Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Make the most of the new CFPB mortgage rules

Beginning January 2014, new rules take effect that are designed to achieve a common sense goal: When it comes to shopping for a home mortgage, it should be easy for consumers to find the information they need to make good decisions.  The CFPB rules simply require lenders to document a borrower’s ability to repay the loan and follow other common sense rules to protect consumers. fairly at key points in the process.  

The CFPB’s rules ensure that anyone being paid to help you find a mortgage treats you fairly at key points in the process. The rules are aimed at empowering you to shop for loans to buy and own a home with more confidence.

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Use your Fireplace Safely and Effectively

Levine FireplaceDuring the winter months, many families gather around their home’s fireplace. A fire in the fireplace creates a warm and cozy atmosphere, but don’t expect it to add heat to your home. As little as 10 percent of the heat from a fire in an open masonry fireplace radiates into the house. 

The National Association of Home Builders’ MyHome Press has published a handbook for home owners, “Home Maintenance Made Easy,” and the excerpt below contains helpful advice on how to safely build fires and maintain your fireplace. 

Wood Burning Fireplaces

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The Multigenerational Household Trend

Levine KitchenFamily households consisting of three or more generations, or “multigenerational households,” have become increasingly popular in the 21st century. According to the most recent Census, approximately 4.4 million American homes had three generations or more living under one roof in 2010, a 15 percent increase from two years earlier. This is 5.6 percent of the total of 76.4 million U.S. households with more than one person. 

There are many reasons for this trend. The recession caused many adult children to return home after college, either because they weren’t able to get jobs that would cover rent, or they wanted to save up to buy homes of their own. According to Pew Institute research, the share of the U.S. population aged 18 to 31 living in their parent’s home increased to 36 percent or a record 21.6 million young adults in 2012.

For many ethnic and immigrant groups, multiple generations of a family living together is a common cultural custom.   

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Sean Sullivan, President and Accredited Master Builder

Sean Sullivan, President and Accredited Master Builder

“Sean Sullivan’s skills and experience exemplify superlative leadership in business and construction. His commitment to doing the right thing and being focused on the best interests of his customers is always clear. The consummate professional, Sean’s strong relationships with the many disciplines within the trade establish him as one the best go-to contractors in the business!” – Travis Childs, Senior VP First Citizens Bank

Sean Sullivan was born in Oceanside, California, on June 19, 1972 to parents John and Roberta.  As the son of a career Marine Corps officer, Sullivan moved around the country and lived overseas, although he spent most of his childhood on the US east coast.  After graduating from Beaufort Academy in South Carolina, he enrolled in the Business Administration program at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island.  He graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Leadership and Marketing. Read More

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