
You have suddenly realized that you have the need to buy a van. It could be either because your work requires you to carry equipment that won’t comfortably fit in your car, or it could be maybe you go skiing or biking or rafting on the weekends and need the extra room. It could even be that maybe you now have kids of the age that need to be picked up and dropped off to school and extracurricular activities, and you are part of the car pool, which necessitates having room for a car full of kids.
Whatever the reasons, you’ve also decided that you do not want to invest in a new vehicle, which you know will lose value the moment you drive it off the lot. And which will probably acquire dents and bruises, food smells and what not, depending on the usage. So your best bet is to invest in a used van. You will be relieved to hear that you have options galore. There are myriad ways you can go about looking for used vans; you can search online, use aggregator sites, go to specialty used car websites, and also check in-person or via the phone with dealerships in your city or town, as well as go through family or friends.
Now let’s take a closer look at these options. For online option, one of the good sites to start with is always eBay. eBay offers both bidding and “Buy It Now” options for purchases. Even if you don’t wish to actually buy from eBay, it gives you a good idea of the different types of vans and minivans that are available. You can peg your price range and figure out what features and models you are most interested in.
For offline options, you should check out private sellers through contacts, or head to the nearest dealers. If you are certain of which manufacturer you want to go with, then think about heading to your local certified pre-owned dealer for that car company, where you can check out their range of used vans. With this option, you can get financing, extended limited warranty, roadside assistance and perhaps most pertinent of all, you will get some level of assurance of the condition and quality of the car, since it will have the manufacturer’s seal of approval and certified pre-owned certification, having undergone a series of inspections and also having been restored to as close to factory conditions as possible.
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Your guide to getting FHA loan approvals
Read moreA Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is a type of mortgage which is insured by the FHA and is considered one of the most affordable and fastest loans to procure.
Simply put, the borrower needs to be approved by the FHA to get this loan. You may then look for different mortgage rates with different FHA-approved lenders. There are plenty of portals which may help you get fast quotes and you may subsequently take the process ahead with any lender whose rates you have found affordable.
Important guidelines to get an FHA loan approval
Discussed below are a few important aspects to keep in mind while applying for an FHA loan.Credit score
The credit score requirement to get an FHA loan approval is not stringent. The minimum eligible credit score for the same is 580. Even if you do not have a credit history, your lender will need to evaluate your eligibility, based on a non-traditional merged credit. Some borrowers may require a score of 640-680 to be eligible for this loan.While this is a guideline set, many lenders also give a loan to people with a credit score of at least 500.
Debt to income ratio
The debt to income ratio is a critical guideline followed by lenders to evaluate the eligibility of a borrower. It is a way in which lenders (even mortgage lenders) calculate a borrower’s ability to repay the debts, considering their regular incomes. The acceptable limit of this ratio is 31:43 to get an FHA loan approval.Mortgage insurance
Even though getting an approval for an FHA loan seems fairly easy, the real challenge arises in getting two types of mortgage insurances as prerequisites. One insurance needs to be paid fully while the other has to have a provision of being paid in monthly installments.Down payment
The minimum down payment required for an FHA loan approval is 3.5%. While the standard rate for down payment runs at 20%, the 3.5% comes as a great relief for borrowers who cannot afford such a high amount.Other important areas
A lender will look into your employment history, lawful residency in the US, as well as a valid Social Security number (SSN). You would also require to have an appraisal for the property from a verified FHA-approved appraiser.The other requirements differ from lender to lender, and it is always advisable to gather full information about your verified FHA loan lender before applying for a loan.
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3 ways SMA patients and caregivers can maintain a healthy relationship
Read moreThe relationship between a person diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and their caregiver is a two-way street. It is important to remember that both the patient and caregiver have their individual needs that should be communicated clearly. Irrespective of whether the primary caregiver is a parent, friend, or someone who has been hired to take care of the SMA patient, there are a few important things to consider for a healthy relationship between them. Below are three tips for SMA patients to maintain a healthy relationship with their caregivers-
- Informing the caregiver in advance about any schedule changes
SMA patients should remember that their caregivers, whether family, friends or professional caregivers, have their own schedules and needs. One needs to ensure that they don’t make any last-minute changes without informing the caregiver well in advance. A caregiver plans everything according to the SMA patient’s schedule, and any sudden changes might cause problems with the caregiver’s schedule and routine. It is important to remember that the caregiver is likely to have other jobs, people to meet, and other personal errands of their own. Hence, it is essential to inform the caregiver in advance if there are any changes to one’s schedule.
- Conveying one’s needs clearly
If an SMA patient is hiring someone through an agency or via the Internet, it is vital to know that the caregiver has probably had clients with a wide range of needs, levels of independence, and abilities. Hence, it is necessary for the patient to inform the caregiver about what their specific needs are, what tasks they can do, and what tasks they cannot perform. The best way that a caregiver will be able to help a patient properly and cater to all their needs is by just communicating with them. If one is used to doing certain things in a particular manner, let the caregiver know that beforehand so that they are able to do their job thoroughly by keeping their patient’s needs in mind.
- It is okay to have disagreements with the caregiver
When the caregiver is a friend or family member, fights and arguments are inevitable. However, when one has a fight, a confusion, a misunderstanding, or whether there is a simple disagreement with one’s caregiver, one needs to ensure that this tension does not last. It is important to communicate openly and work together towards solving the problem.
- Informing the caregiver in advance about any schedule changes