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.

As fraud crimes continue to grow, it's crucial to stay informed and take action to protect yourself against scams and potential threats. 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.