04
Aug
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

What Is The Impact Of COVID-19 On Home Value?

What Is The Impact Of COVID-19 On Home Value?It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on everyone; however, there are a few impacts that are being overlooked. In addition to the public health crisis and the tanking of the stock market, there are also impacts of the virus on people’s home values.

Some of these impacts have been positive while others have been negative.

Regardless, it is important for everyone to understand how these impacts might impact someone’s home value, particularly for those who are looking to buy or sell a home in the future.

The Dropping Rates Of Mortgages

Because of the shelter in place laws surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, not many people are looking to move right now. As a result, banks have had a hard time getting people to come in and sign up for loans. 

This means that many people who are looking to buy a home might be able to sign up for a loan at a very low cost. This might open the door for someone to buy a bigger home than they might have been able to during less turbulent times.

The Impact On Sellers

As a result of the low-interest rates from the COVID-19 pandemic, this also means that sellers should anticipate getting a large number of offers for their homes. There are still many people who are hesitant to sell a home in this environment. This means that there might not be many options on the market. For those who decide to take the plunge, they might be rewarded with more offers than usual. This is going to drive up the value of their home, which is good for their next purchase.

The Future Of The Market During The Pandemic

These are just two of the many ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the value of homes. While it is unclear when this pandemic is going to be behind us, it is important for everyone to understand how the pandemic is going to impact them if they are looking to buy or sell a home. This will help everyone make the right decision during a turbulent time.

30
Jul
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

Why Now Is A Great Time To Apply For A Home Loan

Why Now Is A Great Time To Apply For A Home LoanThe idea of owning a home is enough to bring joy to nearly anyone’s eyes. The reality is that many people are a bit skeptical about looking for a home in the present climate. While the pandemic can make it hard for people to go outside and explore, now is still a great time to apply for a home loan.

This is a great opportunity for people to fulfill their homeownership dreams. There are a few reasons why now is a great time to look for a home.

The Property Prices Are Low

First, property prices are low right now. There are a lot of people who are looking to move and not many people are looking to buy a home. This means that property prices are lower now than they have been in the recent past.

There are a few reasons why this matters. First, those who had a home in mind might be able to buy one for a lower price. Second, with a cheaper purchase price, the taxes on the home are going to be lower. This could also mean that a potential homebuyer might be able to put down a lower down payment.

Interest Rate Are Low

In addition to property prices being low, interest rates are low as well. Some people might only focus on the sticker price of a home; however, the interest rate on a potential home loan is even more important. Even a few points of interest could end up making a difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of a loan.

Lenders are looking for people to take out home loans right now. This means that they might be willing to give someone a break on their interest rate, particularly if they have money to put down.

Now Is A Time To Buy

There aren’t a lot of times like the present when it comes to buying a house. There are many people who have been looking to buy a home but might not have been able to afford one. The current climate makes it a great time to apply for a home loan.

Why not get pre-approved and become a more competitive applicant for a current house on the market?

28
Jul
By First Rate Financial Group
Mortgage

Activities To Do Outside While Adhering Social Distancing

Activities To Do Outside While Adhering Social DistancingThe era of social distancing has impacted everyone and this has left people wondering how they are going to maintain control over their sanity. The positive news is that social distancing doesn’t mean that people have to stay inside at all times.

There are still ways to go outside and remain socially distant. Check out a few fun activities that people can do together while still social distancing.

Take A Trip To A Local State Park

One of the great ideas that people should try this summer involves taking a trip to a local state park. While a lot of businesses have remained closed, there are state parks that remain open.

These parks often have dozens of miles of trails that people can hike and explore plants, animals, and the beauty of the great outdoors. While it is possible that other people will be on the trails, it isn’t hard for friends and family members to remain socially distant during a visit to a state park.

Explore The Neighborhood

Perhaps the local community park is packed. Instead, think about walking around the rest of the neighborhood. Chances are, there are spots right in the backyard that are brand new. There might even be a spot that has always been on the bucket list that has never been visited. This is an opportunity for people to open their eyes to the rest of the neighborhood while social distancing. Why not take this chance to say hello to someone new?

Pick Up A New Sport

While there are some sports that cannot be played while social distancing, there are some that can. Some of the great options include running, swimming, golf, tennis, and even frisbee golf. While social distancing can be hard for those who love to play team sports, there are still other sports that can be played even during the era of social distancing. It is important for people to take care of their physical health during this time. This is a great chance to pick up a new sport.

Activities For Social Distancing

These are a few of the top activities that people can do outside while still social distancing. Why not give them a try?