FFCCU Blog

Mortgage Pre-Approval: This is How to Get Pre-Approved

February 12, 2020 | By FFCCU

Want to buy a house? You may consider getting a mortgage preapproval before you start shopping for a home. Why? Because it will show buyers that you’re a serious homebuyer and ready to make a move. Keep reading to learn more about getting preapproved for a mortgage. What is a Mortgage Preapproval? A mortgage preapproval… (read more)

Posted In: Home Buying, Mortgage

How to Understand Credit Scores

February 5, 2020 | By FFCCU

Credit scores. Why does a three-digit number cause many people anxiety and stress? After all, it’s just a number. Right? Well, your credit score indicates how likely you’ll repay your debt. Credit unions, banks, and lenders use scores to decide if they’ll approve you for loans or credit cards. The tricky part is that you… (read more)

Posted In: Dare2Compare, Tips For Managing Finances

Money Management: Your Guide to Getting a Fresh Start in the New Year

January 21, 2020 | By FFCCU

Ah, the new year: time to toss that stale fruitcake and begin anew on that resolution to lose 20 pounds. It’s also the perfect time to review your personal finances and money management goals. We’re here to help you reach those goals, whether they are to spend less, create an emergency savings fund, or something else…. (read more)

Posted In: Dare2Compare, Saving, Tips For Managing Finances

12 First-Time Homebuyer Tips You Need to Know for a Smooth Process (Infographic)

January 13, 2020 | By FFCCU

When you’re ready to purchase your first home, the process can seem both exciting and a bit overwhelming. You may know what you’re looking for regarding the number of bedrooms and baths, but that’s only one small part of the homebuying journey. Financing your purchase and understanding the responsibilities that come along with homeownership are… (read more)

Posted In: Home Buying, Mortgage

How to Get Your Credit Back on Track

January 6, 2020 | By FFCCU

“How do I get my credit back on track?” According to data from the second quarter of 2019 from Experian, the average FICO® Score* in the U.S. is 703, which is considered “good” by most lenders. If your credit was damaged in the past because of divorce, missed payments, or bankruptcy, but you’ve taken steps… (read more)

Posted In: Tips For Managing Finances

How to Protect Yourself from Scamming and Fraud

December 16, 2019 | By FFCCU

Gotcha! If you shop online, keep one eye on your shopping cart because the holidays bring out false shipping notifications, payment fraud, and other scams. Because of scamming and fraud, identity theft protection has increased over the years. Being scammed isn’t fun. And when fraud is committed, it can wreak havoc on your life and… (read more)

Posted In: Local Events, Tips For Managing Finances

Buying a New Home in the New Year? Use This Home Buying Checklist

December 2, 2019 | By FFCCU

Are you buying a new home in the new year? Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or already own a home and need a smaller or larger space, it’s a good idea to be prepared. After all, interest rates fluctuate from year-to-year, properties increase with value, new home developments seem to be everywhere, and much more…. (read more)

Posted In: Home Buying, Mortgage

Holiday Tips: Get the Top Four Ways to Cut Costs

November 25, 2019 | By FFCCU

While the excitement of the holidays and gift-giving season can be a magical time for children, you may face many additional expenses during the last two months of the year. Whether its gifts, food, decorations, the perfect outfit for that holiday party, or airfare to visit family – there’s no denying the holidays can put… (read more)

Posted In: Local Events, Tips For Managing Finances

Autumn: A Scary-Good Time to Buy a Home

October 28, 2019 | By FFCCU

Ah, fall. The season of changing leaves, apple cider, and pumpkin spice everything. But certainly not the time to buy a home, right? Wrong. Research shows that in the last few months of the year can be a great time for home buyers to purchase a new home. Here’s why: Less Competition We’ve gotten past… (read more)

Posted In: Home Buying, Lending, Mortgage

Do you know the credit union difference?

October 20, 2019 | By FFCCU

Did you know there’s an International Credit Union Day? There is! Annually, the third Thursday of October celebrates how credit unions across the nation help members reach their financial dreams through a “member first” philosophy. But why celebrate this? Because credit unions ARE different. And members have a stake in what happens, as part owners…. (read more)

Posted In: Membership: Info to Know