*Field Required
REACH YOUR GOALS
Make Work/Life Balance Work for You
If stress has you feeling like work/life balance is out of reach, you're not alone — recent surveys show 50% of Americans deal with daily stress, often tied to finances, health, and job security. The good news: a few personal guidelines 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 at day's end. Think about what you miss most when work takes over.
What are your must-haves? Pick one or two non-negotiables — no email after 7 p.m., breakfast with family, one fully offline day a week.
Have you set boundaries? Share your working hours with clients and colleagues and silence your phone during off-hours.
What actually restores you? Time with friends and family, a walk, a hobby — build it into your week in small, regular doses.
Balance isn't one-size-fits-all. Start small, stay specific, and adjust as you go.
Source: myhome.freddiemac.com
MORTGAGE IQ
Understanding Your Home Equity and How it Can Work for You
There are plenty of benefits to homeownership, from the satisfaction of personalizing your space to becoming part of a community. There can also be significant financial benefits. One that may grow over time with little effort beyond making your mortgage payments is home equity.
But what exactly is home equity, and how could you potentially put it to work?
Home equity is the difference between your home's current value and the amount you still owe on your mortgage.
For a general estimate of your equity, subtract your remaining mortgage balance from your home's estimated current market value.
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 in home equity.
As you pay down your mortgage and your home's value changes, your equity may change as well. That is why it can be helpful to keep an eye on your home's estimated value, even if you are not planning to move or refinance anytime soon.
As my client, you may have access to Homebot, a complimentary 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, reach out to your local APM Loan Advisor and they will be happy to get you signed up.
Depending on your financial goals, you may also be able to put a portion of your home equity to work through options such as a home equity line of credit (HELOC), home equity loan, or cash-out refinance.
Homeowners use equity for a variety of purposes, including home renovations, education expenses, major purchases, or consolidating higher-interest debt. The right option depends on your goals, available equity, financial situation, and current market conditions.
Curious about how much equity you may have or what opportunities could be available? Contact your local APM Loan Advisor for a complimentary home equity review. They will help you understand where you stand and explore options that may align with your goals.
FINANCIAL NEWS
Property Tax Bills Are on the Rise
In many areas of the country, homeowners are feeling the squeeze as property taxes climb at a faster clip than inflation.
In 2025, the average owner of a single-family home, with an estimated value of $494,231, paid $4,427 in taxes, according to a recent study from ATTOM, a provider of property data. That's a 3% increase from the previous year, compared with a 2.7% inflation rate in 2025.
Large metro areas that had the biggest year-over-year hikes in 2025 included Memphis (up by 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 more affordable, there may be other state programs you haven't yet checked out. Here's a checklist.
Homestead exemptions are available in 38 states and Washington, D.C. While rules vary, this exemption either lowers your property's assessed value, 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 website provides details of property tax exemptions by state.
Tax deductions. If you itemize your tax return, you may qualify for a deduction based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), thanks to a provision in 2025's H.R. 1, commonly known as the Big Beautiful Bill. The deduction amount increases by 1% each year through 2029.
Assessment errors. Your property tax assessment may contain errors, such as too many bedrooms. Having this corrected could lower your bill.
Appeals. If you think your home's assessment is too high, you can appeal it. Look for instructions on your assessment notice or your local government's website. If you don't have the time to prepare an appeal, search for assistance online, or contact your local APM Loan Advisor for a recommendation.
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 be already facing some possible challenges, including higher interest rates and down payment savings. However, a new survey found that the topics of credit scores and ratings have caused confusion among prospective borrowers.
According to Fair Isaac and Company's (FICO's) new Homeownership Survey, 84% of respondents said they understood that credit scores would affect their mortgage eligibility. But about 22% either underestimated or were unsure of the effect credit scores have on mortgage interest rates.
Another common credit misunderstanding: thinking that the credit score included in credit card and bank statements will qualify you for a mortgage. This isn't what this score represents. Instead, it's provided so you can see if your overall rating is increasing or decreasing.
In addition, other credit scoring products are in the works. 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's not yet known if and when mortgage lenders will opt for VantageScore.
If you'd like to learn more, contact your local APM Loan Advisor and they will walk 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, as they're a great way to clear out unwanted household items while making some spare cash. The best sales do take some advance preparation though, so here's a checklist of things to do beforehand. Need help keeping track? You can download this yard sale checklist.
Check with your municipality to see if you need a permit. If you've invited other families to join in, they may need separate permits.
Schedule your sale for two days if possible and be open for business early in the morning. People headed to work will be tempted to stop, while others will want first dibs on certain items.
Be sure to have help when preparing items for sale. In addition to helping you decide on pricing, it's good to have a second opinion about what you choose to sell.
Remember that some shoppers will want to haggle, so you may want to bump up sticker prices on items that you'll be happy selling for less.
Keep in mind that the following items are always popular at yard sales: power tools, gaming systems, baby clothes, toys, furniture, and vintage decor and kitchen items.
Check out methods for advertising your sale ahead of time. Post details on Facebook and other social media, create and post some colorful signs, and check out neighborhood-specific sites like Nextdoor.
Remember that although cash is king at yard sales, you may want to offer one or two cashless payment methods like Venmo or Cash App. You can print out QR codes for your payment methods so buyers can scan and pay.
Source: zazzle.com
FOOD
Grilled Corn Ribs
These taste like a cross between buttery corn on the cob and barbecue ribs. A dry spice rub amps up the sweetness of the juicy Grilled Corn Ribs while adding a smoky flair. And since each cob is cut into several sections, you can serve them as starters or with main dishes.
AROUND THE HOUSE
Americana Designs Are Back
As we celebrate our country's 250th birthday, interior designers are joining in by bringing back furniture and decor from our early days as a nation. Here are four that bring instant Americana into any home.
Windsor Chairs
Even our Founding Fathers enjoyed this classic design. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence from his Windsor writing chair, and George Washington kept dozens at Mount Vernon. If you're shopping for an antique Windsor, look for nine back spindles, as this number is a good indicator of old age.
Punched Tin Candle Lanterns
From the early Colonial era to well into the 1800s, candle lanterns made from punched tin-plated sheet iron were common. Larger examples from the early 19th century can cost up to $400, while more recent vintage pieces (look for tighter designs with uniform hole patterns) can be found for as little as $10.
Federal Style Mirrors
Typically capped with an eagle, these gilt-framed mirrors — frequently referred to as "bull's-eye mirrors"— often feature 13 balls around the perimeter that are thought to symbolize the 13 original colonies.
Vintage American Flags
The Flag Act of 1777 unified a young country under a banner of 13 alternating red and white stripes and 13 stars. The flag's colors represent American ideals: red for valor, white for liberty, and blue for justice. Unframed vintage flags in good condition start at around $75 while older flags are priced from $600 and up.
Source: countryliving.com
