Women’s lack of thank-yous irks man

Dear Abby: I am a male reader with a complaint. Have you noticed that women hardly ever compliment men? On anything! They expect men to compliment them but never reciprocate.

If you move furniture, take them out for a nice dinner, buy tickets to their favorite show, buy them a gift, they don’t have enough manners or couth to say thank you or express appreciation.

Don’t women ever think, “Maybe I should say something to him instead of expecting him to say it to me”? Where do they learn this behavior? — Shaking My Head in New Jersey

Dear Shaking: My late mother once commented to me that people with “class” never use that word. In this case, I will make an exception and tell you that individuals of both sexes who have class were taught from early childhood the magic words “please” and “thank you,” and to express gratitude.

I don’t know what kind of women you are involved with, but I’m suggesting it is time to upgrade.

Dear Abby: I’ve been going to the same poke joint for more than five years now. Several of the employees have worked there for years. I should know their names, but they don’t wear name tags, and I’m embarrassed to ask what their names are after so many years.

I like calling people by their names, but I’m a little shy and don’t know how to ask. Should I just keep our exchanges at surface-level chitchat without worrying about what their names are? — Friendly in the West

Dear Friendly: You can certainly do that. It has worked for you so far. However, if you would like to know the employees’ names, just say that you are “terrible with names, and embarrassed to even have to ask after all this time, but … what is your name? My name is (insert name).”

Dear Abby: I’m getting married next month, and I’m so nervous. What can I do to not be scared? — Cold Feet in Florida

Dear Cold Feet: I wish you had been more forthcoming about what you are worried about. Is it the wedding ceremony and your wedding day? If that’s the case, have faith that you and your fiance will make it through together because you will. Is it your wedding night? A talk with your doctor should allay your fears.

Is it that you are unsure about the person you are marrying? If that’s the case, postpone the wedding and schedule premarital counseling for you and your intended. In some religions, the clergy recommend this type of counseling.

This week’s fiction releases include “Dark Sky” by

C.J. Box. A Wyoming game warden assigned to accompany a high- profile CEO on a hunting trip realizes that they have become the prey.

Fiction

■ “Small Magic” Terry Brooks

■ “Lightning Game” Christine Feehan

■ “Klara and the Sun” Kazuo Ishiguro

■ “Good Girl Bad Blood” Holly Jackson

■ “Winter Kill” Ragnar Jonasson

■ “Blind Faith”

C.J. Lyons

■ “Forget Me Not” Alexandra Oliva

■ “Son’s of Rome” Simon Turney

■ “Infinity Reaper” Adam Silvera

■ “Life After Death” Sister Souljah

■ “The Affair” Danielle Steel

Nonfiction

■ “The Soul of a Woman” Isabel Allende

■ “Days in the Caucasus” Banine and Anne Thompson

■ “Dusk Night Dawn”

Anne Lamott

■ “Mr. Humble and Dr. Butcher” Brandy Schillace

■ “Feelings”

Manjit Thapp

WHILE a lot has changed recently, the desire to own a home remains strong. Bank of America’s Homebuyer Insights found that over 4-in-5 (85 percent) prospective homebuyers said saving for a home remains a priority.

In fact, 56 percent say they are either accelerating their home purchase timeline (14 percent) or are still on course with their original plans (42 percent).

That said, it’s no surprise that the Las Vegas housing market has recovered and is ascending to new levels this year. The demand for homes continues to increase in Las Vegas as people relocate to the valley from higher-priced areas. The trend increased during the pandemic, setting the highest pace for home sales in the area for 14 years.

But some would-be buyers self-select out of homeownership, assuming they can’t afford a monthly mortgage payment or the upfront costs. Others simply don’t know where to start. To help future buyers better understand what’s possible, we’re debunking some of the most common misconceptions.

Myth: I need to have a 20 percent down payment

Many mistakenly believe you need a 20 percent down payment when, in reality, the median amount was 6 percent for first-time buyers in 2019. Still, 71 percent of prospective homebuyers believe they will need assistance to save for a down payment.

There are many solutions to help prospective buyers overcome the hurdle. Bank of America recently tripled its affordable homeownership initiative from $5 billion to $15 billion through 2025, aiming to help more individuals and families to buy homes. The initiative includes innovative low down payment mortgages, and down payment and closing cost grants, to help creditworthy borrowers in Las Vegas who are struggling to save for a home.

America’s Home Grant program provides up to $7,500 for nonrecurring closing costs, and the Down Payment Grant program provides buyers 3 percent of the purchase price, up to $10,000, for a down payment. Both are available to those in Clark County. Also, Henderson’s First Time Homebuyer Program provides up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs to first-time home buyers within city limits.

Myth: There is a right time to buy

First-time homebuyers may be holding off for the “right time,” but there is no such thing because homebuying is such a personal decision. While there is no secret formula to assessing emotional and financial readiness, it’s never too soon to begin establishing a savings discipline and researching the homebuying process.

Bank of America’s First-Time Homebuyer Online Edu-Series provides an easy-to-understand road map to buying a home and allows you to go at your own pace as experts provide guidance and tips to prepare your finances, make an offer, apply for a mortgage and more. The more informed you are about the homebuying process, the better prepared you are to find the best options.

Myth: Find a place you want before applying for a loan

A common misstep is window shopping for houses before understanding how much you can afford. While 44 percent of prospective homebuyers will apply for mortgage preapproval, more than half, 56 percent, don’t think it’s necessary or don’t know what loan preapproval is. Prequalification can help you set realistic expectations when it comes to buying a house by providing an estimate of how much you could afford.

Taking it a step further, you can request preapproval by providing more extensive information, which your lender will confirm. You will receive conditional approval for the loan type and amount you qualify for and can start your house hunt with confidence.

Some people avoid prequalification and preapproval out of fear they won’t measure up, but it’s important to know where you stand and easier than ever to find out. Interactive digital tools allow prospective homebuyers to answer questions online or via their mobile banking app and get their prequalification or preapproval quickly.

Buying a home is a major decision, but there are many benefits, including learning financial discipline, enjoying tax benefits and protection from rising rental rates. That, combined with the fact that Las Vegas real estate appreciation rate has been averaging 8.8 percent per year, often leads to increased wealth for homeowners. That can mean building equity for future uses like college tuition or even retirement.

While homebuying may feel overwhelming, taking the first steps can help you understand your readiness for homeownership and ensure that your planning is on track. If you’re close to buying, a specialist can also review aid programs you may be eligible for. With a little bit of guidance, the house of your dreams is within your reach.