Let’s talk about the top mortgage lenders in Connecticut, based on their total loan volume.
Nearly 700 companies originated home loans in The Constitution State during 2021, with overall funding volume exceeding $58 billion.
But one company beat out the competition, though not by a significantly wide margin.
Yes, it was the nation’s top lender, Rocket Mortgage, which you may have already guessed.
Read on to which other banks and mortgage lenders made the leaderboard in Connecticut.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Connecticut (Overall)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Rocket Mortgage
$3.2 billion
2.
Chase
$2.9 billion
3.
Wells Fargo
$2.3 billion
4.
Citizens Bank
$2.1 billion
5.
Bank of America
$1.8 billion
6.
loanDepot
$1.7 billion
7.
U.S. Bank
$1.7 billion
8.
Total Mortgage
$1.4 billion
9.
Webster Bank
$1.3 billion
10.
UWM
$1.2 billion
As noted, the #1 spot went to Rocket Mortgage, which funded $3.2 billion in Connecticut in 2021, per HMDA data from Richey May.
That wasn’t a huge surprise, as they are also the top mortgage lender in the country overall.
In second was NYC-based Chase Bank, which came close with $2.9 billion funded. It then dropped off a bit with San Francisco-based Wells Fargo funding $2.3 billion.
Two more banks rounded out the top five, including Citizens Bank and Bank of America.
Citizens Bank is basically a local institution as they are headquartered in nearby Providence, Rhode Island.
The bottom half of the top 10 included loanDepot, U.S. Bank, Total Mortgage (CT), Webster Bank, and United Wholesale Mortgage.
Webster Bank is also Connecticut-based, with headquarters in Waterbury, CT.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Connecticut (for Home Buyers)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$1.3 billion
2.
Citizens Bank
$1.1 billion
3.
Total Mortgage
$918 million
4.
Wells Fargo
$898 million
5.
U.S. Bank
$830 million
6.
Rocket Mortgage
$680 million
7.
Guaranteed Rate
$643 million
8.
Bank of America
$613 million
9.
UWM
$590 million
10.
Citibank
$576 million
When it came to home purchase financing, Chase took first place with $1.3 billion funded, followed by Citizens Bank with $1.1 billion and Total Mortgage with $918 million.
Fourth went to Wells Fargo with $898 million, while U.S. Bank grabbed fifth with $830 million funded.
The rest of the heavy hitters included Rocket Mortgage, Guaranteed Rate, Bank of America, UWM, and Citibank.
Total Mortgage is headquartered in Milford, CT, making them the one Connecticut-based mortgage company in the bunch.
But several other companies listed are pretty local as well. This is common as home buyers tend to gravitate to local options when financing a home purchase.
Top Refinance Lenders in Connecticut (for Existing Homeowners)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Rocket Mortgage
$2.5 billion
2.
Chase
$1.4 billion
3.
Wells Fargo
$1.3 billion
4.
loanDepot
$1.2 billion
5.
Bank of America
$1.1 billion
6.
Citizens Bank
$897 million
7.
U.S. Bank
$806 million
8.
Webster Bank
$788 million
9.
Freedom Mortgage
$773 million
10.
People’s United Bank
$744 million
If we exclude home purchase loans, and only include rate and term refinances (and cash out refinances), Rocket Mortgage slides into first place with $2.5 billion funded.
That was well ahead of the rest, with second place Chase only managing $1.4 billion in refis in Connecticut.
In third was Wells Fargo with a close $1.3 billion, followed by loanDepot with $1.2 billion and Bank of America with $1.1 billion.
Others making the top-10 list included Citizens Bank, U.S. Bank, Webster Bank, Freedom Mortgage, and Bridgeport-based People’s United Bank.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Bridgeport
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$2.2 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$1.4 billion
3.
Bank of America
$1.3 billion
4.
U.S. Bank
$1.1 billion
5.
Rocket Mortgage
$1.1 billion
6.
Citizens Bank
$1.0 billion
7.
loanDepot
$835 million
8.
Citibank
$800 million
9.
First Republic Bank
$724 million
10.
People’s United Bank
$707 million
Top Mortgage Lenders in New Haven
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Rocket Mortgage
$665 million
2.
Citizens Bank
$400 million
3.
Total Mortgage Services
$335 million
4.
Wells Fargo
$309 million
5.
UWM
$299 million
6.
loanDepot
$294 million
7.
Chase
$263 million
8.
Newrez
$231 million
9.
Homepoint
$209 million
10.
Guaranteed Rate
$206 million
So when it came to refis, there were three CT-based mortgage companies in the mix.
Top Rated Mortgage Lenders in Connecticut (by Customer Reviews)
Now let’s try to determine who the best Connecticut mortgage lenders are by focusing on customer reviews.
On Zillow, Total Mortgage has the most reviews (nearly 3,500 at last count) and a solid 4.90/5 rating.
But West Hartford, CT-based First World Mortgage Corp. and Avon, CT-based Norcom Mortgage have superior 4.97/5 ratings, with about 900 and 1,000 reviews, respectively.
There’s also Newtown Savings Bank (4.94/5), Northeast Financial (4.98/5), and Luxury Mortgage (4.91/5). Each of these companies have a few hundred reviews on Zillow.
Then there are the big names, like Rocket Mortgage (4.48/5), Citizens Bank (4.96/5), Wells Fargo (4.95/5), Chase (4.95/5), and Bank of America (4.82/5).
So clearly there is no shortage of quality mortgage companies in and around Connecticut and beyond.
Put in the time to gather several quotes from local banks and credit unions, mortgage brokers, and the big household names too. Generally, the more quotes you obtain the better the savings.
A stone home built in 1668 in Chestertown, MD, is the oldest home on the market this week on Realtor.com®.
The exterior walls are said to have been constructed of stone “not native to the area” and which may have been transported from England in the original owner’s ships, the listing notes.
Other historic homes to hit the market this week include a modernized antique in New York, a stone manor house in New Jersey, and a stone farmhouse in Pennsylvania.
Scroll down for a full look at this week’s 10 oldest homes.
Price: $327,900 Year built: 1668 Rock of Ages: The two-bedroom home “needs renovation” the listing states. The house, perhaps the oldest in the state, has not been occupied since 1996.
The 1,186-square-foot abode features a cozy living room with wood-paneled walls and a fireplace. One cute bedroom has an arched ceiling. The kitchen and bathrooms need work, and an attached shed has an outhouse.
Prospective buyers and agents are advised to enter the home at their own risk.
Chestertown, MD
(Realtor.com)
———
Price: $398,000 Year built: 1690 5 acres and stone walls: This charming three-bedroom home has been well preserved. Measuring 1,480 square feet, it features restored hardwood floors and hand-hewn beams.
The living room has a large bay window, a brick fireplace with a beehive oven, and a wood stove. The kitchen and dining area also comes with a wood stove. The main level has one bedroom, and the upstairs has two additional bedrooms and a small room that could be used as a nursery or home office.
Also found on the property are a smaller barn with a paddock and storage room as well as a larger barn designed to accommodate animals.
Porter, ME
(Realtor.com)
———
Price: $489,900 Year built: 1700 Center of town: This five-bedroom home combines history with modern flourishes.
The adorable kitchen has a center island with a two-seat breakfast bar. French doors from the kitchen open to a flagstone patio with an old mill/grindstone, along with pathways through gardens. The dining room features restored hardwood flooring, and the formal living room has the original, wide-board flooring and raised paneling. A newer addition off the back would be ideal for a home office or in-law suite.
Significant roof repairs are currently in progress and will be completed before closing. The 1.2-acre lot also features an oversized post-and-beam garage/barn.
Suffield, CT
(Realtor.com)
———
Price: $795,000 Year built: 1712 The Benner House: This three-bedroom antique has been stylishly modernized.
The 2,477 square feet of interior space boasts two ground-floor fireplaces, a main-floor bedroom, an updated kitchen, and an open floor plan with wide-plank flooring and exposed-beam ceilings. The two upstairs bedrooms offer vaulted wood ceilings.
Enjoy views of the 1.6-acre lot from the three-season room or oversized deck. The appealing property is already pending sale after a week on the market.
Red Hook, NY
(Realtor.com)
———
Price: $940,000 Year built: 1725 The Bodo Otto House: This six-bedroom, stone manor house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Now restored, the 4,068 square feet of interior space features original details, including seven fireplaces (one has the original cooking crane), random-plank boards, a brick hearth, and exposed stone walls. The modernized kitchen features floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, and the four-season sunroom comes with a private entrance. The primary suite is on the second floor and has a fireplace. Three more bedrooms can be found on the third floor.
The 1.6-acre lot comes with four outbuildings, including a stone smokehouse.
Mickleton, NJ
(Realtor.com)
———
Price: $695,000 Year built: 1730 Stone farmhouse: The 2,316-square-foot main home has three bedrooms and a full bathroom. It features many period details and will need some TLC. Features include hardwood floors, wood-beamed ceilings, and exposed brick walls.
The 19-acre parcel also comes with a two-story summer house, a five-bay garage, and “a small stream that rumor has it they mined for gold,” according to the listing.
The property consists of two separate deeds being sold as one.
Dillsburg, PA
(Realtor.com)
———
Price: $625,000 Year built: 1730 The Tuttle Estate: This three-bedroom home was built by one of the original planters who settled in the area, according to the listing.
The 2,906-square-foot space has been fully restored while still boasting many original details. They include wide oak and poplar floorboards restored by hand, wood-paneled walls, and custom built-ins. The dining room has a fireplace with a beehive oven. Two bedrooms can be found on the second floor along with a smaller office that could be used as a bedroom. The third floor has an additional room that could be used as a studio or a bedroom.
The 8-acre lot comes with a three-car garage with a workshop and what is said to be one of the oldest barns in the country.
Wallingford, CT
(Realtor.com)
———
Price: $1,289,000 Year built: 1736 Grand Colonial: This spacious, five-bedroom home features original hardwood floors, handcarved woodwork, and seven fireplaces.
Sitting on 1.7 acres next to the Sunningdale Country Club, the 4,345-square-foot residence also boasts custom millwork, diamond windows, built-in bookcases, and preserved hardwood floors. There are window seats, wood-paneled walls, and arched ceilings with exposed beams.
Scarsdale, NY
(Realtor.com)
———
Price: $324,900 Year built: 1740 Antique Cape: This four-bedroom home features wide-plank wood floors, wood-beamed ceilings, and a beehive oven.
Located in the historic district, the charming, 1,688-square-foot abode offers an open floor plan. Bedrooms can be found on the first and second floors. The bright kitchen has been modernized over the years and now features an island and updated appliances.
The backyard features an above-ground pool.
Wethersfield, CT
(Realtor.com)
———
Price: $439,900 Year built: 1750 Cape and barn: This three-bedroom Cape comes with a massive, two-story barn with a loft.
The 1,755-square-foot home has been renovated over the years but is still in need of some “finishing touches,” the listing states. The colorful kitchen features a wood ceiling, farmhouse sink, and antique oven. The living room has a pellet stove and wide-board pine floor. The primary bedroom is on the first floor, and two additional bedrooms are located upstairs.
Three outbuildings can be found on the 2-acre lot. The property is pending sale.
Cue up your favorite girlboss anthem, because the high-powered female brokers at the Oppenheim Group are back!
And along with them come more million-dollar deals, some fresh new faces, and all the drama you’d expect from the Netflix series best described as ‘Real Housewives meets Million Dollar Listing.‘
Spicing things up this season are two new additions to the Selling Sunset cast, joining familiar faces like Chrishell Stause, Mary Fitzgerald, Emma Hernan, Heather Rae El Moussa, Amanza Smith, and Chelsea Lazkani.
O Group veteran Nicole Young steps into the limelight (after she’d only made brief appearances in past seasons, including a memorable one in Season 2 when she officiated Mary and Romain’s wedding), alongside model-turned-real estate agent Bre Tiesi.
For those of you keeping up with celebrity news, Bre might already be a familiar face, as the ambitious real estate agent was holding headlines last year after having a baby with Nick Cannon.
We also get to meet Jason Oppenheim’s new girlfriend, Marie-Lou Nurk, and Chrishell Stause’s partner (later turned wife), G Flip. But despite the show’s new additions, what we’re most excited to see more jaw-dropping mansions and multi-million-dollar homes — and there’s no shortage of those in the new season.
So we took it upon ourselves to track down all the spectacular houses in Selling Sunset Season 6, and give you a breakdown of their impressive features, endless lists of amenities, and upscale features.
The spectacular houses in ‘Selling Sunset’, Season 6
Selling Sunset doesn’t disappoint when it comes to real estate eye candy. From sprawling penthouses to massive mansions, Season 6 brought us plenty of million-dollar homes to daydream about — and even had us revisit some past favorites, like Chrishell Stause’s beautiful home in Hollywood Hills.
And since luxury real estate is our obsession, we couldn’t help ourselves and tracked down all the Selling Sunset houses that graced our screens in Season 6 of the hit Netflix show.
With the exception of Chelsea’s Santa Monica listing, which we couldn’t find as there weren’t many details available (or maybe Chelsea didn’t land the listing?), and Nicole’s West Hollywood listing, here’s a quick update on all of the houses featured this season, along with property photos and videos that allow you to take a closer look at these phenomenal estates.
Bonus: before we go into the houses that made their way on-screen, we’d like to take a second to applaud the Netflix production crew’s choice when picking the shooting location for promotional images.
The posters for Selling Sunset‘s sixth season were shot at the iconic Sheats-Goldstein Residence, an architectural marvel and Hollywood landmark designed by lauded architect John Lautner.
Saint Ives Place, West Hollywood – Harry Styles’ former house
An impressive property with celebrity pedigree, this West Hollywood manse was the perfect location to kick off Season 6 of Selling Sunset.
Previously owned by As It Was hitmaker Harry Styles (who bought and sold quite a few Los Angeles-area mansions over the years, including one that later became Lizzo’s house), Emma’s listing has a phenomenal location and all the luxury amenities you’d expect from a former celebrity pad.
With 4 bedrooms, 6 baths, and 4,401 square feet of living space, the Netflix-features Saint Ives Pl. is ideally located behind private gates right above the Sunset Strip — which means it offers beautiful panoramic views that extend from Downtown L.A. to the ocean.
At the time Selling Sunset filmed its Season 6 episodes, the property was listed for $7,995,000. Not to spoil anything for Netflix fans (as Harry Styles’ former house may make a comeback in the next season), but the property is still on the market, with a slightly reduced price.
We’ve also learned that the property is available as a rental asking a whopping $1,500 PER DAY.
Lloydcrest Drive in Beverly Hills, Emma’s $18,995,000 listing
We’re suckers for striking modern mansions, and the Lloycrest Dr house on Selling Sunset is right up our alley.
The 5-bed, 9-bath house, which comes with a coveted address (it’s set in the prestigious Crest Streets in Beverly Hills), was listed for just under $19 million.
Hardworking Emma had already secured a buyer for the modern Beverly Hills spread, but the sale fell through as the buyers were not happy with how much they’d have to pay for fire insurance, which ran high even for a property this size (the show mentions that the cheapest fire insurance for the house would be 200,000/year – yowza!)
(Spoilers ahead) Fast-forward to now, Lloydcrest Drive is still on the market, though at a significantly lower price point. The property — which offers 10,359 of living space, a massive 2,000 sq. ft. primary suite with a private glam room and hair salon, a gourmet kitchen, and a 20-person home theater with a bar, among others — is currently listed for $12,995,000.
Jason Oppenheim’s two $7.5M penthouses on Hollywood Boulevard
After his Season 5 breakup with Chrishell, O Group co-founder Jason Oppenheim threw himself into work — specifically, converting four condo units on Hollywood Blvd. into two spectacular penthouses with massive rooftop decks and the finest luxury finishes.
As mentioned on the show, Jason sunk nearly $10 million of his own personal money into the project, and he’s looking to cash out by listing each of them for a whopping $7.5 million.
(Spoiler) The two penthouses are still on the market following Selling Sunset‘s Season 6 premiere, though the smaller of the two — both units have 3 beds and 4 baths, but one is slightly larger at 3,820 square feet versus 3,580 sq. ft. — has seen its price drop by $500,000. It’s now listed for $6,995,000 (and as a rental for $49,900/mo), while the larger unit retains the original $7,495,000 asking price and a $49,900/mo rent price.
Micah’s Hillside Ave house
Micah, the developer behind the impressive Lloydcrest Drive property we mentioned earlier, was also selling his original home — and had enlisted Emma to be his agent for this one too.
Set on the same prime Hollywood Hills street as the unforgettable $40 million Hillside house from Season 1 and 2, the 5-bedroom, 5-bath home comes with 4,840 square feet of luxurious living space, an open floor plan with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, and a King Kong statue(?) guarding the pool area.
Remember when Emma said how flattered she was that Micah was entrusting her with the sale of this home? Well, turns out he was right to do so (Warning, spoilers ahead): The Hillside Ave house from season 6 of Selling Sunset sold for more than the asking price.
Listed for $5,495,000 in August 2022, the 5-bedroom spread sold for $5,726,000 a few months later, in November 2022 per public records. Way to go, Emma!
N Stanley Ave, the black house on Billionaire’s Row
For this one, we didn’t have to do much research, as we extensively covered this beauty when it came to market last year.
Photo credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The Agency
Definitely one of the most impressive houses featured on Season 6 of Selling Sunset, the newly-built N Stanley property that Heather and Bre visit together is nestled in the hills above Sunset Strip, in the coveted ‘Billionaire’s Row’.
Priced at a cool $24.995 million, the plush property offers all the bells and whistles you’d expect from an ultra-luxurious L.A. listing. And a few extras that probably wouldn’t have crossed your mind.
Offering panoramic views of DTLA, the Pacific Ocean, and the canyon, the spec house offers 6 beds, 9 baths, and nearly 10,365 square feet of living space. It also has a custom home theater, fitness center, wine cellar, second living room, and all the finest custom finishes.
Photo credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The Agency
The sophisticated smart home also features museum-quality crystals sourced from around the world and placed with extraordinary care throughout the home to energetically enhance the luxury residence. Take a closer look at this stunning Hollywood Hills mansion.
Now, while on the show we see Bre and Heather touring the property (and later, Bre showing the house to her client, Adam), the black N Stanley house from Selling Sunset‘s season 6 was never listed with the Oppenheim Group.
The listing agents for the property are Camellia Yeroomian of The Agency (the other luxury brokerage that has its own Netflix series, Buying Beverly Hills) and Monty Abramov of The Beverly Hills Estates. Which means it isn’t a spoiler if we reveal that the fabulous mansion is still on the market, boasting a slightly altered listing price of $22 million.
300 The Strand, Chelsea’s $22M listing in Manhattan Beach
Set on a corner lot facing one of California’s best beaches, 300 The Strand is a rare oceanfront listing with all the bells and whistles its high price point commands.
With 4 bedrooms, 9 baths, and 4,440 square feet of modern coastal living space — plus a Strand-front patio, and a sports court with basketball hoop and a private, heated entertainment terrace with in-ground spa, fire pit and BBQ — Chelsea’s 300 The Strand listing is definitely one of the most impressive properties featured in Season 6 of Selling Sunset.
Related: Manhattan Beach’s priciest listing is a $36M modern mansion with luxury resort vibes
A few months after the season filmed, the oceanfront home in Manhattan Beach is still on the market, looking for either a buyer (it’s still listed on the O Group’s website for $21,999,000, though it’s worth noting that other industry websites no longer have it listed for sale) or a renter (it also appears as a $55,000/mo rental on popular real estate websites like Zillow or Realtor.com).
The Woodvale Road property in Encino
Heading over to Encino, new O Group agent Bre Tiesi is hoping to land a phenomenal listing set on Woodvale Road.
The newly built, 8-bedroom, 14-bath property is the pinnacle of luxury, offering over 21,000 square feet of meticulously crafted and designer done living space.
With stand-out features like a chef’s prep kitchen, home theater, professional gym, full spa, hair salon, elevator, temperature-controlled wine storage, 14-car garage that doubles as an event space, outdoor basketball court, and fabulous detached two-story guesthouse, the Woodvale Road property was priced at $25 million, and Bre was eyeing the ultra-generous $750,000 commission she would make from the sale.
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(Spoiler ahead) However, a little bit of research shows that Bre did not in fact land the Encino listing. Public records for the property show that it did find a buyer though — even if the O Group was likely not involved in the transaction.
The Encino mansion ended up selling in February 2023 for a cool $17,500,000, a price point that made it one of the biggest transactions in the family-friendly Encino neighborhood.
The Benedict Canyon house Mary was eyeing for one of her clients
For one of her clients — a couple from the UK who works in events and needs plenty of space and a large backyard — Mary was touring a stunning Beverly Hills property aptly dubbed Jardin de los Suenos (the House of Magical Gardens).
The newly designed Benedict Canyon house on Selling Sunset comes with 6 bedrooms, 7 full baths and one half-bath, and a generous 7,000 square feet of living space.
With extra tall ceilings (14-foot ones for the common spaces, and a 23-foot ceiling in the formal entry foyer) paired with equally tall windows and sliding glass doors, the property perfectly embodies the indoor-outdoor Cali living.
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2231 Benedict Canyon Dr Beverly Hills from Barcelo Photography Inc. on Vimeo.
Also featuring a total of 5 fireplaces, a 200-bottle temperature-controlled all-glass wine storage room, and a media/screening room, plus a one-bedroom guest house, it’s no surprise that the property didn’t linger on the market for too long.
(Spoiler alert) Listed for $8,999,995 in late July of last year, the property was sold a couple of months later for almost full ask: $8,956,000. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Mary’s clients were the lucky buyers. Public records show that a different brokerage was attached to the sale.
The Oak View Drive house in Encino that Chrishell visits
On Episode 5, S06 of Selling Sunset, we join Chrishell for a property visit that brings us back to Encino to tour a 7-bedroom, 9-bathroom house on Oak View Drive.
Boasting the “best views in Encino”, the 7,003-square-foot home had been completely re-imagined by the developers, who invested about $1 million in property upgrades before listing it themselves.
Featuring beautiful cedar and oak detailing, a perfectly-appointed kitchen, a 1,000-square-foot primary bedroom with a large bathroom, and an infinity pool (plus a quirky neon sign that says “I Licked It So It’s Mine”) the Oak View Drive house also got Amanza and Heather’s seal of approval.
What happened to it since that episode was filmed? (Potential spoilers ahead) While Chrishell mentions that she does have a client that’s looking for something in this price range (especially if the developers/listing agents are willing to adjust the price, if needed), it seems that the property may have not been a good fit after all.
Listed for $7,895,000 million at the time of filming, the Encino house is still on the market — but has recently been re-listed at a revised price of $6.5 million. Take a closer look (swipe for more pics):
The sleek $33M Londonderry Place mansion Bre tours with her client
Bre means business! Her drive to sell eight-figure properties leads to her showing a striking $33 million mansion to one of her clients, Telli Swift, the fiancée of championship boxer Deontay Wilder.
One of the most bonkers mansions we’ve seen this season, the Londonderry house blends black and gold finishes throughout its 14,000 square feet of living space.
With 6 bedrooms, 8 baths, and soaring 30-foot ceilings, this sleek Selling Sunset mansion has an endless list of amenities, including a spa wellness retreat with a cryo chamber, hot yoga and salon, and a two-level glass-bottomed pool.
The striking property was also featured on Architectural Digest a few years back, with its unique amenities and aesthetic appeal attracting over 4.5 million views on YouTube.
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(Spoilers) At the time of writing, shortly after Season 6 of Selling Sunset aired, the Londonderry house is no longer on the market, per public records. However, since no sale was recorded in the meantime, it could very well be that the property is still up for grabs but held as a pocket listing by one of L.A.’s top luxury brokerages.
Poo Bear’s house at Zorada Court
Once again courting her many famous friends, we see Bre touring music producer Poo Bear’s house in Los Angeles, a 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath modern retreat overlooking Nichols Canyon.
Poo Bear and his wife, Ashley, are looking to list the property as they’re moving to Miami and Bre is hoping to get the listing, which could potentially earn her a $297,000 commission.
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Beyond the property’s many attributes, Poo Bear’s house is also where music history has been made. The music producer/songwriter has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Usher, Skrillex, and J Balvin, with many of their famous songs being written in this house.
In fact, the white piano (that comes with the house) is where Justin Bieber’s Yummy was created, Poo Bear shares.
Related: Where does Justin Bieber live? His many houses — both past and present
As for what happened to the property after its Selling Sunset appearance (warning, spoilers ahead): after first being listed in November 2022 for $8,900,000, Zorada Ct’s price was dropped to $7,995,000 in early February 2023, only to sell less than two months later for $6,850,000. No O Group agent was involved in the transaction, neither on behalf of the seller nor of the buyer.
Chelsea’s listing at 15th Street in Manhattan Beach
Taking us back to dreamy Manhattan Beach, Chelsea walks us through her 3-bed, 4-bath listing with easy beach access.
While the first offer Chelsea got for the property was fairly low ($3.6 million), she knew she priced the house right and wasn’t going to budge until she got the offer up for her client.
And she stayed true to her words, selling the 3-story for $3,900,000 — just $50k shy of the initial asking price of $3,950,000. Way to go, Chelsea!
The Beverly Boulevard condo Heather tours for Heather and Terry Dubrow
Leading the home search for Real Housewives of Orange County star Heather Dubrow and her husband, plastic surgeon and Botched co-host, Terry Dubrow, Heather tours a $17,500,000 condo at 8899 Beverly Boulevard, hoping she will land her biggest sale to date.
Accompanied by Brett, Heather walks us through the 4-bed, 4.5-bath condo with jaw-dropping views and resort-level amenities.
However, we learn later on that Terry and Heather Dubrow didn’t purchase the place, but they did ‘settle’ on an equally expensive penthouse set in the coveted Century building known as the Cavalli Penthouse (due to its many upscale furnishings that bear the signature of Roberto Cavalli).
Heather wasn’t the only one to land a killer commission though. (Potential spoiler) The $17.5 million penthouse from Selling Sunset was sold a few months later (at full ask), with none other than Brett Oppenheim repping the buyer.
Elvis’ honeymoon house
Okay, so this isn’t an O Group listing, we know. But how can we write an article about all the phenomenal luxury listings featured in this season of Selling Sunset without at least mentioning Elvis and Priscilla’s honeymoon house?
An iconic Palms Springs property, the futuristic residence was actually built in 1960 by pioneering Modernist architect William Krisel.
At the time, its spaceship-like design earned it the moniker “The House of Tomorrow”, but that didn’t last long, as Priscilla and Elvis Presley famously celebrated their honeymoon here in 1967 — after which it became widely known as “Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway”.
Related: Graceland, Elvis Presley’s house in Memphis – everything you’ve ever wanted to know
Last year, the property had a brief stint on the market, listing in early October 2022 for $5,650,000. Unsurprisingly, a month later, the King’s honeymoon house was already sold at full ask.
The Brentwood house Bre shows Saweetie
Heading over to celebrity-friendly, suburban Brentwood, Bre takes us — and her friend, rapper Saweetie — on a tour of a 7,401-square-foot beauty priced at a cool $8,800,000.
The 5-bedroom, 7-bath home at 19th Helena Drive sits on a quiet cul-de-sac and boasts beautiful architectural details. With an expansive open floorplan on the main floor, inviting (and ultra-private) bedrooms shielded by the lush landscaping, and a lower level designed for entertainment — featuring a plush theater and deluxe wet bar, opening directly to the impressive pool with spa, green lawns, barbecue area, and built-in firepit — the house does seem to be a perfect fit for Saweetie.
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(Potential spoilers) However, despite Bre’s excellent match-making, it wasn’t a done deal. Public records show that the property did indeed sell, but the sale closed in late March 2023 and doesn’t show Bre or any other Oppenheim Group agents associated with the transaction.
The selling price was $7,000,000, considerably lower than the $8.8 million ask mentioned on the show. Fun fact: the property was actually first listed for a whopping $12,949,000.
The house Heather and Bre visit on Sunset Plaza Dr
The last property of this season takes us to Sunset Plaza Dr, where a new-to-market 3-bed, 4-bath listing needs to be assessed by Bre and Heather, to see if it’s a good fit for their clients.
Listed for $4,995,000, the 3,364-square-foot bachelor pad has a massive primary bedroom suite that gets several “Oh my gosh” out of Heather, which isn’t an easy feat given the type of properties she’s used to.
This sleek contemporary home located above the Sunset Strip showcases jetliner panoramic views from Downtown to the ocean. It then comes as little surprise that the home also has multiple outdoor decks and a rooftop deck to capitalize on those extraordinary views, as well as an infinity edge pool with a private Baja deck and swim-up bar.
As for what happened to it (Potential spoilers), the Sunset Plaza Dr property sold in April 2023 for $3,150,000. While it may not have been a good fit for any of Heather or Bre’s clients, the O Group did get a significant commission out of the sale, as Jason Oppenheim was the listing agent for the property.
Admittedly, while watching the show, I felt like there were fewer properties and considerably more drama than in previous seasons. However, after writing about each Selling Sunset house that graced our screens in Season 6 of the hit Netflix docu-soap, I realize there were quite a few show-stopping mansions for us to daydream about. Hope we’re going to get to see some of them return in Season 7.
Editor’s note: While we did our best to identify all the properties featured on Selling Sunset, there’s always a possibility that we’ve missed something. If you spot anything that’s off, or you have an inside tip on one of the properties, drop us a line anytime at hello (at) fancypantshomes.com
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2021 VA Home Loan Limit: $0 down up to $5,000,000* (Subject to lender limits) /2 open VA loans at one time $550,850* (Call 888-573-4496 for details).
How to Apply for a VA Home Loan?
This is a quick look at how to apply for a VA home loan in Solano County. For a more detailed overview of the VA home loan process, check out our complete guide on how to apply for a VA home loan. Here, we’ll go over the general steps to getting a VA home loan and point out some things to pay attention to in Solano County. If you have any questions, you can call us at VA HLC and we’ll help you get started.
Get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Give us a call at (877) 432-5626 and we’ll get your COE for you.
Are you applying for a refinance loan? Check out our complete guide to VA Refinancing.
Get pre-approved, to get pre-approved for a loan, you’ll need:
Previous two years of W2s
Most recent 30 days paystubs or LES (active duty)
Most recent 60 days bank statements
Landlord and HR/Payroll Department contact info
Find a home
We can help you check whether the home is in one of the Solano County flood zones
Get the necessary inspections
Termite inspection: required
Well or septic inspections needed, if applicable
Get the home appraised
We can help you find a VA-Certified appraiser in Solano County and schedule the process
Construction loan note: Construction permit/appraisal info
Building permit
Elevation certificate
Lock in your interest rates
Wait until the appraisal lock in your loan rates. If it turns out you need to make repairs, it can push your closing back. Then you can get stuck paying rate extension fees.
Close the deal and get packing!
You’re ready to go.
What is the Median Home Price?
As of March 31st, 2021, the median home value for Solano County is $510,353. In addition, the median household income for residents of the county is $81,472.
How much are the VA Appraisal Fees?
Single-Family: $600.
Individual Condo: $600.
Manufactured Homes: $600.
2-4 Unit Multi-Family: $850.
Appraisal Turnaround Times: 7 days.
Do I need Flood Insurance?
The VA requires properties are required to have flood insurance if they are in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
In Solano County, there are several flood hazard areas, especially around the county’s many wetlands. One such flood hazard area is south of Suisun City which has considerable flood-prone areas south of Rio Vista Highway. In addition, low elevation areas around Carquinez Strait are also considered flood hazards.
How do I learn about Property Taxes?
Marc Tonnesen is the Solano county tax assessor. His office can be reached at 675 Texas Street, Suite 2700 Fairfield, CA 94533. In addition, his office can also be reached by calling (707) 784-6200.
The state of California offers various incentive programs that expand statewide for new, growing, and relocating businesses. Two of these programs are California Competes Tax Credit which offers qualifying businesses tax credit and the New employment Credit program which offers a tax credit for taxpayers who hire full-time employees. These and many other programs help in further diversifying the state’s economy.
What is the Population?
As of 2019, Solano County’s population is 447,643 which has seen an 8% increase in the last decade. Moreover, demographically speaking, 37% of the population is White, with 26% Hispanic, and 16% Asian.
Most county residents are between 18 and 65 years old, with 22% under 18 years old and 16% older than 65.
In total, the county has about 149,067 households, with an average of two people per household.
What are the major cities?
The county has seven cities, including the city of Fairfield which serves as the county seat. There are six other cities in the county which include Benicia, Dixon, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Vallejo.
About Solano County
Solano County, California is home to strong healthcare, retail trade, and construction employment industries. Hence, the most common types of employment in the county are in the office administrative, sales, management occupations.
When it comes to education, the county is home to eight school districts that offer education ranging from pre-K to senior year in high school. In addition, the county is also home to Solano Community College, Touro University California, and California State University Maritime Academy which provide higher education opportunities. Moreover, the most common concentrations for students in the county are in the Liberal Arts, Biological Sciences, and Business Administration.
In addition to its workforce and education, the county is also home to rich art and culture institutions like the A gallery, Arts Benicia, Fairfield Center of Creative Arts, and Vacaville Art gallery. Moreover, the county is also home to several museums like the Western Railway Museum and the Solano History Exploration Center.
Finally, outside of the city, there are also several recreational areas within the county like Lake Solano Park, Lynch Canyon Open Space Park, and Sandy Beach Park. All of which provides an escape from city life by providing opportunities for water activities, camping, and many other outdoor activities.
Veteran Information
The county is currently home to 32,811 veterans.
Bases Nearby:
Travis Air Force Base
Solano County is home to five VFW post:
Post-2333 Simmons-Sheldon – 427 Main Street, Suisun City, CA 94585.
Post 7244 Lt. Michael Libonati Jr. – 549 Merchant St. Vacaville, CA 95688.
Post 8151 Dixon – 231 N. First St. Dixon, CA 95620.
Post-1123 Carl H. Kreh – 420 Admiral Callaghan Ln. Vallejo, CA 94591.
Post 3928 Benicia – 1150 1st St. Benicia, CA 94510.
VA Medical Centers in the county:
Fairfield VA Clinic – 103 Bodin Circle, Building 778, Travis AFB, CA 94535.
RCS Pacific District Office – 420 Executive Court North Suite A, Fairfield, CA 94534.
Mare Island VA Clinic – 201 Walnut Avenue, Building 201, Mare Island, CA 94592.
County Veteran Assistance Information
Solano County Veteran Services Office – 675 Texas Street, Suite 4700, Fairfield, CA 94533.
Apply for a VA Home Loan
For more information about VA Home Loans and how to apply, click here.
If you meet the VA’s eligibility requirements, you will be able to enjoy some of the best government-guaranteed home loans available.
VA loans can finance the construction of a property. However, the property must be owned and prepared for construction as the VA cannot ensure vacant land loans.
VA Approved Condos
Name (ID): ALAMO CREEK (C00837) Address: AKA EDGEWATER
VACAVILLE CA 95688-0000 SOLANO Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 01/01/1983 Review Completion Date: 01/02/1983
Name (ID): BELVEDERE AT NORTHGATE (008331) Address: PHASE 1, 2, & 3
VALLEJO CA 94591 SOLANO Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 08/06/2009 Review Completion Date: 08/06/2009
Name (ID): COSTA DEL ORO III (000138) Address: SEAPORT DRIVE
VALLEJO CA 94590 SOLANO Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 11/09/1993 Review Completion Date: 11/09/1993
Name (ID): ELDORADO 1 & 2 (000058) Address:
VACAVILLE CA 94945 SOLANO Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 04/14/2004 Review Completion Date: 04/15/2006
Name (ID): FAIRFIELD’S CREEKSIDE MANOR (000326) Address: 1810 E. TABOR AVE
FAIRFIELD CA 94533 SOLANO Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 04/02/2018 Review Completion Date: 04/16/2018
Sometimes it can seem like banks always put profits over the people they serve, but several U.S. banks are committed to doing just the opposite.
I found 15 banks that shape their business models around community support and environmental sustainability. Many of them even qualify as B Corporations, which have to abide by legal requirements such as a diverse workforce, sustainable practices, and more.
What’s Ahead:
Overview of the best socially responsible banks
Bank or credit union
Best for
Are they a Certified B Corporation?
Unique feature
National Cooperative Bank
Cooperatives
No
Real estate mortgages for homeowners with low to moderate income
Southern Bancorp
Those who live in rural areas
No
Free financial education center
Amalgamated Bank
Those who support sustainable business
Yes
Donate your spare change with their “Donate the Change” program
Ando Savings
Tracking the effect of your investment
Yes
Auto-save by rounding up debit card purchases
BankPurely
Investing in planting trees
No
One tree is planted for every SavingPurely account opened
Aspiration Bank
Knowing how your spending stacks up to your values
Yes
Investment accounts with fossil fuel-free portfolios
Clearwater Credit Union
Montana small businesses
No
All-in-one banking options
Verity Credit Union
Entrepreneurs in underserved communities
No
Microloans
Virginia Community Capital (VCC)
Real estate entrepreneurs taking on eco-friendly construction projects
Yes
The Revolving Loan Fund that fills financial gaps for investors who can’t afford commercial financing
Central Bank of Kansas City
Tax help and Missouri residents
No
Incentives to invest in economically disadvantaged areas
Carver Federal Savings Bank
Those looking to help support the Black community
No
They donate to local communities
First Green Bank
Those in economically disadvantages areas
No
A loan plan for homeowners who wish to install solar panels
Mascoma Bank
Those living in low-income cities in New England
Yes
Loans for energy-efficient renovations
City First Bank
Those who want to support the development of low-income communities
Yes
Through CDARS, customers can make larger, FDIC-insured deposits
Beneficial State Bank
Those with less than perfect credit
Yes
Underwriters consider factors other than credit score
Best national banks for socially responsible banking
These banks have brick-and-mortar branches, but they’re large enough to have seamless online and mobile account services, as well as multiple resources for customers and borrowers.
National Cooperative Bank
The National Cooperative Bank began as a lender to business cooperatives that meet community needs, including grocery stores, health centers, nonprofits, housing co-ops, credit unions, and more.
Cooperatives remain their main lending focus, but NCB also specializes in real estate, mortgages for homeowners with low or moderate incomes, and loans for solar energy installation. They’ve branched into personal banking as well, and personal or commercial accounts can be opened online from anywhere in the United States.
Like many socially responsible banks, NCB prioritizes investments in renewable energy projects, and they don’t invest in fossil fuels.
Some of their standout features include:
Member of the Global Alliance of Banking on Values (GABV), a worldwide banking network with a commitment to economic and environmental sustainability.
Personal checking and savings accounts come with up to 0.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY).
Retirement accounts include IRAs, Roth IRAs, and IRA rollovers.
Learn more about the National Cooperative Bank.
Southern Bancorp
Southern Bancorp is a huge organization with banking, lending, community development, and more services under its $1.1 billion-asset umbrella, but don’t let the size fool you — this bank provides big solutions for small communities, with a commitment to expanding opportunity in rural areas.
In addition to the basics like checking, savings, and lending, Southern Bancorp has a robust public policy advocacy division where they work to promote laws that have positive financial impacts on working families. There’s also a free financial education center with credit counseling and tax prep services.
Since Southern Bancorp is headquartered, and specializes in, the Arkansas and Mississippi Delta regions, physical branches are mostly in this region. But customers from anywhere in the U.S. can open personal or business accounts online.
The bank’s leadership demographic reflects the community it serves; the CEO and 50% of the board members are Black.
Their unique features include:
A Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
Certified B-Corporation or B-Corp — a designation reserved for organizations committed to responsible practices.
Personal checking and savings accounts, including accounts designed for specific financial goals.
Online banking is available anywhere with internet access.
Home, auto, and personal loans.
Learn more about Southern Bancorp.
Amalgamated Bank
Headquartered in New York and Washington D.C., Amalgamated Bank extends online checking and savings account access across the United States. They’re committed to sustainable business practices within their own walls. Employees earn a minimum hourly wage of $20/hour, above the federal minimum, and over 30% of employees are union members. The business strives to be 100% carbon-neutral in its operations.
Amalgamated makes its lending priorities clear from the start. They don’t lend to fossil fuel companies, weapons manufacturers, or private prison operators. Instead, they focus on lending to companies in the solar energy or sustainable food industries. If you invest with Amalgamated, you can opt for a portfolio that’s fossil-fuel-free.
And they’re the first major U.S. bank to endorse HR 40, the bill calling for a national commission to establish reparation payments for Black Americans.
Their standout features include:
Certified B Corp and member of the GABV.
Online personal checking and savings accounts with 0.10%-0.40% APYs.
Restart Checking accounts available for customers with poor credit.
Give-Back savings accounts donate half your interest (0.30% APY) to an organization of your choice.
An optional “Donate the Change” program rounds up your purchases and donates the change to a cause the bank selects.
Over 40,000 free in-network ATMs for customers outside NY and D.C.
Learn more about Amalgamated Bank.
Ando Savings
Ando is another bank that puts the environment front and center. They’ve pledged 100% of their investments to initiatives supporting sustainable practices, like agriculture and public transit.
Investors can track the effect of their own investment dollars in the Ando mobile app’s Impact Center, which traces financial impact across five categories including clean energy, sustainable transportation, and green buildings.
You’ll find the following with Ando:
Spending and savings accounts, as well as a Visa debit card, are available to anyone in the U.S.
Accounts have no fees or minimum balances.
Ando’s Count the Change program helps you “auto-save” by rounding up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and moving the difference from spending to savings.
Learn more about Ando.
Best online banks for socially responsible banking
These banks are fully digital — not only is the all-mobile bank trendy and convenient, but its format also allows the bank to live a little lighter on the earth, with no energy use from physical branches.
BankPurely
BankPurely is the digital arm of NYC-based Flushing Bank, a bank that invests most of its money in community initiatives. As a fully online operation, BankPurely has formal PayItGreen approval for reducing its paper waste and carbon footprint.
They’re currently partnering with Plant-It 2020 to plant indigenous trees in New York State. Ando is one of many socially progressive banks that works with a tree-planting organization, taking a small but important step to counteract climate change.
A few great features include:
Checking, savings, and money market accounts available, with up to 0.25% APY on savings accounts and 0.5% on money market accounts.
CDs are available with 0.55% APY, and Ando will plant a tree for every CD you open.
Learn more about BankPurely.
Aspiration
Aspiration is one of the best-known socially responsible online banks, with multiple account options for the conscious customer. Their “pay what’s fair” fee model for a basic checking account is a rare offering even for the most flexible banks (and yes, paying $0 in fees is an option).
Both the free and fee-based “Aspiration Plus” checking accounts give you a personal impact score to see how your spending stacks up against your values. Accountholders get 3%-10% cash back when they buy anything from Aspiration’s Conscience Coalition partner vendors — an incentive to shop for the greater good.
The bank is currently rolling out a credit card that will reward shoppers who make carbon-friendly financial choices.
Here are a few key features:
Certified B Corp and member of global environmental organization 1% for the Planet.
Aspiration Plus savings accounts ($5.99/month) offer up to 5.00% APY.
Investment accounts available with fossil fuel-free portfolios.
IRA retirement accounts.
As a donor, Aspiration prioritizes funding microloans for low-income recipients.
Learn more about Aspiration or read our full review.
Best regional banks and credit unions for socially responsible banking
Some regional banks offer online accounts to residents elsewhere in the U.S., while others are only open to residents of a certain state or region. Here’s a cross-section of ethical standouts across the country.
Clearwater Credit Union – Montana residents
As Montana’s largest CDFI and a member of Inclusiv, an organization serving residents in low-income communities, Clearwater Credit Union is making its mark nationally but keeping a local focus.
They loan primarily to local businesses and offer a solid selection of financial services to customers.
Here are a couple of great features they offer:
Checking and savings accounts are available.
Health savings accounts (HSAs), traditional IRAs, and Roth IRAs.
Personal, student, and car loans for borrowers.
Learn more about Clearwater Credit Union.
Verity Credit Union – Washington state residents
Verity is active in the local microloan business — one project they’ve funded is the Business Impact Northwest loan program, which gives a financial boost to entrepreneurs in underserved communities.
As an environmentally conscious credit union, they’ve hopped on board the solar installation funding train as well, providing loans to homeowners installing solar panels.
Some especially helpful features include:
Open an account online or through their branch locations.
Accounts can be managed online.
IRAs and 401(k) rollovers are available.
Learn more about Verity Credit Union.
Virginia Community Capital (VCC) – Virginia residents
VCC is the community development arm of VCC Bank, a state bank that’s also a certified B Corp. Food access is a VCC funding priority, and they work with businesses providing healthy, local groceries across the state.
As a real estate funder, VCC has a Clean Energy Financing loan program for entrepreneurs taking on environmentally friendly construction projects.
Some helpful features include:
The Revolving Loan Fund fills financial gaps for investors who can’t afford commercial financing.
Personal savings accounts have low $25 opening deposit minimums.
Checking accounts, CDs, and Roth IRAs are available.
Learn more about VCC.
Central Bank of Kansas City – Missouri residents; online banking for all U.S. residents
Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Central Bank of Kansas City focuses most of its efforts on the local economy. Their lending programs include New Market Tax Credits — incentives to invest in economically disadvantaged areas — and tax credits for developers building low-income housing.
Some exciting features are:
Checking, savings, and money market accounts have fully online options for non-local customers.
Personal accounts earn between 0.05% – 0.15% APY.
Brick-and-mortar banks forMissouri locals.
Learn more about the Central Bank of Kansas City.
Carver Federal Savings Bank – NYC, New England, and Mid-Atlantic residents
Carver Federal Savings Bank was founded in Harlem, NYC, and designed to strengthen Black communities, and the bank’s stayed true to this mission since 1948.
As a CDFI, they focus their donations on local initiatives, and they don’t invest in fossil fuels. Residents of eight states — CT, DE, MA, MD, NY, NJ, RI, and VA, as well as Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, PA — can open accounts with Carver.
Their key features are:
Interest-bearing checking and savings accounts.
A mobile banking app makes Carver accounts easy to access online.
Account fees are waived with minimum monthly balances.
Learn more about Carver Federal Savings Bank.
First Green Bank – Florida residents
First Green Bank is a local leader in “green” investments. They fund commercial and residential projects that meet environmental standards, and community initiatives that support sustainable development in areas like water and agriculture. They have a loan plan specifically for homeowners who want to install solar panels.
Here are some exciting features:
Florida residents have checking and savings account options, including interest-bearing sustainable savings.
HSAs, IRAs, and youth savings accounts are available.
Learn more about First Green Bank.
Mascoma Bank – New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine residents
Mascoma finances projects designed to revitalize low-income communities in Northern New England.
Local residents can take advantage of their suite of financial services, from the basic checking and savings accounts to mortgages and homeowner loans for solar or energy-efficient renovations.
Some key features include:
Three tiers of checking accounts are offered, and two earn interest.
Home equity loans and lines of credit, as well as traditional mortgages.
Emergency flood loans are available to cover storm-related damages.
Learn more about Mascoma Bank.
City First Bank – Washington, D.C. area residents
For individuals, nonprofits, and other businesses in or near Washington, D.C., City First Bank is a CDFI worth checking out. They give 80% of their loan funds to projects in low-income communities, and they’ve financed thousands of affordable housing units in a city where the cost of living is rising quickly. City First has even branched out to finance nonprofits across the Mid-Atlantic.
Some top-of-the-line features include:
Personal checking and savings accounts havecompetitive interest rates.
Customers can make larger, FDIC-insured deposits through CDARS (Certificate of Deposit Registry Service) and money market accounts.
Learn more about City First Bank.
Beneficial State Bank – Oregon, Washington, and California residents
Beneficial State Bank funds renewable energy, affordable housing, and other community projects across the Pacific Northwest. Their nonprofit Beneficial State Foundation is a vocal public policy advocate for progressive change in the banking system.
As a lender, Beneficial uses a nontraditional underwriting model that considers factors other than credit scores. They’re also a trustworthy stop for auto loans if you’re a Pacific Northwest resident with subpar credit.
Here are some of their features:
Checking and savings accounts are fully mobile.
Money market accounts and IRAs are available.
California residents can finance an electric or hybrid vehicle at affordable rates through Beneficial’s Clean Vehicle Assistance program.
Learn more about Beneficial State Bank.
Why choose a socially responsible bank?
A bank or credit union account might seem like a convenience-based choice, not a values-based one. But when you entrust a bank with your money, you’re implicitly supporting the projects the bank funds.
You can make a difference
As a consumer, you have the power to make choices that sway banks’ overall priorities. Banks want your business, and if more customers opt for banks that support community development or environmental causes (or avoid fossil fuel funding that contributes to climate change), the industry will take note that people want socially responsible banking.
It is safer in their hands
Your money’s also in safe hands — just because these banks have a “people over profit” focus doesn’t mean they don’t make a profit.
Along with the standard FDIC insurance protection guarantees, socially responsible banks are just as profitable (if not more so) than their competition, according to research by the GABV.
What makes a bank socially responsible?
The primary barometers of social responsibility for banks are their lending and investment choices.
Read more: Ethical Banking: What You Should Know About Socially Responsible Banks
Charitable donations and community service
Many, if not most, banks advertise their charitable donations and community services, but they may still fund projects that contribute to climate change or displace low-income residents. If you go beyond a bank’s self-promotion materials to their lending practices, you’ll get a sense of the bank’s true priorities.
Transparency about their investment donation
Another indicator of responsibility is the bank’s transparency about their investment and donation choices — ethical banks take their accountability to the public seriously. And many socially responsible institutions are working for economic equity, with programs designed to help low-income residents or borrowers from underserved communities.
Public commitment to social good
Some large national and regional banks have received accolades for public commitments to the social good. The Ethisphere Institute, a think tank that examines corporate responsibility, has rewarded U.S. Bank on their list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for seven straight years. Though awards from an outside organization don’t necessarily indicate a bank is truly making impactful, ethical choices, they can be a sign the institution is on the right track.
If you’re holding banks to the highest standard, however, you’ll look for certifications that indicate a deeper commitment. Every bank or credit union on this list is either a certified B Corp, a certified CDFI, or a member of the GABV.
Certified B Corporations
B Corporations have a legal obligation to meet certain requirements, including a diverse staff, a well-paid workforce, environmentally sustainable in-house practices, and more.
The B Corp certification needs to be renewed every two years and can be lost if the company changes its practices to focus more on profit than customers.
Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV)
The GABV is a small but impactful network of about 50 worldwide banks. Each bank has pledged to invest in its community, be transparent about its practices, and establish long-term client relationships.
Like B Corps, GABV members have to score well on a regular, detailed assessment of their ethical practices.
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
CDFIs may be banks or credit unions, but they earn their U.S. Treasury CDFI certification by financing projects in low- or moderate-income or traditionally underserved communities. This may mean lending to nonprofits, supporting affordable housing, or offering mortgages to aspiring homeowners denied by other lenders.
How to find a socially responsible bank
This list is a start, but there are many, many more banks and credit unions on the local level that have socially responsible goals.
Mighty Deposits is a great site for finding out how banks are spending their money — just type in your bank(s) and/or credit union(s) and find out what percentage of the bank’s funds get invested in community projects.
Mighty Deposits includes detailed spending breakdowns in categories for each bank. You can also search for a bank that doesn’t fund fossil fuels, a CDFI, or a bank owned by Black Americans.
The independent site Better Banking Options is another way to find community-focused banks.
If you want to know more about a bank’s political donations, including any national and local candidates the bank supports, Open Secrets has data on most large banks (and several of the smaller ones, too).
Summary
If you’re thinking about a bank switch, consider a bank that’s dedicated to socially responsible causes. With the variety of checking, savings, and investment features these banks offer, you’re likely to find a spot that meets your needs.
High mortgage rates might have cooled much of America’s spring real estate market, but this is by no means true across the board. In fact, homebuyers’ search for affordable housing has made certain markets hotter than ever.
“This spring’s housing market may be sluggish nationally, but April’s hottest markets are still seeing high demand and a quick pace of sale,” says economic data analyst Hannah Jones of the latest Realtor.com® Hottest Markets List.
This list ranks cities by examining two variables: demand (measured by the number of views per listing) and pace (measured by how long listings linger for sale before getting snapped up).
The city that nabbed the top spot in April for the second time in the data’s history is Concord, NH—the state’s capital. The New England town on the Merrimack River saw homes receiving 3.8 times more views than a typical listing nationwide, and remaining on the market a mere 17 days before buyers pounced. That’s a full month less than the typical home in the U.S., which lingered for about 49 days in April.
What’s Concord got that makes it so hot? Proximity to pricier Boston (just an hour’s drive north) and one of the most tax-friendly states around with no state income or sales taxes.
The Northeast’s ‘affordability advantage’
Many markets that populate the top of this list have what Jones calls an “affordability advantage,” although that affordability is often relative.
For instance, the top two hottest markets of Concord and Manchester, NH, have median home prices ($522,000 and $533,000, respectively) above the national median of $430,000. Yet the prices are a bargain compared with the $839,000 you’d have to pay in nearby Boston (which, incidentally, ranks as the 14th hottest market and is by far the priciest on this list).
As real estate broker Pamela Young, of Re/Max Insight, who sells homes in both Concord and Manchester, puts it, “It’s nice to be able nice to travel to Boston without having to live there—or pay their taxes.”
Watch: The 3 U.S. Cities Where Rent Prices Have Dropped the Most
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Rounding out the top five hottest markets are a cluster of fellow Northeastern towns, including Hartford, CT; Rochester, NY; and Springfield, MA. (Metros include the main city and surrounding towns, suburbs, and smaller urban areas.)
In fact, adds Jones, “nine of the 12 Northeast markets on this month’s list are clustered together, generally surrounding the Boston area. Both Massachusetts and the larger New England area boast strong employment data, outpacing the U.S. in employment growth over the last year. High housing demand and tight inventory keep upward pressure on prices and, as a result, buyers are looking farther afield for affordability in the region.”
The rise of Midwest real estate
Despite their sunny climes, the West and South are stuck in a deep freeze when it comes to breaking into the hottest markets, failing to crack the top 20 list for the second month in a row. While the Northeast boasted the most markets on the list. with 12 cities, the Midwest represented the remaining eight.
Illinois and Missouri each have one hottest market on the list, and Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana each nabbed two spots. All of the Midwestern markets received an average of 2.5 times more views than usual and spent an average of two fewer weeks on the market.
Buyers are heading inland in the hopes that lower home prices will take the edge off today’s hefty mortgage rates, which currently average 6.39%, according to Freddie Mac.
“Overall, 13 of April’s hottest markets had median listing prices below the national median,” adds Jones.
The average listing price for these Midwestern markets was $310,000. But the lowest-priced Midwestern market is Rockford, IL, which had an average list price of $180,000, 58.1% lower than what the rest of the country saw in April.
“Buyers are out there,” says Rion Tovar-South, the designated managing broker and owner of Weichert Realtors Tovar Properties in Rockford, IL.
They are driven to Rockford by “lower taxes and more attractive home prices,” adds Tovar-South. “In addition, our agents are seeing buyers moving from the Chicago area as well as individuals that previously moved out of state moving back.”
But how long will home prices stay low?
Yet homebuyer demand in these hottest markets means available homes are disappearing fast.
“While inventory has increased 48.3% relative to last April at the U.S. level, all of the hottest markets except Fort Wayne, IN, have seen either slower inventory growth or even inventory decline,” says Jones.
“Inventory is still low in our market. We definitely need more sellers to list their homes,” adds Tovar-South. Indeed, Rockford’s inventory has dropped 23% compared with a year earlier.
And fewer homes for sale drive up competition among buyers, which can bring on bidding wars. And bidding wars lead to rising home prices as sellers see an opportunity to cash in.
Even where home prices are low, these hot markets have seen prices increase by 17.2% year over year on average. To put that percentage in perspective, consider this: It’s seven times greater than the national price growth rate of 2.5%.
“April is the ninth month in a row that the average hottest markets’ price growth climbed beyond U.S. price growth, which has been falling since June,” says Jones.
So buyers looking to snag a good deal might not want to wait too long to start shopping.
CENTURY 21® AllPoints, a leading real estate brokerage in Connecticut, announced today its latest merger with The John Zubretsky Group, currently the Weichert Wethersfield CT office. This merger marks another milestone in CENTURY 21® AllPoints’ growth strategy and further cements its position as a leading real estate brokerage in Connecticut.
Founded as CENTURY 21 Zubretsky & Son Realty, Inc. in 1977 by John M. Zubretsky, Sr. and John M. Zubretsky, Jr. Together, they built a company that had a role in over 20,000 real estate transactions in the Greater Hartford area. John Zubretsky will continue to lead the office from its new location in Wethersfield will be located at 1160 Silas Deane Hwy, Suite 102 (at The Borden).
“It really is like coming home. CENTURY 21 AllPoints is a family-run company with award-winning training, technology, and marketing,” said John Zubretsky. “This merger is great for our agents and their customers who now gain the benefits of a well-known, local real estate company combined with a global network and premium exposure for their home listings.”
Since 1971, members of the CENTURY 21 Network have been able to turn to fellow real estate professionals around the world for support with running their offices, managing their businesses, and navigating the ups and downs of the market. With the knowledge gathered from coast to coast (and beyond), CENTURY 21 affiliated brokers and agents expand their skills, gain new insights and ideas and defy mediocrity together.
“John is a seasoned real estate professional and he has built a reputation for expertise and community service throughout his career. He and his team are dedicated real estate professionals and we are proud to welcome them to CENTURY 21 AllPoints family,” said PJ Louis, VP and General Manager, CENTURY 21 AllPoints. “We continue to expand our footprint, not only in Wethersfield, but throughout the state by acquiring high-quality brokerages with a strong commitment to customer service,” added Louis.
Recently, CENTURY 21 AllPoints acquired CENTURY 21® Blue Marlin Pelican in the Florida Panhandle and expanded its presence to 18 offices and over 500 sales professionals serving homebuyers and sellers throughout the state of Connecticut and from Pensacola to Panama City Beach: covering the Florida Panhandle.
About CENTURY 21® AllPoints: Century 21 AllPoints is a leading real estate brokerage with over 500 sales professionals and 18 offices. With a commitment to providing its clients with exceptional service and support, Century 21 AllPoints has built a reputation for excellence in the industry. It remains a consistent Top 25 Brokerage in the CENTURY 21® system nationally with 10 strategically located Agent Centers now serving Connecticut and Florida. The company is part of the Century 21 global network of over 9,000 offices in 80 countries. For more information about Century 21 AllPoints, visit www.cthomeseekers.com.
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After a stroke, it becomes more difficult to get life insurance. A stroke is a serious medical event and the chance for more issues afterward is so high, life insurance companies need to be careful. However, even though a stroke is quite serious, it is still possible for many applicants to still get life insurance. Improve your chances by putting together a strong application. Your policy will depend on the severity of your stroke plus your current health.
In this article, we will look at the underwriting rules for life insurance after a stroke so you can get prepared.
Life Insurance Underwriting After a Stroke
As an applicant who has had a stroke in the past, you’re going to have to answer some questions most applicants won’t:
What was the date of your stroke or strokes?
Was it a full stroke or a mini stroke (Transient Ischemic Attack)?
What tests or studies were done after the stroke (CT Scan, MRI Scan, Carotid Ultrasound, etc)
What were your symptoms at the time of the stroke?
Do you have any lasting neurological deficits or other residual effects from the stroke?
Do you have any other conditions that increase your chance of another stroke like hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, or high cholesterol?
What medications are you taking due to your stroke?
Common medications for after a stroke include: Aspirin, Plavix, Anticoagulants, Statins, and High Blood Pressure Medication.
If your insurance agent gets the answers to these questions, they can present your application in the best light. If your application is missing information about your stroke, it raises a red flag for the insurance underwriter, and your chance of rejection or badly rated policy jump up.
Life Insurance Quotes After a Stroke
A major factor for your life insurance application is whether you had a full stroke or a mini-stroke, known as a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA. A TIA has the same symptoms of a stroke, but doesn’t result in any permanent neurological damage. A full stroke causes brain damage. As a result, underwriting is easier if you’ve only had a TIA.
However, both conditions make it more likely for repeat stroke problems so they both create issues for life insurance. You generally need to wait at a year after your stroke before you can apply and the longer you go without a repeat incident, the better your rating. The rating you get on your policy depends on your answers to the previous questions as well as your life insurance company’s underwriting standards. While each policy has different standards, here are some general standards to give you an idea about your future insurability.
Preferred Plus: It is not possible to get a preferred plus rating after a stroke, even a mini-stroke. The health problems that caused the stroke, the residual effects, and the risk of future issues are too much for applicants to qualify for the best insurance rating.
Preferred: Likely impossible after a stroke. In very rare cases, someone with a TIA may qualify for a preferred rating if he is in perfect health otherwise and it is possible that his TIA was a misdiagnosis.
Standard: Best possible rating for applicants after a stroke. Must have been at least six years since the stroke without any other incidents plus have no other health problems.
Table Rating (substandard): Most applicants applying after one year of the stroke but within six years of the stroke. Rating will depend on the lasting damage of the stroke and on the applicant’s health. Applicants that had a TIA may be able to get a rated policy six months after the incident.
Declines: Automatic denial when applying within 6 months of a TIA or with 1 year of a full stroke. Other health problems, repeated strokes, or a family history of heart and stroke problems could also lead to a decline.
Stroke Insurance Case Studies
The way you handle your life insurance application makes a big difference. Here are some examples of clients we’ve worked with in the past.
Case Study: Male, 47 y/o, non-smoker, Single incident of TIA at age 41. Taking aspirin as a precaution. No lasting damage or other health issues. Possible misdiagnosis.
This client went to the hospital one night complaining of stroke-like symptoms like numbness, dizziness, and a speech impediment. The doctor treated him for a TIA but it wasn’t 100% clear if this was the case. Unfortunately, this treatment showed up on the client’s medical records, which insurance companies check. This applicant had received a Standard rating, but we thought he could better. We had him go to his doctor to have some tests done to check his neurological health. His exams showed he was in perfect health and he submitted this new information along with another application. This move helped him get a Preferred policy.
Case Study #2: Female, 55 y/o, had a full stroke at age 53, former smoker, recent lost weight and reduced blood pressure, taking high blood pressure medication.
She wasn’t focusing on a healthy lifestyle and it caught up to her as a full stroke at age 53. Since the stroke, she lost a good amount of weight and started taking medication for her blood pressure. This hard work paid off as she became much healthier. However, her past health problems were still giving her trouble so she was only qualifying for very expensive policies. We recommended she go see her doctor and have him write a letter talking about her improved health. By submitting this letter along with her application, she got a Table Level 1 Policy, the best rating before Standard.
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Getting an Affordable Life Insurance Plan
Your past stroke is only one factor of the whole application. There are plenty of other ways you can improve your rates. You already have a red flag on your application, you want to polish up the rest. This could mean getting in shape, quitting smoking, cutting out other bad habits, and much more.
Each company has various ways of looking at applicants with a stroke. Some are going to decline your application on the spot, while others will still give you a plan you can afford. Because there are 6,000 companies out there, you’ll have to find one with good underwriting from strokes.
The best way to compare these companies is to work with an experienced agent with the ability to give you plenty of quotes all at once.
It’s the middle of the year: do you know who’s paying more in rent, right now?
Here at Apartment Guide, we thought we’d take a look at our data about apartment rentals and determine just that.
Using information provided by the apartment communities which advertise with us, in July 2014, Apartment Guide calculated the median price for an entry-level apartment unit in about 250 metros areas (CBSAs) nationwide.
Check the interactive map above for the results.
[find-an-apartment]
The Top Ten Most Expensive Metros this July These metro area rents ranked most expensive.
CBSA Name
Median Entry Price
Williston, ND
$2150
Dickinson, ND
$1700
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$1658
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
$1565
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
$1409
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$1400
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
$1387
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
$1335
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
$1277
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
$1250
Williston, ND
Even several months after our initial coverage on the subject, Williston, ND, remains an expensive market in which to rent an entry-level apartment. Our findings about apartment rental prices in Williston have been covered by news agencies including ABC News, Business Insider and the Associated Press.
The Confluence at Harvest Hills, Williston, ND
San Jose, CA
Domain, San Jose, CA
Tucson, AZ
Encantada at Dove Mountain, Tucson, AZ
Methodology In July 2014, Apartment Guide determined median prices for an entry-level apartment (studio or one-bedroom) in CBSAs (metros) nationwide.
Photo credits: Shutterstock / Andrew F. Kazmierski, ApartmentGuide.com
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Headquartered in New York and Washington D.C., 
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