Protect Your Home from Mother Nature [INFOGRAPHIC]

Mother Nature can do some major damage to your home (and your bank account) if you don’t take the necessary precautions. You can protect your home and save money by keeping the elements at bay.

Share:

You may be interested in...

Online Money Hacks – First Bank If you are active on social media, you’ve probably tried a “life hack” at some point. Life hacks are little things you can do to make your life easier. For example, tying a small piece of bright colored fabric to your luggage makes it easier to tell which bag at the airport. Life hacks are great, but do you know what’s even better? Money hacks! Money hacks not only make your life easier, they help you save your hard earned cash. Money Hacks Worth Trying Money hacks can be anything from saving your spare change in a piggy bank to skipping your morning Starbucks run and making coffee at home. Small money hacks will help you save a little bit of money, but if you’re looking to save in a big way, try these money hacks from Forbes and from your very own First Bank. Borrow against your home’s equity. This money hack is specifically for homeowners, but it’s useful to know if you are ever planning on buying a home. If you find yourself needing a personal loan for a large amount of money, it might be better to borrow money against your home’s equity. Since you already have been approved for a mortgage the loan application process will typically be easier. Another benefit is that interest payments on home equity lines of credit are typically tax-deductible, unlike interest paid on personal loans. Consult your tax advisor for details on the deductibility of interest. Pay insurance premiums once a year. You’re probably currently making monthly payments for policies like life insurance and auto insurance, but it isn’t required that you make your payments that way. You can opt to pay your insurance policy in one lump sum, which can save you money in the long run. Paying by the month may be convenient, but insurance companies typically charge a courtesy fee. Fun Tips to Save More Money Try a service contract. Instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars for a car or home repair, offset the costs by considering monthly payments for an auto warranty or home protection plan. Stay cool. Preserve the longevity of your batteries, hosiery, and candles by storing them in your freezer. Raise a glass to 3 min read

7 Tips to Help You Protect Your Identity To help protect you from fraudsters, we’ve compiled this list of handy tips. 4 min read

Where To Get 20 Year Mortgage Rates When you’re ready to buy a house, it’s easy to get caught up in all of the excitement of shopping and forget about the financial part. Once you’ve found the perfect house, the first thing you may be wondering is where to get 20-year mortgage rates. First Bank can help you determine what type of mortgage works best for you, and help structure a loan that meets your individual needs. What are 20-Year Mortgage Rates? 20-year mortgages are typically offered as fixed-rate mortgages, meaning your interest rate—and your total monthly payment of principal and interest—will stay the same for the entire term of the loan. A fixed-rate mortgage offers a predictable monthly payment, making it easier for you to follow your budget. With fixed-rate mortgages, you also have the option to take them out in 15 or 30-year terms. While a 20-year mortgage helps you pay off your home faster and build equity quicker than longer-term fixed-rate mortgages, a 15-year mortgage will help you pay it off even faster, and pay less interest. However, 15-year mortgages have higher payments than other longer-term mortgages. Additionally, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages allow you to pay off your loan with lower monthly payments, but since the life of the loan is longer, you’ll pay more interest and build equity slower than you would with a shorter-term loan. Visit Your Local First Bank First Bank offers conventional fixed-rate mortgages in 15, 20, and 30-year terms, and we also offer adjustable-rate mortgages. To learn more about our loan options, or if you’re still wondering where to get 20-year mortgage rates, visit your local First Bank branch. Our loan experts will be happy to teach you more about mortgage loans and rates, or help you structure a loan* that meets your needs. *Loans subject to credit approval. ——— Sources: Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fixed-rate_mortgage.asp 2 min read

In it for the Long Haul: How the Most Successful Businesses Innovate Have you ever wondered how some businesses manage to keep growing and thriving through the last 10-20 years, or even over centuries? 5 min read

Protect Your Home from Mother Nature [INFOGRAPHIC]

Ready to talk to an expert?

Ready to talk to an expert?

You may be interested in...