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Social media marketing, a type of digital marketing, uses social media platforms to deliver online content to a business’s target audiences. Content is generally designed to build brand awareness and promote products or services, but it can also help a business increase visitors to its website and gather information about followers that can be used in email marketing and other campaigns.

Social media marketing allows you to engage in a more direct way with your target audience, even in one-on-one conversations in some instances. It can be less expensive than other forms of marketing, but it’s also highly competitive due to continuous streams of social posts vying for the attention of consumers. Creating an intentional social media marketing strategy can help you maximize your efforts and improve your return on investment.

How to create a social media marketing strategy

Social media marketing works like other forms of marketing as far as defining goals, identifying a target audience and creating content. However, to keep an active social media presence, a business will need to post regularly on their platforms of choice and regularly monitor brand mentions and customer comments.

Determine your social media marketing goals

Plotting out your goals from the outset will help guide you in the other decisions you’ll need to make, such as which social media platforms to use and the type of content to post.

Here are some general goals that are common to social media marketing:

  • Increase brand awareness.

  • Gain customer insights.

  • Increase sales.

  • Develop leads.

  • Increase website traffic.

  • Respond to customer complaints.

  • Retarget visitors to your website who don’t make purchases.

  • Get followers to share your content on promotional events.

  • Draw attention to a charity or nonprofit organization you support.

When possible, be specific when setting goals, but also keep in mind that the success of some of your efforts may be hard to document. For example, it can be more difficult to measure an increase in brand awareness, but the goal of higher website traffic can be documented through marketing tools such as Google Analytics.

Define your target audience

Knowing your customers is important to any marketing effort. Customer information, such as interests, buying behaviors, pain points and demographic details like age, gender and annual income, can help you create content that will interest your target audience.

Also, demographic details may influence your choice of social media platforms. For example, if your target audience is primarily women, you may want to market on a platform that has a higher percentage of women than men. Or, if your target audience is younger, you may want to use a platform that is popular with that age group.

However, with daily users numbering in the millions on many popular platforms, your target audience may be well represented on any platform. Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram are a few of the platforms that offer audience insights tools you can use to learn about the people using the platform. Talking directly to your customers about which platforms they frequent most can also help inform your social media strategy.

Pick your social media platforms

You may choose to target even more niche social platforms based on your type of business and customers, but here are some of the most popular and how they’re used:

  • Facebook: Text, image and video sharing. A Facebook business page can provide important information about your business and build community.

  • YouTube: Video sharing.

  • Twitter: This social networking platform is mostly used for text-based Tweets, but you can also incorporate images, videos and GIFs.

  • Instagram: Photo and video sharing.

  • TikTok: Video sharing. Compared to YouTube, this is best for shorter videos.

  • Pinterest: Image sharing.

  • LinkedIn: A professional networking platform, LinkedIn is primarily used to market to businesses rather than consumers, or to increase brand awareness by participating in industry-specific forums.

  • Snapchat. Instant messaging, image and video platform.

  • Reddit: Forum-style discussions.

Assess your content needs

The type of content you’ll post on social media will depend on your business, goals and which platforms you’re using. It can range from promotional to educational and should reflect the human characteristics and voice that best define your brand, or your brand personality. For example, if your business sells outdoor gear, your brand personality might be rugged and adventurous. Or, if your business sells products and services for small children, your brand personality might be playful but nurturing.

Social media content can include text, images and videos. You may also be able to link to other content you’ve created such as articles, blogs, e-books and videos. Depending on the platform, there may be limits to what can be included in posts. For example, on Twitter, a Tweet can contain up to 280 characters plus up to four images, videos and/or GIFs.

Your social media marketing efforts might also include the use of digital ads on multiple social media platforms and search engines such as Google and Bing. Each platform will have its own requirements for ads and typically offer content recommendations. For example, YouTube offers step-by-step instructions on creating video ads, with pre-made templates and other tools.

Post consistently

Posting consistently is an important factor in successfully promoting your business on social media. Each business’s posting cadence, whether it’s daily, a few times a week or weekly, will depend on its goals and audience. You’ll also want to factor in the time it takes to produce quality content — a video or high-quality photos may take longer than a text-only Tweet, for instance.

Creating a posting schedule can help your business post consistently — and marketing software can help automate the process. While you can post the same content on all your platforms, it’s better to customize the content for the audience of each individual platform. Plus, as discussed, each platform has unique requirements for postings.

Posting regularly can help a business to:

  • Increase brand authority, credibility and reputation.

  • Build followers.

  • Gain familiarity with the platforms and tools.

  • Establish its brand voice.

  • Improve content rankings on platform feeds.

  • Support paid advertising efforts.

Monitor mentions and respond quickly

It’s important to monitor the mentions of your brand and comments made on your posts. Customers frequently take to a business’s social media when they have customer service questions or complaints. In those instances, responding quickly and positively is key, but aim to resolve the issue privately, by encouraging them to direct message or email your business.

Monitoring mentions — and encouraging customers to post about your business (while tagging your account) — can also help you identify brand advocates and gather user-generated content to repost, which can ease the burden of content creation.

It may take months before you see noticeable progress toward your marketing goals, but social media management tools like Hootsuite, Zoho Social and Buffer can help you monitor your content as well as help with posting, scheduling and measuring results.

Source: nerdwallet.com

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If you’re a little light on down payment funds, a company called FirstREX (now known as “Unison Home Ownership Investors”) might be able to help you out, for a cost.

Put simply, their “REX HomeBuyer” product (now called the “Unison HomeBuyer program”) will give you up to 50% of the down payment you make on a home in return for an “equity investment” on your property.

Unison Wants Shared Equity in Exchange for Down Payment Funds

  • If you’re unable to come up with a 20% down payment
  • Unison HomeBuyer can help you out in exchange for future home price appreciation
  • And they don’t require any monthly payments for their investment
  • This can reduce your mortgage payment and help you avoid PMI

For example, if you’d like to purchase a home for $500,000 and want to put down 20% to avoid mortgage insurance and obtain a more desirable interest rate, but only have 10% available, they’ll give you the other 10%.

So you’ll only need $50,000 in down payment funds and they’ll provide the additional $50,000, pushing the loan amount down to $400,000 at 80% LTV.

When it comes time to sell your property, Unison will get a share of the change in value. If the home sells for $550,000 in the future, their stake would increase to $67,500. That’s a profit of $17,500 for Unison based on a 65/35 split in your favor.

For a 25% down payment, the company typically takes 43.75% of the change in value.

Additionally, Unison gets a transaction fee at the time of purchase, though they don’t collect any monthly payments on the down payment or charge any interest. They are also strictly co-investors in your property, not co-owners with any occupancy rights.

[EquityKey Lets You Tap Your Equity Without Taking on a Monthly Payment]

Unison HomeBuyer Benefits

  • Aside from allowing you to buy more house
  • You can enjoy a lower monthly housing payment
  • Keep more cash on hand for your own needs and expenses
  • And potentially make your offer stronger in a competitive housing market

The company lists a number of benefits to using their product, with the most prominent being the ability to purchase “just a little more house.”

They make the argument that you can get a more expensive home now while mortgage rates are still low, even if you haven’t saved up the necessary amount.

Or if you have the money saved, but simply don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket, you can use Unison HomeBuyer and keep the other half of your down payment funds in a different place, either in cash or some other investment like stocks, bonds, etc.

Double the down payment will also help you avoid private mortgage insurance because the maximum LTV is 80% with this product, so you can save three-fold on the monthly payment via a lower interest rate, no PMI, and a smaller loan amount.

Lastly, you may need some cash reserves to qualify for a mortgage and if they aren’t being used for the down payment, it could help with getting approved for a loan.

Unison HomeBuyer Guidelines

  • They’ll boost your down payment to bring the LTV down to 80%
  • So if you can put down 10% they’ll bring in another 10%
  • If you can only muster 5% they might be able to bring in 15%
  • Then they get a percentage share of the sales proceeds plus their original investment back

Unison will provide up to half of the required down payment, and as mentioned, the max LTV ratio is 80%. That means the minimum down payment is 20%, and Unison will provide up to 10% of the purchase price. You have to provide the other 10%.

If you wish you put down 25% on a home purchase, they’d provide 12.5%, and so on.

There is no minimum or maximum home purchase price, but the maximum amount Unison will provide is $500,000.

The property in question must be a single-family (some condos are permitted), and owner-occupied, though the company may consider some second homes under limited circumstances.

No rental properties are allowed and the subject property must be “typical” for the neighborhood. In other words, they don’t want anything unique or funky that could put their investment at risk.

Speaking of risk, they require a minimum FICO score of 680 from the primary wage earner (with some exceptions), and will typically approve you based on income as long as the corresponding lender does.

The Unison HomeBuyer down payment is meant to close concurrently with the home purchase, with the down payment provided directly to the escrow company at closing.

When it comes time to sell, they get their piece of the appreciation. There is a 30-year maximum term, so if you happen to still be in the home, you’ll need to pay the company out based on the value of your home at that time.

You can also buy out the homeownership investment in as early as three years by obtaining a third-party appraisal to assign a market value.

It’s important to note that if you happen to sell within three years of obtaining the down payment, “special provisions apply” that improve the company’s investment outcome. In other words, I think they charge you a higher rate of return.

Does Unison HomeBuyer Make Sense for You?

  • The product is meant to extend your purchasing power
  • But in doing so you will miss out on a potentially large amount of appreciation
  • So you might want to consider buying a little less house
  • Or exploring alternatives such as a low-down payment mortgage or gift funds from a relative instead

As noted, their investment return is higher if you don’t stay in the home for at least three years, so the product doesn’t make sense unless you plan on sticking around awhile.

Additionally, I believe the property needs to remain owner-occupied while their investment is in place, so that could be a limiting factor as well.

The transaction fee is something to consider – it is equal to 2% of the funding they provide in conjunction with a non-agency loan or 3% for an agency loan (it has since been lowered to 2.5%).

You also obviously forego some of your home price appreciation if and when you sell for a profit, though the upside is that you’re risking less of your own money. How much you forego depends on the size of the down payment.

If you wish to refinance your mortgage, you can do so at any time by subordinating the Unison HomeBuyer Agreement to your new mortgage but you must pay a small processing fee of $300 (they have eliminated the processing fee).

One bright spot is that if you remodel your home while their down payment is in place, you can get full credit for the renovation value so Unison doesn’t benefit from it too.

And if you can get your LTV down to 80% from 90%, you can ditch the PMI and the higher pricing adjustments associated with a higher LTV. That means a lower mortgage rate. A smaller loan amount also means the monthly payment will be less.

As with anything else, do the math to compare costs and benefits of both routes to determine if Unison HomeBuyer makes sense for you. Just be careful not to buy too much house just because you can.

Read more: Do you need down payment protection?

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

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Posted on: July 26, 2022

Plenty of eligible homebuyers don’t know what the VA loan is, which is unfortunate because this is one of the best home loan products available.

A lender who specializes in VA loans will be able to help you evaluate how a VA loan fits your specific situation, but here we’ve tackled the most common VA loan questions and answers.

Check today’s VA rates (May 6th, 2023)

Who is eligible for VA loans?

Most veterans and active duty service members are eligible. However, all veterans, active-duty service members and National Guard members must meet certain requirements.

To be eligible, you must have met at least one of the following:

  • Served 90 consecutive days during wartime
  • Served 181 days during peacetime
  • Have more than six years of service with the National Guard or Reserves

Also, VA loans are available to the surviving spouses of military members who died in the line of duty.

How is a VA loan different from conventional or FHA loans?

For one, the VA loan is guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is similar to FHA loans which are backed by another government organization. Conventional loans aren’t backed by anyone.

Another difference (and it’s a big one) is VA mortgage rates tend to be much lower than both FHA and conventional rates. In October of 2019, 30-year fixed-rate VA loans closed with an average interest rate of 3.68%, as compared to 3.94% and 3.98% for FHA and conventional, respectively.

How much can I borrow with a VA loan?

Previously, the VA loan program required borrowers to make a down payment on any loan that exceeded conventional loan limits.

But not anymore.

As of January 1, 2020, borrowers who are eligible for mortgage loans can get any size loan with no down payment. There are no official limits.

But remember, you’ll still have to qualify for the mortgage.

If you’re looking for an extra-large VA loan with no down payment, make sure you have a solid income and excellent credit score.

What credit score do I need to qualify?

Technically, there is no minimum credit score to qualify for VA loans. However, most mortgage lenders will want to see a credit score of at least 620 before approving the mortgage. In some cases, VA home buyers can get approved with scores below 620.

Do I need to make a down payment?

One of the biggest benefits of the VA loan is no down payment is required. The VA guarantees the mortgage, so you can secure 100% financing. It’s also possible to finance some of the closing costs or get the upfront costs covered by the seller.

Not only is it possible for VA home buyers to avoid a down payment, but it’s a popular option as well. In October 2019, the average VA loan down payment on a home was just two percent. Down payments aren’t required, but they can save you money on your monthly payments.

Click to check your VA eligibility (May 6th, 2023)

Do I need to pay mortgage insurance?

Another benefit of having the VA guarantee the mortgage is you don’t have to pay mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) or mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) are required for smaller down payments on conventional and FHA loans. But no matter how much you put down on a VA loan, you won’t have additional insurance payments on top of your mortgage payments.

How long is the VA loan process?

There’s no set-in-stone time limit for how long the VA loan process takes, but it does take slightly longer than other programs on average.

In June 2021, the average VA loan closed in 55 days, according to the June 2021 Ellie Mae Origination Report. By comparison, the average conventional loan closed in 48 days and the average FHA loan closed in 54 days. So, for the most part, a VA loan will take slightly longer than other loan types, but not by much.

Can I only use a VA loan once?

If you’re eligible for the VA loan, then you’re eligible for your entire life. Plenty of home buyers end up using the VA loan more than once, mostly because it’s arguably the best loan program out there.

You can be eligible to use your VA entitlement benefit again for a new loan if:

  • You’ve paid off your previous VA loan
  • Your VA loan has been assumed by another veteran
  • You haven’t used all your entitlement

How long does getting pre-qualified take?

Pre-qualifying is quick, and it can be started online.

If you’re interested in becoming a homeowner at any point in the future, then getting pre-qualified is a good idea. You can get pre-qualified even if you don’t have a house in mind, or if you haven’t even started looking. A pre-qualification will give you a better idea of how much home you can afford, so you should do this before you start shopping around.

Click to begin the pre-qualification process (May 6th, 2023)

How do I get proof of eligibility?

A certificate of eligibility (COE) demonstrates to your lender that you’re entitled to VA home loan benefits.

It’s straightforward to obtain via the VA’s website. Veterans will need to upload their DD214 form. If you’re still serving, you’ll need a statement of your military service signed by your “adjutant, personnel office, or commander of the unit of higher headquarters.”

However, it’s easier to get your lender to do this for you. If you provide your DD214 or statement of service, then the lender can get your COE directly from the VA on your behalf.

What kind of home can I buy with a VA loan?

Like other loan programs, VA loans have rules about what you can and cannot buy. VA loans are intended to provide veterans and service members with a primary residence. That means they can be used to purchase a single-family house, a townhouse or an apartment. Beyond this, the rules get more complicated.

You cannot use a VA loan to purchase a vacation home or second house or investment property. You can purchase an apartment building with up to four units, but one of the units must be your primary residence.

Mobile homes can be financed with a VA loan, but qualifying can be tricky. And you cannot use a VA loan to purchase real estate in a foreign country.

Can I rent out a home I purchased with a VA loan?

As noted above, VA loans are meant to get veterans and service members into homes so they can’t be used to purchase rental properties.

However, if you’re moving, you don’t necessarily need to sell your existing home if you have a VA loan on it. You can keep your home and rent it out, even with an existing VA loan on it.

There are two ways to do this: 1) Depending on how much equity you’ve accrued in your existing home, you may be able to refinance with a VA streamline refinance (IRRRL) or a conventional loan and get a one-time VA entitlement restoration. Your VA benefit is restored in full and you can get another VA loan for your next home. Or, 2) If your current home was inexpensive, you may have remaining entitlement left over. In that case, you can apply any remaining entitlement towards a new home.

What is a VA appraisal?

A VA appraisal evaluates whether the home is worth what you’re willing to pay for it. Your lender will order the appraisal, but the appraiser will be an independent, licensed appraiser who is approved by the VA.

The appraiser will assess the condition of the property, making sure it has:

  • Functional roof, heat, plumbing, and electrical systems
  • No pest issues
  • No lead-based paint
  • No water intrusion
  • No health or safety issues

What’s a VA funding fee?

The VA funding fee is an upfront, one-time payment determined by your loan amount and your service history, among other factors. The funding fee typically ranges from 0.50% to 3.60% of the loan amount.

This is small compared to the home loan cost savings veterans enjoy, but it allows the VA loan program to be self-sustaining, rather than using taxpayer dollars or funds from other VA benefit programs.

Can I finance my VA funding fee?

The VA funding fee can be financed into your loan to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, but remember this will add to your overall loan balance.

Is a VA loan always the best option for service members and veterans?

Not necessarily. There is no one-size-fits-all loan. The best choice for you will depend on the specifics of your situation. For example, if you’re making a down payment of 20% or more, a conventional loan might end up being less expensive.

Talk with a loan officer who specializes in VA loan products to evaluate your options and find the best fit for you.

Click to check your VA eligibility today (May 6th, 2023)

Source: militaryvaloan.com

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The capital city of Georgia is becoming a very popular destination lately and even has the distinction of being the only American city to land on a recent global “best in travel” list. And why not? With its warm weather, historical significance, happening restaurants, and major airport, it’s a fun, easily accessible place to vacation.

There’s a lot to do in Atlanta, from the Georgia Aquarium to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park; from the Ponce City Market (don’t miss the rooftop bar) to Piedmont Park. Here, you’ll find a list of 10 best things to do in Atlanta, Georgia, plus smart tips for enjoying every minute and staying on budget.

Best Times to Go to Atlanta

Spring and fall are usually considered the best times to go to Atlanta. Atlanta can get very hot and crowded during summer travel. For example, the average high temperatures in July and August are nearly 90 degrees, but it can feel much hotter, thanks to the city’s high humidity. Spring and fall also tend to be less crowded and have milder temperatures, while still being warm enough to spend the days outside. For example, April and October have comfortable average temperature highs in the low 70s.

A great time for music lovers to visit is at the start of summer: The Atlanta Jazz Festival is held on Memorial Day weekend, when you can expect average daytime temperatures to be in the still comfortable low 80s. However, you will also likely have to contend with higher prices and more crowds during big events on major holiday weekends.

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Bad Times to Go to Atlanta

Allergy sufferers may want to avoid springtime in Atlanta, as the city experiences an extreme pollen season. A visible dusting can be seen as early as January. Pollen counts peak in late March to mid-April, with cars and lawns blanketed in bright yellow pollen from oak and birch trees.

Winter is typically the slow season for tourists in Atlanta, and the city offers fewer events during this time. Because of this, hotel prices may be lower, so it may be enticing if you are looking for how to save money on hotels in Atlanta. For example, there are plenty of hotels available for $125 to $175 per night during a weekend in January.

If you do decide to visit in the winter, watch out for snow or ice in the forecast. Although frozen precipitation is rare in Atlanta, when it happens, it shuts down the city, which means you won’t be seeing the sights.

Average Cost of an Atlanta Vacation

As is the case with many city getaways, you can have a great time in Atlanta with nearly any budget. If you are visiting for a week, you can expect to pay an average of $2,419 for two people. That’s a good number to know as you decide where to keep your travel fund and start saving for your trip.

Hotels range from $100 to several hundred per night, with an average of about $180. Price depends on how fancy the hotel is, the time of year you visit, and the location of the hotel.

The pricey areas tend to be downtown and in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood. Less expensive areas include the suburbs and areas around the airport.

Beyond hotel expenses, you’ll find good news when it comes to food and entertainment. Thankfully, Atlanta is still much less expensive than other major cities like New York and Los Angeles or resort areas like Florida and Hawaii. You will eat well: There’s a vibrant restaurant scene, with everything from Indian food to soul food and back again Plus, there are loads of nightlife options, including comedy clubs and live music.

You’ll also need to decide how to get to Atlanta. Given what a major airline hub the city is, you may find affordable fares for plane tickets, though that will depend on where you are flying in from. It’s wise to learn how credit card travel insurance works when booking flights in case of cancellations, lost luggage, and the like. Then you can decide whether to purchase private travel insurance or use your credit card protections.

Worth noting, too, is the fact that the city does not have as extensive of a public transit system as some other cities. If you want to explore various sites, you may want to look into renting a car or budget for Ubering around town.

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10 Fun Must-Dos in Atlanta

Here’s the fun part: Deciding what to do in Atlanta. There is something for just about everyone in the city. Here is a list of 10 cool things to do in Atlanta, culled from those who have traveled to the city as well as loads of online reviews of top-rated attractions. Whether you’re taking a solo trip or one with friends and/or family, you will probably find more exciting activities than you can pack into your days in town.

While we also made sure to include several free activities, make sure to capitalize on your credit card rewards and use a card that’ll bring you points, miles, or cash back when charging your trip’s expenses.

1. Spend an Afternoon at the Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is practically a household name and for good reason. It’s the largest indoor aquarium in the western hemisphere. It even serves as a teaching hospital for marine biologists. You’ll encounter dolphins, penguins, sharks, and gigantic but adorable whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea. Take a free self-guided tour via an app that you can download for your visit.

The aquarium is located next to Centennial Park (see below) and is open daily from 9am to 6pm Mondays through Thursdays, 9am until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9am to 4pm on Sundays. Admission can be pricey, around $43 to $48. GeorgiaAquarium.org

2. Get Outdoors

Atlanta may be a city, but you can easily get some greenery on your trip. Piedmont Park, for instance, is a huge park located in midtown Atlanta (between downtown and Buckhead) that offers trails for walking, running or biking, picnic locations, ponds, greenery, and wildlife. Arts festivals, music festivals, concerts, and farmers markets take place throughout the year, adding to the fun. And may we mention that it’s a great destination if you are traveling with pets? It’s a free thing to do in Atlanta and is open daily from 6am to 11pm. piedmontpark.org/

Or check out the adjacent Atlanta Botanical Garden, a 30-acre natural delight with a canopy-level footbridge, suspended 40 feet above lush woodlands, and a Japanese garden. It’s open every day but Monday, and admission ranges from $23.95 to $34.95. atlantabg.org

3. Enjoy an Urban Mall

Ponce City Market is a super-fun food and retail hub (there are even some apartments plus office space there) tucked into a circa-1926 Sears & Roebuck building. Located in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood along the BeltLine (see below), there are local “shop-small” boutiques, with cards, crafts, jewelry, denim, and more, along with national retailers like Sephora and JCrew. Great food abounds inside in the a/c’d premises, whether you’re looking for a latte or yakitori. And don’t miss the rooftop bar and amusement park. Open from 10am to 9pm Monday through Saturday; on Sunday, the shops are open 10am to 6pm and the eateries from 10am to 8pm. poncecitymarket.com/

4. Stroll the BeltLine

The Atlanta BeltLine is an amazing urban revitalization project: It’s a former railway corridor that is being transformed in part into a public path that has art, planting, parks, and attractions. While the complete loop is not fully paved yet (it is expected to be finished around 2030), sections are available for strolling, running, and biking. The BeltLine connects popular locations like Ponce City Market and Piedmont Park, and, since it’s free, can be a way families can afford to travel. Events are held throughout the year, including fitness classes, art events, and concerts. beltline.org/places-to-go/ or consider a bus, bike, or walking tour beltline.org/things-to-do/atlanta-beltline-tours/

5. Visit the Soda Headquarters

Coca-Cola has been advertised as “the pause that refreshes,” so you might enjoy a refreshing pause by visiting the company’s World of Coca-Cola, near the Georgia Aquarium. Coke was invented in Atlanta in 1886, and its global corporate headquarters are still located in the city today. The World of Coca-Cola, which highlights the brand’s history and the soda industry, features a pop-culture museum, a 4-D theater, replica soda fountains, and beverage dispensers where you can try dozens of sodas from around the world. Ticket prices range from $15 to $19, and the attraction is open from 10am to 5pm on Mondays through Thursdays, and 10am to 6pm on Fridays through Sundays. worldofcoca-cola.com/plan-your-visit

6. Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

This park is a great way to remember a great man: It preserves the home where Martin Luther King Jr. was born and raised, as well as the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was once a pastor. Guided tours are available. The visitor center has exhibits on the Civil Rights Movement and its important figures. Worth knowing: The last scene of the Marvel movie Black Panther was filmed two blocks away from the park. This free attraction is open from 10am to 4pm daily, with small ranger-led tours available. nps.gov/malu/index.htm

7. Eyeball Some Great Art

Atlanta’s High Museum of Art is located in a stunning modern building between the Midtown and Ansley Park neighborhoods. Visitors will delight in the museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, with masterpieces spanning folk, self-taught, African, American, and European art and more. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday from noon to 5pm, and is closed on Mondays. Admission costs $18.50. high.org/visit/

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8. Let Your Imagination Soar at the Delta Flight Museum

Atlanta is home to the busiest airport in the world, but the airport isn’t the only place to see planes in the city. The Delta Flight Museum, located inside an airport hangar, has aviation artifacts, several airplanes, a hot air balloon, and the country’s sole full-motion flight simulator open to the public (though that’s a pricey experience). If you or a member of your travel posse loves flying, this can be a fascinating place to spend a few hours. The museum is located outside of Atlanta’s airport, which is about eight miles south of downtown, making it a convenient stop if you are heading into or out of the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. The museum is typically open from 10am to 4pm (closed on Wednesdays), but it’s wise to check in advance as it sometimes is closed for private events. Tickets range from $10 to $15. The flight simulator is a separate ticket, costing $425 for up to four people. deltamuseum.org/

9. Pit-Stop at the Varsity

Feeling hungry? Pull into Atlanta’s renowned Varsity, where you can indulge in chili dogs, onion rings, a frosted orange milkshake, and a fried peach pie. It’s an iconic eatery that opened in 1928 and is a popular drive-up experience; there are now six locations around town. You just may want to snap up a Varsity t-shirt after you’ve had your fill of their food. thevarsity.com/pages/locations

10. See a Show at the Fox Theatre

Ready for some entertainment as you look for fun things to do in Atlanta? Head to the Fox Theatre, an amazing space that was built as an auditorium for the Shriners organization and was inspired by Egyptian temples, among other structures. It’s a treat to be inside, and you can catch a show before it hits Broadway. The Fox also hosts comedy shows and concerts. Cool fact: It’s home to “Mighty Mo,” the largest working Moller theater organ in the world, constructed in 1929. foxtheatre.org/

The Takeaway

Atlanta is a lively, vibrant city with so many attractions and experiences, from strolling along the BeltLine to visiting a historical site to dining at a food court inside an old Sears building. By learning more about what Atlanta has to offer, you can be sure to make the most of your trip to this buzzworthy destination.

FAQ

What are some things to do in Atlanta for free?

Atlanta offers plenty of free or cheap attractions, like walking on the Atlanta BeltLine or window shopping in the Ponce City Market. You could also pick up some groceries for a picnic in Piedmont Park.

What are things to do in Atlanta, Georgia with kids?

The Georgia Aquarium, the Atlanta Zoo, and the World of Coca-Cola are some of the more popular attractions for children. There are also many parks and outdoor spaces for kids to run around and play, like the Centennial Olympic Park and Piedmont Park.

What are some things to do in Atlanta at night?

Atlanta has a robust nightlife scene. There are numerous restaurants, bars, and clubs throughout the city. Other options include the Starlight Drive-In movie theater, comedy clubs, and music venues.

What’s the symbol of Atlanta?

Atlanta’s official symbol is the phoenix. The mythical beast represents the city’s history: The area was destroyed in the Civil War during the Battle of Atlanta, then rebuilt from the ashes.

Photo credit: iStock/Sean Pavone

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Apache is functioning normally

Waking up in a place of your own with the birds chirping right outside your window is a great feeling.

You go outside and enjoy your coffee on the back porch, simply enjoying the quiet that comes with not living in an apartment.

Your neighbors are friendly, the sun is shining, and you know it is going to be another great day of owning a home.

Everything is going great… until the peaceful morning is ruined by the sound of your air conditioner going out.

As romanticized as owning a home has become in America, there are some significant costs associated with buying, owning, and maintaining a place of your own.

The True Cost of Home Ownership

Let’s break down some of the areas on how to value home ownership. There are some obvious costs like your monthly mortgage payment, but hidden costs sneak in there and can break the bank.

Obvious Home Cost: Principal and Interest

For most, the cost and financial benefits of renting versus homeownership are the deciding elements. The traditional logic is that renters are throwing away their money by paying someone else’s mortgage. Though true, this is a simplistic view.

On a $150,000 home purchase with 20% down (so a mortgage loan of $120,000) at 3.5 percent APR, the monthly principle and interest payment is $538.35 per month.

This sounds like a smart deal since most houses increase in value over time, while the monthly payment lowers the principle balance and increases the equity. If you are paying $600 per month in rent, owning your own home for about the same amount sounds like a great deal.

While principal and interest is a big chunk of your monthly costs of owning a home, there are a lot of other costs to consider.

Hidden Home Cost: Property Tax and Insurance

When you speak to a real estate agent about looking at homes, they generally speak of how much a home is going to cost you in a monthly payment. Many agents will focus on quoting you prices based just on the principal and interest because it means they can get you into a more expensive home — pulling you toward that dream home — thus earning a larger commission check on the sale.

Unfortunately, your monthly payment will have other costs associated with it, namely property tax and homeowners insurance. Depending on the area, these costs can increase the payment significantly. Unlike principal and interest, taxes and insurance payments is money that you are not getting back.

You might pay an extra $150 to $450 per month in tax and insurance cost depending on the area you live in, what the tax structure is, and how much insurers charge to protect your home’s area.

Tax and insurance costs are not fixed unlike your principal and interest payments (assuming you get a fixed rate mortgage). Your local municipality can raise taxes over the years, and homeowners insurance companies are constantly changing annual premiums.

Some states have homestead exemptions that lower a homeowner’s tax burden, so check to see if your state allows this.

Obvious Home Cost: Down Payment

When you rent an apartment your costs are an application fee, security deposit, your first month’s rent, and getting renters insurance. With just a few thousand dollars you can be completely moved in and setup in an apartment or rental home.

When you purchase a home of your own you need to save up money for a down payment. Back in the heyday of the housing boom you could buy a property with little or no money down.

Those days are gone. (This is a good thing!)

Home ownership is a serious commitment and requires serious cash to get started. Many lenders want to see you have a 20% down payment in order to be approved for a loan. On a $150,000 home that means you need $30,000 in straight cash sitting in an account waiting to be used once you find a home.

That’s a lot of dough to be sitting on. I highly recommend using one of the top online savings accounts such as Capital One 360 Savings to hold your down payment so you earn interest until you find the home you want.

Still not sure if you should keep renting or buy your first home?  Use this nifty calculator to help you decide:

Hidden Home Cost: Home Maintenance and Upkeep

Owning your own home means you get to decide how your home looks inside and out, including the property’s landscaping. Unless the home is in a designated historic neighborhood, or one with zoning restrictions or homeowners association rules, homeowners are generally free to apply for permits and make changes to a home’s look, structure and more.

It also means you get the “honor” of mowing, trimming, dealing with weeds, and footing the cost of repairs.

Rental properties usually outsource a maintenance crew for maintenance and lawn care so you don’t have to spend time on those items. While a homeowner may have to spring for a new Husqvarna, he or she can landscape as desired. Just remember, it takes time and money to keep up the home and yard.

Most rental management companies will have an itemized checklist of all appliances, flooring quality and states of repair. Often these will be accompanied by photos. Any changes to the rental property outside of normal wear and tear need to be put back to the original state. Renters usually can’t make material changes to the property.  You’ll also have to find affordable renters insurance.

This is not the case for a purchased home property. You can change what you like, but all of the cost comes from your pocket.

How much money should you have on hand for home maintenance? A general rule of thumb is to have at least 1% or 2% set aside for home repairs. If you own a $150,000 home that means having $1,500 or $3,000 set aside for when the roof leaks or the HVAC unit goes out in the middle of summer.

Even that amount of money won’t cover major repairs, but it is better to have a starting point in paying the repair bill than to be starting from scratch.

An easy way to make sure you don’t spend your home repair fund is to use a low risk investment like a certificate of deposit. CDs allow you to earn higher interest and only charge a few month’s worth of interest if you need to pull the funds out before the CD matures. One of the best places to get a CD is online with Discover Bank.

You might create a separate category in your budget to hold maintenance money and a separate category to hold money for landscaping or yard maintenance.

Hidden Home Cost: Higher Utility Bills

Living in a 800 square foot apartment can keep your utility bills down simply because you don’t have much space to heat or cool. There can be some financial shock when you get your first set of utility bills after moving into a much larger home.

If you are used to spending $600 on rent, and $100 on monthly utilities, buying a home with a $600 mortgage payment leaves you with the same amount of money to heat and cool a much larger space. Depending on how old the home is your HVAC unit might be older than the one in your apartment building and thus be less efficient. A less efficient unit combined with a larger square foot area can result in some shocking utility bills.

How much should you anticipate to spend on utilities? Ask the sellers.

Pro Tip: When looking at homes ask the sellers to provide utility bills for the last 12 months and a description of where they kept the temperature set. This can give you a rough idea of what you’ll be spending each month. Even if your exact use of the area isn’t the same — they set it at 73 degrees and you prefer 71 — you’ll at least have a ballpark figure.

Hidden Home Cost: Termite Protection

It’d be nice if we could buy a home and never have to worry about termites ruining the structure. Unfortunately this is one of those hidden costs that many people don’t think of.

You can get a termite bond to protect your home. When you purchase a termite bond (usually a couple hundred of dollars) the termite extermination company comes out to inspect your entire house inside and out for signs of termites. Assuming none is found, they spray a preventative down and right a bond that essentially guarantees against termites.

Each year the company comes back to renew the bond for a smaller fee, does another inspection, and sprays again if necessary.

After the initial cost of the bond it is usually $50 to $100 to renew the termite bond. That doesn’t sound like much, but it is just another hidden cost that you need to prepare for.

Hidden Home Cost: Realtor Fees

Where a home can be the cornerstone for growth for some, it can be an anchor that prevents movement for others. Housing markets fluctuate. The housing values and mortgage rates that make it ideal to purchase a home now may not be there five years from now. When purchasing a house, be prepared to stay with it for at least five year or else plan on losing money.

Selling a home is a giant unknown that you need to consider when first purchasing the home.

  • Can you live here long term?
  • What happens if the housing market tanks around you?
  • Can you afford to pay 6% realtor commissions if you use a real estate agency to sell the home?

The commissions paid to realtors are a hidden cost that reach into the thousands of dollars. A 6% realtor commission (3% for the buying realtor and 3% for the listing agent) is $9,000 on a $150,000 home. That means your home has to go up by at least that much in value if you want to sell it, and that’s assuming home prices are going up in your area.

Anticipating Home Ownership Costs: Use a Budget

Putting together a budget is one of the best things you can do before you even begin to consider purchasing a home of your own. You need to have a solid understanding of where you are currently spending money each month. Having a baseline for your current costs will make it a lot easier to compare to potential home ownership costs than if you are just shooting in the dark.

There is a lot of great personal finance software available. For budgeting we recommend You Need a Budget for your core budgeting needs. You can use other programs like Manilla and Mint to add additional monitoring as needed, but YNAB is a great piece of software.

Is Owning a Home Worth It?

Don’t underestimate the security and stability of a family home. According to a study from the Pew Research Center, housing stability shows the world you are stable, dependable and devoted to the community.

Other studies have shown that children of homeowners tend to be better at math and reading, have fewer behavioral problems, and stay in school longer. This is linked to the safety that a child feels when they have a stable home. Since a house is a long term investment that can have a mortgage of 40 year or beyond, a house becomes very closely linked to a family’s architecture, community standing, stability and more.

A Look at the Future

What will life look like in five years? Ten years? Fifty years? Whether playing the role of savvy investor or new couple thinking about a family, these are the questions that need to be addressed. Of course, without a time machine or a crystal ball, there are no certainties as to what will happen with the housing market in your area.

But those weighing the pros and cons of home ownership must have an idea of how they want to spend their future. The online real estate database, Zillow, recommends having a plan before jumping into the home buying jungle.

If you plan to live in one area for a long time then buying a home is a great decision that provides stability to your family. If you don’t know if you will be in the same area five years from now it usually makes sense to keep renting.

Either way, having an understanding of the true cost of owning a home can help you crunch the numbers to make a housing decision.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

Buying life insurance as a cancer patient presents several challenges.

We advise you not to stop your search though. It’s still imperative that you get coverage for your family to protect your current financial situation and to make your family more comfortable in the future.

For many cancer survivors, it is still definitely possible to buy an insurance policy.

Whether you get insured is contingent upon several issues and how advanced your cancer is and on the way, you handle your application.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the life insurance underwriting specifics for cancer patients. With this information, you’ll have a good idea what to expect once you start applying.

 

Life Insurance Underwriting for Cancer Patients

When you first meet with an advisor they want to get to know you better. And one of the ways they’ll accomplish this is going through a list of questions to understand your health more thoroughly.  Here are examples of topics that will be discussed:

  • What year was your diagnosis?
  • Type of cancer you have/had?
  • How long did your cancer treatment last?
  • Have you needed to receive any cancer treatments like chemo or radiation therapy in the past 5 years?
  • Have you been disabled in the past year because of your cancer or for some other reason?
  • Do you have a family history of cancer and have any close family members died of cancer?

Make sure your application clearly answers everything regarding your medical history. The underwriters tend to get worried when they see an application that skips mentioning certain information, especially when the person applying is a former cancer patient. By submitting a complete application, you give yourself the best chance at getting a fair rating and avoiding a rejection.

Life Insurance Quotes for Cancer Patients

Are you applying for life insurance after cancer, the type of cancer you had is incredibly important. Serious cancers like leukemia could be uninsurable whereas mild forms like non-melanoma skin cancer could have no impact on your classification.

To get the best possible rating, it helps to wait at least five years since your last cancer treatment before applying. Insurance companies want to see this long break to make sure new problems don’t come up. From there, your quote depends on a variety of factors. While each insurance company, such as Banner Life or MetLife, have outlines for, we can estimate (to a degree) on what you can expect.

  • Preferred Plus: Possible but unlikely for applicants that only had non-melanoma skin cancer. Cancer treatment must have ended at least 5 years ago and applicant must be in perfect health otherwise.
  • Preferred: Also possible for applicants that only had non-melanoma skin cancer. Cancer treatment must have ended at least 5 years ago and applicant must be in very good health. Standards are a bit easier than Preferred Plus.
  • Standard: Ideal situation for cancer patients that had breast, thyroid, testicular, and prostate cancer. Applicants need to be cancer-free for at least 5 years. Applicants should also have good health.
  • Table Rating (substandard): Most cancer patients fit in here, except applicants with non-melanoma skin cancer. Table rating will depend on the applicant’s health at the time of application, the severity of the illness, and the applicant’s family history of cancer.
  • Declines: Most applicants that haven’t been cancer free for 5 years. Insurance companies also tend to decline applicants that had more serious forms of cancer like leukemia, colon cancer, or a cancer that metastasized.

 
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Life Insurance Case Studies for Cancer Patients

As a cancer patient, you need to handle your application properly to avoid unnecessary problems. Read over these examples that show the importance of a well-handled application.

Case Study: Female, 55 year old, non-smoker, with non-melanoma skin cancer at 47, only needed 1 year of treatment and had been healthy and cancer-free since then.

This applicant only had a mild case of non-melanoma skin cancer that had cleared up without any problems. Despite waiting the appropriate five years before applying and also being in very good health, but only got a substandard rating. It seemed insurers overweighted her past cancer history.

We suggested she reapply with a note from her doctor vouching for her good health and strong recovery. With our suggestion, she was able to qualify for a Preferred rating and got a price discount for her policy.

Case Study #2: Male, 62 y/o, had prostate cancer at 56, ended cancer treatment at 57, applied that year and was rejected

This applicant was treated for prostate cancer when he was 56. The treatments went well and the applicant fully recovered a little over a year afterward. Right after his treatment ended, this applicant decided to apply for coverage. He was rejected and gave up on ever trying again.

After reviewing our website, this applicant realized that he applied too soon after his cancer treatment to get a policy. We reviewed his application and also realized he left out some information on his past cancer treatments. Now five years later, this applicant tried again with an application that completely described his medical history. With these adjustments, he was able to receive a Substandard 1 policy, the best rating below Standard.

Getting Better Life Insurance Rates

As a cancer patient, you’ll be considered a “high-risk” applicant, which means that the insurance company is going to charge you higher premiums for your life insurance protection. Assuming you can’t get good rates is going to hinder your chances at getting covered sooner. Companies know that cancer is a part of life, and there are carriers in some instances that will still cover you!

Most likely you’re going to pay a higher premium than applicants who do not have cancer, but don’t add on top of that by using tobacco. Studies show that you might be charged double or more if you’ve smoked cigarettes or used chewing tobacco within the last year before you apply. So quit! There’s never been a better time than now.

The next thing to work on is the rest of your health. As a cancer patient you’ll need to improve the other areas of your health before you apply for coverage. It’s important to start working on eating better and getting physical exercise. These two things will shed those extra pounds, less blood pressure, and lower your cholesterol. The culmination of this leads to less of a monthly premium.

Getting life insurance as a cancer patient is definitely possible; you just need to be smart about your application. If you’re not sure what to do next, it might be a good idea to work with a qualified life insurance broker.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com