23 Apr 2020
By Kevin Gahagan

Staying Social While Distancing

Mortgage

Staying Social While DistancingFor many months, the COVID-19 (Corona-virus) pandemic appeared to be a problem that only existed in foreign lands. Now, this virus has arrived on the shores of the United States and has disrupted jobs, hospitals, and lives. People are being asked to practice social distancing measures to curtail the spread of the virus while some parts of the country are being asked to stay home entirely. The good news is that there are still ways for people to remain social while being safe. 

Get Outside Safely

One of the first tips that people need to remember is that they are still allowed to go outside. Even in states that are telling people to shelter in place, people are still allowed to go outside and get some fresh air. This is a great way for people to not only stay in shape but many other people are doing the same thing. Therefore, this is an opportunity for everyone to get some vitamin D, run into a few neighbors, and socialize (while practicing safe social distancing measures, of course!).

Get The Family Involved In The Cooking Process

Next, given that many restaurants are going to be closed during this crisis, take this opportunity to get the entire family involved in the cooking process. Take a few minutes and bake some cookies with the kids. Ask them for ideas on what to cook for dinner. This is a great opportunity for children to learn about something new, given that they are going to be home from school for a while.

Use Video Chat Applications

Finally, remember that there are still ways for people to stay in contact with one another through video chat apps. These include FaceTime and Skype. Even though that trip to visit the grandparents was canceled, this is still a great way to stay in touch. Furthermore, this can be a way for families to check in with each other and make sure that everyone is doing alright.

Stay Social During The Pandemic

In the end, it is going to be a challenging few months; however, with the right strategies, the country is going to come out stronger on the other side. Put these tips to use and stay social during the pandemic! 

10 Apr 2020
By Kevin Gahagan

Creative Ways To Keep Your Family Sane During The COVID-19 Crisis

Mortgage

Creative Ways To Keep Your Family Sane During The COVID-19 CrisisIt can be a tremendous challenge to suddenly be stuck at home during the COVID-19 crisis. For those who are in an area of the country where there is a “shelter in place” order, this can feel very much like house arrest. If there are children stuck at home as well, this could be enough to make the entire family go stir crazy.

It can be hard to come up with ways to have fun when there is a lot of fear and anxiety in the air; however, here are a few great ways that families can have fun, grow closer, and bond during a challenging time.

Take A Virtual Tour Of A Museum

There are a handful of museums and aquariums around the country that are offering people the opportunity to take a virtual tour of their exhibits. These museums and aquariums are feeling the sting of the pandemic as well. They have gone out of their way to allow people to take a look at the numerous educational exhibits they have to offer over the internet. This can be a great way for a family to take a trip to somewhere exciting, take a look at some awesome exhibits, and learn about something new.

Make Videos Together

One of the most popular apps today is called TikTok. This is a social media platform where people make creative, funny videos, edit them, and share them with their followers all in one place! These videos are usually only a few seconds long and are layered with music. Think about funny poses, creative dance routines, and more! 

Build A Puzzle Together

Sometimes, the greatest joys are in the simplest pleasures. There are countless puzzles out there and many of them have thousands of pieces. They will keep the entire family busy for days to come. Then, once the puzzle is done, it can be glued together and framed. This can serve as a tribute to the time when the family had to band together during a difficult time.

Get Creative

These are a few creative ideas that families can put to use during the pandemic. They will bring the family together through bonding experiences that will last forever.

09 Apr 2020
By Kevin Gahagan

How To Be Sure Your Home Is Sanitized During Quarantine

Mortgage

How To Be Sure Your Home Is Sanitized During QuarantineDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever for everyone to make sure they act in the best interests of their local communities and the world as a whole. This means that everyone should follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), practice social distancing measures, and obey all orders to shelter in place. When families are stuck at home, it is important to ensure the house is sanitized. This will prevent the spread of this dangerous virus. There are a few measures that everyone should take to make sure their home is as clean as possible.

Clean High-Touch Surfaces Frequently

Any surfaces that multiple people are going to touch on a regular basis need to be cleaned every day. Some of the most common surfaces people need to clean daily include counters, doorknobs, bathroom appliances, faucets, toilets, phones, tablets, end tables, tabletops, and keyboards. Try to use a household spray followed by a wipe.

Read the labels of these cleaning items to make sure they are being used properly. During the cleaning process, try to wear gloves and make sure to dispose of them after they are used. Finally, if there are any surfaces that have bodily fluids on them, including blood, these need to be cleaned thoroughly as well.

Step Up Laundry Practices

All laundry needs to be cleaned as thoroughly as possible. If there are any clothes that have bodily fluids on them, including sweat after working out, these need to be laundered immediately. While handling laundry, try to wear disposable gloves. Try to keep these items as far away from the body as possible. Make sure to closely follow any and all directions on laundry detergent. Try to wash clothing at the warmest temperatures allowed on the clothing labels to ensure any pathogens are killed. Finally, wash hands with soap and water after handling any laundry.

Ask Questions 

Finally, anyone who has questions about how to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic needs to rely on resources from credible sources such as the CDC and WHO. Furthermore, don’t hesitate to call a local doctor and ask questions. It is important for everyone to watch out for one another during this trying time.

07 Apr 2020
By Kevin Gahagan

COVID-19 Relief Programs For Homeowners

Mortgage

COVID-19 Relief Programs for HomeownersFederal housing agencies and government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak with multiple relief programs for homeowners experiencing hardship due to illness and job loss.

60-Days Forbearance on Home Mortgages Owned or Backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac

Many U.S. home loans are owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Homeowners can determine if your loan is connected with Fannie Mae here.here. Please check here to check if your mortgage is affiliated with Freddie Mac.

CARES Act Provide Relief for Eligible Homeowners

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act provides two protections for homeowners:

  • Payment forbearance for homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. Forbearance periods up to 12 months may be approved based on individual hardship.
  • Foreclosure and other legal actions are stopped for 60-days. 

Forbearance may require a lump sum payment of deferred payments after the forbearance period or deferred payments may be added to the back of a mortgage, but fees may not be added to the loan balance.

Loan Modifications

Mortgage servicers may provide modification of loan terms to assist homeowners impacted by COVID-19. Modification terms can include:

    Reduction of mortgage interest rate

  • Extension of the loan repayment term.
  • Capitalization of unpaid principal and/ or interest to principal balance; this means adding unpaid amounts to the mortgage balance.

Contact your mortgage servicing company as soon as you know you will miss a mortgage payment or payments Relief programs usually require documentation verifying financial hardship. Mortgage servicers are experiencing high volumes of calls; you may need to call multiple times for assistance.

Mortgage Assistance for Non-Government Owned Loans

If you have a conventional mortgage that is not owned or backed by a government agency, please call your loan servicing company and ask about mortgage relief provisions. If your loan is covered by private mortgage insurance (PMI), ask your loan servicer if that company can help with relief options.

State and local agencies may offer housing relief options to homeowners and renters. Certified credit counseling agencies can also help with determining budgeting needs and local resources in addition to working with unsecured creditors toward reducing payments on credit card debt and personal loans.

31 Mar 2020
By Kevin Gahagan

How To Retain Your Sanity While Working From Home

Mortgage

How To Retain Your Sanity While Working From HomeThere are a lot of people who enjoy working from home; however, with the COVID-19 pandemic, many people who are not used to working from home are forced into this new arrangement. It can be hard for individuals o stay focused when they are stuck in the environment at home. Particularly if the kids are home from school, it is easy to get distracted. Fortunately, there are a few ways people can retain their sanity as they work from home.

Get Into A Routine

One of the first steps people need to follow is to find a routine. It can be tempting to sleep in every day, procrastinate while watching TV, and take long breaks for meals; however, it is critical to remember that there is still a job to do. Try to wake up at the same time every day. Start work at a consistent hour. Take a consistent break for lunch. Finding a routine will make working from home feel more like a job than a vacation.

Take Advantage Of Technology

Even though working from home can feel lonely, it doesn’t have to be this way. With technology, it is easy for people to stay in touch with their partners from work. Use technology to talk to people. Check up on others and see how they are doing. Ask for help when it is needed. Communicate with multiple people at a time. This is incredibly important for those who work in a team. At the same time, those who typically work alone should make sure this doesn’t become a distraction. Talking to others can be a great way to break up the monotony of the day.

Learn Something New Every Day

Finally, take the time to learn something new! Those who no longer have a morning or evening commute are going to wind up with some extra free time on their hands. Take this opportunity to learn something new. Even though some people might feel like they are being forced to work from home, turn this situation into a positive one. use the extra time wisely and find a way to expand those horizons ever so slightly. Learning new skills can pay big dividends down the road.