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In a letter congratulating AnnieMac Home Mortgage for winning the USDA Rural Development Lender of the Year Award for Fiscal Year 2017, USDA Housing Programs Director Michael Matthews states:  “Your commitment has made our program grow and become very successful, and your contributions to the industry are much appreciated.”

VP of Collateral Valuation Wes Costello said AnnieMac has funded $14 million in USDA loans during the last fiscal year,  which was the most in the lending industry by a wide margin. But Wes said the dollar volume tells only a fraction of the story.

“Part of what they took into account is engagement with the USDA and commitment to serving people in rural communities,” Wes said.

The USDA loan program is geared toward fostering the financial health of rural communities, with 100 percent financing, low rates, and low insurance costs.

According to Wes, the U

From: Zillow Porchlight

Here are some best practices for buyers at all ends of the home-buying spectrum.

Open houses are the gold standard in real estate. They’ve been around for decades and will be ingrained in the buying and selling of homes for years to come.

The average buyer attends three open houses, according to the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, a survey of more than 13,000 homeowners, sellers, buyers, and renters. Seventy-one percent of all buyers attend at least open house, and first-time buyers are even more likely to go (77 percent attend one open house or more).

But as a

Buying a house is a process. One where you’ll spend a lot of quality time with your Realtor®. One where you might even drive him or her a little … nuts.

No, we’re not talking about that time you called after 10 p.m. because you saw a house online and had to see it immediately (though, hey, you might want to ease up on that, too). We’re talking about the stuff you do that actually sabotages your chances of getting the right house, at the right price—or getting a house at all.

They put in crazy hours. They probably don't remember the last time they had a weekend off. Realtors don't have the easiest time of it. If you're dealing with one as a buyer, you can make his or her life a little easier by NOT doing any of the following.

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From: Green Living Ideas

We all know that energy efficient technologies and greener routines are the future. Not necessarily because we prefer them or because they’re more convenient, but because the health of our world demands it. Yet, one of the reasons why homeowners often struggle to adopt eco-friendly changes is a lack of understanding.

We don’t spend enough time talking about the many different perks of ‘going green.’ Instead of focusing on the differences, we should be focusing on how great it is t

From: Bob Vila

By: Glenda Taylor

Glass tiles are still enjoying their day in the sun as homeowners continue to incorporate these trendy tiles into their home renovation projects. With their easy-to-clean, glossy surface, durability, and versatility, glass tiles provide an attractive option for backsplashes, shower walls, and bathroom accents. What’s more, glass tiles have a clear or jewel-toned hue that radiates light, producing a shimmering effect you won’t find in ceramic tiles.

From: Remodelaholic

By: Cass

Every home has its quirks, and the older the home, the more quirks you're likely to find. But the quirks come along with charm, so there's a trade-off there — and our guest today lives in a century-old farmhouse that has plenty of quirks (like a funky tile hearth installed by a previous owner) that she and her family are working hard to change into more modern and beautiful charm, like this gorgeous DIY concrete hearth.

Source: MoneyNing

By: Miranda Marquit

We often think about money management as something that happens separately from everything else in our lives, but nothing really exists in a vacuum. The truth is that our lifestyle habits can have a tremendous impact on the way we manage money. Live right and we will make the right choices. Live on the edge and our finances will suffer too. Here are three lifestyle habits that can make us worse at taking care of our financial resources:

Source: Cheapism
By: Jennifer Magid

SHOP AROUND BEFORE CHOOSING A VET
Veterinarians charge a surprisingly broad array of prices for the same services, even in the same location. The fee for spaying or neutering a pet, for example, might range from less than $100 through a low-cost program to nearly $1,000 at a private clinic. Before settling on a vet, make calls and ask plenty of questions regarding prices for a variety of services.