By Mary Mrad for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 10:05 PM EDT, March 22, 2024 | Updated: 10:05 PM EDT, March 22, 2024

Real estate agents and lenders typically suggest loan settlement providers and insurance agents they are familiar with, but borrowers do not have to follow their recommendations and can shop around, Ms. Cornelissen said.

Steve Gottheim, general counsel at the American Land Title Association, which represents the insurance industry, said the cost of insurance has fallen about 8 percent nationally over the past two decades. Most of the cost of title insurance is paid for county deed searches, he said.

The consumer bureau’s post also said that higher credit report fees, for which mortgage lenders have recently reported steep rate increases, “warrant further investigation.” Home buyers have no control over these fees, which credit bureaus charge lenders.

Here are some questions and answers about loan origination costs:

What is the best way to keep the costs of buying a house under control?

The most effective thing homebuyers can do is seek mortgage quotes from multiple lenders, said the consumer bureau’s Ms. Thompson. “Most people don’t,” she said. But research shows that if they do, they can get lower rates, saving up to several thousand dollars over the life of their loan.

How do I know if it’s worth paying for discount points?

Calculate the break-even point for your loan. On a $300,000 fixed interest mortgage 6.5 percent over 30 years, your monthly payment for principal and interest would be about $1,896. If you purchased one discount point for $3,000 and lowered your rate to 6.25 percent, you would pay about $1,847, saving $49 per month. If you divide $3,000 by $49, that means you’ll have to own the house for about five years before you can sell it or refinance to pay off the extra costs. (Financial sites like Nerdwallet offer calculators.)

Are discount points tax deductible?

Costs for discount points are generally deductible according to TurboTax. However, you must itemize the deductions on your return instead of taking the standard deduction.

BARGAIN lovers have gone into panic after discovering what could be the fashion deal of the year – boots for less than FIVE.

Yes, that’s right – according to money-conscious shoppers, Asda has slashed the prices of stylish winter boots by more than 80 percent, so if you’re keen to top up your wardrobe, don’t miss this offer.

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To let fellow fashionistas know about the incredible deal, one shopper, Jayne Ann, took to Facebook to show off her bargain purchase on the popular website Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group.

In fact, the offer was so good in her eyes that she even urged others not to sleep on it.

“Don’t walk, run to ASDA!” wrote Jayne Ann the mailwhich also included photos of her bargain find.

The delighted style lover – just one of the community’s 2.4 million members – bagged two pairs of black winter boots, which reportedly cost her £3 per pair.

To make the deal even better, Jayne revealed that before the price was dropped, these were almost nine times as expensive.

”My bargains, 2 pairs of boots, £3 per pair, reduced from £26!” the Asda fan added in the caption.

While shopping, Jayne picked up ankle boots with side buckle detailing, as well as the trendy combat style boots with a chunky platform.

From the photos posted online, it seems like there are a wide variety of different designs and sizes available, whether you’re looking for a chunky heel or a suede-look Chelsea boot.

Since being shared on the page, Jayne’s post has racked up more than 200 likes in less than 24 hours, as people flocked to the comments to tag their friends and family.

Unfortunately, one style lover went to the store a little too early and ended up paying full price.

”Bloody £3 after I paid £26!” she said to her friend.

Someone had already planned a trip with their partner and wrote: “We’re going to Asda.”

Another revealed which branch had even better deals, commenting: ”Asda Queensferry have reduced all their sale items because they want to get rid of them, it’s been going on for so long.”

A fourth chimed in: “Not online, more money.”

“What we were looking for,” another member told his friend.

If you go to the store this weekend or in the coming weeks, don’t forget to check out their fashion stores. Here, according to an employee, you can find the most beautiful dresses to be launched for spring, priced from £12.

Fashion-obsessed bargain lovers are also raving about the perfect spring jacket that’s a must if you love Mary Berry.

The quilted jacket, which doesn’t appear to be available online yet, features crew neck detailing and the colorful design is the perfect way to welcome the warmer and sunnier weather.

The jacket is made with different patterns, such as a light baby pink patch with dainty flowers and a black patch with contrasting blue flowers and retails for £28.

They’re travel experts who decided to spend the day – and find out whether it’s worth spending more than £13,000 on a luxury cruise.

The sailors in question are Nicky KelvinEditor at Major travel site The points manand ex-Carnival Cruise director Matt Mitchamwho packed up their video camera sets and sailed on Norwegian cruise lines newest ship, the Norwegian Viva, and experienced it in two different ways during a sailing trip from Miami to Puerto Rico.

Their images are fascinating.

Matt stayed in a chic Haven Premier Owner’s Suite, which costs from $17,049/£13,320 (plus taxes and fees), and then experienced a host of paid extras, including the Luxury Vibe Beach Club and the Mandara Spa Thermal Suite.

Nicky stayed in a budget windowless ‘Stateroom’, priced from $1,479 (£1,155) per person (excluding fees), and experienced the ship’s all-inclusive amenities, from the Infinity Beach club to the ‘scary’ 10 deck high slides. Read on for their verdict…

BUDGET

Nicky told MailOnline Travel that his room on the ship, which he describes in the video as a ‘fancy hotel’, was ‘basic’ but ‘cozy and comfortable for a budget trip’.

He added: ‘Overall it was a good way to travel.’

The food also impressed.

Nicky said: ‘The food really blew me away. For an inclusive package you got so much, with a variety of good quality food – there was plenty of choice.

“It was also great to receive dining credits, which allowed me to try the fancier side of the menu.”

The range of activities for budget sailors also received praise.

The footage shows Nicky having a blast as he plummets down Norwegian Viva’s thrilling slides ‘The Rush’ and ‘The Drop’, while splashing around in the Infinity Beach club’s striking infinity pool – which sits right on the edge of the ship – and watch the award-winning Beetlejuice The Musical with Matt and race on the ship’s impressive multi-deck kart track.

Nicky said: ‘There is so much to do on this ship that you will never be bored.’

Any disadvantages?

Nicky admitted that his room ‘although not necessarily for the price’ ‘would have been nicer with a balcony’, concluding that while his experience was ‘very pleasant’ he would ‘like to try the more luxurious option next time’. .

LUXURY

Matt’s comments are significant, as he has lived aboard a ship – and he said of his owner’s suite – which features a living room, three bedrooms and bathrooms and a balcony with a hot tub – that he “still had never seen a hut’. so luxurious’.

Praise indeed.

And the compliments kept coming.

He told MailOnline Travel that his entire experience was ‘incredible’, revealing that the crew were ‘amazing and very hospitable’, the food at the exclusive Haven Restaurant ‘exquisite’ and the Mandara Spa Thermal Suite ($339/£264 per person) . a highlight of the activity’.

In the video, Matt describes this spa as ‘stunning’, with footage showing him getting a massage, relaxing in a ‘salt floating pool’ and taking an ‘ice shower’. “I’ll do anything for a salary,” he jokes.

He also really enjoys the Galaxy Pavilion entertainment centre, which costs $199 (£155) per guest for the trip, $29 (£22) for an hour and $49 (£38) for a day.

And there were good times at the Luxury Vibe Beach Club, which costs $259 (£200) per person for a seven-day sailing.

Any disadvantages?

Matt concluded: ‘This experience had no negative factors for a luxury trip. The cruise had so much to offer.”

Visit to see the original video www.youtube.com/watch. For more information from The Points Guy, visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel.

ICELAND is known for offering good value when it comes to the weekly shop, but is everything worth your money?

We can tell you which items you should avoid buying in Iceland if you want to save some money from your grocery bill.

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Iceland is known for its frozen food specialty, but it has much more to offer than just the freezer section.

Customers can get cheap deals on branded food and basic products such as milk, eggs, bread and fresh vegetables.

If you’re not sure where the nearest Iceland is, you can find out using the store locator on the website.

You can also shop Iceland online at The Food Warehouse website, which also lists all the latest deals and multi-buy offers.

Delivery is free if you spend at least €40 online, and if you want home delivery in the store, this is a minimum of €25.

All you have to do is book a delivery time that suits you and wait for your groceries to arrive.

Usually the popular retailer is very competitive on price, but there are some items you may be better off buying elsewhere.

We’ve rounded up all the items you should stop buying in Iceland if you want to cut your grocery costs, and which bargains you should stock up on instead.

Items to stop buying

Pasta

Although Iceland has a good range of branded goods, it does not sell affordable own-brand alternatives.

We spoke to shopping expert Andy Barr, who has worked in the money-saving industry for almost 30 years, to get his thoughts.

He said: ‘I would avoid pantry items such as bread, pasta and tinned food.

“Although there is a good range of products, Iceland doesn’t sell affordable own-brand alternatives like all other supermarkets do, so if you want to try cheaper ranges to save on your weekly shop, you don’t have to, but you will be able to do that here.”

We looked at how Iceland stacks up against other supermarkets’ own-brand offerings when it comes to store cupboard staples.

When it comes to bread, Iceland has brands such as Warbutons, Mothers Pride and Kingsmill.

It also has its own label where an Icelandic 800g thick-cut soft white roll costs £1.

This seems like a pretty good deal when you compare it to a Warbutons toastie loaf for £1.40.

However, we checked out a thick white Village Bakery loaf in Aldi, which cost just 75p for an 850g loaf, saving 25p on the Icelandic loaf.

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Another item you should probably buy elsewhere if you want to get the cheapest price is fresh fruits and vegetables.

Although Iceland has a good range of fresh produce, Andy says other stores may do better.

He said: “Contrary to popular belief, Iceland has a good range of fresh produce at decent prices.

“That said, you can certainly find cheaper deals elsewhere; ASDA, Lidl and Aldi often work out cheaper.”

We checked how much a pack of bananas costs in Iceland at Aldi.

At the time of writing, a pack of five bananas at Aldi costs 78p, while Icelandic bananas cost £1, meaning Aldi is 22p cheaper.

Toiletries

Shop around before purchasing toiletries such as shower gel, toothpaste and deodorant as you may be able to get it cheaper by shopping elsewhere too.

We checked online and while there is a small selection of branded items such as Colgate toothpaste and Radox shower gel, there is no own brand alternative.

Additionally, unlike groceries and frozen items, there didn’t appear to be any multi-purchase deals or offers in the toiletries section of the website at the time we checked.

However, it is important to note that this does not mean that there are no offers on these products.

A 75ml tube of Colgate whitening toothpaste costs £1 in Iceland, while buying the same tube in Aldi costs 99p.

While that’s not a huge saving, other places like Superdrug often have deals for their members that can reduce the price significantly, so it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Items to stock up on

Big brands and dupes

One of the ways you can get a deal in Iceland is through the big dupes in the freezer section.

Andy said: “You can’t go to Iceland without making the most of the huge range of frozen foods.

“The best products available, in my opinion, are the frozen versions of restaurant and food store favorites such as TGI Friday and Greggs.”

“Not only does this give consumers easy access to the food they know and love, it is often cheaper than going to the restaurant itself.”

An example is the savings you can make by buying a pack of Greggs frozen sausage rolls in Iceland instead of fresh from the bakery.

A pack of frozen sausage rolls costs around 75p each, compared to £1.20 if you buy it fresh from the bakery.

That’s why you save 45 cents per sausage roll by buying the frozen package.

Frozen meat

If you want to save a few euros in your shopping cart, it is also worth keeping an eye on the frozen meat department.

Andy said: “The frozen meat section in Iceland can also be great, especially for large families who want to keep everyone well fed on a budget.”

Most frozen meats come with a three-for-£10 multi-buy offer, meaning you can save even more if you buy three items included in the deal.

One of Andy’s examples is a 1.9kg bag of frozen chicken portions for £3.50, which works out to £1.84/kg.

This is significantly less than other retailers such as ASDA, where 1kg of frozen chicken breast costs £4.25.

Ice cream

One of the things Andy recommends looking out for is the huge selection of ice creams on offer.

He said: “The last range I would recommend trying is the ice cream. The variety of brands and flavors in Iceland is unparalleled.

“From high-protein ice cream to Terry’s Chocolate Orange, J2O and even Lotus Biscoff brand products, there is a huge selection of unique flavors to suit everyone’s taste buds.”

We looked at the website and there are 97 types and brands of ice cream on offer.

For example, we found Cadbury, Ben and Jerry’s and their own brand of Rocket and Sprinkle lollipops

Each of the items costs between £2 and a fiver for a box or tub, making it pretty cheap to feed a family.

We priced a jar of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food (465ml), which cost £3 at the time we checked on Iceland’s website.

We found the same bath in Asda for £5.15, meaning you can make a huge saving of £2.15 by buying this item in Iceland.

The smell of freshly baked bread wafting from the supermarket bakery aisle is enough to entice a crowd of customers to search a shelf in seconds for the perfect crusty loaf.

But the thought of multiple customers standing over unwrapped bread left out in the open is enough to put some people off buying the baked goods, as discussed in a heated Reddit debate on Sunday.

One suspicious shopper began sharing his concerns on the subreddit r/CasualUK, in a after which has since attracted over 700 votes and 330 comments from fellow foodies.

The troubled customer asked, “Does anyone agree that it is strange for bakery bread to be left uncovered and unwrapped for the masses to grab?”

The Reddit user went on to explain that they aren’t too concerned about root vegetables and other food items that typically appear without packaging because they can be peeled, washed, or cooked before eating.

They said, ‘I don’t care if they are root vegetables because I peel and cook them, whereas with bread I would eat the crust, biofilm and all.’

Many shoppers agreed with the individual and shared their own experiences of how customers spread germs by “coughing and sneezing” or by not washing their hands before touching items.

One wrote: ‘I went shopping with a friend the other day. They squeezed out all the bread with their dirty hands. When you see the state of the toilets in the supermarkets and how few people wash their hands (half of those who do, only opt for the quick wet thing, no soap).

‘It’s not so snobbish to be put off by uncovered food when the majority are sloppy. I would look for food covered in soil and natural dirt, but tiger bread with extra poop particles? No.’

Another pointed out that cross-contamination problems could arise for people with allergies if those who touch the bread have not washed their hands properly.

Others, however, couldn’t understand why people are so concerned about buying bread that might be contaminated with someone’s germs.

One person wrote: ‘You’re breathing all kinds of cr** compared to the odd person who touches your scab,’ while another joked: ‘You have an immune system, don’t you? Use it!’

Another added: It’s honestly crazy. This obsession with a sterile environment is both an illusion and only a recent invention.’

Someone living in Japan warned that things could go too far and we risk ending up with even more packaging waste.

“I currently live in Japan and they have taken this to new extremes,” they explained.

‘Everything is wrapped in plastic, even individually wrapped bananas. Anything that isn’t in plastic, like some bakery products and some fruits and veggies at the grocery store, when you pay for it at the checkout, they put it in 1 or 2 layers of plastic whether you want them to or not.

“You buy an onigiri (already wrapped in plastic) at a convenience store and then they put it in another plastic bag for you before asking if you want a tote bag too.”

A neutral individual wrote, “Personally, it doesn’t bother me that much, but I can certainly understand the mentality.”

Meanwhile, skeptical shoppers revealed their reasons for avoiding unwrapped bread, with one person explaining: ‘If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that there are sections of the general public who lack basic personal hygiene.

“Just yesterday I was using a public restroom and noticed at least two people not washing their hands.”

Another wrote: ‘People are disgusting. Given unlimited access to food, people will viciously or idiotically sneeze into the food, lick and replace cutlery, cross-contaminate food, or use unwashed hands to handle the food.”

A final suspicious food service worker warned: ‘Having worked in food service, I will never eat food left out in the open.

“People are coughing and sputtering, rubbing their noses and running their fingers through their hair, wiping any rain or dust or dandruff off their clothes… that’s before they’ve even started sniffing through the food.”

A QUICK check could save homebuyers hundreds of pounds a year as drizzly weather batters parts of Britain.

New research from Compare the Market has revealed how much more you will spend on home insurance if your property has been flooded.

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The price comparison site said the average premium in January was £451 if your home was hit by a deluge of rain, compared to £204 if it wasn’t – a difference of £247.

But with wet weather battering Britain today and after months of storms, a quick check for homebuyers could prevent them from ending up in a flooded home and having to spend more on a premium.

The Association of British Insurers says estate agents have a duty to tell you if a house you are looking at has been flooded before.

You can check via the website whether a certain postal code is in an area with a high flood risk Government flood map tool at.

If you already live in an area with a high risk of flooding, it may be worth reviewing your home insurance policy to ensure you are covered in the event of a flood.

Helen Phipps, director of Compare the Market, said: “With storms and floods becoming more common, it is a good idea to review your home insurance policy and check whether you live in a flood risk area.

“The home insurance market has seen a decline in the number of people taking out policies over the past three years, meaning many households could be left uninsured and out of pocket if stormy weather or flooding causes damage to their homes.”

It comes as Compare the Market found that the cost of insuring a house that has been flooded has risen from £352 in January 2023 to £451 in January this year – an increase of £99.

The price comparison site also found that the cost of insuring properties near bodies of water is increasing.

In January, the average premium for a home near a body of water was £214, an increase of £48 from £166 in January 2023.

Meanwhile, the company said home insurance rose a total of £48 year-on-year, from £156 in January 2023 to £204 in January.

What is home insurance?

Home insurance is designed to cover you in the event of fire, flood, theft or loss of items contained therein.

There are two types of home insurance: contents and buildings insurance.

Home insurance covers the cost of repairing damage to the structure of your property, which may be caused by fire or flood.

The “building” includes elements such as your roof, walls and floors, but also fixed elements such as windows or fitted kitchens.

Home contents insurance says what it does: it covers you if the contents of your home are damaged, lost or stolen.

You can purchase building or content policies separately, or combined, so you’re covered in all scenarios.

However, not all home insurance policies cover the same things, so it’s worth shopping around.

You can use price comparison websites such as Compare the Market, GoCompare and Uswitch.

Most home insurance policies also have a ‘deductible’ – the amount you have to pay for a claim.

Increasing your deductible will reduce your policy but mean you will have to pay more if you need to make a claim.

How else to save money on your home insurance

Ceri McMillan, insurance expert at Go Compare previously told The Sun that renewing your policy 27 days before it expires could save you £60.

And at the very least, don’t wait for your policy to automatically renew, as you’ll likely pay more than if you shop around for a cheaper deal.

If you have the money upfront, it’s worth paying your premium in one go, too.

Ceri previously told The Sun that you can save around 10% on your premium with this trick.

The ABI said the average home insurance premium in 2023 was £341, meaning you could save around £34.

Combining the contents and buildings policy instead of paying for them separately can also save you £100 a year, according to Confused.com.

Installing a burglar alarm can also help lower your premium price, albeit after the initial upfront costs.

Consumer group Which one? says you can get an alarm for around £100and install it yourself to save extra money.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

BOOTS shoppers have gone out of their way to purchase an iconic ‘beautiful’ designer perfume that is being sold at a huge discount.

The major beauty retailer is currently stocking Vera Wang Princess for Women Eau de Toilette 100ml bottles for just £22, with Mother’s Day just around the corner.

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The notable price drops mean shoppers save themselves £44, while the sought-after product is usually on offer for an eye-watering £66.

The big reveal was made by a happy customer from the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook, leaving fellow shoppers stunned.

However, many of them have wasted no time in securing their own bottle of the luxury perfume while prices are low.

That’s because the “beautiful” perfume is a fan favorite, leaving many customers satisfied.

“It’s amazing! One of my favourites,” said one.

“It’s really nice, I’m trying not to run out of it,” another added.

A third commented: “This is my work perfume. It’s great if you have a sweet tooth and it lasts all day. Great for a cheap price.”

However, there is a small catch.

People go to their nearest one Boots a store hoping to pick up a bottle of the perfume at a discounted price will be left disappointed.

The large discount only applies online, so customers have to order it at home.

But this is unlikely to be a problem for many Vera Wang perfume fans and the race is now on to secure a bottle before they sell out.

With just a few weeks to go until Mother’s Day on March 10, Boots shoppers can save 20% on all premium beauty and No7 items with a Sun coupons discount.

Whether you’re looking for something sentimental or something luxurious to say I love you, Boots makes the process easier and they’ve got it at a huge discount too.

Elsewhere, Boots shoppers are already rushing to buy early Christmas presents after items were sold at great prices.

Shoppers are thrilled after finding a wide range of products sold at 90% off.

Australians earning more than $98,218 a year are now considered above-average earners if they work full-time.

With this salary, one professional can now buy a house worth more than €639,000.

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released on Thursday shows the average full-time salary rose 4.5 per cent in the year to November, to $1,889 a week, before bonuses and overtime.

Someone earning the average full-time salary of $98,218 can now borrow $511,500, with RateCity revealing that banks can lend a borrower with a 20 percent deposit around 5.2 times their salary.

The middle-income Australian borrower, with $127,875 in savings, can now buy a $639,375 home if he can manage $3,146 in monthly repayments.

That is below the average house price in all Australian capitals.

The maximum borrowing capacity of $511,500 for a middle-income individual is well below the average new mortgage in Australia of $624,383, suggesting that couples typically take out a home loan.

RateCity research director Sally Tindall said the Reserve Bank of Australia’s 13 rate hikes in 18 months – which took the cash rate to a 12-year high of 4.35 per cent – had eroded what banks could lend.

“A total of 13 increases from the RBA – four of which are doubling – have shattered the maximum amount households can borrow from the bank,” she told Daily Mail Australia.

‘However, with the RBA now in a holding pattern, wage growth across the country could lead to borrowers’ budgets rising rather than falling, especially once the phase three tax cuts start to take hold.’

There are few options if they buy a run-down house near Mount Druitt in Sydney’s far west, or a house in St Albans in Melbourne’s northwest.

In Brisbane you can use that money to buy a house in Kallangur, in the north of the city.

Mining-rich Western Australia had the highest average full-time salary of $109,600 among the states, making it the only state where workers are typically paid in six figures.

Perth has an average house price of $708,335, after rising 17 per cent in the year to January, data from CoreLogic shows.

Someone earning just under $110,000 can borrow $544,500 to buy a home worth $680,625.

In NSW the average full-time salary is $98,353, meaning someone could borrow $512,400 to buy a $640,500 house.

This would not be enough to buy the average Sydney home, priced at $1.395 million, or the mid-market unit at $828,525.

Victoria’s average full-time salary of $96,621 would allow someone to borrow $501,000 to buy a $626,250 home with a 20 percent down payment.

This is well below the average house price of $942,750 in Melbourne.

Queensland’s equivalent wage of $95,696 would borrow $494,700 to buy a $618,375 home, which is well below Brisbane’s average house price of $888,628.

The average full-time salary of $90,241 in South Australia means someone could borrow $458,600 to buy a $573,250 home, which is well below the average house price of $774,969 in Adelaide.

Tasmania’s equivalent wage of $86,840 means someone could borrow $436,000 to buy a $545,000 home, a level well below Hobart’s average house price of $692,619.

The average wage of $95,306 in the Northern Territory would allow someone to borrow $492,200 to buy a $615,250 house, which is slightly more than Darwin’s average house price of $578,342.

With Canberra’s average salary of $108,150, a professional could borrow $534,900 to buy a $668,625 home – a level well below the city’s average house price of $968,248.

What Aussies need to earn in a year to be an above-average earner – and what it means for buying a home they can afford