There’s no need to wax poetic about how 2020 was. . . challenging, to say the least. As our worlds were turned upside down, and gyms and boutique fitness classes closed their doors, we had to pivot and become innovative with how we wanted to move our bodies and break a sweat.
As a fitness editor, I desperately miss the boutique classes I used to frequent. I loved trying different workouts and training styles, getting motivated in a room full of other sweaty people, and leaving my house to go exercise in a bigger, nicer facility with more equipment.
Alas, as I way overpaid for a set of 12-pound dumbbells and turned my 400-square-foot apartment into a de facto gym, other POPSUGAR editors were finding ways to do at-home workouts they actually enjoyed.
I asked POPSUGAR editors across the board which online fitness apps and platforms they relied on this year to get their sweat on, and their answers surprised me. Sure, plenty of people signed up for Peloton or relied on YouTube (enter shameless plug for Class FitSugar here), but there are so many excellent workout apps to fit any type of training style or modality you are into.
The best part? All of these can be done in the comfort of your own home while taking up little space, and many require minimal equipment. Scroll through and get inspired to add some of these workout platforms to your 2021 training plan!
The Ultimate Checklist All First-Time Home Buyers Need Right Now
The final piece of the pie is closing on your new property – which comes with some other expenses that you’ll need to consider. You’ll get what’s called a Closing Disclosure that outlines all the terms and costs associated with your mortgage.
Remember that in addition to your loan, there will be closing costs like attorney fees, pest inspection fees, appraisal fees, escrow fees, title insurance expenses, or discount points. You should expect to pay around 2 to 5 percent of your total loan amount in closing costs in addition to your downpayment (up to 20 percent of your loan). You also have to pay one year of homeowner’s insurance up front.
There’s some good news here, too: as a first-time buyer, you could qualify for government-backed grants or loans that assist with closing costs. It’s also pretty common to ask the seller to help cover closing costs, which could be a flat percentage of the total closing costs or specific fees, like appraisal or attorney fees.
Last but not least, there will be a final walk-through of the house to make sure any requested changes were made before you sign. Then, once everything is ready to go, your lender will arrange a closing meeting so you can sign all the paperwork. Bring your ID, closing disclosure, and a cashier’s check or proof of a wire transfer for your down payment and closing costs to your closing meeting. A neutral third party called a closing agent will be there to lead the meeting. All that’s left to do is sign!
