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Looking at the latest housing outlook, it’s easy to think buying a home is unattainable, but that’s not true at all.
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is the first step to homeownership in America. The process is quick and relatively painless — if done right.
This article will tell you how to get pre-approved for a mortgage so that when it’s time to buy a home, you’re all set.
Here’s How To Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage
You might be saying “why should I get pre-approved anyway?” Well, that’s the only way a lender can approve you for a mortgage.
Keep reading to see how the process will be done and what you can do to be in the best position possible for getting a home.
Why You Need To Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage
Shopping for a home without being pre-qualified for a mortgage is pretty much pointless. That’s why you need to get the process started by getting pre-approved.
Lenders will only take you serious if you are pre-approved, which is why that is the first question they will typically ask before they spend time with you.
The way the process works is by going through a mortgage pre-qualification and mortgage pre-approval.
What Is A Mortgage Pre-Qualification?
A mortgage pre-qualification is a quick process that involves the lender asking you a series of questions to gauge your readiness for purchasing a home.
Lenders may typically inquire of your finances, your assets and any debts you have. After that, it’s time to pull your credit.
What Is A Mortgage Pre-Approval?
With a mortgage pre-approval, the lender pulls your credit to see how in debt you are as well as how much money you can borrow toward the purchase of a home.
You’ll need a credit score above 600 to get the best rates.
Here are some things you can do to make sure you’re ready to get pre-approved without issues.
Contrary to popular belief, lender inquiries for pre-approved have no bearing on your credit score, so you won’t have to worry about your creditworthiness dropping.
One thing you do want to do beforehand is make sure your credit is A-OK.
Check Your Credit Report
.You can check your report from each of the three credit bureaus online at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Your credit history is one of the main things that lenders consider when it comes to determining whether you get pre-approved.
What Documents Do You Need?
When it’s time to get pre-approved, the lender will typically ask for a summary of your finances. This can be determined by collecting the following documents.
- Personal ID
- W-2 forms
- Pay stub.
- Tax returns
- Bank statements
How Long Does Pre-Approval Take?
Although it sounds like a long process, pre-approval can be done relatively quickly. The key is to have all your ducks — documents — in a row.
The good news is that you can actually get pre-qualified online with the major banks. All you have to do is fill out an online application with your respective financial institution.
Final Word
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage can be an exciting process, but you need to do it right so that there aren’t any problems. AS a reminder, keep all your documents together so that you have everything you need.
After it’s all said and done, you should receive your pre-approval letter in about a week and a half. After that, you can begin your home search with confidence.
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New Orleans, one of the oldest and most inviting cities in America, is a great place to live. If you’re looking to rent an apartment, you should know some things about the costs associated with that.
No matter where you live in the city, who doesn’t want an affordable apartment?
How Much Does The Average Apartment Cost In New Orleans?
The average apartment rent in New Orleans is $1,336, according to RentCafe. The average size apartment in the Crescent City is about 900 square feet, the site says.
Of course, different neighborhoods cost more or less depending on their locations. Let’s look at the neighborhoods around the city based on average rents. This data is from RentCafe.
Average Rent in New Orleans, LA By Neighborhood
Neighborhood Average Rent Iberville $2,266 Bywater $2,173 Florida $2,173 Holy Cross $2,173 Lower Ninth Ward $2,173 Marigny $2,173 St. Claude $2,173 New Orleans Central Business District $2,077 French Quarter $1,986 Treme – Lafitte $1,928 How To Afford A Bigger Apartment
If you’re trying to rent an apartment or home, you know that a lot of hard work goes into it, but you most especially need money.
If you’re thinking about renting an apartment, get all the rent totals from the prospective landlords and use the calculator above to tally the total. To save money on rent, consider bargaining by using trade-offs such as utilities or parking space fees.
New Orleans has one of the best real estate markets in the country, with affordable housing in every quadrant of the city. Large backyards, manicured parcels and strong neighborhoods with ample dining amenities make it one of the top places for transplants.
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If you’re missing some money, there’s a good chance the state you reside in has it and is just sitting on it.
Unclaimed money that the state has for you is one of the largest areas that people forget to check when they are in need. The fact is that state treasuries have millions of dollars in unclaimed money and people are unaware.
What Types Of Unclaimed Money Could Be Out There?
If you’re curious about what types of unclaimed money could be out there, here are some categories you need to know about.
- Missing Tax Refunds
- Old Checks From Defunct Businesses
- Old Accounts From Shuttered Banks And Other Financial Entities
- Retirement Accounts From Former Employers
How Do I Find Out If I Have Unclaimed Money In Louisiana?
An unclaimed money search is something that you have to figure out. There’s no central federal government agency that keeps track of the unclaimed money it has for you or funds that you may be owed.
There are however some websites that allow you to check to see if you have unclaimed money.
The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) facilitates Unclaimed.org, a multistate database for unclaimed money. Here’s the link for Louisiana.
- Start your search for unclaimed money with your state’s unclaimed property office.
- Use the missingmoney.com is another site that has a multistate database that lets you do a free search for your name for bank accounts, safe deposit box contents, uncashed checks, insurance policies, CDs, trust funds, utility deposits, stocks and bonds, wages and escrow accounts in Georgia or any state you’ve moved from. (You do have to register).
Another way to get money is by means of an unclaimed check. Let’s talk about that.
What Is An Unclaimed Check?
An unclaimed check can take many forms, but it may most likely be an uncashed payroll check. Think back to all the jobs you formerly had. They may have some unclaimed money for you!
Make sure you check your old employers as well as your maiden name to see if any residual checks are there for you.
Check Your Old Pensions
If you’ve worked a job in the past, you may have some unclaimed money out there in the form of a pension.
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. keeps a database on all unclaimed pensions across the United States.
Go to the PBGC’s website to see if you have an old pension with money in it.
Beware Of Scams
The most important thing about unclaimed money is that crooks are trying to get ahold of it just like you.
There are a lot of sites out there that will ask you to pay a fee to do an unclaimed money search, but that’s a racket. Don’t pay anyone to search for your money. Do it at the sites above FOR FREE.
Final Words
Who among us couldn’t use some money right now? There’s a good chance the state of Louisiana may have some money for you. Yes, we’re talking about unclaimed money.
Getting your unclaimed money is a great way to generate much-needed capital in these days and times. The key is that you have to be persistent and leave no rock unturned, as they say.
Don’t let the red tape of the system intimidate you from getting what’s rightfully yours: Your hard-earned money.
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You already know that rent prices are skyrocketed across the nation. In New Orleans, Louisiana, rent prices are no different.
Louisiana has some affordable cities for renters, particularly in the northern and central parts of the state.
Are Rents Going Down In New Orleans?
New Orleans rents are rising but not as much as other metropolitan areas. June 2022 figures from Realtor.com show that New Orleans rents rose just 6.6% over the previous year, which is among the lowest increases in the nation.
These New Orleans Apartments Are Affordable
To determine the apartments with the cheapest rent in New Orleans, we studied the average rental rates for studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms.
Willowbrook Apartments
7001 Bundy Rd, New Orleans, LA 70127
Willowbrook Apartments has on-site laundry facilities as well as all kitchen appliances including a dishwasher, all electric and energy efficient central heat and air, ceiling fans, and large private porches.
Beds Baths Average SF Monthly Rent 1 Bed 1 Bath 658 SF $700 2 Beds 2 Baths 958 SF $820 Leasing Office: (504) 777-3172
Pontchartrain Oaks Apartments
9696 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127
Located on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans East, Pontchartrain Oaks offers one and two bedroom apartments.
Beds Baths Average SF Monthly Rent 1 Bed 1 Bath 560 SF $685 2 Beds 1 Bath 1,120 SF $950 Leasing Office: (504) 576-9613
Forest Isle Apartments
5000 Woodland Dr, New Orleans, LA 70131
Forest Isle is a gated apartment community located on the Westbank of New Orleans. It has a swimming pool, work out in our 24 hour fitness center, or stroll with your dog on the levee overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Forest Isle offers studio, one and two bedroom apartment homes.
Beds Baths Average SF Monthly Rent Studio 1 Bath 536 SF $690 1 Bed 1 Bath 636 SF Not Available 1 Bed 1½ Baths 825 SF Not Available 2 Beds 1 Bath 995 SF Not Available 2 Beds 1½ Baths 1,233 SF Not Available 2 Beds 2½ Baths 1,350 SF $1,350 Leasing Office: (504) 285-5298
Parc Fontaine
3101 Rue Parc Fontaine, New Orleans, LA 70131
Leasing Office: (504) 688-7385
Located on the West Bank, Parc Fontaine Apartments is a gated community that offers one, two and three-bedroom floorplans.
Beds Baths Average SF Monthly Rent 1 Bed 1 Bath 750 SF $610 2 Beds 1 Bath 1,000 SF Not Available 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,300 SF Not Available 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,683 SF $1,200 Laguna Creek Apartments
6881 Parc Brittany Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70126
Laguna Creek offers one- and two-bedroom apartments in Eastern New Orleans.
Beds Baths Average SF Monthly Rent 1 Bed 1 Bath 617 SF $685 2 Beds 1 Bath 866 SF $910 Leasing Office: (844) 838-2986
Cypress Run Apartments
6101 Tullis Dr, New Orleans, LA 70131
Cypress Run Apartments offers one- and two-bedroom apartments with various features and amenities including, convenient on-site parking options and smoke-free options.
Beds Baths Average SF Monthly Rent 1 Bed 1 Bath 731 SF $700 2 Beds 1 Bath 920 SF Not Available 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,020 SF $1,050 Leasing Office: (504) 392-8962
Final Word
While New Orleans is not one of the most expensive rental markets, (how you doing, New York?), the prices are such that you still need to do what you can to save if you’re not buying a home. Look for ways to reduce expenses and save more of the money you make.
Tired of renting? Here’s how to save for a home.
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The Louisiana unemployment rate has dropped to one of the lowest levels it’s ever been.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana has a 4.1% unemployment rate. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has dropped for 14 straight months, according to the agency.
The labor force participation rate, which counts the people ages 16 – 64 who are working or actively looking for work, has increased steadily as well as is at nearly 60%, according to the latest figures.
Why Is The Job Market So Good Right Now?
The rosy employment outlook can be attributed to several factors, including the post-COVID-19 pandemic rebound, in which businesses were helped by an influx of cash by the U.S. government.
There are more than 12 million jobs available in the United States right now, which means that workers can pick and choose where they want to work.
This has put pressure on employers to sweetened the pot, so to speak, to lure and retain workers. The emergence of full-time or hybrid remote positions is a direct result of this.
How To Find A Job Right Now
If you’re a jobseeker, there are certain ways you can increase your chances to find work.
- Network: Use your phone contacts or social media followers to reach out to people you may know or those who work at your prospective employers.
- Jobs Websites: Apply on career sites like Indeed.com, Monster.com and LinkedIn.
- Job Fairs: Companies and organizations are hosting job fairs again. Check with your local Department of Labor to see if they have a calendar of events with job fairs listed for your area.
Final Word
It’s one of the best times to be job hunting right now, so you need to take advantage. If you’re looking for employment, here’s how to find a job.
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If you have a Visa gift card, you should know that it’s practically like cash money. That’s because you can buy products and services with it when you redeem your card.
In this article, we’ll explain how you can use your Visa gift card to buy stuff on the web.
Visa gift cards come with some great advantages that are hard to find in other brands. Here are some of its outstanding qualities:
- Accepted everywhere.
- Great customer service.
- Easy to use and make transactions.
Can I Use Visa Gift Cards Online?
You can use visa gift cards online for any purchases that you need to make. All you have to do is to enter the card number along with the expiration date.
Visa gift cards are one of the most universally accepted cards you can find.
Register Your Card
One of the first steps you’ll need to do in order to use your card online is to register it. Sometimes, a card will list instructions to do this.
You’ll typically need to enter your name and billing address.
Activate The Card
If your card hasn’t been used before, there’s a good chance that it still needs to be activated. To do this, you’ll need to either call the number on the back or front of the card, or you may be able to go online and do this.
Once your card is registered, you can use it. In many cases, you may also be able to activate your card at point of purchase, aka, the cash register.
You might also be prompted to enter the card’s three-digit code (CVV) located on the back.
Use Your Card Online
To use your card online, just enter some personal information, including the CVV. After following these simple steps, that’s it!
Final Word
Hopefully, you’ll be able to use your card shortly after you get it. Visa is one of the most respected brands in all of finance, so it shouldn’t be a problems.
For more financial content, follow your Money Section.
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Just about everyone I know uses Cash App in one way or another. Unfortunately, the money app says it’s been hacked. More than 8 million people have been exposed in the cybersecurity event.
Cash App reported in a Securities and Exchange Comission filing that a former employee accessed people’s account information after he was let go. This constitutes a major data breach.
If you’re more than a little worried, it’s understandable. At the same time, this article will tell you what you need to know.
8 Million Cash App Users Involved In Data Breach
Cash App, which was started by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, has come clean after divulging that the hack took place in December 2021 (and they’re just now telling us).
According to Cash App, the data breach is not as widespread as you might imagine.
According to the company, here are some data points the breach did not affect:
- Usernames
- Passwords
- Social Security numbers
- Date of birth
- payment card information
- Addresses
- Bank account information
- Other personally identifiable information
So you can rest easy, we’ve compiled some great tips so you can feel safe using money apps.
Only Do Transaction With People You Know
Because crooks could reach out to you and demand money, you should never give or receive cash from people you don’t know personally. If an anonymous person reaches out to you asking for payment, assume it’s a scam.
Pay With Your Credit Card
It’s a good chance that many people who use money apps have them connected to their checking accounts. This is a terrible idea. Checking accounts use your money; use credit cards, which use the bank’s money.
When and if a problem occurs, the bank will also have an incentive to get its money back. That’s not always true when it’s your money.
Do Not Share Your Phone With Anyone
One old scam that apparently used to work is when a desperate stranger would ask to use your phone. When you give it to them they pretend to be dialing a number, but they’re quickly searching through your device for Cash App or some other money app.
Once they find it, they could send themselves thousands of dollars and you’d be none the wiser. Don’t lend your phone to strangers, unless you can dial the number yourself.
Final Word
Cash App and other money apps are very convenient tools to use when you need to make a transaction, but they have their respective places.
Just like money, you need to use your money apps wisely.
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The cost of food continues to climb year after year. You may be curious what you can do about your rising grocery bill.
In this article, I’ll go over some ways you can spend less on food costs.
How To Save Money On Food
You may be wonder whether it costs more to eat healthy compared to buying generally unhealthy things like potato chicks, donuts and other snacks high in saturated fat.
1. Stick To A Budget
The #1 thing you need to remember when you buy food is that you can’t spend money you can’t have. That’s why you need a budget.
Creating a budget will also force you to be accountable to yourself and your wallet one a weekly and monthly basis.
2 Skip The Soda
If you go out to eat, one way your bill increases is by ordering soda with your entree.
To save even more money, if you can, just order water with your meal. Water is one of the most healthy drinks you can have.
Not only is water good for you, but it’s good for your wallet.
3. Skip The Dessert
One of the ways restaurants pad your food bill is to offer you a decadent dessert that is hard to resist. They know you’re probably full, so that’s why they rely on the server to physically show you the dessert so that your eyes can entice you to order it.
4. Go With Veggies
Vegetables and salads are always going to be cheaper than buying meat. Instead of steak dinner or baked chicken, make it a Meatless Monday by serving something like scrambled eggs, beans, seeds, frozen fruits and vegetables,
Not only is eating veggies cheaper for your wallet, but it’s healthier for your body.
5. Skip The Prepared Meals
It’s not easy coming home every day from working a stressful job and having to cook, but if you want to save money, it’s worth it. Don’t fall into the trap of paying for already-prepared meals.
There are several companies out there that market these great meal prep kits. They may have good food, but they’re expensive! To save money, cook at home.
Final Word
When you count medical bills, bad health can be enormously expensive when it’s all said in done.
As a rule, always try to stay away from foods that have processed sugar and artificial trans fats. These ingredients are not just on the snack aisle either.
Going to a restaurant soon? Here’s how to save there too.
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I think I speak for all when I say that unsolicited text messages can be annoying. Who are these people?
Well, in a word, they are most likely scammers trying to entrap you into giving up some sensitive personal information. One way they accomplish that is through a method called “smishing”
Smishing is basically when you receive a text message appearing to be legitimate, only to find out that it is from a fraudster. Usually, you find this out when it’s too late.
Why Am I Getting Spam Text Messages?
The reasons why you could be getting spam text messages are many: You could have shared your phone number on an unsecure website or to someone shiesty.
Another reason why you may be getting a lot of spam text messages may be because there’s an upcoming election in your area. Many political campaigns pay for phone lists so that volunteers can text and call potential voters.
When someone uses SMS methods, they may try to lure you into divulging your information by posing to be someone they’re not. This is called smishing.
The practice of smishing has been around for quite some time, but crooks continue to apply new twists to it.
How To Report Spam Texts
To report spam texts, all you have to do is copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM). You can also alert the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How To Protect Yourself
Here’s how to avoid smishing if you have one of the major wireless providers.
Verizon
Verizon says smishing, phishing, spam text messages and text scams are increasing. “Typically, smishing scammers will send you text messages that attempt to get you to click a link and then provide personal or financial information about yourself. Smishing is serious and can lead to identity theft,” the carrier says.
If you get a suspicious text message, Verizon wants you to forward it right away to S-P-A-M (7726).
T-Mobile
T-Mobile says if you download its Scam Shield app, you can you can take advantage of the wireless provider’s free mobile scam protection tools like:
- Scam Block and Caller ID
- Voicemail-to-text
- xxxx
T-Mobile says on its website. You can activate Scam Block and Caller ID, see the calls T-Mobile has blocked on your behalf, mark favorites, and report likely scam calls.
With the app, you can report likely scam calls as well as enable voicemail-to-text, providing voicemail transcripts in the Visual Voicemail app or via text.
AT&T
Here’s what AT&T calls this scam, “This is called SMiShing because texts are SMS or “short message system” messages.
AT&T says if you receive a suspicious text message, alert AT&T by forwarding the text to 7726 (SPAM). Messages forwarded to this number are free and will not count toward your text plan. If you get a suspicious email or text, do not reply. If you suspect you are a target of fraud on your AT&T mobile phone account, you can report it to our Fraud team here. If you suspect fraud on another account, call the customer service number on your bill for help.
Final Word
Criminals are always trying to get some money out of you, so you have to stay vigilant. If you get a text message from someone you don’t know, instead of clicking on the link, see if you can do a Google search to find the company and click there.
- Don’t trust text messages from strangers.
- Never send someone who only know through text messaging your personal information.
- Never click on a link sent to you from a suspicious number.
Any U.S. citizen who believes they are a victim of smishing, spam texts or even caller ID spoofing can file a report with the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. The FCC imposes a fine of up to $10,000 per violation.
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Ifi you happen to use your credit card a lot, especially when online shopping, you should be aware of what can happen if you’re not careful.
Thieves can access your credit card information and make numerous fraudulent charges on your account. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
This article will show you how you can safeguard yourself against being victimized by credit card fraud. But first, let’s go over everything you need to know.
What Is Credit Card Fraud?
Credit card fraud is when someone accesses your credit card, the numbers on your card or your PIN and is able to make unauthorized charges to your account.
Credit card fraud is a felony offense that can result in real jail time for thieves who are caught.
How To Protect Yourself Against Credit Card Fraud
Now let’s go over some ways you can safeguard your credit card information.
Keep an Eye on Your Credit Card
Make sure you’re always aware of who has your credit card. When you give it to a cashier or salesperson to pay for an item, make sure they give it back.
Guard Your Credit Card Numbers
Don’t give anyone access to your credit card numbers. Don’t make it easy for someone to photograph the front or back of your bank card.
Don’t Buy From Sketchy Websites
Another way to prevent fraudulent charges is to avoid websites that look suspicious. If you find an item you really want to buy on a website you haven’t heard of before, do some research first.
See if the site is legit by doing the following:
- Look for a padlock in the web address bar to indicate the site is secure.
- Look for misspelled words on the site.
- Give the company a call.
- Check out the site’s social media accounts.
- See if you can find a return policy on the site.
If You Happen To Become a Victim Of Credit Card Fraud
If you happen to fall victim to credit card fraud, you need to report it to your bank or credit card company as soon as possible. If you don’t you could be on the hook for the charges incurred.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, here is the timetable for reporting credit card fraud and who pays if you wait in reporting it.
If you report: Your maximum loss: Before any unauthorized charges are made. $0 Within 2 business days after you learn about the loss or theft. $50 More than 2 business days after you learn about the loss or theft, but less than 60 calendar days after your statement is sent to you, $500 More than 60 calendar days after your statement is sent to you. All the money taken from
your ATM/debit card acount, and possibly more; for example, money in accounts linked to your debit account.Final Word
The key to beating fraudulent charges on your account is to act fast when you notice sketchy charges on your credit card account.
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