Chic vs. Geek: Year of the Water Tiger

/

Happy Lunar New Year! Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Tiger, more specifically, the Water Tiger. So what can we expect from the year ahead?

CHIC (PEARL)

According to the Chinese zodiac, people born under one of the 12 signs tend to emulate the characteristics of that animal, which is why those born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be natural, assertive, and generous leaders. They’re thrillseekers with a courageous streak, but they’re also short tempered.

GEEK (KEVIN)

As you might expect, the tiger sign comes with great strength, and for the Water Tiger, this strength is grounded in their interpersonal relationships, especially among family. If you’re looking for a loyal friend who will stick with you no matter what, look no further than someone born in the Year of the Tiger!

Geek's Number Talk: Buying Power Outage

/

We all experienced the slow uptick of inflation and rising interest rates in 2021, but homebuyers may have felt the squeeze most acutely, losing an average of $25,000 in buying power, at least according to economists who crunch these numbers for a living. Learn more from our friends at The Balance.

Chic vs. Geek: What to avoid after you sign

/

So you’ve applied for a home mortgage loan. Want to know what to do – and what not to do – next? We’ve got a few tips to share.

CHIC (PEARL)

Consistency is the name of the game. Be sure to discuss any changes in income, assets, or credit with your lender so you don’t jeopardize your application. Don’t change your bank account, don’t apply for a new credit card or close any credit accounts, and definitely don’t co-sign any loans.

GEEK (KEVIN)

The banks are always watching because money never sleeps. So the best plan is full transparency. Avoid making any large purchases like a car or a major appliance. And if you receive a cash windfall, don’t deposit it into your bank account before contacting your bank or lender.

Geek's Number Talk: How many months do we have?

/

One of the key indicators of a supply shortage in any industry is the number of months it would take to exhaust current inventory. While housing inventory typically fluctuates with the seasons, it’s clear that we’re on a much longer downward trend during the COVID pandemic.