Holiday Closings |
| If Knowledge Is Power… Consider Yourself ARMed |
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If you think adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are confusing, you're not alone.
According to a recent survey conducted by the AFL-CIO, nearly half of homeowners with ARMs didn't know exactly how they work.* Three-fourths of those surveyed also couldn't say what their new monthly mortgage payments will be after an interest rate adjustment. |
An ARM differs from a fixed-rate
mortgage primarily in that the
interest rate on an ARM does
not remain fixed for the life of the loan. Instead, it is adjusted periodically
based on the movements of an index. ARMs
typically have caps on the amount the
interest rate can change in each adjustment
period and over the life of the loan. Whether you're concerned about rising mortgage payments, or would simply like to learn more about the various mortgage options available to you, we would like to help. Please call 800.550.5328 or visit us online at www.jfcu.org today. * Source: AFL-CIO press release, October 15, 2007. |
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Enhancing Your Home through Technology |
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Can technology help today's homeowners go
green? The answer is yes! New technology
is helping to create smart homes that can
better conserve energy, improve indoor air,
and help save homeowners money while they
enjoy greater convenience and comfort.
Here's a look at how technology is upgrading
today's dwellings. Efficient, expert lighting. Would you like to turn off all your home's lights with the touch of one button? Sophisticated systems can be installed to control lighting and other features throughout a home from any room – and, in some cases, when you're away from home (imagine turning on the porch light from your mobile phone). Lighting technology can even be automated for certain situations, such as drawing blinds and dimming lights when a DVD is started. Not only can certain lighting systems help save energy, they can provide extra security by learning the homeowner's lighting usage during a couple weeks and mimicking the usage when the homeowner is away. |
Advanced climate control. Programmable
thermostats – which allow homeowners
to program the temperature to be warmer
or cooler when they are at home – are
the norm in many of today's homes. The
latest types of climate control devices let
homeowners control a home's temperature
in predefined "zones." This means one area
of the home can be warmer or cooler than
another – offering even more energy and
cost savings than traditional thermostats.
What's more, some thermostats help
control humidity independent of
temperature for improved comfort. Better air quality. Indoor air pollution is a hot topic. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency report that indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air in some of the largest and most industrialized cities. Indoor air pollution can be responsible for allergies, asthma, and other costly health concerns. Thanks to new technology, home air filtration and purification systems – from table-top |
models to whole-house cleaners – can
improve air quality by removing harmful
particles and odors. Newer homes may
feature systems called energy-efficient
heat recovery ventilators or air-to-air
heat exchangers that bring outdoor air
into the home. The Next Generation Smart technology is here – and evolving. Experts report the homes of the future will be more responsive to human needs but with less human involvement. Smart technology can conserve resources, provide easier living, and promote greater well-being. If you're ready to enhance your current home or build your home of the future today, Justice FCU has smart financing. Stop by your nearest branch or visit us online at www.jfcu.org to learn more about a home equity loan or mortgage to fit your needs. |
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