United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) announced this week that it has added four bank statement loan offerings for self-employed borrowers. To qualify for loans of up to $3 million with up to 90% loan-to-value (LTV), self-employed borrowers can now provide bank statements to verify income rather than tax returns, W2s or pay stubs.
Depending on their FICO scores, loan amounts and debt-to-income (DTI) ratios, borrowers have the option to choose from four available bank statement loan options. No mortgage insurance is required.
However, the basic requirements are the same across the board. All four loans require separate appraisals from two different appraisers for loan amounts over $1.5 million. Borrowers also have to provide a minimum of 12 months of consecutive bank statements, according to UWM.
The expanded bank statement loan options will give mortgage brokers “another competitive edge with real estate agents and non-W2 borrowers,” the company said in a statement.
As mortgage rates remain elevated, lenders have been working to reach borrowers outside of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac‘s credit boxes.
The Michigan-headquartered wholesale lender initially rolled out bank statement loans for self-employed borrowers in March 2022. Bank statement loans, which are a popular type of non-qualified (non-QM) loans, are considered riskier than regular mortgage loans because they aren’t backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Non-QMs generally have higher interest rates, resulting in higher borrower costs, and also lack the consumer protections that are in place for conforming loans.
The non-QM space has more leeway to accept different types of documentation, such as bank statements and assets. However, the underwriting for non-QMs is cited by lenders as the difficulty with expanding into non-QM lending.
The Los Angeles City Council approved two major zoning plans for downtown and Hollywood on Wednesday that, if successful, would bring as many as 135,000 new homes to those areas over the next 20 years.
The council, on a 13 to 0 vote, approved the DTLA 2040 plan, which seeks to attract 100,000 new housing units to an area stretching from the Convention Center east to the Arts District and north to Chinatown — more than a fifth of the estimated need citywide. In a second 13 to 0 vote, the council adopted the long-delayed update to the Hollywood Community Plan, which is supposed to create the capacity for 35,000 new units.
The city is required to regularly update each of its city’s 34 community plans, which map out where and how new apartments, office towers and other projects can be built. The council last updated its Hollywood plan roughly a decade ago, only to see that document struck down by a judge.
Council President Paul Krekorian said the downtown and Hollywood plans have been “undoubtedly the two most difficult” in the city.
“This is going to be incredibly important to the city’s economic development, its future and our housing — addressing our housing needs,” he said.
Advertisement
Both planning documents, shaped in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, will offer new safeguards for staving off displacement, city officials said. Both feature new strategies for spurring the construction of affordable housing — apartment buildings where at least a portion of the units have rents below market rate. Those units would need to remain affordable for 99 years.
In Hollywood, developers of properties on some of the city’s busiest boulevards — such as Hollywood, Sunset and Cahuenga — will receive permission to build much larger buildings than otherwise allowed if they include a percentage of affordable units in their projects.
In downtown, the council approved an “inclusionary” housing system, requiring that newly constructed residential projects include at least a percentage of affordable units. In many instances, developers would be allowed to make their projects larger as long as they incorporate a greater number of affordable units, planning officials said.
The inclusionary requirements would not apply in cases where office buildings or manufacturing space are converted into housing.
The council also opened the door to residential development in a portion of skid row bounded by 5th Street on the north, 7th Street on the south, San Pedro Street on the west and Central Avenue on the east. However, in that area, developers would still need to construct projects that are at least 80% affordable — a threshold that’s much higher than in other parts of downtown.
Wednesday’s vote delivered a major victory to the Garment Worker Center, which had been fighting for new regulations to ensure sewing factories and other apparel-related businesses are not pushed out by new development. That group, which belonged to a coalition that included Unite Here Local 11, the politically powerful hotel workers’ union, won new restrictions on residential development and new hotels in parts of the Fashion District.
Business groups warned that those changes would render up to 12,000 residential units in the DTLA 2040 plan economically unfeasible, at least for the foreseeable future. That, in turn, will make it more difficult for downtown to reach its target of 100,000 new units, said Anthony Rodriguez, executive director of the Fashion District Business Improvement District.
“I’m just not sure how they’re going to go about finding developers that are interested in building new housing” in much of the Fashion District, he said.
The Garment Worker Center celebrated the council’s vote, calling DTLA 2040 a “reasonable compromise” that does not prioritize jobs over housing. “We clearly need both,” said Marissa Nuncio, the group’s director.
The council voted unanimously to study the plan’s impact on housing production in the Fashion District in the coming weeks. Councilmember Kevin de León hailed the new measures to protect manufacturing jobs, saying garment workers and hotel employees have been “holding on by a shoestring, not knowing if they’re going to be evicted from their homes.”
De León said downtown is doing more to address the housing crisis than any other part of the city, in part by establishing an inclusionary zoning system.
“We’re not just talking the talk about building inclusive communities, we’re actually walking the walk,” he said. “Because if we truly want to be a progressive city, we can’t just theorize or tweet about it. We actually have to do something about it that’s real and tangible.”
Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who heads the council’s planning committee, also praised the plan’s focus on developing new apartments with restricted rent.
“Somebody somewhere down the line is going to move into an affordable unit downtown that would not have appeared if we had not done this work,” he said. “The market would not have produced that.”
Newsletter
Get the lowdown on L.A. politics
Sign up for our L.A. City Hall newsletter to get weekly insights, scoops and analysis.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
Two of the council’s newest members — Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez — also put their stamp on the community plans. Hernandez reversed an effort by her predecessor, Councilmember Gil Cedillo, to get rid of height limits in a section of Chinatown. The council approved her request to retain a five-story height limit on stretches of Hill Street, Broadway and other nearby corridors.
Soto-Martinez, for his part, increased the affordable housing requirements included in a new incentive program targeting some of Hollywood’s busiest commercial districts.
Under the plan, housing developers in those areas would have the right to build 30,000 square feet of building for every 10,000 square feet of lot. If they meet the city’s new affordable housing requirements, they would receive permission to build 67,500 square feet of building for every 10,000 square feet of lot.
Those developers would need to set aside between 11% and 25% of their apartments for lower income households, depending on the affordability levels they select.
“This is just the beginning,” Soto-Martinez said. “There’s going to be so much work that’s going to happen in the coming years to make this city equitable, just and good for working people.”
Looking for tips on real estate investing, updates on interest rates, or advice on goal setting? If so, you won’t want to miss this podcast with Wally Elibiari, a lender and investor with over two decades of real estate experience. On today’s podcast, Wally shares his personal goal-setting plan (one that helped him purchase over 200 doors) and what his most successful strategy has been in shifting markets.
Listen to today’s show and learn:
A quarter of a century in lending [3:16]
Shifting business strategy for the shifting market [4:22]
Tips for getting more referrals [9:22]
Wally’s advice on financing homes right now [16:54]
Managing your real estate debt [20:48]
Wally’s real estate investing journey [21:44]
Cost segregation for real estate investors [26:00]
The problem with some apartment complexes [26:50]
Aaron’s first apartment complex [34:11]
Wally’s advice on setting goals [35:46]
Managing family and business [40:46]
Advice on planning your vacations and taking time for yourself [43:42]
How to reach out to Wally Elibiary [45:07]
Wally Elibiary
Wally Elibiary is a leader in the mortgage industry, recently creating his own mortgage company Empower Lending, a presence in the coaching industry, and a huge proponent of creating scalable business with a work-life balance. After being in this industry for 23+ years, he has been through nearly everything. He has worked with some of the greatest loan officers to learn from and teach the most successful methods in his time.
• Wally helps finance professionals scale their businesses. • And focuses on gaining your most precious resource back, your time.
Coaching sessions are a passion for Wally, and without them early on in his career he would not have achieved the success he has today. Passing forward the valuable lessons, and keeping his ears open for opportunity to learn is all he hopes to accomplish in future meetings.
Related Links and Resources:
Thank You Rockstars!
It might go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: We really value listeners like you. We’re constantly working to improve the show, so why not leave us a review? If you love the content and can’t stand the thought of missing the nuggets our Rockstar guests share every week, please subscribe; it’ll get you instant access to our latest episodes and is the best way to support your favorite real estate podcast. Have questions? Suggestions? Want to say hi? Shoot me a message via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Email.
Today we’ll take a look at FBC Mortgage, which is a Florida-based mortgage lender that does a ton of business in its home state.
In fact, they originated nearly $2 billion in home loans in the Sunshine State last year, which accounted for roughly 60% of their overall loan volume.
They also recently struck a deal with the University of Central Florida (UCF) to be the field sponsor at the “Bounce House.”
So it’s safe to say that if you live in Florida, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of FBC Mortgage. Either way, read on to learn more.
FBC Mortgage Fast Facts
Direct-to-consumer retail mortgage lender
Founded in 2005 in Orlando, Florida
Licensed in 48 states nationwide (excluding Hawaii and New York)
Funded over $3 billion in home loans during 2019
Refer to themselves as a top-20 national mortgage lender
Also operate correspondent and wholesale lending divisions
FBC Mortgage is somewhat middle-aged for a mortgage company, having been around for about 15 years.
The name is related to their past affiliation with the Florida Bank of Commerce, hence the initials FBC.
During their relatively short time in existence, the company changed hands twice but came full circle.
First, it was sold to privately-owned investment bank Sterne Agee Group, Inc. in 2012, then three years later it reacquired itself.
That excitement aside, today the independent nonbank lender has roughly 1,000 employees nationwide and funds billions in home loans annually.
Last year, nearly 80% of their total loan volume consisted of home purchase lending. So it’s clear they are partnered with lots of real estate agents and home builders.
But they also offer mortgage refinances, including rate and term refis and cash out refis, which accounted for the remainder of their lending.
As noted, a good chunk of their business is done in Florida, but they’re also very active in nearby Georgia and Texas, and as far away as Arizona and California.
How to Apply with FBC Mortgage
You can call them directly or simply apply online via their digital mortgage process
Their online app known as SimpleLoan.com allows you to get pre-approved in just 8 minutes
Applicants can import and upload key financial documents and generate a pre-approval letter after completion
Your designated mortgage professional (or loan officer) will contact you within 24 hours of loan submission
To get started, you head over to the FBC Mortgage website and click on Apply Now. It will ask if you’re working with a loan officer.
If yes, enter their name to be directed to their personal webpage, at which point you can apply for a mortgage immediately without any human interaction.
If no, you’ll simply be ported over to the same loan application and be connected with a loan officer after you begin.
It’s possible to search for a nearby branch or loan officer using the directory on their website as well.
FBC Mortgage has a digital mortgage process known as SimpleLoan, which lets users apply from a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Once you create an account, you can import your pay stubs, W-2s, bank statements, and other key financial documents.
You can also scan and upload documents necessary to meet any conditions on your loan. And review any pending mortgage tasks required to close your loan.
Once your loan in submitted, you can review your loan details at any time, lock your loan, get real-time status, or contact your loan officer if you have any questions.
They say you can get pre-approved for a home loan in as little as eight minutes, which I believe is the same amount of time as Rocket Mortgage.
All in all, they appear to be using the latest technology to make applying for a mortgage quick and easy.
Loan Programs Offered by FBC Mortgage
Home purchase loans
Refinance loans: rate and term, cash out, streamline
Renovation loans (FHA 203k) and construction loans
Foreign national loans
Conventional conforming home loans
Jumbo home loans
Government-backed loans: FHA, USDA, and VA
Reverse mortgages
Portfolio loans
Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate options with various loan terms available
FBC Mortgage Rates
FBC Mortgage does not publicize its mortgage rates on its website or elsewhere as far as I know.
While slightly unfortunate, it doesn’t mean their rates are higher than the competition. We really don’t know unless you contact them for a quote.
The same goes for their lender fees, which don’t seem to appear on their website.
As such, it is recommended to get pricing before you apply to see how competitive they are relative to other mortgage lenders you’re considering.
You should have a good idea of pricing before you proceed to ensure you don’t leave money on the table.
Of course, pricing is just one of many factors when deciding on a mortgage company to work with.
One must also consider things like customer satisfaction, and a lender’s ability to close, and close on time.
FBC Mortgage Reviews
On Rate Your Lender, they have a 4.8-star rating out of 5 based on roughly 12,000 customer reviews. And 95% of customers say they would recommend FBC Mortgage.
On Birdeye, they’ve got a 4.1-star rating out of 5 based on 200 reviews.
On LendingTree, they have a perfect 5-star rating, but it’s only based on a small handful reviews. All 100% of customers on that review site recommend FBC.
There are also individual loan officer ratings on Zillow if you want to research specific people to work with, given the fact that they employ hundreds of loan originators.
They are an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau, and have been since 2011. They currently hold an A+ rating with the ratings company.
Their customer reviews on the BBB aren’t great, but that’s typical of the BBB website.
FBC Mortgage Pros and Cons
The Pros
Offer a digital mortgage application
Can apply directly from their website without human interaction
Lots of different loan programs to choose from
Free mortgage calculators on site
Mostly excellent customer reviews
A+ BBB rating
The Cons
Not licensed to lend in Hawaii or New York
Do not publicize their mortgage rates or lender fees
It’s a big day at Get Rich Slowly HQ. Later this morning, I’ll speak with my book editor for the first time. This project is about to devour large chunks of my life. Fortunately, the new Staff Writers will pick up the slack. (Actually, to be fair, I think they’ll more than pull their own weight.) Here, then, is the first contribution from Adam Baker, Get Rich Slowly’s first-ever Staff Writer!
Receiving a “mini-windfall” of unexpected income is an awesome feeling! However, I have a confession to make. Courtney and I are terrible at handling how we spend these pleasant surprises. More times than not, we find it insanely easy to justify squandering this unexpected money on impulse purchases, even when the rest of our budget is working well.
For the most part, we’ve slain the “justification” monster in our budgeting life. We’ve desperately attempted to eliminate the “I deserve this…” mentality. However, when it comes to “mini-windfalls”, somehow we seem to always break down.
I’m referring to the $40 in the birthday card from a relative. Or the extra $125 you made selling some stuff at the neighbors garage sale last Saturday. Even miscellaneous income from side jobs would fall into this category if not included in your normal budget.
You can see this phenomenon amplified during two specific times of the year in early February and late April. Why? Those are the peak times for income tax refunds. While preparing taxes this year,I listened to countless people tell me what they would be doing with their “unexpected” money. We aren’t the only ones who are quick to justify non-budgeted impulse purchases with windfalls of this sort.
Income is Income is Income…
If we are being blunt, it shouldn’t matter if the money comes in the form of a bi-weekly corporate paycheck, a quirky birthday card, or a instant tax refund chain. Once the money is in our hands or hits our bank accounts, it all spends the exact same.
As a kid, I remember watching my father mix all of the food on his plate together before eating it. In response to my stares, he would always repeat, “It all ends up in the same place, anyway.”
While you can’t really argue with that logic, many would be quick to point out that they enjoy the different contrasting tastes. They enjoy the process of selecting what the next bite will be. They don’t want to just combine everything together.
While some may be able to effectively treat all income equally, most of us have some sort of internal struggle. It seems like no matter what the amount of the unexpected income, I can always match it up to something I’ve been wanting forever. It’s a nasty financial habit. One that I’ve honed with many years of practice.
Striving for Conscious Spending
Let me be clear. It’s perfectly fine to spend on wants. It’s a great idea to “blow” money from time to time. But if we aren’t conscious about how we handle this process, it can spiral out of control.
Courtney and I realized that we needed to establish parameters on how to deal with this sort of income before it actually arrived. We weren’t against allocating a portion of it to indulge our wants, but we did want control over the situation.
If we were going to “blow” money, I at least wanted a say in it. We no longer had interest in letting our whims have free rein over this portion of our income.
Two Strategies to Buck the “Justification” Habit
As I pointed out above, ideally we could just treat all income equally. We’d budget it all the same and allocate the “unexpected” in the same fashion as our normal paycheck. In practice, however, many of us still find ourselves compelled to splurge.
Here are two simple strategies that have helped us reestablish control:
Choose one specific, tangible goal to “catch” all extra income. The key is to select a specific goal ahead of time. For example, many choose to immediately throw any non-budgeted income at their debt. Once they’ve established what order they will pay off their debt, they simply apply all extra money as soon as it appears. This can also work for other goals, such as paying cash for your dream car or saving for a down payment on a house. My experience has been that if you pick a compelling goal, you’ll be inspired to find even more ways to increase your “unexpected” income. A worthy side benefit of this tactic.
Allocate a pre-determined percentage to “blow” money. This system is commonly used with larger windfalls (inheritance, sales of major assets, etc…), but can be applied to the smaller ones, as well. For example, you may choose to allocate 50% (with smaller windfalls) of any non-budgeted income to be spent as “blow” money, while they other 50% is either funneled into the normal budget or put towards a specific goal (as above). This tactic also can motivate you to find more ways of generating income. After all, the more side income you bring in the higher the percentage you get to apply towards personal wants.
Keep in mind, that neither of these tactics is going to completely solve the issue. I’m not a big fan of outsourcing responsibility onto a system of some kind. However, experimenting with these two techniques has helped me maintain control over an area that is a reoccurring weakness.
Once again, it’s all about consciousness. I feel empowered when I consciously choose how I treat all income that comes into our life. Even if I choose to spend it in the same way, I like knowing I’m in control.
How do you handle unexpected income in your life? Do you lump it all together or have you designed a specific system to handle it? What techniques do you use maintain control?
Inside: Are you looking for a remote job? This guide will help you find the best remote jobs for college students, with information on industries, pay, hours, and more.
The internet has made it possible to work from anywhere in the world.
This is great news for college students who want to earn some money while they study.
Back when I was in college, working remotely wasn’t even considered a possibility. But, now, there are a number of online jobs available that are perfect for college students.
In addition, remote jobs are one of the best ways for college students to make money and gain experience.
With a remote job, you can work from anywhere in the world, which is perfect for students who want to travel or live at home with their parents while transitioning to and from a college campus.
There are many different types of remote jobs available, so there is sure to be something that suits your skillset and interests.
In this article, we will explore the best remote jobs for college students.
How can a college student make money remotely?
Remote work has become increasingly popular among college students and for good reason.
Many students today have grown up with technology and possess the skills necessary to excel in remote jobs.
Not only does remote work provide a flexible schedule that can be easily adjusted to accommodate class schedules, but it also offers numerous benefits such as the ability to work from anywhere, reduced transportation costs, and the opportunity to contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions.
Additionally, remote work allows students to earn extra income, potentially reducing their reliance on student loans and minimizing post-graduation debt.
Can I work remotely in college?
Yes! Working remotely in college can be a great way to earn some extra money and gain some work experience.
Remote work has gained immense popularity across the globe, with its adoption nearly doubling since the pandemic.
As college students, you often possess the necessary tools for remote work, such as a laptop, making it a convenient option for them.
This is a great idea if you are looking at how to pay for college without loans.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
This is the perfect side hustle if you don’t have much time, experience, or money.
Many earn over $10,000 in a year selling printables on Etsy. Learn how to get started by watching this free workshop.
If you’ve ever wanted to make a full-time income while working from home, you’re in the right place!
This intensive training combines thousands of hours of research, years of experience in growing a virtual assistant business, and the power of a coach who has helped thousands of students launch and grow their own business from scratch.
The 15 best remote jobs for college students
Working remotely is a great way for college students to earn money and gain experience in their chosen field.
Whether you are looking for a way to make some extra money, or maybe you need a flexible job that will fit around your studies. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of remote jobs out there that could be perfect for you.
Also, you can review these non phone work from home jobs for more ideas.
Here are 15 of the best remote jobs for college students.
1. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant is one of the best remote jobs for college students due to its versatility and learning opportunities. Plus there are plenty of virtual assistant jobs with no experience out there.
As the demand for remote administrative support services continues to grow, virtual assistants play a crucial role in helping companies and individuals with various tasks. Working from a remote location, virtual assistants provide administrative assistance by handling phone calls, scheduling appointments, managing emails, and more.
By finding a position as a virtual assistant in their desired industry or with a respected professional, students can make their side hustle more beneficial to their future.
Benefits:
Provides an opportunity to gain professional experience and develop essential skills such as communication, time management, and resourcefulness.
Requires quick thinking and the ability to switch between diverse tasks, which enhances cognitive flexibility and adaptability.
Allows students to learn about different industries and gain insights into their chosen career paths.
Pay: Most virtual assistants average about $20 an hour.
2. Online Tutor
Online tutoring is widely regarded as one of the best remote jobs for college students. With its flexibility and convenience, it offers students the opportunity to work from anywhere at their own pace.
Whether they excel in a specific subject or want to gain teaching experience, online tutoring provides a platform for college students to share their knowledge and help others succeed academically.
Benefits:
A high degree of flexibility it offers.
Freedom to choose their own hours, instruction topics, and the number of students they want to work with.
Balance their tutoring responsibilities with their academic commitments, ensuring they can effectively manage their time.
Pay: Although the reported median hourly wage for tutors was $17 an hour. The actual pay can vary depending on factors such as the subject being taught, the level of expertise required, and the platform through which tutoring is conducted.
3. Proofreader
Proofreading is a crucial role in the final stages of the written content production process, making it one of the best remote jobs for college students. A proofreader possesses a keen eye for detail and a strong command of the language, allowing them to identify and rectify errors that may have eluded the writer or editor.
They play a vital role in ensuring the accuracy, clarity, and coherence of written materials across various industries.
Benefits:
Offer the flexibility to work from anywhere, making it ideal for college students who need to balance their studies with work.
Enhances skill development such as language skills, attention to detail, and critical thinking abilities, which are valuable in various fields.
Networking opportunities to build professional connections and expand one’s network.
Pay: The average pay for proofreading jobs is $22 per hour, providing college students with a valuable source of income.
4. Social Media Manager
In today’s digital world, social media has become an essential tool for businesses to connect with their target audience, build brand awareness, and drive engagement. With the increasing importance of social media, businesses are in need of skilled professionals who can effectively manage their social media presence.
This makes the role of a social media manager one of the best remote jobs for college students, providing them with the opportunity to earn money while gaining practical experience in online promotion.
Benefits:
Enjoy being paid to be on your favorite social media apps.
Ideal remote job for college students due to its flexibility.
Gain practical experience in online promotion, which can be valuable for those studying marketing, journalism, or communications. Benefits:
Pay: The pay for social media management can vary significantly, but you can expect $15 an hour to $25 an hour.
5. Freelance Writer
Remote writing jobs are an excellent option for college students looking to earn extra income while honing their writing skills.
As writers, college students have the opportunity to create a wide range of written materials that can be distributed through various channels, such as articles, blogs, website copy, and more.
The demand for remote freelance writers is high, making it a popular choice among college students seeking flexible work options.
Benefits:
Freelancers can work on short and long-term projects.
As long as you have a computer and internet connection, you can work from anywhere.
Showcase writing skills and earn income.
Pay: The pay for freelance writers is by the word (.01-$1.50 per word). With most freelance writers averaging about $29 an hour.
6. Social media influencer
Social media influencers have become a prominent and lucrative career option in today’s digital age.
For college students, becoming a social media influencer can be an excellent remote job opportunity that allows them to leverage their online presence and pursue their passions while earning money.
To stand out as a social media influencer, it’s essential to create content that is visually appealing and captures the attention of your audience. Experiment with different types of content, such as photos, videos, stories, and live streams, to keep your followers engaged.
Benefits:
Be creative, and authentic, and share valuable information or entertainment that aligns with your niche.
Foster a sense of community.
Monetize your social media presence with sponsored posts, brand partnerships, and affiliate marketing.
Offers flexible working hours, allowing you to manage your studies and other commitments effectively.
Provides opportunities for personal branding and networking, which can open doors to other remote job opportunities in the future.
Pay: Potential for high earnings. This is more passive income than an hourly job.
7. Website or App Tester
Website and app testing is a highly sought-after remote job option for college students due to its flexibility and the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the tech industry.
As designers and developers strive to create the best user experience possible, they often hire individuals to find bugs and issues in their websites and apps. The role of a website or app tester is crucial in ensuring the functionality and usability of these digital platforms.
This feedback is invaluable for designers and developers as it allows them to make necessary improvements and optimize the performance of their websites and apps.
Benefits:
Excellent opportunity for college students to develop and showcase their skills in a professional setting.
Gain practical experience in the tech industry while balancing their academic commitments.
The flexible hours offered by these remote positions allow students to work at their own pace and manage their time effectively.
Pay: Platforms like UserTesting offer a payment of $10 per website tested. You can also find remote hourly wages ranging from $12 an hour to $16 an hour, with potential bonuses based on quality and productivity goals.
8. Video Editing
With the increasing demand for video content across various platforms, video editors play a crucial role in creating engaging and impactful visuals. This profession offers the opportunity to work from anywhere, making it ideal for college students who may have limited availability or prefer a flexible work schedule.
By adhering to the overall video brand messaging strategy, you can shape the final product and captivate the audience. This creative aspect of video editing allows college students to explore their artistic talents and develop their skills in storytelling and visual communication.
Benefits:
One of the key advantages of video editing as a remote job is the ability to work from any location.
Provides a platform for creative expression.
Video editing is a profession that is in high demand.
This high demand translates to a wide range of job opportunities and the potential for steady work, even for college students.
Pay: When it comes to money, beginner video editors can typically charge up to $45 an hour. However, it’s worth noting that rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, the complexity of the project, and client’s budget.
As college students gain more experience and build a strong portfolio, they can potentially increase their rates and earn a higher income from video editing projects.
9. Remote Research Assistant:
Many professors and researchers hire remote research assistants to help with data collection, literature reviews, and other research tasks. This type of job requires strong research and analytical skills, as well as the ability to work independently.
As a research assistant, you will have the opportunity to delve deeper into a specific subject or area of interest.
This can be particularly beneficial if you are considering pursuing further education or a career in that field. By immersing yourself in research projects, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic and develop expertise that can set you apart from others.
Benefits:
Opportunity to work closely with experienced researchers and professionals in your field of interest.
Gain valuable insights, knowledge, and skills that can enhance your academic and professional development.
Learn research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and critical thinking skills that are highly transferable to future career opportunities.
Hands-on experience in conducting research projects.
Build a network of professional contacts in your field.
Depending on the nature of the research projects you are involved in, there may be opportunities to contribute to academic publications or presentations. This can be a significant achievement that adds to your academic portfolio and demonstrates your research skills to potential employers or graduate school admissions committees.
Pay: Compensation for remote research assistant positions varies depending on the project and the level of responsibility. This is a great way to be paid to go to school.
10. Audio Transcription
Audio transcription is a popular remote job for college students that involves listening to audio files and accurately transcribing the spoken content into written form. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to develop valuable skills such as speed and accuracy in typing, excellent listening skills, and efficient time management.
Determine the type of transcription work you want to specialize in, such as technical legal transcription or educational podcast transcription. This will help you target specific clients and tailor your skills accordingly.
Benefits:
Offers flexibility in terms of scheduling, allowing students to work around their classes and other commitments.
Opportunity to develop valuable skills such as listening, typing, and time management, which can be beneficial in various professional settings.
Create a portfolio showcasing your transcription skills and experiences.
Pay: Transcription can be a well-paying job, with freelancing gigs offering up to $0.36 per minute of transcribed audio.
11. Data Entry
Data entry is a popular remote job option for college students due to its flexibility and convenience.
This role involves managing electronic data by entering and updating information in computer systems. It is a job that can easily be done remotely, allowing students to work from the comfort of their own homes or dorm rooms.
However, it is important to be cautious when seeking data entry jobs online to avoid scams.
Benefits:
Minimal specialized skills are required.
Data entry skills can also be beneficial for future career opportunities.
Employers often value individuals with data entry skills, as it showcases their ability to handle and organize large amounts of information accurately and efficiently.
Valuable experience in working with digital documents and databases.
Pay: The average pay for data entry is $18 an hour.
12. Virtual Recruiter
A virtual recruiter is a professional who is responsible for posting online job advertisements and searching for potential candidates to fill various positions.
This remote job opportunity can be particularly beneficial for college students as it offers flexibility in terms of working hours and allows them to gain valuable experience in the field of recruitment while still pursuing their education.
Benefits:
Collaborating with hiring managers and clients to understand their specific requirements and preferences for potential candidates.
This role provides hands-on experience in recruitment, which can be beneficial for your future career in HR or related fields.
Building relationships with candidates, hiring managers, and clients can expand your professional network and open doors for future opportunities.
Pay: The average pay for virtual recruiters is around $20 to $30 per hour, providing the potential for a lucrative income.
13. Blogger
College students can create their own blogs and build an audience by regularly posting content in a unique niche.
While this may not be the easiest route to make money fast, it provides an opportunity to showcase writing skills and develop a cohesive writing style. Once a blog gains a solid stream of visitors, it can be monetized through ads and affiliate links.
However, you will be starting a small online business which has its perks.
Benefits:
This is 100% passive income.
Works as much as you want or as little as you want on your site.
A simple way to help your readers while making money.
Your site can grow as you graduate college until you decide to sell it.
Pay: Various based on traffic and monetization. But it is an easy way to invest $100 to make $1000.
14. Course Creator
As a course creator, you have the chance to teach others about a topic or course that you are passionate about while earning a steady passive income. This job allows you to create online tutorials or how-to videos to educate and engage students from all over the world.
You will be responsible for creating and managing the content on your website and other online platforms. This includes developing blog posts, videos, podcasts, and other educational materials to enhance the learning experience for your students.
Make use of hosting platforms like Thinkific, Teachable, or Kajabi to facilitate easy access to course-related information for your students. These platforms offer features such as course management, student progress tracking, and payment processing, making it convenient for both you and your students.
Benefits:
Opportunity to earn a steady income while pursuing your passion and sharing your knowledge with others.
Working remotely offers flexibility in terms of working hours, allowing students to manage their time effectively and balance their studies with their job.
Gain valuable experience in content creation, marketing, and online teaching, which can greatly enhance their resume for future career opportunities.
Pay: This is a passive income job where you will put the work in upfront and have less ongoing maintenance to run your course.
15. Stock Trader
Stock trading is a lucrative and dynamic field that offers college students the opportunity to work remotely and earn a substantial income. With the rise of online trading platforms and the increasing popularity of investing, stock trading has become a highly sought-after skill in today’s market.
Honestly, I know more and more high school students waiting to turn 18, so they can start life as a stock traders.
As a stock trader, you will be responsible for buying and selling stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments for your own portfolio. This role requires a combination of analytical skills, market knowledge, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.
Continuous learning and staying updated on market trends and strategies are crucial to staying competitive in this field. I highly recommend taking the Trade and Travel course to learn the basics of stock market investing.
Successful traders can earn substantial profits, but it is important to note that trading also involves the risk of financial losses.
Benefits:
Stock traders have the potential to earn significant income through their trading activities. Learn how fast you can make money in stocks.
Flexibility to trade before class and work from anywhere with an internet connection.
Opportunity to work independently and be your own boss, setting your own schedule and goals.
However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges that come with being a stock trader. The stock market is highly volatile and unpredictable, requiring constant monitoring and adaptation to changing market conditions.
Pay: Various significantly with your profit /loss ratio. But, a great way to make $1000 a day.
16. Customer Service Agents
Customer service agent remote jobs are a great option for college students looking to gain work experience while studying. These jobs allow students to provide excellent customer service from the comfort of their own homes, offering flexibility and convenience.
Remote customer service agents interact with customers through various communication methods such as phone, chat, and email. They answer customer questions, solve problems, and direct customers to the appropriate resources when needed. These jobs can be done part-time, making them ideal for students with busy schedules.
Benefits:
Require little experience or education.
Develop valuable skills such as communication, problem-solving, and time management.
Showcase their communication skills to future employers, which is a highly desirable quality in any job.
Pay: Earnings can range from $10 to $25 per hour, depending on the role and experience.
17. Photography
Photography is a form of artistic expression that allows college students to showcase their creativity.
You can experiment with different styles, compositions, and subjects to capture unique and visually appealing images. This creative aspect of photography can be fulfilling and enjoyable for college students who have a passion for visual arts.
Benefits:
Choose when and where to take photos, giving them the freedom to balance their academic and personal lives effectively.
Build a portfolio of their best work. A strong portfolio can open doors to more significant opportunities in the future, such as exhibitions, collaborations, or even full-time photography careers.
Earn income while honing their skills in product, stock, or event photography.
When stock images are licensed, earn passive income from the sales.
Pay: When it comes to pay, the average rate for a photographer is $24 per hour. However, it’s important to note that pay can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the type of photography gig.
18. Virtual Internships
Virtual internships provide valuable work experience and allow you to gain industry-specific skills while working remotely. Many companies offer virtual internships in fields like marketing, finance, and technology.
Having an internship in the field you want to pursue is an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and enhance your career prospects.
Additionally, virtual internships can provide you with a unique perspective on the field you want to pursue (and if you still want to pursue it).
Benefits:
Gain relevant work experience in your desired career field.
Practical experience will not only enhance your understanding of the industry but also demonstrate your competence and dedication to potential employers.
Greatly strengthen your resume.
Build a network of contacts in your desired field.
Pay: These internships may be paid or unpaid, but the experience and connections you gain can be invaluable for your future career.
Looking for Online Summer Job?
There are a plethora of online summer temporary jobs available for college students. You just have to decide what is interesting for you to do.
Also, think about ways you can build your resume for future employment after graduation.
If I could go back to college, I would focus on learning how to make your money work for you. That is one of the best life skills you can truly understand.
This list above has plenty of options for you to consider.
Are you passionate about words and reading?
If so, proofreading could be a perfect fit for you, just like it’s been for countless of readers! Learn how you can create a freelance business as a proofreader.
Check out this free workshop!
Bookkeeping is the most stable, reliable & simple business to own. This is how to make a realistic income -either part-time or full-time.
Find out TODAY if this is THE business you’ve been looking for.
FAQ
Many colleges and universities have career centers or job boards that specifically cater to remote job opportunities for college students.
Networking is crucial for college students when it comes to finding remote job opportunities. Reach out to your professors, classmates, and alumni who may have connections or knowledge of job opportunities.
This is smart if you want to know how to move out at 18.
Remote work requires a unique set of skills that allow individuals to effectively perform their job duties from a distance. In order to succeed in a remote job, college students should possess the following skills:
Time management: Remote work often provides flexibility in terms of scheduling, but it also requires individuals to manage their time effectively. College students need to be able to prioritize tasks, set deadlines, and stay organized to ensure they meet their work obligations.
Communication skills: Since remote work involves limited face-to-face interaction, strong communication skills are essential. College students should be able to effectively communicate through various channels such as email, instant messaging, and video conferencing.
Self-motivation: Working remotely requires a high level of self-discipline and motivation. College students need to be able to stay focused and productive without direct supervision. They should have the ability to set goals, stay on track, and meet deadlines without constant oversight.
Adaptability: Remote work often involves working with different tools, technologies, and platforms. College students should be adaptable and willing to learn new software or applications that are necessary for their role.
Problem-solving: Remote work may present unique challenges and obstacles that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. College students should be able to analyze situations, identify potential issues, and come up with innovative solutions. This skill is particularly important when faced with technical difficulties or communication issues.
By honing these skills, college students can position themselves as valuable assets to remote employers and increase their chances of securing remote job opportunities.
When you’re applying for remote jobs, most of the time your potential employer will want to see some kind of portfolio that showcases your skills and experience.
You can create a portfolio by using a free online portfolio builder or by creating your own website.
With a visually appealing and user-friendly portfolio, you can make a lasting impression and increase your chances of landing your dream remote job.
Which Online Jobs for College Students Are Interesting To You?
There are a lot of great remote jobs for college students out there!
With a little bit of research, you can find the perfect job for your skills and interests.
Be sure to consider the pay, hours, and industry when you are looking for a remote job as well as career advancement.
For many students, working in college is a must! Because you know how to pay for college without parents is hard.
So, use these ideas to find the right job for you whether it is part-time or full-time.
And if all else fails, check out this list of low-stress jobs that pay well without a degree.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
When you’re a smoker, there is such a wide range of insurance company attitudes toward smoking that it pays to find out which ones have good rates for smokers.
For cigar smokers, there are additional criteria that you can meet in order to get a better rate on life insurance.
Occasional Cigar Smoking
To get life insurance for cigar smokers, it certainly pays to look into as many life insurance companies, like Banner Life Insurance, to find one that makes a distinction between cigar and cigarette smoking. Though there is generally little difference between the rates for cigarette and cigar smoker rates if you smoke cigars daily, there are many companies that look at the occasional cigar differently than regular cigar smoking.
Being labeled as a tobacco user is a general label that many insurance companies will give you no matter how often you smoke. However, there are some companies that consider the occasional cigar, such as one per week or per month, in a different category. With this type of life insurance for smokers, you aren’t given the standard tobacco rate that is generally double the non-smoker rate.
When you smoke the occasional cigar, your medical test can still show that you are free from nicotine. If you smoke cigars occasionally, you may be subject to urine or blood testing to ensure that you test nicotine free. You must also disclose that you occasionally smoke cigars when you fill out the application as well as other conditions affecting you health. When applying for life insurance, honestly is always the best policy, even if you only smoke a couple cigars a year, telling the agent will save you time and frustration later.
Some insurance companies offer non-tobacco rates for applicants who smoke the occasional cigar.
Others have special rates just for people who don’t smoke cigarettes and who smoke cigars. Whether that means the occasional cigar or regular cigar smoking will vary with the individual company. However, applicants must generally test negative for nicotine when they are given a urine test in order to get these special rates on life insurance for cigar smokers.
If you’re an occasional cigar smoker (only on special occasions or a couple a month), you may have received unreasonably high monthly premiums. If you’ve received a life insurance quote that made your jaw drop, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You probably just contacted the wrong company.
You need to find an insurance carrier who has a lot of experience working with cigar smokers. Each company is going to use different standards for cigar smokers. It’s important to find the perfect company that works for you.
Aside from finding experienced agents, it’s important that you receive quotes from several companies before you decide on one. More than likely the first quote that you receive from a company isn’t going to be the lowest. Make sure to get several before you pick one. While you could spend hours on the phone answering the same questions over and over, we can do all the work for you. Fill out the simple quote form and we can compile the lowest rates possible.
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
A Life Insurance Policy can benefit everyone in the family.
A life insurance policy is the safety net your family deserves. You never want to use it, but better to have it just in case. Just imagine if it wasn’t there. Your family would be falling into a mount of debt.
Once you decide which company is going to fit your needs the best, the next decision is determining how much life insurance you need. It’s important to find the perfect balance of having enough money to cover your family, and not paying too much in monthly premiums. Your plan size is going to be a significant factor in calculating your monthly payments. So, how do you figure out how much you need? There are several different things for you to consider that can help you decide how much life insurance you need. You’ll need to look at how much debt you have and how many people rely on your annual income.
Before you buy a high risk life insurance plan, sit down at look at your debts you would leave behind if you were to die tomorrow (cheery thought, right?). You would add all of it up since the total is a great starting point. A very important point is to make sure to calculate mortgage, car payments, student loans (or student loans you could have in the future), credit card payments, and funeral expenses into your total.
The other thing that you have to look at is how much people rely on your annual income to meet their basic necessities. If you have a spouse and children that use your salary as their main source of support, then losing it can have devastating effects on the family or those who benefit from the policy. If you don’t have anyone other than yourself that uses your income, then you can consider taking out a smaller policy and saving money every month. For example, if your spouse works and your children have already moved out of the house, then a smaller policy is probably a better idea.
You know there is really no magic number regarding how much whole or term life insurance you should purchase, but most experts suggest getting at least ten times your annual salary. This might seem like a little much, but it will give your family enough money.
I have owned rental properties for more than 13 years and being a landlord was one of the best choices I ever made but it is not easy. There are many aspects to owning rentals from finding good properties, to financing them, to managing them. Many people may think the hardest part of being a landlord is unclogging toilets at 2 am but I have never done that and never plan to. There is a lot that goes into owning rentals but you don’t have to do all of it yourself and owning good rentals will give you the income to pay for help. Good rentals can also build a tremendous amount of wealth!
How hard is it to become a landlord?
Being a landlord means many things and how hard it is depends on what tasks that landlord chooses to do. Sometimes landlords do all or most of the work on the properties they own, and sometimes they do very little if any work on them. The hardest part of becoming a landlord for most people is finding good properties and finding the money or financing to buy them. Not every property will make a good rental, in fact, many properties will lose money if you buy them at retail value and use an investment loan for the financing.
Here are the basic steps to becoming a successful landlord, not just owning rentals that may or may not make any money.
Find a market or type of rental property that makes money. Many single-family homes will not make any money as rentals. It is important to choose a market with good rent-to-value ratios. You may also consider multifamily or commercial rentals which can sometimes have better numbers but may take more work, have more risk, or need more management.
Get the money to buy a rental. Most landlords will use loans to buy properties but even with loans the down payments are usually at least 20 percent of the value of the property. A $200,000 property could require $50,000 or more in cash to buy with a loan after the down payment and closing costs.
Repair and maintain the property. Most properties are not ready to rent right away. You may need to make repairs and you will for sure have to maintain the property while you own it. You can do this work yourself or hire it out.
Find tenants for the rental property. Once the home is ready to rent you will need to find someone who wants to rent it. The home will have to be marketed, tenants screened, leases created, and money collected. The landlord can do this themselves or hire a property manager to do the work.
Keep tabs on the property and tenants. After finding tenants the work is not done. Landlords will have to check on the property, handle maintenance requests, and possibly handle late rent, hostile tenants, or even evictions. Again, the landlord can do this or have a property manager handle these tasks.
Why spend all this money and do all this work to buy rentals?
A lot of people are probably thinking to themselves why do I want to do all of this to own a few rentals? A few rentals may not make you rich, but once you buy a few, it becomes easier to scale and buy more. If you can buy 10 or more rentals it can provide you with a healthy income and a sizeable net worth that will increase with time. My rentals have made me millions of dollars in less than ten years thanks to getting great deals, market appreciation, cash flow, and the tax advantages that come with them.
Why do some landlords work harder than others?
As you can see there is a lot of work that is needed to be done when you own rental properties. Some landlords will try to do almost all of the work themselves, even the repairs. Other landlords will hire out as much of the work as they can. However, there is still work to be done by landlords, and finding and financing properties is often the hardest part of being a landlord.
Doing the work yourself can save money but it also costs you time and often peace of mind. Working on houses is hard and dealing with stressful tenant situations is also hard. Many people underestimate just how much work is involved and get out of the business as fast as they can. However, owning rentals can be very rewarding financially and spiritually knowing you are providing housing or a place to do business.
How much work should the average landlord expect to do?
When I bought my first rentals I managed them myself with the help of my wife but I never did any repairs to them. I hired out all of the maintenance and remodeling work to my contractors since I also flipped houses. Obviously, I had a huge advantage over many new investors since I already had people who could do the work. If I were to start over again not knowing anyone in the business here is what I would do. This strategy would also apply to me buying properties out of state in an area I have no contacts in.
I would decide what kind of properties to buy and where to buy them. This can take a lot of time and work, especially if you are new to real estate. My book Build a Rental Property Empire goes over everything you need to know if you are brand new. It can take months before you have learned enough to pull the trigger. For some, it may take longer but that is okay as this is a big investment.
I would work to find the right financing which can also take a lot of time. Finding local banks where you want to buy is often the best option but there are many other ways to get the money for rentals. You also may need to be saving money or finding a partner if needed. A lot of the time landlords spend on the business is preparing to buy properties.
Once you know where to buy and have the financing lined up, I would have an agent help you find properties but I would not rely on them to do all the work. There are many ways to find deals and getting a great deal is the fastest way to build wealth in real estate. If you had to spend time doing anything, I would learn how to get great deals.
Before you buy a property you should have some idea of who will be managing it and repairing it. If you choose to use a property manager they may also have contacts or in-house people who can repair and maintain the property. If I were buying properties out of my area this is the route I would take. Take your time finding the right company and don’t pick the first one that says yes!
Once you own the property I would have someone else manage it but you will need to check on it once in a while to make sure the people you hire are doing their job. If the property is far away, hire a third party to check on it for you. You don’t need to be the one taking calls from tenants or renting the property, or collecting rent. The property will also need to have accounting set up and tax information collected which property managers can also handle.
You can scale with rentals by refinancing properties or selling them. I think the landlord should be actively looking at their loans, and returns every year on the properties they own. A lot of landlords have trouble scaling but a refinance or selling properties or using a 1031 exchange can increase the portfolio and ROI.
I think most of the work a landlord does should be in the beginning finding and buying deals. If you want to scale and make the most of your time, leave the management and maintenance to someone else. Focus on the most important tasks and remember to look at the big picture.
Why do I have my property management in-house?
I just told people I think they should hire a property manager but I don’t do that myself, why? I own a real estate brokerage (Blue Steel Real Estate) and my staff manage my properties. I am not the one showing properties (unless they are big commercial properties), and I am not collecting rent, or taking any calls from tenants. I have my own property management company in-house that can handle that for me and I focus on the big picture.
Conclusion
Buying rentals has made me many millions of dollars but it is not easy and it takes work. If landlords focus on the right work it can be a great business. Once you learn how to buy the first properties, the next purchases get much easier. If you are willing to put in the work to buy the right properties and hire the right people to take care of them it is a wonderful business/investment.
“Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately, due to the weather and necessary routing, we are currently having a weight and balance issue and are looking for three volunteers with flexible travel plans to come to see me at the front of the plane and take a later flight to New York in exchange for $1,000 in future United credit each.”
The gate attendant who had stepped onto the delayed plane with this “bad news” had barely finished saying those words before my seatbelt was unbuckled and I was shooting toward the front of the plane.
I was flying with my two kids, and that $3,000 credit was the right price for the three of us to get to New York City a few hours later that night.
And as promised, once we grabbed our carry-on bags and quickly hustled off the plane, United quickly processed each of our flight credits (good for the next 12 months) at the gate, booked us on the next flight to New York and threw in $20 in vouchers for each of us for dinner at the airport while we waited for the next flight.
This wasn’t a fluke.
On our flight home from LaGuardia Airport two days later, the gate agent again needed volunteers to take a later flight back to Houston.
This time, the flight was oversold. The flight credit offer started at $500 per person and increased to $750 when there weren’t takers at the lower amount. Unfortunately, we couldn’t participate this time as the next available flight wasn’t until the next day and airspace in the Northeast was shaping up to be a hot mess.
However, this trend of too-full flights and opportunities to earn flight credit by being flexible will likely play out at gates across the country for the next few hot, busy travel months.
Related: Best credit cards for built-in travel protections
Sign up for our daily newsletter
There will be opportunities to get flight credit to take a later flight
It’s no secret that summer is a busy travel season, with weekends, such as the one we were traveling, ranking as some of the busiest days of the year to fly.
So with full flights (some with more tickets sold to passengers than there are seats on the plane) and weather that can necessitate flying with fewer passengers than the maximum number of seats on the plane, the situations that played out on our recent flights will happen again numerous times this summer, especially during the busiest travel days.
Airlines prefer to find volunteers rather than bump passengers involuntarily
Overbooking flights and denying boarding to passengers as a result is not illegal, but it doesn’t win airlines many points in the court of public opinion.
So, when more people show up for the flight than anticipated, or if the airline can’t use as many seats on the plane as it had planned for whatever reason, airlines typically start asking for volunteers who are willing to give up their seats, usually in exchange for something.
While involuntarily bumping passengers isn’t illegal, certain monetary amounts must be awarded per U.S. Department of Transportation rules — assuming your situation falls into the prescribed definition, which does have caveats.
If you are involuntarily denied boarding, and the airline can’t get you to your destination within an hour of the original schedule, you are entitled to 200% of your one-way fare or $775, whichever is lower. If the airline can’t get you there within two hours (four if it’s an international flight), that amount increases to 400% of your one-way fare or $1,550, whichever is lower.
However, those rules don’t apply if the airline can find volunteers to willingly give up their seats, as we did.
There are no rules for what is required to be awarded to volunteers, so the only real threshold is what passengers are willing to raise their hands and accept.
A good sign your flight might be heading for an oversold situation is if, when you check in for your flight, there’s a screen that asks if you might be willing to volunteer to take a later flight. It’s possible the airline won’t ultimately need volunteers on that flight, but it might.
Things to know about getting voluntary bump compensation
Every situation is unique and different airlines handle these things in their own ways, but many options are on the table when the airline needs your seat.
The more it needs it, the more likely you will get a yes to your requests. Here are some things to remember if you volunteer to be bumped to another flight in exchange for compensation.
Be ready
Make sure you’re physically close to the gate and/or ready to quickly step up if you want to volunteer when the airline needs passengers to take bump compensation in exchange for a future flight. Typically, the order in which you line up to see the gate agent (or at the front of the plane, in my case) to volunteer is the order they will go in. You can also go up and ask the gate agent when you first arrive at the gate and let them know you’re willing to help out if they need your seat if you think the flight may be (too) full.
Do a little homework
Research other available flights if you think your airline may need volunteers to take other flights so you’ll have a good idea of what’s possible. Some airlines will rebook you on other airlines while others will not, but check everything to see what might work best.
Get confirmation
Be certain about when the next confirmed seat to your destination is available. Don’t accept standby tickets or say yes to being a volunteer until you are certain you have a confirmed seat to get you where you want to be by the time you want to be there.
Know what’s offered
Have a clear understanding of what is being offered. It’s probably not cash but is most likely future flight credit or potentially a gift card. For example, Delta Air Lines has a program where you can choose the retailer for your gift card. However, understand the type of credit and any restrictions before you say yes.
Negotiate
The amount of flight credit is negotiable. It’s normal for the offer to increase over time if there aren’t takers at the lower amounts. For example, if there are no nibbles at $250 in credit, it may go to $500, etc. You can also politely ask if more is available, which there may or may not be based on whether the airline can find volunteers at the amounts it first offers.
Offers may increase
If the amount the airline offers increases to get more volunteers, everyone who volunteers may get that higher amount. This isn’t guaranteed and may change as more airlines experiment with using a reverse bidding-type process in their apps for oversold situations. However, in the traditional way, where everyone is at the gate until the airline gets enough volunteers, it’s still likely all of them will get the highest amount.
Try for first class
You can ask for first-class seats on your new flight. Again, there are no guarantees this will be a yes, but if they can accommodate you in first class on another flight, they might. In our case, we lost two of our three upgrades on our new flight as it was simply already full, but if we wanted to wait for a flight with first-class seats, I imagine we could have.
Ask for extras
It’s also fair to ask for meal vouchers, a hotel room (if requiring an overnight stay) and cab rides to and from the hotel or to an alternate airport if required.
Be kind
As always, be nice. A flight that’s too full is likely a stressful situation for the agents who are working the flight. The nicer and more understanding you are, the better for all involved.
Save your voucher
Take photos of your voucher and keep it in a safe space so you don’t do all of that for nothing!
Related: Can it be too hot to safely fly?
Bottom line
It’s busy, it’s hot, and if you fly enough this summer, you just might get the chance to make a split-second decision like we did and give up your seats on the flight in exchange for future flight credit — and sometimes even more.
We got to New York City about two hours later than originally planned and, in exchange, have $3,000 to spend on United flights for the next 12 months — and I’ll be keeping my ears open for a chance to do that again.
On Google Earth it looks like a stunning opportunity: six acres of vacant land surrounded by single-family homes in a West Valley neighborhood.
After being abandoned to shoulder-high weeds for nearly a decade, the former elementary school site in Woodland Hills is now a target for development.
But it’s not being scoped out for million-dollar homes like those around it. Instead, a group of prominent civic leaders has identified the parcel as a prime location for shelter or housing for homeless people.
It’s on a list commissioned by the Committee for Greater L.A. to prod City Hall to use surplus government land for homeless housing.
“If you talked to people in the city … they will argue that it is a myth, that all the land that is available is really not appropriate for this use,” said Miguel Santana, chairman of the committee, which is made up of leaders in philanthropy, business and government.
In releasing a database of 126 proposed sites online, the committee sought to keep up pressure on Mayor Karen Bass to follow through on her campaign pledge to build 1,000 beds on public land in her first year in office.
The study‘s authors said they identified more than enough usable parcels to support 1,000 beds of shelter and permanent housing, and proposed a timeline to produce the housing within six months.
Bass has acknowledged the committee’s work but said she has her own list of properties and her own timeline. And the timeline is longer.
In an open letter, Bass, whose third executive order required the city administrative officer to compile an inventory of city-owned land suitable for housing, said her staff is poring over a list of more than 3,300 parcels and has had preliminary discussions with City Council members to gauge their reaction to specific sites.
She said they have identified sites to accommodate 500 interim housing beds and have submitted them to the state to be part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s emergency small-homes program. If approved, she said, they could be built by July 2024.
But Bass said she wants to rethink the city’s approach to permanent housing on its lands to develop a “bigger and bolder” program. She set a goal of January 2025 to come up with standards for identifying suitable land, community engagement strategies, provisions for infrastructure investments, new financing methods and innovative approaches to construction.
Advertisement
“My focus over the remainder of my first term in office will be to make the disposition and development of City owned land faster, cheaper, and more streamlined, and to innovate in the financing and delivery of affordable housing without reliance on traditional subsidy methods,” Bass wrote.
While working primarily from the city’s own list, Bass said, she will use the committee’s study to advance her goal of incorporating surplus land owned by regional and state agencies.
The study, conducted by the nonprofit Center for Pacific Urbanism, analyzed variables including slope, zoning and proximity to utilities to winnow down 65,000 parcels owned by city, county, state, federal and other agencies such as Metro and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Dario Rodman-Alvarez, an architect whose firm Pacific Urbanism founded the nonprofit, said he and his staff then reviewed each of the nearly 2,900 survivors to verify that it would be suitable for a model development consisting of 36 units interspersed with community gardens.
From those, they hand-picked 121 to give officials “enough options to make decisions but not be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options.”
A Times spot check of sites on that list, however, showed how frequently political impediments can confound even the best analysis.
Advertisement
The former Oso Elementary property in the West Valley, for example, has long been a point of community contention. Residents of the area, called Carlton Terrace, said that they want something done with the eyesore — most suggested a park — but that homeless housing would be unacceptable.
“It’s never going to happen,” said Darryl Lutz, a 20-year resident across from one corner of the vacant land. “The homeowners here are heavily involved in local government.”
Joyce Norman, an emergency room physician, said she would not oppose a shelter except that she doubted it would come with adequate services, especially transportation. The nearest shopping is downhill a half-mile away.
“If I were a homeless person, I would want to live near a street with stores,” she said.
Not to mention, the Los Angeles Unified School District may have its own plans for the property. It was included in a 2020 proposal to evaluate 10 properties for development as housing for district employees.
A district spokesperson would not give an update on that proposal, instead providing a statement that the district “is currently evaluating our underutilized properties to help develop a plan that most effectively addresses the needs of our district and the communities that we serve.”
Advertisement
To sidestep possible roadblocks caused by differing governmental agendas, the committee study identified 46 sites, all owned by the city, as highest priority.
But those were not free of roadblocks either.
One — 2.1 acres of vacant land in Sylmar surrounded by a neighborhood of single-family homes, condos and apartments — is already slated for affordable housing, but the first developer chosen by the city backed out, and the Los Angeles Housing Department is again preparing a request for proposals.
“We have been working urgently to ensure this property is used for housing and are exploring options for the best site use with the least amount of downtime possible,” Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez said.
That’s the bureaucratic maze that Bass must cut through.
Her program will not only identify sites but also hand them to developers ready to go, said Jenna Hornstock, Bass’ housing deputy.
“So rather than put out these sites and say, ‘Now go out and entitle them and compete for money,’ it’s, ‘Here’s the site. We either have entitlement or a path to entitlement and here is a financing plan that we will commit to,’ ” Hornstock said.
The idea of using surplus government land to speed up and lower the cost of homeless housing goes back to 2016 when committee Chairman Santana, who was then the city administrative officer, included it in an ambitious plan to address homelessness.
Santana’s office examined more than 500 city-owned properties that found 129 sites potentially large enough and in suitable zones for homeless housing. All but 10 were city-owned parking lots.
Few of them worked out.
Advertisement
When then-City Controller Ron Galperin reviewed the topic in a 2022 report critical of the city’s “fragmented” management of surplus land, he found that 11 of the city’s bridge home shelters and 16 projects in development under the city’s $1.2-billion HHH housing bond were on city-owned land.
Bass, in her letter, said 14 more are in design or negotiation, but concurred that it was not enough.
Galperin highlighted 26 city-owned properties that he considered suitable for shelter projects, either bridge housing, safe parking, safe sleeping villages or tiny home villages. But like the earlier study, it was heavily weighted with parking lots.
Public parking lots, which also make up slightly more than half of the committee’s priority list, are often problematic because they serve local businesses and generate revenue for the city.
One parking lot on the list is in the business core of Leimert Park. Converting it to housing would only exacerbate a lack of adequate parking in the “Mecca of Black culture in Los Angeles,” a spokesman for Councilwoman Heather Hutt said in an email reply to The Times.
“Councilwoman Hutt cannot support homeless housing on these parking lots because the community will never support it,” the statement said. “The residents have demonstrated a strong commitment to preserving the authenticity and character of Leimert Park, and the parking lots serve that authenticity and character.”
Advertisement
At the other extreme, a city parking lot on 87th Street a block east of Broadway has no current value to the depressed business district where several vacant lots and abandoned buildings are owned by an investor who has held them since the 1990s and rebuffed all suitors.
Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who said he rejected all the other sites the mayor suggested, would like to put housing on that lot, and another one west of Broadway, but only if the city would seize the adjacent privately owned properties to provide space for more units.
After years of unsuccessful overtures to the property owners, Harris-Dawson said he is ready to reconsider the city’s long-standing reluctance to use eminent domain.
“You could make a village there,” he said.
With a district dotted with privately owned vacant lots, Harris-Dawson said he thinks there are far more appropriate options than the few government parcels.
The Pacific Urbanism study acknowledged the potential of privately held land and included five examples, including the parking lot at Hebrew Union College and the expanse of parking around Dodger Stadium.
Some organizations, such as churches, may be open to using their land for purposes that align with their mission, it said, but made no mention of eminent domain.
Advertisement
“For every public lot that’s vacant, I can take you to two privately held lots that are as good or better for housing,” Harris-Dawson said. “We literally have people living in the streets. Maybe after 35 years we intervene and help you find a different investment to make.”
By publishing its study, the Committee for Greater L.A. intends to force public officials to be more transparent, said committee member Sarah Dusseault, a former commissioner of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
“If you want to keep this surface parking lot as a surface parking lot because it earns $20,000 a year, God bless,” Dusseault said.
“But you should be transparent about that as a policy choice instead of the policy choices being in the dark.”