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Certificates of deposit work as a short-term savings vehicle for goals such as upcoming home or car purchases. If you’re near or in retirement, you might wonder if CDs fit there too.
For risk-averse folks, CDs can be appealing. Safety is central to them: CDs offer predictable returns, federal deposit insurance and no volatility in value such as in the stock market.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD
Term
6 months
EverBank CD
Term
9 months
Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD
Term
1 year
Discover® CD
Term
1 year
“CDs are like that big, comfortable hug in the investing world,” says Noah Damsky, chartered financial analyst and founder of Marina Wealth Advisors in Los Angeles.
But CDs aren’t the most flexible among low-risk savings options. Here are some quick tips for what to do and not do when using CDs for retirement.
Do: Focus on short-term excess funds for CDs
Whether you’re near retirement or not, an emergency fund is a primary goal for short-term savings. Having three to six months’ worth of living expenses, or more, in a regular savings account tends to be a common recommendation.
CDs aren’t best for emergency cash because they require locking up a fixed sum for a period, typically ranging from three months to five years. But preserving extra cash reserves, beyond savings for emergencies, in CDs can make sense, especially since their yields are traditionally higher than in other bank accounts.
“CDs play an important role as an emergency fund supplement in retirement,” says Daniel Masuda Lehrman, certified financial planner and founder of Masuda Lehrman Wealth in Honolulu.
Do: Consider a CD ladder
Having a CD’s fixed rate during a high-rate environment can mean steady, solid returns for years. But in exchange, you lose access to funds for the term.
One workaround to preserve some access is a CD ladder. Instead of one CD, you divide an investment into equal amounts and put them into CDs of staggered term lengths, such as one year, two years and three years. Shorter terms work, too: three months, six months and nine months. The idea is that you can access some cash each time a CD matures, while letting the rest of an investment grow.
Do: Compare rates at banks or a brokerage
Your bank’s CDs might be convenient but not always the best deal. Online banks and credit unions tend to have some of the best CD rates, and their opening minimum deposits are often low, such as $1,000 or less. Current high-yield rates remain near or above 5% annual percentage yield for six-month and one-year terms, while longer-term rates such as for three and five years are closer to 4%, according to NerdWallet analysis in April.
You can also find competitive yields with brokered CDs, which are issued by banks and available at a brokerage. You need a brokerage account and some understanding of how these CDs work, though.
“A brokered CD is going to be most valuable to somebody who has a substantial amount of assets,” says David John, senior strategic policy advisor at the AARP Public Policy Institute. John cites a brokerage’s ability to spread funds across multiple financial institutions to ensure customers don’t hit the $250,000 cap for federal deposit insurance, which protects your money if a bank fails.
Don’t: Withdraw early
You generally can’t redeem CDs early without hassle or cost. At banks, CDs’ early withdrawals often come with a penalty, such as months to years’ worth of interest earned. A bank may let you withdraw interest early from a CD, but you’d lose out on the full amount a CD can earn from compounding interest.
At brokerages, you can leave a CD early by selling, but you risk losing some of the original value if current rates are higher than your CD’s rate.
Once a CD ends, there’s a grace period, typically seven to 10 days long, when you can withdraw the full amount without a penalty. Alternatively, you can consider a no-penalty CD, though rates tend to be lower than high-yield CDs at the same bank.
Don’t: Forget to pay taxes on interest
For most of the last decade or so, CD rates were at rock-bottom lows and the tax burden for CD interest was minimal. But that’s changed with higher rates in recent years.
“Sometimes folks forget that you can have a meaningful tax impact having this money in a CD,” Damsky says.
CD interest gets taxed at the same rate as regular income for the year you earned that interest. Having $10,000 in a one-year CD at 5% APY, for example, means you’re taxed on that $500 in interest. However, you can reduce your tax burden with IRA CDs, which are tax-advantaged accounts invested in CDs.
Don’t: Put too much money in CDs
One of the biggest mistakes Damsky sees for retirees is getting too averse to risk when investing, especially by overusing CDs. Sometimes the pitfalls with CDs, such as the lack of flexibility and access to funds compared with other low-risk alternatives, can outweigh the pros, he says.
Low-risk investment alternatives to CDs, such as money market funds, can have comparable returns with easier access to cash for brokerage customers. And within an investment portfolio, stocks and bonds play bigger roles than cash investments such as CDs do over time. Stocks historically have provided the greatest likelihood for strong returns while bonds balance out stocks’ volatility with more stability. As John points out, CDs often can’t completely protect against inflation the way other investments can.
Don’t rule out CDs for retirement savings — just know when to use them.
The average homeowner with a mortgage ended 2023 with $299,000 in home equity, according to ICE Mortgage Monitor, which also estimates that the average funds homeowners could tap by borrowing against their home equity is $193,000.
Obviously, that number varies for each individual and depends on factors such as the original down payment, local property values, and the amount of time in the home. But if you have more than 20% equity in your home, using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to build wealth is a strategy to consider.
Ways to Build Wealth With a HELOC
A home equity line of credit lets you borrow funds as needed (up to a prearranged limit) through a credit draw. This is different from a home equity loan, in which you would borrow a one-time sum of cash. Drawing on your home equity for certain expenses could help grow your wealth over time, if it financially makes sense. Here are some options to consider.
1. Home Improvements
A HELOC works well for larger home improvement projects and renovations because you can draw funds to pay for materials and contractors as needed. You accrue interest only on the outstanding balance, so it could be cheaper to opt for a HELOC vs. a home equity loan. And if you itemize your taxes, you could deduct HELOC interest payments when the money is used to improve the home.
Plus, a renovation project could build wealth by increasing the value of your home. Home improvement experts estimate that a kitchen refresh could deliver a 377% return on investment and refinishing hardwood floors could have a 348% ROI.
2. Debt Consolidation
You can’t deduct HELOC interest when you use the funds to consolidate debt, but you could still build your wealth. Paying off debt with a lower interest rate could save you a lot of money over the long run. Let’s look at an example.
Say you qualify for a HELOC with an 8% APR but you have a $10,000 credit card balance with a 22% APR. In order to pay off that card in five years, you’d pay $276.19 per month and pay $6,571.35 in interest.
With the HELOC, on the other hand, let’s say you made interest-only payments for one year, then spread out the principal and remaining interest over four years, for a total of five years. During the interest-only period, your payment would be $66.67, followed by $244.13 for the remaining four years. On top of that, you’d only pay a total of $2,518.19 in interest for the entire five years. That’s a potential savings of $4,053.16 in interest payments by consolidating to a lower rate!
3. Real Estate Investments
Using a HELOC to finance an investment property can help you start climbing the real estate ladder. Homeowners could use the funds to make a down payment, cover closing costs, and/or make some upgrades before renting out the property.
You’ll still need to qualify for the new property’s monthly mortgage loan payments, particularly if there isn’t a current rental income history for the lender to review. Assuming you’re eligible for the loan, the goal is to use the rental income to pay off the HELOC and make a profit. On top of that, the property itself could increase in value over time, building your overall wealth.
4. Education and Skills Development
Investing your home equity in your education or skills development could increase your earning power and, consequently, your wealth. Research shows that people with advanced degrees tend to earn more than those without them.
For instance, a study published in Demography revealed that women with bachelor’s degrees earn $630,000 more in a lifetime than those with a high school degree. For men, the increase in lifetime earnings is $900,000. The numbers are even more dramatic with graduate degrees. Women’s lifetime earnings are $1.1 million higher than their high school graduate counterparts, whereas men earn $1.5 million more. Clearly, investing in your professional skills can translate into greater wealth.
5. Start or Expand a Business
The majority of small business owners invest their personal funds in the growth of their companies. Research also shows that upfront funding correlates with greater revenue. So while there’s no way to know that home equity financing you use for your business will guarantee success, it could improve your odds to scale more quickly.
6. Investment Portfolio Growth
Growing a diversified investment portfolio is another option for using a HELOC to build wealth. Obviously, there is risk involved when funding investments. Focusing on long-term investments could help reduce the risk of short-term market volatility. Remember, though, that for investments made with money from a HELOC to truly pay off, you would have to earn more on the investment than you pay in interest for the HELOC.
7. Emergency Fund or Cash Reserve
Most financial experts recommend having three to six month’s worth of savings on hand in cash in case you lose a job or the ability to earn an income. However, the economic volatility that came during the pandemic has people rethinking that number and even recommending up to a year of expenses in savings. Using a type of home equity loan like a HELOC could give you the peace of mind of having a financial cushion to fall back on, while allowing you to carefully invest that six months of savings instead of keeping it in cash.
Turn your home equity into cash with a HELOC brokered by SoFi.
Access up to 95% or $500k of your home’s equity to finance almost anything.
What to Consider Before Getting a HELOC
There are several factors to consider before you decide on a HELOC instead of some other type of financing, such as a cash-out refinance or unsecured personal line of credit.
• Your home is used as collateral: In other words, if you default on your HELOC payments, you could lose your house.
• You must maintain 10% to 20% equity in your home: You can’t tap into your entire equity amount; lenders require you to keep some, which means you may not be able to borrow as much as you originally thought.
• Rates are usually variable: Your interest won’t stay the same and could increase if rates rise. That could mean a bigger balance and bigger payments down the road.
• HELOCs have two stages: The first is the draw period, in which you only have to make interest payments. After the draw period, you’ll make payments on both principal and interest.
Pros and Cons of Taking Equity Out of Your Home
It’s certainly possible to build wealth using a HELOC, but there are advantages and disadvantages to think about.
Pros:
• Low interest rate compared to other financing
• Interest accrues only on the balance, not available credit
• Borrow again when you replenish the credit line
• No restrictions on how you use the money you borrow
Cons:
• Home is used as collateral, putting it at risk
• Payment amount increases after draw period is over
• May come with closing costs and maintenance fees
The Takeaway
Tapping into your home equity using a HELOC is one way to potentially build wealth, especially because rates tend to be low when compared to other forms of borrowing. It’s always worth weighing the pros and cons, since defaulting on payments could result in losing your house. But if you have the financial confidence to move forward, there are several ways that your home equity could help you build wealth.
SoFi now offers flexible HELOCs. Our HELOC options allow you to access up to 95% of your home’s value, or $500,000, at competitively low rates. And the application process is quick and convenient.
Unlock your home’s value with a home equity line of credit brokered by SoFi.
FAQ
Is it smart to use a HELOC for investment property?
Using a HELOC for an investment property could help you fund the transaction sooner than if you used other types of financing. You may be able to make a bigger down payment or even make an all-cash offer. Just be sure that you feel confident in your real estate market research and your ability to make payments even if a worst-case scenario occurs.
What should you not use a HELOC for?
A HELOC should not be used for depreciating assets, especially when your goal is to build wealth. Things like vacations and car purchases aren’t usually recommended since they don’t hold their financial value.
What are the pitfalls of a HELOC?
The biggest pitfall is that your home is used as collateral to secure a HELOC and can go into foreclosure if you miss payments. On top of that, variable interest rates result in the potential for larger-than-expected payments if rates increase over time.
Photo credit: iStock/nortonrsx
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Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky has gone full Willy Wonka.
I was watching him at a live press event, describing the company’s over-the-top new “Icon” experiences. This program includes a full-scale replica of the colorful house from the Pixar film “Up,” which his team lifted over the New Mexico desert with an enormous crane.
Chesky explained that regular houses can’t be lifted like that, so a special team of structural engineers had been hired to make sure the replica wouldn’t break apart on liftoff.
The flying “Up” house won’t make money for Airbnb or its shareholders anytime soon. It can be booked for $0 by fans who write the most compelling notes for why they want to stay there. All eligible entrants will be placed into a drawing, with up to 20% chosen at random as finalists.
From there, Airbnb has partnered with a third-party company to review answers. The “winners” will be notified of their successful booking with — you guessed it — a golden ticket.
I was ready to dismiss Chesky’s Wonka-ish stunts as the fever dream of a billionaire who had grown profoundly tired of dealing with his platform’s real-world problems, including restrictive local regulations, guest horror stories and the proliferation of corporate megahosts.
But then he said something that struck a nerve in my cold, cynical heart.
“As life becomes increasingly digital, what we’re focused on is creating more magic in the real world,” Chesky said. “The best way to experience Icons is not on a screen, it’s not even in a presentation — it’s in real life.”
It’s true. The best thing about Airbnbs is that they are real things in the real world — not images or reels shared by strangers in the digital swamp. At its best, Airbnb offers an antidote to social media: meaningful in-person connections with family and friends.
And that’s why we get so annoyed when it falls short of its potential.
My rom-com relationship with Airbnb
Yet, like the protagonist in a romantic comedy, all my complaining about Chesky’s short-term rental platform veils an obvious truth: I actually love it.
I’m not alone. The short-term rental industry, which Airbnb dominates, nearly doubled its share of the lodging market between 2018 and 2023, according to a 2023 report from AirDNA, a short-term rental analytics company, and STR, a hospitality industry analytics service.
Far from the “Airbnbust” some predicted, vacation rentals are more popular than ever.
As Chesky explained his reasons for meticulously re-creating a computer-generated movie in the real world, it became clear why we’re all so invested in the platform and harbor such strong feelings about it.
We yearn to connect with real people in real houses.
Reflecting on my favorite memories with family and friends over the last decade, so many stories begin with, “Remember that time at the Airbnb when …” Even my not-so-great Airbnb rental experiences — like when my friends and I cowered in the basement all night to avoid a loose bat — become treasured tales of mutual hardship.
Lost in the media hoopla around Chesky’s flying house was a quieter product launch: new tools to help groups find and book properties together, including shared wishlists and trip invitations. It’s clear that Chesky’s heart is in the right place, and he knows what Airbnb can be at its best. But the pressure of earning profits has clouded that vision.
The profit pickle
Less than two decades ago, Chesky and his co-founders created Airbnb as a way to solve two parallel problems:
Many people had guest bedrooms and vacation homes that, much of the time, went unused.
Many travelers were looking for affordable lodging options beyond hotels.
By setting adventurous travelers up with otherwise unused spaces, the platform was creating a win-win situation. Guests got what they wanted and hosts earned some extra money to pay their mortgages.
Then, an unfortunate thing happened: Airbnb became extraordinarily popular.
More than 1.5 billion guests have now checked into Airbnb properties, according to the company — more than 18% of the entire world population. This success has bred a new kind of Airbnb host, one who wasn’t interested in sharing a basement room for a few bucks: institutional investors.
More than 30% of short-term rental listings in the U.S. are now listed by hosts with 21 or more properties, according to May 2023 data provided by AirDNA. That’s compared with 26% of listings from single-property hosts.
From a business standpoint, this all makes sense. There’s money to be made in buying single-family homes and converting them into short-term rentals, so that’s what has (and will continue) to happen. But for those of us who see Airbnb as a way to connect with friends and family, it’s a catastrophe.
“Saturday Night Live” recently skewered the “bland, generic, downright uninviting” interior design of these megahost properties, but it’s about more than uninspired wall art. It’s hard to make meaningful memories in a home that doesn’t feel like a home.
Holding out hope
At some level, I think Chesky wishes he could put the Airbnb genie back in the bottle (though probably not his fortune) and go back to the days when it was making life more enjoyable for backpacking cheapskates.
That won’t happen anytime soon, so he has turned his attention to more interesting projects, like making houses fly.
I still think Airbnb can be better.
By regulating itself (rather than putting the onus on local governments), the platform could limit how many properties a host can run and give preferential treatment to real hosts listing real homes. It could also do more to build and support local communities rather than extract maximum profit from them.
Chesky may have moved on to shinier toys, but I’m still rooting for Airbnb.
(Top photo courtesy of Airbnb)
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
I spoke to a friend the other day who is selling their home and moving up to a bigger one.
Crazy I know! What with home prices where they are the mortgage rates more than double their early 2022 levels.
Despite this, they needed more space (and wanted a new locale) and were ready to move on from their old home.
Sure, it might not be the best time to buy a home, but it’s not always about the financials.
And even so, they’ve got a plan to offset the big jump in interest expense.
They’ve Currently Got a 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Set at 2.75%
First some background on the deal. They purchased their existing home around 2012, which was basically the housing market bottom post-GFC.
This was one of the very best times to purchase a home in recent memory. Aside from seeing their home nearly triple in value, they also snagged a crazy low mortgage rate.
A 30-year fixed at 2.75%. Pretty hard to beat. The purchase price of the home was around $400,000, and is expected to sell for around $1 million today. Also pretty hard to beat!
Problem is, mortgage rates are now closer to 7% and home prices on replacement homes are comparatively high as well.
In short, if you sell today you take on a much higher mortgage rate and sales price. This means a significantly higher payment.
They can actually absorb the higher payment, but they know swapping a 2.75% mortgage for a 7.25% mortgage isn’t a great trade-off.
So here’s the plan to offset that much higher interest expense.
Using Sales Proceeds to Prepay the New Mortgage
Now this might not be for everyone, but many home sellers today are flush with home equity.
They purchased their homes either decades ago and have no mortgage, or they purchased in the early 2010s and have seen property values skyrocket.
If we consider my friend’s $400,000 home purchase in 2012 with a 20% down payment and 2.75% mortgage rate, the loan balance would be around $222,000 today.
Assuming a sales price of $1 million, they might walk with $650,000 or more. They have elected to use some of those proceeds to put a dent in the new mortgage.
Not all of it mind you, to save for an emergency fund. But a good chunk of it.
Once their old home sells, they’ll apply a large lump sum payment to the new loan. Let’s pretend the new home was $1.2 million and they put 20% down again.
The loan amount is $960,000 and the monthly payment at 7.25% is about $6,550. Obviously, a huge jump from their old payment of about $1,300.
But they’re able to make the higher monthly payment, perhaps due to higher wages. Or maybe because they could always afford more.
Regardless, they don’t need a lower payment to make it work. And their plan is to knock down that loan balance in short order.
They Can Pay Off the New Loan in Less Than 15 Years
A Lump Sum Payment Comparison
$960k loan amount
No extra payment
$300k lump sum payment
Interest Rate
7.25%
7.25%
Monthly Payment
$6,548.89
$6,548.89
Loan Term
30 years
13 years
Interest Savings
n/a
$1,018,498
Now let’s imagine that once their old home sells, they apply $300,000 in sales proceeds to the new mortgage.
That knocks down the balance to around $657,000 just a few months into their new loan term.
Importantly, this extra mortgage payment does not lower their future mortgage payments, since that’s not how mortgages work.
They’d still have to continue making that payment of about $6,550 unless they asked the lender for a loan recast.
However, and this is a biggie, they’d save about $1 million in interest if they kept the loan to maturity.
And speaking of maturity, their loan would be paid off in about 13 years instead of 30 years.
This would effectively turn their 7.25% mortgage rate into something comparable to their original interest rate. All thanks to sending those sales proceeds toward the new mortgage.
A Mortgage Refinance Still Remains an Option
In the meantime, they can also keep an eye on mortgage rates and if they fall enough, a rate and term refinance could be an option as well.
So they’re not necessarily stuck with the new 7.25% rate. And if rates do come down, they’ll have a much smaller outstanding loan balance.
This means their loan-to-value ratio (LTV) will be much lower, which equates to fewer pricing adjustments.
For example, their LTV might be closer to 50% instead of 80% when it comes time to refinance. Generally speaking, this means a lower mortgage rate too.
Aside from a refinance, a loan recast is also typically an option, assuming they want a lower payment.
This won’t save them as much money, nor will the mortgage be paid off early, but it brings monthly payments down by re-amortizing the loan based on the smaller balance.
But if you’re more interested in paying less interest, perhaps because you were used to holding a 2-3% mortgage, this is one way to do it. Assuming you can afford the higher monthly payment.
And it’s one way an existing homeowner with mortgage rate lock-in can free themselves without feeling bad about losing their old, cheap home loan.
Demand for second-home mortgages fell twice as fast as mortgage demand for primary homes, as housing costs rose to new heights.
An early look at this year’s data shows that demand for vacation homes hasn’t picked up in 2024; interest in second-home mortgages has been sitting near an 8-year low all year.
Many of the people who did take out mortgages for second homes last year were high earners, white and/or Gen Xers.
Austin and the Bay Area saw the biggest declines in mortgages for second homes in 2023.
U.S. homebuyers took out 90,772 mortgages for second homes in 2023, down 40% from a year earlier and down 65% from the height of the pandemic housing boom in 2021.
For the sake of comparison, mortgages for primaryhomes fell at half that rate; they were down 20% year over year in 2023 and down 35% from 2021.
This is according to a Redfin analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data covering purchases of second homes, primary homes and investment properties from 2018 to 2023. The term “vacation home” is used interchangeably with “second home” in this report.
Home purchases fell across the board last year due to low inventory, high mortgage rates, and high home prices; 2023 was the least affordable year on record. Affordability hasn’t improved in 2024; monthly housing costs are at an all-time high. Mortgages for second homes dropped more than mortgages for primary homes for several reasons:
It’s more expensive to buy a second home. The typical second home was worth $475,000 in 2023, versus $375,000 for primary homes. Additionally, the federal government increased loan fees for second homes in 2022, upping the total cost of buying one.
Vacation homes aren’t a necessity the way primary homes are, so when housing costs skyrocket, many prospective second-home buyers back off.
Purchasing a second home for your own use is a less attractive proposition than it was a few years ago because many companies are now requiring their employees to return to the office, meaning there’s less time to spend in vacation homes.
Purchasing a second home to rent it out is also a less attractive proposition than it once was because the rental market has cooled from its pandemic peak, and owners of short-term rentals on sites like Airbnb are generally earning less revenue.
“Soaring prices pushed down demand for vacation homes last year, both for cash buyers and those getting a mortgage–but the latter pulled back even more because high rates exacerbated high prices,” said Phoenix Redfin Premier agent Heather Mahmood-Corley. “There has been a small uptick in interest in second homes this year, mostly from cash buyers who plan to eventually move in full time. People who would need a mortgage are still sitting on the sidelines, waiting for rates to come down–especially because rates are typically even higher for second homes than primary homes.”
Just 3% of all mortgages went to second-home buyers in 2023, down from 5% in 2020
The share of total mortgages that went to second-home buyers also dropped last year: 2.8% of all mortgage originations in 2023 were for second homes, down from 3.6% in 2022 and 5.1% in 2021.
The vast majority of mortgages go to buyers of primary homes: They took out nearly nine in 10 (88.6%) mortgages in 2023, 87.2% in 2022 and 89.2% in 2020. The remainder go to those buying investment properties, with 8.6% of all mortgages taken out in 2023 used for investment properties, compared with 9.2% in 2022 and 5.9% in 2020.
Vacation-home demand hasn’t picked up in 2024
An early look at this year’s data shows that demand for second homes hasn’t picked up in 2024. Mortgage-rate locks for second homes have been sitting near their eight-year low since the beginning of this year, according to a separate Redfin analysis of data from Optimal Blue. They declined 7.3% from a year earlier in April. By comparison, mortgage-rate locks for primary homes declined 1.6%.
Please note that Optimal Blue data is different from the HMDA data used in the rest of this report. Optimal Blue data is a leading indicator because it measures mortgage-rate locks (an agreement between a buyer and a lender that locks in a rate for a period of time; roughly 80% result in home purchases) as opposed to mortgage originations, and it includes a sample of U.S. mortgages rather than all U.S. mortgages.
The people who are buying vacation homes: Affluent, white, Gen X
So, who did buy vacation homes in 2023? We broke the data down by income level, race and age:
High earners: The vast majority of people who took out mortgages for vacation homes in 2023 were–unsurprisingly–high earners. Nearly nine in 10 (86%) second-home mortgages issued last year went to high-income buyers. Just under 3% went to low-income buyers. (The nationwide median household income of home purchasers in the HMDA data is $178,000 for high-income buyers and $65,000 for low-income buyers.)
White people: Nearly four in five (79%) vacation-home mortgages went to white homebuyers in 2023. Asian and Hispanic homebuyers come next, with 6.4% and 6.2% of new vacation-home mortgages, respectively. Buyers who identify as more than one race took out 5.4% of second-home mortgages, and Black buyers took out 2.7%.
Gen Xers: 29.5% of vacation-home mortgages went to 55-64 year olds in 2023, and another 28.6% went to 45-54 year olds (Gen Xers were 43-58 in 2023). Next come 35-44 year olds (21%), 65-74 year olds (11.4%) and people under 35 (6.9%).
Second-home mortgages dropped most in Austin and the Bay Area
Mortgage originations for second homes fell in all major U.S. metros last year. They fell most in Austin, TX, with a 62.5% year-over-year drop in 2023. Austin’s housing market slowed substantially across the board last year as the pandemic migration boom waned and housing costs climbed too high for many locals. The next-biggest declines for second-home mortgages were mostly in expensive coastal cities: San Francisco (-57.6%), New York (-53.9%), Seattle (-53%) and Nashville, TN (-51.3%).
The smallest declines in second-home mortgages were in relatively affordable metros in the middle of the country and on the East Coast: St. Louis (-25.2% year over year), Kansas City, MO (-31.1%), Providence, RI (-31.1%), Montgomery County, PA (-32.1%) and Warren, MI (-32.1%).
Second homes are most common in Florida
Second-home mortgages made up the largest share of all mortgage originations in West Palm Beach, FL, a popular destination for snowbirds and vacationers, in 2023. Just under 7% of all mortgage originations in the West Palm Beach metro last year were for second homes. Next come Orlando, FL (4.1%), Riverside, CA (4%), New Brunswick, NJ (3.9%) and Tampa, FL (3.6%). Even though the share of second-home mortgages was largest in those places of all the major U.S. metros, they were still down at least 37% year over year.
On the other end of the spectrum, second-home mortgages made up a miniscule share (about 0.5%) of total mortgages in Detroit, Montgomery County, PA, Oakland, CA, Cleveland and Dallas.
Metro-level summary: Mortgages for second homes, 2023
50 most populous U.S. metros
U.S. metro area
Second-home mortgage originations
Second-home mortgage originations, YoY change
Share of total mortgage originations that were for second homes
Median value of second homes
Anaheim, CA
444
-36.7%
2.9%
$1,335,000
Atlanta, GA
734
-45.2%
1.0%
$435,000
Austin, TX
388
-62.5%
1.1%
$495,000
Baltimore, MD
222
-45.6%
0.8%
$515,000
Boston, MA
428
-43.9%
1.2%
$805,000
Charlotte, NC
454
-42.5%
1.2%
$445,000
Chicago, IL
448
-48.4%
0.7%
$365,000
Cincinnati, OH
181
-41.8%
0.7%
$325,000
Cleveland, OH
119
-39.3%
0.6%
$225,000
Columbus, OH
212
-41.3%
0.9%
$420,000
Dallas, TX
447
-45.9%
0.6%
$485,000
Denver, CO
514
-36.2%
1.3%
$675,000
Detroit, MI
73
-32.4%
0.5%
$245,000
Fort Lauderdale, FL
679
-47.0%
3.5%
$445,000
Fort Worth, TX
215
-45.6%
0.7%
$435,000
Houston, TX
1114
-47.5%
1.4%
$405,000
Indianapolis, IN
254
-32.4%
0.9%
$325,000
Jacksonville, FL
680
-43.7%
2.7%
$475,000
Kansas City, MO
206
-31.1%
0.8%
$335,000
Las Vegas, NV
877
-49.6%
3.1%
$455,000
Los Angeles, CA
512
-51.1%
1.3%
$1,305,000
Miami, FL
602
-46.2%
3.1%
$715,000
Milwaukee, WI
145
-45.7%
1.0%
$355,000
Minneapolis, MN
393
-38.1%
0.9%
$420,000
Montgomery County, PA
91
-32.1%
0.5%
$510,000
Nashville, TN
394
-51.3%
1.4%
$510,000
Nassau County, NY
600
-43.6%
2.8%
$1,725,000
New Brunswick, NJ
858
-45.4%
3.9%
$885,000
New York, NY
865
-53.9%
1.8%
$985,000
Newark, NJ
280
-37.5%
1.6%
$375,000
Oakland, CA
99
-50.5%
0.5%
$995,000
Orlando, FL
1483
-36.9%
4.1%
$445,000
Philadelphia, PA
124
-50.2%
0.7%
$355,000
Phoenix, AZ
2001
-46.5%
3.2%
$535,000
Pittsburgh, PA
181
-38.2%
0.9%
$285,000
Portland, OR
258
-50.0%
1.1%
$605,000
Providence, RI
363
-31.1%
2.7%
$775,000
Riverside, CA
1566
-47.1%
4.0%
$655,000
Sacramento, CA
455
-48.8%
2.1%
$805,000
San Antonio, TX
438
-51.1%
1.3%
$335,000
San Diego, CA
411
-45.4%
2.1%
$1,115,000
San Francisco, CA
112
-57.6%
1.6%
$1,355,000
San Jose, CA
69
-35.5%
0.7%
$1,300,000
Seattle, WA
239
-53.0%
0.8%
$795,000
St. Louis, MO
303
-25.2%
0.9%
$315,000
Tampa, FL
1618
-41.5%
3.6%
$425,000
Virginia Beach, VA
415
-47.5%
1.8%
$525,000
Warren, MI
281
-32.1%
1.0%
$325,000
Washington, DC
436
-46.1%
0.9%
$655,000
West Palm Beach, FL
1081
-37.0%
6.6%
$635,000
Methodology
The 2023 data in this report is from a Redfin analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data covering purchases of second homes, primary homes and investment properties from 2018-2023. The term “vacation home” is used interchangeably with “second home” in this report. For this report, the median “worth” or “value” of second homes is the median property value from HMDA data itself, which is reported by the mortgage loan originator as either the home’s appraised value or sale price.
The 2024 data in this report is from a Redfin analysis of mortgage-rate lock data from real estate analytics firm Optimal Blue. Redfin created a seasonally adjusted index of Optimal Blue’s data to adjust for typical seasonal patterns and allow for simple comparisons of second-home demand before, during and after the pandemic. We define “pre-pandemic” as January and February 2020 and set the index for that period to 100. This data is subject to revision. A mortgage-rate lock is an agreement between a homebuyer and a lender that allows the homebuyer to lock in an interest rate on a mortgage for a certain period of time, offering protection against future interest-rate hikes. Homebuyers must specify whether they are applying to secure a mortgage rate for a primary home, a second home or an investment property. Roughly 80% of mortgage-rate locks result in actual home purchases.
Have you been asking yourself, “Should I move to Chattanooga?” Located along the Tennessee River and surrounded by picturesque mountains, Chattanooga offers a blend of natural beauty, thriving cultural scene, and Southern charm. But is it the right fit for you? Before you start packing boxes, let’s take a closer look. In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of living in this city to help you decide if the Scenic City should be your next home. Let’s jump in.
Chattanooga at a Glance
Walk Score: 29 | Bike Score: 35 | Transit Score: 18
Median Sale Price: $316,000 | Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,400
Chattanooga neighborhoods | Houses for rent in Chattanooga | Apartments for rent in Chattanooga | Homes for sale in Chattanooga
Pro: Scenic beauty and outdoor activities
Chattanooga is renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery. The city is surrounded by mountains and waterways, offering endless outdoor activities. From hiking on Lookout Mountain to kayaking on the Tennessee River, residents have ample opportunities to enjoy nature. The iconic Walnut Street Bridge, one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges, provides stunning views and a unique walking experience.
Con: Limited public transportation options
With a Transit Score of 18, the city’s public transportation system is not as developed as in larger metropolitan areas. While there are buses and a free electric shuttle in the downtown area, options are limited, especially outside the city center. This can make it challenging for those without personal vehicles to navigate the city efficiently.
Pro: Affordable cost of living
Chattanooga offers an affordable cost of living that’s 9% lower than the national average. Additionally, housing prices are relatively low with a median sale price about $100,000 less than the national average. This allows many locals to afford a comfortable lifestyle without the financial strain experienced in larger urban centers. This affordability extends to groceries, utilities, and entertainment, making it an attractive place to live for many.
Con: Traffic congestion
Despite its moderate size, Chattanooga faces traffic congestion, especially during rush hours. Although the city’s infrastructure tries to keep up with the growing population, major roads and intersections often see heavy traffic. This is particularly evident on the I-24 corridor, which is notorious for traffic jams.
Pro: Exceptional internet speed
Chattanooga is known as the “Gig City” for its ultra-fast internet. The city was one of the first in the U.S. to offer 1 Gbps internet speeds citywide. This makes it an attractive location for tech companies and remote workers seeking reliable and fast internet connectivity, fostering a growing tech community.
Con: Air quality concerns
In the past, Chattanooga has faced challenges with air quality. Industrial activity and vehicle emissions contributed to pollution, which was exacerbated by the city’s geographical location in a valley. Today, pollution and wildfire smoke can lead to smoggy conditions, particularly in the summer months. This is something to consider for those with respiratory conditions or any one concerned with air quality levels.
Pro: Community spirit and friendliness
Chattanooga is often praised for its strong sense of community and the friendliness of its locals. Neighborhoods host regular events, fostering a sense of belonging and togetherness. One specific example is the annual Riverbend Festival, a multi-day event that brings people from across the city together to enjoy live music, food vendors, and fun activities. This welcoming atmosphere makes it easy for newcomers to integrate and form lasting connections, enhancing the overall quality of life.
Con: Seasonal weather extremes
Chattanooga experiences a wide range of weather conditions, from hot, humid summers to occasionally cold winters. The summer heat can be intense, making outdoor activities uncomfortable during peak daytime hours. Winter brings its own challenges, with sporadic snowfall and ice that the city is often unprepared for.
Pro: Rich history and heritage
The city has a rich historical heritage, from its critical role in the Civil War to the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo. There are plenty of museums, historical sites, and monuments scattered throughout the city offering residents and visitors the opportunity to take a deep dive into the past. This historical richness adds a unique layer to the city’s cultural fabric.
Con: Limited nightlife options
For those seeking a bustling nightlife, Chattanooga might fall short. While there are bars, live music venues, and restaurants, the options are more limited compared to larger cities. The nightlife scene tends to be quieter and more subdued, which might not meet the expectations of all residents.
Pro: Thriving arts scene
The city boasts a vibrant arts scene that caters to a variety of tastes. The Hunter Museum of American Art displays a remarkable collection, while the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera provide high-quality musical performances. The Bluff View Art District offers galleries, shops, and cafes in a picturesque setting, making art accessible to everyone.
Jenna is a Midwest native who enjoys writing about home improvement projects and local insights. When she’s not working, you can find her cooking, crocheting, or backpacking with her fiancé.
Do you want to learn how to get free PayPal money? Yes, there are actually many ways to get cash straight in your own PayPal account. Receiving PayPal cash for the extra income you make is great because PayPal cash can be used for almost all online shopping. If you want to increase your budget…
Do you want to learn how to get free PayPal money?
Yes, there are actually many ways to get cash straight in your own PayPal account.
Receiving PayPal cash for the extra income you make is great because PayPal cash can be used for almost all online shopping.
If you want to increase your budget without working extra hours, earning free PayPal money could be the solution. Many legitimate platforms offer tasks like surveys, watching videos, or trying new apps in exchange for cash directly deposited into your PayPal account.
I have personally used many of the apps below on a regular basis and have earned a lot of free PayPal money over the years.
Recommended reading: How To Get $20 PayPal Now
How To Get Free PayPal Money
Here are some places where you can start earning free PayPal money:
Below is more detailed information about each method for getting free PayPal cash in your PayPal account.
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a well-known rewards website that gives you PayPal cash as a reward. It has been downloaded over 5 million times and has paid out over $500 million in rewards.
On Swagbucks, you can earn points called “SB” by answering surveys, getting cash back when you shop through their platform, and watching short videos.
With the points you earn on Swagbucks, you can put money directly into your PayPal account. You can redeem your points starting at $5 (this is 500 points) all the way up to $250 (25,000 points).
I began using Swagbucks about 10 years ago, and since then, I’ve earned over 110 free gift cards for myself, including a lot of PayPal cash. I don’t spend a lot of time on it – just every now and then.
Sign up for Swagbucks here and get up to a free $10 bonus.
2. User Interviews
User Interviews is a company that pays for online studies. These are more in depth than paid online surveys, and you can earn around $50 to $100 per hour or more for sharing your opinions and feedback.
They launch over 2,000 studies monthly, and they have paid over 85,000 people in the last year.
These are typically completed over the phone or in a video call where an interviewer is asking you questions.
The average study pays over $60. When you participate in User Interviews, you can receive payments in various forms such as cash, a check, PayPal, Amazon gift cards, Visa gift cards, and more.
You can click here to sign up for User Interviews.
Recommended reading: User Interviews Review – Make $50 To $100 An Hour Sharing Your Opinion
3. KashKick
KashKick is a rewards platform where you can get rewards for doing things like answering questions and playing games online. You can then turn these rewards into free PayPal money.
They have games like Monopoly GO, Yahtzee, Bingo Blitz, Scrabble Go, and others where you can earn $100 or more per game.
You need just $10 to cash out.
Sign up for KashKick here.
4. Ibotta
Ibotta is an app that gives you money back when you buy groceries. Just upload your receipts after you shop to earn cash that you can use as free PayPal cash.
Here’s how Ibotta works:
Browse offers – Check the Ibotta app to see what cash back offers are available before you go shopping (like for granola bars or toothpaste).
Shop in store – Go to the store and make your purchases.
Upload your receipt – Take a picture of your grocery receipt using the Ibotta app on your phone to earn cash back.
Some examples of the cash back you might be able to earn include: $0.50 cash back for buying body wash, $3.00 cash back for buying laundry detergent, and $1.00 cash back for buying cereal.
You need $20.00 to cash out to PayPal in the Ibotta app.
You can join Ibotta here.
5. Upside
Upside is an app that gives you cash back when you buy gas at certain gas stations. You can earn about $150 per year in cash back. Not all gas stations nearby are part of the app, but many are, so you’ll likely find some that qualify near you.
When you use the app for the first time, you can get a higher cash back amount to help you get familiar with it. In my first experience with the app, I received $0.74 back per gallon. I bought 12.62 gallons of gas and saved $9.33 just by using the app for the first time. It’s super easy and was a no-brainer to use.
Getting cash back on your gas is nice, especially with how expensive gas is these days!
To complete a PayPal cash-out on Upside, you need just $1.00 in your account.
You can sign up for Upside here.
6. Sell your old phones on Decluttr
Decluttr is a website where you can sell your old phones, CDs, DVDs, books, video game consoles, and more. It’s one of the most popular places to buy and sell electronics and tech items because they pay well and quickly.
Here’s how Decluttr works:
Open the Decluttr app and get a free valuation for the items you want to sell. It takes just a few moments to see what your item is worth.
Tell them the make, model, and condition of what you are selling. If you’re selling DVDs, CDs, or games, then you just enter your barcode or take a picture of the barcode with the Decluttr cell phone app.
If you’re satisfied with the offer for your item from Decluttr, just find a box that will keep it safe during shipping. Pack the item in the box, and Decluttr will provide a free shipping label. Simply print out the label and tape it to your box to send it off.
Finally, once Decluttr receives and checks your item, you’ll get paid the next day through direct deposit to your bank account or PayPal.
You can check out Decluttr here.
7. American Consumer Opinion
American Consumer Opinion is a site where you can take online surveys and earn points.
Their surveys pay around $1 to $5 each and once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for free PayPal money.
You need at least 1,000 points before you can withdraw and get free PayPal cash.
Click here to join American Consumer Opinion.
8. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is a paid online survey site where you can earn free PayPal cash for answering paid online surveys.
You can earn around $40 in free PayPal cash each month by completing around three short surveys each day.
You can redeem your points for free PayPal money starting at just $5 or 500 points.
Please click here to sign up for Survey Junkie.
9. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys rewards you with points for answering survey questions. Surveys typically take 5 to 15 minutes and pay between $0.50 and $5.00 each. You can redeem these points for free PayPal cash.
You might have noticed there are several survey sites listed here. Companies pay you to answer questions because they want to improve their products and advertising. By understanding more about you, they can make better decisions. The best part is that these surveys are simple to answer, and you can join as many survey sites as you like.
You can click here to join Branded Surveys for free.
10. PrizeRebel
PrizeRebel is a website where you earn points by taking surveys, watching videos, and referring new members. You can redeem these points for free PayPal cash.
Just a few days ago I logged in to PrizeRebel, and I realized that I had enough points for around $150 in free PayPal cash. I redeemed them all at once, and now I have some nice extra spending money!
On PrizeRebel, you can get free $5 PayPal cash for 500 points. You can also choose any custom amount to redeem as well in PayPal cash.
Click here to sign up for PrizeRebel.
11. PayPal Honey
PayPal Honey is a free browser extension that automatically finds and applies coupon codes for you when you shop online. By using it, you earn points that you can redeem for extra money.
You can redeem your points for cash, gift cards, or free PayPal shopping credits.
Sign up for PayPal Honey by clicking here.
12. Rakuten
Rakuten lets you earn cash back on your everyday purchases from over 3,500 stores like Target, Walmart, Lululemon, Macy’s, Lowe’s, and Best Buy. When you make a purchase, you get a percentage of your spending back in cash.
When you shop through Rakuten, you get cash back as a percentage of what you spend. For example, if a store offers 5% cash back and you spend $200 there, you’d earn $10.00 in rewards in your Rakuten account.
You can receive your earnings via a check or PayPal once every quarter.
I have received over $1,000 in PayPal cash from Rakuten over the years. It’s a no-brainer if you want to easily save money when shopping online.
You can sign up for a free account on Rakuten here.
13. Find free PayPal money giveaways
If you’re looking to earn free PayPal money, entering sweepstakes and giveaways can be a fun way to try your luck. Companies host giveaways to attract new followers and keep existing followers and customers excited about their brand.
You can find free PayPal money giveaways by searching and/or following related hashtags on social media, such as #freepaypalmoney, #giveaway, #giveawayalert, and #freebie.
You can also follow online sweepstakes websites that list current giveaways.
Entering giveaways doesn’t guarantee free PayPal cash since they’re contests, but it’s quick and easy. I used to spend about an hour a week entering giveaways and have won gift cards and cash prizes.
14. Honeygain
The Honeygain app pays you up to $30 a month to share your internet connection with companies that use it as a tower.
You’re paid based on the amount of traffic that goes through your connection, earning $1 for every 10 GB of traffic.
Please click here to sign up for the Honeygain app.
15. Prime Opinion
If you want to learn how to get free money on PayPal, then Prime Opinion makes that possible with easy minimum threshold payout amounts to reach. You can get free PayPal cash starting at just 500 points, which is $5.
Prime Opinion is a survey website where you can earn money by sharing your opinions from home. They have lots of surveys available, and when I logged in recently, I had almost 50 surveys that I could take right away.
Please click here to join Prime Opinion and get up to a $5 free bonus.
16. Five Surveys
Five Surveys is a market research company that pays you to complete surveys. You just need to complete five surveys and then you can earn $5.
I signed up for Five Surveys myself to test it out for you. One thing I really like about Five Surveys is the number of available surveys. On the first day, there were 42 surveys I could start with, and more are being added all the time.
To withdraw from your Five Surveys account, just choose your preferred method. Options include PayPal cash, bank transfer, Venmo, and gift cards.
Please click here to sign up for Five Surveys.
17. Dosh
Dosh is a quick and simple app that automatically gives you cash back when you shop at certain stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, AT&T, American Eagle, and over 10,000 other companies.
Just link your debit or credit card (or even your Venmo or bank account) to the app, and everything else is handled for you. When you shop and pay with your linked card, you’ll automatically receive cash back into your Dosh account, which you can then transfer to your bank or PayPal account.
Once you accumulate $15 in your Dosh account (this is the minimum payout threshold), you can transfer it to your bank, PayPal, or Venmo. Alternatively, you can choose to donate your cash back to charity.
Recommended reading: 14 Best Apps To Scan Receipts for Money
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to get free PayPal money.
How do I get money from PayPal for free?
You can earn free money on PayPal by completing online surveys, watching videos, selling your old stuff, and getting cash back when shopping online.
How do gamers receive PayPal funds by playing online games?
Apps like KashKick will pay you in points to play their online games. The points that you earn can then be redeemed for free PayPal funds straight in your personal PayPal account. YouTubers can also get paid to play online games and stream what they are doing.
What methods are available to secure a quick $10 on PayPal?
You can quickly earn $10 on PayPal by completing tasks such as taking surveys, reading emails, or shopping online through websites like Rakuten. These sites allow you to cash out once you reach a minimum amount. You can also become a freelancer on Fiverr and get paid in PayPal cash for hard or simple tasks. This wouldn’t be free money because you would have to work for it, but it is another option.
How do I check my PayPal balance?
To check your PayPal balance, you will have to log in to your PayPal account. Right after you log in, your PayPal balance will be listed for you to easily see.
Can you get PayPal money right away?
Some platforms may pay instant payouts to your PayPal account, while others may have a processing time or a minimum threshold before you can cash out. Always check the payout terms of the website or app you’re using to understand how and when you can access your earnings. Sometimes, it may take a couple of days before it lands in your personal PayPal account.
If you really need money right away, then another option may be to ask someone that you know for help or to ask for donations.
Best Ways To Get Free PayPal Money
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to get free money on PayPal.
Getting free PayPal money is great because it is just like extra cash. You can pay for your online purchases with it at almost all stores, and PayPal also has the PayPal Debit Card (so, this is kind of like getting a free PayPal gift card), so that you can buy things in-store too. Or you can also transfer it to your bank account and withdraw it just like cash.
Now, there are PayPal cash scams out there, so I do recommend that you be careful. If you are ever suspicious, do as much research as you can.
I have personally used many of the sites above and have earned well over $1,000 in free PayPal money over the years for doing things just in my spare time.
SEATTLE — Mortgage rates, now hitting 7%, are putting heavy pressure on potential homebuyers.
According to Bankrate Analyst Alex Gailey, it may be time to rent rather than buy.
“A housing shortage, rising home prices, and high mortgage rates are tipping the housing market in favor of renting, at least in the short term, all across the country,” said Gailey.
A new Bankrate study reveals the Seattle metro area ranks third in the nation as the least affordable area to buy versus rent. Only Silicon Valley and the Bay Area are more expensive.
“You see home prices really high in Seattle, well above the national median sale price. In Seattle, the median sale price of a home is roughly around $800,000. That compares to the national median sale price, which is closer to $400,000. And so, that really makes a huge difference in the monthly mortgage payment you’re making,” said Gailey.
The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area has the third-largest gap between renting and buying costs, with the average rent in the area at nearly $2,200 a month, while the typical mortgage payment is over $4,900. That’s a buy-to-rent ratio of 125%.
Gailey’s advice: If you want to buy right now you should make sure you’re in it for the long haul.
“Time in the housing market is more important than trying to time the housing market,” said Gailey.
While affordability is one of the main obstacles for aspiring homeowners, if you can afford it, then buying is a smart financial choice in the long term.
In Washington state, on average, you need a combined income of $150,000 annually to afford to buy, and more than half of aspiring homeowners say they can’t get there.
Rental rates in the area are high as well but more comparable to the national average. The average rental unit prices at $2,200, compared to a national average of about $1,950.
In March, we explored the difference between Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) “expected rates” and “note rates” and why most reverse mortgages depend on these two interest rates. In April, we specifically focused on expected rates. We showed that when expected rates increase and round up to the next 1/8% (0.125%), the principal available to a prospect is typically reduced by an average of 0.6% (of the home’s value).
In the month since my last rate update was published, expected rates increased 39 basis points (0.39%), which rounds to 3/8%, or 3 principal limit cuts. Sadly, these higher expected rates have reduced the initial funds available for new HECM applicants.
But could there be a silver lining to higher rates? Maybe. When short-term rates increase, existing HECM clients will see their borrowing capacity increase at a faster rate. This brings us to the second rate, the note rate.
What about note rates?
Interest charges simply accrue. If payments are not made, then the loan balance will rise.
Therefore, it’s understandable why rising rates might cause concern for many borrowers. However, rate increases from month-to-month don’t impact the principal and interest payments of a reverse mortgage; those required monthly payments went away when the reverse mortgage was funded.
So, what is the benefit of higher note rates?
Homeowners with sizeable loan balances generally want interest rates to go down, but borrowers who are willing and able to wait to draw funds will benefit from higher rates. This is because the unused principal of a HECM adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) will grow at the same rate that is applied to the loan balance.
For example, a HECM loan balance accruing interest at 7.50% (+0.50% in MIP) would have a line of credit (LOC) growing at an annual rate of 8%, compounding monthly at 1/12th of that rate.
The same is true of any unused proceeds like a Life Expectancy Set-Asides (LESA). In fact, repair set-asides and funds allocated for tenure and term payments will grow in the borrower’s favor as well, providing greater borrowing power in the future.
Example
Consider 62-year-old “Harry Homeowner” who has no existing mortgage. Harry wishes to utilize the HECM ARM line of credit and its growth for future cash flow needs. Harry establishes an initial line of credit of $200,000. The LOC and its growth can be modeled (below) to demonstrate the power of compounded growth at various rates.
With a note rate of 5%, the LOC after 15 years would grow to $455,517.
With a note rate of 9%, the LOC after 15 years would grow to $826,919.
May 2024 update
The 10-year CMT weekly average (used for calculating expected rates) increased 39 bps over the last month. However, the trend is lower after last week’s jobs report.
The current weekly average 4.61% is added to the lender margin and in effect for loans originated May 7 through May 13. The spread between the average 10 year and 1-year CMT has narrowed as shown here:
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Reverse Mortgage Daily and its owners.
To contact the author of this story: Dan Hultquist at [email protected]
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Chris Clow at [email protected]
Margin level is a risk-management indicator that helps you understand what influence the currently opened positions have on your account.
The margin level in your options trading account is a formula that tells you how much of your funds are available to open new trades. The higher your margin level percentage, the more funds are available to trade. If the margin level drops too low, you could receive a margin call.
What Is Margin Level?
Your margin level percentage is a measure of the relationship between the equity in your trading or brokerage account and how much margin is in use. The margin level calculation is expressed as a percentage: (equity / margin) x 100.
It’s helpful to think of margin level as a reading of your trading account’s health. A margin level percentage of 0% means you have no open positions. A margin level of 100% means that the amount of a portfolio’s equity and used margin are equal. Equity is the cash available to trade, plus any unrealized profits and losses on open positions. Many brokers will not allow investors to make new opening trades when the margin level on their options trading account is 100% or less.
When margin level falls below 100%, the broker might issue a margin call. Unless the market moves back in your favor, you must deposit more funds (or assets) into your account when you are hit with a margin call. You can also satisfy a margin call by exiting your current holdings.
The margin level percentage depends on various factors. The volume of your positions and their potential effect on the market can affect your margin level calculation; as can the amount of leverage you use.
💡 Quick Tip: One of the advantages of using a margin account, if you qualify, is that a margin loan gives you the ability to buy more securities. Be sure to understand the terms of the margin account, though, as buying on margin includes the risk of bigger losses.
What Does Margin Level Really Do?
To understand what margin level means, it’s important first to grasp the concept of margin in options trading.
Margin is the amount of cash or securities a trader must deposit in their account before being able to write (or sell) options. You can think of it as a good faith deposit or a form of collateral. The Federal Reserve Board’s Reg T sets margin requirements.
Margin works differently in options and futures accounts than in stock trading accounts. Margin debt in stock trading refers to the amount of borrowed funds used to buy new shares. This is also referred to as using leverage.
The margin level calculation tells you how much of your funds are available to use for new opening trades. The higher your margin level, the more “free margin” you have. Free margin is the amount of money available to place new trades. Margin is composed of “used” and “free” amounts. Used margin is the aggregate of all the required margin on your existing positions. Free margin, on the other hand, is the difference between equity and used margin.
Margin level also can inform you of how much wiggle room you have in your options trading account, or other types of accounts. A very high margin level percentage means you have a large amount of equity relative to the total amount of required margin. A low margin level calculation tells you that your account might not be far from getting a margin call.
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Calculating Margin Level
Calculating margin level is straightforward: Divide the equity by the amount of used margin; then multiple that quotient by 100:
Margin level = (equity / margin) x 100
If you don’t have any open positions, then your margin level calculation will be zero. This can be confusing because usually, a low margin level means your account might be at risk for a margin call. A 0% margin level is the safest and lowest-risk margin level you can have, because in that scenario, you’d have no open positions.
Margin level = (equity / margin) x 100
Margin Level Example
Suppose you deposit $10,000 into your account. Before you make any trades, your margin level is 0%, as you don’t have any used margin (the divisor in the earlier-mentioned equation is zero). Your first buy is a call option on shares of XYZ stock, and you pay a $5,000 premium. Your margin level calculation is now 200% ($10,000 / $5,000 = 200%).
Now let’s say you open another $5,000 options position. Your margin level declines to 100% ($10,000 / $10,000 = 100%). We will assume that is the broker’s minimum margin level before a margin call is issued. Later, we’ll detail what happens if your margin level falls below the critical 100% threshold.
💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.
Why Understanding Margin Level Is Important
The margin level percentage is important, as brokers use this figure to determine whether you can open new positions. Many brokerage firms set a minimum margin percentage at 100%. So if your margin percentage drops below that threshold, then you will encounter a margin call — or even a forced liquidation — on one or more of your open trades. If you want to take on new positions, then you’d be forced to sell an existing holding or add more funds to your account.
Margin Level Below 100%
Taking our earlier example a step further, If the market moves against you, and your option values fall to $9,000 on the market, your margin level calculation would decline to below the minimum margin level ($9,000 / $10,000 = 90%). The broker then could issue a margin call.
You have two choices: either sell an existing position or deposit more assets into the account. If you do not act promptly, the broker can sell one of your positions automatically.
Your margin level could fall below 100% based on small moves in the assets you own. Broad market conditions, like volatility, also could affect your account negatively. In an extreme example, Silver Thursday rocked the silver trading market and caused long futures and options positions on silver to suffer severe losses. In turn, this triggered an onslaught of margin calls in the precious metals markets. The moral of the story: It’s important to manage risks carefully when using leverage.
If you’re interested in trading on margin, or just want to know more about it, you’ll need to understand the difference between marginable and non-marginable securities.
The Takeaway
As discussed, the margin level in your options trading account is a formula that tells you how much of your funds are available to open new trades. Trading on margin is an advanced strategy that comes with greater risk than trading other securities, like stocks or ETFs, for example. But while the risks are greater, so are the potential rewards (and losses).
For experienced traders, using margin can enhance buying power. But using margin and leverage introduces additional risk into the mix, which investors should be aware of.
If you’re an experienced trader and have the risk tolerance to try out trading on margin, consider enabling a SoFi margin account. With a SoFi margin account, experienced investors can take advantage of more investment opportunities, and potentially increase returns. That said, margin trading is a high-risk endeavor, and using margin loans can amplify losses as well as gains.
For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.
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*Borrow at 10%. Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see SoFi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information. Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire amount invested in a short period of time. Before an investor begins trading options they should familiarize themselves with the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options . Tax considerations with options transactions are unique, investors should consult with their tax advisor to understand the impact to their taxes. Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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