Here's how to tell if your relationship with your house can recover or if it's time to move on.
You have no appetite for a renovation
Your home might be a good candidate for a makeover, but if the thought of living in a dusty construction zone with contractors coming and going is unbearable to you, then it's time to start over. There's no shame in foregoing renovations for something move-in ready. After all, there will be plenty of eager DIYers happy to make you an offer.
You're not crazy about your neighborhood
You know what they say: location, location, location. We'll put up with a lot for our home to be in a nice spot, close to work and in a good school district. But maybe that spot doesn't work for you anymore. Do schools still matter or are your kids older now? Are you working from home permanently and your commute is no longer a factor? When you're no longer tied to a specific neighborhood, the possibilities are endless.
You'll want to call someone for this one
It's just too small
If the quarantine has made your small space feel even more crowded, or you need to make space for a new home office (or two), it might be time to upgrade.
It's too old
We all love a heritage home. The architecture! The charm! The 100-year-old... everything. You may have been ready for the sweat equity when you moved in, but when paired with everyday life, 'this old house' can feel more like 'this new nightmare.'
If the emotional and financial toll of living in a home that is just too much of a project is getting to you, consider shopping for a new one. A new construction home might not give you the same character, but you will get a house that's brand new in every way and a warranty to boot.
The Mortgage Business Is Alive, Well, and Online
With some segments of the economy tentatively reopening, many who are buying a home or refinancing an existing mortgage may be wondering how and where to get financing. The good news is, the loan process hasn't changed much, and it can all be done online.
While some loan officers still prefer to meet their clients in person, more and more mortgage professionals are equipped to meet virtually and communicate by phone and video conference. Loan officers know many borrowers can't take off work during the day in order to meet, so they tend to work on-demand, around their client's schedules.
The rest can be done remotely as well. Clients can submit loan applications online, which are then reviewed at the mortgage office. The loan is then submitted to an online automated underwriting system, or AUS. The AUS then provides a list of all the items needed for a final approval.
Loan officers get their rates online. They order third party services like credit reports and appraisals online. For years, the mortgage industry has been moving toward a remote-ready model, so for many professionals in the sector this isn't a ‘new' normal. Just normal.
For those currently in the market for a loan, there's no need to wait. The mortgage industry is alive and well. And online.
