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Collins Community Credit Union

Beware of Unidentified Calls or Attempts to Gain Access to Your Online Banking Account

If you receive an unidentified call or voicemail about your online banking account, and you believe it to be suspicious or fraudulent, please hang up immediately and contact us at 800-475-1150. We are available to assist you.

Important Tips: Never provide your credit or debit card information, or online banking credentials to someone who calls you unsolicited. Be suspicious of any caller who asks for your personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a call, hang up and call us directly at 800-475-1150We will never contact you to ask for your personal information or login credentials. A message from Collins Community Credit Union will always include identification.

How To Increase The Value Of Your Home With Curb Appeal Updates

Beware of Unidentified Calls or Attempts to Gain Access to Your Online Banking Account

If you receive an unidentified call or voicemail about your online banking account, and you believe it to be suspicious or fraudulent, please hang up immediately and contact us at 800-475-1150. We are available to assist you.

Important Tips: Never provide your credit or debit card information, or online banking credentials to someone who calls you unsolicited. Be suspicious of any caller who asks for your personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a call, hang up and call us directly at 800-475-1150We will never contact you to ask for your personal information or login credentials. A message from Collins Community Credit Union will always include identification.

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.

Published on May 11, 2021

If you want to take advantage of the surging prices, now is a great time to sell your house. A home equity loan from Collins Community Credit Union can help improve the value of your house, ultimately giving you a better quality of life.

You can do several things to increase your profits from selling your home, even just on the exterior. Curb appeal matters because it sets expectations and encourages prospective buyers to want to see the inside 𑁋 and the more showings your realtor does, the more offers you may receive.

With a home equity loan from Collins Community Credit Union, you can make updates and improvements to boost the value of your home.

Enhance the exterior appearance of your home. Replacing the siding for a more durable option and repairing or replacing an old gutter system with a soffit can attract potential buyers looking for move-in ready housing. Peeling paint and rusty drains can be a red flag for buyers and could be cause for alarm during an inspection, too. Schedules are filling up faster than usual, and many homeowners are receiving longer project timelines; if you think you may replace the siding or repair an old gutter system, get in touch with a contractor soon.

Green space improvements can make a big difference. Adding lush greenery is an instant way to beautify your home. Two things to remember: landscaping should be proportional and low-maintenance. You can include big plants where appropriate 𑁋 like ferns flanking the front door 𑁋 but be sure the plant (or its growth) won’t cover doors and windows. When adding landscaping, look for flowers that don’t litter petals and shrubs that don’t require frequent pruning. Additionally, be sure to think through the seasons; evergreen plants and bushes help your home look lovely all year long, even in the dead of winter.

Implement maintenance-free options when you can. The front door of a house is its focal point, and there are quite a few options for that one small space to improve curb appeal. You can enhance your entryway by coordinating front door hardware and home address numbers.  A newly-painted front door (jet black, dark blue, and red are popular choices) with a decorative floor mat or eucalyptus wreath on the door completes the look. To add some color, place bright planters on each side of the entry containing vibrant flowers like begonias, marigolds, or mums (depending on the season) in each. All potential home buyers have to do to maintain this look is water the flowers each week and wipe down the hardware a few times each year.

Install good lighting, which communicates safety and security. A well-lit home shares the house is safe and secure, and it can even attract buyers as they pass by at night. Metal solar lights with frosted glass enhance the landscaping and are a low-maintenance lighting option that won’t deter buyers. At the door, add sconces or a hanging lantern that match the front door hardware and home address numbers, and use an LED light (sustainable and low-maintenance) inside the sconces or lantern. Outdoor lighting can help deter crime, and it completes the look of your home, too.

Houses with intentional curb appeal sell 7% better than those with an uninviting exterior. Investing in your home’s curb appeal with a home equity loan from Collins Community Credit Union can help you sell your home faster and get top-dollar for your listing. Seven percent makes a big difference and can help you reach your goals, whether you are buying a bigger house or stashing your profits to invest later.

Arrange to meet with one of our lenders today to see how a home equity loan can help you sell your home!

What's New

  • Scholarship Program

    18 March 2024
    Dream Big, Achieve More: The Collins Community Credit Union Scholarship Program! We're investing in Iowa's brightest minds by offering 2 scholarships worth $1,000 each, to deserving full-time and part-time students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial responsibility and a passion for making a difference. Learn More
  • ATM to ITM Upgrades Coming

    15 March 2024
    Upgrade your banking experience with our ATM to ITM conversion! Learn More
  • Empowering Success - A conversation on Achieve@Collins

    04 March 2024
    Embark on a journey of financial empowerment with Collins Community Credit Union’s Achieve@Collins Program (originally launched in 2022). The program, led by our Retail Team, is a financial toolkit that includes our Simple Checking account, Credit Builder loan, and Financial Wellness resources. In February 2024, our branch sales manager, Michael, presented the program at Simpson College for their Upward Bound student program. Read on for his insights on Achieve@Collins’ impact in the... Learn More
  • Introducing our New Security Feature: Voice Biometrics

    31 October 2023
    We're excited to announce an important security feature coming to our Member Contact Center, beginning Tuesday, November 14, 2023. Read more about how this new feature adds an extra layer of security to protect your information.  Learn More
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