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Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

If you’ve been shopping mortgage rates online lately, perhaps via the Zillow marketplace, you may have stumbled upon “First Mortgage Direct.”

The online mortgage lender appears to advertise quite a bit on Zillow, so I thought we’d take a deeper dive to see what this lender is all about.

They’re a family-owned direct-to-consumer mortgage lender that says it’s driven by three founding principles, including honesty, integrity, and experience.

That involves a “consultative approach to lending” to find the perfect loan program for each homeowner, with no nonsense or hidden fees.

First Mortgage Direct Fast Facts

  • Direct-to-consumer mortgage lender founded in 2007
  • Family owned and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri
  • Offer home purchase loans and mortgage refinances
  • Licensed in lend in 17 states nationwide
  • A DBA of First Mortgage Solutions, LLC
  • Their lending team boasts over 75 years of experience in the mortgage industry

First Mortgage Direct, which is actually a dba of First Mortgage Solutions, LLC, has been around since 2007.

They are a small family-owned and operated lender headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

At the moment, they are licensed just a handful of states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

How to Apply for a Home Loan with First Mortgage Direct

As an online-only mortgage lender, the application process is pretty no-frills and straightforward. You simply visit their website and hit “Apply Now.”

Their digital mortgage application is powered by Ellie Mae, which is one of the most common and popular forms out there.

It allows you to complete much of the process from your computer or smartphone in just minutes, including ordering a credit report and eSigning documents.

Once your loan is approved, you’ll be able to log in via their website to track loan progress and see your updated to-do list.

A loan officer and loan processor will assist you as you inch closer to the finish line.

They do not have physical branches, but you can call or email them directly if you need assistance or loan pricing.

Loan Programs Offered by First Mortgage Direct

  • Home purchase loans
  • Refinance loans: rate and term and cash out
  • Home renovation loans: FHA 203k and Fannie Mae HomeStyle
  • Conforming loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
  • Government loans backed by the FHA, USDA, and VA
  • Available on primary residences, second homes, and investment properties
  • Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage options available with various loan terms

First Mortgage Direct Mortgage Rates

While they don’t advertise their mortgage rates on their own website, you can often catch them in the wild if you compare lenders on the Zillow marketplace.

And they tend to offer the lowest rates of all the lenders listed, at least for the sample scenarios I ran through the engine.

That tells us they are competitive lender relative to other online mortgage lenders, which seem to offer lower interest rates than the bigger brick-and-mortar banks and brand-new lenders you’re probably more familiar with.

Ultimately, you should get a discount when using an online-only lender because their costs should be lower, with saving passed onto consumers.

If they aren’t competitive and you haven’t heard of them, it’d be pretty difficult for them to make an argument to use them versus a company you know and are comfortable with.

So my assumption is their rates are likely pretty good relative to other options. But you’ll need to get in touch for pricing to be sure.

First Mortgage Direct Reviews

On Zillow, they’ve got a 4.83-star rating out of 5 based on nearly 600 customer reviews, with many indicating that both rates and fees were lower than expected.

On SocialSurvey, they have a 4.79-star rating out of 5 from nearly 3,000 reviews, which again is a very favorable number considering the large sample size.

They are also a Bankrate Select Lender for 2020 and have a 4.8-star rating on Bankrate based on 126 customer reviews.

First Mortgage Direct is Better Business Bureau accredited and has been since 2010 – they currently have an ‘A+’ rating.

All in all, they come highly-rated and seem to be a no-frills online lender that offers low mortgage rates, which could be a good choice for homeowners with straightforward loan scenarios looking to save money.

They are probably a better fit for a seasoned homeowner looking to lower monthly payments via a refinance, but may not provide enough support for first-time home buyers who may require more hand-holding.

First Mortgage Direct Pros and Cons

The Pros

  • Can apply directly from their website
  • Use a digital mortgage application powered by Ellie Mae
  • Lots of loan programs to choose from
  • Appear to offer low rates as evidenced by sample searches on Zillow marketplace
  • Excellent customer reviews
  • Named a Bankrate Select Lender for 2020
  • A+ BBB rating, accredited company

The Cons

  • Not licensed in all states
  • Do not publicize mortgage rates or lender fees
  • No physical branch locations
  • May not offer jumbo loans or second mortgages

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Angel Oak Mortgage REIT has issued a $284.5 million non-QM securitization, which the company said marks an “inflection point” in its business.

The company said it intends to use the capital to purchase more newly originated, high-coupon loans while continuing to manage liquidity. The securitization will also reduce Angel Oak’s whole loan warehouse debt by 45.6% from the first quarter of 2023, bringing the total reduction in the REIT’s whole loan warehouse debt since the end of Q3 2022 to approximately 73.7%.

“We believe that this securitization represents an inflection point in our business, as the approximately $30 million of capital that will be released through AOMT 2023-4 allows us to materially expand the loan acquisition activity that we began earlier this quarter,” Sreeni Prabhu, CEO and president of Angel Oak Mortgage REIT, said in a statement Wednesday.

The securitization includes a portfolio of 606 non-QM loans with a scheduled principal balance of $284.5 million. The loans have a weighted average loan coupon of 4.5%, a weighted average original loan-to-value ratio of 71.3%, and a weighted average original FICO score of 734.

Prior to the securitization deal, AOMR had begun actively purchasing newly originated loans carrying a weighted average loan coupon of 8.2%, a weighted average original loan-to-value ratio of 72%, and a weighted average original FICO score of 749, the company said.

The senior tranche received an AAA rating from Fitch Ratings.

Source: housingwire.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Investing in a 401(k) account offers the potential for long-term growth and financial security. However, it’s crucial to understand that this retirement savings vehicle is not immune to losses. Your 401(k) is investing in the stock market, so it’s possible to lose money over time. Here is how it works and how the markets have performed over the decades. You may want to consult with a financial advisor for your unique situation.

Can Your 401(k) Lose Money?

A 401(k) account invests in stocks, bonds and mutual funds, which are volatile assets. Therefore, your account can lose money if the companies whose stocks you hold perform poorly or a market downturn occurs. These occurrences result in a decrease in your account’s value.

Remember, investing always carries some risk and the potential for loss is inherent in any investment. However, 401(k) accounts are long-term retirement savings vehicles. So, while they can experience temporary losses, they generally have the potential for growth over the long term.

How Markets Have Performed Over Decades

The performance of the American stock market over the decades has shown a general upward trend, despite experiencing periods of volatility and market downturns. That said, past performance does not indicate future results and a wide range of factors can influence the stock market.

Historically, the U.S. stock market has exhibited long-term growth, as major indices such as the S&P 500 or Dow Jones Industrial Average represent. Over several decades, the stock market has experienced periods of significant gains and periods of decline.

For example, in the mid-20th century, the stock market experienced steady growth, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising about 4,000 points from 1950 to 1960. Market volatility and economic challenges, including the oil crisis and high inflation, characterized the 1970s. The 1980s and 1990s saw substantial growth, driven by technological advancements and financial deregulation. During the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s, stock prices reached unsustainable levels, resulting in a subsequent market correction.

Then, the bursting of the dot-com bubble and the events of 9/11 led to a market decline in the early 2000s. However, the stock market gradually recovered and by the mid-2000s, it reached new highs. The financial crisis of 2008 resulted in a severe market downturn, but the market rebounded in subsequent years, leading to an extended bull market that lasted until 2020.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a global market downturn, but central bank interventions and government stimulus measures contributed to a relatively swift recovery. The market continued to show resilience and reached new record levels in subsequent years. This trend matches the historical pattern of the stock market, which has provided about a 10% annualized return to date since its inception.

What to Do If Your Balance Drops 

Experiencing a loss in your investment portfolio can be disheartening, but there are several steps you can consider taking if this happens:

  1. Stay Cool: It’s essential to remain calm and avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations. Remember, your 401(k) investments are typically long-term commitments and temporary losses can be part of the established market cycle.
  2. Assess The Situation: Evaluate the reasons behind the loss. Is it a result of a market downturn, a specific event (such as corporate malpractice or bankruptcy), or a poor investment choice? Understanding the underlying causes helps you decide between riding it out or jumping ship if the asset will likely depreciate further.
  3. Review Your Investment Strategy: Assess your investment strategy and determine whether it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Consider consulting with a financial advisor to evaluate your portfolio and make any necessary adjustments to your investment plan. Doing so can involve diversifying your portfolio across different asset classes, industries and geographic regions. Diversification reduces the pain when your balance takes a hit.
  4. Consider Long-Term Prospects: Evaluate the long-term prospects of your investments. A temporary loss may not necessarily impact the fundamentals of a well-managed and fundamentally strong investment. Assess whether the reasons you invested in those assets still hold true.
  5. Stay Invested And Avoid Panic Selling: Timing the market is a pipe dream and panic selling can often lead to missing out on market recoveries. Successful long-term investors generally stay invested, especially if their investment strategy suits their goals well.

How to Minimize Risk in Your 401K

To minimize risk with your 401(k) account, consider the following strategies:

  • Diversify Your Investments: Spread your investments across asset classes such as stocks, bonds, real estate and cash equivalents. Diversification mitigates the impact of any single investment’s poor performance on your overall portfolio.
  • Regularly Rebalance: Periodically review and rebalance your portfolio to maintain your desired asset allocation. This way, you’ll sell investments that have performed well and buy more underperforming assets to restore your desired balance. Your 401(k) automatically rebalances itself if you select a target-date fund. These funds change and mature according to your time horizon and allocate more money to conservative assets as you near retirement.
  • Understand Your Investment Options: Familiarize yourself with the investment options available within your 401(k) plan. Consider their historical performance, risk levels and investment strategies. Then, you can choose a mix of investments that align with your risk tolerance and long-term objectives.
  • Review and Adjust Contributions: Regularly review your contribution levels and consider increasing them over time if your financial situation allows it. Increasing contributions can help you take advantage of dollar-cost averaging, where you invest a fixed amount regularly, buying more shares when prices are lower and fewer when prices are higher.
  • Stay Informed: Keep yourself informed about market trends, economic conditions and any updates or changes to your 401(k) plan. This knowledge can help you make informed decisions and adjust your investment strategy if necessary.
  • Seek Professional Advice: If you are unsure about how to handle your investment losses or need guidance in adjusting your portfolio, consider consulting with a financial advisor. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific financial situation and goals.

The Bottom Line

Investing in a 401(k) account carries risks and the account can experience losses due to poor company performance or market downturns. However, historical trends have shown the American stock market to exhibit long-term growth despite periods of volatility generally. When your investment portfolio loses value, it’s important to remain calm, assess the situation, avoid panic selling and seek professional advice. These strategies can help minimize risk and optimize your 401(k) savings for long-term growth and financial security.

Tips for Minimizing 401(k) Losses

  • Allocating assets and choosing between fund types can be challenging. Fortunately, a financial advisor can develop a retirement plan and help you find assets that match your priorities. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
  • Having a 401(k) is an ideal foundation for a retirement plan. However, knowing how much you should contribute to your 401(k) can be unclear.

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/yourstockbank, ©iStock.com/Prostock Studio, ©iStock.com/RollingCamera

Ashley Kilroy
Ashley Chorpenning is an experienced financial writer currently serving as an investment and insurance expert at SmartAsset. In addition to being a contributing writer at SmartAsset, she writes for solo entrepreneurs as well as for Fortune 500 companies. Ashley is a finance graduate of the University of Cincinnati. When she isn’t helping people understand their finances, you may find Ashley cage diving with great whites or on safari in South Africa.

Source: smartasset.com

Apache is functioning normally


Washington, DC
CNN
 — 

Mortgage rates dropped this week after a three-week climb, as rates remain volatile amid conflicting economic indicators.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.71% in the week ending June 8, down from 6.79% the week before, according to data from Freddie Mac released Thursday. A year ago, the 30-year fixed rate was 5.23%.

“While elevated rates and other affordability challenges remain, inventory continues to be the biggest obstacle for prospective homebuyers,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

With rates much higher now than the fixed rate that many current homeowners bought or refinanced into, they are reluctant to put their homes on the market and trade their ultra-low interest rate for something much higher. This is leading to low inventory of homes to buy.

Mortgage rates topped 5% for the first time since 2011 a little more than a year ago and have remained over 5% for all but one week during the past year. Since then they have gone as high as 7.08%, last reached in November. Since mid-March, rates have gone up and down but stayed under 6.5% until last week.

The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. The survey includes only borrowers who put 20% down and have excellent credit.

All eyes on the Fed

Mortgage rates are experiencing daily fluctuations driven by volatility and uncertainty in the economy, said Jiayi Xu, an economist at Realtor.com, and climbed following the trend of 10-year Treasury yields, as investors evaluate the possible direction of Federal Reserve interest rate policy at its meeting next week.

In speeches last week Federal Reserve officials mentioned skipping a rate hike in June, enabling the Fed to gather more data before making any decisions, said Xu. While the comments are not official policy, she said, “by framing the discussion in terms of “skipping” rather than “pausing,” policymakers are indicating that the current interest rate may not have reached its peak for this particular economic cycle.”

The Fed does not set the interest rates that borrowers pay on mortgages directly, but its actions influence them. Mortgage rates tend to track the yield on 10-year US Treasuries, which move based on a combination of anticipation about the Fed’s actions, what the Fed actually does and investors’ reactions. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow.

More hikes may be necessary to cool inflation and the hot job market.

“May’s jobs report reflected another month of stronger employment activity with higher-than-expected net new jobs added to the market,” said Xu. “However, the simultaneous rise in the unemployment rate in May showed mixed signals in the labor market, indicating the complexities involved in interpreting economic data and introducing uncertainties in the upcoming Federal Reserve policy decisions.”

Xu added: “While the potential for another rate hike raises the prospect of increased mortgage rates, the objective of curbing inflation will ultimately lead to a decline in mortgage rates, bringing much-desired stability to the market.”

Mortgage applications decrease

Home buyers remain sensitive to mortgage rate spikes, with mortgage applications dropping last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

“The housing market has gotten off to a slow start this summer due to higher mortgage rates, low inventory, and economic uncertainty,” said Bob Broeksmit, MBA president and CEO. “The labor market continues to be exceptionally strong, which could bring more buyers back into the market once rates move away from their recent highs.”

But they’ll have to come down significantly before some home buyers get in the market.

The most common mortgage rate that is cited as comfortable for potential buyers constrained by finances was between 3% and 3.25% — less than half of today’s level — according to a new survey by Realtor.com and Censuswide.

“Even for individuals with plans to purchase within the next year, almost 80% of them expressed concerns about being priced out of the market if housing prices and mortgage rates continue to rise,” said Xu. “Consequently, affordability will play a crucial role in helping them achieve their goal of purchasing a home.”

Source: cnn.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

The October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports contains an article extolling the virtues of generic store-brand products. While shoppers used to sacrifice quality when choosing generic, that’s no longer the case. From the article:

If concern about taste has kept you from trying store-brand foods, hesitate no more. In blind tests, our trained tasters compared a big national brand with a store brand in 29 food categories. Store and national brands tasted about equally good 19 times. Four times, the store brand won; six times, the national brand won.

In other words, store brands offer roughly the same quality as national brands, but at a much-reduced cost. How much reduced? Consumer Reports says that the store brands they tested cost an average of 27 percent less than the name brand equivalents.

How Much Can You Save?

Sometimes theory is one thing and reality another. It’s nice that Consumer Reports can score great deals on store brands. But could I? Last week, I walked to two local grocery stores to do my own research. First I looked at Safeway, where Kris and I shop most often. Next, I walked across the street to Fred Meyer, a store we usually try to avoid. (The store is huge and its layout makes little sense to me.)

I spent an hour in each store, roaming the aisles, looking for representative prices on a variety of items. I tried to pick one item at random from every section of the store. When I’d finished, I had a list of 25 products for which each store carried the same name brand and their own store-brand equivalent.

The results actually surprised me. You can save a lot of money with store-brand products — far more than I suspected. Here’s the raw data from my research:


Click to open larger image in new window

The first column lists the name-brand item I used as a basis for comparison. I’ve given each store two columns, one for the price of the name-brand item, and one for the generic item. On each line, red text indicates the highest-priced option and green text indicates the least expensive option.

Here’s a closer look at some of these comparisons:

  • I’m out of my Head and Shoulders shampoo. I just threw away the bottle this morning. Normally I buy actual Head and Shoulders at Safeway, which costs me $5.99 if it’s not on sale. If I were to instead buy the Fred Meyer store brand, I’d only pay $2.49 — a savings of nearly 60%!
  • At Safeway, standard Charmin two-ply toilet paper costs $10.99 for 12 rolls. At $9.49, the store brand isn’t much cheaper. But if I were to go across the street to Fred Meyer, I’d pay just $4.89 for the store brand. (Actually, Kris and I get our toilet paper at Costco, and I have no idea what we pay.)
  • Hungry? For $2.17, you could buy a can of generic chicken noodle soup, a box of generic saltine crackers, and a bottle of generic root beer at Fred Meyer. To buy name-brand equivalents at Safeway would cost you $6.18. (You could eat three of those meals using generic Fred Meyer food for the price of one meal from Safeway.)

You get the idea. Buying store brands at Safeway would save nearly 22% for the items on this list. At Fred Meyer, I could save over 36%. And Fred Meyer store brands cost 44% less than name brands at Safeway — without the need for a “loyalty card”.

A note on methodology: While conducting this survey, I faced a tough choice. Which price should I list? The non-sale price for each item? Or the sale price? Of the 25 name-brand items listed, 15 were on sale at Safeway and 14 were on sale at Fred Meyer. (There was a lot of overlap on the sales, too.) At Safeway, 20 of the generics were on sale; 10 were on sale at Fred Meyer. I chose to list non-sale prices because it’s impossible to know which items are on sale when.

Running the Numbers

I learned a number of things from this project. First off, we’re shopping at the wrong grocery store. Buying name-brand products at Safeway is the most expensive way to go. Based on this list, shopping at Fred Meyer instead would save us nearly 12%, even without moving to generics.

Second, generics are not always a bargain. On 10 out of the 25 items, the Safeway generic cost as much (or more!) than the name-brand equivalent at Fred Meyer. On the other hand, Fred Meyer store-brand items offer fantastic savings, especially when compared to Safeway’s name-brand selections. (The items on this list were 44% less expensive!)

Another factor to consider is that some stores have a better selection of store brands than others. Subjectively speaking, Fred Meyer seemed to have about double the number of generic items that Safeway had — and often had multiple sizes or varieties. They carried several types of store brand salsa, for example, while Safeway’s selection was more limited. At both stores, the generics were generally staple items: rice, toilet paper, tomato sauce, etc.

Conclusions

“We should buy more generics,” I told Kris after collating my data.

“We do buy generics,” she said.

“We do? Like what?”

“…” she said (proving for once that Kris is not always right!).

Though Kris and I do a lot of things to save money, we don’t actually buy a lot of store brands. We’re not opposed to them — we just stick to brands we trust. This brand loyalty costs us money. Here’s how Consumer Reports put it in the article that inspired my research: “Switching to store brands can be a painless way to cut your grocery bill.” They’re right.

After conducting this experiment, I realize there are four key steps to saving big bucks on groceries. More than anything else, these actions can help struggling families cut costs:

  1. Grow whatever produce you are able. The more you grow, the more you save.
  2. Buy store brands whenever possible.
  3. For everything else, do your best to purchase items only when they’re on sale. (This may mean developing a grocery price book.)
  4. Learn to clip coupons, especially for processed foods.

This exercise was eye-opening in another way. I discovered that shopping at Safeway costs us money. If the data here is representative, then switching to Fred Meyer could save us over 10% on our grocery bill. That’s enough to let us dine out one extra time per month. Or it’s more money we can save for our trip to France next year.

Kris and I are both wary of switching from Safeway to Fred Meyer — as I mentioned, there’s more to this decision than price — but I suspect that if we give it a chance, we’ll find ways to deal with Fred Meyer’s annoyances and save money in the process.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

With its location along the Atlantic Ocean, New Jersey is known for its coastal towns, boardwalks, and summers of fun. You’ll find sparkling seas, white sands, boating, and fishing – and these scenic New Jersey beach towns are some of the best you’ll find. There are lots of beach spots to check out in New Jersey, whether you’re moving to the state or hoping to move to the coast. 

But if you’re not sure what seaside towns in New Jersey to check out, we’ve got you covered. From Atlantic City to Ocean Grove, Redfin has collected a list of the 13 best beach towns in New Jersey. Let’s dive into some of New Jersey’s top coastal cities, listed in alphabetical order, so you can find the right place for you.

#1: Asbury Park

Median home price: $529,500 
Asbury Park, NJ homes for sale
Asbury Park, NJ apartments for rent

Starting off our list is Asbury Park. About 15,200 people live in this coastal New Jersey town where you’ll find beaches like Asbury Park Beach. Living in Asbury Park, you can check out the beachfront activities like playing at the Silverball Retro Arcade and stopping for a meal at one of the many restaurants in town.

#2: Atlantic City

Median home price: $175,000 
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,050 
Atlantic City, NJ homes for sale
Atlantic City, NJ apartments for rent

Another one of New Jersey’s iconic coastal towns to consider moving to is Atlantic City, home to 38,500 people. There are plenty of beaches to visit, particularly Atlantic City Beach. Some popular things to check out in Atlantic City include exploring the Atlantic City Boardwalk, checking out Steel Pier, and stopping by the Absecon Lighthouse, among many other favorites for locals and tourists alike.

#3: Avalon

Median home price: $1,587,500 
Avalon, NJ homes for sale
Avalon, NJ apartments for rent

With just about 1,200 residents is the town of Avalon. There are lots of beaches to explore on a sunny New Jersey day, like the popular Seven Mile Beach. If you move to Avalon, make sure to birdwatch at Avalon Seawatch, explore the shops and restaurants along Dune Drive, and visit the Avalon Dunes and Beach Trail. 

#4: Belmar

Median home price: $1,761,000 
Belmar, NJ homes for sale
Belmar, NJ apartments for rent

With beautiful beaches like Belmar Beach and L Street Beach, there are countless places to spend a beach day in Belmar. About 5,900 people live in Belmar, where you can also grab a bite at a waterfront restaurant, visit Maclearie Park, and explore the charming downtown.

#5: Brigantine

Median home price: $505,000 
Brigantine, NJ homes for sale
Brigantine, NJ apartments for rent

The quaint coastal town of Brigantine has about 7,700 residents, making it a great place to consider moving to in New Jersey. In Brigantine, you can spend the day exploring North Brigantine Natural Area or have a beach day at Brigantine Beach.

#6: Cape May

Median home price: $557,500 
Cape May, NJ homes for sale
Cape May, NJ apartments for rent

Home to roughly 2,800 people, Cape May is a great beach town to consider buying a home in. If you’re looking for a beach to explore, you can visit Cape May Beach. There are plenty of other things to do in Cape May, so make sure to also tour the Emlen Physick Estate, check out the Cape May Lighthouse, and take the ferry to Lewes, DE.

#7: Long Beach Island

Median home price: $1,500,000 
Long Beach Island, NJ homes for sale
Long Beach Island, NJ apartments for rent

With a population of close to 8,600, Long Beach Island is an awesome coastal town to live in. There are plenty of beaches to explore like 68th Street Beach, Bay Beach, and the various public beaches. Make sure to spend the day exploring the downtown area and Fantasy Island Amusement Park, head to the north part of the island to see Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, and check out all the cities on the island once living here.

#8: Ocean City

Median home price: $1,040,000
Ocean City, NJ homes for sale
Ocean City, NJ apartments for rent

Ocean City has picturesque beaches such as Ocean City Beach, Peck Beach, Surf Road Beach, and Waverly Beach, perfect for a picnic. Once moving to Ocean City, you’ll want to explore the Ocean City Boardwalk where you’ll find restaurants, rides, and games, tour the Ocean City Historical Museum, and check out Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.

#9: Ocean Grove

Median home price: $680,000 
Ocean Grove, NJ homes for sale
Ocean Grove, NJ apartments for rent

Roughly 31,200 people live in this coastal city where you’ll find beaches like Ocean Grove Beach and South End Beach. Some other fun activities to do in Ocean Grove include walking along Parousia Promenade, checking out downtown Ocean Grove, and seeing a show at The Great Auditorium.

#10: Point Pleasant Beach

Median home price: $630,000 
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ homes for sale
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ apartments for rent

This seaside city has a population of 19,200 and there are lots of beaches to enjoy a picnic at like Point Pleasant Beach. You’ll also have plenty of activities to explore during your free time in Point Pleasant Beach, like exploring Gull Island, grabbing a meal along the waterfront, or checking out the shops downtown.

#11: Sea Isle City

Median home price: $1,585,000 
Sea Isle City, NJ homes for sale
Sea Isle City, NJ apartments for rent

In Sea Isle City there are lots of beaches you’ll want to spend time at if you decide to move to this quaint town, like Ludlam Beach and Sea Isle Beach. This town is home to 2,100 inhabitants and you’ll find many other activities to do like exploring the charming downtown streets.

#12: Stone Harbor

Median home price: $2,937,500 
Stone Harbor, NJ homes for sale
Stone Harbor, NJ apartments for rent

Stone Harbor has lots of beaches to explore, perfect for a sunrise or sunset view. Some famous places are Hobie Cat Beach and Stone Harbor Beach. If you’re looking for a different activity, be sure to visit the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary or grab some fresh seafood for lunch or dinner. 

#13: Wildwood

Median home price: $449,000 
Wildwood, NJ homes for sale
Wildwood, NJ apartments for rent

There’s plenty of beachfront spots to explore, like Wildwood Beach, if you decide that Wildwood is the right area for you. In this town of 5,100 residents, you can also explore the Wildwood Boardwalk where you’ll find amusement rides, shops, and restaurants, have a meal at one of the many waterfront restaurants, or fish at Back Bay West. 

Note, this list is not comprehensive of all the beach towns in New Jersey. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

Source: redfin.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Perched among the trees, a midcentury stunner of a house recently hit the market in Danville, VA, for $369,000.

The minor architectural masterpiece caught a buyer’s eye right away, and the wood-construction home is pending sale.

Built in 1959 and designed by legendary Greensboro, NC, architect Edward Loewenstein, the property last changed hands in 2021 for $225,000.

Loewenstein enjoyed a successful career focused on modernist construction, including around 500 homes—50 of which are considered midcentury modern. While Loewenstein’s impact on architecture is his most visible contribution to the contemporary landscape, he was uniquely significant for another more important reason.

Loewenstein was one of the first white architects in North Carolina to hire Black architects in the early 1950s, according to the website NC Modernist. He also served on Gov. Terry Sanford’s North Carolina Commission on Civil Rights.

Deck

(Realtor.com)

Living space

(Realtor.com)

Updated kitchen

(Realtor.com)

Bedroom

(Realtor.com)

This 1,519-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath home is set on .77 acres. Natural light and beautiful views of the surrounding woodland landscape define and warm the home’s interior. The house is anchored by a spacious living room with a working fireplace and 180-degree, floor-to-ceiling windows. Cork flooring runs throughout, and a deck overlooks the picturesque property.

While appliances and finishes have been modernized, the home’s original details remain intact.

This Danville dwelling has architectural significance and a rich local history. The place was originally built as the family home of Dan River Mills chemist Joanne Spangler, according to the listing, and is a quick drive from the Caesars Virginia casino.

The home serves up a rare combination of fine design and getaway appeal, all within minutes of abundant entertainment and dining options. This house “presents a rare opportunity to own one of the region’s last remaining midcentury modern homes,” the listing notes.

Source: realtor.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

If you’ve searched for an international flight in the past year, you might’ve seen new airlines at the top of the results offering international flights for a fraction of the cost of traditional full-service airlines.

Say hello to the newest generation of low-cost carriers. Airlines such as Norse Atlantic Airways, Play, French bee and Zipair are now flying to the U.S., offering long-haul flights to Europe and Asia.

You might think a 6-hour (or longer) flight across an ocean isn’t where you want to go cheap and the online reviews might be enough to give you nightmares without even flying. But, depending on the type of trip and traveler, these low-cost airlines might fit the bill.

It’s hard to argue with the cost

The first reason anyone might consider flying with these airlines is the cheap airfares. Low-cost airlines have a bad reputation because of their endless add-on fees for baggage, seat selection, food and drinks. But even when you include those extra fees, low-cost carriers may still be the cheapest option.

Brett Bernstein, founder of Gatsby.ai, an ambassador marketing software company based in San Diego, and his wife were searching for flights back from their honeymoon in Paris last December. The couple ultimately decided to fly French bee because it was about a third of the price of other flights.

“It was $400 and change per person,” Bernstein says of his one-way flight. “And when I was looking to buy a flight on a different airline, it was like $1,500 a person.”

And he was pleasantly surprised. French bee flies out of Paris-Orly Airport, a smaller and older airport than Charles de Gaulle Airport, but it was easier and quicker to get to.

The seat was about as big as other airline seats and had a seatback screen loaded with plenty of entertainment options. Bernstein paid for a fare that included a carry-on, checked baggage and a meal. If anything, the most remarkable thing about the flight was how unremarkable it was.

“The thing about flying is it’s a commodity,” Bernstein says. “Like once you arrive there, you really don’t care how you got there as long as it’s safe,” and you’re comfortable.

Low-cost carriers are held to the same safety standards

Bernstein was concerned enough about the safety of flying on a low-cost carrier that he had researched the issue beforehand. But it’s worth noting that budget carriers don’t cut corners on safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration ensures that any international carrier flying into the U.S. meets international safety standards.

Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for Going.com, a travel deals website, also pointed out that newer low-cost airlines typically have newer planes with updated equipment, since they lease or acquire new aircraft.

“These planes could potentially be nicer than some of the legacy carriers’ big jets that they’ve been flying for 20 years that they’ve just been retrofitting,” Nastro says.

Tips for booking, flying with a low-cost airline

Still, you should go in knowing what you paid for. Even with newer planes, you might not get the same amenities as you would on a full-service carrier, particularly for business class. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Know the cancellation policies. Many low-cost airlines don’t offer refunds on their lowest fares, so book only if you’re confident you’ll take the flight.

  • Look for low-cost carriers with airline partnerships for more reliability. Low-cost carriers that are subsidiaries of more prominent airlines usually share the same customer service, so getting help with your booking may be easier. If your flight is canceled, you’ll also want to ensure the airline has codeshare partners to help you rebook.

  • Beware of fees. Ensure you include the add-on fees, such as bags and seats, when comparing costs across airlines.

  • Read the restrictions. Low-cost airlines often have more stringent rules on the size of your luggage or check-in times. You may be forced to pay extra for a bag that’s just a bit too big or be unable to board your flight if you miss the check-in time.

  • Bring your own food and entertainment. Depending on the airline, you might not get seatback screens, Wi-Fi or complimentary drinks or snacks.

What low-cost airlines mean for international travel

The proliferation of low-cost airlines is expected to continue to grow. For example, Fly Atlantic, a Belfast-based airline, is expected to sell low-cost transatlantic flights in 2024. The global low-cost airline market, which was valued at more than $190 billion in 2022, is projected to reach more than $302 billion by 2030, according to data from Contrive Datum Insights, a market research firm.

But more low-cost airlines are good for consumers, even those who don’t fly on them.

“People love to hate on budget airlines, but at the same time, the reason that we can get affordable airfare, in general, is because of budget airlines,” Nastro says. “More competition actually puts pressure on those legacy carriers.”

Source: nerdwallet.com