How to Write a Letter of Explanation for a Mortgage

How to Write a Letter of Explanation for a Mortgage

Buying a house can be a fraught process, but when the market is hot, the days between offer and closing can feel endless, especially if the mortgage underwriter asks you to write a letter of explanation.

But there’s no need to panic or assume that your mortgage application will fail. The lender is simply seeking clarification about any potential red flags in your financial documents or credit history.

What’s a Letter of Explanation?

A letter of explanation for a mortgage explains details of your financial situation that may need further clarification. Because a mortgage is a large loan, lenders need to know that the borrower is capable of shouldering the mortgage.

Lenders also know that life can’t be boiled down to a spreadsheet, and that it’s not unusual for a mortgage application to include things like a late credit payment or a period of job loss.

To do due diligence, the mortgage underwriter will ask you to explain the situation in a brief letter, which will be added to your mortgage application. Additional documentation and paperwork may be required.


💡 Quick Tip: With SoFi, it takes just minutes to view your rate for a home loan online.

Why Do I Need to Provide a Letter of Explanation?

Common issues that could trigger a request for a letter of explanation include:

• Questions about your income if you don’t have W-2s or are self-employed

• Negative items on your credit report

• Employment gaps

• Your living situation if you don’t pay any rent or mortgage

• A property income or loss you claim

• Credit lines opened after you’ve put in your mortgage application

• Large deposits to, and sometimes withdrawals from, your bank account

Must I Explain a Large Deposit?

If there’s a big or unexplained deposit to your bank account, your lender may want to know where the money came from — and whether that money needs to be paid back.

A lender may also question any uneven income streams, or if deposits don’t line up with your W-2s or your tax returns.

If you received cash from, say, a parent to help with a down payment or closing costs, you may also need a gift letter signed by the giver and recipient stating that the money was a gift, not a loan. Your lender may have a template for a gift letter.

Keep in mind that your lender may be more likely to scrutinize any large deposits or withdrawals within the last 60 days.

Letter of Explanation Template

A letter of explanation is not an autobiography or an admission that you did anything wrong. It’s simply a statement of the reason for any discrepancy or issue, along with any documentation, to back up your current financial picture.

You can keep a letter of explanation brief. It should include:

• Your name and address

• Your lender’s name and address

• A subject line that includes your application number and name

• A brief paragraph explaining the situation

• A polite closing

• Your signed full name

It might look like this:

Date

Lender
Lender’s Address
Lender’s Phone Number

Subject Line (RE: John Doe’s Mortgage Application)

Letter of explanation, naming the specific item being asked about and explaining it to the best of your abilities.

Sincerely,

Applicant’s Name
Applicant’s Address
Applicant’s Phone Number

Enc.: (Relevant documentation).

The tone of the letter should be polite and factual. Remember: Your goal is not to pull on the lender’s heartstrings; it’s to reassure them that your application is solid and you would responsibly pay back your mortgage on time.


💡 Quick Tip: Jumbo mortgage loans are the answer for borrowers who need to borrow more than the conforming loan limit values set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency ($766,550 in most places, or $1,149,825 in many high-cost areas). If you have your eye on a pricier property, a jumbo loan could be a good solution.

4 Tips for an Effective Letter of Explanation

Although being asked to write a letter of explanation may sound like being assigned homework, it’s actually a great opportunity: It means you might be able to qualify for the mortgage you want, even with an imperfect application. Here are some tips to help ensure you get an A+ on this particularly important homework assignment.

1. Keep It Simple

When you’re asked to explain yourself, it can be easy to jump into a broad-reaching narrative starting from childhood, but the best letters of recommendation tend to be short and simple: They clarify the situation being asked about and reassure the lender that the “red flag” situation won’t affect the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.

2. Provide Clear Details

Generally speaking, you’ll want to specifically name whatever item you’re being asked about (late payments on a credit card account ending in 0101; an employment gap between 2/20/2020 and 9/07/2020; etc.).

Then explain. For instance, if you’re being asked about an employment gap, you might let the lender know that you were let go as a result of corporate downsizing and that you freelanced while searching for a new job.

If you’re being asked about late credit card payments, you might let the lender know that you were in the hospital at that time and thus unable to make your credit card payments, or whatever the case may be.

The key is to take responsibility for the issue and provide clear, pertinent details without being too wordy.

3. Be Honest

This may go without saying, but you definitely don’t want to lie in your letter of explanation. For one thing, doing so is likely to keep you from being approved for the mortgage — and for another, it can be considered mortgage fraud, a serious crime that can come with prison time and fines.

4. Acknowledge Responsibility, but Don’t Get Emotional

When writing a letter of explanation, you may be justifying negative items in your credit history that resulted from poor decisions — or just poor circumstances. Nobody’s perfect, but a lender simply wants to make sure you won’t default on your loan.

It can be helpful to acknowledge the ways you’ve adjusted your financial habits in response to a negative item. This helps to reassure the lender that it won’t have an impact on your ability to pay your mortgage.

For example, if you’re writing a letter of explanation to address late rent payments after a layoff, you might add that you’ve since saved up an emergency fund of three months of living expenses in order to avoid being financially blindsided in the future.

However, writing an emotional sob story won’t help. Remember: It’s a good idea to keep it simple, clear, honest, and as short as possible while still covering all those bases.

Getting Your Mortgage Application in Shape

Knowing what documents you need and what a mortgage lender will look at can help get your application in strong shape before you file it. Your lender will scrutinize your credit history and any late payments, especially ones within the last 12 months. But there are ways to proactively tackle any issues on your credit reports.

Check your credit reports. Knowing what your mortgage lender may see can help you assess where any weak points may be, and what information they may ask for.

Call the creditor if you have a recent late payment. Creditors know that accidents happen and bills may be misplaced. If your account is otherwise in good standing, it’s possible that a creditor may erase the late payment.

Focus on additional aspects of your credit. Making sure to pay bills on time and keeping your credit utilization below 30% can help build credit.

Think twice about opening accounts. Before and after applying for a mortgage, it can be a good idea to be mindful of opening new lines of credit or charging an extensive amount on current cards. Suddenly taking on more debt on credit cards can raise a red flag to lenders, which may result in being asked to write a letter of explanation.

Understanding how a lender will see your mortgage application can give you confidence and may help you head off any potential problems.

Recommended: Preapproved vs. Prequalified: What’s the Difference?

The Takeaway

A letter of explanation is when a mortgage lender needs clarity about a red flag or discrepancy that arises on your application. Knowing what to expect, having documentation ready, and answering any questions the lender may have can all be helpful in getting your home loan approved.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

Photo credit: iStock/scyther5


SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.


SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House?

As of 2023, only 21% of people say now is a good time to buy a house according to a Gallup poll. This is due to high home prices and high interest rates. While the average home price has dropped since the last quarter of 2022, prices are still higher than normal. The median home price currently sits at $424,495 and mortgage rates as of June 2023 are 6.67% for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 6.03% for 15-year FRMs.

We’ve seen higher home prices and higher interest rates in the past year, so now may not be the worst time to buy. However, whether or not now is a good time to buy a house depends heavily on your unique financial situation and local market dynamics.

Determining When You’re Ready to Buy

Before you assess the current real estate market and pay close attention to interest rate fluctuations, it’s important to understand your financial and personal situation.

Here are a few factors you may want to consider before deciding if a new home is a good play right now.

Making Room in the Budget

When buying a home, the first thing you’ll need to budget for is a down payment.

While 20% of the home’s value is the benchmark, you may only need 3.5% if you apply for an FHA loan. But even 3.5% can be a chunk of change. If you want to buy a $200,000 house, 3.5% is $7,000.

Your home-buying budget should be large enough to cover a down payment as well as closing costs, which typically include homeowners insurance, appraisal fees, property taxes, and any mortgage insurance.

Remaining Consistent

How long do you plan to live in the city where you’re eyeing a home? If you plan on staying in the home long-term, now could be a good time to buy because staying put will give your home time to appreciate (subject to market fluctuations).

Since mortgage lenders pay close attention to job consistency and a steady income, you may also want to consider your job security. Especially during uncertain times, it’s crucial to feel confident knowing you can make your mortgage payments every month.

💡 Quick Tip: Buying a home shouldn’t be aggravating. Online mortgage loan forms can make applying quick and simple.

Checking Your Financial Profile

It’s a good idea to check your financial profile. Doing so may help you secure better financing terms when you purchase a home. Lenders will review your credit history, debt-to-income ratio, and assets, among other factors, to determine your eligibility for a mortgage.

Lenders review your credit history to gauge your creditworthiness and the level of risk to lend you money. They look at your debt-to-income ratio to indicate how much of your income goes toward debt payments every month.

If your ratio is high, it can show you’re overleveraged, which may mean you’re not in a position to take on more debt like a mortgage. You may also face a higher interest rate.

Last, a mortgage applicant can list assets like cash and investments. The more assets you have, the less risky lenders view you.

Weighing Renting Vs. Buying

You may want to compare renting vs. buying a home.

If renting a home in your community is less expensive than buying, you may want to hold off on a home purchase. Conversely, if renting is more expensive, you may be more enticed to purchase a new home.

Overall, if you find that these factors point you in the direction of homeownership, it’s possible you’re ready to buy a home and can begin determining the perfect time to pounce.

Observing Interest Rates

When determining if now is a good time to buy a house, buyers should look closely at interest rates.

Financial institutions charge interest to cover the costs of loaning money when they offer you a mortgage. The interest rate they charge is influenced by the Federal Reserve, but mortgage-backed securities are considered to be the main driver.

When interest rates are low, borrowing money is less expensive to the borrower. As interest rates rise, borrowing money becomes more costly. The government has been slashing rates to keep buyers in the market.

But keep in mind that the rate and terms you qualify for will depend on financial factors including your credit score, down payment, and loan amount.

And, if interest rates go down after you purchase your home, you can always choose to refinance your mortgage in hopes of getting a lower rate.


💡 Quick Tip: A home equity line of credit brokered by SoFi gives you the flexibility to spend what you need when you need it — you only pay interest on the amount that you spend. And the interest rate is lower than most credit cards.

Timing the Real Estate Market

Essentially, to time any market, you want to aim to buy low and sell high. If you’re going to buy a property, you’ll want to ideally buy when there are more sellers than there are buyers—a buyer’s market.

In a buyer’s market, buyers have an abundance of homes to choose from. This may also give you leverage to ask for more concessions from sellers eager to close a deal, such as a seller credit toward your closing costs or help covering the cost of repairs.

Conversely, in a seller’s market, real estate inventory is low and demand is high, which may drive up home prices.

Recommended: How Does Housing Inventory Affect Buyers & Sellers?

To identify the current market conditions, you may want to visit real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, or Trulia to look at inventory in your area or ZIP code.

Typically, it’s a buyer’s market if you see more than seven months’ worth of inventory.

If you see five to seven months of inventory, you’re in a balanced market that isn’t especially beneficial to buyers or sellers.

It’s a seller’s market when there is less than five months’ worth of inventory.

Understanding Local Economics and Trends

Because prices can vastly vary from area to area, real estate is often considered a location-driven market. This means that general rules of thumb might not be valid in every region or city.

Also, local economics may play a role in housing demand. For instance, if a large company decides to move its operations to a city, that city may experience a housing boom that creates a spike in home prices.

That said, hopeful buyers will want to pay close attention to the economic happenings and housing trends in their desired location.

The Takeaway

If you find a home that seems right for you, your employment is stable, and you can get a home loan with a good interest rate, buying may make sense. Then again, with interest rates and home prices still being on the high side, comparing the costs of renting and buying may be called for.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.



SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.


SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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Most Popular Time Of The Year To Buy Furniture

Most Popular Time of the Year to Buy Furniture

Buying new furniture can be an exciting way to personalize and update your home, whether your taste runs towards a sleek, modern look, a funky boho vibe, or anything in between. But furniture can be expensive, so you’ll likely want to shop at the right time to get the best possible deal.

When precisely that is will typically vary based on what you are hunting for. Indoor furniture may be on sale in the winter and summer, but outdoor pieces may be marked down at the end of summer and in the fall.

To help you save a bundle on your new furnishings, no matter what you may be looking for, read on for smart intel and advice.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Furniture?

The best time of year to buy furniture depends on which kind of furniture you’re talking about. Here are some rules of thumb to keep in mind as you redesign your living space.

Indoor Furniture

Like many other manufactured goods, sales on indoor furniture are dependent on the release of new pieces: when a showroom needs to make room for next season’s stock, they put the older stuff on sale. New furniture designs tend to be released in spring and fall, which means the best sales happen at the end of the winter and summer seasons.

So for indoor furnishings like beds and couches, shopping at your local furniture stores in January/February and July/August and paying special attention to any seasonal or holiday sales may offer decent savings on the cost.

💡 Quick Tip: Tired of paying pointless bank fees? When you open a bank account online you often avoid excess charges.

Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture, on the other hand, tends to be released in the late winter and spring between February and April. Shoppers might consider the earlier part of that range the best time of year to buy furniture for outdoor spaces in plenty of time for the long, sunny days of summer.

However, furniture shops also generally want to have that stock off their floor by August, which means there are usually some great outdoor furniture sales to shop over the summer and particularly towards early fall.

Custom Furniture

Having a piece (or three) hand-built to your specifications can bring your interior design dreams to life. However, on-demand, custom-built furniture typically costs more and is less likely to go on sale the way ready-made furniture does.

That said, buying custom furniture can be better for your budget in the long run if it means you won’t be itching to change your furniture again in a couple of years — or if it means your furnishings are of higher quality and, hopefully, a longer life. Plus, buying custom designs from a small business, or even an individual crafter, can feel more rewarding than purchasing something from a big-box store.

Recommended: Budgeting for Basic Living Expenses

Furniture Shopping on Holiday Weekends

As is true of many major purchases, holiday weekends and annual sales can offer excellent opportunities to buy furniture on the (relatively) cheap. Some holidays that routinely bring furniture sales include:

•   Presidents Day

•   Memorial Day

•   Fourth of July

•   Labor Day

•   Black Friday and other winter holiday sales events.

Many retailers offer regular sales in addition to these events, so it’s always a good idea to watch for promotions. Signing up for the store’s email newsletter can help keep you apprised of their ongoing sales events, and many dealers also offer clearance stock year-round that could be worth perusing.

Recommended: 25+ Tips for Buying Furniture on a Budget

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No account or overdraft fees. No minimum balance.

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General Furniture-Buying Tips

No matter what time of year you shop for your furnishings, the following tips can help you find a good deal and get the most for the money you do spend.

You can also benefit from them if you’re budgeting to buy a house and putting in offers; you want to get the best possible price if you’ll be filling a home with new furniture.

Being Patient

Furniture — especially furniture you want to keep around for a decade or longer — is a big purchase. It’s worth waiting to find the right piece rather than dropping a bunch of money on one that’s only okay.

If you’re furnishing your new home for the first time and need something fast, consider visiting a local thrift shop or surfing Craigslist. You might be able to find an inexpensive, pre-owned piece that’s only temporary, but still workable — and won’t eat too much into your budget.

💡 Quick Tip: When you overdraft your checking account, you’ll likely pay a non-sufficient fund fee of, say, $35. Look into linking a savings account to your checking account as a backup to avoid that, or shop around for a bank that doesn’t charge you for overdrafting.

Shopping Around

With so many design aesthetics and price points to choose from, furniture shopping is not a time for brand loyalty. You likely shop around for the best deals on groceries or when looking to switch bank accounts, so apply the same principle here. Shopping around at different dealers can help you find the best deal for your needs, but also give you more ideas and inspiration when it comes to creating a cohesive look for your home.

Recommended: Passive Income Ideas to Build Wealth

Consider Shopping Online

Online shopping for furniture can open a whole new world of color and design options. Some discount furniture retailers don’t offer physical storefronts, which can make shopping a little tricky. Choosing certain pieces of furniture, like couches and armchairs, for example, may be easier if you try them before you buy them.

Many online furniture retailers do offer return policies, which can help make your purchase less stressful, knowing that if it doesn’t work out, you’re not stuck with the product. And at online stores that do have brick-and-mortar locations, you could visit in person, try out a certain model, and then order online later, which may give you a better opportunity to compare the pieces you’re considering side-by-side.

Asking About the Warranty

Since furniture does tend to be a major expense, you want to make sure it’s built to last and has some guarantee to go with that. Many furniture sellers do offer warranties (just as some home warranties exist), and the fine print may also specify what the return policy is. In short, it’s worth getting familiar with.

💡 Quick Tip: When you feel the urge to buy something that isn’t in your budget, try the 30-day rule. Make a note of the item in your calendar for 30 days into the future. When the date rolls around, there’s a good chance the “gotta have it” feeling will have subsided.

The Takeaway

Shopping for furniture during certain times of the year can help you save money on a potentially expensive project like furnishing your home. When budgeting to buy a house, furnishings are just one of many things to save for, so it’s a goal that might take a backseat to expenses that are essential to homeownership, like the down payment and monthly mortgage, among others.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.


Photo credit: iStock/fizkes

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.


SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.30% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.30% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/8/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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25 Tips for Buying Furniture on a Budget_780x440

25 Tips for Buying Furniture on a Budget

Furniture shopping, whether you’re giving a room a much-needed update or moving into a new space, can be fun. It gives you the chance to daydream, make inspo boards, hunt for great pieces, and personalize your space.

But it can also be an expensive endeavor. However, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to purchase pieces that scream “first apartment furniture.” Just because you’re buying furniture for cheap doesn’t mean it has to look it.

Here are smart hack that will have you feathering your nest for less and even, in some cases, for free.

25 Tips on How to Get Cheap Furniture

Scoring great furnishings on a tight budget takes some planning, and also knowing where to buy affordable furniture. Here are 25 ideas for creating a great space without spending a lot.

💡 Quick Tip: Tired of paying pointless bank fees? When you open a bank account online you often avoid excess charges.

1. Taking Stock of What You Already Have

Before going out to buy new stuff, you may want to do a walk-through of your space and make a list of what you already have. You can label each item “keep,” “donate/sell” or “toss,” so you know exactly what you need.

2. Taking Stock of Mom’s Basement Too

Do you have family members who may be harboring some perfectly good but no-longer-needed furniture? Consider scoping out their basements, attics, and garages for some free treasures.

3. Making a Wishlist

It’s okay to dream a little. In fact, a good way to start furnishing a new home is to go to your favorite furniture store’s site and fill your cart without considering price. You can then cull down your list to essentials, and start looking for those pieces (or something similar) for a cheaper price tag.

4. Renting Furniture

If your furniture budget is super tight, you may want to consider renting furniture from a company like CORT or Feather, rather than buying everything you need. Renting can also be a good option if you’re only going to be in your current home for a short time.

5. Timing Your Purchases Right

Knowing when to make big purchases can help you get some steep furniture discounts. Furniture stores tend to get new inventory at the end of winter and end of summer. To make room for newer items, they will often run good sales in February and August.

When it comes to furnishing your porch or patio, the right time to buy furniture is typically the end of summer and fall, when retailers are trying to clear out any leftover inventory.

6. Checking Out Freecycle

Cheap is great, but free can be even better. Consider going to a reuse/recycle site like Freecycle to see what people in your area may be looking to get rid of. You may want to keep in mind that good items often go fast.

7. Curbing Impulse Buys

It’s easy to fall madly in love with a cool sectional sofa and give in to impulse buying that can leave you with major debt. Before you pull the trigger on a pricey new piece of furniture, you may want to press pause. By giving yourself a week or so to really consider the purchase, you may realize you don’t actually need it. Or you may be able to scout out a cheaper but equally good option.

Recommended: How to Combat Impulsive Spending

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8. Mixing High and Low

Here’s another way to buy furniture cheap: You can often get a high-end look by splurging on one or two classic investment pieces and then going with cheaper, trendier accent pieces and accessories.

9. Putting the Word Out on Social Media

You may want to use social media to let people in your network know that you are on the hunt for furniture. You can even specify what you’re looking for (dining table, a chaise for the yard) and what you’re willing to offer (or barter) in return. You may be surprised at the response you get.

10. Selling Stuff You Don’t Need

To bolster your furniture budget, you may want to sell pieces that no longer work for your space. If you have a lot to get rid of, you might host a yard or garage sale. For just a few items, you can list them on a resale site like Craigslist, OfferUp, or Facebook Marketplace and see how much you can score.

11. Doing a Furniture Image Search

If you see a piece you love but it doesn’t fit your budget, you can download a photo of the item and then go to Google Images. If you click on the “Search By Image” button (the camera icon) and upload the photo, you can search for similar items. You might find the item’s twin at a better price.

💡 Quick Tip: When you overdraft your checking account, you’ll likely pay a non-sufficient fund fee of, say, $35. Look into linking a savings account to your checking account as a backup to avoid that, or shop around for a bank that doesn’t charge you for overdrafting.

12. Searching Craigslist

Craigslist may be an oldie, but it’s still a goodie when it comes to finding affordable furniture. You can head to the site (which hasn’t changed much over the years), click the furniture tab, and search the possibilities.

13. Thinking Beyond Furniture Stores

Mass market retailers like Target, Walmart, and Home Depot actually have large furniture departments. You may be able to find stylish pieces at good prices, along with free delivery.

14. Searching Amazon Warehouse

How else to buy furniture cheap: Check out Amazon Warehouse , a corner of Amazon’s main site that is dedicated to selling used, pre-owned, and open-box products (often things that were returned unused or close to it). You can click on the furniture tab and either search for your needs or just see what’s available.

15. Hitting the Yard Sales

You can spend a Saturday or Sunday morning driving around town looking for treasures. Or you can check out yard sales listings online, then map out a route that hits the yards or stoops with the most potential.

16. Asking About the Floor Model

If there’s a piece in a store you absolutely love but it’s a bit out of budget, you can always ask the manager if they will sell you the floor model for a discount.

Since it is likely to still be a considerable amount of money even if the price is reduced, remember this when paying: If you buy it on credit, make sure to use the card that will give you the most rewards.

17. Combing Flea Markets

It can take a little time and effort, but you can often find great, affordable treasures at flea markets. Sometimes a little DIY is all it takes to transform something past its prime into the perfect thing for your place.

18. Browsing Antique Stores

In the winter months, you can often get the flea market experience by combing through antique stores or, even better, antique malls that have multiple booths housed indoors.

19. Checking Online Resale Marketplaces

Sites like OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace (where you may have listed items to sell) can also be a great resource for finding what you need. You can even do a search for a specific item you saw in store to see if anyone is offloading that same piece.

20. Thrifting Furniture

Large thrift store chains like Goodwill and Salvation Army typically get lots of donated items every day and can be a great place to find your next book shelf or coffee table. Local thrift shops can be worth checking out too.

21. Checking Out Salvage Stores

One of the most widely known salvage stores, Habitat ReStore , has locations throughout the country and often sells new and used furnishings, as well as appliances, for far less than retail. Bonus: They are helping to divert those goods from the waste stream.

22. Going Cheap on Art and Accessories

Once you’ve made your big item purchases, it’s time to think small (and cheap) with accent pillows, throws, artwork, and other decorative accessories. These items don’t need to cost a lot to add serious personal style to a space. You may fall for a $150 throw pillow but, odds are, you could find a super cute one for a fraction of the cost.

23. Stopping by Estate Sales

You can often find beautiful, high-quality pieces of furniture, as well as artwork, at estate sales for a fraction of what you’d pay at a store. You can find estate sale listings in your area on Craigslist as well as Estatesale.com and Estatesales.net .

24. Haggling Over the Price

No matter where you are shopping for furniture, it can be worth trying to haggle the price down a bit. You can ask a seller if the listed price is as low as they can go, if they will offer a discount for buying multiple items, or if there is any wiggle room on the delivery fee.

25. Checking In With Neighbors

You can use Nextdoor , the neighborhood online hub, to let neighbors know what you are looking for and also scroll through the site’s “For Sale and Free” listings to see what your neighbors are selling or giving away.

💡 Quick Tip: If you’re creating a budget, try the 50/30/20 budget rule. Allocate 50% of your after-tax income to the “needs” of life, like living expenses and debt. Spend 30% on wants, and then save the remaining 20% towards saving for your long-term goals.

What Contributes to High or Low Furniture Prices?

Here are some factors that contribute to whether a piece of furniture has a high or low price:

•   Production: Mass-produced pieces are likely to be less expensive than a piece that is made in smaller batches or handcrafted by an artisan.

•   Supply and demand: An item that is popular is likely to be pricier than something that has fallen out of favor.

•   Materials: A solid wood piece, for example, is probably going to cost more than a similar item made of particleboard.

•   Supply chain: If a manufacturer is using, say, a material that is scarce due to supply chain issues, they may have to pay more to obtain it. Those additional charges could be passed along to the consumer.

•   Source: Depending on trade conditions, labor, shipping, and other factors, there could be a price discrepancy based on whether the item was manufactured in the U.S. or elsewhere.

What to Look Out for in Secondhand Furniture

Secondhand furniture can be a great resource when you are buying furniture on a budget. Btw, you can even shop for used furniture online at sites like AptDeco and Kaiyo.

Here, some buying furniture tips when you’re hunting for preloved treasures:

•   Just say no to used mattresses. They can be a repository of stains, smells, dust mites, bedbugs, and more.

•   Inspect for structural damage. Cracks, duct tape, and evidence of past repairs can spell trouble.

•   Avoid upholstered furniture with an odor. Whether mildew, smoke, or pet smells, these smells can be very hard to eliminate.

•   Be wary of painted pieces that might have lead paint; they would have been made before 1978 when laws were passed banning lead paint. Crackly, “alligator skin” painted surfaces can indicate lead paint. Also, if you rub your hand over the surface and get a chalky residue, it might be lead.

•   Check for signs of mold, which may look like a patch of dirt that won’t rub away. That’s another health issue you don’t want to deal with.

Now, after you’ve read those warnings, also remember that you could get a real deal by buying secondhand. Go ahead and use your imagination. Often, with the addition of a coat of paint and new hardware or a slipcover, you can grab a bargain. Many inexpensive, tired pieces can become treasures when spruced up. Look online for how-to ideas.

The Takeaway

Furnishing a new place can be daunting, especially if you’re shopping on a budget.

But by thinking beyond traditional furniture stores and turning to alternatives like flea markets, resale and salvage shops, estate sales, and online marketplaces, you can often score chic and cheap pieces that won’t fall apart in a year or two.

You can also stretch your furniture budget by mixing higher-end investment pieces with cheaper accent decor and sprucing up secondhand finds.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

How do you buy furniture on a budget?

You can buy furniture on a budget by shopping at estate sales, thrift shops, and antique malls, as well as hunting at your usual retailers for floor models and other sale items. Lastly, see what you might be able to score for free via a neighborhood online community or Freecycle.

Is it cheaper to buy furniture in store or online?

As with many products and services, online may have better deals on furniture than retail stores. Because online retailers don’t need to have a network of brick-and-mortar locations with staff, they may enjoy savings that they can pass along to customers.

Why is furniture getting so expensive?

Furniture may be expensive for a variety of reasons, from supply chain issues and material scarcity to inflation to the cost of labor, especially on handmade pieces.


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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.30% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.30% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/8/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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How To Report Identity Theft

Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it to take money out of your bank account, open credit accounts in your name, or receive benefits (such as employment, insurance or housing benefits). Identity theft can have a negative impact on your finances, as well as your credit. And it can happen to anyone, regardless of age or income.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to protect yourself from identity theft and minimize the fallout if your personal or account information ever does get compromised. Read on to learn what steps you can take if you think your identity has been stolen or notice any fraudulent activity on any of your financial accounts.

Contacting Your Creditors

You’ll want to report any potentially fraudulent credit card activity to the creditor involved as quickly as possible. This can help stop any further fraudulent use of your card and also limit your liability for any unauthorized charges. There may be a phone number printed on the back of the card for this purpose.

You may also want to review the last few months of card statements carefully, identify any transactions you believe to be fraudulent, and write a follow-up letter to the credit card issuer with these details and copies of your statements.

There are federal protections provided to consumers in the case of credit card fraud. A consumer’s liability is limited to the lesser of $50 or the amount of the theft if the actual credit card was used fraudulently. If only the credit card number was used fraudulently, there is no consumer liability.

For debit card or ATM card fraud, the quicker you report the card loss, the less they are potentially liable for. If you report a missing debit or ATM card before any unauthorized charges are made, you’ll have zero liability. The amounts increase the longer the missing card goes unreported.

•  Maximum loss is $50 if the card is reported within two business days of the loss or theft.

•  Maximum loss is $500 if the loss or theft is reported more than two business days, but less than 60 calendar days after the account statement is sent to the account holder.

•  If the loss is reported more than 60 calendar days after the statement is sent, you can be responsible for all the money taken from your account. If money from linked accounts was also stolen, the maximum loss can be more than the account balance.

•  If the ATM or debit card number, but not the physical card, was used to make unauthorized charges, the account holder is not liable for those charges if the fraud is reported within 60 days of the account statement being sent.

Recommended: Different Types of Bank Account Fraud

Reporting Identity Fraud to the FTC

If you think your social security number or other important personal information has been stolen and used fraudulently, you’ll want to report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov.

Once you create an account and file an identity theft report, you’ll receive a personalized recovery plan with tools like form letters to send to credit bureaus. The site also allows you to update your identity theft account and track your progress. If you were affected by a company-specific data breach, you can get advice from the FTC on how to protect yourself.

When you file an identity theft report, you’ll also get an FTC identity theft affidavit that you can print out and retain it for your records. You may need this affidavit if you file a police report. Banks and credit card companies may also request a copy of this FTC report.

Consider Filing a Police Report

If you believe you know who was responsible for the fraudulent activity, or can provide evidence for an investigation, you may want to file a police report. Filing a police report might also be necessary if a creditor requires the report as part of its investigation. Having a police report can also be helpful when requesting an extended fraud alert on your credit reports (more on that below).

Recommended: How Credit Card Frauds Are Investigated and Caught

Notifying Credit Bureaus

You may also want to contact one of the three credit major consumer bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, and ask them to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This notifies lenders that you’ve been a victim of identity theft so they can take extra measures to verify your identity when they get an application for credit in your name. Contacting just one of the credit bureaus is fine — that bureau will contact the other two automatically.

Fraud alerts are free. If you have a police report or a FTC Identity Theft Report, you may be able to get a free extended fraud alert, which lasts seven years.

You can also request a freeze or lock on your credit report by contacting each credit bureau individually. Putting a freeze on a credit report blocks all access to the report, making it more difficult for a bad actor to use information fraudulently. Credit freezes are regulated by state laws, and credit bureaus are required to offer credit freezes at no charge. A credit lock also acts to protect your financial information from potential identity thieves, but is a program offered by an individual company, which may charge a monthly fee for the service. Credit locks are not regulated by state laws.

Disputing Errors Caused by Identity Theft

Whether you’ve been a victim of identity theft or not, it’s a good idea to periodically request copies of your credit report and read them carefully, checking for any errors or evidence of fraud.

Having misinformation on your reports can have a negative impact on your credit, making it harder for you to qualify for credit cards, mortgages, and personal loans with favorable terms.

Federal law allows consumers to request a credit report at no charge from each of the three credit bureaus annually. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, however, the credit bureaus have been offering free weekly credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com and will continue to do so until the end of 2023.

If you notice an error on a credit report, you can contact that credit bureau to file a dispute. All three major credit bureaus provide information on their websites for filing a dispute. It can take up to 30 days for the results of any investigation to be made available.

The Takeaway

There’s a lot you can do to keep your personal information and financial accounts safe, such as opting for two-factor (or multi-factor) authentication in order to access your bank and credit accounts online. If you receive a notification from a creditor of a failed login attempt, it’s a good idea to change your password.

If any of your personal or financial account information does get stolen and used fraudulently, however, there’s no reason to panic. If you report the fraudulent transaction to the appropriate financial institution quickly, you likely won’t be responsible for the charge or loss. You can also help stop any further fraud by locking or freezing your credit, filing an identity theft report with the FTC, and filing a police report.

If you’re thinking about applying for an online personal loan but are hesitant to share your information, know that SoFi takes the privacy and security of its members’ financial and personal information very seriously. We maintain industry-standard technical and physical safeguards designed to protect your information’s confidentiality and integrity. Also keep in mind that checking your personal rate won’t affect your credit.

See if an online personal loan from SoFi is right for you.


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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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