How Coronavirus Has Impacted Home Buying

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Impacts of Coronavirus

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone in many different ways. From having to quarantine, working from home, schooling from home, workouts from home, it’s easy to say that people are spending more time in their homes. This has led many people to wanting a home with more space or designated areas for certain activities. We have gathered some statistics on this topic.

Changes in Planning to Buy a Home

Three-quarters of homebuyers who plan to buy a home within the next 12 months say the coronavirus pandemic has impacted their home buying plans: 25% said it caused them to move or speed up their timeline, 20% said it caused them to delay moving plans and 17% are now looking for a less expensive home. Specifically:

  • 16% said the pandemic has caused them to want to move
  • 15% said it caused them to move sooner than originally planned
  • 6% chose both options

Home Preference Changes

  • 21% want a designated area to work from home
  • 21% want more outdoor space
  • 10% of respondents now want a bigger home
  • 7% want a designated space for children to learn from home

Why Changed Plans?

  • Of people planning to move, 55% said low mortgage rates are a factor in their changed plans
  • 52% said spending more time at home is a factor
  • 40% said working from home contributed to their desire to move

If the Coronavirus pandemic has caused your family to be spending more time at home and you’re now thinking about looking for a home with more space, Rountree Realty is always here to answer any questions you may have and help achieve your real estate goals during these crazy times.

Hurricane Preparedness

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Hurricanes are dangerous and can cause major damage because of storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. They can happen along any U.S. coast or in any territory in the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.

The peak of hurricane season is upon us and we need to be sure we are all prepared. 

Here are some tips for the best possible outcome:

  1. Know Your Hurricane Risk
  2. Make An Emergency Plan
  3. Recognize Warnings and Alerts
  4. Know Your Evacuation Zone
  5. Gather Supplies
  6. Strengthen Your Home
  7. Help Your Neighbors
  8. Get Tech Ready
  9. Review Important Documents
  10. Be Safe

 

https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

HOT Demand for Real Estate!

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Good Morning! 

COVID-19 has affected the economy in a lot of ways, but not real estate. We’re still seeing a shortage of inventory and multiple offer situations! Not to mention interest rates right now are in the low 3’s. I’ve even seen them as low as 2.8% 

Check out this article posted by FloridaRealtors! In May home prices were up 3.7%

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2020/07/sp-corelogic-case-shiller-home-prices-rose-37-may

In June we saw a record high with existing home sales increasing by 20.7%

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2020/07/nar-june-existing-home-sales-climb-record-207

NOW is a great time to buy and sell real estate! Call me for all of your real estate needs! (352) 577-9171

 

 

Can I Obtain a Mortgage?

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Happy Thursday!! 

So often I speak to potential homebuyers who never thought homeownership was an option. They think due to a mid to low credit score or unique job situations that buying a home is not an option for them. Well I’m here to tell you that is not the case. I work with lenders everyday that will work with credit scores as low as 620 and different job scenarios. Check out this article posted by Florida Realtors! 

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2020/07/many-believe-they-cant-get-mortgage-and-theyre-wrong

If you have any questions regarding financing and possibly purchasing a home, I urge you to give me a call. I would love to have the opportunity to talk with you and connect you with a local lender that maybe able to help. Call me if you have any questions. (352) 577-9171

***Inherited Property***

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Good Day All! 

I hope everyone is having a great week! Have you recently inherited a piece of property? If so, check out this latest article from Governor DeSantis. He just signed a bill that impacts some inherited property. If you have any questions please give me a call. I’m more than happy to help. (352) 577-9171 

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2020/06/desantis-signs-bill-impacts-some-inherited-property

 

Be Careful About Forbearance On Your Mortgage

Rountree Realty Blog – Forbearance

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During this pandemic, many people are stressed about finances and trying to find any way possible to make ends meet. Some homeowners are applying for mortgage forbearance through their banks while finding their way through this difficult time. The problem is, there is a lot of confusion and scrambling going on between banks or credit unions. Some people are saying lump-sum repayment is the only option, while others are saying that there will be a repayment plan that would run concurrently with your normal payments, or the possibility of a loan modification that would track the missed payments onto the end of your mortgage. This has created a communication lapse. If you apply for a forbearance, you need to know the terms. Every institution may be different, so make sure you fully understand what you are getting yourself into. Be careful and advocate for yourself. Check out this full article that Florida Realtors posted. As always call me if I can help in anyway! 

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2020/05/loan-forbearance-advice-assume-nothing-check-everything

 

Why Hire a Realtor?

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Good Morning!! 

I hope everyone is having a great week! Have you ever really thought about what a Realtor does? A lot of people think we just unlock and show houses,  but there is so much more that a true, professional Realtor does? I could think of 100 reasons why you should hire a professional Realtor, but below are my top 5 reasons!  

  • Code of Ethics – You would only hope that everyone would be honest during a real estate transactions. Realtors who belong to the National Association of Realtors, have agreed to abide by 17 rules to promote honesty and fairness. 
  • Insider Information – Full time Realtors work in this field everyday. We have the most up-to-date information and often know of things happening before anyone else does. 
  • Marketing Masters – Have you seen my marketing plan? (professional photography, 3-D tours, website, professional signage and so much more) Call me and let’s chat! 
  • Negotiators – For sellers the key is to get top dollar for your home. For buyers the key to get a good deal within the current market conditions. With 20+ years of experience I have helped buyers and sellers accomplish their goals!  
  • Real Estate Law – Realtors are constantly taking continuing education courses and keeping up with the latest real estate laws to protect YOU. 

If you’re thinking of buying or selling real estate call me! I would love to help. (352) 577-9171

Increase in Home Showings!

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Happy Thursday! 

I hope everyone is doing well and managing through quarantine. Are you starting to feel like this is a new normal? Or are you still struggling with it? On the brighside, here is some great news regarding the real estate market! ShowingTime is a platform Realtors use to schedule showing appointments. Please see article below with statics showing an increase in showing appointments! 

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2020/04/fla-home-showings-pick-after-bottoming-out-april-7

The past few listings I’ve had sold within days of hitting the market! Sale price are up for sellers and interest rates are low for buyers! Wanna buy or sell? Call me! (352) 577-9171 

7 Tips for Mastering Zoom Meetings!

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Good Day, 

Over the past month or so we have all had to conform to new ways of communicating! Use these 7 tips to master your next Zoom conference call! If you haven’t checked out Zoom you must! It’s also a great way to just stay connected with friends and family! 

  • Test Meetings – Set up a test meeting before your first “real” Zoom meeting.
  • Join Early – Test equipment and make sure everything is working properly.  
  • Avoid Hackers – Require a PW for your meeting. 
  • Mute Option – Remind everyone of the mute option. 
  • Scheduling – Schedule meetings at “off” times to avoid interruptions. 
  • Turn Off Alerts – Silence phones and notifications while in meetings.
  • Chatroom – Use your chat room for questions and recognition.

Deferment and Forbearance

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Good Day All, 

With all of the challenges that we’re facing due to the Coronavirus, I have had heard a lot of people wanting to know what their options are with their mortgage payments. We have all heard of the terms deferment and forbearance, but do you really know what they mean? 

Deferment – Allows borrowers to repay missed mortgage payments over time or add them to the end of their loan period. 

Forbearance – allows borrowers to temporarily stop making their mortgage payments without risk of foreclosure, but missed payments are typically due in one lump sum. 

I hope this helps! Before making any decisions I would recommend talking to a loan officer or your financial advisor. For all of your real estate needs please feel free to contact me! (352) 577-9171