement. Applying for a…
All News
Key takeaways A mortgage rate lock keeps your rate from changing for a certain period, ensuring you won’t pay more if interest rates rise before you close on your loan. You can lock your rate for between 30 days and 120 days, depending on the lender. Some lenders offer rate…
President Donald Trump’s tariffs are leaving small business owners wondering if they can keep up with new potential disruptions in the supply chain. Trump announced 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada in late January, along with a 10 percent tariff on China in retaliation for claims around weak border…
Ericka Smith ended her marriage in 2024 with several credit cards and $25,000 in card debt. “We didn’t really talk to each other about money,” the 30-year-old Navy veteran and Washington state resident said. “It was just kind of like, she wanted it, or I wanted it, and we just…
Money exchange scams range from crude to clever. While seasoned travelers know to avoid the currency exchanger lurking outside the airport, modern scams often appear perfectly legitimate at first glance. From rigged calculators that silently skim five percent off exchanges to point-of-sale systems that charge hidden conversion fees, today’s currency…
Key takeaways If you are willing to jump through a few extra hoops, you can use one credit card to pay off another. The most common strategy for paying one credit card with another requires a new balance transfer credit card. Be aware of balance transfer fees, which vary from…
pamspix/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Reverse mortgages generally allow homeowners aged 62 or older to tap their home equity and receive tax-free cash payments while remaining in their homes. To help you compare reverse mortgage options, we’ve rounded up a list of the best reverse mortgage lenders to consider.…
krisanapong detraphiphat/Getty Images On Feb. 13, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York will release its Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit. This edition will cover the fourth quarter of 2024, and I’m expecting another record for credit card balances, adding to the current record of $1.166 trillion as…
Key takeaways Women made up 26 percent of graduates in the 20 highest-paying bachelor’s degrees as of 2022 — up 2 percentage points from 2012. Six of the 20 highest-paying bachelor’s degrees saw an increase of 5 percentage points or more in female graduates between 2012 and 2022. Despite the…
Key takeaways Secured cards might be easier for you to qualify for, as they typically require a lower credit score, though you’ll need to submit a security deposit. Avoid cards with annual fees if you can, and look at options with APRs around the national average as you consider…
WAYHOME studio/Shutterstock Key takeaways Debt consolidation loans and balance transfer cards have distinct advantages and disadvantages when it comes to paying off debt. Debt consolidation loans give you a definite payoff date with a fixed interest rate. They can be a smart choice for consumers who need longer payoff periods…
Editor's Pick
