Author Archives: PBTC Blogger

Going Green with Your Home This Summer

Use these tips to help make your summer home improvements work for your wallet and the environment.

Use these tips to help make your summer home improvements work for your wallet and the environment.

 

Summer is a great time to start tackling all those projects on your home improvement list!  These days, many folks are choosing to take the “going green” route when making their home renovations.  While “going green” can be more efficient, be better for the environment, and even pay itself off in the long run, often times the high-efficiency appliances can be more expensive.

So, if you’re wanting to go green with your home improvements this summer, Peoples Bank & Trust has some tips on how you can get started:

Step by Step Improvements.  Make an organized list of all of the home improvements that you want to get done this summer.  Then, label each task in order of importance.  Whether you decide to have your order of importance based on cost or functionality, this will help you prepare a budget and get done what needs to be done.

Consider a Second Opinion. For many folks, going green can be somewhat confusing.  You know you want to be more energy-efficient, but what products are the best options to invest in?  There are many builders or energy focused nonprofits that are willing to inspect your home and give ideas on “green” specific appliances or updates.

Be Patient for that “Payback Period.” Once you have completed your energy efficient renovations, it may take a while (even years!) for you to see the cost savings of your energy efficient appliances or updates.  Don’t worry, some of the best improvements take years to see the best bang for your buck.

Although making these high-efficiency improvements is becoming more popular and pays itself off in the long run, these type of renovations can be a large and expensive task.  Peoples Bank & Trust wants to help you get those improvements done and a home equity loan may be just what you need.

Contact us today to learn more about home equity and how we can help you achieve a “greener” home!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal housing lender

 

Making Extra Summer Cash

Earn some extra summer cash by looking for seasonal jobs.

Earn some extra summer cash by looking for seasonal jobs.

 

The summer is upon us and you or your kids may have found you have extra time on your hands. A great way to spend your extra time this summer is by picking up a second or part-time job. The summer offers a variety of seasonal jobs that are a great way to make some extra summer cash. Here are a few ideas on potential summer jobs:

  1. Turn your spring cleaning into summer cash. Consider teaming up with some neighbors to have a garage sale or think about using online sale forums to sell your lightly used goods and furniture.
  1. Start up your own lawn maintenance services or join up with an existing one.  Working for the city by mowing park lawns is a very popular summertime gig.  You can also start up your own service by working for neighbors, friends, and family and having them spread the word for you.
  2. If you are a college student out for the summer, or are a school teacher, check out becoming a summer tutor.  Being a summer tutor can look great on a resume and is also a great way to stay sharp during summer break!
  3. Many people take vacations in the summertime, so offer to house sit for your neighbor or family friend.  House sitting could include simple tasks such as getting the mail, watering plants, pet sitting, and/or periodically checking on the house.
  4. Check your community and surrounding areas for summer specific jobs like amusement parks, golf courses, ball parks, or lawn and home care department stores.

Since your spending usually increases in the summer, it is a great time to spend your free time making a little extra cash.  Peoples Bank & Trust is here for all your banking needs, including setting up accounts or investing the extra cash you may make this summer. Call or stop by today to see how we can help!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal housing lender

 

Common Scams Aimed at Seniors

Protect your aging family and friends by sharing these common scams aimed at seniors.

Protect your aging family and friends by sharing these common scams aimed at seniors.

May is Older Americans Month, so Peoples Bank & Trust is bringing you vital information about common scams aimed at seniors. Unfortunately, senior citizens are the target of many scams because attackers take advantage of their age. Today we are discussing four common scams aimed at seniors.

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Your 2015 Home Buying Guide

The ultimate guide to helping you purchase a home.

The ultimate guide to helping you purchase a home.

The spring usually indicates the beginning of home buying season. Home buying season can be an exciting time for first-time and experienced home buyers alike. Today, Peoples Bank & Trust is bringing you a home buying guide to assist with the home purchasing process.

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Financial Advice for Graduates

blog-grad-financial-tips

Graduating from high school or college is an honor. You will be off on a new journey in your life and nothing is holding you back. One problem with this scenario: have you considered how much money you have saved for life’s next adventure?

Today, Peoples Bank & Trust is bringing you financial advice for graduates so your transition to the next chapter can be a little easier.

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Know Your Mortgage Options

Spring and warmer weather are on their way again soon, meaning the prime time for buying and selling homes is as well. Purchasing a new home is no small decision. It is something that requires a lot of time planning and ensuring your finances are in order. It also requires that you get the right mortgage in place. Having the right mortgage for your needs is essential, as the wrong mortgage type can lead to spending hundreds or thousands more over the life of the loan than you need to. With so many mortgage options available – adjustable rate, fixed rate, balloon and bridge to name a few – how do you know which is best for you? The mortgage guide below will help you learn more about each loan type, including drawbacks and benefits. Once you’ve read through it, be sure to get in touch with the mortgage lenders at Peoples Bank & Trust to start a conversation about your home loan needs. Mortgage Guide Adjustable-Rate Mortgages, also known as an ARMs. •Interest rate: varies based on market conditions. ARMs come with change caps and lifetime rate caps to prevent huge jumps in mortgage payments. • Ideal for: those who are only going to be in a home for a few years. • Benefits: allows you to take advantage of periods of low interest rates. • Drawbacks: mortgage and interest payment can change each month, making it hard to budget for. Fixed-Rate Mortgages • Interest rate: locked in for the life of the loans. • Ideal for: those who will be living in their homes for a long period of time. • Benefits: simple to understand, and the fixed monthly payments are easy to budget for. • Drawbacks: may be too expensive if you purchase your home in a time of high interest rates. Balloon Mortgages • Interest rate: fixed for the life of the loan • Ideal for: someone expecting a large injection of cash or capital soon or those who will be moving out of the home soon. • Benefits: short-term, allow you to get large amounts of financing for lower interest rates • Drawbacks: the full balance of the mortgage is due at the end of the term. Bridge Loans • Interest rate: fixed for the life of the loan. • Ideal for: anyone wanting to purchase a new home before they sell their current home. • Benefits: gives you the short-term financing you need to purchase a new home before selling you current home. • Drawbacks: payments may be larger as the full balance of the loan must be paid by the time permanent financing is secured. If you have any further questions about your mortgage options, be sure to contact a mortgage lender at Peoples Bank & Trust. They take the time to listen to your needs to offer the best mortgage solution possible. We hope to hear from you soon! Peoples Bank & Trust Co. Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender NMLS #407724

There are different types of mortgages to choose from, a choice that can cost or save you thousands of dollars.

Spring and warmer weather are on their way again soon, meaning the prime time for buying and selling homes is as well. Purchasing a new home is no small decision. It is something that requires a lot of time planning and ensuring your finances are in order. It also requires that you get the right mortgage in place.

Having the right mortgage for your needs is essential, as the wrong mortgage type can lead to spending hundreds or thousands more over the life of the loan than you need to. With so many mortgage options available – adjustable rate, fixed rate, balloon and bridge to name a few – how do you know which is best for you?

The mortgage guide below will help you learn more about each loan type, including drawbacks and benefits. Once you’ve read through it, be sure to get in touch with the mortgage lenders at Peoples Bank & Trust to start a conversation about your home loan needs.

Continue reading →

Unveiling the New PBTC.net

Take a look at the new PBTC.net to see our new design.

If you have been to our website lately, you have noticed a big change: it’s different! Over the last couple of months we have been working to create a new website with an updated design, better function and improved organization. Why? To help you, our customer, find information faster and make better financial decisions.

We know that changes, especially with your financial institution, can be scary. But we’re here to help. The following is a guided tour to the most important aspects of our new website. We encourage you to read through the guide, then go over to www.pbtc.net and look around for yourself. 

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