Will Multiple Loan Applications Hurt My Credit Score?

BY LATOYA IRBY

 Updated January 30, 2020

When you’re shopping for a new home or auto loan, you’ll probably apply for several loans to compare terms and see which lender will offer the highest loan amount and the best interest rate. Or, if you’re not sure about your credit, you may spend time shopping around to find a lender that you know will approve your application.

What you may not realize is that your mortgage broker or auto salesman may run your credit with several different lenders.¹ Many are shocked to see multiple inquiries made to their credit report after applying for a mortgage or car loan. And once you understand that credit inquiries have a negative impact on your credit score, you may become worried that rate shopping will hurt your credit score. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Hard Inquiries?

Credit checks made when you apply for a loan are considered “hard” inquiries, meaning they’re the result of an application you’ve made. These are in contrast to the “soft” inquiries that come from you checking your own credit or a company generating a promotional credit offer for you. Hard inquiries can hurt you. They account for roughly 10% of your credit score and remain on your credit report for two years.² Only the inquiries from the past 12 months are included in your credit score, however.³

What Rate Shopping Means for Your Credit

Many credit scoring calculations are forgiving when it comes to borrowers who are rate shopping—they don’t treat all inquiries the same. In fact, mortgage, auto, and student loan inquiries receive special treatment because credit scorers realize that you are looking for the best rate—not trying to apply for several mortgages, auto, or student loans. The exact impact of multiple loan inquiries all depends on the credit scoring model that’s used.³

First, inquiries from these types of lenders don’t affect your credit score for the first 30 days after they are made. Your credit score won’t drop because of the loan application and it won’t make it harder for you to get approved.

The 45-Day Window

Thirty days after you’ve made the first application, all the applications made within a period of time are treated as a single inquiry in your credit score. That time period varies from 14 to 45 days depending on the credit scoring model that’s used to pull your credit score. The newest credit scoring models use a 45-day window for rate shopping. So, whether you make five or 15 applications, they’ll count as just one inquiry for your credit score.⁴⁵

Always Proceed With Caution

It’s worth emphasizing that the rate shopping exception for multiple inquiries only applies to mortgage, auto, and loan applications. If you’re making multiple credit card applications, for example, each inquiry is treated as a single inquiry, no matter how many you make or the time period in which you make them. Your credit score can potentially drop with each new credit card application.

While multiple loan applications can be treated as a single inquiry in your credit score, even that single inquiry can cause your credit score to drop. However, the impact on your credit score should be the same as if you’d applied for just one loan. Also, the effect will decrease over time as you minimize your future applications and make all your payments on time.

Should I Still Rate Shop?

While you need to be smart (and cautious), don’t let the fear of what could happen to your credit score keep you from shopping around for the best terms. Comparative shopping is always the wisest move to make, especially when you’re financing a major purchase like a home or car. Shopping around ensures you get the best terms with a lender, which can save you a substantial amount of money in the long run.ARTICLE TABLE OF CONTENTSSkip to section

• What Are Hard Inquiries?
• What Rate Shopping Means for Your Credit
• The 45-Day Window
• Always Proceed With Caution
• Should I Still Rate Shop?

Article Sources:

https://www.thebalance.com/will-multiple-loan-applications-hurt-my-credit-score-960544

1. Experian. “Multiple Inquiries When Shopping for a Car Loan.” Accessed Jan. 30, 2020.
2. Equifax. “How Credit History Impacts Credit Scores.” Accessed Jan. 30, 2020.
3. TransUnion. “The Difference Between Hard and Soft Credit Inquiries.” Accessed Jan. 30, 2020.
4. Equifax. “Understanding Hard Inquiries on Your Credit Report.” Accessed Jan. 30, 2020.
5. FICO. “Credit Checks: What Are Credit Inquiries and How Do They Affect Your FICO Score?” Acessed Jan. 30, 2020.

At Home w/ Kids during Covid-19?

Below is a great resource from Brian Douglas and Associates to help you keep your kids learning and entertained during covid-19

We know many of you are suddenly home with your kids and you may be struggling to find ways to keep them entertained, while also educating them. The first thing to do is to not panic. Realize that this is a great time to make memories with your kids and maybe even teach them something new and exciting. And hey, maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two!

It’s also a good time to teach them life lessons, such as, laundry, cooking, changing a tire, checking the oil, checking tire pressure, taxes, bills, etc.

Here are some links that have free learning content. The content ranges from toddlers to AP students, to adults. Some of the content is always free, some is only free during this unique situation.

 

Virtual Tours

• The San Diego Zoo – videos, activities, and games. https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/

 

• Tour Yellowstone National Park https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm

 

• Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover. https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/

 

• This Canadian site FarmFood 360 offers 11 Virtual Tours of farms from minks, pigs, and cows, to apples and eggs. https://www.farmfood360.ca/

 

• Travel to Paris, France to see works of art at The Louvre with this virtual field trip. https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne

 

• Great Wall of China https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china

 

• Georgia Aquarium Exhibit Cam https://www.ozolio.com/explore/HQKO00000499

 

• Alaskan Wildlife cams http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewing.webcams

 

• Live video of the National Zoo to the Smithsonian Learning Lab https://www.si.edu/kids

 

• Tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/

 

General

• Ask Dr. Universe is a science-education project from Washington State University. Kids can send Dr. Universe any question they may have about history, geography, plants, animals, technology, engineering, math, culture, and more. https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/

• Educational games K-12 https://www.breakoutedu.com/funathome

 

• Online homeschool platform & curriculum for Pre-K to 12th grade. All main subjects are covered, plus extra curriculum courses.  http://discoveryk12.com/dk12/

 

• 7,000 free videos in 13 subject areas https://hippocampus.org/

 

• Carmen Sandiego videos, stories, and lessons for all subject areas https://www.carmensandiego.com/resources/

 

• Entertaining & educational videos for all levels and subjects https://www.izzit.org/index.php

 

• Online education program for toddler through high school https://www.khanacademy.org/

 

• Tons of free classes from leading universities and companies https://www.coursera.org/

 

• Kid Facts gives your child access to educational videos, pictures, quizzes, downloadable worksheets, and infographics. They can use these to learn about geography, history, science, animals, and even the human body. https://www.coolkidfacts.com/

 

• Brainscape offers over a million flashcard decks for every subject, entrance exam, and certification imaginable. https://www.brainscape.com/

 

• Education for kids all topics https://www.ducksters.com

 

• A collection of hundreds of free K-12 STEM resources, from standalone models and simulations to short activities and week long sequences of curriculum materials. https://learn.concord.org/

 

• For students to practice and master whatever they are learning. https://quizlet.com/

 

• A quick start resource to help families pull together a plan for surviving the next 1-2 months at home with their kids, but it can also be a time of slowing down and enjoying kids as they learn. Preschool through 8th grade https://abetterwaytohomeschool.com/learning-at-home-everything-you-need-in-one-place.html?fbclid=IwAR0Lo2FZ5cWLMt-6nto19auqTtI5kztqLqwi3japOPl1rcR_rLaNuCUcaYw

 

• Games for all subjects K-8 https://www.funbrain.com/

 

• PreK – 5 games for all subjects https://www.turtlediary.com/

 

• Every course you could possibly want to homeschool preschool – 8 https://allinonehomeschool.com/

 

• Every course you could possibly want to homeschool for high school https://allinonehighschool.com/

 

• 450 Ivy League courses that you can take https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/ivy-league-free-online-courses-a0d7ae675869/?fbclid=IwAR0tbYeSJTzmrzgs1z1Brpoh-Lg8zoqnThQAUTFqR-bBX9O6AEh2_lnLhTs

 

• 2,500+ online courses from top institutions https://www.edx.org/

 

• Alcumus is specifically designed to provide high-performing students with a challenging curriculum appropriate to their abilities https://artofproblemsolving.com/alcumus

 

• Find and fix learning gaps https://www.mobymax.com/

 

• 100 free online educational program ideas https://savingdollarsandsense.com/free-educational-resources-for-kids/?fbclid=IwAR2UGmsPc7PImViwJ9mID1u7NKS9Vccq_CO1NAR0VqesLkj4Vog7HJbhZJ8

 

• Classes for older teens or adults https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/lp/t1/freemo?source_id=FREEMO&utm_source=Social_Media&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=1000614&fbclid=IwAR1vaJx-3_aCdyE75S0fTJg4JZ_jI6KJvsJb4CnXY03tnfTm3FdgflaNpYs

 

• A safe research site for elementary-level readers. They are offering — free 24/7 access – USERNAME: read (case sensitive) – PASSWORD: read (case sensitive)  https://www.facts4me.com/

 

• Daily lessons and educational activities that kids can do on their own https://www.superchargedschool.com/

 

• Curricular content hub specifically designed for K-3 students. https://pebblego.com/free-pebblego-capstone-interactive-access-school-closures?fbclid=IwAR0ldr6TT3grhEDzJ_fEpYvNGG13kqYo5ogwEqYneW7QBkX8L4u7cEIS0nE

 

• Course sets (Levels 1–5) that combine and cover phonics, reading, writing, spelling, literature, grammar, punctuation, art, and geography https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/

 

• Resource section includes free flashcards, coloring pages, worksheets, and other resources for children, teachers, and parents. https://supersimple.com/

 

History & Social Studies

• Ask Dr. Universe is a science-education project from Washington State University. Kids can send Dr. Universe any question they may have about history, geography, plants, animals, technology, engineering, math, culture, and more. https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/

 

• Online history classes for all ages preteen through adults https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive

 

• Digital archive of history https://www.bunkhistory.org/

 

• Social Studies https://www.ck12.org/student/

 

• Allows students to type in any city, state, or country to view an archive of historical photographs and other documents. It’s a unique way to help them learn about history. http://www.whatwasthere.com//

 

• An interactive way to learn history https://www.mission-us.org/

 

Math

• Math and Reading games https://www.funbrain.com/

 

• Geometry https://www.canfigureit.com/

 

• Math and reading games https://www.abcya.com/

 

• Math and language games https://www.arcademics.com/

 

• Math practice from counting to algebra and geometry http://www.mathscore.com/

 

• Math as a fun part of your daily family routine http://bedtimemath.org/

 

• Elem Math through 6th grade https://boddlelearning.com/

 

• Math https://www.ck12.org/student/

 

• A wide range of math content from middle school through AP Calculus. https://deltamath.com/overview

 

• K-8 online math program that looks at how a student is solving problems to adjust accordingly and build a unique learning path for them. https://www.dreambox.com/at-home

 

• Higher level math series… online video series with detailed solutions to more than a thousand publicly-released College Board SAT Math, Subject Test Math Level 1, and Subject Test Math Level 2 problems https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbQoCpvYRYRkRRvsObOPHaA?reload=9

 

• Math Videos with lessons, real life uses of math, famous actors https://www.hmhco.com/math-at-work

 

• Elem Math games, logic puzzles and educational resources https://www.mathplayground.com/

 

• Math and logic problems for ages 5 and up to adult https://www.aplusclick.org/

 

• Ask Dr. Universe is a science-education project from Washington State University. Kids can send Dr. Universe any question they may have about history, geography, plants, animals, technology, engineering, math, culture, and more. https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/

 

• Math labs and simulations https://phet.colorado.edu/

 

• Math practice https://xtramath.org/#/home/index

 

• Math games galore https://gridclub.com/

 

• Short videos about numbers that help kids explore complex math topics and make math more fun. https://www.numberphile.com/

 

• Math Games, Logic Puzzles and Brain Builders https://www.mathplayground.com/

 

• Adaptive curriculum in Math and ELA for Grades K-8 https://www.scootpad.com/

 

• Algebra games for kids https://www.dragonboxapp.com/

 

• Fractions practice http://www.mathchimp.com/freddysfractions.php

 

• Enter your math problem or search term, press the button, and they show you the step-by-step work and answer instantly. 2nd grade through college.  https://www.mathcelebrity.com/online-math-tutor.php

 

• Educational brain breaks to help students review essential literacy and math skills, while getting in some exercise. Find over 900 videos to help your child keep learning at home and burn off some extra energy. Our site is best used for ages 4-8. https://fluencyandfitness.com/register/school-closures/

 

• K-5 curriculum that builds deep understanding and a love of learning math for all students https://www.zearn.org/

 

• Website allows students to play basic games to reinforce math skills and compete against the computer or others https://www.mangahigh.com/en-us/

 

Science

• Geography and animals https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

 

• High school chemistry topics https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/articles-by-topic.html

 

• Hands on elementary science videos https://www.backpacksciences.com/science-simplified

 

• Biology https://www.biologysimulations.com/

 

• Science https://www.ck12.org/student/

 

• Daily free science or cooking experiment to do at http://www.clubscikidzmd.com/blog/

 

• Chemistry https://www.playmadagames.com/

 

• K-5th Science lessons https://mysteryscience.com/

 

• Interactive video earth science based curriculum supplement. https://www.everyday-earth.com/

 

• This NASA initiative covers a wide range of topics including weather, climate, atmosphere, water, energy, plants, and animals. https://climatekids.nasa.gov/

 

• Ask Dr. Universe is a science-education project from Washington State University. Kids can send Dr. Universe any question they may have about history, geography, plants, animals, technology, engineering, math, culture, and more. https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/

 

• Amphibian unit studies https://premeditatedleftovers.com/naturally-frugal-mom/amphibians-unit-study-resources/

 

• Science simulations, scientist profiles, and other digital resources for middle school science and high school biology https://sepuplhs.org/

 

• From rainbows to tornadoes and winter storms to tsunamis, meteorologist Crystal Wicker breaks down the fascinating world of weather. http://www.weatherwizkids.com/

 

• This educational website hosted by the Smithsonian Museum takes a deep dive into ocean life. https://ocean.si.edu/

 

• Innerbody explores the 11 bodily systems in depth. With interactive models and detailed explanations, this website will help them learn more about the internal mechanics of the amazing human body. https://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html

 

• Science podcasts to listen to with your kids https://medium.com/kidslisten/19-great-science-podcasts-you-can-listen-to-with-kids-6fe46ac506b8#.rb23iuaw6

 

• Science projects that can be completed with or without Internet access https://sciencespot.net/Pages/classhome.html

 

• Science labs and simulations https://phet.colorado.edu/

 

• An online physics problem and video bank designed for conceptual, standard, honors or AP1 physics. https://www.positivephysics.org/home

 

• Learn all about cells https://www.cellsalive.com/

 

• 80+ do at home science activities https://elementalscience.com/blogs/news/80-free-science-activities

 

• A human visualization platform that allows students to explore the human body in really cool ways. https://human.biodigital.com/login?returnUrl=/dashboard

 

• Just explore, have fun, and learn some science along the way. https://thehappyscientist.com/

 

• Tons of science experiments that you can do at home https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/

 

• Learn all about earthquakes https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/

 

• Learn all about the periodic table https://www.chemicool.com/

 

• Next Generation Science video game focused on middle school where students directly engage in science phenomena as they solve problems. https://www.tytoonline.com/

 

• Space science for kiddos https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html

 

Reading/Writing

• Reading games https://www.funbrain.com/

 

• Read, play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss https://www.seussville.com/

 

• Phonics skills https://www.starfall.com/h/

 

• Reading games https://www.abcya.com/

 

• Language games https://www.arcademics.com/

 

• Favorite kids books read by famous people https://www.storylineonline.net/

 

• Grammar practice for middle grades https://www.classroomcereal.com/

 

• Reading passages for grades 3-12, with reading comprehension and discussion questions. https://www.commonlit.org/

 

• Games to get “into the book” https://reading.ecb.org/

 

• Phonics and learning to read https://readingeggs.com/

 

• Spelling 1-4 grade https://www.spellingtraining.com/

 

• Randomly generates 356,300,262,144 story starters https://thestorystarter.com/

 

• Work on the 8 parts of speech https://www.grammaropolis.com/

 

• Free printable K-8 Reading and Math activity packs (available in English and Spanish) https://www.curriculumassociates.com/supporting-students-away-from-school

 

• Engaging reading game for grades 2-8 that combines strategy, engagement, and imaginative reading passages to create a fun, curriculum-aligned literacy game. https://www.squigglepark.com/dreamscape/

 

• Magic Spell is a carefully crafted spelling adventure. https://brainbox.games/

 

• Online curriculum that builds better writers. https://www.noredink.com/

 

• Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing. https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

 

• ReadWorks is an online resource of reading passages and lesson plans for students of all levels K-12. https://www.readworks.org/

 

• Novel Effect makes storytime a little more fun for kids (and grown-ups too!) As you read out loud from print books (or Ebooks) music, sound effects, and character voices play at just the right moment, adjusting and responding to your voice. https://noveleffect.com/

 

• Teaches students how to write a paragraph through interactive online tutorial http://www.paragraphpunch.com/

 

• The Shurley English program for grades K-8 provides a clear, logical, and concrete approach to language arts. https://www.shurley.com/

 

• Spellingcity is free right now with code VSCFree90 https://www.spellingcity.com/

 

• Printable board games, activities and more for phonics and reading all using evidence-based methods. Can be customized to any student’s needs including creating flashcards for other subjects. https://dogonalogbooks.com/printables/

 

• Educational brain breaks to help students review essential literacy and math skills, while getting in some exercise. Find over 900 videos to help your child keep learning at home and burn off some extra energy. Our site is best used for ages 4-8. https://fluencyandfitness.com/register/school-closures/

 

• Phonics worksheets for kids https://www.funfonix.com/

 

• Free stories online ages 3-12 https://www.freechildrenstories.com/

 

• Short videos and readings that answer various burning questions for students. There are vocabulary challenges and comprehension questions. http://wonderopolis.org/

 

Music & Art

• Music is for everyone https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Experiments

 

• Poetry and music https://www.thewell.world/mindful-music/mindful-poetry-moments

 

• QuaverMusic is offering free access to general music activities to all impacted schools, including free student access at-home https://www.quavermusic.com/info/at-home-resources/

 

• Prodigies is a colorful music curriculum for kids 1-12 that will teach your kids how to play their first instrument, how to sing in tune & how to understand the language of music https://prodigiesmusic.com/

 

• Music practice transformed https://www.smartmusic.com/

 

• The Theta Music Trainer offers a series of online courses and games for ear training and music theory. https://trainer.thetamusic.com/en

 

• Introductory and intermediate music theory lessons, exercises, ear trainers, and calculators. https://www.musictheory.net/

 

• Sight reading and sight singing practice exercises. https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

 

• NGAkids interactives offer an entertaining and informative introduction to art and art history. https://www.nga.gov/education/kids.html

 

• Helps kids learn to appreciate the arts by providing them with the opportunity to play games, conduct investigations, and explore different forms of art. https://artsology.com/

 

• A wonderful, endlessly detailed way to get kids engaged in the world of art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/

 

• Lets kids play instruments online (guitar, piano, pan flute, drums, and bongos) https://www.virtualmusicalinstruments.com/

 

Languages & Other Cultures

• Resources for Spanish practice https://www.difusion.com/campus/

 

• Chinese learning activities https://chalkacademy.com/

 

• Vocabulary, grammar, listening activities and games in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Korean, and Latin. https://conjuguemos.com/

 

• 35,000 pages of online content on the cultures and countries of the world. https://www.countryreports.org/

 

• Foreign languages https://www.duolingo.com/

 

• Music Based Spanish Learning https://rockalingua.com/

 

• 22 languages to learn https://www.memrise.com/

 

Miscellaneous

• 3D printing projects and Coding projects, involving math and other K-12 subjects https://www.instructables.com/member/EdgertonCenter/instructables/

 

• Learn to code https://www.codecademy.com/

 

• Scratch draws students of all types into coding and lays a foundation for future learning. https://scratch.mit.edu/

 

• Coding for ages 4-10 https://www.kodable.com/

 

• Keyboarding practice https://www.typingclub.com/   or https://www.typing.com/

 

• Improve your typing skills while competing in fast-paced races with up to 5 typers from around the world. https://www.nitrotype.com/

 

• Indoor Activities for busy toddlers https://busytoddler.com/2020/03/indoor-activities/?fbclid=IwAR3tYXAqw7tJRAzLExpPcJo4rApLsKtgL0AwghzxgnhwOajc4auX6o12_xw

 

• Play games and learn all about animals https://switchzoo.com/

 

• Play with favorite show characters and learn too https://pbskids.org/

 

• 300,000+ FREE printable worksheets from toddlers to teens https://www.123homeschool4me.com/home-school-free-printables/

 

• Crafts, activities, mazes, dot to dot, etc, https://www.allkidsnetwork.com/

 

• Voice based learning… learn through Alexa https://bamboolearning.com/resources

 

• Fun games, recipes, crafts, activities https://www.highlightskids.com/

 

• ClickSchooling brings you daily recommendations by email for entertaining websites that help your kids learn. https://clickschooling.com/

 

• Test Prep for SAT, ACT, etc. https://www.bwseducationconsulting.com/handouts.php

 

• Resources for AP students https://marcolearning.com/

 

• Resources for AP students including live reviews, live trivia, and study guides! https://app.fiveable.me/

 

• Digital learning content for preschool through high school https://www.curriki.org/

 

• 3 Free Weeks of Maker Stations to keep your children creating at home! Each challenge includes simple instructions using materials around the house, QR code video resources, and a student recording sheet. bit.ly/freemakerstations

 

• Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts. https://www.gonoodle.com/

 

• Free Printables for PreK-2nd Grade https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Literacy-With-The-Littles/Price-Range/Free

 

• Free printables library with activities for children 0-6 https://www.littlesparkcompany.com/printables-library

 

• Free at-home kids yoga lesson plans https://littletwistersyoga.com/online-store/

 

• Scads of free resources, games, learning resources, and lesson plans for teaching personal finance https://www.ngpf.org/

 

• Illustrated recipes designed to help kids age 2-12 cook with their grown-ups. Recipes encourage culinary skills, literacy, math, and science. https://www.nomsterchef.com/nomster-recipe-library

 

• Quick & easy at home projects curated for kids 2 and up https://www.kiwico.com/kids-at-home

 

• PreK-12 digital media service with more than 30,000 learning materials https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/

 

• Free videos from around the world from grade 3-12 https://www.projectexplorer.org/

 

• Critical Thinking resources for K-6 students https://marketplace.mythinkscape.com/store/redtkids

 

• Kid-friendly workouts — choose from Strength for Kids, Agility for Kids, Flexibility and Balance for Kids, Warm-Up for Kids, Cooldown for Kids, Stand Up and Move for Kids, OR create your own custom kid workout. https://app.sworkit.com/collections/kids-workouts

 

• At home OT, PT, and ST resources designed to build skills in children through movement and play. https://www.theottoolbox.com/

 

• Online digital coloring pages https://www.thecolor.com/

 

• National Geographic Young Explorers is a magazine designed specifically for kindergarten and first grade students. Children can listen to the magazine being read to them as they follow along with the highlighted text.   https://ngexplorer.cengage.com/ngyoungexplorer/index.html

 

• Farmer’s almanac for kids… Date, weather, moon phase, etc. https://www.almanac.com/kids

 

• Guide to gardening for kids https://web.extension.illinois.edu/firstgarden/

 

• Games, quizzes and fact sheets take kids on a journey through time. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/forkids/

 

• News and more for kids https://www.youngzine.org/

 

• Immerse yourself in cryptography https://www.cryptoclub.org/

 

• Interactive games based on the book series https://www.magictreehouse.com/

 

• All sorts of learning here if you dig in https://www.google.com/earth/

 

• Tests kids’ geography skills. Using images from Google’s Street View, it plops players down in the middle of the street and asks them to figure out where they are. https://www.geoguessr.com/

 

• Crafts, activities, bulletin board designs, and finger plays for early education teachers and parents to use with kids. http://www.preschoolexpress.com/

 

• A large selection of fun songs to help teach preschool and kindergarten students https://www.songsforteaching.com/preschoolkindergarten.htm

 

• Life skills curriculum for students in grades K-12. Their resources include strategies for teaching social and emotional skills. https://www.overcomingobstacles.org/

 

• This interactive website, hosted by the U.S. Government Publishing Office, allows your child to see the ins and outs of the U.S. government by taking a series of learning adventures with none other than Benjamin Franklin. https://bensguide.gpo.gov/

 

• Your child can play games, learn fun facts, and find out how to turn coin collecting into a hobby. https://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids

 

• Kids Think Design explores careers in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, book design, product design, film and theatre, architecture, animation, and environmental design. http://www.kidsthinkdesign.org/

 

• Banzai exposes students to real-world financial dilemmas to teach them the importance of smart money management. https://www.teachbanzai.com/

 

• Coding with Star Wars https://code.org/starwars

 

• Tons and tons and tons of games some learning some just fun. https://www.crazygames.com/

 

• Engineering challenges with things you have at home https://thehomeschoolscientist.com/paper-structures-engineering-challenge/

 

• Resource section includes free flashcards, coloring pages, worksheets, and other resources for children, teachers, and parents. https://supersimple.com/

 

• Online photograph jigsaw puzzles You can set the pieces from 6-1000+  https://www.jigsawexplorer.com/

 

• Toddler and preschool age ideas https://preschoolinspirations.com/

 

• Bible story resources early childhood – 6th grade https://www.life.church/kids/media/

 

In addition to these resources, there are many documentaries on the streaming services that could pose beneficial and entertaining to kids. Check places like Netflix, Hulu, & Amazon Prime.

With the health issues surrounding the coronavirus continuing to unfold, this can be an unsettling time. But we’re here to reassure you, it’s going to be okay. In the meantime, if there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact Brian M. Douglas & Associates at 770.933.9009 and Taylor Nguyen at 678.549.2191

15 Year or 30 Year Loan?

Don’t know if you should do a 15 Year or 30 Year Fixed Loan? Take this questionnaire to find out which approach best fits your lifestyle:

https://www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/15-or-30-year-mortgage-calculator.aspx

Atlanta’s Hottest Neighborhoods- Summer 2018

From suburbs, to city life, young trendy areas, to family-friendly neighborhoods- Atlanta has something for everyone. The “hottest” and most desirable neighborhoods are no longer just the ones surrounding the Beltline; here are my top picks for Atlanta trendiest neighborhoods for summer:

Inman Park

Inman park homes have been restored to provide a modern feel to an old, historic area. To keep up the community, Inman Park has an annual, three-day festival during the last weekend of April filled with music, a parade, and food from all over Atlanta. Ranked as StreetAdvisor’s 3rd Best Neighborhood to live in Atlanta, Inman Park has long earned its spot as one of Atlanta’s hottest neighborhoods.

Scottdale

Scottdale community has been booming lately due to its prime location inside 285 near Downtown. In Fact, the community has been branded as “Atlanta’s Next Success Story.” The neighborhood has new construction and reasonable pricing.  A little behind some of the other communities, this neighborhood is ranked as one of the hottest due to its large potential.

Poncey-Highland

Poncey-Highland is a vibrant in-town neighborhood on the eastside of Atlanta, located two miles northeast of downtown. Beautiful outdoors, parks, walking trails, community, and great eats, Poncey-Highland is a young neighborhood with never ending activities.

Chamblee

Among the other neighborhoods mentioned, Chamblee is the farthest from the downtown at about 14 miles away. However, what it lacks in distance is made up by the housing options and booming development in this area. For families or young adults looking for their desired housing option at a reasonable price, Chamblee has you covered.

West Midtown

Once known as an industrial center, West Midtown has reinvented itself as a hip spot in Atlanta. Full of street art, renovated warehouses, unique and trendy restaurants, this neighborhood focuses around pristine craftsmanship. If you’re looking for a trendy, urban neighborhood, then West Midtown is perfect for you.

Peachtree Heights West

With buyers on waitlists for homes in this area, Peachtree Heights West is one of Buckhead’s most desired neighborhoods. Homes in this area start at $1M and go up from there. Peachtree Heights West has a southern, luxurious, suburban feel that’s minutes from Downtown, then this community has you covered. Ranked as the #1 Hottest Atlanta Neighborhood by Curbed Magazine, Peachtree Heights West is hot on the map for those looking to live lavish in Atlanta.

Edgewood

Edgewood is a neighborhood on the rise. The nightlife and retail district to keep your days busy and nights full of entertainment. This area is full of sophisticated professionals, young adults, and young families that want a mix of city life, locally-owned shops, and that neighborhood feel.

Estimated Timeline for Appliances

Knowing the lifespan of appliances when purchasing a home can help you budget for future expenses.

As a Buyer, you can ask the Seller to purchase a one year home warranty on your behalf.

And as a Seller, you can offer a home warranty if you know your appliances are at the end of their lifespan. This will give prospective buyer’s some peace of mind.

Top Questions to Ask a Mortgage Lender

Choosing the right lender is as important as choosing the right realtor. You want the best people on your team! When shopping around for a lender, here are some questions you may want to consider asking them:

• What types of loans do you offer?
• What are the loan application/approval process fees?
• Are you going to hold this loan or sell it?
• How do you keep my personal information secure?
• Will you sell my information?
• How can I reach someone after hours?

About loan rates:

• What interest rate are you offering, and how did you arrive at it?
• Is this the best rate you can give me?
• How will the rate change over the life of the loan?
• What is the highest my ARM (adjustable rate mortgage) rate can go?
• How long will you lock in my rate? What does the lock cost me?
• Can you explain an annual percentage rate (APR)? What is it for this loan?

About loan costs:

• Will you give me a fee sheet or estimate of funds to close?
• Will you explain my good faith estimate (GFE)?
• What am I paying in points?
• What are my monthly payments?
• Do I need to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI)?
• Are there any prepayment penalties on this loan?
• How long will the loan take to close?

Top-Questions-to-Ask-a-Mortgage-Lender-f04663

9 Tax Deductions Every Homeowner Should Know About

The vast world of deductions can have even the most financially astute among us scratching our heads come tax time. But when it comes to home ownership, you’ll be saving major, majorbuckage if you know what you’re eligible for. We checked in with Lisa Greene-Lewis, CPA and TurboTax Tax Expert, for all the key places you should be leveraging Uncle Sam’s generosity on the home front.

RELATED: 4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR TAXES IF YOU HAD A BABY THIS YEAR

TWENTY20

Mortgage Payments
The biggie: You can deduct the amount of interest paid on your mortgage. If you purchased your home last year, you should be receiving a document called Form 1098 from your lender that includes the amount of interest paid, as well as the points you paid, so that you can maximize your deductions for a bigger refund.

Accidental Loss
Here’s hoping you don’t actually claim this one, which has to be the result of a sudden, unexpected or unusual event (like property damage as a result of last year’s horrible hurricane season, for example). If your losses total more than 10 percent of your income, you can deduct whatever your insurance doesn’t cover.

Solar Energy
If you’ve made any solar improvements lately (see: energy panels), you’re eligible for a credit of 30 percent of the total cost, including installation, with no set limit. Note that the residential energy efficient property credit will drop over the years under the new tax code, so don’t wait too long if you’re noodling on the prospect. (The credit decreases to 26 percent for tax year 2020; 22 percent for tax year 2021, then expires December 31, 2021.)

TWENTY20

Historical Preservation
Buy an old fixer-upper? You might be eligible for a deduction. While the historical preservation credit mostly applies exclusively to “income producing” properties (like commercial buildings), certain states have historic preservation tax credits for owner-occupied homes. In order to qualify for them, your house has to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and any work done must be reviewed to ensure it meets preservation requirements.

Rental Expenses on a Secondary Home
Unlike your primary residence (which does not count a rental as taxable income), if you rent out your second home for more than two weeks a year, you have to report it on your return. However, you can get tax breaks in the form of maintenance costs related to rental expenses: meaning stuff like supplies, repairs and furniture.

Capital Gains Exclusion
The majority of taxpayers don’t need to pay taxes on their home’s sale profit, thanks to this guy. The gist: If you owned and lived in your main home for two out of five years before its sale, you can make up to $250,000 profit when selling and not have to claim it on your taxes. As a married couple, you may be able to exclude up to $500,000 profit. On the other hand, if you pocketed more than $250,000 (on your own) or $500,000 (as a couple), you will be taxed.

TWENTY20

Home Office
If you legitimately use your home office full-time (“regularly and exclusively,” per the IRS’s guidelines), you can take the home office deduction for a percentage of your mortgage interest, insurance and maintenance—which is based on the percentage of your square footage used for your business.

Property Taxes
Reminder: If you itemize your deductions, you can write off the full amount of your home’s property taxes. But heads up: Starting next year this deduction will be limited to $10,000 total (per the new tax code).

Moving Costs
Did you buy your new home because of a job? If you meet the criteria (aka you work full-time for at least 39 weeks within the first 12 months after your move, and your new gig is at least 50 miles farther away from your old home than your old place of employment), you can claim your moving costs—everything from movers to storage boxes.

Know Someone Still Stuck in the Rent Trap?

Know the facts on Buying vs. Renting

 

If someone you know is still renting, you may have heard them mention one of the following myths about purchasing a home:

MYTH 1: Mortgage payments are unaffordable.
The tax savings on mortgage interest alone often makes up for most of the difference between a rent payment and a mortgage payment.

 

MYTH 2: Buying a home is too complicated.
Buying a home can be very complicated, but that’s why we’re here to help. Our job is to guide buyers through the entire process from start to finish.

 

MYTH 3: Buying a new home requires a substantial down payment.
There are actually quite a few flexible down payment options available. Many first-time buyers take advantage of financing options that only require a 5 percent down payment, and some require even less.

If someone you know is still stuck in the rent trap, would you forward this along to them? We would be delighted to show them the full benefits of homeownership and how it can work for them.

Resource: Keller Williams

3 Year Anniversary & NEW OFFICE!

This September marked my 3 year anniversary in Real Estate! And it has been a whirlwind of an adventure! I want to thank all my friends, family, and clients who have helped me GROW!!!

One thing I love about real estate is that you get what you put into it and everyday I strive to improve my business to better serve my clients. That was when I decided that I wanted to take a more tech-y approach to my business by joining Village Realty at Atlanta Tech Village.

As a new agent, Keller Williams was a great resource and nest to grow from, but as my wings (business) grew, I was more eager to try new things. So here’s to new adventures with Village Realty 🙂

 

Filing for Homestead Exemption

FILING FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION?

Homeowners may need to provide their Warranty Deed book and page, proof of residence, social security numbers, driver’s license, and car tag info. In most counties, to be eligible for the current year, you must have owned and occupied the property as of January 1st. If the property is located within city limits, the homeowner may be required to file with the city, as well. Homestead Exemption Generally, a homeowner is entitled to a homestead exemption on their home and land underneath provided the home was owned by the landowner and was their legal residence as of January 1st of the taxable year (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-40). Application for Homestead Exemption To be granted a homestead exemption, a person must actually occupy the home, and the home is considered their legal residence for all purposes. Persons that are away from their home because of health reasons will not be denied homestead exemption. A family member or friend can notify the tax receiver or tax commissioner and the homestead exemption will be granted (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-40). Failure to apply by the deadline will result in loss of the exemption for that year (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-45). Exemptions Offered by the State & Counties The State of Georgia offers homestead exemptions to all qualifying homeowners. In some counties they have increased the amounts of their homestead exemptions by local legislation above the amounts offered by the State. As a general rule, the exemptions offered by the county are more beneficial to the homeowner. For more information, visit: http://dor.georgia.gov/documents/property-tax-application-homestead-exemption. Homestead Exemption in Your County Click on a county name below to visit that specific county’s homestead exemption information page. The deadline to file for all counties is April 1. Cherokee County, 678.493.6120 Clayton County, 770.477.3311 Cobb County, 770.528.8600 Decatur City, 404.370.4100 If you live in the City of Decatur, YOU MUST APPLY FOR BOTH DECATUR AND DEKALB. DeKalb County, 404.298.4000 City of Dunwoody homes are included in DeKalb County. Fayette County, 770.461.3652 Forsyth County, 770.781.2106 Fulton County, 404.612.6440 City of Sandy Springs homes are included in Fulton County. Gwinnett County, 770.822.8800 Henry County, 770.288.8180 Paulding County, 770.443.7606 The contents of this flyer are intended to convey general information only and not to provide any legal or accounting advice or opinions. An attorney or an accountant should be contacted for specific information on homestead exemptions. Determination of eligibility for a particular exemption is made by the relevant authority, not by Shelter Lending Services. Reference: Shelter Lending Services