 How are my mamas to be holding up?? Do you find yourself #nesting? I know I sure have been! I’ve pretty much organized my house inside and out. And have wanted to move pretty much every other day loI. I know many mamas are feeling the need to move to prepare for the new member of the family. The instinct to nest is understandable, the truth is though that babies don’t need much space and they don’t care whether they live in a house, condo, or apartment. So take it slow speak to professionals that just don’t want to make a commission check but care about your financial and emotional well being. Some times it’s the right time to move and sometimes waiting allows you to see what is truly in your budget once you become a parent. You will have less flexibility if you’re locked into a mortgage that’s too high. Be patient. It’ll pay off! If you settle on a home just because you’re expecting, you may make a decision you’ll regret. The following tips of advice will help you make a sound move: Don’t Rush To Buy- although the need to nest is undeniable makes sure you are ready and not settling. Speak With A Mortgage Advisor- speaking with a knowledgeable loan officer openly and honestly can help you determine your affordability. Consider Location- To get a feel for the vibe of a potential area, drive around at different times of the day (like on a weekday when school is out and on a Sunday afternoon) to see if families are outside playing in their yard. Consider school district even if you don’t plan on making it your forever home, the reality is you just never know. Imagine Living There With Your Family- Think about how you’re going to use the space as a family. Homes with first-floor master bedrooms are popular, but they’re not ideal if you have young kids and have to run upstairs in the middle of the night. You might think you want a formal dining room, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shown a house where it’s been turned into a playroom by a young family. The ability to keep an eye on the baby while you’re in the kitchen or living room ends up being more important than dinner parties. Be wary of open floor plans too. People get sold on the airiness but don’t consider how tricky it will be to gate off. Inspect The Property Carefully- If you do make an offer, don’t let your love of the house distract you from the reality of certain problems. Hire a good inspector to test for lead, especially if the home was built before 1978. Lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in young kids. The inspector should also rule out radon and check for termites. To find out how well a home has been cared for, make sure the roof, electrical system, and exterior are examined. If problems are found, hire a contractor to estimate costs for repairs. Call me to discuss your financial and real estate needs!! Together we can find out if you are ready for the move or prepare you for the move in the near future.  During the past couple of months, families have been asked to stay at home. It can be challenging to keep everyone entertained when we aren’t able to go out of the house except to work in essential jobs, enjoy fresh air, and get groceries. Luckily, there are plenty of fun activities that the entire family can do together at home. Here are a few to inspire your own family to make lasting memories while spending quality time together at home. 1. Movie Night—This is a simple activity that everyone will enjoy. Every time you have a movie night, let a different family member pick their favorite. That way, everyone will have a turn choosing something to watch in the coming weeks. Better yet, consider a movie marathon over the weekend and allow each family member to choose one leg of the marathon. Don’t forget to bring popcorn and treats. In fact, make it part of the activity and make a delicious treat as a family to share during the movie. 2. Homemade Pizza—Many families have a tradition of ordering pizza once a week (or when no one feels like cooking). Do things a little different while you’re all at home together and learn to make pizza at home. Choose one type that everyone enjoys, or let everyone make a personal-sized pizza and add whatever toppings they’d like. Learning to make pizza at home is also an excellent opportunity to teach your kids a new skill. 3. Backyard Camping—Just because you can’t go out on vacation doesn’t mean you can’t have a family outing in nature. Involve the whole family in setting up the tents and sleeping bags in your yard. Have a campfire, sing songs, tell stories, and roast marshmallows. Before bed, take some time to admire the stars. The best part is that everyone can get ready for bed in the house, and it’ll be easy to make a delicious breakfast when everyone wakes up in the morning. 4. Dance Party—Make a playlist of your family members’ favorite songs. Gather together in one room and dance to your new playlist. It’ll be a great way to laugh together and let go of any stress you may be feeling at the moment. It’s also a great way to get moving and get some exercise! 5. Art Night—Bring out the crayons, pencils, watercolors, and paper. Come up with a theme, such as summertime, animal friends, or family portraits. It’ll be fun to see what everyone comes up with while allowing them to get creative. During an uncertain time, it can be challenging to know how to keep your entire family entertained. However, it’s the perfect opportunity to make memories and do things that you don’t always have time to do together. Cherish these fleeting moments with your loved ones. UCR entomologist: News accounts exaggerate current threat of Asian Giant Hornets Though “murder hornets” are dominating recent headlines, there are no Asian Giant Hornets currently known to be living in the U.S. or Canada, according to UC Riverside Entomology Research Museum Senior Scientist Doug Yanega. Yanega is one of the country’s foremost insect identification experts. Beekeepers in Canada consulted him when a colony of the 2-inch-long hornets — the world’s largest hornet species — was discovered in the Canadian city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in September 2019. This was the first sighting of the hornet in North America, and authorities eradicated that nest to prevent it from becoming established. According to Yanega, “There have not been any sightings in 2020 that would suggest the eradication attempt was unsuccessful.” A resident on the U.S. side of the border, about 50 miles from Nanaimo in Blaine, Washington, reported two additional Asian Giant Hornet sightings in December 2019. The Washington State Department of Agriculture collected one of these hornets, which was dead. The other reportedly flew into a nearby forest. Neither that live hornet nor its nest were ever found, but it is unlikely that the insect is still alive, Yanega said. Recent genetic tests confirm that the dead hornet was not genetically related to the eradicated Nanaimo nest. “The fact that the second hornet turned out to be genetically different somewhat raises the odds that there could be more of them,” Yanega said. “However, right now all authorities are doing is asking people to keep their eyes peeled in case there were queens that escaped destruction and established their own nests nearby.” The sighting is a concern, as Asian Giant Hornets can destroy honeybee hives and their venom is more toxic to humans than that of a honeybee. The hornet spotted in December was likely introduced to North America at the same time as those eradicated in Nanaimo. Therefore, if any of them are still living, they would be in the immediate vicinity of Vancouver Island, he said. There are an estimated 10 million insects, less than 2 million of which are "known species." Yanega can identify about 90 percent or more of them, both known and unknown, to the rank of family or better. Yanega is available for press inquiries about this flying insect non-invasion. Jules L Bernstein Senior Public Information Officer Email (951) 827-4580  It's been difficult to adjust to a new normal during the past few weeks. With most residents being asked to stay at home, there are many who have recently lost their jobs or been asked to work remotely. The mortgage industry has also taken a big hit that has directly affected homeowners, renters, and investors alike.
There are many who are in the final stages of closing on their homes, and the current pandemic has made it difficult to efficiently move forward with the process. To help, desktop and exterior-only appraisals are being accepted as long as there is sufficient property information available online. Potential borrowers can also now submit their verification of employment via email, paystub, or bank statement to help streamline the process. Significant changes have been made during the recent outbreak of COVID-19 to help homeowners get through this trying time. Those who have lost their jobs may be eligible for reduced or suspended mortgage payments for up to 12 months while they regain their footing and find new employment. All foreclosure sales and evictions have also been suspended for 60 days to give borrowers a chance to catch up on their payments. Homeowners who are behind on their mortgage will also receive help to create a plan to maintain or reduce their monthly payments moving forward. Renters who are currently unable to make their monthly rent payments are advised to reach out directly to their landlords. Owners of these properties will be given mortgage forbearance by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac if they suspend all evictions for renters that have been directly affected by COVID-19. This plan is directly designed to prevent tenants from being evicted because they are unable to pay their rent due to a recent loss of their job. One benefit of the recent changes in the mortgage market is that interest rates have been near an all-time low, and it may be an excellent time to buy your first home or refinance your current mortgage. If you've had your eye on the market for a while now and want to take advantage of the current interest rates, it's the perfect time to call your loan officer and start the process of locking in your rate before interest rates start to increase again. It can be hard to keep track of all the changes. We are working around the clock to answer all your questions and will support you in any way that we can. Give us a call if you need help or have any specific questions regarding buying or refinancing.  Everyone is being affected in some manner by the outbreak of Covid-19 coronavirus. During this time, buyers will have more questions than normal about the home buying process and their ability to buy a new home. While we can’t predict what the next few weeks and months will bring, the more we can educate ourselves, the better we can help buyers navigate the buying process smoothly during the pandemic. Here are a few common buyer questions as they related to the Coronavirus outbreak and real estate answered.
1. Can we still go see home listings in person? – This is the hardest question to answer and it will depend on the home, the seller, the agent and any fast-changing governmental policies put in place. Agents should be able to offer a Skype or Face Time home tour virtually. Talk to your agent to find out what they have available for the buyers to pre- screen the home virtually before setting up the visit; they might have virtual tours already available which can help rule out those that don’t suit their needs. 2. How can I stay safe while visiting homes? – Everyone’s health has to be the priority; this includes the buyers, sellers, and agents. If you are going to see a home in person during this time, carry hand sanitizer and wipes to use before, during and after the tour. Drive separately from your agent meet at the homes. During the tour, designate one person to open doors, drawers, and closets and use disposable gloves during the showing. 3. What happens if I lose my job during the escrow period? –Most real estate contracts include a contingency that protects the buyer in the event they can’t get final loan approval and close the loan. Typically during the process, this contingency is removed after a set time frame, or after receiving the loan approval. Since every aspect of real estate is negotiable, consider asking for the contingency deadline to be extended and in place until the close; talk through this aspect with the seller and their agent in advance to set the right expectation. 4. Will I still have access to the home during the escrow period? – It’s very common for the buyer to have easy access to the home during the escrow period; home inspections, appraisals and just measuring are all common reasons to visit the home during escrow. Consider grouping these activities whenever possible. 5. Will I get a better deal if I wait to buy a new home? – We all know there’s no crystal ball, but with everything that’s going on, sellers on the market should be very motivated to sell. There are also historically low-interest rates on home loans. There is no way to predict the future, so if the right home comes along, it makes sense to consider it. The Covid-19 outbreak is causing some uncertainty among home buyers, sellers, and even agents. However, with the use of technology and following best practices, you can still find the home you’ve been waiting for during this time. Freddie Mac mortgage relief and loan lookup, visit My Home by Freddie Mac
MCLEAN, Va., March 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today announced it is taking numerous actions to protect those affected, either directly or indirectly, by the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19. Specifically, for its Single-Family business, the company announced a nationwide suspension of all foreclosure sales and evictions of borrowers living in homes owned by the company. It also announced a variety of additional mortgage relief options, including an expansion of its forbearance program, to incorporate additional impacted borrowers. The company also has reminded Servicers of its existing suite of mortgage relief options to assist borrowers, while also making additional disaster related loan modifications available. These measures are effective immediately and apply to borrowers who are unable to make their mortgage payments due to a decline in income resulting from the impact of COVID-19, regardless of whether they have contracted the virus. Forbearance plans provide borrowers with payment relief for up to 12-months and suspend borrower late charges and penalties. It also suspends reporting to credit bureaus of past due payments of borrowers who are in a forbearance plan as a result of hardships attributable to this national emergency. “We are doing all we can to help those adversely impacted by the coronavirus, including by immediately suspending foreclosure sales and evictions during this challenging time,” said Donna Corley, executive vice president and head of Freddie Mac’s Single-Family business. “These eviction and foreclosure stoppages are just one part of the comprehensive assistance we’re providing borrowers to help protect our communities. We are also expanding relief available through our well-known forbearance programs, allowing us to reach the majority of affected borrowers as expeditiously as possible.” Borrowers who may be experiencing financial challenges due to COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to contact their mortgage servicer – the company they send their monthly mortgage payments to – so they can explore one of the Freddie Mac workout options. “We are committed to helping families affected by the virus and we are instructing Servicers to work with borrowers who are unable to make their mortgage payments to ensure they are evaluated for a forbearance plan or other appropriate assistance,” added Kevin Palmer, senior vice president of Single-Family portfolio management at Freddie Mac. “We ask that Servicers be responsive to potential requests for assistance from borrowers who may be impacted by COVID-19.” Freddie Mac’s mortgage relief options for borrowers impacted by COVID-19 include:
Borrowers are eligible for forbearance regardless of whether their property is owner occupied, a second home or an investment property. The suspension of foreclosure sales and evictions is effective immediately and applies until May 17, 2020. If necessary, and at the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Freddie Mac may extend the suspension of evictions beyond May 17, 2020. Freddie Mac has helped more than 1.3 million financially troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure since 2009. For more information on Freddie Mac mortgage relief, visit My Home by Freddie Mac(SM).  WASHINGTON, DC – Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) wants to help ensure families are given options in these uncertain times in the case of job loss, a reduction in work hours, illness, or other issues. We want to remind those impacted by COVID-19 of available mortgage assistance and relief options. Under Fannie Mae's guidelines for single-family mortgages:
Homeowners can find out if they have a Fannie Mae-owned mortgage and access to the Disaster Response Network™* by visiting www.KnowYourOptions.com/loanlookup. "Our thoughts are with everyone who may be impacted by COVID-19 and we urge you to stay safe and well during these unprecedented times. Fannie Mae, along with our lending and servicing partners, is committed to ensuring assistance is available to homeowners in need. We encourage residents whose employment or income are impacted by COVID-19 to seek available assistance as soon as possible," said Malloy Evans, Senior Vice President and Single-Family Chief Credit Officer, Fannie Mae. Homeowners can reach out to Fannie Mae directly by calling 1-800-2FANNIE (1-800-232-6643). For more information, please visit www.knowyouroptions.com/covid19assistance. Find Out Who Owns Your Mortgage If your mortgage is owned by Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac then Know Your Options. To learn more about foreclosure assistance options find out who owns your loan.
Follow the link below to see if it is FANNIE or Freddie owned. FANNIE MAE www.knowyouroptions.com/loanlookup FREDDIE MAC https;//www.freddiemac.com If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us! August 9, U.S. stock index futures ticked higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 aiming at a fresh record, as the second-quarter earnings season winds down on a strong note.
Futures implied the benchmark index would open at 2,859.95, about 13 points away from the record, which it last hit in late January. A strong earnings season has kept up the momentum in the markets, helping cushion major blows from trade-related issues. Of the 440 companies in the S&P 500 that have reported so far, 78.6 percent have beaten analyst expectations, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Shares of U.S.-listed Chinese stocks were higher in premarket trading, tracking a rebound in Shanghai stocks. JD.com (JD.O) rose 0.4 percent and Baidu (BIDU.O) 0.8 percent. Among other movers, Century Link (CTL.N) jumped 4.4 percent after reporting quarterly results. Twenty-First Century Fox (FOXA.O) climbed 0.2 percent after its quarterly profit and revenue topped estimates, helped by the popularity of superhero movie Deadpool 2. Rite Aid (RAD.N) fell 10.9 percent and was the most heavily traded stock after the drug store chain and U.S. grocer Albertsons Cos ABS.N agreed to terminate their merger agreement. Perrigo (PRGO.N) fell 8.3 percent after its board approved a plan to separate its Prescription Pharmaceuticals business and after the generic drugmaker reported quarterly results. At 7:00 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis 1YMc1 were down 1 points, or -0 percent. S&P 500 e-minis ESc1 were up 1.75 points, or 0.06 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-minis NQc1 were up 4 points, or 0.05 percent. Investors are also eyeing inflation numbers to gauge the impact of tariffs on pricing and for clues on the path of interest rate hikes. A U.S. Labor Department report is expected to show producer price index for final demand rose 0.2 percent for July from 0.3 percent in June. The data is due at 8:30 a.m. ET. Reporting by Amy Caren Daniel in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva |
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