“As expected, the Federal Reserve maintained the holding pattern for the federal discount rate that has been in place since the Fed last raised rates in July of 2023,” Green told MPA. “Like a pilot landing a plane in fog, the Federal Reserve is being very patient and deliberate before taking additional action to reduce … [Read more…]
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Tim Maxwell
Contributor
Tim Maxwell is a freelance personal finance writer with over two decades of media experience. His work has been published in Bankrate, CBS News, Experian and other outlets. Tim is passionate about financial literacy and empowering people to take control of their finances. When he’s not writing or geeking out over his budget, he enjoys creating memories with his family in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Moving into a new space can be exciting, but it may also feel empty and overwhelming, at first. Decorating it to feel like it’s truly your own space to live and relax in can get rid of some of those negative feelings.
Megan Featherston, CEO and founder of VNTG Home in Cleveland, and Billy Klausner, president and senior partner of Crystal Illusions in Bedford Heights, discussed how someone can find an aesthetic they enjoy using today’s technology and the pieces to go along with it.
“We live in such an easy to find digital world,” Featherston said. “If we want to be inspired, we can talk into our phone and it’ll bring up pictures of things that we like.”
You can pull inspiration from anything that makes you feel good, whether that’s your favorite restaurant, a park you spend time at or art pieces you find joy in, she added. Other ways to encourage inspiration and self-discovery include creating mood boards and looking through design magazines.
Experimenting with temporary changes, such as removable wallpaper or interchangeable elements, can help you discover what you like looking at long-term, she explained.
Once you discover your personal design taste, you can begin searching for unique elements that you enjoy at stores, auctions or local markets, Featherston added. These unique items can become the focal point of your home and help create a balance between “form and function,” she said.
It’s important to keep in mind that the size of your space may also impact the way you choose to decorate, she added. Larger spaces may need larger pieces, such as oversized plants and open space art, to make them feel more full, while smaller spaces may need open windows and light colored walls to make them feel more open and airy.
Finding pieces you can comfortably live with for a long period of time is important when it comes to decorating your own space, Klausner explained.
“A lot of the fads are just that, and by the time you get it (the decorating) done, people have already moved onto something else,” she said.
The pieces you may find work best in each room can be things that are completely different from each other, as the approach to decorating is different depending on the room and its function, he added.
Sometimes the best approach to decorating a room, especially if you’re using delicate items, is going for simplicity instead of complicated designs, Klausner suggested. However, there are still many different styles a person can choose to incorporate into their home if they wish to decorate with delicate items.
In order to find things, whether you’re looking for a specific piece or simply general inspiration, talking with an expert in interior design may be helpful, as well. Experts will be able to help you find something you might like based off of what other objects you gravitate towards during your conversation, Klausner added.
Evergreen Home Loans has expanded its footprint into Montana with new mortgage branches across the state. According to the nonbank, the new branches will offer a comprehensive suite of mortgage services, including conventional loans, refinancing, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. “We are beyond thrilled to welcome the Montana team to our Evergreen family,” Robert Lipston, … [Read more…]
Our experts answer readers’ home-buying questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess mortgages). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.
Veterans United is currently the largest lender of VA loans, and it earned “best overall” in our guide to the best VA mortgage lenders. It’s a good option for several types of mortgages — though VA loans are its strongest products. It also offers free credit counseling for those who don’t yet meet its credit requirements, making it a good lender for borrowers with poor credit scores.
Veterans United Home Loans
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star
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4.75/5
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It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks
Offers free assistance to borrowers with poor credit scores
Recommended Credit
620
Types of Loans Offered
Conforming, jumbo, FHA, USDA, VA, refinance
Pros
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Can apply online or at a branch
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Isn’t limited to just VA mortgages
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Free credit counseling
Cons
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No home equity loan, HELOC, reverse mortgage, or construction loan
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Can’t see customized interest rates online
Insider’s Take
Veterans United is currently the largest lender of VA loans, and it earned “best overall” in our guide to the best VA mortgage lenders. It’s a good option for several types of mortgages — though VA loans are its strongest products.
Product Details
Offers mortgages in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Branches in 18 US states
Refinancing options for VA, conforming, and jumbo mortgages
Minimum credit score listed is for VA mortgages, which usually do not require a down payment
Veterans United Home Loans: Overall Lender Rating
Veterans United Home Loans: Pros and Cons
Veterans United Home Loans Mortgage Rates and Fees
You can see sample VA mortgage rates for different credit score ranges on the Veterans United website. But you’ll need to fill out a form or contact customer support to see rates for other types of mortgages, or to get a personalized rate.
Veterans United rates are competitive with what other VA loan lenders offer. It may charge origination, application, processing, or underwriting fees — but it depends on your specific circumstance.
How Veterans United Home Loans Compare
Veterans United vs. Navy Federal Credit Union mortgages
You’ll want to choose Veterans United for an FHA or USDA mortgage, because Navy Federal doesn’t have these types of loans.
Navy Federal offers a variety of mortgage types specifically for military members and veterans, though. Its Military Choice and Homebuyers Choice programs offer 0% down mortgages for those who have exhausted their VA loan benefit or borrowers who don’t qualify for a VA loan.
Veterans United vs. USAA mortgages
USAA only offers VA mortgages, and you can get either a regular VA loan or a jumbo VA loan with this lender. USAA earned a high score in J.D. Power’s 2023 Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study, though it didn’t rank because it doesn’t meet study criteria.
If you have a rocky credit history, Veterans United would likely be the better option, since it offers free assistance to borrowers looking to improve their scores so they can obtain preapproval.
How Veterans United Home Loans work
Veterans United specializes in VA mortgages, but it also offers:
It can be hard to find information for non-VA loans on the website, but you can read about all its other options here.
If you want to refinance a VA mortgage, you can choose between a VA IRRRL refinance or cash-out refinance. You can also refinance your conforming, jumbo, FHA, or USDA mortgage.
The company doesn’t have home equity loans, HELOCs, reverse mortgages, or construction loans.
You can apply for a mortgage through Veterans United online from anywhere in the US. It also has branches in the following 18 states:
Alabama
Alaska
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Kentucky
Nebraska
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
You can email customer support or talk to someone over the phone 24/7.
Is Veterans United Home Loans Trustworthy?
The Better Business Bureau gives Veterans United an A+ rating. A strong BBB score indicates a company responds effectively to customer complaints, advertises honestly, and is transparent about business practices.
Veterans United doesn’t have any recent public scandals.
Veterans United has a high score in the J.D. Power 2023 Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Survey. Veterans United actually doesn’t qualify to rank because it doesn’t meet certain criteria, but J.D. Power notes that the lender would rank highly if it was eligible.
This lender also has a lot of positive online customer reviews. On its Zillow lender profile, it earned a 4.78 out of 5 stars based on over 5,000 customer reviews. On TrustPilot, it has a 4.9 out of 5 star rating based on over 10,000 customer reviews.
Veterans United Home Loans FAQs
The lender is a good option for several types of mortgages, especially VA mortgages. It’s also worth considering if you have a low credit score, or none at all. Veterans United may let you apply with alternative credit data, such as proof that you pay bills on time.
Veterans United may charge lender fees, such as an application or origination fee — not all lenders charge these types of fees. However, your closing costs depend on various factors, including where you live, how much the home costs, and which type of mortgage you get.
Yes, Veterans United is a direct lender. This means it originates its own loans, as opposed to a mortgage broker, which connects borrowers with multiple lenders to find the best match.
Laura Grace Tarpley, CEPF
Personal Finance Reviews Editor
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United Bank will consolidate its mortgage subsidiaries into one unified mortgage business amid the housing industry struggles with elevated interest rates.
United Bank has been delivering mortgage services through three channels, including two mortgage subsidiaries — Crescent Mortgage Co. and George Mason Mortgage — and an in-bank channel.
“In an effort to better serve our communities and provide a best-in-class mortgage business, we are consolidating our mortgage subsidiaries into one unified mortgage business. This consolidation will allow us to continue to take care of our customers and promote homeownership throughout our footprint,” a United Bank spokesperson said in an e-mailed response.
As part of the consolidation, Georgia-based Crescent Mortgage will be closing its location and ceasing operations in Atlanta on March 29. The decision was confirmed by Ami Shaver, executive vice president and of head of human resources atUnited Bank, in a letter sent to Georgia’s Office of Workforce Deployment on Jan. 29.
A total of 65 employees will be laid off in March as a result of the Crescent Mortgage closing, according to the letter.
The layoffs at Crescent affected leadership positions, including a chief information officer, chief operations officer, 13 mortgage originators (MLOs), two underwriters and two processors.
Other positions affected by the layoffs were servicing auditors, closing disclosure specialists, auditors and appraisal coordinators.
The National Multistate Licensing System (NMLS)showed that Crescent Mortgage had 29 registered MLOs as of Feb. 1.
Founded in 1993, Crescent Mortgage saw its production drop continuously over the years after peaking at $186.2 million in origination volume across 695 units in 2021, per data from mortgage recruiting platform Modex. Crescent originated $155.7 million across 414 units in 2022 and that volume dropped to $98.3 million across 263 units last year.
United Bank’s spokesperson didn’t confirm whether its other mortgage subsidiary, George Mason Mortgage, will close its operations. George Mason didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Established in 1839, United Bank has close to 250 locations across eight states and Washington, D.C., with total assets of some $30 billion, according to its website.
Income from mortgage banking activities through United Bankshares, the parent company of United Bank, came in at $7.6 million in third-quarter 2023, up from $6.4 million in the previous quarter, according to its 10-Q filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In the first nine months of 2023, United’s income from mortgage banking activity declined to $21.8 million, down from $38.1 million during the same period in 2022.
With so many design trends shaping the way we think about decorating our homes, it can be tempting to go for on-trend styles when choosing home upgrades. While some trends incorporate elements that can last, there are also lots of trends that will look dated within a few years. Finding the right balance between keeping your home fresh and contemporary while avoiding looks with a short shelf life can be a challenge, but there are some simple things to keep in mind that can help you focus on enduring style.
Decorate with what you love
The first rule of timeless style is to love what you have in your home. Decorate with your own tastes in mind, even if they don’t match what’s currently the most popular wall color or the trending fabric for a sofa. Since you’re the one who has to live with it, picking finishes and fabrics that make you feel happy in a space.
Go with vintage
While various vintage styles will go in and out of fashion, depending on the current direction the design industry is heading, a well-made vintage piece that you like will outlast the trends and become an anchor of your interior design style. Look for vintage pieces that you are drawn to but also ones made from good quality materials like solid wood, natural stone, and handcrafted metal. Choosing larger furniture pieces can also help guide your choices on smaller accent items by giving you a color and texture framework to work from.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match
Combining vintage items with newer ones that have a similar color palette, choosing fabrics for upholstery and curtains that can highlight colors you like in your furniture, and mixing textures on rugs, accent pieces, and moldings can allow your style to be easily updated by intermingling more on-trend pieces with older, more classic ones without seeming out of place.
Choose function over form
Choose furniture and fixtures that truly belong in your space. Shoehorning a gigantic sofa into a small living room because you like it not only won’t work well for everyday use, but it will look out of place, and its appeal will fade faster than a piece that looks like it was made for the space. This type of decorating can accurately be called “slow decorating” because finding the perfect piece for a room can take a little longer. But overall, you’ll be happier with the result.
Go bold with art
If you want to add some bold color without committing to a saturated wall color or vibrant upholstery, art can be your guide. Choosing art is fun, and it can be a great way to add a unique look to your space. Finding art that speaks to you and your tastes and experiences will make your home feel more your own and will keep your functional design style dynamic and entertaining.
Add some plants
Houseplants are always in style, and choosing some that fit your tastes is a great way to liven up your interior. Even if your plant pots go out of style, you can swap out the pots for more contemporary colors or shapes. Humans tend to be attracted to plants in our homes, in part because of their calming and pleasing qualities, so they’re a good addition to an interior look with some longevity.
Choose long-lasting materials
Consider the quality of materials you use for things like flooring or countertops. Choosing natural stone and wood, or even less traditional materials for indoors like brick can help create a timeless look and feel to your home. Choosing long-lasting materials will also mean you likely won’t need new floors, new countertops, or a new backsplash for many years.
Over the past two years, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates to a range of 5.25% to 5.5%, marking a 22-year high, in a bid to cool rapid inflation. The policy resulted in the effective rate on a 30-year mortgage soaring above 8% last year, though it has declined from that peak in subsequent … [Read more…]
Top 10 mortgage lender and servicer NewRez is restructuring its distributed retail mortgage business, which has resulted in cuts to regional and divisional managers. The restructuring also includes reduced compensation for loan officers, and sources said that many are seeking new opportunities at rival lenders.
Nonproducing regional and divisional managers were let go on Wednesday as part of the restructuring, multiple sources told HousingWire.
A top executive at NewRez told HousingWire that the goal is to “flatten” the organization and better align the distributed retail division with other sales forces to capture servicing business.
Sources said that NewRez had engaged in merger-and-acquisition talks with at least one large independent mortgage bank to sell its retail division, still known to some in the industry as Caliber Home Loans, but a deal did not materialize. NewRez declined to comment on recent M&A rumors, but an executive said its retail platform is not for sale.
“We’re committed to retail,” the NewRez executive said in a conversation with HousingWire on Thursday. “There’s always noise about NewRez not being committed to retail. That’s not an accurate statement.”
NewRez said the restructuring will position LOs to generate their own business while also executing on in-house servicing leads.
NewRez is among the industry’s largest holders of mortgage servicing rights (MSR), with a portfolio that clocked in at $452 billion in unpaid balance as of January, per Recursion estimates.
“Given the size of our MSR portfolio and focus on recapture, we believe our localized model is a differentiator, especially when you compare it to other large servicers,” the NewRez executive said. “So, we’re committed to retail, and we want to align our leadership with our goals and objectives.”
Employees on Thursday told HousingWire that significant changes were made to loan officer compensation agreements and they expected many LOs to depart for other lenders.
NewRez said it hoped to retain LOs and would continue to hire in the distributed retail channel.
NewRez, itself owned by real estate investment trust Rithm Capital, acquired Caliber in 2021 in a deal that was valued at nearly $1.7 billion. Much of the appeal was tied Caliber’s servicing portfolio. As of June 203, more than 200,000 loans had been transferred to the NewRez technology platform.
Executives at Rithm Capital have also floated the possibility of spinning out a mortgage division.
While we firmly believe that home is where the heart is, we also know that unnecessary clutter and disjointed decor can encourage chaos rather than comfort in our most treasured spaces. The first step of any home improvement is to declutter your existing collection of items and decor, choose which items deserve a spot in your updated space, and then immediately get rid of the excess stuff.
Once you’ve cleaned out your existing collection, create an attainable mood board of your ideas, colors, decor pieces, and furniture that will best reflect your goals for that space. Once you decide on your home aesthetic, you can begin shopping and then staging your home!
Finding an aesthetic that inspires your best self isn’t as difficult as it may sound! We’ve compiled a list of popular home decor styles that are easily integrated into your home – big or small. If you’re looking for more ideas, check out this article on last year’s major trends.
Let’s get into it!
Evie’s product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
Coquette
Love the frills of the coquette aesthetic? We do too! This trending fashion aesthetic is an ultra feminine home decor style that is easy to put together – even if you aren’t an interior decorator. The color scheme of this aesthetic is pink and white, with an emphasis on bows, florals, and simplicity. If you want to fully commit to both the style and home decor aesthetics, your beauty products can double as tabletop decor – display your fragrances and hair accessories as the focal point of the room.
Here are a few of our coquette picks to inspire your decor refresh!
Artfully Walls I Still Read Fairy Tales Wall Art, $158
UO Big Bow Comforter, $200
UO Home Heart Stemmed Bud Vase, $12
Eclectic Grandpa
The eclectic grandpa aesthetic has been trending on TikTok for a while, and the home decor inspo is a perfect combination of colors, patterns, and shapes that encourage the ultimate cozy living space. While you may not want to camp out on another trending aesthetic, this term is quite helpful in defining your search and describing your design goals before you revamp your space!
The eclectic grandpa aesthetic is essentially a muted version of your grandparents’ house, with an emphasis on bookshelves, dark wood, and vintage items. In a sense, the aesthetic is organized clutter with a muted color scheme and lots of greenery. To accomplish this decor look, you’ll need a variety of books (perfect items to thrift) as well as a central coffee table in your living room for eclectic items.
Need to add a few pieces to your home decor? Check out our picks!
Uma Fluted Glass Lamp, $68
UO Vinyl Record Storage Shelf, $119
The Terrain Houseplant Book, $35
Garden Party
Flowers are the original home decor piece, so creating a space that feels natural and inviting requires a floral emphasis. Play with different patterns that include one continuous shade, such as green, so your space reflects your favorite garden space. Shelf decor should include fresh flowers, and your wall decor can feature your favorite blooms in whatever art style you prefer!
Let’s update your garden decor with a few new pieces!
Artfully Walls Blushing Wall Art, $178
Nathalie Lete Embroidered Velvet Pillow, $78
UO Botanical Stemmed Wine Glass, $14
Anthropologie Eden Platter, $68
Modern Farmhouse
While the farmhouse home decor aesthetic has been popular for a while, there are plenty of ways to accomplish this soft, clean decor style without caving to outdated, millennial basics. To keep this decor style fresh, you’ll need to incorporate a variety of different textures into your space, as well as some simple patterns that will cohesively blend with the range of beige and white tones. Patterned wallpapers are a major decor trend this year, which add the perfect final touch to your home!
Ready to update your “sad beige” home into a modern cozy oasis?
Farrow Ball Closet Stripe Wallpaper, $225
Safavieh 24in Flora Seagrass Table Lamp, $60
Anthropologie Carved Wooden Cake Stand with Glass Dome, $38
Coastal Classic
If you’re holding on to the remnants of the coastal grandmother aesthetic, this coastal classic home decor aesthetic is an elevated way to design your space. Light blue will be the primary color focus of your decor, along with bright shades of white and a classic wood finish.
To avoid the instantly outdated components of this aesthetic, stay away from obvious artwork and decor elements that focus on ocean creatures. Shells, starfish, and boat shapes can be used in a classic way, but shouldn’t be the defining feature of your coastal classic home!
Need to add a few new coastal pieces to your living room? Check out these gorgeous items!
UO Toile Duvet Set, $100
Safavieh 26in Nissa Table Lamp, $70
Abrams Hardcover Coastal Blue Coffee Table Book, $40
Terrain Blue Floral Ceramic Vase Tall, $24
Elevated Preppy
Preppy home decor often invites the IG reels of sorority houses and dorm room decor to mind. However, there is an updated version of this bubbly pink and blue decor theme for your post-grad needs! The base of your home decor will be bright white (not beige), and the accents will feature pink and blue illustrations and objects. A white bed frame, bedspread, and bedside table create the perfect canvas for pink pillows, preppy artwork, and related items.
Here are a few fun home decor items to add to your collection!
Anthropologie Candace Mirror, $378
Balta 5X7 Covey Checkered Shag Rug, $70
Alja Horvat Yumi Cherry Tray, $59
Closing Thoughts
Choosing a home decor aesthetic is step one to enjoying your newly furnished place. Decorating your home should spark joy!
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