Reach your goals
Make the work-life balance work for you
If stress makes you feel like work-life balance is out of reach, you’re not alone — Recent polls show 50% of Americans experience daily stress, often related to finances, health, and job security. The good news: Some personal guidance can go a long way. Start by answering these questions.
How do you define balance? It’s personal – for some, it’s family dinner every night; For others, it’s having energy left over at the end of the day. Think about what you miss most when he takes over work.
What are your must-haves? Pick one or two non-negotiables – no email after 7pm, breakfast with the family, and one completely offline day a week.
Have you set boundaries? Share your working hours with clients and colleagues and silence your phone during work hours.
What actually brings you back? Spending time with friends and family, taking a walk, or engaging in a hobby – make it part of your week in small, regular doses.
Balance is not one size fits all. Start small, be specific, and adjust as you go.
source: myhome.freddiemac.com
Mortgage IQ
Understand your home ownership and how it could work for you
There are many benefits to home ownership, from the satisfaction of customizing your space to becoming part of a community. There can also be significant financial benefits. Something that can grow over time with little effort beyond making your mortgage payments is home equity.
But what exactly is home equity, and how can you activate it?
Home equity is the difference between the current value of your home and the amount you still owe on your mortgage.
To get a general estimate of your equity, subtract your remaining mortgage balance from the estimated current market value of your home.
For example, if your home is currently valued at $320,000 and you owe $140,000 on your mortgage, you may have approximately $180,000 equity in the home.
When you pay off your mortgage and the value of your home changes, your equity may change as well. That’s why it may be worth keeping an eye on your home’s appraised value, even if you don’t plan to move or refinance anytime soon.
As my client, you may have access to Homebot, a free tool that provides personalized monthly insights about your home and neighborhood. Homebot can help you track your home’s estimated value, monitor changes in your potential equity, explore local market trends, and better understand how your home fits into your overall financial picture.
If you would like to receive your personalized monthly Homebot report, Contact your local APM loan advisor They will be happy to sign you up.
Depending on your financial goals, you may also be able to put a portion of your home equity to work through options like a home equity line of credit (HELOC), a home equity loan, or a cash-out refinance.
Homeowners use equity for a variety of purposes, including home renovations, education expenses, major purchases, or consolidating high-interest debt. The right choice depends on your goals, available stocks, financial situation, and current market conditions.
Are you curious about how much equity you might have or what opportunities might be available? Contact your local APM Loan Advisor For a free home equity review. They will help you understand your situation and explore options that may align with your goals.
Financial news
Property tax bills are rising
In many areas of the country, homeowners are feeling the pressure as property taxes rise faster than inflation.
In 2025, the average owner of a single-family home, with an assessed value of $494,231, will pay $4,427 in taxes, according to a recent study by ATTOM, a real estate data provider. This represents an increase of 3% from the previous year, compared to an inflation rate of 2.7% in 2025.
Large metro areas that saw the largest year-over-year rise in 2025 included Memphis (up 34%), Baltimore (27%), St. Louis (11%), Houston (10%), and Kansas City (8%).
While you may be thinking that contesting your tax bill is the only way to make it affordable, there may be other government programs you haven’t reviewed yet. Here’s a checklist.
Homestead exemptions are available in 38 states and Washington, D.C. Although the rules vary, this exemption either lowers the assessed value of your property, or provides a flat tax credit for your primary residence.
Exemptions for retirees, military veterans, and disabled homeowners may be available in your state. This site provides details of property tax exemptions by state.
Tax deductions. If you itemize your tax return, you may be eligible for a deduction based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), thanks to a provision in H.R. 1 of 2025, known as the Big Beautiful Bill. The deduction amount increases by 1% every year until 2029.
Evaluation errors. Your property tax assessment may contain errors, such as having too many bedrooms. Correcting this may lower your bill.
Appeals. If you think your home’s appraisal is too high, you can appeal it. Find instructions in your notice of assessment or on your local government’s website. If you don’t have time to prepare an appeal, look for help online, or Contact your local APM Loan Advisor To recommend.
source: kiplinger.com
Did you know?
How credit scoring methods confuse first-time buyers
If you’re planning to buy a home soon, you may already face some potential challenges, including rising interest rates and saving for a down payment. However, a new study found that the topics of credit scores and ratings have caused confusion among potential borrowers.
According to a new homeownership survey conducted by Fair Isaac and Company (FICO), 84% of respondents said they understand that credit scores will impact their mortgage eligibility. But about 22% either underestimated or weren’t sure how credit scores affect mortgage interest rates.
There’s another common credit misunderstanding: believing that the credit score included in your credit card and bank statements will qualify you for a mortgage. That is not what this result represents. Instead, it is provided so you can see whether your overall rating is increasing or decreasing.
Additionally, there are other credit scoring products in the pipeline. For example, FICO has a competitor called VantageScore that was created by the “big three” credit companies TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Currently, most mortgage lenders use an applicant’s FICO score when reviewing applications. It is not yet known if and when mortgage lenders will choose VantageScore.
If you would like to know more, Contact your local APM Loan Advisor They will guide you through the process we use to qualify you for a mortgage.
Source: nationalmortgageprofessional.com
Personal finances
Tips for a successful yard sale
Summer sales are always popular, because they’re a great way to get rid of unwanted household items while saving some spare cash. However, the best sales require some advance preparation, so here’s a checklist of things to do in advance. Need help tracking? You can download this yard sale checklist.
Check with your municipality to see if you need a permit. If you invite other families to join, they may need separate permits.
Schedule your sale for two days if possible and be open for business early in the morning. People heading to work will tend to stop, while others will want to grab a few items first.
Be sure to get help when preparing items for sale. In addition to helping you set prices, it’s a good idea to have a second opinion on what you choose to sell.
Remember that some shoppers will want to bargain, so you may want to raise sticker prices on items that you would be happy to sell for less.
Keep in mind that the following items are always popular at yard sales: power tools, toy systems, children’s clothing and toys, furniture, antique decor, and kitchen tools.
Check ways to advertise your sales in advance. Post the details on Facebook and other social media, create and post some colorful signs, and check neighborhood-specific sites like Nextdoor.
Remember that although cash is king at yard sales, you may want to offer a cashless payment method or two such as Venmo or Cash App. You can print QR codes for your payment methods so buyers can scan and pay.
Source: zazzle.com
food
Grilled corn ribs
It tastes like a cross between buttered corn on the cob and barbecue ribs. Rubbing dry spices increases the sweetness of the juice Grilled corn ribs Adding a smoky touch. Since each piece of bread is cut into several sections, you can serve it as an appetizer or with main dishes.
Around the house
Americana designs are back
As we celebrate our country’s 250th birthday, interior designers are joining us by bringing back furniture and decor from our earliest days as a nation. Here are four that bring instant Americana to any home.
Windsor chairs
Even our founding fathers enjoyed this classic design. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence from his writing chair at Windsor, and George Washington kept dozens of them at Mount Vernon. If you’re shopping for an antique Windsor, look for nine tail spindles, as this number is a good indicator of age.
Perforated tin candle lanterns
From the early colonial era until the 19th century, candle lanterns made of tin-plated iron sheets were popular. Larger examples from the early 1800s can cost up to $400, while newer vintage pieces (look for more compact designs with uniform perforation patterns) can be found for less than $10.
Federal style mirrors
These gilt-framed, eagle-covered mirrors – often referred to as “bull’s-eye mirrors” – typically have 13 spheres around the perimeter which are believed to symbolize the original 13 colonies.
Vintage American flags
The Flag Act of 1777 united the young nation under a banner of 13 alternating red and white stripes and 13 stars. The colors of the flag represent American ideals: red for valor, white for freedom, and blue for justice. Unframed vintage flags in good condition start at around $75 while vintage flags start at $600 and up.
Source: Countryliving.com
