‘Financial Help’ Archives
Debunking the Five Biggest Homebuying Myths
By NICOLE ROTHSTEIN , a contributing writer for Sunrise Banks. As homebuying season begins, there are many misconceptions about purchasing a home that can deter potential buyers. To help clarify the process, we asked our mortgage experts at Sunrise Banks to debunk five common homebuying myths. Myth #1: You Always Need a 20% Down PaymentA common belief is that buyers must put 20% down to secure a mortgage. However, multiple down payment assistance programs make homeownership accessible with much less upfront cash. First-time buyers may qualify for conventional loans with as little as 3% down, FHA loans with 3.5%, and USDA or VA loans that require no down payment. While a larger down payment can eliminate private mortgage insurance (PMI), it is not a requirement for securing a loan. Myth #2: Mortgage Rates Are Directly Tied to the Federal Interest RateMany assume mortgage rates fluctuate directly with federal interest rates, but this is not entirely accurate. While federal rate [...]
Predictions for the 2025 Homebuying Season
By NICOLE ROTHSTEIN , a contributing writer for Sunrise Banks. Chuck Meier, Director of Mortgage Sales at Sunrise Banks Over the next few weeks, as winter gives way to clearer skies and greener grass, many people will turn their thoughts toward buying or selling a home.April through June is typically peak homebuying season – homes tend to sell faster, competition is higher for buyers and more homes are on the market.Will 2025 track in that direction? What will be different about this homebuying season? Should you consider buying or selling?To get some answers, we talked with Chuck Meier, Senior Vice President - Director of Mortgage Sales at Sunrise Banks. Chuck has over 35 years of experience in financial services, including 30+ years in mortgage lending. Q: Will 2025 be a better time to buy a house than in the past few years?Chuck: Indicators are leaning toward a better housing market in 2025. Inventories continue to grow and the amount of time houses are on the market [...]
Five Ways to be Smarter with Your Money in 2025
By JEAN CHALIFOUX KIELY, Director of Consumer Banking at Sunrise Banks Illustration: Jake Ryan Welcome to 2025! We are now about one month into the new year, which means you may now be at a crossroads when it comes to any resolutions you have made.Resolutions centered around money and saving tend to rank high in popularity at the start of the year. Even if you have not laid out a plan yet to be wiser with your money, there is no reason to give up one month in. You can commit to changing your money habits at any time and at any level, and hopefully, you will see the benefits, both short-term and long-term, pay off.Our team members at Sunrise Banks work with people who want to improve their financial habits all the time. With the right tools and strategies, you can create smart and easy ways to build your savings.Here are five ways you can start to act now: Track Your Spending and Set Clear LimitsStart by tracking every expense, no matter how small, for one month. Use an app or [...]
