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You may have been told that it’s important to get pre-approved at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does that really mean, and why is it so important? Especially in today’s market, with rising home prices and high buyer competition, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your budget so you stand out to sellers as a serious homebuyer.

The United States housing market is booming, and Iowa is no exception. Lack of inventory and historically low interest rates contribute to the red-hot real estate market. Still, despite the skyrocketing price of lumber and sluggish construction projects, data from one real estate listing company indicated home sales are up 20% across the board in 2021.

In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission recorded 2.2 million reports of fraud and $3.3 billion lost by victims. As these numbers continue to grow, it's crucial to stay informed and take action to protect yourself against scams and potential fraud. Check out the tips and current trends below from Collins Community Credit Union's Fraud Officer, Tabby C., to help keep your money safe!

If you're thinking about moving, whether you're upgrading, downsizing, or changing locations, now is the time to sell your house. Tighter inventories and increasing demand create an ultra-competitive market, which means houses are selling faster and often for top dollar. You may know specific home improvements can help improve your home's value, but not every upgrade helps drive a higher price.

If you're ready to buy your first home, your tax refund and stimulus savings may cover more of a down payment than you realize.

In May of 2020, 20.6 million Americans lost their jobs, creating an economic fall-out that continues to affect millions of U.S. adults and their perceived economic outlook. Though there are marked signs of improvement in the U.S. labor market, many Americans believe the coronavirus outbreak continues to impact their personal ability to achieve long-term financial goals.

Debt consolidation is a way to restructure and simplify your debt into fewer monthly payments. It combines multiple loans into one payment to one lender, ideally with a lower interest rate. You can consolidate many different types of loans, including credit cards, medical debt, personal loans, and payday loans into one loan.

The third round of stimulus checks will soon be on their way! Here's what we know on how much you may receive and when to expect your payment.

On Sunday, March 14, from 3:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Collins Community Credit Union will be performing a system update.

In today’s housing market, all eyes are on millennials. Not only are millennials the largest generation, but they’re also currently between 25 and 40 years old. These are often considered prime homebuying years when many people begin to form their own households and invest in real estate. If you’re like many millennials who are spending much more time at home these days, you may have a growing need for more space or upgraded features, making moving more desirable than ever.

Is the idea of saving for a down payment holding you back from buying a home right now? You may be eager to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates, but the thought of needing a large down payment might make you want to pump the brakes. Today, there’s still a common myth that you have to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. This means people who could buy a home may be putting their plans on hold because they don’t have that much saved yet. The reality is, whether you’re looking for your first home or you’ve purchased one before, you most likely don’t need to put 20% down. Here’s why.

Why should you care about your credit score? A good credit score is critical if you need to borrow money for an auto loan, mortgage, or any other reason. The higher the credit score, the easier the loan approval process. Not only does your score impact if you get the loan, but it also can affect the terms of the loan, such as the interest rate or down payment.

If you’re planning to buy a home, an appraisal is an important step in the process. It’s a professional evaluation of the market value of the home you’d like to buy. In most cases, an appraisal is ordered by the lender to confirm or verify the value of the home prior to lending a buyer money for the purchase. It’s also a different step in the process from a home inspection, which assesses the condition of the home before you finalize the transaction.

Most of us have room for improvement when it comes to our financial health, regardless of income, education, or amount of debt. The end of the year and the beginning of a new one is the perfect time to take some time to reflect on your financial situation.

If 2020 taught us anything, it is to prepare for the unexpected. Taking steps to protect your financial well being now will make it easier to cope when the unthinkable happens. An illness, job loss, or natural disaster can change things on a dime. Having an emergency fund will make those tough times a bit easier to navigate.

The millennial generation is the largest generation in United States history. According to the US Census Bureau, millennials born between 1982 and 2000 now number 83.1 million and represent more than one-quarter of the nation’s population. This size exceeds that of baby boomers, which totals 75.4 million.

On Sunday, October 11, all Collins Community Credit Union ATMs will go offline for a system update from 4:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Having a savings account can get you out of a bind, like if your car suddenly stalls on the highway and it’ll be a $1,500 fix, or to help you prepare for the future, such as sending your children to college or retiring at the end of your career.