The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) and consumer credit scoring system VantageScore announced on Tuesday that the bank is now accepting mortgage collateral using VantageScore 4.0, an updated version of the scoring system using trended credit bureau data. “ember financial institutions can now pledge mortgage collateral using VantageScore credit scores as an alternative to the...

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Tuesday announced that it has published updated policies for its 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program, in an effort to “modernize the program and enhance its usefulness for individuals and families seeking affordable financing for renovating or rehabilitating a single-family home when purchasing or refinancing it.” The updates...

Over a quarter (26%) of retired investors continue to pay off their mortgage, and precisely one-quarter of the cohort are continuing to pay down credit card debt, according to a new survey from the Nationwide Retirement Institute. The U.S. retirement population is getting older at a faster rate and are also confronted with inflation as an impediment to making ends meet. According to the survey, 22% of...

In the May 2024 reverse mortgage rates report, we discussed how reverse mortgage borrowers might benefit from higher interest rates over the life of the loan. While this is counterintuitive, one must often think about reverse mortgages in…well, reverse. Of course, the reason for this is because the unused principal with an adjustable-rate Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) grows at the same rate...

As expected, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell did not set a timeline for lowering interest rates during his semiannual monetary policy report to Congress on Tuesday morning when participants complained about the effects of a tightening monetary policy in the housing market.  Powell indicated that Fed officials are not there yet, but suggested a better balance of inflation and employment in the...

The BHG editors share their favorite summer finds, from bug repellants to entertaining essentials. If bugs are ruining your summer entertaining plans, we've found a solution. Our editor swears by this small, portable device that repels mosquitoes wherever you are—without any chemicals or sprays! We're also sharing other summer must-haves our editorial team is loving this season. Grab our favorite...

Shake Shack has partnered with Bearaby to serve up a cozy menu addition. Shake Shack It's nearly impossible to resist a good french fry. There aren’t many foods as universally appealing, so really, it was only a matter of time before it was turned into home decor. Bearaby, a home brand focused on wellness, has officially teamed with Shake Shack to create a fry-inspired core body pillow, aptly...

We have solutions to allow you to preserve its deliciousness for a full 8 months! 🥦 Anastasia Dobrusina / Getty Images For many kids, “eat your broccoli” sounds like more of a threat than an invitation. But for a growing number of adults—at least, if we can use the growing traffic numbers to the broccoli recipes in our archives—it’s a treat to take that familiar advice...

Knowing exactly how much sun tomatoes need to grow lots of fruit is key to a successful harvest. Valery Rybakou / Getty Images Tomatoes are sun-loving plants that require large amounts of light to develop and ripen the fruit we want. But exactly how much sun do tomatoes need to grow properly? The short answer is: the more sun, the better when it comes to tomatoes. But there's definitely a minimum...

Avoid these colors and finishes for a successful bathroom makeover. Tamara Flanagan A bathroom serves a practical purpose first and foremost, but given that it's where most of us begin and end our days, its aesthetic is equally as important as its function. A bathroom paint color sets the tone for your morning routine as you begin the day, then provides a backdrop for your evening routine as you...