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Virtual Home Buying

Thursday, May 7, 2020
by Scott Darling


For obvious reasons, you won’t be seeing any Open House ads or signs at new homes for sale nearby, and it’s highly unlikely you’ll be going to any showings with your buyer agent. Remote home-buying is nothing new, however, and for this time of staying safe at home, we can learn a few tricks of this type of home purchase, so you don’t have to put that on hold!

  • Get pre-approved now! Current interest rates are just one incentive for buying a new home.
  • With social distancing being the norm, for now, be prepared for a lot of phone conversations, emails, and texts between yourself and your real estate agent.
  • Call a few agents and request an over-the-phone interview to find the one that’s right for you. Be sure they are comfortable and knowledgeable about a virtual house-hunt.
  • You are probably already house-hunting online and saving your favorites. Don’t forget to look at those that may not catch your interest quickly--there are sometimes diamonds in the rough!
  • Type up a list of what you’ll need for a home, as well as extras you’d like to see, and have it ready to email to your agent so they can get to work on looking for houses you might be interested in. Share your online wish list of homes with them as well.
  • Once your Realtor® has a list of homes for you to see, take a 3D or video tour or each, comb through the photos, and ask questions. Ask your agent if they can do a live video tour of the houses that you like the most so you can get a better feel of what the house is actually like.
  • With the exception of places where going to a property for a showing is barred, your agent will be certain that they take proper measures to protect you as well as themselves. Follow all CDC guidelines for slowing the spread of COVID-19.
  • On that note, be sure to understand if a homeowner refuses to show their home if they are still living there.  In case they’re allowing showings, don’t be offended by personal questions about your health. We all have to have some extra understanding and patience these days.

Don’t allow this period of flattening the curve discourage you from buying a new home. In some cases, it may take a little longer, and if there’s an urgent situation that you need to move quickly, share your concerns with your agent, and they’ll be with you every step of that way, even if the home-buying venture is a virtual one.

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: zillow

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Should You Refinance Your Home Mortgage

Tuesday, April 14, 2020
by Scott Darling


When interest rates drop, many who are still paying a mortgage start thinking about refinancing their home. Other reasons why they choose to refinance; the desire to change to a fixed rate, debt consolidation, or hoping to lower their monthly payments. While all of these are good, sound reasons to refinance, they all have pros and cons.  

 

  • - Lowering your interest rate can save money. It will not save much if you’ve already been paying on your home for several years, however, especially if you refinance with a 30-year mortgage. Investopedia says that going for the new rate is a good idea if you can reduce your rate by 2%.
     

  • - When credit card debt is included in a debt consolidation refinance, homeowners risk losing their home for unsecured debt if they cannot keep up the payments. Credit counseling would be a better step to take first if you are considering debt consolidation to pay off credit cards. 
     

  • - Refinancing to lower your monthly payment sounds great until you realize that a lower payment only comes with a longer pay-back term and paying more interest in the end. 
     

  • - Let’s say you’re making more money and would like to shorten the term of your mortgage by having a higher monthly payment. Nerdwallet suggests that you ask yourself a few questions, then decide if you should refinance or just pay more on your current loan every month.
     

  • - Has your credit score gone up? If so, find out if you can get a better interest rate as a result. Again, be sure you’ll be saving money in the end before you sign the dotted line. 
     

  • - You can turn your home’s equity into cash with a cash-out refinance, and if the money is needed for some home improvements or investing, it may be a better way to get the cash. The drawback comes in when the return on investment doesn’t work out, and the equity in the home is lost. 

 

Closely examining your reasons and goals for refinancing will help you make this decision. Don’t forget to factor in closing costs and other refinancing fees. These can add up, just like when the house was first purchased, and may not be much of a savings at all when it’s all said and done. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: investopedia 

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Support Local Businesses Without Going Shopping

Wednesday, April 8, 2020
by Scott Darling

Small businesses are the backbone of our country’s economy, and many of them--namely in the food service industry--are hurting right now. What can individuals do to help them now? Don’t think of it as helping a business stay open but helping friends and neighbors during a time of crisis! 

  • Do you already have a monthly purchase at a local boutique or a pedicure in your budget?  Go ahead and call them and buy a gift certificate/card/credit in that same amount. Using it for the future would be great, but once everything is back to normal, give the gift card to someone else, and continue your normal shopping with the store. 
     

  • If those same establishments have their own merchandise, why not buy a t-shirt, mug or car sticker along with your gift card purchase? 
     

  • If it’s allowed, order takeout from your favorite restaurants, whether it’s lunch or dinner. Many eateries are bundling dishes into family meals and offering curbside delivery, making it easier for you to order. 
     

  • Some local businesses have online shopping available; if so, do your shopping that way. Most business owners are certain that everything is handled properly and will offer shipping or pick-up at the door. 
     

  • Leave a review for your favorites at any online review site, business Facebook page, or other social media. Everyone needs the encouragement, plus, it helps others decide whether to do business with the establishment in the future. 
     

  • Don’t forget your local produce stands and farmers’ markets! Grocery store chains must wait for deliveries, so if they’re out of your favorite lettuce, call around to the local stands to see what’s available. 
     

Many businesses are offering free shipping for online orders and are making it easier to shop via social media. It may take some creativity, but we can all do our best and do our part to help our local businesses, our local economies, and our neighbors. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: twitter

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Social Distancing Tips for You and Your Family

Friday, April 3, 2020
by Scott Darling

Schools are closing all over the country, businesses are closing temporarily, and more people are staying put at home.  It’s hard not to be anxious during this time of uncertainty but staying home shouldn’t be a bad thing! Relieve some of the extra stress with any of these distractions for the kids, and yourself! 

Ideas for the Kids   

  • First and foremost, be certain you have some schoolwork time. Teachers and school administrators across the country are doing their best to keep your children learning, whether through online access or hard-copy work being sent home.  If having a designated area becomes tedious, allow them to make a work area on the floor, in a homemade tent, outside in the backyard--it doesn’t matter where it’s done, so long as they work on their assignments. 
     

  • If you have a book lover and can’t get to the library, check out these free read-aloud sites: Storyline Online is sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild, and you’ll find the likes of Betty White reading Harry the Dirty Dog;  Barnes & Noble has nineteen children’s classics; We Are Teachers has author read-aloud and activities for up to middle-school ages. 
     

  • You don’t have to be stuck inside--teach children the joy of old school games like Mother May I?, Simon Says, Red Light Green Light, hide and seek, and good old tag are all great games to play that you can participate in, and help the kids (and maybe you, too!) release some pent-up energy. Fatherly has some great ideas to play when you must be inside. 
     

  • Fun science experiments with common household items can be fun for everyone! 
     

  • When nerves start getting frazzled, the younger kids will like Cosmic Kids Yoga videos on YouTube. 

 

Tips for the Grown-Ups 

  • According to RescueTime, we are only truly productive for 2.8 hours per day. Taking that into consideration if you’re having to work from home, break up your work and the children’s learning time into two 90-minute periods, or three one-hour periods.  
     

  • Practicing social distancing simply means you’re not going out to public places, nor are you spending time with friends and family. Need to go for a jog? It’s fine! Need some reading time in the sunshine? Use your backyard or balcony!  
     

  • Start Spring cleaning, get the garden ready, or get to those little DIY jobs you’ve been putting off! 
     

  • Have you been wanting to learn a skill, like watercolor, knitting, or something else you can do at home? Look for instructional videos on YouTube and get started--you have no excuse! 
     

  • Check on your neighbors. If you can call them or text them, do; in the case of an elderly neighbor that lives alone, leave a note in their mailbox or taped to their front door with your phone number, asking them to call if there’s anything they need, even if it’s just to talk.
     

We must keep in mind that “This too, shall pass.” Some days will be harder than others during the next few weeks, but with a good attitude, and that adage in mind, you will get through. Stay connected to friends and family and remind yourself that you’re simply keeping yourself and your family members as safe as you can in uncertain times! 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com

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