The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.67% this week, another decline from last week’s dip to 6.69%. This is the third consecutive week of rates declining, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) from Freddie Mac released Thursday. This week’s numbers:
30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.67% as of June 22, 2023, down from last week when it averaged 6.69%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.81%.
15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.03%, down from last week when it averaged 6.10%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.92%.
What the experts are saying: “Mortgage rates slid down again this week but remain elevated compared to this time last year,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Potential homebuyers have been watching rates closely and are waiting to come off the sidelines. However, inventory challenges persist as the number of existing homes for sale remains very low. Though, a recent rebound in single-family housing starts is an encouraging development that will hopefully extend through the summer.” Realtor.com economist, Jiayi Xu commented: “The Freddie Mac fixed rate for a 30-year mortgage declined for the third week in a row by 2 basis points to 6.67% as markets absorbed a strong uptick in new construction. While the headline CPI dropped significantly in May to 4.0%, the core CPI— which includes goods and services excluding volatile food and energy – has not retreated as much as the overall inflation in recent months, creating a troubling situation for policymakers. Meanwhile, the Fed opted not to raise short-term rates at June’s FOMC meeting, choosing to wait for additional data and see how recent rate increases are influencing price growth and the real economy. In the coming months, we may see a faster slowdown in inflation because the growth in the shelter index, the largest contributor to inflation growth, has passed its peak and started to trend down in April. “Nevertheless, as the inflation is well-above the 2% target and the labor market is still strong, FOMC signaled that the Federal Funds rate will be half a point higher than previously expected at the end of 2023, which is also half a point higher than the current rate. In other words, borrowing, including home purchases, will likely remain expensive through the remainder of the year. With the potential for additional rate hikes ahead, mortgage rates will remain elevated throughout the remainder of the year. As a result, affordability will continue to be an important factor in buyers’ home purchasing decisions. According to Realtor.com’s recent hottest markets report, home buyers continue to flock to relatively inexpensive markets below the national median price, leading to notable price growth in these otherwise affordable areas. The heightened competition in these markets may worsen the conditions faced by buyers with financial constraints, particularly due to the already limited supply of affordable homes. While the rise in new construction is encouraging, there is a pressing need to build homes catering to all income levels. Our joint research with the National Association of REALTORS confirms this urgent necessity, especially in the lowest price tier where the shortage of affordable housing is most severe.
“However, there is still some good news for home sellers. As improving homes before selling is one of the top concerns among sellers, lower prices for household furnishings and supplies may bring a sense of relief. While this improvement primarily affects sellers, buyers may also benefit, as the high cost of home repairs are often passed on to them in the end. In May, the household furnishing and supplies index increased 4.1% over the prior year while the core inflation increased 5.3%. Compared to the previous month, prices for household furnishing and supplies dropped 0.4% versus an increase of 0.4% for core prices, on a seasonally adjusted basis.”
Whenever I first started in the financial services industry when I was 24 none of my friends wanted to talk to me about life insurance. Most of them didn’t see the point and they had too many other financial goals on their mind. Buying new cars, buying big screen TVs, paying off debt.
Now that they are in their 30’s and their family has become more of a priority life insurance has taken on a more serious role. If you’re in the beginning stages of starting a family, life insurance in your 30’s is vital. There’s no more just worrying about you. Now you have to worry about a spouse and possibly young children.
If you feel like I feel turning 30 is not the end of the road. So it’s never too late to think about life insurance planning.
How Much Does Life Insurance Cost When You’re 30?
One of the common misconceptions when it comes to life insurance is people think it costs too much and that is not the case. Life insurance in your 30’s doesn’t cost that much either.
Just out of curiosity I ran a quote for $1 million for term life insurance coverage and the lowest rate is only $695 for the entire year.
So that’s $1 million of coverage to make sure that your family is taken care of and it costs you as little as $57.91 per month. That’s it and that’s for $1 million of coverage. If you’re a 30- year- old female, the cost is going to be that much less. The important thing is to not wait any longer for your term life insurance. The younger that you are, the cheaper your monthly premiums are going to be.
Additionally, you never know what tomorrow is going to bring (cheery, right?) if something were to happen to you, how would your family be able to recover? Not only will buying life insurance today let you know that your family will be covered, but it can also save you money in the long-run.
Life Insurance In Your 30’s Will Not Break You
The point is life insurance in your 30’s does not cost a lot. You will not break that bank by making sure that your family is taken care of should something happen to you. You can’t put a price tag on the peace of mind that this policy will bring to you. There is nothing like knowing that your family will have the funds they need if anything tragic were to happen to you.
If you’re not sure exactly how much you need check out my other post Term Life Insurance for a 30 Year Old, as I take you through my process where I decide how much of term life coverage I needed for my family.
If you want a quick answer on how much you should get, look at your total debt and how much you would leave behind. Add all of that up and that is a good starting point. Also, include your annual salary.
Saving Money on your Monthly Premiums
Nobody wants to spend more money than they have to, especially when it comes to life insurance. There are a few ways that you can easily save money on your monthly premiums.
The first way is to use the company that you already have insurance plans with. If the company that you have your car insurance through also offers life insurance, you can probably get a “multi-policy” discount for purchasing your plan through them.
But don’t automatically go with the same company because you already have purchased an insurance product from them. Another way to ensure that you have the best rates possible is to shop around with several companies before you decide on one. Because each company is different, they are all going to look at applicants differently. Your rates could be significantly different depending on the insurance company.
Second, if you want to save money, it might be time to hit the gym. One of the biggest factors in determining your insurance rates (aside from age, which you, unfortunately, can’t change) is your health. After you apply for the insurance policy, the company will send out a nurse or paramedic to do a health exam. The results from the exam can save you hundreds of dollars, or cause your premiums to go through the roof.
A healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking are some of the best ways that you can save money on your insurance. Any applicant that is overweight or obese could expect their monthly premiums to double. If you’re a smoker, your premiums are going to be doubled or even tripled, regardless of the rest of your health. Before you apply for a life insurance policy, spend a couple months losing a few extra pounds and kicking the cigarettes. Your waistline and wallet with thank you.
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The Importance of Life Insurance
An adequate life insurance policy is one of the best things you can purchase for you and your family. Every year we hear stories of families that lost a loved one unexpectedly. On top of all of the emotional strain they are feeling, they are left with thousands of dollars of debt because of a mortgage payment, student loans, credit card bills, and funeral expenses that they can’t pay for.
Life insurance provides a safety net for your family that you hope to never use. Most people put off life insurance because they don’t want to think about their own death, but that is one of the worst mistakes that you can make.
In the two years after a notorious Surfside, Florida condo collapse, new temporary rules and increased enforcement have been instituted to ensure building safety, but these measures have also intensified the challenge involved in finding affordable financing in this market.
“There are more and more buildings that don’t meet the warrantable guidelines,” said Melissa Cohn, regional vice president, William Raveis Mortgage, referring to the standards buildings must meet for government-sponsored enterprises to back condominium unit loans.
At the same time the banking crisis reportedly reduced the supply of low-rate condo unit financing.
“You have the secondary market in the last two or three months somewhat collapsing, where you see these banks are starting to fold,” said Orest Tomaselli, president of project approval at CondoTek. “Some of these are banks that have provided residential mortgage financing to owners and purchasers in these condominium developments.”
Borrowers are still able to pay up for other options in the private market but these developments have generally limited the availability of more cost-effective loans for buyers of condo units, Cohn said.
“There are still financial institutions that will lend at market rates in nonwarrantable buildings,” said Cohen. “But they may not drop the rates below market for anyone.”
That’s a concern, because condos can be a source of scarce affordable housing in a high-cost market, and while Surfside-inspired rules as now configured are aimed at making buildings and units safer, some think they run the risk of having a counterproductive impact on financing.
“If it becomes more difficult to make those loans, it will become more difficult for people to enter into the housing system,” said Taylor Stork, chief operating officer of Developer’s Mortgage Company and president of the Community Home Lenders of America. “Most of our borrowers are first-time homebuyers in metropolitan areas and they tend to go toward the housing stock that is less expensive. In those areas, it’s more likely that a condominium will be an option.”
A growing list of “unavailable” buildings
To understand Surfside’s ripple effects in the condo market, consider the list of buildings that don’t meet Fannie Mae’s lending requirements.
The growth in the so-called unavailable list, which is constantly changing in line with the status of different buildings relative to Fannie’s requirements, has drawn attention because it’s caught an increasing number of condo associations and would-be borrowers by surprise.
“Hundreds of buildings have been added since Surfside,” said Tomaselli. “It seems like every day, there’s another one going on.”
Some of the market frustration with the list has stemmed from the fact that only Fannie, lenders and other entities with a permissible business purpose have had access to what traditionally have been called unwarrantable condos and they’ve been loath to share it outside of that.
“Approved parties that access [Condo Project Manager] for project eligibility information are not permitted to disclose Fannie Mae eligibility determination to third parties,” a Fannie Mae spokesman said in an emailed statement. (CPM will become mandatory for full reviews in July.)
The access restriction has meant some buildings have been unaware that they’re on the list until someone tries to finance a unit. The listing isn’t even always related to post Surfside rules, but the increased enforcement of other traditional condo standards in response to the collapse.
The CHLA, National Association of Realtors, and the Community Association Institute have all called for public access to the list and guidance as to how buildings can regain eligibility. (Lenders have said some fixes can be done in time to close a loan but others are more complex.) The trade groups also are asking for a minimum 60 day comment period before any condo lending rule changes.
There’s some precedent for a public list. Unlike Fannie’s technology and Freddie Mac’s platform for condo information, which provides feedback based more on discrete criteria rather than by building, the Federal Housing Administration’s list is public.
The FHA’s specific lookup tool provides information on building approvals and rejections and is designed for specific searches related to a particular property or area. While it has different criteria and costs than the GSEs (of the three, only Fannie and Freddie lend on cooperatives), some of the FHA’s feedback on buildings may mirror theirs.
CPM also is formatted as a lookup tool and its exclusive use mandate narrows the channels through which Fannie loans can get done, Stork said. Not only vendors but some originators who don’t work directly with Fannie, like aggregators or brokers, lack direct access to the system.
The situation can lead to frustration and costs for borrowers because once a loan has property-specific information, lenders tend to start worrying about time-sensitive disclosure requirements and start a more detailed application process. For borrowers in this market, that can come with the usual mortgage costs like the appraisal in addition to, for example, fees buildings charge for supplying certain condo information, said Stork.
“A borrower can easily put $1,000 to $1,500 into a transaction and then learn that it is never going to be approved, and there’s no way that the lender, or the borrower, or even the Realtor could know all of this, in many cases,” Stork said. “First-time homebuyers generally don’t have that money just laying around.”
Fannie’s spokesperson said that it considers lenders it works with to be “in the best position to have conversations with their customers about mortgage finance.”
With the advent of the banking crisis, more private lenders are increasingly likely to pile on if they become aware of Fannie’s approval status for a building, either by seeing it as signifying risks they should charge more for or that they should avoid financing it altogether.
“Being on that list, it sometimes can mean that other lending shuts down in the building as well,” Tomaselli said.
Therein lies a key dilemma in the wake of Surfside: lenders may have less tolerance for giving money to buildings with strained finances just when condos are most likely to need more cash to ensure their structures are sound.
Layers of rules and costs to navigate
Fannie and Freddie’s temporary criteria in response to Surfside have focused on restricting single-family financing for units in buildings that have deferred maintenance and public repair directives related to unsafe conditions.
The GSEs have noted that as they get a better sense of the mitigants that could be used to address the risks in aging condo buildings Surfside epitomized, they could rethink their criteria. Lenders generally would like that to result in some more leeway, but think further tightening might be more likely.
Meanwhile, even with the temporary constraints, the share of condo and co-op loan acquisitions at Fannie Mae has remained largely consistent around 9% as of year-end 2022.
And sometimes those constraints are necessary, lenders agree. As much as the market is short of housing at affordable entry-level price points and the buy-in cost for owning a condo may be lower than a traditional home, if a building’s not sound or ongoing maintenance and assessments won’t be financially manageable for a particular borrower in the future, they shouldn’t get a loan.
“The piece that Fannie Mae’s focused on…is how do we ensure sustainable homeownership,” Jake Williamson, senior vice president, single-family collateral risk management, in an online video forecast about the condo outlook. “Part of that is keeping in mind the ongoing cost.”
Adding to that concern are regional rules that have been put into place in areas where condos are concentrated. Access to this type of housing has been increasingly costly and constrained.
In Florida, June marks not only two years since Surfside, it’s also the 12-month anniversary of the state’s Building Safety Act. Because of its passage, buildings have been grappling with how to make assessments for new structure and reserve requirements affordable to their unit owners
“Each association or board president is going to have to take a damn good look at their resident constituents and figure out what their ability to pay is,” said Greg Main-Baillie, executive managing director for the Florida Development Services Group at Colliers. “Unfortunately, some board presidents could end up putting their buildings into default if they don’t.”
Baille, who acts as an owner’s representative and project consultant for condo associations facing inspections and structural repairs, said he doesn’t deal directly in unit financing, but noted building finances are inextricably linked to those of single-family owners and mortgagors.
State or regional programs that help some unit owners obtain financial assistance to help with assessments could mitigate condo default risk, Main-Baille said. Miami-Dade County has offered up to $50,000 to owners with an area median income of 140% or less.
Condo boards also might want to judiciously use a home equity loan of credit related to their multifamily building mortgage to, for example, extend the amount of time unit assessments can be spread out over, reducing monthly payments for potential future owners, he suggested.
“It may be better for the condo to actually go and leverage that debt on the behalf of their residents than the residents going and sourcing loans themselves, and it’s probably going to be cheaper too,” he said.
While the costs associated with Florida’s rules have been the most prominent so far, given the national impact of Surfside on Fannie’s temporary standards and the wide distribution of states on the unavailable list, it’s likely regional responses will grow too and become a factor in lending. New York City, for example, also has had some problems with aging infrastructure. Local rules were implemented in response to it in the past.
“Florida is really the only one that is pushing this mandate to this level and degree at this point in time…but you just have to wait to find out if more states will start following suit,” Maine-Baille said.
The total number of unavailable buildings in the Sunshine State topped several hundred at the end of May, according to lender estimates. As of May 31, every state but three had at least one building on it. The exceptions were Arkansas, North and South Dakota. The number of buildings listed per state was generally under 100 and sometimes as low as one at that time. The state with the second largest numbers of listed buildings was California, which had over 200.
With its discount fares, a fleet of new Airbus jets and a robust frequent flyer program, Frontier Miles can be a great value for Frontier Airlines travelers. As a Frontier Miles member, you can earn miles and elite status. Frontier elite status has many perks to make your travels more enjoyable and less expensive, including complimentary carry-on luggage, advance seat assignments and the ability to pool your miles. You can then redeem your miles for award travel.
Surprisingly, despite being one of the top low-cost carrier loyalty programs, the program often flies under the radar. You can quickly earn enough miles for a free trip even after just a few flights. And recently, the airline launched a limited-time promotion where eligible Frontier Miles members with a travel rewards credit card can secure Elite 20K status for as little as $199.
Here’s an overview of how the program works.
How to earn Frontier Miles
The Frontier Miles program is free to join. You can earn Frontier Miles by flying, through its cobranded credit card and transacting with Frontier partners.
Earn Frontier Miles by flying
Unlike many loyalty programs nowadays, you earn Frontier Miles on the length of your flight (rather than the price of your ticket). You earn 1 mile per mile flown regardless of your fare type. For example, if you fly from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), you’d earn 950 miles.
Mid and upper-tier elite members earn the following bonuses on their flights:
Elite 20K: No bonus
Elite 50K: 1.25 miles per dollar bonus
Elite 100K: 1.5 miles per dollar bonus
Earn miles with the Frontier Airlines credit card
Frontier Airlines partners with Barclays to offer the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®.
New card members earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first three months of cardmembership.
With this card, you’ll earn 5 miles for every dollar spent directly with Frontier (including airfare, fees and onboard purchases), 3 miles per dollar spent at restaurants and 1 mile per dollar spent everywhere else. The miles you earn on this card count toward elite status.
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The card also offers valuable benefits like Zone 2 boarding on all Frontier flights and family pooling. You also earn a $100 flight voucher after spending $2,500 or more on purchases with your card during your cardmembership year (terms apply). Cardholders also get waived award redemption fees. We’ll discuss redemption fees later, but Frontier charges between $15 and $75 for close-in reservations.
Unless you place a high value on Frontier Airlines miles and elite status, we generally don’t recommend this card. Most travelers are better off with a transferable points credit card like the American Express® Green Card.
The information for the Frontier card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Earn points with Frontier’s partners
Frontier has relationships with several major rental car companies, so you can earn bonus miles and access negotiated rates when booking through their transportation partner page. While earning rates depend on the rental car company, you can generally earn between 50 and 100 miles per rental day or 1,000 miles per rental.
Frontier Airlines also partners with Marriott Bonvoy, Radisson Rewards and Wyndham Rewards. You can transfer Marriott points at a 3:1 ratio (with 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points you transfer), while Radisson Rewards transfer 10:1. You can’t transfer Wyndham points to Frontier.
These are not favorable ratios; you’re probably better off redeeming those points for hotel stays. However, it’s an option worth knowing about if you ever need to top off your Frontier Miles account.
Depending on the Marriott brand, you’ll generally earn either 1 or 2 Frontier Miles for every qualifying dollar spent. You must update your Marriott account preferences to earn Frontier miles instead of Marriott points. We don’t recommend doing this since you’ll get a maximum of 2.2% back in Frontier Miles instead of at least 4.2% back in Marriott Bonvoy points for your Marriott stays, based on our valuations.
Like Marriott, you can also opt to earn Frontier Miles instead of Wyndham points on your eligible stays:
Wyndham Blue (standard): 1 mile per dollar spent on all stays
Wyndham Gold: 1 mile per dollar spent
Wyndham Platinum: 2 miles per dollar spent
Wyndham Diamond: 2 miles per dollar spent
Again, we generally recommend earning hotel points instead of Frontier Miles.
You can also buy or gift Frontier Miles and earn on eligible Vinesse Wine and Teleflora purchases. Finally, you can book a cruise through Frontier Cruises and earn miles at a preset rate. Often, you can earn more miles by booking through other cruise programs.
One- to five-night cruise: 1,500 miles
Six to nine-night cruise: 3,000 miles
Nine to 12-night cruise: 5,000 miles
Cruises 13 nights and longer: 10,000 miles
Related: What it’s like to fly Frontier Airlines from Miami to Newark on the Airbus A320neo
How to redeem Frontier Miles
You can redeem Frontier Miles for two things: flights and magazines. As you’d expect, the best use of Frontier Miles is redeeming them for award flights. The airline publishes an award chart with starting award rates, but there are a few added fees that you should be aware of before booking. Here’s a look at the specifics.
Frontier offers three different redemption tiers: Value, Standard and Last Seat.
Value: This is the lowest redemption rate for all Frontier redemptions and can be compared to a “Saver” ticket on a traditional carrier. These are generally offered during off-peak dates and less desirable flights, but we’ve also found Value tickets when there’s low demand.
Standard: Standard awards are generally priced out at twice the cost of a Value ticket. These awards are available on more (but not all) dates.
Last Seat: As the name suggests, Last Seat awards are available for booking until the last seat on the plane is booked. Unfortunately, these awards are only bookable to Frontier elites and cost 2,500 more miles each way than Standard awards. This can be a good option if you’re booking at the last minute and paid fares are high.
Here’s a look at Frontier’s current award chart, with starting award rates:
Travel within the U.S. and Puerto Rico
Value
Standard
Last Seat
10,000
20,000
22,500
Award tickets to or from Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, El Salvador, Guatemala, the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Antigua
Value
Standard
Last Seat
15,000
25,000
27,500
Fees associated with Frontier award tickets
Unfortunately, Frontier adds a booking fee to most award tickets. You’ll pay this fee when you book an award flight within 180 days of departure; the closer you get to departure, the higher the fee is.
Here’s a look at the fee structure — note that these fees are charged in addition to other taxes and fees:
At least 180 days before departure: $0
21-179 days before departure: $15
7-20 days before departure: $50
Six days or less before departure: $75
These fees are waived for Frontier elite status members and those with a Frontier Airlines credit card. If you frequently book award tickets close to departure, you may find applying for a Frontier credit card worthwhile, as this can save you considerable money. Additionally, companions booked on the same reservation as a Frontier cardmember or elite member receive waived redemption fees.
Be sure to factor these fees into the cost of your ticket when booking travel on Frontier Airlines. In some cases, booking a paid ticket instead of an award ticket may make more sense if you’re subject to a booking fee. Frontier often offers low-cost tickets at the last minute, making the cent-per-point redemption value extremely low.
Related: 7 takeaways from my first Frontier Airlines flight in over 4 years
Discount Den membership
Frontier Airlines offers a subscription service called Discount Den. While not the same as elite status, the program gives members access to discounted fares for $59.99 annually. New members have to pay a $40 enrollment fee.
Children under 15 fly for free when accompanied by the Discount Den member on select flights, offering excellent savings on certain routes.
We’ve found that Discount Den can offer pretty excellent deals, too. On a given flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), a Discount Den member would save $20-$30 per ticket over the standard price.
These discounts also apply to international flights. For example, you can score a $10 discount per person when flying from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Cancun International Airport (CUN).
We recommend that frequent Frontier flyers consider a Discount Den membership if they’ll get more than $59.99 annually in savings from the service. That said, a family of four may recoup the cost of a Discount Den membership from just one family vacation a year.
Related: Should you join Frontier’s Discount Den or the new Spirit Saver$ Club?
Go Wild! Pass
Frontier Airlines also offers an all-you-can-fly pass, which it calls Go Wild!
TPG tested the pass and found unexpectedly high fees and limited availability. Additionally, while it’s advertised as an all-you-can-fly pass, it doesn’t provide unlimited free travel after you buy it.
You generally can get the most value from the pass by booking last-minute flights. Here’s an example from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Las Vegas.
Go Wild! Pass customers can get confirmed bookings the day before flight departure for domestic travel and starting 10 days before flight departure for international travel.
The annual pass costs $1,999, but you might be able to find limited-time promotions here.
Related: I bought an all-you-can-fly pass — here’s what it was like to use it
Frontier elite status
Frontier elite status has three tiers: Elite 20K, 50K and 100K. You can achieve these elite status tiers by earning 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 Frontier miles from flying on Frontier or spending on the cobranded credit card. Frontier Airlines also has a promotion where eligible cardholders can secure Elite 20K status for as little as $199.
Let’s look at each of these status tiers and their respective benefits.
Benefits
Elite 20k
Elite 50k
Elite 100k
Qualification
20,000 qualifying miles or 25 flight segments annually
50,000 qualifying miles or 50 flight segments annually
100,000 qualifying miles or 100 flight segments annually
Redeemable mileage earning on Frontier flights
1 mile per mile flown
1.25 miles per mile flown
1.5 miles per mile flown
Carry-on
✓
✓
✓
Seat assignment
✓
✓
✓
Family pooling
✓
✓
✓
Priority boarding
✓
✓
✓
Waived redemption fees
✓
✓
✓
Waived travel fees
✓
✓
✓
Last Seat availability
✓
✓
✓
Stretch seating
At check-in
✓
✓
Family seating
✓
✓
Discount Den membership
50% off
✓
Checked bag
✓
Family status (the Works bundle)
✓
Family status (the Works bundle) is the key benefit here. When you reach Elite 100K, you and your family get free checked bags, carry-on bags, priority boarding and seat selection. Plus, you can change or refund your flight for free, giving you the utmost flexibility when flying with Frontier. This can save your family hundreds of dollars per flight, making the Works one of the most impressive Frontier elite status benefits.
Related: How to get airline elite status
Bottom line
Frontier may not be the most exciting airline, but its loyalty program is worthwhile for those who fly on the airline often. Its award chart is extremely easy to understand and can provide excellent value if you avoid pesky booking fees. Furthermore, Frontier Airlines’ elite status is great for families and those who want to avoid fees when flying on a low-cost carrier.
Now, you have the background to decide if Frontier Miles is the right program for you.
Today we’ll take a deep dive into a major credit union that’s also a sizable mortgage lender, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, or PenFed for short.
While originally intended to serve the U.S. military, veterans, and various defense department government employees, today anyone can join PenFed, whether part of those groups or not.
For example, if you have no military affiliation whatsoever, it’s possible to join if your employer is eligible or if you make a small donation to an organization.
PenFed has been around since 1935, and today serves more than two million members worldwide with a whopping $25 billion in assets.
They lend in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Guam, Puerto Rico, and Okinawa. Let’s learn more.
PenFed Mortgage Fast Facts
Members-only credit union federally insured by NCUA
Founded in 1935, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia
Anyone free to join regardless of lack of military background
Offer checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and HELOCs
Licensed to lend in all 50 states, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and Okinawa
Funded $18.9 billion in home loans last year
Did about a fifth of total loan volume in home state or Virginia
Also operate a wholly-owned title insurance company called PenFed Title, LLC and real estate brokerage called PenFed Realty
As noted, anyone can join PenFed, though they are a members-only credit union. So once you become a member, you can take advantage of their many product offerings, including home mortgages.
Last year, the Alexandria, VA-based credit union did roughly $18.9 billion in total home loan origination volume, with about a fifth of it in its home state of Virginia.
A good chunk was also originated in the nearby states of Maryland and Florida, along with Texas and faraway California.
Home purchase loans accounted for roughly 50% of volume, with 25% rate and term refinances, almost 20% cash out refinances, and the remainder HELOCs.
And while most of their home loans were fixed-rate mortgages, they offer a variety of adjustable-rate mortgages as well.
How to Apply for a Home Loan with PenFed Mortgage
Members can submit their loan application directly from their account on PenFed Online
They ask that you call them or submit a call back request online if refinancing or inquiring about a HELOC
Those looking to generate a pre-approval can do so right away via the online portal
They offer a digital mortgage loan experience that allows you to complete most tasks electronically
Assuming you’re a PenFed member, it’s possible to get the ball rolling simply by calling them up directly or by filling out a short call back request form on their website.
If you’re looking for a mortgage pre-approval for a home purchase, you can also begin on your own via the PenFed online portal.
Speaking of real estate, PenFed operates an affiliated real estate brokerage known as PenFed Realty, which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
Like many other banks and lenders, PenFed offers a digital mortgage experience where you can eSign disclosures, scan and upload documents, receive real-time status updates, and check loan progress 24/7.
PenFed also operates its own title insurance company, which might speed up the loan process and/or result in discounts on such services.
Loan Programs Available at PenFed Mortgage
Home purchase loans
Refinance loans (rate and term and cash out)
Conventional loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Jumbo loans up to $5 million loan amounts
VA loans for eligible military and veterans
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs)
Various fixed-rate and adjustable-rate options available
PenFed offers both home purchase financing and refinance loans on a variety of property types, including single-family homes and condos/townhomes, along with multi-unit properties.
It’s possible to finance a primary residence, second home, or investment property using a conventional loan backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, or a jumbo home loan that exceeds the conforming loan limit.
They also specialize in VA loans seeing that they were originally geared specifically toward military and veterans.
While they don’t offer FHA loans or USDA loans, which is a major downside for some borrowers, they do offer a home equity line of credit (HELOC) product, with the possibility to tap equity up to 90% CLTV.
PenFed pays most of the closing costs on the HELOC, and will waive the $99 annual fee if $99 in interest is paid during the preceding 12-month period.
The only caveat on that product is if you pay it off or close it within 36 months you’ll need to reimburse the full amount of the PenFed-paid closing costs for the loan.
PenFed also offers some unique proprietary loan programs like their 15/15 ARM or their 5/5 ARM if you’re looking for something a little different.
And they offer traditional ARMs like the 5/6 ARM and 7/6 ARM, along with the usual fixed-rate options like a 30-year and 15-year fixed.
PenFed Mortgage Rates
One nice thing about PenFed is the fact that they openly advertise their mortgage rates for all to see on their website.
You don’t need to sign in to see their rates – simply surf over to their site to see today’s rates on a variety of products including conventional fixed-rate loans, jumbo fixed-rate loans, and VA loans.
They don’t advertise their ARM rates so you’ll either need to click on “Get My Rate” to generate your own mortgage rate quote on their website or call in for pricing if you want an adjustable-rate mortgage.
From what I saw, their mortgage rates were competitive, especially since they say they don’t charge lender fees.
Additionally, those purchasing a home get a lender credit ranging from $500 to $2,500 depending on loan amount, which can be used to offset any third-party closing costs like the home appraisal or title insurance.
All in all, PenFed’s mortgage rates seem competitive and the lack of lender fees makes them even more desirable when you consider the mortgage APR.
PenFed Mortgage Reviews
They have a rather marginal 3.8-star rating out of 5 on Zillow, though it’s only based on about two dozen customer reviews. Still, it leaves a lot to be desired.
Similarly, they have a 3.9-star rating out of 5 on WalletHub from a much larger sample size of about 6,000 reviews, but that may include non-mortgage related products.
However, quite a few seem to focus on their mortgage or home equity products, so you’ll be able to read about relevant customer experiences.
It’s the same story over at Bankrate, a 3-star rating from eight reviews. Again, not a lot there, but still seems to be consistent with other ratings sites.
While they aren’t a Better Business Bureau accredited company, they do currently have an ‘A+’ BBB rating based on complaint history.
But their customer reviews on the BBB website are rather poor, with a 1.2-star rating on 75 reviews at last glance.
So it seems they’re struggling a bit in the customer satisfaction department, despite having a solid website, competitive mortgage rates, and no lender fees.
PenFed Mortgage Pros and Cons
The Good
They openly advertise their mortgage rates which appear to be competitive
Don’t charge lender fees
Lender credit specials on home purchase loans
Can apply for a mortgage online via digital process
Offer lots of home loan programs including home equity products
Jumbo loan amounts as high as $5 million
Free mortgage calculators on their website
They service their home loans
The Maybe Not
Limited number of branches if you don’t live by a base
One of the more unique mortgage originators out there is First Republic Bank, due to both their large volume of jumbo home loans and adjustable-rate mortgages.
Unlike most mortgage bankers that stick to fixed-rate conforming loans and home loans backed by the government, they mostly make jumbos that don’t adhere to the guidelines of those agencies.
In fact, they don’t even bother with FHA loans, USDA loans, or VA loans.
As such, they tend to cater to high-net worth individuals who are also relatively low-risk borrowers relative to the rest of the population, including billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg.
Let’s learn more about this premium mortgage lender, which may be a good fit if you need a very large home loan.
First Republic Bank Fast Facts
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, founded in 1985
Publicly traded depository bank valued at more than $25B+
Offer home loans, construction loans, and HELOCs
Funded more than $14.5B in mortgages in 2019
Most of loan volume came from states of CA, MA, and NY
Specialize in jumbo home loans for high-net worth individuals
First Republic Bank was founded by its current CEO Jim Herbert back in 1985 in the city of San Francisco.
Today, the company is publicly traded on the NYSE and valued at more than $25 billion.
Based on their numbers through the first nine months of 2020, they likely originated more than $20 billion in home loans last year, which would be quite a jump from 2019.
Most of their loan volume comes from just a few states, including California, Massachusetts, and New York, though they’re nationally licensed.
Perhaps more interesting, about 75% of the home loans they extend to customers are adjustable-rate mortgages.
That’s basically unheard of in the industry, especially with fixed mortgage rates breaking record lows left and right.
In fact, the 7/1 ARM accounted for nearly 40% of their mortgage business, while the 5/1 ARM grabbed another 25%.
The rest went with a more traditional 30-year or 15-year fixed, which tells you their clients often put their money to work elsewhere, and are likely able to pay off their loans whenever they wish without fear of a rate adjustment.
How to Apply for a Mortgage with First Republic Bank
It’s unclear if they offer a digital mortgage application
You’ll need to visit a branch, call them, or request a call to get started
Expect a thorough underwriting process since they deal with high-dollar loan amounts
Loan processing, underwriting, and funding are done in-house and they service their own loans
To get started, you’ll either need to visit a physical bank branch, call them up on the phone, or fill out a short contact form on their website and wait for a call back.
My assumption is they offer a very high-touch, personalized home loan experience, as opposed to say a Rocket Mortgage or other fintech-fueled lender.
That’s not to say they don’t offer a digital mortgage application as well (unknown), but when you’re dealing with super jumbo loans, they likely do a bit more hand-holding.
And because they’re dealing with high-dollar loan amounts, there’s a good chance you’re underwriting process will be a bit more rigorous, with mention of three years of tax returns (as opposed to the standard two) on their application checklist.
I wish they’d share about their home loan process, but their website is a bit light on details.
However, they do seem to process, underwrite, and fund loans in house, and there’s a good chance they’ll service your loan as well since it’ll likely stay in their bank portfolio.
Home Loan Programs Offered by First Republic Bank
Home purchase loans
New construction loans (all-in-one construction-to-perm)
Refinance loans (rate and term and cash out)
Jumbo home loans
Conforming home loans
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs)
Eagle Community Home Loan (for borrowers in underserved minority areas)
Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate options available
As noted, First Republic Bank is big on jumbo home loans, no pun intended. In fact, roughly 80% of their total production exceeded the conforming loan limit.
And while they do originate conforming home loans as well, their average loan size exceeded $1.6 million.
In other words, they’re financing very expensive homes, mostly in very pricey regions of the country, such as California and New York.
Oh, and they’re offering mortgages to the very, very wealthy, such as Mark Zuckerberg, who went with an ARM that featured an interest rate of 1.05%.
So it’s clear they’re not your everyday mortgage lender, but if you are rich, they could be a good choice, as they’ll likely have options others won’t.
In terms of loan programs, you can get a home purchase loan, a refinance loan, or a new construction loan on a variety of different property types, including single-family homes, condos/co-ops, and multi-unit properties.
You can finance a primary residence, a vacation home (popular with the wealthy), or a non-owner occupied investment property.
To be fair, it’s not all high net-worth lending at First Republic Bank.
They also created their “Eagle Community Home Loan” program back in 2015, which offers discounted fixed rates and waived non-recurring closing costs to borrowers in underserved minority areas.
Since it was launched, they’ve extended more than $1.8 billion in mortgages to borrowers located primarily in African-American or Hispanic/Latino neighborhoods.
First Republic Bank Mortgage Rates
You won’t find mortgage rates on the First Republic Bank website, which differs from some of the other big depository banks that do feature their rates.
This doesn’t say anything about how competitive they are, it’s just not what they lead with.
Ultimately, First Republic Bank is a premium bank so you’re not going to see mortgage rates in large font and discounted lender fees.
However, as we’ve seen with some of their celebrity borrowers, they do offer very low mortgage rates, especially on adjustable-rate mortgages and jumbo loans.
But if you need pricing, you’ll need to get in touch with a banker first, then you can shop their rate with other lenders.
The one advantage First Republic Bank might have is that their competitors may not even be able to offer the same loan products, including high-dollar loan amounts and short-term ARMs.
Still, you should take the time to compare lenders, especially if we’re talking about a very large loan amount, where even an eighth of a percent difference in rate can result in hundreds of dollars a month.
First Republic Bank Mortgage Reviews
It’s somewhat difficult finding customer reviews for First Republic Bank, possibly because they deal with high-end clients who may not bother writing reviews.
Nonetheless, there are some out there if you dig a little bit. For example, they have a 3.5-star rating on Yelp from roughly 100 reviews.
You are able to fine-tune to include words like “mortgage” to see what folks said about that specific line of business.
Additionally, they’ve got a 3.8-star rating out of 5 on WalletHub based on 100+ reviews, though not all pertain to their mortgage division. Comb through and you can find mortgage-specific ones.
There are also some Google reviews for each branch if you search via Google Maps for a branch near you. But all in all, somewhat light in the reviews department.
Lastly, First Republic Bank is not Better Business Bureau accredited, but does enjoy an ‘A+’ rating based on its history of dealing with complaints.
First Republic Bank Mortgage Pros and Cons
The Good
Can get a very large home loan (they specialize in jumbo loans)
They offer portfolio loans that their competitors may not be able to
Offer home equity lines of credit
In-house loan processing, underwriting, funding
A+ BBB rating
They may service your loan after closing
Free mortgage calculators and home buyer resources
The Maybe Not
Do not offer FHA loans, USDA loans, or VA loans
Limited number of bank branches
Need to speak to someone before applying for a mortgage
A home is the most important part of keeping your family safe and secure.
It protects your family from the weather, keeps you safe as you sleep at night, and is the center of some of the happiest family memories you’ll have.
Getting a mortgage is one of the ways many families find their perfect home, but complicates their lives beyond need.
Family Life Insurance Company specializes in mortgage protection life insurance policies, helping your family through the tough times following a loss and ensuring you don’t lose your home in the process.
Keeping your family safe and secure is the entire reason for a life insurance policy, and Family Life Insurance has exactly the policies you need to not only provide for your family, but also keep the roof over their heads.
What is Family Life Insurance?
Working with some of the top mortgage companies in the world is what gives Family Life Insurance Co. the ability to offer a unique policy to help take care of your mortgage while also getting a dependable life insurance policy. Combining your life insurance premium and mortgage bills together is a convenience you won’t find with other insurance companies, and can help pay off your mortgage faster for companies willing to work with you.
Taking care of expenses after a family member has passed on can be difficult, and most life insurance policies are meant to take care of that problem, but a mortgage life insurance policy also helps pay on whatever is left of the mortgage on your home as well.
A little extra can go a long way is adding security for your family when you’re gone, and the same policy available to you and your spouse is also available for your children as well. Protecting your family and your home doesn’t have to be two separate jobs, and Family Life Insurance Co. makes taking care of them both much simpler.
How Long Has Family Life Insurance Been in Business?
With a history of dependable mortgage life insurance policies since 1949, Family Life Insurance Co. has the experience and expertise you’d expect from any top-notch company. They know what rates work to ensure you get the best premium and can help you select the best policy, whether you want a term life, whole life, universal life, or variable universal life policy.
Providing security and peace of mind for your family means having a life insurance company you can trust and depend on, and Family Life Insurance Co. is exactly that. Check out our page for a company reviews to learn more about what other great companies have to offer, such as Banner Life Insurance.
Mortgages and Life insurance
If you think about it, your salary and your house are two of the biggest financial aspects you have have, income and expense-wise. These are two of the biggest financial decisions of your life, and you need the company that is going to give you the best products for these decisions.
More than likely, a mortgage payment is one of the biggest debts you’d leave to our dependents. Having a policy which covers, at a minimum, this amount, can help you leave your family in the home they already feel most secure.
Every year there are countless heartbreaking stories of a family that has lost a loved one unexpectedly. What makes these stories worse is the part where the deceased didn’t have life or mortgage protection, which means that their family was stuck with a pile of new bills they have little to no way of paying.
Have enough coverage will give you the peace of mind knowing that whatever happens in the future, your family will have the resources they need to get through.
Family Life Insurance Co.
The insurance company offers several products to choose from to fit your family’s needs. One of the most notable products is the Mortgage Protection Insurance and Family Protection EZ. This plan will provide a plan with $250,000 of insurance coverage.
One notable benefit to this policy is that you can name the lending company the beneficiary of the plan, which reduces the amount of stress and additional work your loved ones will have to do.
As an additional bonus to this plan, you can also add several riders that can provide life insurance coverage. Combining these two plans will make your payments rolled into one bill. The less paperwork that your family has to deal with after the passing of a loved one is better. When people are going through a difficult time in their lives, simple things can become overwhelming. Dealing with insurance isn’t the easiest thing, especially for a grieving spouse or child.
Aside from their Mortgage Protection Insurance and Family Protection EZ plan, Family Life Insurance Co. offers several basic and premium life insurance plans for you and your loved ones.The company has been providing coverage to families across the United States for years. In most cases, applicants are surprised to see how affordable their coverage is.
If you don’t have an adequate plan that will cover the costs of your mortgage and other final expenses, don’t wait any longer. You don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow.
Even if Family Life Insurance Co. isn’t the company that works perfectly for you, we would like to help you find the one that does.
Simply fill out our quote form and we can provide you with the lowest quotes for your particular situation.
Of the estimated 211,154 residential units foreclosed on in California during 2009, roughly 77,145 were rental units, according to a new report focused on tenant rights.
The foreclosures resulted in the displacement of an estimated 208,795 tenants who were living in single-family homes, condos, and multi-family apartments, despite likely making on-time mortgage payments every month.
From 2008 to 2009, there was a 70 percent increase in the foreclosure rate of apartment buildings of five units or more – single-family foreclosures fell 3.1 percent year-to-year.
An overwhelming 85 percent of the foreclosed properties went back to banks and mortgage lenders in 2009, while private investors took the rest.
During the year, banks forfeited more than $776 million in rental income, focusing on booting tenants by hiring lawyers to litigate eviction cases and having real estate agents carry out cash-for-keys deals.
“Once the properties are vacated, they become prime targets for vandalism, further contributing to plunging property values, and creating legal liability for banks as the owners of blighted vacant property,” the Tenants Together report said.
“Furthermore, banks continue to tarnish their standing in local communities by maintaining their policies to evict rent- paying tenants.”
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have implemented post-foreclosure programs to assist renters, but many banks apparently continue to see tenants as obstacles to future profits.
Tenants Together is calling for better tenant protections, including making the “Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act” (PTFA) permanent, passing local “just cause for eviction” laws, providing tenant notification when a landlord receives a foreclosure filing, and boosting legal funding for tenants in foreclosure situations.
Currently, PTFA provides tenants with the right to a 90-day notice to vacate after foreclosure and requires new owners to allow tenants with leases to continue occupying properties until the end of the lease term, unless sold to a buyer who intends to occupy the property as their primary residence.
If you don’t already know Justina Blakeney and her virtual domicile, The Jungalow then you have to be living under a blogging rock. From the moment Justina came onto the scene she’s infused blogland with color, energy, humor, skill and all around badassness that’s impossible to ignore. She’s long been one of my favorites, not just because of her great eye her Instagram is ridic, crazy design skills this tabletop – hello! and always killer content, but also because Justina felt like a kindred spirit from day one – despite our styles being totally different! And just as I’d hoped when I first met Justina in person, her online aura totally manifests in real life. That doesn’t always happen in blogland ya’ know.
So I couldn’t be more excited that Miss B is debuting her most exciting project to date – her very own home decor book – The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes.
Her stunning tome of 20 jungalow-wothry interiors embodies Justina’s color-saturated, plant filled, eclectic, creative style to a tee – and I’m thrilled to get to share a little sneak peek with you. The book features the homes of fabulous creatives ranging from designer Erica Tanov to some of Justina’s own family – and of course it also includes her own stunning bungalow! The pages are truly brimming with life and all kinds of “woah, I never thought of that!” decorating inspiration.
Example upon example of dreamy textile combinations has me inspired to layer a bit more texture into my usually minimalist style. I’m already thinking of ways to implement the “Rugger”–a rug used as a table runner–duh.
The New Bohemians also offers a ton of tips and tricks to help you create special personal touches throughout your space. Each home tour features “Ideas to Adopt” and simple DIYs that feel entirely accessible and add much-desired personality to any room. If you’ve ever wanted to work on your fear of color {like me! or your reluctance to let your wild side peek through – Justina offers the perfect inspiration to step outside your decor comfort zone.
A huge congratulations to my dear friend Justina! And for more sneak peeks check out the rest of the New Bohemian Book Tour happening across many of our favorite blogs right now! Or simply grab your copy of the book right here!
When it comes to apartment living, ensuring the safety and security of your living space is crucial for your experience. Being aware of potential hazards that can arise during your lease term can save you time and money and protect you and your living experience.
We’ve gathered eight potential apartment mishaps and the practical tips and tricks renters need to know to safeguard their space. By taking proactive measures, you can create a safer living space and enjoy peace of mind in your apartment.
1. Fire
There are a lot of steps taken by property management for renters to protect them against fires. They install smoke detectors in key areas of your apartment and ensure they are in working order. Renters should take it one step further, by regularly testing them and replacing batteries as needed.
Residents should also inform themselves of the tools readily available in the building in the event of an emergency. Hallways should have fire extinguishers readily available and renters should educate themselves on how to use them. Additionally, it’s key to familiarize yourself with the building’s fire evacuation plan and exits.
2. Mold
Renters can take proactive steps to prevent mold growth in their apartments. One effective measure is to ensure proper ventilation by utilizing the installed fans in bathrooms and kitchen areas. These fans help to remove extra moisture from these high-moisture areas, reducing the chances of mold formation.
It is also crucial to promptly report any water leaks or excessive moisture to the landlord or property management. Necessary repairs or actions are then taken to address the issue and prevent mold growth. In the case of wet areas, it is important to clean and dry them to reduce the likelihood of mold growth.
3. Pests
To safeguard your space from critters, start by keeping it clean and free of food crumbs. You can do this by regularly vacuuming and sweeping the floors, wiping down surfaces and immediately cleaning up any spills or crumbs as they come.
Another kitchen trick is to store food in airtight containers and promptly dispose of garbage in sealed bins. You can also request maintenance to seal any cracks or gaps in windows, doors and walls you notice to prevent pests from entering.
If necessary, use non-toxic pest control methods like traps or baits, or request your apartment to consult a pest control service to address any infestations you notice like bed bugs. These preventive measures effectively protect your apartment from pests and help you enjoy a pest-free living space.
4. Carbon monoxide poisoning
Protecting your apartment from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is crucial. Ask the leasing staff if CO detectors are in their apartments and if they’re not, request they do so or install your own. Other tips include avoiding indoor use of grills, keeping vents open and not blocked and educating yourself and your roommates about CO poisoning symptoms.
Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness and difficulty breathing. As carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, it is challenging to detect without equipment. If you experience these symptoms and suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, it is important to evacuate your apartment immediately, seek fresh air and contact emergency services.
5. Electrical issues
Some common electrical issues renters may run into during their lease include power outages, tripped circuit breakers and faulty switches or outlets. While the on-site maintenance team is the best resource in most of these situations, there are a few things renters should have on hand in case of emergency.
During a power outage, having a portable battery pack is essential. You can charge your electronics, plug in a flashlight and have power on hand for however long you may need it.
For tripped circuit breakers and faulty switches, it’s best to leave these alone and consult the apartment maintenance team to avoid making the situation even worse. You can avoid these mishaps by not plugging too many things in at once and checking for faulty switches and plugs when you initially move in and notifying the leasing staff.
6. Burglary
While apartments are generally secure, burglaries can still occur meaning additional security is necessary. Start by checking that all potential entry points, including doors and windows, have sturdy locks in good condition.
You can reinforce sliding doors with bars or a security rod with tools for additional peace of mind as well. If your apartment comes with a security system, it is worth the additional fee to utilize it for less stress. If they do not, consider installing an apartment-approved security system like a Ring doorbell camera to keep an eye on your apartment surroundings.
It’s also important to establish good relationships with your neighbors, as they can act as an extra set of eyes and ears. If you’re going to be gone for a long period of time, asking a neighbor you trust to collect any packages or mail left in front of the door also helps your apartment appear occupied during your absence.
7. Storm damage
From light rain to tornados, there is a lot you can do to protect your apartment, belongings and yourself from potential damage. In the case of bad weather, make sure to remove any patio furniture that would be blown away or damaged by rain and other weather conditions. Moving your car to a higher level in the parking garage or a higher elevation spot on the road will also protect your car from the damage of flooding.
In severe weather, secure any loose items or furniture inside your apartment that could be easily knocked over during a storm. Another essential step is having an emergency kit prepared with essentials like flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit. Lastly, determine the building’s area designated for residents to go during a storm. If your building doesn’t have a storm shelter, choose an enclosed spot away from windows.
8. Personal safety
We’re not always in our apartment, and it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings even in apartment common areas, garages and mail rooms. Avoid getting your mail or moving your car late at night to protect yourself from others.
If your apartment has a gate code or main door code, avoid sharing with too many individuals, as limiting access helps maintain security and prevents unauthorized entry. Being vigilant and cautious in these shared spaces can significantly contribute to the overall safety of your apartment.
Protect yourself and your living experience
As a savvy renter, you may not have complete control over your apartment living experience, but there are numerous proactive steps you can take to enhance your safety and well-being. By following these tips and tricks and utilizing the apartment on-site teams, you’re protected from the expected and unexpected.
Ready to find your safe space? Start your apartment living journey today.
Wesley is a Charlotte-based writer with a degree in Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina. Her background includes 6 years in non-profit communication and 4 years in editorial writing. She’s passionate about traveling, volunteering, cooking and drinking her morning iced coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her relaxing with family or exploring Charlotte with her friends.