In 2020, housing market interest rates hit and remained at historic lows. Government-backed home loans and refinance loans plunged into the low two percent range with a 52-week average for these mortgages and refinance loans at roughly 2.25%. I wrote about these conditions all through 2020, and the number of people including those in my own family who refinanced their home loans last year or in early 2021 was probably higher than any time in … [Read more...]
Possible Changes in Student Loans Under Joe Biden’s Presidency?
What changes in student loans could come under Joe Biden’s presidency? Some are already speculating about student loan bailouts, loan forgiveness, and even a reduced need to apply for more student loans in the future. What are the potential changes? Keep in mind that this article is speculative--it is not breaking news, but rather what many consider as potential in 2021. Student Loans Under Joe Biden’s Presidency President-elect Biden has a … [Read more...]
COVID-19 Scams & Bogus Coronavirus Cures
Sometimes people ask me what I think about the latest news about COVID-19 scams or related coronavirus breaking news; in the case of some of the most recent nonsense (see below) an eye roll is all I can muster--until you realize that there are plenty of people who don’t think about such things until a scammer is practically knocking on your front door to part you from your money. In November 2020, CNBC.com reported that YouTube banned the One … [Read more...]
How To Buy A House During COVID-19
Do you need to buy a house during COVID-19? I know not everyone has the luxury of staying put during coronavirus--some need to go house hunting, in spite of the risks associated with in-person transactions. But I know many are aksing themselves how to find a new place to live in a pandemic? Fortunately, the housing industry has evolved to help with online closing procedures, appraisals that do not require the FHA fee appraiser to set inside the … [Read more...]
How to Stock Up for a Pandemic
COVID-19 is still hitting the United States hard, and rather than debate what we could have done to prevent getting here, let's look at what we should be doing now to prepare as the second wave begins to build. Speaking with friends who work in hospitals and infectious disease research, there is big concern that the fall and winter is going to be tough. People are going to be tired of quarantining, medical professionals are going to be burned … [Read more...]