Net Income Interest Defined

From enlightenme.com

Net income interest is calculated by banks to determine interest rates that are charged to customers for loans lent out as well as interest rates paid to customers for deposits made to the bank. The net income interest is calculated by subtracting the interest payments on liabilities from the interest payments on assets. These calculations can be determined from the accounting ledger within any company.

Net income interest plays an important role in loans or mortgages. The net interest income is the difference between interest payments made to banks for loans and the interest payments made by the bank to the customers for their deposits. While this can be very confusing, it is often a very simple process that can be easily calculated for all lending scenarios with a simple understanding of basic accounting principles and an overview of the impact net interest income has on the bank’s bottom line.

What are Assets and Liabilities?

Balance sheets are separated by liabilities and assets. Banks consider assets to include commercial, personal, and construction loans as well as mortgages and securities. These are funds that have been lent to customers and are to be paid back to the bank culminating in total assets.

Liabilities for banks are determined by the deposits that customers make to the bank because these require the bank to pay interest to the customer. Assets and liabilities are two of the criteria necessary for determining the net income interest for any bank or lending company.

How Does the Net Income Interest Impact the Bank?

Banks may be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or less sensitive depending on their specific assets and liabilities and whether they are at a fixed or floating rate. Banks will often be liability sensitive if their liabilities tend to re-price faster than the assets. Furthermore, the bank is defined as asset sensitive if the liabilities re-price slower than the assets.

These two definitions mean the net income interest has a direct impact on the interest rate paid to customers for liabilities and the interest rate charged for assets in loans, mortgages or securities. Typically, the federal government regulates specific fixed interest rates so the impact on mortgage rates is slight, although banks in poor fiscal health will be greatly impacted by the net income interest and adjust their interest rates accordingly.

How Does Net Income Interest Apply to You?

Whenever the bank’s net income adjusts, it can often adjust the amount of interest that is charged to you as you seek to receive loans, mortgages and securities. Oftentimes floating interest rate loans and mortgages especially become victim to interest rate adjustments.

If you are an investor at a bank, also defined as a bank’s liability, the interest rate the bank is paying you may lower if the bank pays floating interest rates to you for your deposits into an institutionally-owned CD or Savings Account. Therefore, you may not receive as much annual interest to your account based on the fluctuation of the net income interest. To avoid this, you will want to choose a bank that is highly reputable and try to find a fixed interest rate opportunity for loans or deposits that will always stay consistent regardless of net income interest adjustments.

Report: Robert Pattinson Buys Spanish-Style Home, This Time Without Kristen Stewart

BY CATHERINE SHERMAN

ZILLOW

The “Twilight” star owned a similar home in Los Feliz until his ex was caught cheating on him.

Life is good for “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson. The English actor has a new girlfriend and he’s the owner of a 2-bedroom home in the Hollywood Hills, according to Variety.

Source: IMDb

The house was purchased under a trust for $2.176 million — more than 20 percent over asking. Based on his former home, it appears the London native has an affinity for Spanish-style architecture. This one is a tasteful hacienda bearing vintage terra-cotta tile, wood flooring, curved archways and custom built-ins.

Set behind a gated entrance at the end of a driveway hidden from the street, the Los Angeles home affords ample privacy. Even the backyard hammock and pool are tucked behind a row of trees.

Pattinson shared his former home with “Twilight” co-star Kristen Stewart, until she was caught cheating on him. The actor then sold the Los Feliz property to “Big Bang Theory” star Jim Parsons and reportedly rented a house in Beverly Hills. He may have also stayed at Reese Witherspoon’s Ojai ranch until he was ready to buy again.

Tips For Removing Mold and Mildew - Is it Mold or Dirt?

From the familyhandyman.com



Most mold is unmistakable, but sometimes small or largely hidden growths just make a surface look dirty. For a quick test, dip a swab in diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 16 parts water) and dab it on the wall. If the spot quickly lightens (or keeps coming back after cleaning), assume it's mold. Mold test kits are available that detect the presence and identify the type of mold, but they won't help determine the cause or what to do about it.

Art Basel Hotel Party Guide

By Shayne Benowitz | Miami.com

Where to go, what to do at Miami's hottest hotel parties during Art Basel week

Miami is set to transform into a canvas for art, parties and happenings during Art Basel Miami Beach from Dec. 4-7. Here's your guide to the hottest hotel parties of the week.

eBoy Art Collective @ InterContinental Miami

The InterContinental Miami (100 Chopin Plaza, Miami; 305-577-1000) will feature a Miami “pixorama”—a pixelated, cartoon-like cityscape—by art collective eBoy (pictured at top) for Art Basel with a private unveiling and cocktail party, Wednesday, Dec. 3. The work will be on display on the hotel’s digital art screens, video walls and its 19-story exterior digital canvas through Dec. 31. Free and open to the public.

Art + Yoga with Exhale Spa at Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Get your Basel weekend started on the right foot with a morning yoga practice poolside on the St. Moritz lawn at Loews Miami Beach Hotel (1601 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-604-1601) with Exhale Spa and Jodi Carey. Enjoy an hourlong class to the beats of a live DJ, and afterwards unleash your inner artist by spray painting affirmations onto a canvas to take home. Enjoy snacks, sips, mini spa treatments, an acro-yoga demo by YOGiiZA and live graffiti art. Friday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. - Noon. Free.

Pop-Up Alley, Dream Catcher Workshop & More at Freehand Miami

With a mix of private and public events, the Freehand Miami (2727 Indian Creek Dr., Miami Beach; 305-531-2727) will undoubtedly be a hotspot during Basel week. The lobby will function as a Pop-Up Alley to shop brands like Vida Kush, Lost Boy Dry Goods and Style Mafia, Dec. 4 -7.

Come out for the ATC/British Knights Basel After Party with art by Mwanel Pierre-Louis and music by DJ Daai Lo & DJ Aliyo as the Miami shoe store celebrates the relaunch of the New York-based streetwear company. Thursday, Dec. 4, 10 p.m. - Midnight.

Explore your artistic side with a dream catcher workshop with jewelry designer and artisan Britt McVicker of ByBritt. Sip on handcrafted cocktails as you craft your own creation. Proceeds go to Free Arts NYC, providing underserved children and their families with arts education and mentoring. Friday, Dec. 5 from 4 - 6 p.m. $25 minimum donation. Donate here: bybritt4freearts.eventbrite.com.

Cap it off with Nah/No Magazine launch party. The new international art and culture publication will fete to music by DJ Hurron with complimentary Peroni's until 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 – 6 p.m.

Snarkitecture Installation, Le Baron 10 Year Anniversary Party & More at Delano South Beach

The already surreal Delano South Beach (1685 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; 305-672-2000) will transform into a multi-functional space filled with art installations and exhibitions, as well as one of Basel’s toughest velvet ropes. Daniel Arsham and Alex Mustonen of Snarkitecture will set the mood inside the lobby with a large scale, site-specific installation, Dec. 1-14.

A photo exhibition by Raphael Mazzucco will be on display Dec. 1 – 8, and Bally’s Triangle Walks will be installed in the Orchard, Nov. 28 - Dec. 9.

Le Baron will host its 10 Year Anniversary pop-up party at FDR from Tuesday to Sunday night, Dec. 2-7, Private. Other highly anticipated fetes include “Airball at Delano” Snarkitecture vs. Alchemist with performances by Theophilus London and Travis Scott (Friday, Dec. 5 from 11 p.m. – 2 a.m., RSVP Required RSVP@CarmaPR.com) and Del Toro’s Two Year Anniversary and Rumors Party (Saturday, Dec. 6 from 7 p.m. – Midnight, Open), both at Delano Beach Club.

The Tepee Project, Surface Avant Guardian Photography Exhibition & More at Mondrian South Beach

Baron Von Fancy will set the tone inside the whimsical lobby of Mondrian South Beach(1100 West Ave., Miami Beach; 305-514-1500) with a custom “This Must Be The Place” mural in his signature style and typography, while The Tepee Project will debut their interpretation of historic teepee painting by the pool (Dec. 1 – 14) with an opening party Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 6 – 9 p.m, RSVP Required RSVP@CarmaPR.com.

Surface Magazine will display the photography of the 10 winners of its 14th Avant Guardian contest at the Sunset Lounge (Dec. 1 – 7). And the hotel will transform into a pop-up shop and nail salon by Art Markit and Vanity Projects throughout the week.

On Saturday and Sunday, hit the pool from 2 – 8 p.m. for the Poplife Deep End pool party featuring DJ Brodinski and the YesJulz + Vanity Projects pool party.

Live Painting & Cooking Demos at Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa

A holistic retreat set just north of the Art Basel fray in Miami Beach, Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa (6801 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; 305-514-7000) will welcome renowned French contemporary artist Rémi Bertoche for a live painting show on the Ocean Terrace Thursday, Dec. 4 from 3 – 5 p.m. For guests of the hotel, his work will be on display in the Palm Court Saturday, Dec. 6 from 4 – 6 p.m. with complimentary cocktails and hors devours.

Palette to Palate healthy eating cooking demonstrations will be held with Executive Sous Chef Adriana Cruz and on-site nutritionist Larissa Alonso on Dec. 4 and 5 at 2:30 p.m. Sample the creations and take home recipes.

For those staying at the hotel (suites start at $805 per night), complimentary shuttles will run to the Miami Beach Convention Center and back for Art Basel throughout the week.

Discobox at Basement parties at Miami Beach EDITION Hotel

One of the hottest hotel openings for Art Basel, the Miami Beach EDITION (2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 786-641-7119) will host a slew of dance parties in The Basement—destined to be the next South Beach hotspot. Come out for DJ Harvey Dec. 2, Horsemeat Disco hosted by Yabu Pushelberg Dec. 3, James Murphy and Soul Clap Dec. 4, Lee Foss Dec. 5 and Louie Vega Dec. 6. Doors open at 11 p.m. For reservations info@basementmiami.com.

The Posters Pig Roast, Petra Collins Installation & More at The Standard Spa Miami Beach

Swing by the Standard Spa (40 Island Ave., Miami Beach; 305-673-1717) for chilled out evening cocktail receptions hosted by Andre Saraiva from 7 – 9 p.m. each evening, Dec. 4-6 in the Terrace Café, and check out Petra Collins’ installation in Room 40.

Selling custom, limited edition posters through collaboration with emerging and established artists, e-commerce company The Posters will celebrate its launch with a pig roast at The Standard’s Mud Dock on Friday, Dec. 5 from 2- 4 p.m. Follow that up with a 6 p.m. screening of Phoenix is Rising with Rosario Dawson.

The Standard will be hosting a slew of private brunches, dinners, cocktail receptions and events throughout the week, including their always popular Lazy Sunday BBQ on Dec. 7.

Andy Warhol at Christie’s Pop-up Art Sale at JW Marriott Marquis

JW Marriott Marquis (255 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami; 305-421-8600) will host an exhibition and sale of more than 20 Andy Warhol works, ranging in price from $3,000 - $50,000 in collaboration with Christie’s and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, including some pieces never before seen by the public. Dec. 3-4, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free and open to the public.

An invitation-only lunch and panel discussion, ‘Disruptors: Thinking Outside the Box’, will be held with Daniel Boulud, Eric Chang, Matthew Von Ertfelda, Amelia Manderscheid and Eric Shiner on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Artist Appreciation Program at JW Marriott Miami

In conjunction with its Artist Appreciation Program, the JW Marriott (1109 Brickell Ave., Miami; 305-329-3500) will display Costa Rican sculptor Jorge Jiménez Martínez's (Deredia) bronze sculptures as part of their Artist Appreciation Program, featuring a new artist every three months.

Hunter & Gatti at Katsuya at SLS South Beach

Creative duo Hunter & Gatti will display “I Will Make You a Star” featuring celebrity portraits, including Pharrell Williams, Bruno Mars and Jamie Dornan, among others inside Katsuya at the SLS South Beach (1701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-674-1701). 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily, open to the public.

Basel Happy Hour at LILT Lounge at EPIC Hotel

Swing by the newly opened LILT Lounge at the EPIC Hotel (270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami; 305-424-5226) for a special Basel Happy Hour all week long with Champagne cocktails and charcuterie boards at $10. The jazz lounge features live jazz, blues and Bossa Nova with performances by Young Arts alumni. Dec. 2-6, 6 – 8 p.m.

No 'Mysteries' About Debra Messing's New Manhattan Home

BY CATHERINE SHERMAN

ZILLOW

The news comes after the “Will & Grace” star sold her Bel-Air home last year.

Debra Messing isn’t messing around on or off camera. The actress — who plays an NYPD homicide detective in “The Mysteries of Laura” on NBC — has ended her two-and-a-half-year relationship with actor Will Chase. She also just scooped up a prime piece of Upper East Side real estate: an elegant eighth-floor co-op less than half a block from Central Park and Fifth Avenue.

ource: IMDb

Property records confirm Messing closed the deal for $5.45 million, slightly less than the home’s $5.499 million asking price.

Described in the listing as a “fabulous apartment [with] beautiful prewar details,” Messing’s unit has a corner master suite and 3 additional bedrooms — each with an en-suite bathroom. The living room has 10-foot-high ceilings, a Juliet balcony and a wood-burning fireplace. There’s also a library with custom built-ins, and a renovated eat-in kitchen with white Shaker cabinets.

Messing, best known for her starring role in “Will & Grace,” has kept busy over the years. Last year, while playing a lead role on the TV series “Smash,” she listed her Bel-Air home for $11.95 million. A month later, she secured a buyer for $11.4 million.

Easy Storage Ideas - Instant laundry room cubbies

From the FamilyHanyman.com



Mount plastic crates on the wall

We don't have cabinets or shelves in our tiny laundry room, so I bought inexpensive plastic crates at a discount store and created my own wall of cubbies. I just screwed them to the wall studs using a fender washer in the upper corner of each crate for extra strength. The crates hold a lot of supplies, and they keep tippy things like my iron from falling over.

Angie Copeland
Field Editor

Tips for First Mortgages

From enlightenme.com

A mortgage is the largest debt most American’s will take on, so most homeowners will read many first mortgage tips and do a great deal of research before taking a first mortgage. There are many things to consider when taking on a mortgage for the first time, such as the type of mortgage, the interest rate, and even how large of a mortgage you want to take. Essential first mortgage tips include an understanding of how mortgages work, and what your options are when it comes to taking on a mortgage.

First Mortgage Tips

A mortgage provides you with a loan to purchase your home. The home acts as collateral, securing the loan. This means that the lender holds the title and if you do not make your mortgage payments, they can seize the home. When you buy a house, it is standard to put down a down payment. This down payment provides you with equity interest in your home. Equity interest is the value of the home that belongs to you, not to the bank. Conventional wisdom suggests that you put down 20 percent of the value of the home as a down payment. Failure to do this can result in an additional fee called Private-Mortgage-Insurance which you will have to pay until you have equity in your home equal to at least 20% of the homes value.

When you apply for a mortgage, you are charged interest on the money you are borrowing. A number of factors determine your interest rate, including the type of mortgage you take, your credit rating and the national average of interest rates. You should try to ensure that your credit is in good shape before applying for a mortgage; scores above 700 qualify for the best rate. Improve your credit by making payments on time, paying down debt, and refraining from applying for any new loans or credit within two years of applying for a mortgage.

Federal help may be available for certain homeowners with bad credit, non-traditional buyers, or buyers without a down payment. The Federal Housing Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Fannie Mae all offer problems that can help you buy a home. These agencies also offer education to first time buyers. If you have special circumstances- for example if you are a veteran or disabled, you may also be entitled to additional government assistance.

Types of First Mortgages

Mortgages fall into many types, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, hybrid, balloon mortgages and interest only mortgages. Each of these different types of mortgages can have different terms, or different time limits in which you are required to repay your mortgage. There are risks and benefits associated with each of these types of financing, and different types are best for different situations. Make sure you do adequate research on each of these types of mortgages, and read tips for first mortgages relating to the specific type of mortgage, before you select a method of financing.

Other First Mortgage Tips

The most essential of first mortgage tips relates to ensuring that you buy a home that fits into your budget. Many people try to stretch to buy a home that they cannot quite afford, believing that a home is an investment, that it will rise in value, or that their incomes will grow. While many of these things may be true, buying a home that is outside of your price range can be a very risky proposition. Furthermore, you also must take into account additional costs that homeowners face, such as property taxes, insurance and repairs, that you did not have to pay when living in an apartment.

Calculate your budget carefully and determine exactly how much you can afford to pay each month. Follow conventional wisdom, which suggests that you do not take on mortgage payments that exceed between 25 to 33% of your gross monthly income. Think carefully about selecting alternative financing structures, such as interest only loans, in order to get into a house that is outside of your price range. Ultimately, a mortgage is a great tool and a home is a wonderful investment, but the most important first mortgage tips remain ensuring that you can afford to continue making payments to protect your investment.

Queen Latifah Raps Out Another Real Estate Listing

 BY LAURA VECSEY
ZILLOW\\

The 2,026-square-foot Hollywood Hills bungalow may be better suited for a princess than for a queen

.It’s been a busy year for a Queen.

Latifah, that is.

In January, the rapper-turned-actress-turned-talk-show-host listed her Colts Neck, NJ home for $2.399 million. Now, the woman born Dana Owens is looking to unload her cute home in Hollywood Hills West. The newly listed bungalow, first spotted by the L.A. Times,  is on the market of $1.939 million.

The California hangout house is a little more fitting for a princess, given its relatively diminutive 2,026 square feet. The 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home was built in 1922, but since she has owned the place, a contemporary remodel has really extended the living space to the outdoors in true SoCal style.

While the Mediterranean oasis isn’t grand, it does land you right in the heart of the action. Runyon Canyon and the Sunset Strip are within striking distance. The Queen has owned the place since 2010 along with her friend and personal trainer, Jeanette Jenkins.

Queen Latifah has been spending a lot more time on the West Coast the past few years due to her talk show, so it’s conceivable she’s looking for newer — and maybe more royal — digs in the Los Angeles area.

In the meantime, her Colts Neck, NJ home is a contemporary that features 6 bedrooms, a sunken, 2-story great room and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook a heated, Olympic-size pool.

Norma Streams of Rodeo Realty holds the listing.