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20 Repurposed DIY Room Decor Ideas

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20 Repurposed DIY Room Decor Ideas


Have you ever looked at an old picture frame, mason jar, wooden crate, or tin can and thought, “I should probably throw this away”? I’m a frugal person, so I usually have the opposite thought: There has to be a way to use this for something.

Over the years, I’ve realized that some of the best home decor isn’t bought from expensive stores. It’s made from things that would have otherwise ended up in the trash. With a little paint, glue, or creativity, everyday items can become beautiful decorations that give your home a unique, personal touch.

I also like repurposing old items because it saves money. Instead of buying new decor every season, you can transform something you already own into a piece that looks completely different. It’s good for your budget and keeps perfectly usable items out of the landfill.

The best part is that you don’t need to be an expert DIYer. Most of these projects are simple enough for beginners and can be completed in an afternoon using inexpensive supplies.

These repurposed DIY room decor ideas are creative, budget-friendly, and proof that one person’s junk really can become another person’s favorite decoration.

1. Vintage Hutch Turned Craft Storage Cabinet

An old glass-front hutch gets a second life as a craft and sewing station, with fabric curtains sewn to hide supplies in the lower cabinet.

Get the idea here ↗

2. Filing Cabinet Console on Hairpin Legs

A vintage two-drawer filing cabinet sits on hairpin legs, with a stack of old suitcases underneath adding extra height and storage.

Get the idea here ↗

3. Singer Treadle Base Console Table

The cast iron treadle base from an old Singer sewing machine holds up a simple wood top, keeping the original wheel and pedal intact.

Get the idea here ↗

4. Hanging Basket Planter Above the Stairwell

A woven basket becomes a hanging planter for rosemary, suspended over the staircase on simple string.

Get the idea here ↗

5. Sewing Machine Head Wall Sconce Lamp

The head of a vintage sewing machine is rewired into a wall sconce, with an exposed filament bulb hanging where the needle used to be.

Get the idea here ↗

6. Vintage Book Pendant Light Chandelier

Old hardcover books are hinged open and hung from the ceiling around bare bulbs, turning a stack of reads into a chandelier.

Get the idea here ↗

7. Pepsi Crate Wood Top Stools

Plastic Pepsi crates get a wood top cut to size, making a set of low stools or side tables with built-in bottle storage underneath.

Get the idea here ↗

8. Vintage Garden Scoop Flower Vases

Vintage metal garden scoops are mounted in a row and filled with cut lilacs, turning old tools into a hanging flower display.

Get the idea here ↗

9. Miniature Wood House Key Holder

A plain wood frame holds a cluster of tiny painted houses and a bare branch, with hooks along the bottom for keys.

Get the idea here ↗

10. Repurposed Jar Plant Propagation Vase

An empty peanut butter jar holds water and pebbles, letting a cutting root and grow right on the counter.

Get the idea here ↗

11. Broken Glass Floral Wall Art

Shards of colored glass are layered into flower shapes and leaves, framed as a piece of textured wall art.

Get the idea here ↗

12. Painted Muffin Tin Forest Wall Art

An old muffin tin gets painted black and hand-painted with woodland scenes in each cup, turning a baking pan into a tiny gallery.

Get the idea here ↗

13. Bicycle Handlebar Headlight Desk Lamp

A bicycle’s handlebars and headlight are mounted on a wood base, with the light rewired to glow like a small lamp.

Get the idea here ↗

14. Repurposed Saxophone Wall Planter Display

An old saxophone is mounted on a brick wall alongside metal planters, mixing music and greenery into one outdoor display.

Get the idea here ↗

15. Vintage Quilt Scrap Fabric Baskets

Scraps from an old grandmother’s flower garden quilt are stitched into small fabric baskets with soft handles.

Get the idea here ↗

16. Painted Cable Spool Side Tables

Large wire cable spools are painted in solid colors and used as round side tables in an outdoor lounge area.

Get the idea here ↗

17. Silver Teapot Jack-O-Lantern Luminaries

Tarnished silver teapots, pitchers, and urns are carved with jack-o-lantern faces, glowing from within for a vintage Halloween display.

Get the idea here ↗

18. Reclaimed Wood Shelf with Vintage Corbels

A reclaimed wood plank is mounted on ornate iron corbels, giving a mantel look to a wall of vintage collectibles and framed photos.

Get the idea here ↗

19. Rustic Ladder Shelf Photo Gallery

A ladder is laid flat against the wall and used as a frame for a long run of family photos and mementos.

Get the idea here ↗

20. Distressed Mantel Shelf for Teacups and Herbs

A cracked, whitewashed mantel piece holds teacups and glass insulators, with dried herb bundles hung below to air dry.

Get the idea here ↗



(Update: Reversal) Chase Restricts Using Two $250 ‘The Edit’ Credits On Back-To-Back Stays

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Update 8/17/26: They’ve now removed the 24 hour verbiage from the page (ht financeking90)

Update 8/16/26:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve consumer and business cards offer two $250 The Edit hotel booking credits on a stay of 2 nights or more. You can use the two credits anytime throughout the calendar year, but they need to be two separate hotel bookings.

A Reddit user noticed a travel guide put out by Chase a few days ago (Direct Link) which adds a limitation on using both $250 The Edit credits back-to-back for the same property:

Please note that back-to-back stays at the same property within 24 hours of checkout are considered a single stay—only the first stay is eligible for The Edit program benefits…..
Get two $250 statement credits for prepaid bookings with a two-night minimum (back-to-back stays at the same property within 24 hours of checkout are considered a single stay, and only the first stay is eligible for the credit)

The issue is for using both $250 The Edit credits on back to back stays within 24 hours. This worked fine in the past, and they are now officially excluding it. There is no issue with using one $250 The Edit credit and one $250 IHG credit, along with some other stacks, on the same stay.

It’s not clear if they’re actually trying to exclude this in practice, or if they are just trying to avoid a problem in case the two bookings somehow get combined. We’ll have to wait for data points to see how this plays out in practice.

(Update with data points that it still works, YMMV: 1, 2)

It should still be possible to book back-to-back stays on two separate cards, e.g. P1 and P2, or CSR and CSRB.

Crypto Live Trading| 14 july #vinbullindia #livetrading #vinbulllive #live #trading #cryptotrading

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Crypto Live Trading| 14 july #vinbullindia #livetrading #vinbulllive #live #trading #cryptotrading



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Done deal: Jamen Capital and Merlin complete acquisition of Curve Royalty Systems from Virgin Music Group

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Jamen Capital and Merlin have completed their acquisition of Curve Royalty Systems from Virgin Music Group.

The deal closed following final approval of the transaction by the European Commission, the companies said on Tuesday (August 18).

The completion establishes Curve as a standalone business under new ownership, separate from Universal Music Group.

The sale resolves a condition imposed by the European Commission, which cleared UMG‘s $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings only on the basis that Curve be divested to an independent buyer.

Curve‘s leadership, team, brand, products and client relationships remain unchanged, according to the announcement, and the company said its new owners are committed to preserving its neutrality.

Richard Leach will continue to lead the business as CEO, with clients retaining their existing contacts.

“Completing this transaction gives Curve the independence, stability and backing we need for the next stage of our development,” said Richard Leach, CEO of Curve Royalty Systems.

“For our clients, it is very much business as usual: the same team, products, service and commitment to protecting their data and interests. What changes is our ability to invest more ambitiously in the future.

“With the support of Jamen and Merlin, we can accelerate innovation, develop new products and continue building the elite-level infrastructure that music businesses need to manage increasingly complex royalty flows.”

“Completing this transaction gives Curve the independence, stability and backing we need for the next stage of our development.”

RICHARD Leach, Curve Royalty Systems

Leach added: “Downtown believed in Curve, invested in our team and supported our growth from the moment it acquired the business in 2022.

“Pieter, Justin, Andrew and the wider Downtown team have worked incredibly hard on our behalf throughout this process, and we thank them for everything they have done. While our ownership is changing, the friendship and mutual respect between our teams remain strong.”

“Curve has earned the trust of music businesses by combining sophisticated technology with genuine sector expertise and outstanding service,” said Matt Spetzler, Founding Partner of Jamen Capital.

“Our priority is to protect everything that has made the company successful while giving Richard and his team the resources to move faster, innovate and create even greater value for clients.”

“Our priority is to protect everything that has made the company successful while giving Richard and his team the resources to move faster, innovate and create.”

Matt Spetzler, Jamen Capital

Charlie Lexton, CEO of Merlin, added: “Curve is vital infrastructure for independent music businesses around the world.

“Completing this acquisition secures its independence and ensures it remains neutral, trusted and closely connected to the community it serves. We are proud to back the team as it expands the platform and develops the next generation of products and services for the sector.”

“Our priority is to protect everything that has made the company successful while giving Richard and his team the resources to move faster, innovate and create even greater value for clients.”

CHARLIE LEXTON, MERLIN

Curve was previously part of Downtown Music Holdings, which Universal Music Group agreed to acquire from its shareholders for $775 million in December 2024.

UMG completed the acquisition in February 2026 through its Virgin Music Group business.

The European Commission cleared the acquisition after UMG committed to divest Curve to an independent buyer approved by the regulator. The commitment was intended to address concerns that UMG could gain access to commercially sensitive information held by Curve in the course of providing royalty-processing services to music companies that compete with UMG.

The divestment covered the Curve business and its staff, with UMG ultimately selling the company to Jamen Capital and Merlin.

Curve provides royalty processing across recorded music and publishing, and says its clients include Armada, Defected, Epitaph, Exceleration, Reservoir, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Virgin Music Group, Netflix and BBC/Demon.

Jamen Capital, the investment firm founded by Matt Spetzler, launched independent financing platform Pipeline in January 2026.

Backed by Spetzler’s investment firm, Pipeline has raised more than $200 million in capital and aims to help independent music companies “unlock the value of their intellectual property, in order to drive growth and scale.”

Days after the platform was announced, Spetzler’s Pipeline struck a partnership with independent licensing company Merlin to give Merlin members access to advances against their digital royalties.

Before launching Jamen Capital, Spetzler was a Partner and Co-Head of Europe at private equity firm Francisco Partners, where he played a key role in the firm’s approximately $750 million majority acquisition of Kobalt Music Group in 2022.Music Business Worldwide

Is the Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF Still the Best Long-Term Core Holding for Most Investors?

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Is the Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF Still the Best Long-Term Core Holding for Most Investors?


One of the first bits of advice that most people hear when they start investing is “diversify.” Buying a diversified portfolio with lots of different stocks can help manage your risk and improve your chances of growth and success as a long-term investor.

But what’s the best way to diversify for the long run? For me, it’s the Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI -0.45%). This fund owns 3,531 stocks of all sizes (small, mid, and large cap). It represents basically the entire U.S. stock market. And it charges a rock-bottom low-price expense ratio of 0.03%.

This is my “set it and forget it” U.S. stock ETF. It’s the largest piece of my portfolio. I buy more shares of it every month on every payday.

But over the past 10 years, this total stock market ETF has been outperformed by the S&P 500 index, which tracks the 500 largest companies in America.

VTI Total Return Level data by YCharts

Which is better, owning VTI or an S&P 500 ETF? I’m going to keep buying the Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF, because I believe owning 3,531 U.S. stocks will be a better bet than “only” 500 stocks in the long run.

Let’s look at why I’m sticking with VTI for the long run.

A smart long-term investor considers total stock market ETFs like VTI.

Image source: Getty Images.

Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF: Just buy all the stocks

The Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF doesn’t make you choose between the S&P 500 and other smaller companies. It lets you own basically the entire U.S. stock market. Since the 500 largest companies make up such a large share of the VTI portfolio, this fund tracks the performance of the S&P 500 closely. The top stock holdings in VTI are the same major tech names you’d see in an S&P 500 ETF:

  • Nvidia: 6.3% of the fund
  • Apple: 5.8%
  • Alphabet: 5.15% combining Class A and Class C shares
  • Microsoft: 3.8%
  • Amazon: 3.2%

But because the Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF also owns thousands of smaller companies, it doesn’t deliver exactly the same returns as the S&P 500. In the past year, VTI has outperformed the S&P 500. What if that trend continues?

Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF Stock Quote

Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF

Today’s Change

(-0.45%) $-1.72

Current Price

$382.13

I believe it’s a good idea to own all these other mid- and small-cap stocks. In case different parts of the stock market outperform the S&P 500 in the future, this fund will ideally capture those gains.

Why buy VTI or an S&P 500 ETF? 

In the big picture, buying S&P 500 ETFs like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO -0.47%) is often a great move for long-term investors. Even if those are the only stocks you own, you might be fine and see strong investment returns.

But I believe in owning “all” the stocks, not just the 500 largest companies. I want to own mid-cap, small-cap, value, and growth stocks. I want to own a mix of high-flying stocks and “boring” stocks from slower-growing industries that investors might be undervaluing. I want it all! This low-cost total stock market ETF can do that.

That’s why I believe the Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF is the best long-term bet on the future of the U.S. stock market for me. I could be wrong. I’m a humble investor, and this ETF might underperform other investments, but I’m going to keep buying it.

Ben Gran has positions in Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Speculative Supply Chains | EI Blog

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The formation and maturation of a speculative supply chain typically occurs gradually over many years—and in some cases decades. While the speculative episode that ensues may appear unique on the surface, a common progression is often observed as depicted in the following analysis in seven parts.

The Seven Phases of a Speculative Supply Chain

  1. Disruptive Economic Event

Speculative supply chains often emerge following a disruptive economic event that creates a temporary market dislocation. Examples may include financial shocks, natural disasters, major wars, or the introduction of a ground-breaking technological advancement. During this period, capital is scarce relative to attractive opportunities, allowing capital providers who are both early and skilled to generate outsized returns. Once these returns become broadly visible, they attract imitators who seek to replicate the results by adopting a strategy that they believe explains the initial success.

  1. Risk Segmentation

As capital inflows accumulate, financial activity becomes increasingly specialized and organized in an assembly line–like structure. Each participant becomes responsible for a discrete stage of the capital deployment process and evaluates risk primarily from a local point of view. Although incremental risks may be understood from this limited vantage point, few participants comprehend how those risks are amplified elsewhere in the supply chain and compound collectively. Whereas aligned incentives drive the creation of risk in speculative supply chains, risk segmentation is the structural feature that obscures it. 

  1. Growth-Oriented Incentive Alignment

As participation expands, incentives across the supply chain become increasingly aligned toward continued capital deployment because the economic success of most participants becomes more dependent upon the system’s growth. In the most dangerous supply chains, virtually no major participant has a strong economic incentive to slow the deployment of capital. Fee structures, compensation systems, market-share objectives, media attention, peer pressure, and political pressures all reinforce expansion rather than restraint.

  1. Corrective Feedback Suppression

As incentive alignment strengthens and is reinforced by favorable short-term outcomes, traditional corrective mechanisms weaken. Participants who might otherwise act to constrain capital deployment face progressively steeper costs for challenging the prevailing narrative. Allocators face career risk; investment consultants and wealth advisors risk losing clients; and members of the media risk reduced audience engagement. As a result, warning signs are discounted, rationalized, ignored, or actively suppressed.

  1. Narrative Detachment from Long-Standing Economic Principles

As excess capital accumulates, the narrative supporting continued expansion eventually detaches from fundamental economic principles. Supply chain participants continue deploying capital, nonetheless. They often rationalize what would otherwise be considered clear violations of time-tested economic principles. They may embrace new, unproven metrics. Phrases such as “stocks have reached a permanently high plateau,” “profits no longer matter,” or “real estate has never declined on a national level” help justify narratives that have become detached from historical precedent.

  1. Correction and Misattribution

The speculative episode ends when a narrative can no longer support the weight of conflicting evidence and/or structural constraints that create a hard limit on further capital deployment. The severity of the correction depends on multiple factors, such as the extent of excess capital investment, degree of leverage used, and relative exposure of the traditional banking system. The most severe events cascade into major financial crises, while less severe events may limit losses primarily to investors with direct exposure.

  1. Postmortem Analysis and Repetition

Postmortem analyses routinely focus on the actions of various supply chain participants that appear to have contributed disproportionately to the excess. For example, after the Dot-com collapse in 2001, attention focused on Wall Street securities analysts. After the GFC ended in early 2009, attention centered on large investment banks. In both cases, the postmortems overlooked the common underlying mechanism—the existence of a mature speculative supply chain. Consequently, reforms often target the most visible participants in the previous crisis while the conditions necessary for the next speculative supply chain quietly emerge elsewhere.

A great paradox of speculative supply chains is that their most defining characteristics become progressively more difficult to recognize as speculative episodes advance. By the time risks have peaked, many of the individuals best positioned to recognize them are no longer able to resist the incentives to ignore them. Their compensation, professional relationships, reputations, and future opportunities have become too dependent on continued capital deployment.

The irresistible pull of these incentives helps explain why speculative episodes often persist well beyond the point at which underlying risks seem obvious in retrospect. It also explains why outsiders, whose economic interests are less dependent on the perpetuation of the status quo, are more likely to recognize the warnings and voice their concerns.

How to Qualify for First-Time Homebuyer Programs

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How to Qualify for First-Time Homebuyer Programs


Qualifying for first-time homebuyer programs may not be as hard as you think. These programs are designed to help qualified first-time homebuyers like you overcome common hurdles when buying a home. Those hurdles, of course, include saving for a down payment and the closing costs.

If you could use some assistance as a first-time homebuyer, this article is for you.

What Are First-Time Homebuyer Programs?

First-time homebuyer programs are designed to make homeownership more accessible to qualified buyers by reducing some of the financial barriers associated with purchasing a home.

Depending on the program, assistance may include:

  • Low-down-payment mortgage options
  • Down payment assistance
  • Closing cost assistance
  • Flexible credit guidelines
  • Homebuyer education
  • Specialized financing for eligible borrowers

While many programs are designed specifically for first-time buyers, others are also available to repeat buyers who meet certain eligibility requirements. An experienced APM Loan Advisor can help determine which programs may fit your goals and financial situation.

Where Can You Find First-Time Homebuyer Assistance?

Many homebuyers are surprised to learn that down payment assistance doesn’t come from just one place. Depending on where you live and your financial situation, you may have access to assistance through a variety of sources, including:

  • State and local housing finance agencies
  • National down payment assistance programs
  • Community organizations and nonprofit programs
  • Employer-sponsored homeownership benefits
  • Specialized mortgage programs offered through participating lenders

Because every program has different eligibility requirements, loan options, and available benefits, working with an experienced Loan Advisor can help you identify opportunities you might otherwise miss.

At American Pacific Mortgage (APM), we help qualified buyers explore a wide range of home financing solutions, including FHA, HomeReady®, Home Possible®, and multiple national and proprietary down payment assistance programs. Rather than searching dozens of individual programs on your own, your local APM Loan Advisor can help compare available options and determine which ones may best fit your goals.

Community-based down payment assistance programs

Cities and counties may offer down payment assistance programs if you buy within their municipal boundaries.

Charitable down payment assistance programs

Many charitable organizations offer down payment assistance programs that include grants and loans, which can be used with most first-time homebuyer programs. These can be regional or national and can apply to first-time buyers in general, to underserved groups, to specific homes such as energy-efficient homes, or even to underserved areas where incomes are below a certain level.

State and regional down payment assistance programs

Many state and local agencies often have down payment assistance programs to help qualified first-time homebuyers purchase a home.

National down payment assistance programs available through APM

Pathway DPA

APM’s proprietary Pathway DPA program offers qualified borrowers 3.5% or 5% in repayable down payment assistance that can be applied toward the required down payment and eligible closing costs. Because it’s an APM-exclusive program, borrowers have access to a solution designed specifically to help make homeownership more affordable.

Chenoa Fund

The Chenoa Fund is one of the nation’s best-known down payment assistance programs. Eligible borrowers may qualify for repayable or forgivable assistance, depending on the program selected, making it an attractive option for many first-time homebuyers.

Within Reach

Within Reach provides eligible borrowers with down payment assistance through a second mortgage that works alongside an FHA loan. One advantage is that it’s not limited to first-time homebuyers, making it another option worth exploring depending on your situation.

Lakeview National DPA

For borrowers using eligible conventional financing, Lakeview’s National DPA program provides assistance that may be used toward down payments and closing costs when paired with affordable lending products such as HomeReady® and Home Possible®.

Click n’ Close SmartBuy

Another available option is the SmartBuy DPA program, which provides eligible borrowers with 3.5% or 5% assistance that may be used toward the down payment, closing costs, and eligible prepaid expenses.

Program availability varies by state, loan type, and borrower qualifications. Your APM Loan Advisor can help compare available options to determine which program best fits your financial goals.

How Do I Compare First-Time Homebuyer Programs?

Not every first-time homebuyer program offers the same benefits. When comparing available options, consider:

  • Required down payment
  • Credit score requirements
  • Income limits
  • Property eligibility
  • Whether assistance is repayable or forgivable
  • Homebuyer education requirements
  • Available assistance for closing costs

The right program isn’t always the one with the lowest down payment. A Loan Advisor can help you compare the total cost of financing and identify the program that best supports your long-term homeownership goals.

Mortgage Loan Options for First-Time Homebuyers

Qualified first-time homebuyers may consider choosing a home loan program that requires a smaller down payment. Some of these programs allow borrowers to purchase a home with as little as 1% to 3% down. This includes FHA loans and Fannie Mae loans.

APM’s 1% Home

A mortgage program for buyers who fall below the area’s median income. You can buy a house with 1% down and receive a 2% down payment assistance grant, with a maximum loan amount of $275,000.

FHA loans

FHA loans (loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration) are government-backed loans with more lenient qualification guidelines for first-time homebuyers. These guidelines have lower down payments and require a lower credit score than conventional loans.

If you qualify for an FHA loan, not only could you put as little as 3.5% down, but you could also use gift funds from friends or family members to pay for this reduced down payment amount. To qualify for an FHA loan, borrowers must meet guidelines that may include a minimum credit score of 580, a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 45%, and the home must be their primary residence.

In addition, FHA loans require mortgage insurance, which helps protect the lender in case of default. The annual percentage rate and monthly payment for FHA loans will vary depending on the loan term and other factors.

Many borrowers combine FHA financing with down payment assistance programs, allowing them to reduce the amount of cash needed at closing while benefiting from the FHA’s flexible qualification guidelines.

Fannie Mae loans

Fannie Mae offers a program for first-time homebuyers (and others) with as little as a 3% down payment.

Fannie Mae’s HomeReady Mortgage program has expanded its requirements to help borrowers who earn below 80% of the area’s median income. This mortgage loan program requires a minimum credit score of 620, and the home must be the buyer’s primary residence. At least one of the first-time homebuyers will also need to complete a homebuyer education course.

What Documents Do You Need?

Although documentation requirements vary by loan program and down payment assistance provider, borrowers commonly provide:

  • Government-issued identification
  • Income documentation
  • Asset statements
  • Tax returns (when applicable)
  • Employment verification
  • Purchase contract
  • Documentation required by the assistance program
  • Homebuyer education certificate, if required

Preparing these documents early can help streamline both your mortgage approval and any down payment assistance application.

Do I Need to Be a First-Time Buyer to Qualify for Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Programs?

Many first-time homebuyer programs require that at least one of the borrowers be a first-time buyer, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be eligible if you’ve purchased a home before.

“First-time buyer” generally includes anyone who hasn’t owned residential real estate within the past three years. That means you could qualify for a first-time buyer program even if you have purchased a home before.

Your APM Loan Advisor will be able to explain what options are available to you. Whether it’s a home loan program with a low down payment requirement, more lenient qualifying guidelines, or a junior loan or grant to help you pay your down payment and closing costs, you may be surprised at the number of solutions at your fingertips.

Every loan program or down payment assistance program has its own qualifying guidelines, so your Loan Advisor will be your best source of information. They can help you understand which program is a good fit for you.

It’s also important to know that not every down payment assistance program requires you to be a first-time homebuyer. Some national and lender-sponsored assistance programs are available to repeat buyers who meet program guidelines, giving more borrowers access to financial assistance than many people realize.

Would you like to learn more about how to overcome the obstacles to homeownership? Download our free First-Time Homebuyer Checklist, or check out this blog for first-time homebuyer tips to get started on your way to buying your first home!

And once you’re ready, APM is here to help with all your homebuying needs. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a move-up buyer, or someone who needs a little help with the down payment and closing costs, our APM Loan Advisors are here to help!

Frequently Asked Questions on First-Time Homebuyer Programs

What are the eligibility requirements for first-time homebuyer assistance?

Eligibility varies by program but commonly considers income, credit profile, occupancy requirements, property type, and in some cases first-time homebuyer status.

Which lenders offer first-time homebuyer programs?

Many mortgage lenders offer affordable financing options, but programs and eligibility may vary. APM offers access to a wide range of first-time homebuyer solutions, including APM’s 1% Home Program, FHA loans, HomeReady®, Home Possible®, and multiple down payment assistance programs.

Where can I find first-time homebuyer grants?

Grants may be available through national organizations, state housing agencies, local municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and select mortgage programs. An APM Loan Advisor can help identify programs available in your area.

What are the benefits of first-time homebuyer programs?

These programs may reduce upfront costs, offer lower down payment requirements, provide assistance with closing costs, expand financing options, and make homeownership more attainable for qualified buyers.

What credit score is needed?

Credit requirements vary depending on the loan and assistance program. Some government-backed loans have more flexible credit requirements than conventional financing, while individual down payment assistance programs may establish their own minimums. Your APM Loan Advisor can help determine which programs fit your qualifications.

Are there programs that help with closing costs?

Yes. Many down payment assistance programs can also be used toward eligible closing costs, helping to reduce the cash needed to purchase a home.

What first-time homebuyer programs offer low down payment options?

Several mortgage programs—including FHA, HomeReady®, Home Possible®, and certain down payment assistance programs—are designed to reduce the upfront investment required for qualified buyers.

Is homebuyer education required?

Some programs require completion of an approved homebuyer education course, while others do not. Requirements vary based on the loan program, credit profile, and assistance provider.



Polygon Labs Partners With NOBO Finance And Dun & Bradstreet In Bank Of England Digital Pound Lab Phase 2

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Polygon Labs has entered Phase 2 of the Bank of England’s Digital Pound Lab, collaborating with NOBO Finance and Dun & Bradstreet. The initiative focuses on examining near-instant cross-border settlement and portable credit identities for businesses, leveraging Polygon’s Open Money Stack technology.

The Digital Pound Lab serves as a controlled, simulated platform.

It allows the central bank and industry participants to explore potential applications for a digital pound alongside cross-border stablecoin transactions. Importantly, the environment involves no actual customers, real funds, or formal regulatory assessments.

Participation does not signal any endorsement by the Bank of England of Polygon Labs or its offerings, nor does it dictate the eventual design or adoption of a digital pound.

In this phase, the consortium is investigating whether a stablecoin and a digital pound can complete opposite sides of the same international payment within a unified process, eliminating delays for either party.

Under the tested scenario, an exporter receives payment via stablecoins while a UK importer settles using a digital pound.

Both components proceed through a coordinated orchestration.

Polygon Labs supplies the stablecoin settlement infrastructure and underlying smart contracts via its Open Money Stack, which operates on the Polygon network.

The digital pound portion clears on the Bank of England’s simulated systems.A parallel workstream, the SME Bankable Profile led by NOBO Finance, aims to create a reusable credit identity for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Dun & Bradstreet provides verified business identity and credit information to support each profile.

Polygon contributes the on-chain framework that enables this identity to accompany the payment seamlessly.

The broader motivation centers on addressing fragmentation in today’s financial systems.

Traditional bank money, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and potential central bank digital currencies often operate on disconnected rails.

This separation can trap liquidity and reintroduce settlement risks when different forms of value cannot exchange efficiently at par and on demand.

Maintaining fungibility across these variants is essential for a cohesive monetary system.

The Open Money Stack was developed precisely so that settlement does not hinge on proximity to any single rail.

By conducting these trials in the Lab’s low-risk setting, the partners can evaluate interoperability between private stablecoins and simulated central bank money without exposing real capital or users.

Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, emphasized the importance of such collaboration: different forms of digital money—public and private, central bank-issued and stablecoin-based—must function together for global trade to benefit fully.

Interoperability drives value transfer, and the Open Money Stack is designed to support it.

Central banks and regulators are posing critical questions, and Polygon welcomes contributing at the infrastructure level.

These experiments form part of a larger effort to understand practical mechanics before any real-world implementation.

Insights gained will be shared as Phase 2 concludes and may inform joint evaluations by the Bank of England and HM Treasury regarding future steps on digital currency.

The Lab itself runs as an experimental venue rather than a pathway to immediate policy decisions or product launches.

This participation underscores growing interest in hybrid models where blockchain-enabled stablecoins and central bank digital currencies could complement one another in trade finance and beyond, potentially streamlining processes for exporters, importers, and smaller businesses that currently face lengthy settlement times and limited access to credit.



How to Respond to the Coming AI Cost Shock

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<p>Leaders must design new approaches to budgeting, workforce planning, and risk management.</p>

Ousted L3Harris CEO forfeits $45 million—but he’ll still walk away with $80 million

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Ousted L3Harris CEO forfeits $45 million—but he’ll still walk away with $80 million



Defense giant L3Harris forced out chairman and chief executive Chris Kubasik, 65, over the weekend after a board investigation revealed that he had violated the company’s code of conduct. 

The $50 billion aerospace-and-tech company did not provide any detail about what Kubasik did to violate the code, but specified it did not involve financial reporting, controls, customer relationships, or operations. Kubasik, who has served as CEO since 2021, resigned from the L3Harris board and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates.The abrupt departure comes 14 years after Kubasik was fired from another leading defense contractor, following an ethics investigation that determined he had a relationship with a subordinate employee.

Under the terms of the separation agreement between Kubasik and L3Harris struck on Sunday, Kubasik leaves with no severance or bonus, and as part of the deal he forfeited all his outstanding equity awards, stripping him of two option grants and other awards that could have paid him $45 million in cash and equity. 

Kubasik will still hold onto some of his options that can net him stock worth about $23 million, as well as more than 200,000 shares of stock in L3Harris that he already owns, valued at nearly $57 million. L3Harris has paid Kubasik compensation valued at $66.3 million during the past three years, including $25.6 million in fiscal 2025. During his tenure, L3Harris had a close relationship with the Trump Administration’s Department of War. In April, L3Harris subsidiary Aerojet Rocketdyne made a deal for a $1 billion government investment into the missile-propulsion business L3Harris plans to take public. L3Harris also delivered a 747 to the White House to serve as an interim Air Force One in June, after modifying the gifted jet from Qatar’s royal family.

The separation disclosure says the L3Harris board decided to reach a deal with Kubasik to get him to leave rather than trying to fire him for cause. Kubasik did not admit to any violation of the company code of conduct, and the deal expressively forbids any of the parties or their representatives from making public statements “inconsistent” with Monday’s disclosure. The board appointed Sam Mehta, 53, as Kubasik’s immediate replacement. Mehta had been leading L3Harris’ space and mission systems and communications and spectrum dominance segments. Lewis Hay II, formerly the lead independent director on the board, will become independent chairman.

L3Harris’ stock fell more than 4% on Monday following the company’s shotgun CEO transition. L3Harris reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance across revenue, growth, and operating margin and other metrics.

“Chris has overseen significant transformation during his tenure at L3Harris, and he has built a strong team to carry the business forward,” said Hay in a statement. “However, our values guide the actions we take each day as The Trusted Disruptor and are at the center of everything we do. The Board and Chris have agreed that implementing our succession plan today is the right thing to do. We thank him for his service.”

Kubasik’s ouster comes 14 years after he had to leave Lockheed Martin following an ethics investigation there confirmed a “close personal relationship” between Kubasik and a subordinate employee. Kubasik was serving as vice chairman, president, chief operating officer, but had been appointed to take over as CEO at the defense contractor in 2013. Weeks before he was supposed to take the reins, Kubasik was forced to resign. He was replaced then by Marillyn Hewson, who served until she moved into the executive chairman role in 2020. 

Lockheed paid Kubasik $3.5 million as part of a separation agreement when he left, but L3Harris was even more stringent, despite the amount he’s walking away with. 

According to the terms of his deal with L3Harris, Kubasik forfeited his 2026 bonus and he wasn’t eligible to get $9.3 million in cash severance or separation payments. He also had to give up unvested restricted stock and performance shares, and $7.6 million in options, meaning he’ll walk away from at least $45 million on the table. That figure could have stretched to $62 million if L3Harris had paid out at the maximum for performance over the next two award cycles. 

The L3Harris board still has the right to claw back his options if undisclosed misconduct including fraud, sexual assault, embezzlement, quid pro quo sexual harassment, securities violations, or material regulatory violations is established down the line by a court ruling. 

L3Harris did not respond to requests for comment. Attempts to reach Kubasik were unsuccessful.

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