The COVID-19 pandemic could result in waves of people moving from the city and into the suburbs in search of more space, forecasts show.
While 30% of American say they’ve browsed real estate listings recently, those who live in urban areas are twice as likely as those living in the suburbs or rural areas to actually be interested in buying or renting a home or apartment, according to a new Harris Poll conducted last month. Almost a third of American say they’re considering a move to a less densely populated area due to the coronavirus, the same poll shows. Moreover, nearly four in 10 of those respondents were urbanites who say COVID-19 is what has prompted them to consider such a move.
John Downs, a real estate pro with Berkshire Hathaway in Connecticut, told The Wall Street Journal he’s expecting to see much greater demand for McMansions in more remote locations, once the coronavirus has passed. He said that he’s already noticed an increase in inquiries about properties in remote areas from city dwellers.
A separate report by CNBC shows an uptick among New York’s wealthiest residents who’re looking to move into the suburbs or exurbs in order to enjoy a less crowded lifestyle. Most are seeking more space and distance from their neighbors and crowds, real estate professionals say. For some, it may be they’re interested in buying a second home that’s still close to the city. For others, it may be more permanent.
“It seems like everyone wants to leave the city,” said Steve Magnuson, a broker with Douglas Elliman in Greenwich, Connecticut, in an interview with CNBC. “Our problem is not enough inventory for sale. We’ve been on the phone 24/7 and on email.”
Magnuson recently rented a five-bedroom home with an infinity pool in Greenwich for $55,000 a month—a record high for the town. The rental is now available again but is listed at a more expensive price—$65,000 per month—and has a waitlist of 18 people desiring to rent it.
People in the city who are eyeing suburbia are looking for a more spacious place to run, walk, and ride bikes. Wealthy buyers are also focusing on homes with a pool, large home office, and strong internet and cell services, Magnuson notes.
Could the rush from city to the suburbs be temporary, as it was following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks? Brokers report a momentary shift in the market during that time as more people fled the city. But they quickly returned, driven by overseas buyers and young professionals. Even without an exodus, brokers are still banking on a desire for second homes to grow among the wealthy after the pandemic.
“Being able to go someplace not far from your home, where you have a home office and can keep your friends and family safe—that’s number one,” Magnuson told CNBC.
Mike Wheatley is the senior editor at Realty Biz News. Got a real estate related news article you wish to share, contact Mike at [email protected]
Inflation has hit all aspects of daily life, including that fun and romantic ritual known as date night. The average cost of dinner and a movie for two now rings in at a steep $159. Ka-ching!
But that doesn’t mean you need to go broke enjoying fun times with your sweetie or getting to know someone new.
Here, you’ll find 27 ideas for date nights that don’t cost much. In fact, some of these date night ideas are more than cheap; they’re free.
Fun Date Ideas for Couples on a Budget
Whether you’re just getting to know each other or you’ve been married for years, here are some ways to enjoy a romantic day or evening out without busting your monthly budget.
1. Watching the Sunrise or Sunset Together
Watching the sun come up or sink over the horizon with your sweetie can be a very romantic and cute date idea. Depending on which time of day you choose, you can bring coffee and donuts or a bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers to mark the occasion.
2. Taking Dance Lessons
Couples can show off their moves while taking a lesson in salsa, ballroom dancing, or swing. Consider a home viewing of “Dirty Dancing” afterwards to close out the date.
💡 Quick Tip: If you’re saving for a short-term goal — whether it’s a vacation, a wedding, or the down payment on a house — consider opening a high-yield savings account. The higher APY that you’ll earn will help your money grow faster, but the funds stay liquid, so they are easy to access when you reach your goal.
3. Going on a Hike
Getting some fresh air and walking in a beautiful area together can be a great bonding experience. To make sure you don’t take on more miles (or hills) than you can handle, you can read reviews of hikes and check out trail maps online before you head out.
4. Picking Apples or Berries
This can be a great idea for a “sweet” date. In the fall, couples can pick apples together and then go home and make some baked apples or an apple pie. In the summer, consider heading to a local farm to pick berries. You can use your harvest to make some tarts or smoothies afterwards.
5. Checking Out a Botanical Garden
Many towns have beautiful botanical gardens where people can walk around. This is a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon and it should be either free or low cost.
6. Staying In and Watching a Movie
One (or both) or you may have a Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime subscription. Why not take advantage and watch a movie together at home? You can open some wine and order a pizza or inexpensive takeout.
Not a member of those networks? Look into free services like Hoopla or Kanopy.
Recommended: How to Save Money on Streaming Services
7. Gardening Together
Another cute date idea is to garden together. Whether you and your honey live together or apart, you can start your own garden and fill it with flowers, herbs, and vegetables. At the end of the day, you’ll have a shared sense of accomplishment.
8. Checking Out a Free Museum
Some museums are always free, while others will have free days throughout the month. Couples can go and see cool artwork and have stimulating conversations about the artists.
💡 Quick Tip: An emergency fund or rainy day fund is an important financial safety net. Aim to have at least three to six months’ worth of basic living expenses saved in case you get a major unexpected bill or lose income.
9. Going to a Free Concert
Many towns will hold free concerts in the park during the summer. You can bring a blanket and some food and enjoy a picnic dinner while listening to great live music.
Recommended: How to Save Money Daily
10. Taking a Scenic Drive
You can pick somewhere you’ve never been or head to a favorite spot, such as a nice drive in the country or along the coastline. Consider creating a playlist of tunes you both love for the ride.
11. Breaking Out the Board Games
Who doesn’t love a little competition? This can be a great idea whether you play against one another or with another couple. You can even throw in some prizes from the Dollar Store to up the ante just a bit.
12. Eating at Happy Hour
Want to sidestep a pricey dinner? Here’s a way to save money on food: Couples can find out which establishments have a happy hour and then enjoy some appetizers and drinks for a cheap date idea.
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13. Visiting Open Houses
Whether you are actually looking to buy a house or just want to be a voyeur, or pick up some design ideas, consider checking out open houses in your area. You can search for open houses on sites like Redfin and Zillow.
14. Cooking a Dish Together
For a fun and tasty evening, you might go to your local farmer’s market or grocery store and then come home and make a gourmet meal together. If neither of you are skilled in the kitchen, you can order a meal delivery service that sends all the instructions and ingredients you need.
15. Checking Groupon for Deals
You can often find some interesting things to do for date night by checking Groupon to see what experiences are on sale. You might find a wine-and-paint night or perhaps a sale on arcade tickets.
16. Renting a Pool
For a fun date on a hot summer day (or night), consider checking out Swimply to see if you can rent out a private pool in your area by the hour. Pool toys and snacks may not be included, so you may want to pack everything you need before heading over for a swim.
17. Going on a Bike Ride
Another cute date idea is to go on a bike ride together. If you don’t own bikes, you may be able to rent them from the city or a local company. You can research local biking trails online before you go.
💡 Quick Tip: When you feel the urge to buy something that isn’t in your budget, try the 30-day rule. Make a note of the item in your calendar for 30 days into the future. When the date rolls around, there’s a good chance the “gotta have it” feeling will have subsided
18. Taking a Ferry Ride
Typically, ferry rides are pretty cheap. They may even be free. Consider taking a ride at sunset so you can enjoy a beautiful view.
19. Checking Out a Local Park
When the weather is nice, you might want to pack a blanket and some food and head to a nearby park to enjoy a lazy afternoon together. Have any leftover bread? Maybe you can feed it to the ducks or birds.
20. Going to a Pet Cafe
Pet cafes are now located in many towns around the county. Couples can sip on lattes while petting cute dogs and cats at the same time.
Recommended: Tips to Save Money on Pets
21. Renting a Canoe or Kayak
If you split the cost of a kayak or canoe rental, you can enjoy a relatively inexpensive afternoon paddling around a lake or bay together.
22. Taking a Walk in the Mall
Just because you go to the mall, it doesn’t mean you have to shop. Instead, you can do some browsing and not spend any money. Though you might want to share some favorite cheap mall food like Cinnabons and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels.
23. Listening to a Podcast
Podcasts can be just as entertaining as television and movies. Consider grabbing some drinks and snacks and listening to a great podcast together.
Recommended: What Are Average Monthly Expenses for One Person
24. Thrifting Together
Here’s a great way to save money on clothes and spend time together: Hit some local thrift stores for a cute and cheap date night. Maybe you’ll find some treasures or just try on outfits from decades past and make each other laugh.
25. Competing in a Video Game Competition
If you and your mate enjoy playing video games, consider challenging each other in a video game competition. You can offer fun rewards, such as the winner gets a gourmet home-cooked meal or doesn’t have to do any dishes all week.
26. Having a Spa Night
For couples who live together, a nice date night idea is to have a spa night at home. You can include foot massages, a bubble bath, and face masks for some relaxation, and laughs.
27. Doing Crafts Together
Couples that are feeling crafty can go to their local art store and buy supplies they need to create something together. You might even choose a sentimental project like a wreath made of corks from bottles you’ve shared or a scrapbook of vacation memories.
Recommended: How to Create a Budget in 6 Steps
The Takeaway
Going out on a “date” doesn’t have to mean dinner at a fancy restaurant followed by a movie. With a little bit of imagination and planning, couples can enjoy a night (or day) out that costs considerably less, yet can be just as romantic and fun.
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Couches are some of the biggest, most awkwardly shaped and heaviest pieces of furniture in your apartment, which makes them a real pain come packing and moving time. Even if you can break it down and disassemble it into separate pieces, those individual sections can still be unwieldy and heavy. To avoid injury or damage to yourself or the couch, moving it requires patience, preparation, the right equipment and some willing helpers.
How to move a couch while moving apartments
Follow these steps on how to transport your couch safely to your new apartment. If you don’t want the hassle, you can always donate it.
1. Get the right supplies like furniture sliders and a flat furniture dolly
Transporting couches requires specialized equipment to protect yourself, the couch and any other people helping you move it. Not only does it help prevent serious injury or damage, but your back will thank you.
In lieu of a hand truck, a flat furniture dolly is best for handling and maneuvering bulky furniture like couches. Comprised of a flat, square platform on four wheels, furniture dollies can handle up to 1,000 pounds, allowing you to roll or slide bulky items across rooms or down hallways with ease.
You can also affix cushioned furniture sliders to the bottom of the couch’s legs, allowing you to push or pull it without damaging it or the floor. Sliders are especially handy if you’re moving out of an apartment that doesn’t have stairs or difficult sections requiring lots of lifting. If you can’t find the right size, you can buy oversized sliders and trim them down.
In addition, you’ll need lifting straps, tie-down straps, tape measure, shrink wrap and a moving blanket.
2. Pack the couch for moving
You can’t just throw your couch onto a furniture dolly, roll it onto a moving truck and call it a day. The smaller and more compact you can make your couch, the easier it’ll be to move.
If it’s possible, disassemble bigger couches like L-shaped sectionals into smaller sections to make them more manageable. If you can’t disassemble the couch or sofa into smaller pieces, follow these packing tips.
Detach couch legs and arms
If you can, remove any parts of the couch that stick out or aren’t part of the main body of the couch. Usually, these are the legs and arms of the couch. In some cases, you can simply twist the legs off. Otherwise, you’ll likely need a screwdriver.
Be sure to keep all the loose screws and other hardware in a labeled Ziplock bag so you don’t lose track of them during the move.
Remove cushions, pillows and blankets
Take any cushions, loose pillows and blankets and store them in giant plastic bags or trash bags. That way, the cushions won’t get dirty or lost. Be sure to label the bags so they don’t accidentally get thrown out!
Wrap the couch in plastic wrap
Once you’ve stripped the couch of everything not permanently attached to the body of the couch, completely wrap it in plastic wrap. As you’re moving the couch, it might bang against walls, door frames, staircase and other parts of the apartment. Wrapping it up protects the house from damage and will keep the couch from getting scratched or dirty. If you can’t find plastic wrap, you can use moving blankets or old sheets in the same way.
3. Measure the couch and the spaces it will need to fit through
This is arguably the most important step in moving a couch. All your preparations will be for naught if the couch won’t actually fit through your apartment’s narrow door or hallway.
Measure both the height and length of the couch, as well as the depth and width. Make sure that you measure all sides, corners and padded areas so you have a complete picture of the couch’s dimensions.
Then measure all the spaces it will need to fit through, like doorways, hallways, staircases and elevators. You’ll likely need to tip, tilt, pivot, shift or swivel the couch to fit through narrower openings and spaces, which is why you should measure the complete dimensions of the couch so you know if it will fit or not. This will also help you strategize the best way to orient the couch for moving. Should it be vertical or horizontal? When will you need to tilt it to fit through a narrow door versus when can you use a furniture dolly to push it across the room?
By taking measurements in advance, you’re saving yourself the trouble of getting the couch stuck in a too-small doorway or being halfway through moving it only to realize it’s too big for your apartment elevator.
4. Take down doors
If your couch will fit through all the openings in the path to the moving truck, now it’s time to remove any obstacles from that path like doors. When moving couches, every inch counts, and removing doors from their hinges will help you gain precious inches of space. Luckily, doors are pretty easy to remove and you can reinstall them once you’re done.
Along with doors, remove other obstacles that could trip you up like hallway carpets and moving boxes so you have a free and clear path.
5. Figure out a game plan
Come moving day, you should have a plan of action ready in advance so you’re not left scrambling at the last minute. That means knowing the exact route you’ll be taking and having enough helpers to safely lift and maneuver.
6. Have enough people to safely lift the couch
If you’re not hiring movers to help, you’ll likely need to enlist some pals to help. If the couch is small and not too heavy, you probably only need one extra person, with at least one person on one end and another on the other end. But for heavier, bigger couches, your task may require at least four people.
7. Take your time while moving the couch
Whether you’re moving the couch a short distance from living room to truck or bringing it down multiple floors from your top-floor apartment, take your time and be patient. Communicate with your helpers in case someone needs to adjust positions or take a break. Slowly maneuver at all times, taking particular care around tight corners, narrow openings and points of access. If you hit a problem spot, don’t force it. Take a beat to analyze the situation and search for a solution. If possible, have someone walk ahead of the group to give feedback about upcoming obstacles. Slow and steady is the best bet.
8. Carefully load onto the moving truck
If you’re using a moving truck, odds are it’ll have a loading ramp. Using the dolly, roll the couch carefully up the ramp onto the truck. Then, remove the dolly and position the couch for moving. Use tie-down straps to secure it in place so it won’t move around during transit.
How do I move a couch up and down stairs?
As much as we all love that one scene from Friends (PIVOT!), it’s much less fun to recreate in person. Taking a couch up and down stairs is particularly tricky, especially if you live in an older apartment building with narrow staircases. You can’t use dollies and sliders on staircases, so you’ll be relying solely on your helpers.
You should never move a couch up or down stairs by yourself. Always have help, whether by hiring moving services or asking friends. Position someone at each end, make sure everyone has a solid grip and lift from the bottom of the couch. Maneuver slowly and go step by step, communicating with each other. Having someone act as a navigator, informing you when you need to pivot or shift, works well too.
Can I move a couch by myself with a dolly?
If it’s small enough, not too heavy and you don’t need to navigate any stairs, it is possible to move a couch by yourself. For safety’s sake, make full use of your tools so you don’t have to lift too much, relying on the dolly and sliders to push the sofa between rooms. We also recommend disassembling the couch into manageable pieces you can handle on your own. You can also put some pieces in storage if need be.
What is the cheapest way to move a couch?
Since you’ll only need to pay for supplies and the moving truck, it’s more affordable to move couches and sofas on your own. But because of their size, weight and awkward shape, for your own safety and peace of mind, sometimes it’s best to turn to the pros.
Hire a moving company to do the heavy lifting
While the cost will be higher, you’ll find hiring professional movers worth the extra expense. They’ll know exactly how to handle and maneuver your heavy furniture, and you can spare your back the strain.
If you’re on the fence about hiring movers, most moving companies will give you a free moving quote that you can use to see if it fits your budget.
Whether with a moving company or on your own for free, moving a couch requires special preparation
Even if you’ve hired professionals to help, prepping your couch for the moving process makes it easier and safer for everyone.
Zoe Baillargeon is an award-winning writer and journalist based in Portland, Oregon, where she covers a variety of beats including travel, food and drink, lifestyle and culture for outlets like Apartment Guide, Rent., AFAR.com, Fodor’s, The Manual, Matador Network and more. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and spoiling her cat.
Today we’ll examine a growing Bay Area mortgage lender located in Corte Madera, which is just north of San Francisco, known as “Bay Equity Home Loans.”
They’re quite literally located on the San Francisco Bay, so it appears they named themselves appropriately.
Despite being around for just over a decade, and launching their business right around the time the housing bubble burst, they’ve managed to become a top-50 mortgage lender nationally.
That says a lot about their determination and perseverance, to not only survive that difficult period, but also emerge as one of the largest independent mortgage bankers in the country.
On top of that, they’re one of the highest-ranked mortgage companies out there in terms of customer satisfaction, landing in the top-5 on LendingTree. Let’s discover more about them.
Bay Equity Home Loans Fast Facts
Retail direct-to-consumer mortgage lender
Founded in 2007 by three brothers and close friends
Headquartered in Corte Madera, California
Offers home purchase financing, refinance loans, and reverse mortgages
Licensed in 42 states (retail branches in 27 states)
Funded nearly $5 billion in home loans last year
Did more than 20% of total volume in state of California
Also very active in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, and Washington
Agreed to be acquired by Redfin in early 2022 for estimated $135 million in cash/stock
Bay Equity Home Loans is a retail, direct-to-consumer mortgage lender that was launched in 2007 by three brothers and a handful of their close friends.
As noted, they picked a terrible time to launch a mortgage company, but they somehow managed to navigate a massive housing crisis and come out stronger.
Today, they are one of the largest nonbank, independent mortgage lenders in the country, having funded nearly $5 billion in home loans last year.
And there’s a very good chance their 2020 numbers will be even more impressive given the record low mortgage rates that have been available for most of the year.
At the moment, Bay Equity Home Loans is licensed in 42 states and has physical retail branches in 27 states.
While they’re still growing, they aren’t licensed in the following states: Alaska, Delaware, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. That could soon change, so stay tuned.
Last year, they did over $1 billion in lending in their home state of California, which accounted for about 25% of total volume, and another $900 billion or so in Colorado.
They were also quite active in Arizona, Georgia, Minnesota, and Washington.
Roughly two-thirds of total production was made up of home purchase loans, with the remainder mortgage refinances and reverse mortgages, so they appear to be well-liked by real estate agents as well.
The company also recently launched a California-only digital lender called Homenda Mortgage.
In early 2022, Bay Equity Home Loans announced that it would be acquired by Redfin for an estimated $135 million in cash and stock.
The move is intended to grow the Redfin Mortgage brand more quickly to serve Redfin real estate agents.
How to Apply for a Mortgage with Bay Equity Home Loans
First you need to get paired up with one of their local lending teams
Use their online directory to locate a loan officer near you
Once at their personal webpage you’ll see a link to apply for a mortgage directly online
They offer a digital mortgage application process powered by Floify that is mostly paperless
In order to get started, you’ll need to head over to the Bay Equity Home Loans website and search their loan officer directory.
Once you find someone to work with, you can view their contact information, including phone number, email address, and branch address.
There will also be an “Apply Now” button you can click on to start your loan application. So you don’t actually have to speak to anyone to begin the loan process.
But if you want to get a mortgage rate quote first, which is probably recommended, you may want to reach out to a human before you fill out the digital loan application.
Speaking of, their 1003 mortgage loan application appears to be powered by fintech company Floify, which lets borrowers complete much of the process digitally.
That means the ability to fill out the application from a desktop computer or smartphone, link financial accounts via asset verification, eSign documents, and check loan status at any time by visiting the loan portal.
The company features in-house underwriters to ensure loans can get decisioned quickly and make their way to the finish line without major delays.
Given their incredibly high customer satisfaction ratings, chances are they close loans quickly and efficiently.
Loan Programs Offered by Bay Equity Home Loans
Home purchase loans
Refinance loans (rate and term and cash out)
Home renovation loans (FHA 203k)
Conventional loans
Jumbo home loans
Government mortgages: FHA/USDA/VA
Reverse mortgages
Down payment assistance (DPA) programs
Fixed-rate mortgages: Terms between 10 and 30 years
Adjustable-rate mortgages: Fixed-start periods of 5, 7, or 10 years
Bay Equity Home Loans offers all the loan programs you would expect from a full-fledged mortgage lender, including home purchase loans, refinance loans, home renovation loans, and reverse mortgages.
It’s unclear if they also offer home construction loans, so inquire with your loan officer if you’re in need of such a loan.
They lend on all property types, including primary residences, vacation homes, investment properties, and condos/townhomes.
You can get a conventional loan backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, or a jumbo home loan that exceeds the conforming loan limit.
They’ve also got the full range of government-backed mortgage loans, including FHA, VA, and USDA loans.
With respect to loan types, you can get a fixed-rate mortgage in various loan terms, or an adjustable-rate mortgage with a fixed-start period of 5, 7, or 10 years.
Lastly, they’ve got access to down payment assistance programs (DPA) for first-time home buyers and reverse mortgages for existing homeowners aged 62 and older.
Bay Equity Home Loans Rates
Like a ton of other banks and mortgage lenders out there, Bay Equity Home Loans doesn’t post their mortgage rates online.
As such, it’s difficult to know how competitive their interest rates are compared to other mortgage companies.
If you do want a mortgage quote, you’ll need to find one of their loan officers via their website directory, then reach out via phone or email.
The one clue we have about their rates comes from their reviews – on Zillow, many former customers indicated that the rate they received was lower than expected.
Their interest rates have also been rated as “excellent” on LendingTree. But it would be nice to see some daily sample rates as well.
Bay Equity Home Loans also doesn’t seem to list their lender fees on their website, so it’s unclear if they charge a loan origination fee, application fee, processing/underwriting, and so on.
Definitely take the time to get those questions answered before you proceed to ensure they are competitive pricing-wise.
Bay Equity Home Loans Reviews
On Zillow, Bay Equity Home Loans has a near-perfect rating, a 4.98 out of 5, based on over 7,000 customer reviews.
That might be the highest score I’ve seen for any mortgage lender. And the fact that it’s from that many reviews is super impressive.
On LendingTree, they have an equally astounding 4.9-star rating out of 5 from more than 18,000 reviews. They also boast a 99% recommend rating and rank in the top five based on customer ratings.
They are only bested by New American Funding, Fairway Independent Mortgage, American Financial Network, and Royal United Mortgage.
In both the “interest rates” and “fees & closing costs” categories, they are ranked excellent.
Over at SocialSurvey, it’s the same story – a 4.93-star rating out of 5 from nearly 40,000 customer reviews.
That might be the most impressive of all considering the volume of reviews at that site.
Lastly, Bay Equity Home Loans is an accredited company with the Better Business Bureau and currently has an ‘A+’ rating.
In other words, while experiences can always vary, they seem to be firing on all cylinders when it comes to customer satisfaction.
So if their mortgage rates and lender fees are also solid, they could be a great choice for those looking to finance a home purchase or refinance an existing mortgage.
Bay Equity Home Loans Pros and Cons
The Good
Can apply for a mortgage directly online
Offer a digital mortgage application process
Lots of different loan programs to choose from including reverse mortgages
Incredible reviews from former customers (near-perfection)
A+ BBB rating, accredited since 2017
Free mortgage calculators and helpful guides on site
They may service your home loan as opposed to transferring it
This week, we interviewed Andrew Sidhu from Foyer.
Without further ado…
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Andrew Sidhu, and I am the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Foyer, Inc., a PropTech development company. We just introduced Foyer Insight, the most advanced computer vision Artificial Intelligence (AI) suite which is focused solely on the real estate industry. It uses multi-label image classification and image segmentations to give real estate agents and platforms the tools to be more responsive to client needs by automatically ensuring the highest quality images and building an image-first experience at the fingertips of a new generation of home buyers. It is my belief that by doing so, we can elevate and streamline the home buying process.
Our company is headquartered in Trumbull, CT and we have an excellent team of developers who are working to push both our machine learning tools to a new level through breakthrough unsupervised learning techniques, and our image validation suite to ensure the highest quality of listings. I personally head the research and development of our ML team, as well as running the company as its CEO.
What problem does your product/service solve?
During my own house hunt a few years ago, I began to feel that finding your perfect home should be a more intuitive and streamlined process. I wanted to be able to search for my new home by its Kitchen, but ended up having to click for 30 seconds or more just to get to the kitchen pictures of each listing. Until now, property search sites usually relied on simple preferences such as location and price to display properties for sale.
That’s because the most important part of any real estate listing, the photos, were both completely disconnected from the rest of the listing and each other. In order to be able to jump to the kitchen pictures, Listings need to have the context of what is in the photos, nothing like that was available.
Foyer Inc was created to solve that problem and provide linked, detailed context to each photo and feature of the home. We have taken it a step further by cataloging the features of each room, stainless steel appliances, fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and contextualizing it to searchable parameters. We can find your perfect home, like the one that has a view of the fireplace in your living room from the kitchen island, and allow you to get as specific in your search as you want. Not just limited to bedrooms, price, and a couple checkboxes which provide arbitrary results.
We give real estate companies the drop-in tools to enhance their own services and platforms the tools to evolve the buying process into something new. Whether it be an image first search experience, a better recommendation engine, and ensuring that each listing is of the highest quality.
By combining big data and our AI, Foyer Insight allows real estate agents to provide interfaces that allow clients to search photos and information based on room type, lighting, specific features (hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances), and more. Foyer also allows realty search sites to evaluate pricing trends by home features which are not usually available by just the listing details, such as the color of kitchen cabinets and countertop combinations.
In the past, the industry seemed reluctant to embrace technology for fear of eliminating the personal connection between broker and buyer. I wanted to help real estate professionals turn to solutions that can help them enhance that relationship. In fact, the human connection between the agent or broker and the home buyer is still one of the most important elements of the real estate transaction. This is why I believe it is so important to put the most advanced technology into the agents’ hands. Companies like Zillow have been using advanced tools to bridge the moat that a personal connection has in order to compete with local agents. I want to empower those agents with the same tools and democratize real estate information to make a better experience for every home buyer.
The use of AI and unsupervised machine learning allows us to produce actionable data which has been hiding in plain sight within every photo, and using that to help agents enhance and improve their clients’ experiences during the home buying process.
What are you most excited about right now?
I’m most excited about the potential impact that unsupervised learning will have on image classification because it cannot be underestimated, especially in the real estate industry. Real estate imagery is subjective in general, and can vary greatly by cultures, regions, or even neighborhoods. The only way to be consistent in all cases is to eliminate human biases by the people building the model. Removing the bias and combining it with Foyer’s ability to work off millions of images, means it isn’t overfitted to a certain décor. This allows it to be easily scalable to other markets and to perform at an equivalent level anywhere its deployed.
The adaptable nature of unsupervised learning means it can be used for many kinds of A.I. models, but it is especially good for real estate because the classifications are not cut and dry, or mutually exclusive in nature. In the past, it has been difficult to deal with edge cases with a supervised training dataset, even between developers we would have arguments about how much of an image has to be in the kitchen, or where the kitchen starts and ends. But now using unsupervised learning, the model grows on its own and develops its own consensus. Additionally, with unsupervised learning, new features can be scaled into production much more efficiently, without the need to hand feed large amounts of data. The models are able to accurately develop new classifications on their own with far fewer validation examples, rather than requiring our developers and client partners to walk it through every step.
What’s next for you?
My focus now is on working with top real estate company development teams across the U.S. to implement our technology into their stack and adapt it to each company’s own unique brand and specifications. We are also continuing to develop our visual suite that can be used by any agent in the United States on their own to provide an image first search solution to their clients today, and help them build and validate their own high-quality listings.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
I’m extremely passionate about right-to-repair and technology in the automotive space. Maintaining a fork of OpenPilot, an open-source aftermarket self-driving system, for Pre-Autopilot Tesla cars produced before 2015 is currently my primary hobby. Working with the community, I help maintain a fleet of over 100 cars which are all running our fork and hardware.
Many of these cars are out of warranty or salvage cars, and are usually only able to be repaired by Tesla themselves, and there’s even a question if Tesla will even repair the car at all. I have personally helped hundreds of people diagnose, repair, and get their cars running again after Tesla has refused. I don’t accept payments for this or any of the work I do on OpenPilot and redirect anyone who insists to donate to Planned Parenthood instead – My spreadsheet of donations currently has a total of $12,850.00 donated since 2017, I’m pretty proud about that.
I have recently taken an interest in 3D printing as well, but that is honestly just an extension of my OpenPilot hobby as our latest hardware requires us to build custom parts.
Thanks to Andrew for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop us a line (Community @ geekestate dot com).
When you have a need or a problem, there’s usually a solution that can be bought. Buying a solution is often the easiest and fastest way to solve a problem — but it also can be the most expensive.
When my husband and I were in debt-repayment mode and had our discretionary spending locked down, I began to see that there are alternative solutions to problems that I once thought could only be solved by buying something. Sometimes quality counts, but more often than not, I would choose a solution that required spending more than necessary, when some forethought might have yielded a solution that was less expensive (or even free). Or maybe if I had stopped to think about it, I’d have realized it wasn’t a critical problem, and I could just choose to do nothing about it.
We set a strict budget while we were paying off our debt, so it was necessary to think about alternatives before every purchase to meet our payment goals. The great thing is that it became ingrained in me, and it’s something I continue to try to do. Here are some of the techniques I use.
Repair what you can Repair what you have instead of replacing it. You can do this with clothes, appliances, furniture, and cars. I know someone who used throw away a shirt when it was missing a button rather than paying to have it mended, or learning how to sew on a button himself.
But even if you’re not apt to go the do-it-yourself route, sometimes paying for a repair is worth it when it’s something that is expensive or difficult to replace. Last year I took my boots to a shoe doctor for the first time. I was ready to replace them, but I thought I’d try a repair shop first, and I was pleasantly surprised. The boots were re-heeled, the leather was conditioned, and they looked good-as-new. It would have been much more costly to replace them.
Delay spending Put off the purchase. People do this if they lose their jobs or if they live paycheck-to-paycheck and run out of money at the end of the month. I do it as a game when the credit card closing date is coming up, just to keep the number as low as possible.
Simply shelf the issue for the time being. Give it a week or two. (Or 30 days.) You might even think of a better solution during that period.
You also can do this with regular services. See how long you can stretch out time in between haircuts, for example, especially if your cut is low-maintenance to start. Stretching it out just four more weeks in between appointments reduced what I spend in a year by one-third. And you know, so far my hair is just fine.
Rent, trade, borrow, or take Can you borrow or trade for a solution? If you want a book or a DVD, try out a service like Book Mooch or Swaptree. Try renting tools if you won’t use them enough to warrant owning them. See if friends or family members will let you borrow a tool or appliance (just be sure to send a lovely thank-you note).
Also, don’t forget to check out sites like Freecycle for furniture, appliances, toys, and more. Items are given away for free; you just pay for the gas to pick up your stuff.
Plan ahead Many times we overspend because we’re pressed for time. Maybe you have to get a last-minute Christmas gift for a picky relative. The mall is typically where we end up in that kind of situation, and it’s not likely that you’ll find the perfect gift at a killer price when you’re in a hurry.
Planning ahead gives you the time to find the perfect gift at a great price, or maybe even free if you’re really creative.
Planning ahead isn’t limited to gifts. You can plan ahead for travel, social events, house guests, and more. You can plan your expenditures for any situation that you know about ahead of time.
Find creative solutions to achieve your goal There’s usually more than one way to solve a problem or reach a goal. Craving Chinese take-out? Try making stir-fry at home. Want to have a fun Saturday night with your friends? Throw a potluck or host a game night instead of meeting at a restaurant. Bored and feeling the urge to shop? Try reading a book, going for a walk, or doing something creative.
I’ve found the most inspiration from fellow bloggers:
Instead of completely redecorating a room, try a bit of wallpaper and a fresh coat of paint.
Rather than buying new furniture, consider how a few yards of fabric might breathe new life into the furniture you already own.
Hate the fit of a dress, but love the fabric? Consider a refashion.
Overwhelmed by the expense of baby gear? Find frugal ways to make it yourself.
A quick Google search usually provides new solutions I might not have thought of on my own.
Do nothing Just ignore the need and try to do without. A lot of times if you simply do nothing, you find it’s not as bad as you thought. The best personal example of this was our decision to do nothing about replacing our second car. We also do this when we’re swept off our feet by fancy kitchen gear, and then realize that our cast iron Dutch oven may not be as gorgeous as a porcelain enamel Le Creuset, but it gets the job done.
Make a habit out of questioning your purchases, and try a quick Internet search to see if there’s a less expensive solution out there.
What about you? What have you done lately to improvise, get by with what you have, or find a cheap solution, instead of buying something new? Share your tips!
Some important mortgage rates dropped off over the last seven days. 15-year fixed and 30-year fixed mortgage rates both dwindled. The average rate of the most common type of variable-rate mortgage, the 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage, also declined.
After hiking interest rates 10 times since March 2022, the Federal Reserve pumped the brakes during its June meeting. The central bank’s benchmark federal funds rate will remain at a range of 5.00% to 5.25% for the time being, although the Fed hasn’t ruled out the possibility of further increases if inflation doesn’t continue to moderate.
As long as inflation continues to trend downward, experts say a pause in rate hikes from the Fed could bring some stability to today’s volatile mortgage rate market.
Current Mortgage Rates for June 2023
Mortgage rates change every day. Experts recommend shopping around to make sure you’re getting the lowest rate. By entering your information below, you can get a custom quote from one of CNET’s partner lenders.
About these rates: Like CNET, Bankrate is owned by Red Ventures. This tool features partner rates from lenders that you can use when comparing multiple mortgage rates.
Mortgages hit a 20-year high in late 2022, but now the macroeconomic environment is changing again. Rates dipped significantly in January before climbing back up in February. Aside from a brief surge towards the end of May, rates continue to fluctuate in the 6% to 7% range.
Even though the Fed hit pause on rate hikes, mortgage interest rates will continue to fluctuate on a daily basis. That’s because mortgage rates aren’t tied to the federal funds rate in the same way other products are, such as home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs. Mortgage rates respond to a variety of economic factors, including inflation, employment and the broader outlook for the economy.
“Mortgage rates will continue to ebb and flow week to week, but ultimately, I think rates will stick to that 6% to 7% range we’re seeing now,” said Jacob Channel, senior economist at loan marketplace LendingTree. “I don’t anticipate them to spike or even show a sustained spike following this meeting,” Channel said.
Overall, inflation remains high but has been slowly, but consistently, falling every month since it peaked in June 2022.
After raising rates dramatically in 2022, the Fed opted for smaller, 25-basis-point increases in its first three meetings of 2023. The decision to hold rates steady on June 14 suggests that inflation is cooling and ongoing rate hikes may no longer be necessary to bring inflation down to the Fed’s 2% target. The central bank is unlikely to cut rates any time soon, but positive signaling from the Fed and cooling inflation may ease some of the upward pressure on mortgage rates.
“Rates are getting to a point of being steady. So, it’s more a question of how long it will take for rates to start ticking back down and when inflation will return to a place where your dollar starts buying a little bit more each month,” said Kevin Williams, founder of Full Life Financial Planning.
However, mortgage rates remain well above where they were a year ago. Fewer buyers are willing to jump into the housing market, driving demand down and causing home prices in some regions to ease, but that’s only part of the home affordability equation.
“Interest rates have been much higher in the past and people bought homes and financed homes at those rates. But it’s been hard for people to react to such a rapid increase in just a short amount of time,” said Daniel Oney, research director at the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University. “Everybody had a target for how much they needed to save in order to go into the housing market, but when interest rates increased, those goal posts moved too,” he added.
What does this mean for homebuyers this year? Mortgage rates are likely to decrease slightly in 2023, although they’re highly unlikely to return to the rock-bottom levels of 2020 and 2021. However, rate volatility may continue for some time. “Expect mortgage rates to yo-yo up and down in the first half of the year, at least until there is a consensus about when the Fed will conclude raising interest rates,” said Greg McBride, CFA and chief financial analyst at Bankrate. McBride expects rates to fall more consistently as the year progresses. “Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates will end the year near 5.25%,” he predicted.
Rather than worrying about market mortgage rates, homebuyers should focus on what they can control: getting the best rate they can for their situation.
“The most important thing is that they find the right home. The second most important thing is obviously to find the most efficient way to finance it,” said Melissa Cohn, regional vice president of William Raveis Mortgage.
Take steps to improve your credit score and save for a down payment to increase your odds of qualifying for the lowest rate available. Also, be sure to compare the rates and fees from multiple lenders to get the best deal. Looking at the annual percentage rate, or APR, will show you the total cost of borrowing and help you compare apples to apples.
30-year fixed-rate mortgages
The 30-year fixed-mortgage rate average is 6.99%, which is a decline of 5 basis points from seven days ago. (A basis point is equivalent to 0.01%.) The most common loan term is a 30-year fixed mortgage. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage will usually have a smaller monthly payment than a 15-year one — but typically a higher interest rate. You won’t be able to pay off your house as quickly and you’ll pay more interest over time, but a 30-year fixed mortgage is a good option if you’re looking to minimize your monthly payment.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages
The average rate for a 15-year, fixed mortgage is 6.43%, which is a decrease of 3 basis points from seven days ago. Compared to a 30-year fixed mortgage, a 15-year fixed mortgage with the same loan value and interest rate will have a higher monthly payment. But a 15-year loan will usually be the better deal, as long as you can afford the monthly payments. These include usually being able to get a lower interest rate, paying off your mortgage sooner, and paying less total interest in the long run.
5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages
A 5/1 ARM has an average rate of 6.07%, a fall of 2 basis points from the same time last week. You’ll typically get a lower interest rate (compared to a 30-year fixed mortgage) with a 5/1 ARM in the first five years of the mortgage. But shifts in the market might cause your interest rate to increase after that time, as detailed in the terms of your loan. For borrowers who plan to sell or refinance their house before the rate changes, an adjustable-rate mortgage might be a good option. Otherwise, changes in the market mean your interest rate could be significantly higher once the rate adjusts.
Mortgage rate trends
Mortgage rates were historically low throughout most of 2020 and 2021 but increased steadily throughout 2022. Now, mortgage rates are roughly twice what they were a year ago, pushed up by persistently high inflation. That high inflation prompted the Fed to raise its target federal funds rate seven times in 2022. By raising rates, the Fed makes it more expensive to borrow money and more appealing to keep money in savings, suppressing demand for goods and services.
Mortgage interest rates don’t move in lockstep with the Fed’s actions in the same way that, say, rates for a home equity line of credit do. But they do respond to inflation. As a result, cooling inflation data and positive signals from the Fed will influence mortgage rate movement more than the most recent 25-basis-point rate hike.
We use rates collected by Bankrate to track changes in these daily rates. This table summarizes the average rates offered by lenders across the US:
Average mortgage interest rates
Product
Rate
Last week
Change
30-year fixed
6.99%
7.04%
-0.05
15-year fixed
6.43%
6.46%
-0.03
30-year jumbo mortgage rate
7.01%
7.05%
-0.04
30-year mortgage refinance rate
7.15%
7.16%
-0.01
Rates as of June 21, 2023.
How to find personalized mortgage rates
When you are ready to apply for a loan, you can connect with a local mortgage broker or search online. When researching home mortgage rates, take into account your goals and current finances.
A range of factors — including your down payment, credit score, loan-to-value ratio and debt-to-income ratio — will all affect your mortgage rate. Generally, you want a good credit score, a higher down payment, a lower DTI and a lower LTV to get a lower interest rate.
The interest rate isn’t the only factor that affects the cost of your home. Be sure to also consider other factors such as fees, closing costs, taxes and discount points. Make sure you talk to a variety of lenders — for example, local and national banks, credit unions and online lenders — and comparison shop to find the best loan for you.
How does the loan term impact my mortgage?
When picking a mortgage, it’s important to consider the loan term, or payment schedule. The most common loan terms are 15 years and 30 years, although 10-, 20- and 40-year mortgages also exist. Mortgages are further divided into fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages. The interest rates in a fixed-rate mortgage are set for the duration of the loan. Unlike a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rates for an adjustable-rate mortgage are only stable for a certain amount of time (commonly five, seven or 10 years). After that, the rate fluctuates annually based on the market interest rate.
One factor to consider when choosing between a fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage is how long you plan on staying in your home. Fixed-rate mortgages might be a better fit for those who plan on living in a home for quite some time. While adjustable-rate mortgages might have lower interest rates upfront, fixed-rate mortgages are more stable in the long term. However, you might get a better deal with an adjustable-rate mortgage if you’re only planning to keep your home for a couple years. The best loan term is entirely dependent on your situation and goals, so make sure to consider what’s important to you when choosing a mortgage.
My mom has a sixth sense when it comes to bargain hunting. Where I’m thrilled to get 25 percent off and free shipping, she’s finding deals of 70 percent off and getting inside scoop from the salespeople, who probably have her on speed dial should a ginormous everything-must-go-or-we-torch-it clearance sale come along.
Okay, so I’m exaggerating, but not by much. The point, however, is that the key to finding bargains is timing—off-season, end-of-season, new models bringing down prices on the old models. There’s a pattern and a perfect time to buy just about anything.
When possible, plan your purchases by using the following list to score the best deals and to keep more of your money in your high interest savings account:
House and Home
Real estate—March through August are active months for buying and selling, so a buyer looking for a deal will have better luck negotiating on an offer in autumn and winter.
Flooring—Carpet and flooring goes on sale near the end of the year due to slow sales, though discounts are possible throughout the year from independent retailers.
Furniture—January and July, when stores need to make room for new inventory.
Gas grill—Like air conditioners, the best time to buy is during winter months, when demand for outdoor grills is low.
Cookware—April and May (think graduation and wedding prime time) and October and November (holidays approaching).
Linens—January “white sales” and the end of each season (i.e. as spring approaches, winter-colored linens will go on sale). It’s common to see linens (in all colors, not just white!) on sale for up to 60 percent off retail.
Mattress—New mattresses arrive in stores in May, when you’ll find a good deal on the previous year’s models.
Vacuum cleaner—June, when new models hit the floors, and end of winter.
Hardware—Big sales occur around Father’s Day and between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Home appliances—New models arrive in September and October, when you’ll find good deals on last year’s models. Holiday weekends—Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Presidents Day—also are good bets for deals. If you’re willing to buy an appliance with a ding or a scratch, you can save hundreds.
Air conditioner—Winter months, when demand is low.
Flora
Flowers—Tulips are less expensive in February, peonies in May. Flowers are at their best when in season.
Shrubs, trees, etc.—Autumn is a good time to buy bulbs (store them according to directions on the packaging) and trees and shrubs (nurseries are trying to clear out inventory).
Recreation
Outdoor (general)—Swings, beach and pool toys, swimming gear, and other outdoor items go on sale in August, when retailers are trying to make room for fall and winter items.
Outdoor gear (bicycles, for example)—February and March, when new models replace last year’s models.
Boat—Boat shows, held from January through March, generally offer the best prices.
Gym membership—Membership sales soar in January as everyone resolves to lose weight, but lag in spring and summer. You’ll find lower fees and waived enrollment fees to lure you to their treadmills.
Movie tickets—Matinees are an established way to spend less at the theater (as is smuggling in your own M&Ms, not that I’d condone such behavior or ever do so myself…). A.M. Cinema (AMC Theaters) sells discounted tickets before noon from Friday to Sunday and on holidays.
Broadway tickets—Find bargains hours before the show, or try the well-known TKTS booth in Times Square.
Electronics
Blu-ray player—Black Friday sales and after-Christmas sales offer some of the best deals.
TV—Sales can be found throughout the year. Times to note include Black Friday, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, right after New Year’s Day, before the Super Bowl, and in May and June. New models hit stores in August and September, when you’ll find sales on new models and discounts on the previous year models.
Cell phone—New customers get the best deals. For new phones, wait six months if you can. Search online for coupon codes, as well.
Digital camera—The Consumer Electronics Show and Photo Marketing Association convention mean new models will arrive in stores. Shop in January and February for deals on last year’s models.
Computer—Back-to-school season yields a few sales, but the best deals can be found when a technology is outdated and retailers want to get rid of the older models. Look for a few extras (free shipping, bundled accessories, etc.) around the holidays.
Tip: In general, you’ll find a good deal when an electronic item is outdated. Wait until after technology shows like MacWorld and the International Consumer Electronics Show to see if your iWhatever will be discounted to make way for the next big thing.
Auto
New car—New models roll into the lot in fall, so shop in September for last year’s model. Shop on a weekday at the end of the month to get the undivided attention of a salesperson trying to make their monthly quota.
Used car—Dealers increase their inventory in April to start the spring selling season. You’ll find a good selection and willing negotiators.
Recreational vehicle—Dealers sometimes offer specials in winter, but generally buying an RV works like buying a car (see new cars).
Gasoline—Fuel up on a weekday, early in the morning if gas prices are rising or in the evening if gas prices are going down (prices are usually changed between 10 a.m. and noon).
Oil change—Look for early bird specials in your area.
Tires and auto parts—During April (National Car Care Month) and October (Fall Car Care Month), you are likely to find buy-three-get-one-free deals on tires, free oil changes, and other checkups.
Car wash—Early birds (before 8 or 9 a.m.) can often find deals at full-service car washes.
Travel
Airline tickets—For domestic nonholiday travel, look for the lowest fares 21 days from your departure. Fares are updated at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. on weekdays, and airlines file one update on Saturday and Sunday. Lowest fares are filed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and occasionally on Saturdays. Wednesday is generally the cheapest day to fly and Sunday the most expensive. (Exception: the Wednesday before Thanksgiving—the busiest travel day of the year.) For holiday travel, start looking in September to get a good price. Fares can change quickly, and much depends on the carrier and the market.
Travel (general)—The off-season or shoulder-season for your destination will offer the most savings on lodging, recreation, transportation, etc.
Food
Groceries (supermarket)—On Sunday evenings, you’ll save money through store sales (typically run Wednesday through Thursday), and by shopping in the evening, you can save even more on items that must be sold by day’s end. If you clip coupons from the Sunday newspaper, you’ll enjoy additional savings.
Coupons—While coupons are available throughout the year, the most coupons appear in the Sunday paper during November and December. The best deals on turkeys can be found two weeks before Thanksgiving to Christmas. In spring, you’ll find coupons on seasonal produce, ham, and frozen food (apparently March is National Frozen Food Month—who knew?). Summer coupons offer discounts on grilling items and ice cream. Autumn brings coupons on soup and other canned items.
Groceries (farmers market)—Vendors often lower prices near closing to avoid having to pack up perishables and take them back to the farm.
Champagne—With steep competition to be your New Year’s Eve bubbly, Champagne houses drop prices during the holidays.
Clothing and Accessories
Clothing (general)—Got your heart set on something in particular? Shop on a Thursday evening six to eight weeks after the item arrived in the store. By Thursday, the weekend sales have started and the selection will still be good. Season-end clearance sales also offer up savings.
Baby clothes—Shop during your pregnancy for end-of-season clearance items. If it’s springtime and you are due in winter, look for winter closeout sales now for infant clothing.
Jewelry—Avoid the holidays, when you are most likely to pay full price.
Weddings
Wedding (general)—The off-season can mean big discounts. If you live in a cooler climate, you’ll find savings during the winter months. Hotter climates mean likely deals in summer months.
Wedding dresses—After Thanksgiving and before Christmas. Boutiques are stocked with gowns for Christmas engagements, but it’s a slow sales period.
Other
Toys—October and November offer good bargains as retailers gear up for the holiday season.
Wrapping paper—January, of course!
I might not ever be as good as my mom at bargain hunting, but knowing when to shop might make me almost as good. If you’re one to make resolutions every new year, resolve to save money and correcting your small errors by including a check on your free credit report to make a huge difference in your purchases in 2010 by timing your purchases.
If you found this helpful, don’t forget to follow Get Rich Slowly on Facebook and Twitter.
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The ripple effect of a financial mindset can be seen in every aspect of your life.
Think about it: If you are not mindful of how you spend and save money, then you will be in a constant struggle each and every month.
If you are simply someone who is struggling to make ends meet, there are many things we can do to save money. If you are trying desperately to reach financial freedom sooner, then you need these best money hacks to make it happen sooner.
Around here at Money Bliss, we spend a lot of time on our money mindset and setting goals.
Everyone is in a different season with their finances.
But, one thing is true… Most of us never learned proper money management.
Do you find yourself in a constant cycle of financial struggle? Do you feel like you are constantly trying to live up to unrealistic standards?
It is easy for people to feel that they are constantly broke, and in some cases this is true. But, it is also important to remember that there are ways in which you can make more money and start saving for your future.
Since changing money habits does not always come easy and often requires some serious changes in our mindset, we are here to support you to find the top money hacks.
Read on as we share 50+ ways you can start saving more money as well as making more money while also saving your sanity!
What are Money Hacks?
Money hacks are the ways in which people stretch their money.
These money hacks can come from a variety of sources, such as personal experience, family members or friends, and other individuals on social media.
Money hacks can come in many forms such as:
Simple money saving hacks
Ways to make money on the side
Strategies to make every dollar count
Thrifty ideas to be more frugal
Ideas to be more conscious of our waste
All in all, money hacks will help you to spend less money. Thus, saving more money.
As you will learn at Money Bliss, saving money opens up doors of opportunities
Best Money Hacks
Money hacks are ways to build long-term wealth.
Even though most of the hacks for money include quick saving wins, over the long term, you will actually start a snowball effect of more money in your bank account.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the motivation to save money, but these 7 best real money hacks will help you reset your financial mindset and start saving!
The best money hacks are the overarching big picture concepts that you must master for long-term success.
1. Think Big
Open up your mind.
One way to reset your financial mindset is by opening yourself up to new ways of thinking about spending and saving.
Too often, we are focused on what is directly in front of us instead of thinking about the big picture.
A great way to think big with your finances is to decide how you want to live life with intention.
2. Habit of Saving Money
Get back in the habit of saving.
If you have been beyond your means or barely scraping by, the best way to get back on track is by saving at least 20% of your income.
This may seem a little ludicrous. However, by prioritizing saving first, you will be pleasantly surprised how well you live off the rest.
In this post, there will be so many simple and easy ways to start saving today.
3. Make a Plan for Your Money
Create a spending plan (aka that dreaded word budget).
Creating an outline for what you want and need will help you to make smarter decisions about your spending.
This concept has been made too difficult over the years.
The bottom line is you want to spend less than you make. So, make a plan for that to happen today.
4. Make Money on the Side
This one is huge!
Personally, making extra money has been a priority for the last 5 years. We spent many years trying to cut our expenses and hating our inability to actually spend less as a growing family. So, we changed our focus to finding ways to make more money instead.
Start a side hustle. If you are not making enough to live comfortably, start a side hustle! Use your unique skill set to make extra cash.
Pick up a second job or ask for more hours.
There are plenty of ways to make money fast.
5. Invest in Stock Market
This means a way to make money or increase your net worth. AKA make your money work for you.
Too many times, the concept of investing is big and scary. The thought of starting is way too overwhelming. So you put it off until next week or next month. Then, a couple of years go by and you have not invested your money.
That is the biggest financial mistake you can make.
Start small by investing in an index fund. Each month consistently add more money.
If you want to learn to trade stocks, then you must enroll in the best investing course I have found.
Read my in-depth investing course review.
6. Pay Off Debt
Ugh… debt is the cash flow killer.
You are unable to make forward progress if you are straddled by debt.
Figure out how to pay off debt ASAP.
When calculating how long it will take to pay off high-interest debt, you should consider paying the highest interest rate first. Here is the best debt payoff app available.
7. Watch Your Spending
Be mindful of your spending.
This is a great practice that many people need to start doing again, regardless of how much money or how little money they have.
Every few months, you need to evaluate your spending to see if it matches up with your values.
As you can imagine there are many money hacks that can help you save, but the list above is the money hacks that will make the biggest difference the quickest. Below we have many more money hacks for you to explore.
Hacks for Saving Money
Money app hacks are small, quick, and easy ways to improve your finances.
They can range from things like automating your budget or creating a money jar that pays for itself, to more complex solutions like changing your tax withholding or moving money around to get a higher return.
Honestly, there are so many life hacks for saving money.
8. Automatic Savings
This is a practice of automatically transferring money from your checking account into your savings account on a regular basis.
It is best to set a transfer amount and stick to it.
Since it is easier to save your money before you spend it, you must save as much money as possible in order for this strategy to be effective.
9. Financial goals
A financial goal is a long-term, quantifiable expectation for how much money you want to have, or what you plan on doing with your money. Your goals can be as simple as saving for the down payment on a house or as involved as saving for retirement.
Our financial goals allow us to set specific, numerical targets that help us achieve our desired lifestyle in a more concrete way.
You must set smart financial goals.
10. What brings you joy?
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that life is all about finding what brings you joy.
The question is open-ended, but your money must line up with what brings you joy.
Spend a few minutes and stew on the question.
11. Build an emergency savings fund
Building an emergency savings fund is a great idea if you are in the habit of saving money and want to make sure that you have some money saved up when times get rough.
If you are struggling to save, there are a few ways you can increase your savings.
For example, you might be able to set up automatic transfers from your checking account into an investment account. You should also make sure that you have a way to save money outside of your checking account.
Saving cash in a jar or saving up coins are ideas for some people.
12. Invest spare change
If you go shopping and buy something, most stores will give you change. If you use a debit or credit card, you can do the same thing with help of a popular app!
Simple money hack: investing your spare change.
In order to invest your spare change in an account, you can open one for as little as $5. Acorns then automatically invest the money from your checking account and into a savings acorn account.
As the round-up feature continues to add upon each purchase, it is a good idea to invest in this app so that you can save more dollars!
13. Challenge Yourself to Save
If you are looking to save money, it is best to set up a budget that includes challenging yourself.
A great way to do this is with the no spend challenge.
A no-buy is when you decide to simply not make any purchases for a certain amount of time.
A no-spend is when someone decides to not spend any money in a certain period of time.
When you are struggling with spending too much money and want to reset your wallet, then give up spending money. Period.
14. Join a buy nothing group
The buy nothing groups are a growing movement that started in order to help people cut their ecological footprint, save money, and break free of consumerism.
This is a great way to find things you need as well as declutter your house.
15. Negotiate everything
The key to successful negotiation is preparation.
Research the company’s past sales, price changes, and discounts offered in order to get a better understanding of what you’re negotiating for.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate.
What is the worst thing that can happen when someone says no!?!
16. Refinance Your Mortgage
It is never too late to refinance your mortgage.
In fact, it might be a good idea if you’re in the market for a new home or refinancing your loan on an existing property.
You must weigh the costs of refinancing to how much you will save over the time period of the loan.
Ask around for mortgage broker recommendations and get at least two quotes.
17. Downsize your Home
Downsize your home is the term for reducing a residence in size. This can be done by either moving to an apartment or buying a smaller house. There are many benefits of downsizing, including living a more affordable lifestyle and having less upkeep.
Downsizers use their homes as investments and save money on rent or mortgage payments.
18. Cut the cord
With the internet becoming accessible to everyone, people have started cutting their cable and watching shows online. People can save up to $500 a year by cutting cable from their bills.
Cut the cable & stop watching TV!
19. Learn about Finances
Ask for help.
If you are struggling, there is no shame in asking for assistance from your friends or family members.
The goal is to get ahead with money and not keep digging further into a hole.
Check out any of our courses to help you.
20. Save for What You Want
Decide what you want most and work towards it with the money you have now, instead of waiting for a windfall or a large inheritance.
This may mean setting aside $200 a month.
For example, as a reminder of your long-term goal of buying a beach property, you may buy something you would hang in the new place. Every time you see it, you will be reminded of what you are saving towards.
Budget Hacks
Financial hacks are not unusual.
Since it is so easy to overspend, you must know a few budgeting hacks ahead of time.
21. Need vs Want
A want is a desire for something, while a need is something that fulfills the requirement of your body like food or shelter.
When you think about buying something, ask yourself if it is a want or a need.
By uncovering needs vs wants, you are quickly able to find ways to spend less and save more.
22. Avoid Temptation
To avoid temptation, it is important to maintain a healthy amount of physical and emotional distance from the things that tempt you.
Sometimes, spending triggers are easy to avoid but other times they’re not.
However, people should always be aware of their temptations and try to stay away from them because it will lead to unnecessary debt or stress in the long run.
23. Practice the 30-day rule
Many people wonder what’s the 30 day rule with money…
The 30-day rule is the principle that states that you should practice a new habit or stop an old habit for at least thirty days before expecting success.
When it comes to your money, it means to wait thirty days before making big purchases or changes.
24. Keep a Budget Binder
A budget binder is an important tool that helps people keep track of their finances.
The binder can help people plan out their finances by providing a place to record expenses and income.
Keeping a budget binder is an effective way to track your spending and keep yourself accountable.
By keeping it, you can easily plan for future expenses in advance as well as see what money could be saved or spent on different items over time.
25. Get a spend tracker and use it regularly
Track your spending for 30 days. It can be a good idea to track your spending for at least a month to get an idea of what you’re spending and where.
A spending tracker is a tool that helps people keep track of how much they are spending on a certain item. It is important to use this tool regularly in order to be able to see patterns in your spending.
Then, review your spending. Share it with a trusted friend or family member to come up with some goals to reduce expenses in order to save money.
26. Create a budget
Create a budget, and follow it.
When you schedule your spending, make sure to leave room for savings. This is the easiest way to ensure that you can stick to your budget.
Find more budgeting resources on our site.
27. Pay Bills on Time
This should be a simple statement that we all know. However, life can throw curveballs.
Try to pay your bills on time and in full every month, and make sure all of your bills are paid each month.
This will show lenders that you are responsible and that you are taking care of your credit. Plus you don’t rack up those pesky late fees and high interest rates.
28. Avoid Missed Payments
Don’t miss any payments, and pay off your balances each month to avoid paying high interest rates or fees on late or missed payments.
Read again… do not miss paying your bills.
29. Reconcile Your Checking Account
Balance your checkbook monthly. Okay, no one really uses a checkbook anymore, but you can still do this with pen and paper.
Even better, use Quicken as a simple way to balance your checking account. Read my Quicken review.
This is a great way to check for being charged too much or find a subscription you don’t use anymore.
30. Avoid Summer Budget Busters
Avoid spending money for the summer by just being conscious of your spending and reviewing what is different than the norm.
It is too easy to get into the trap of spending money because the weather is warm.
31. Review your Credit Card Statements
If you’re like most people, you probably review your credit card statements once every six months.
What’s the best way to go about reviewing them?
It depends on how often you use your credit card, how much debt you have, and what your credit score is. You should review your statements at least once a year if you’re carrying a balance on your credit cards.
If you use your credit card, then you should review your statements at least monthly.
32. Use the Cents Plan Formula
While the 50/30/20 budgeting rule is popular, our method of budgeting your money will be more helpful.
Learn how to divide your income into various categories.
Check out the Cents Plan Formula.
33. Use Cash
Use cash instead of credit cards to spend, which will make it easier to limit yourself to how much you can spend.
The envelope system helps you save money by only spending from one designated cash stash each month and withdrawing a set amount for different types of expenses (like groceries).
34. Spending Freeze
Implement a spending freeze, which helps you get used to not buying things for an allotted time so that when the freeze is over, it’s easier to buy what you want.
You will be surprised how much random online shopping you do.
Begin your spending freeze now.
35. Use a Budgeting App
Use your bank’s budgeting tools, like Quicken, which can help you track how much money is coming in and out of your account.
This is the simplest way to manage your money wisely.
Using a money app or a personal finance website can help you to stay organized and get more creative about your budgeting.
Check out this list of the best budgeting apps available.
Hacks to Make Money
Hacks to make money are a list of ways to generate income for yourself. Many ways to make money include blogging, affiliate marketing, or day trading. These money making hacks are great, but they can take more time and energy invested.
36. Use cash back apps
Cash back reward apps like Ibotta are a way to get extra money for your purchases.
They take some time getting used to and you only have access to partner stores that offer cash-back offers. It only takes a few seconds to make some extra cash.
Check out the best cash back apps available.
37. Ask for a Raise
A raise is an increase in pay for a job, labor, or service.
If you are concerned about asking for a raise, then you are missing out on lost money.
Your boss may be receptive to it, then try negotiating more money. Not only will this be good for your career, but also the relationship between you two can improve as well.
38. Get a side hustle
A side hustle is an additional job or career, usually, one that requires only a small amount of time and effort.
For example, someone who wants to work on the weekends might start a side hustle as a bartender.
Side hustles are a form of entrepreneurship that allows you to earn money and do little tasks. They are not difficult or time-consuming, but they can still help you make extra cash on the side.
Pick one of the best gig economy jobs.
39. Rent out a part of your home
A part of your home is often a room, which can be rented out on Airbnb.
Airbnb is the largest and most successful company in the world that lets people rent their extra space or properties. They are a well-known company that provides an easy way for people to make money from their extra space.
Use Neighbor to lend out your space in your home.
40. Declutter: sell your junk for cash
Decluttering is the act of getting rid of excess or unnecessary items.
In order to declutter, you must be willing to give up something that has been a part of your life for a long time. It is important to remember that decluttering does not have to be a quick or easy process.
Then, sell your stuff on Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, eBay, etc.
Learn more at Flea Market Flippers.
41. Earn Money While Watching TV
Although it is not a fast way to get rich, this can be used as a side hustle.
It’s better to use the money earned from watching TV or something else that takes up your time for other things like bills and groceries.
Survey platforms are online sites that allow people to earn money while watching TV.
The survey platform will send surveys through the mail or email, and then they can choose whether they want to take the survey for a set reward amount or if they would like cash back on their purchase.
One of these options is MyPoints, which allows users to earn points by completing tasks such as taking surveys and shopping online at specific retailers.
Others include:
42. Maximize Your Income
Find ways to increase the amount of money you bring in, whether that’s through a side hustle, increasing hours at work, or asking for a raise.
In today’s society, there are plenty of ways to make more money.
Only you put a limit on what you are capable of earning.
43. Build Your Credit
Building your credit can be a long process, but it’s worth the effort. If you’re trying to establish or improve your credit score, here are some tips that might help:
Try to keep your credit utilization rate below 30% at all times.
Do not open too many new lines of credit in a short period of time.
Pay your bills on time.
This will help you avoid damaging your credit score.
Hacks for Free Money
Hacks for free money are a form of fraud wherein the perpetrator solicits payment via PayPal, credit card, or other methods in exchange for access to what they promise will be a legitimate business opportunity.
Hacking free money is a way to make more cash, fund your financial goals, or help you pay off debt. There are lots of ways that people hack their finances and use cash back apps for some extra income.
Other options include signing up for bank bonuses or credit card bonuses.
Honestly, real free money hacks are more likely to be scams. So, beware when searching online.
Money Hacks in the Kitchen
You can save the most money by looking at what you eat.
Typically, people waste over 25% of their grocery budget and throw out food. Would you willingly throw out $250 a month? Probably not.
So, learn how to stretch your money for food.
44. Start meal planning
Meal planning is a money-saving strategy that can help in the long run. It’s also important to eat healthily and reduce food waste when meal planning.
But planning ahead will help save on the grocery budget, and it’s not too late to start now.
Start meal planning by deciding what you want to eat for each day. Then, make a list.
45. Say no to prepackaged foods
Packing your lunch for work or school can be time-consuming, especially if you have a family.
Some people prefer to buy prepackaged foods because they save time, but this is not always the best option.
A better choice is to make your own food at home and pack it for lunch, which you can then eat in peace without worrying about what other people might be saying about the food you packed.
46. Eat at home
Eating at home is a way to save money. It may be uncomfortable for those who do not enjoy cooking as it requires extra effort and time.
Instead of getting food at restaurants, consider cooking your favorite meals at home.
You can save money and time by eating the same meal over and over again.
Learn about the frugal home must haves.
47. Grow your own herbs and food
The most common methods of gardening include container gardening, hydroponics, and both indoor and outdoor gardening.
Many people are growing their own herbs and food for the satisfaction of being able to eat something that was grown with their hands.
48. Take your lunch
If you are interested in saving money, consider taking your lunch. This will save you up to $1,000 a year on work lunches and make it easier to meet the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables as well.
“Take your lunch” is an invitation to eat at home. There are many benefits of eating out less often, such as saving money and gaining more control over food choices.
Travel Hacks to Save Money
The following are travel hacks that can help you save money on your next trip.
Some of these hacks include traveling during weekdays, using public transportation, staying at hostels and Airbnb instead of hotels, and using a travel credit card.
49. Use foreign websites for lower prices abroad
Foreign websites are websites that have been created by people from other countries, and they sell products in the language of their country. These websites often offer lower prices on products than what is offered in the United States.
If you’re traveling abroad and need to find a place to stay, there are plenty of websites that can help. A few websites have deals on places where travelers often stay while they travel internationally.
50. Stay for free or get paid to house sit abroad
A house sitter is someone who looks after someone’s property for a certain amount of time in exchange for the promise of payment.
House sitting is typically offered by homeowners to travelers and others who are looking to stay in a particular location for an extended period of time.
The main types of house sitting include:
– full-time house sitters, who are responsible for all aspects of the house and who are typically paid a monthly salary,
– part-time house sitters, who may be responsible for taking care of one or more specific tasks such as gardening or handling the mail
51. Hide your search
To avoid being taken advantage of by airlines, it is best to open a new incognito or private window between searches.
This will make sure that you are not tricked into buying tickets that may be significantly more expensive than they need to be.
Airlines use cookies in your browser to make you believe the prices are going up and up.
Money App Hacks
Money app hacks are ways that people have figured out to make their money work for them in terms of saving and spending. These apps offer different features, such as budgeting, tracking your spending, and saving money.
If you want a simple way to save money, then any of these money apps are designed to find excessive spending.
52. Billshark
This is a legitimate way to save money on monthly bills. Billshark offers you the opportunity to save up to 25% each month (when compared with regular bill payments).
All of this can be done for you by BillShark team, and there are no fees involved!
Try Billshark for free!
53. Trim
Review your spending habits to find what you can cut out, like subscriptions.
Find other ways to save by looking for ways to reduce costly bank fees or getting a discount on your cell phone plan. By using Trim, you are saving money and improving your financial health.
Sign up with Trim now.
54. Truebill
Truebill can help you to track your spending, save money and get a clear picture of your financial life.
This helps you identify services that you are no longer using but continue to pay for. It will help save money by automatically negotiating prices with your service providers and receiving a refund of the money going to waste, which is free money.
Get started with Truebill.
Which Life Money Hacks Can You Start?
This is a lot to take in, but don’t worry.
Take the time to read through each suggestion and consider how you can implement it into your life.
The more hacks you try out, the closer you’ll get to a healthy financial mindset.
These are the life hacks to save money I have found to work for me and my family in order to reset our financial mindsets and grow our net worth.
Everyone will find their niche and what will work best for them.
Personally, you need to figure out how do I make more money. That will make the biggest impact the fastest.
What have you done with your money lately?
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Pennsylvania is a state that is overtly rich in history and culture, and it offers a wide variety of living options for its renters and their individual tastes. From bustling cities to quiet communities, there is no shortage of great places to call home in the Keystone State. We’ve narrowed down our top picks of the best places to live in Pennsylvania, sure to please renters looking for their dream homes.
Population: 50,135
Median household income: $44,444
One-bedroom average rent: $1,250
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,485
Harrisburg is the capital city of the state of Pennsylvania, full of rich history, vibrant arts and culture scene and outdoor attractions. The city played an important role in the American Civil War, serving as a major transportation hub for troops and supplies. Residents can explore this history at the National Civil War Museum or take a stroll through the historic district to see some of the city’s 19th-century architecture.
In terms of outdoor attractions, The Susquehanna River is a popular spot for kayaking, fishing and other activities, and there are plenty of parks and green spaces to explore. Additionally, the city is home to a thriving arts scene, with galleries, theaters and performance spaces showcasing everything from classical music to contemporary art.
Top apartments in Harrisburg:
Population: 57,503
Median household income: $54,145
One-bedroom average rent: $1,495
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,750
Lancaster is a charming city in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, known for its rich history, beautiful countryside and food. One of the most well-known features of Lancaster is the Amish community. You can take a guided tour of the Amish countryside to see their traditional way of life, including horse-drawn buggies, farmhouses and beautiful landscapes. You can also sample homemade jams, jellies and other Amish treats.
The city also has a quaint, historic downtown area with various shops, restaurants and attractions. You can visit the Central Market, which is the oldest continuously operating farmers’ market in the country, or check out the Fulton Theatre, which hosts a variety of plays throughout the year.
Top apartments in Lancaster:
Population: 1,699,000
Median household income: $54,306
One-bedroom average rent: $1.402
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,699
Pittsburgh is a sports-centric city located in western Pennsylvania. It’s known for its influential steel industry, bridges and sports teams. Pittsburgh has an intense sports culture. The city has a long history of successful sports teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers football team and the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team.
The city is also known for its history and architecture. Once a hub for the steel industry, Pittsburg is full of many old factories and mills throughout the city. If you’re interested in arts and culture, there are plenty of museums and galleries to explore in Pittsburgh as well. The Andy Warhol Museum, for example, showcases the life and work of the famous artist who was born in the city.
Top apartments in Pittsburg:
Population: 95,331
Median household income: $38,738
One-bedroom average rent: $1,526
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,630
Reading is a diverse city with a mix of urban and suburban areas. It’s home to various colleges and universities, including Alvernia University and Reading Area Community College. The city also has a booming arts and culture scene, with several theaters and galleries showcasing local talent.
Reading has a rich history, particularly in the industrial and railroad industries. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the city was a major center for iron and steel production, and many of the historic buildings in downtown Reading were built during this time. In fact, the city’s nickname is “The Pretzel City” due to its history as a center of pretzel production.
Top apartments in Reading:
Population: 95,331
Median household income: $44,161
One-bedroom average rent: $1,412
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,400
If you’re a fan of “The Office,” you might already know a bit about Scranton, as the popular TV show was set there. Scranton has a rich history in relation to the coal mining industry and still has remnants of that heritage today. The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour is a popular attraction where you can explore an actual coal mine and learn about the city’s coal mining history.
When it comes to food, Scranton offers a mix of culinary cuisine. You can find everything from traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dishes to modern American favorites. The city is particularly known for its pizza and hoagies, and you’ll find numerous local establishments serving up delicious versions of these classic favorites.
Top apartments in Scranton:
Population: 5,756,000
Median household income: $52,649
One-bedroom average rent: $1,812
Two-bedroom average rent: $2,117
The heart of Pennslyvania comes alive in the bustling city of Philadelphia. This city is a vibrant neighborhood with a mix of residential and commercial spaces. Here, you’ll find high-rise apartment buildings, condominiums and lofts. Residents are within walking distance of many cultural attractions, restaurants, shops and work opportunities.
Philadelphia is known for its rich history, world-class museums, vibrant arts scene and sports culture. From the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Orchestra, there’s no shortage of cultural experiences for renters to enjoy.
Top apartments in Philadelphia:
Population: 44,968
Median household income: $46,050
One-bedroom average rent: $1,242
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,433
Located in the southern part of the state, York is an affordable city with quaint neighborhoods. York has deep historical significance as it was the temporary capital of the United States during the American Revolution when the Continental Congress met here. It’s also the birthplace of the Articles of Confederation, the first written constitution of the United States.
If you’re into a mix of historic and modern influence, Downtown York is the perfect spot. Residents have access to cool apartments with lots of character surrounded by local shops and restaurants to explore. Access to transportation is great as well with the Rabbit Transit buses to help get around the city and connect to nearby areas.
Top apartments in York:
Population: 777,000
Median household income: $47,703
One-bedroom average rent: $1,741
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,735
Allentown is known for its diverse and vibrant culture. The city is home to a blend of different ethnicities, which is reflected in its festivals, cuisine and community events. Allentown offers a thriving arts and entertainment scene. The Allentown Art Museum and the Civic Theatre of Allentown, are just two places residents can enjoy entertainment and expand horizons.
Nature lovers will appreciate the parks and outdoor spaces Allentown offers. Lehigh Parkway, a scenic park along the Lehigh River, offers walking trails, picnic areas and opportunities for fishing and kayaking. The Trexler Nature Preserve, just outside of Allentown, provides even more opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation.
Top apartments in Allentown:
Population: 94,571
Median household income: $40,201
One-bedroom average rent: $1,192
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,430
Erie is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the biggest and most well-known draws of Erie is its stunning natural beauty through spots like Lake Erie. In addition to Presque Isle State Park, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping and exploring nature in the surrounding area.
The city area, downtown Erie, offers a mix of commercial, residential and cultural attractions for residents to enjoy. State Street serves as the main thoroughfare, lined with shops, restaurants and businesses. Downtown is home to historic buildings, including the ornate Warner Theatre, which hosts a variety of performances and events.
Top apartments in Erie:
Create your own history in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a state that truly showcases its rich history and diverse culture, providing renters with a multitude of living options to suit their individual preferences.
With our top picks of the best places to live, renters can confidently embark on their search for their dream homes, knowing that Pennsylvania has something to offer everyone. Start your search today!