Here’s what it takes to be eligibile for reverse mortgage
Here’s what it takes to be eligibile for reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage helps you convert your home equity into funds that may be the need of the hour. It is quite similar to a traditional line of credit that you can avail from banks and financial institutions. As it is with any mortgage, the title of the property remains in your name and you get to enjoy certain additional benefits with a reverse mortgage. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) commonly offers a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for eligible applicants.

Not everyone can apply for this exclusive line of credit as reverse mortgage eligibility is reserved only for seniors over a certain age.

Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria
Here are the basic requirements to qualify for a reverse mortgage:

  • The first requirement is that as a homeowner, you must be over the age of 62 to apply for the line of credit. If your spouse is under the age of 62 but meets certain special criteria mentioned, they can apply for a reverse mortgage subject to the approval terms and conditions.
  • The home title should be in your name, which should also be your permanent address for a major part of the calendar year. A reverse mortgage cannot be taken on multi-unit buildings or property that is considered commercial in the eyes of the law. Condos and mobile or manufactured homes that don’t meet the HECM requirements don’t qualify for a reverse mortgage.
  • If you are currently paying off the original mortgage taken for the home, you can still apply for a reverse loan. This is subject to you paying off the balance amount before taking up the new debt obligation. Note that banks will consider your application only if they deem that you are in a credible financial position to pay off existing debts before they issue a new loan.
  • You must not neglect your duties toward Federal taxes and government aid. If you owe the government, it is expected you pay what these institutions levy on your borrowing. This is one of the more crucial criteria for reverse mortgage eligibility as it reflects the applicant’s credibility. One of the advantages, in this case, is the fact that you can use a reverse mortgage to pay off such an obligation once it is issued.
  • Applicants must also be willing to set aside an amount from the funds taken for a reverse mortgage to pay for property taxes, home insurance costs, and even repairs and maintenance.

Once you have met the aforementioned reverse mortgage eligibility criteria, a counseling session is scheduled by an HUD-approved agency. This is done to assess your credibility, review eligibility to confirm the issuance of new funds, and to explain the financial implications of taking up a reverse mortgage.

The post-approval amounts are available to borrowers in the following ways:

  • Line of credit where you can access the amount at any given time after submitting a written application.
  • Term payments where you receive fixed installments for a fixed tenure.
  • Tenure payments where you receive a fixed amount even if the value of the loan surpasses the value of your home.
  • 5 trusted websites to make money online

    Making money online has never been easier! The ever-expanding online world is swamped with legit opportunities that’ll help add some extra bucks to your bank from the comfort of your home. And, the best part is that you don’t always need to have certain skills or qualifications to earn money. Don’t believe us? We’ve compiled a list of trustworthy websites that can help you make money online. Try them!

    Swagbucks
    If you have a hard time trusting online survey sites, you likely haven’t tried Swagbucks. It is one of the most popular and legitimate websites that will pay you for everything from filling out surveys to watching videos to shopping online. You will receive your earnings in the form of gift cards from top retailers like Amazon and Walmart or cash back from PayPal.

    Upwork
    Interested in taking up some freelance work? Consider creating an account on Upwork. It’s the world’s largest online marketplace to find great clients and grow your independent career. Regardless of what skill you have, be it writing, video editing, software development, graphic designing, or marketing, you can find work in no time.

    ThredUp
    If you’re looking for motivation to clean up your closet, then check out ThredUp. You can sell items you no longer wear or need for cash, such as jeans, shorts, tops, dresses, swimwear, shoes, handbags, and backpacks. Another great thing is that there is no shipping fee for sending them your package. Keep in mind that you will receive the payment only if your items are accepted.

    Gazelle
    Most of us have electronic waste lying around the house. So, why not make some money by selling them out? With Gazelle, you can trade your old Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, iPhone, or any other phone, and even iPads and tablets for money. They will also cover your shipping costs. Gazelle pays via check, or they send you Amazon gift cards. Also, you can request a cash transfer to your PayPal account.

    Skillshare
    As the name suggests, Skillshare is where you share your skills and get paid for them. All you have to do is make quality videos on your topic of interest like crafts, film, fashion, cooking, or anything else you love to do. The platform will then compensate you for every minute of your video watched by their Premium students. The best teachers on Skillshare make more than $100,000 a year.

    Read more
  • Make Your Small Room Capacious With Murphy Beds

    Wondering what Murphy beds are? Have you seen people living in a studio apartment or a one-room kitchen flat? Do you feel congested entering those apartments? If yes, you may ask them to get themselves a Murphy bed.

    Murphy beds are commonly known as wall beds or folding beds. These beds are built across walls and are pivoted at one end. Thus, it can easily be folded whenever not in use. Ideally, it is used in ships, one bedroom apartments, or movable houses. It doesn’t occupy much space and can be folded whenever not in use. This is one of the most compact beds that you can buy if you have a small house and you want to save space.

    Birth of the Murphy Beds

    No doubt, the Murphy beds were named after a person called William Lawrence Murphy, who was living in a studio apartment in San Francisco between the 19th and 20th century. Due to lack of space in his apartment, he invented this bed with a hinge at an end.

    Advantages of Murphy Beds over traditional beds

    Makes your room capacious

    Murphy beds can easily be folded along the wall, allowing more space in the room for other things. It makes your room look bigger and clean. Every night or whenever you wish to lie down, you may open up your bed and when leaving the bed, simply fold it along the wall.

    A comfortable and sound sleep

    There are many other companies making beds that are of the same design. But, when it comes to Murphy beds, the comfort and class are to the next level. Murphy beds are sold by several other reputed furniture companies. You may easily notice the difference between the folding/wall beds from Murphy and other companies. The other specialty of an original Murphy bed is the lifelong guarantee on the product and its durability. So, you need not worry when spending money on this amazing bed because it offers a guarantee with the comfort.

    Adds value and class to your interior

    In case you are planning to shift to a new location, you need not worry. Your Murphy bed can easily be carried from one place to another. But, if you have planned to leave it back in your old house, or wish to sell it, you will be offered an extra price for it. There are 4 very simple reasons for this-
    – The quality of this bed is unbeatable
    – It offers a lifetime guarantee
    – It adds comfort to your life
    – Offers a lavish interior design

    Top 5 stores that sell Murphy Beds

    – Murphy Bed USA Inc in Boca Raton
    – Murphy Wallbed USA in Tulsa
    – Murphy Wall Beds Hardware in Surrey
    – More Space Place Salem in Salem
    – Bredabeds in Nampa

    Buying Murphy Beds online

    Apart from several other sites such as Amazon, Walmart, eBay, you can also pick up your favorite product by visiting the official site of Murphy Bed Depot. Here you’ll get original products at a discounted price during season sales. The site offers easy and secure shipping facility along with installation.

    So, if you are dealing with space shortage at your home and if want to make your bedroom even more commodious, go for it. Murphy Beds are just for you. This helps in utilizing the space created as a living room, office, library, or study room for you.

    Not only this, Murphy Beds are even more comfortable when sleeping. The mattresses used by Murphy Bed Depot are soft and fluffy which offer you a comfortable sleep without hurting your back.
    So, don’t think twice, just log in, make the payment and get your bed in your room. Just place an order and Murphy Bed is all yours.
    Order now and feel like a king/queen at your own place.

    Read more
  • The benefits of cash back credit cards

    There are a number of credit cards available on the market and Cash Back credit cards are one of the most popular among them all. The idea of cash back is that you’re rewarded when you use the credit card to buy things. This means that the more you spend, the more you stand to gain by way of cash back. This can take the form of rewards, points, or cash. Cash Back credit cards are offered to people who enjoy an excellent credit rating.

    The structure of the cash back system varies between card issuers. Some give you a bonus at the end of every month. Some others accumulate the cash back and deduct it from your outstanding balance. There are other issuers who offer a higher reward percentage on specific purchases, while some others offer a reward on all purchases.
    The biggest benefit of Cash Back credit cards is that it helps you save money, Especially if you make big purchases. Things like buying electronics or redecorating your home can help bring in a lot of cash back rewards. Generally card issuers offer 2% as cashback on average. You can even get a percentage as high as 5%. Stay on the lookout for these offers before swiping your cash back card.

    Those with high credit scores are offered the best cash back cards with extensive rewards. Either you can let the bonus accumulate and use it for the next big purchase. You can also adjust the credit earned against your outstanding limit.

    An online comparison can help you find the best cards with rewarding cash back offers.
    Here’s a list of cash back cards that offer huge savings.
    â Capital One QuickSilver
    You earn unlimited cash back of 1.5% on every purchase every day. There’s also a one-time bonus of $100 when you spend $ 500 within 3 months of approval. There are no annual fees and foreign transaction fees. For the first 9 months, you enjoy 0% APR intro on balance transfer.
    â Citi Double Cash Card
    You earn double cashback on every purchase, along with unlimited 1% cashback when you buy. There’s also an additional 1% when you pay for purchases. But balance transfers don’t earn cash back.
    â Discover It CashBack Match
    At the end of the first year, you get a dollar for dollar match for the cashback you earn throughout the year. You earn 5% cashback when you spend at gas stations, Amazon, restaurants, and wholesale clubs . Other purchases qualify for 1% cashback. The selling point of this card is that there’s no expiry date for the cash rewards. You can redeem anytime for any amount.

    Cashback credit cards are attractive to say the last. But they have their share of disadvantages as well. First, they have high APR rates. You’ll be paying a much higher interest on your outstanding balance when compared to a standard card. Furthermore, the card issuer might change the category of expenditure that qualifies for cash back. They can also specify a maximum limit on the cashback, notwithstanding the quantum of purchases made all year round.

    If you use cash back cards judiciously, keeping track of issuer policies, you can get the most benefits out of them.

    Read more
  • Popular medications for neutropenia

    Popular medications for neutropenia

    Neutropenia is a condition where the body does not have enough neutrophils. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cells that are vital to helping the body fight infection. They fight the infection off by destroying harmful bacteria and fungi like yeast that invade the body.

    Importance of neutrophils

    It is essential to have a sufficient number of neutrophils in the body; otherwise, the person is prone to several infections. The risk of infection is so high that the person has to be extra cautious about sanitation and hygiene. While washing hands, in general, is good practice, they must wash their hands regularly or they are at the risk of getting serious infections.

    Symptoms

    While neutropenia itself does not cause any symptom, it triggers infections which show symptoms like:

    • Sore throat
    • Sores in the mouth or a toothache
    • Pain or burning when urinating
    • Abdominal pain
    • Pain near the anus
    • Unusual vaginal discharge
    • Redness, swelling or pain around cuts or wounds
    • Diarrhea or sores around the anus
    • Shortness of breath or a cough

    Causes

    Neutrophils are produced in the bone marrow of larger bones and anything that disrupts this process of production in the bone marrow can lead to this condition. One of the most common causes of neutropenia is chemotherapy, and in fact, almost half the cancer patients that undergo chemotherapy experience some level of neutropenia.

    Treatment and medication

    The treatment for this condition usually involves glycoprotein.

    Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)
    It is a glycoprotein that triggers the bone marrow, which is a tissue that contains stem cells, to produce a sufficient number of neutrophils and release them into the bloodstream. Its generic name is filgrastim, but it also has different trade names that one may be aware of.

    Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)
    A naturally producing glycoprotein that carries out the same functions as that of G-CSF.

    Antibiotics
    Since a low count of white blood cells leads to infections, some patients are also given antibiotics to treat those infections.

    So apart from increasing the count of white blood cells, the doctor may also prescribe a combination of medicines to treat other conditions that are caused by this. While this is a serious condition, if someone had febrile neutropenia, it is regarded as a medical emergency and the person needs immediate attention.

    Some trade names of the medications used to treat this condition that one should be aware of:

    Neulasta, Udenyca, Fulphila
    All these are trade names for pegfilgrastim. It is a man-made version of a certain natural substance in the body which helps make more white blood cells.

    Leukine
    Its generic name is sargramostim, and it works similarly to pegfilgrastim in making a natural substance in the body that promotes the production of white blood cells.

    Granix, Zarxio
    Filgrastim is their generic name, which is again used to promote the production of white blood cells. It is given to people who are going through chemotherapy, chronic neutropenia or exposure to large amounts of radiation.

    It is always advisable to consult a doctor before consuming any of these medications. These are medications that are prescribed by a professional after a detailed diagnosis that is done under proper care.

    Read more
  • Balanced diet for a healthy heart

    Our overall health highly depends on our food habits and lifestyle. We can keep our heart healthy by eating nutritious food and maintaining a balanced diet with regular physical activities. A balanced heart healthy diets include the proper proportion of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber, and water. Some heart healthy balanced diet includes following foods:

    In our daily diet, we should include some whole grains like whole grain bread, brown rice, barley, oatmeal and whole grain pasta etc. These foods are rich in fiber and carbohydrate. The proper amount of these foods is very much essential for a healthy heart.

    • A variety of vegetables and dark leafy greens are crucial for a healthy heart because they contain lots of minerals, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Therefore, we should regularly eat vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, beet roots, broccoli, cucumbers, beans, onion, eggplants, jalapenos and leafy greens like spinach, kale, cabbage, collards, turnip greens, mustard leaf, Bok choy, celery, asparagus etc.
    • Food with omega 3 fatty acid is extremely beneficial for the heart, it reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol. We get omega 3 fatty acid in salmon, mackerel fish, herring fish, oyster, pumpkin seeds, cod liver oil, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Including a proper amount of omega 3 in our diet may keep us away from heart diseases.
    • Including fruits in our diet is important because fruits contain lots of heart healthy vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Therefore, we must consume various fruits like avocado, watermelon, apple, grapes, banana, orange, lemon, plum, pineapple, kiwi etc. and berries like blue berries, raspberries, cranberries, and strawberries.
    • Lentils, beans, and peas are essential for a healthy heart because they provide lots of protein, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and anti-inflammatory compounds but they do not have harmful saturated fat. There are varieties of beans like black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans and different type of peas like chick peas, green peas and by including them in our diet we can get various health benefits.
    • Water has an important role to keep the heart healthy because the lack of water may also a reason of different health issues including heart diseases. Drinking plenty of water is essential for providing a proper hydration to our body.

    The Proper amount of low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry, lean ground meat and egg white are some essential protein rich foods good for a healthy heart. By adopting a habit of balanced heart healthy diets, we can get rid of various health problems.

    Read more
  • Top tablet and laptop deals

    Whether you are a professional graphic designer or simply want to read and edit documents on the go, tablets and lightweight laptops should be your choice as they are easier to work with on the go. Major brands like Apple, Samsung, and Lenovo offer this functionality with their amazing range of standalone and convertible systems.

    Listed below are some of the best deals that are trending.

    iPad Pro 2021
    The all-new iPad Pro is a 5th generation tablet launched by Apple. The iPad Pro comes with two screen size options: 11-inch and 12.9-inch, both of which have a storage capacity of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Both iPads come with an upgraded chipset; the Apple M1 chip packs an 8-core CPU with a pair of 4 cores designated for performance and efficiency. It also has a 16-core neural engine for better processing and energy efficiency. The front camera is a 12MP TrueDepth Ultra-Wide one that is great for selfies and video calling. On the other hand, the rear camera system has a 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra-Wide camera, which is coupled with a LiDAR scanner for clearer photos and videos, even in low-light conditions. The iPad Pro 2021, with its Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connectivity, operates on the bandwidth of up to 40Gb/s on wired connections. The iPad Pro is priced between $799 and $1099.

    MacBook Air M1
    With Apple launching the latest M1 processor, students and working professionals looking to upgrade their MacBooks can certainly check out the latest laptop deal on Best Buy. With the membership scheme, students can enjoy $100 off on the retail price, which is over and above the existing $250 discount. The M1 MacBook air comes with a 256GB and 512GB storage capacity, both featuring 8GB of RAM for the same price. With this deal, you pay just $750 for the latest chip, best retina display, and stunning lightweight design that is the trademark feature of Apple. In fact, at this price, the newest M1 MacBook Air is actually cheaper than premium Acer, Lenovo, MSI, and Dell laptop deals.

    Lenovo Chromebook Flex
    On the other end of the pricing spectrum is the Lenovo Chromebook, available on Amazon for just $340. The two-in-one laptop with keyboard and touchscreen features is best suited for work and study. Even with a smaller 13.3-inch size, the convertible laptop comes with a 4GB DDR4 RAM supporting a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor. With is flexible 360° design, you can convert the laptop into a fully functional tablet with just a flip over. With a Full HD display, the Chromebook also offers additional multimedia features including enhanced user facing dual stereo speakers and wider viewing angles. Order today and avail free shipping with returns.

    Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab – Iron Grey
    The Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab is a stellar 10.1-inch tablet designed for those on the lookout for a big screen to carry around seamlessly. The Yoga Smart Tab also boasts 64 GB of internal storage, 4 GB of RAM, and a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 439 processor that helps run daily applications with ease. And you get all of this at a Blackfriday Doorbuster at a deal price of just $179 when you buy it from Lenovo’s official website. That’s 33% lower than its original price.

    Read more
  • Effective Options for Treating Chronic Bronchitis

    Chronic bronchitis is the infection of the main airways of your lungs, i.e., bronchi, causing them to become inflamed and irritated. Coughing is the main symptom. Also, phlegm is produced as a result of this long-lasting cough and you may experience wheezing and a sore throat. It is not contagious when it is caused due to air pollution, smoking or some other inhaled irritants. If any bacterial or viral infection is the reason for your chronic bronchitis, then it is contagious. For the best treatment for chronic bronchitis, consulting a healthcare professional is the best thing to do. However, it can get better in some natural ways and using some home remedies as well. The following treatment options are quite effective against chronic bronchitis.

    • Fluid Intake
      When you are suffering from chronic bronchitis, try to consume adequate fluid. Usually, due to fever, the body loses the fluid faster. If the patient stays well hydrated, the lung secretions will become thinner and can be released easily.
    • Healthy Diet
      Another natural treatment for chronic bronchitis is maintaining a healthy diet that includes foods having the properties of reducing the bronchitis symptoms. Foods that are helpful to deal with it are ginger, lemon, honey, almonds, and bay leaf.
    • Use a Mist Vaporizer
      To reduce the bronchial irritation, a humidifier or a warm mist vaporizer can be a great help.
    • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
      This is an effective treatment for chronic bronchitis as it includes nutrition counseling, education, learning different breathing techniques, doing regular exercise along with getting help to quit smoking. These activities will not only improve the patient’s health but will also help to stay fit and healthy.
    • Oxygen Therapy
      Chronic bronchitis affected patients may face trouble in breathing with the progress of the disease. When it becomes difficult to breathe naturally, some supplemental oxygen is needed to offer relief to the patient.
    • Proper Rest
      As a patient of chronic bronchitis faces breathing issues, the affected person might feel tired and dizziness. Proper rest including sitting in a steamy bathroom or sleeping near any humidifier will help to deal with chronic bronchitis.

    Other than all the aforementioned ways, many medications, vaccines, steroids, antibiotics etc. are available that offer an effective treatment for chronic bronchitis. However, it is advised not to take any medication, supplements, or anything without consulting a medical expert. This medical guidance will not only help you to deal with the symptoms but will also help in getting the fastest recovery from this chronic bronchitis.

    Read more
  • 5 simple steps to make your own wedding invitation

    If you are tight on your wedding budget and have decided to make your own wedding invitation, you are probably wondering where to start from. It can be a little overwhelming, but with a little bit of organization and planning, it can be quite easy to make your own invitation at home. Here are 5 easy steps to get you started on making your own wedding invitation.

    • Pick the design: The design of the wedding invitation reflects the personal style and taste of the bride and groom. Check websites selling wedding invitations, wedding magazines, and wedding websites to find the inspiration for your wedding invitation design. Order samples to get an exact idea of how the invitation will look off-screen. You can mix up different designs from multiple samples, or you can just go ahead and create your own design.
    • Decide the budget: Before you start making your own wedding invitation, set the budget. It should not happen that you set your heart on a design, only to find that you cannot afford the design and the materials that will go into the making of your card. While setting the budget, decide on the number of guests you will be inviting.
    • Pick the envelopes: Customized envelopes are hard to find, unless you are making them as well. However, it can be quite time-consuming to make envelopes along with the cards. Envelopes are available in standard sizes. Before going ahead with the making of the wedding invitation, pick the envelope. You have to make sure your invitation fits into the envelope you have picked.
    • Print the inserts: The inserts are where all the important information about your wedding will go. You can take a pick from a wide range of textures, colors, and patterns. You can even use decorative papers and contrasting cards. Invest a lot of time and efforts in getting the words of the insert right. Pick a font that is easy to read and yet compliments the overall look and feel of your wedding invitation. Accent-colored foils and metallic foil inserts often enhance the look of wedding invitations.
    • Get all the tools home: When making your own wedding invitations, you can buy cards that are already folded and inserts that are already cut. However, if you are on a very tight budget and need to make a lot of cards, you will need to buy card-making tools. These include paper trimmers, card folding boards, bone folders, and different types of glues.

    Tag: wedding invitation

    Read more