Enjoying New Jersey • September 1, 2021

It’s Apple Picking Season In The Garden State

by Roslyn Sibilia

The Garden State welcomes Fall!...New Jersey is home to so many orchards and it makes for a great day for the fall season. What is better than the taste of a newly picked Macintosh or a Granny Smith apple or a freshly backed hot apple pie and cider? If you are looking for some things to do in the coming weekends, here are a few orchards listed in Northern, Central & Southern New Jersey by NJ Leisure Guide that you might like to check out. If enjoying these events makes you think of relocating to Central New Jersey, I’ve got you covered…just contact me...Roslyn Sibilia at 732-995-5609 / NJHomesbyRoslyn.com

Northern NJ Apple Picking Farms

Alstede Farms / 84 Route 513 (Old Route 24), Chester, New Jersey

In addition to apple picking, they offer Fall Family Fun Days Features scenic hay wagon rides to pumpkin patch. Two corn mazes. Both mazes feature corn stalks that are over 10 feet tall with pathways carved through the immense plants. The adult maze is many acres in size and contains lots of turns and intersections. The children’s maze is only one acre is size and is much easier to transverse through.

Demarest Farms / 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642 https://demarestfarms.com/

In addition to apple picking, they offer pre picked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, rest rooms, picnic area, face painting, birthday parties, school tours.

Hillview Farms / 223 Meyersville Road, Gillette, NJ https://hillview-farms.com/

A family owned and operated 53-acre farm. They offer a tractor ride to and from the apple orchard. Tractor starts around 10:00 and ends between 4:00-5:00.

Mackey’s Orchards / 284 Route 519, Belvidere, NJ http://www.mackeysorchard.com/

Varieties include MacIntosh, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Winesap, Granny Smith, Ida Red, Cortland, and dozens more.. Central NJ Apple Picking Farms

Melick’s Orchards / 472 Route 513, Califon, NJ https://www.melickstownfarm.com/

Pick your own Fuji, Honey Crisp and Gala apples as well as Asian pears every day 9-5

Phillips Farms / 564 Millford-Warren Glen Road, Milford, NJ https://www.phillipsfarms.com/

A family-owned farm situated along the scenic Delaware River in the rolling countryside of Holland Township; offers pick your own apple and peach picking.

Riamede Farm / 122 Oakdale Road, Chester, NJ https://www.riamedefarm.com/

Open daily in September and October; 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. They have 34 varieties of apples ranging from traditional classics to heirloom specialties to modern favorites. The early apple varieties begin to ripen the first week of September when we open for our pick your own apple season. Pick your own apples in a scenic old orchard. Take a free haywagon ride on weekends through the orchards out to the patch. Find a new apple favorite amongst our 34 varieties of traditional, heirloom and modern apple varieties, sold by the pound. Be tempted by fresh pressed cider, local honey, old fashioned jams, and warm cider donuts. Take home some gourds and Indian corn. And mostly, enjoy a country day and the fall colors at our 68 acre 250 year old farm, kept simple, authentic and without the carnival.

Ripple Hill Farm / 181 Mountain Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ https://www.ripplehillfarm.com/

Starting in early September, they are open to the public on Sundays from 12-4pm for pick-your-own apples as well as a farm stand with fresh, picked-that-morning produce. They offer varieties of apples including Macintosh and Gala, while Granny Smith and Stayman Winesaps are available later in the season. Please check their website to confirm dates & times.

Stony Hill Farm Market & Gardens / 15 North Road 8 Route 24, Chester, NJ https://stonyhillfarms.com/

Saturdays & Sundays 10AM-5PM. In addition to apple picking, they offer a Maze Fun Park and lots of activities for kids, families, and groups.

Sun High Orchard / 19 Canfield Avenue, Randolph, NJ https://www.facebook.com/sunhighorchardnj/

In addition to apple picking they offer a “Kiddie Corn Pit Play Area” – a giant corn filled sand box for ages 1-6, and other children’s activities including a Rope Maze, a Tile Maze, a Pipe Maze, and a Kiddie Hay Maze. and their friendly animals. Their alpaca “Jersey Gold” and mini donkey “Jessica” are always looking to make new friends. Please call ahead to confirm picking times & dates

Tree-Licious Orchards / 135 Karrville Road, Port Murray, NJ https://treeliciousorchards.com/

Featuring over 130 acres of fresh fruits, pumpkin picking, berry picking, apple picking, peach picking, private tours, corporate events, farm wedding, farm to table dinners and fun for the whole family. Moreover, the property where Treelicious Orchard resides has been an operating farm for more than 200 years.

Valley Crest Farm & Preserve / 14 Allerton Road, Lebanon, NJ https://www.visitnjfarms.org/Valley_Crest_Farm___Nature_Preserve/

Pick you own hours are 9am- 4pm daily and until 6pm on Wednesdays. Weekend hours are Saturdays from 9am- 4pm and Sundays from 10am- 6pm. Apple picking runs from August through November. They offer a variety of apples including Ginger Gold, three types of Gala, McIntosh, Macoun, Pink Lady, Cameo, Honey crisp, Granny Smith and more.

Wrightman’s Farms / 1111 Mt. Kemble Avenue, Morristown, NJ http://www.wightmanfarms.com/index.html

They are open for picking on Fridays , Saturdays, and Sundays

Central NJ Apple Picking Farms

Battleview Orchards / 91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, NJ https://www.battlevieworchards.com/

Pick your own family farm with a country store and excellent bake goods.

Bonacorsi Family Farm / 1137 Croton Road, Flemington, NJ http://www.bonacorsifamilyfarm.com/

They offer over 60 varieties of apples. Please visit their website to confirm fall apple picking dates.

Eastmont Orchards / 321 County Road 537, Colts Neck, NJ http://eastmontorchards.com/

Early-September Honeycrisp, McIntosh; Mid-September to Mid-October Cameo, Cortland, Crispin, Empire, Golden Delicious, Idared, Jonathan, McCoun, Red Delicious, Spartan; Mid-October to Closing Arkansas Black, Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Rome, Stayman Winesap, Yellow Newtown Pippen

Giamarese Farm / 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick, NJ http://www.giamaresefarm.com/

Open early July to September, for pick your own apples, nectarines and peaches.

Lee Turkey Farm / 201 Hickory Corner Rd., East Windsor, NJ https://leeturkeyfarm.com/

54 acres nestled in the arms of suburbia. Hundreds of fruit trees and acres of vegetables all yours for the picking. The picking/market hours are from 9:00am till 6:00pm begonning about the 2nd week in July. You must be at the farm no later than 5:15pm to enter the fields and orchards. Offers pick your own Apples, Peaches, and pumpkins

Terhune Orchards / 13 Van Kirk Road, Princeton, NJ https://www.terhuneorchards.com/

Fall Family Fun Weekends Enjoy a day of family fun on the farm! What better way to celebrate fall than with Pick-Your-Own Apples! Enjoy pony rides, wagon rides, visit the Corn Stalk Maze, the Barn of Legends and Lore, and our barnyard of farm animals. Don’t worry about lunch, there’s lots of food available – soup, chili, hot dogs, pies, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and more! Terhune Orchards features live music played by some of our best local talent, (between noon and 4pm). No admission. Parking is at the farm.

Von Thun’s Country Farm Market / 519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ https://vonthunfarms.com/

A family owned farm. They offer U-pick Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, and pumpkins. U-pick strawberries start the berry picking in late May. Blueberry picking traditionally starts in late June, followed by blackberries later in the summer. Apples and pumpkins are available for picking from mid-September through October.

Southern NJ Apple Picking Farms

Haynicz’s Orchardview Farm / corner of Buck and Elk road (Rt 553 and Rt 538), Monroeville, New Jersey https://www.facebook.com/Hayniczs-Orchardview-Farm-Market-and-Greenhouse-197438020269238/

Theyhave pick your own strawberries, peaches, apples, collards and pumpkins in season.

Hill Creek Farms / 1631 Route 45, Mullica Hill, NJ

They grow three varieties on dwarfing rootstock including; Cameo, Jonagold, and The Autumn Rose Fuji apples. In addition to apple picking they offer a snack and refreshment stand, picnic area, face painting, pony rides, and school tours.

Johnson’s Corner Farm / 133 Church Rd., Medford, NJ https://www.johnsonsfarm.com/?utm_source=GMB

Offers pick ypur own apples, peaches and pumpkin picking. Visit their Animal Farm, which now includes an obstacle course. The Animal Farm is bursting with many animals to feed along with a pipe slide, wacky bridge, rope maze, balance beam, and tire climb! Enjoy our furry animals in a picturesque farm setting with utilities to feed them safely through our feeding tubes and to wash-up afterwards at our hand washing stations. There is also the Discovery Barnyard This is a Fun-filled and secure area designed for Families with young children. The Discovery Barnyard is brimming with age appropriate climbing structures, shaded eating area, small animal barnyard, and our very popular pedal go-carts. Click this link for a full explanation, and check out our photo gallery of fun! On those hot summer days, cool off at our farm market with a delicious Ice Cream cone, thick Milkshake, or refreshing Italian Ice, and enjoy it while sitting under the shade of our sycamore trees or our tented picnic area.

Mood’s Farm Market / 901 Bridgeton Pike (Route 77), Mullica Hill, NJ https://www.moodsfarmmarket.com/

They also have an Apple Festival on Saturday, September 11, 2010 10:00am – 4:00pm. The festival kicks off with the interactive story of Johnny Appleseed at 10:00. The Donut Eating Contests will follow at 10:30. The winner receives a cash prize and a bag of donuts. There is one adult contest and two kids contests.

Strawberry Hill Farm / Corner of Waln & Ellisdale Road, Chesterfield, NJ https://strawberryhillfarm.org/

Golden Delicious, Gala, Empire, and Macintosh apples available

Living In Your Home • April 6, 2021

It’s Time For Spring Cleaning

by Roslyn Sibilia

The weather may not feel like it, but spring is here…Time to dust off the cleaning supplies for the home. Before the weather gets nice enough where you don’t want to do it, take advantage now while still indoors. There are so many things to give the seasonal dusting and cleaning to that get ignored the rest of the time. Here are some things that are good to address to give your home a fresh feel for the spring and most importatnt if you are looking to prepare your home to sell. If you want more tips about how to get your house home ready, just contact me at 732-995-5609 or go to NJhomesbyroslyn.com

Home Spring Cleaning List

The Exterior

*windows & screens (including sills and molding). Winter just seems to linger on the windows

*vent covers

*ceiling fans

* wipe down the walls

*doors (those that have fingerprints on them, because we refuse to use the doorknobs.

*switch covers

*moldings clean and recaulk if needed (including base moldings and chair rails and other decorative ones.

*carpet steaming

*airduct cleaning

*dryer vent cleaning (this prevents fire hazards)

Bathrooms

recaulk if necessary. Caulk sometimes gets dried up and cracks. Recaulking prevents leaks before they turn into something more. Grout is porous and it’s good to seal it, too.

Tile floors

If using waxes, sometimes there is a buildup, steaming the floor removes this residue

Declutter

Organization is just as important. Out with the old and in with the new. Get rid of excess papers, supplies and objects that have been around and not needed. With less stuff in out in the house, comes less cleaning.

This is a great time to look up a local charity and donate unused or lightly used clothing, toys and appliances. If you haven’t used things for a few years, you probably don’t need them. If you find it hard to part with some things, take pictures and keep in an album, especially when it comes to school projects or work.

Exterior

*Prune shrubs

*Remove any dead foliage

*Edging give a clean look to a lawn or anywhere grass leads to a patio or pool.

*Repaint/stain the deck

*Powerwash the patio, walkways, house and pvc fence. Parts of a home facing north, get discolored with a moldy green. This is normal due to the minimal amount of sun on that side.

*Weeding…we all hate it, but it needs to be done

*Resealing the driveway

EDGE Scholarship • January 3, 2021

Scholarship Application Season Is Here!

by Roslyn Sibilia

EDGEscholarship.com

Have questions…Contact me at 732-995-5609 or RSibilia@ERACentral.com

Housing Market • September 9, 2020

Listen to Your Fellow Americans

by Roslyn Sibilia

Positive news regarding the housing market has created a confidence to be part of it… Many Americans are optimistic when it comes to decisions about buying or selling a home based on a recent poll by Fannie Mae. See what other Americans are saying about the housing market. If you are ready to get off the fence and search for a new home, contact me, Roslyn Sibilia at 732-995-5609.

In a seller’s market, it’s not too surprising Americans have expressed optimism toward home selling. But Americans also say it’s a good time to be a buyer—in fact, more Americans are bullish over buying than selling.

Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index, which reflects the attitudes of more than 1,000 respondents toward housing, shows consumer sentiment over five of six housing indicators increased in August. Consumers are expressing more optimistic views than previously over buying and selling, and fewer concerns over job losses.

The buyer optimism stems from near-record low mortgage rates, which are helping to “restore much of consumers’ positivity on whether it is a good time to buy a home, while also improving the good-time-to-sell sentiment,” says Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist. “The August survey was conducted as consumers continue to face uncertainty regarding schools’ and business’ reopening plans and as the CARES Act $600-per-week income supplement expired.”

While Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index rose by 3.3 points in August to a reading of 77.5, the index is still down 16.3 points compared to a year ago.

Here’s a closer look at findings on consumer sentiment from the latest survey:

Homebuying expectations: The percentage of respondents who said it’s a good time to buy a home increased from 53% to 59% in August.
Homeselling expectations: The percentage of respondents who said it’s a good time to sell a home rose from 45% to 48%.
Home prices: Fewer respondents believe home prices will rise over the next 12 months, the percentage decreasing in August from 35% to 33%. The percentage of respondents who said home prices will likely fall decreased to 26% while the share who think home prices will stay the same was unchanged at 34%.
Mortgage rates: More Americans believe mortgage rates will remain near record lows. The percentage of respondents who said mortgage rates will go down even more over the next year increased to 33%. Forty-five percent of respondents believe mortgage rates will stay the same.
Job concerns: Consumers are less concerned about losing their jobs over the next year. Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they are not concerned about losing their job in the next 12 months, up slightly from 76% the previous month.
Household income: Some Americans are feeling richer. The percentage of respondents who said their house income is significantly higher than it was a year ago rose to 25% in August. The percentage of respondents who say their household income is significantly lower stayed unchanged at 16%. Fifty-nine percent said their household income has stayed the same.

To stay most updated regarding your home buying or selling decision, contact me to discuss your local market…732-995-5609 / NJHomesbyRoslyn.com

Source: “Poll: American Say It’s a Good Time to Buy and Sell” Realtor Magazine (September 9, 2020)

Living In Your Home • September 8, 2020

Helpful Tips When Working With Technology

by Roslyn Sibilia

Technology plays a huge factor is all lives these days….Many hours on a computer can cause side effects for some. With travel times eliminated , some may even work longer hours. Also, children’s education will be more technology driven than before with many virtual classes. Here are some tips below from Start Healthy Magazine to manage the side effects of digital headaches.

Today’s world revolves around screens. It’s hard to avoid, because most jobs require using a computer and a cell phone. Even outside of work, cell phones and televisions take up our free time. If this is you, you’ve likely experienced a digital headache. Here are the reasons digital headaches occurr and how to stop them.

Do digital headaches really happen?

Yes, digital headaches are real and in fact 60 percent American adults report experiencing digital eye strain, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, dry eyes, and blurred vision after prolonged use of screens. When using screens, blinking less than you should and trying to keep focus causes dry eyes and strain. Visual demands when dealing with screens is unlike any other activity. The technical term for it is an ocular migraine caused by eye strain and mental fatigue, and it could have serious consequences on your vision if you don’t take steps to decrease and manage it.

Suggestions to ease the pain and fatigue

Turn down the brightness

The quickest way to help decrease risk for ocular migraines is to decrease the brightness of the screen. Not only does this ease up your eyes from taking in so much light at once, but it will help prolong your battery life too.

Invest in a pair of computer glasses

Computer glasses have become a phenomenon among those immersed in digital work all day. By blocking out blue UV light, they help reduce damage to the retinas. These light waves are short and full of energy. They are the same light waves emitted from the sun and are why people wear sunglasses. Typically, computer glasses are separate from regular glasses and should only be worn when sitting in front of a screen for prolonged periods.

Limit your free time used on screens

Get outside, talk to people, and call instead of text. These are ways to step away from screens during your free time so you can reserve the work your eyes need to do during work hours only. Giving yourself time away from work should mean giving your body, most important, your eyes, time to rest as well.

Annual eye exams

Stay on top of your prescription when you feel yourself getting frequent headaches. It’s always a good idea to get an annual eye exam, even when you don’t feel your eyes hurting or vision changing. There are things going on in your eyes you can’t see or feel. When you have the proper prescription and care, it makes it easier on your eyes when they do have to work hard.

Eyes are often forgotten in our health care routine. Be kind to your eyes and follow these tips to help reduce risk factors of CVS (computer vision syndrome). Consult your optometrist before trying new glasses and changing your eye care routine.

Source: “Digital Headache Remedies” 2020 Start Healthy (September 5, 2020)

Living In Your Home • September 8, 2020

What’s Changed On Your List This Year?

by Roslyn Sibilia

Many desirable features or rooms fitting the popular search criteria have a tendency to change over the years…This year is no exception to the rule. In fact, 2020 has sparked a new wave of what is desired. Here are a few of the more popular ones. Would you add anything different?

Need space or would like to downsize?

Let’s discuss your options! Contact me at 732-995-5609 / NJHomesbyRoslyn.com

Source: Keeping Current Matters (September 4, 2020)

Housing Market • September 2, 2020

Keeping You In The Know

by Roslyn Sibilia

How Did Your County Measure Up with Home Sales?… Let me keep you on current with periodic updates about the housing market in your area. The current data shows that housing market is moving forward. Questions about your local market? Contact me, at 732-995-5609 / NJHomesbyRoslyn.com. I am always happy to keep you in the know.

Housing Market • September 2, 2020

Mortgage Applications…No Sign Of Slowdown

by Roslyn Sibilia

Thinking of Waiting it Out?…Other buyers are ahead of the game with low interest rates making the rising home prices more affordable. In fact the number of mortgage applications has surpassed the 2019 numbers 1 year ago and is up by 33%. Check out the additional information below offered in Realtor Magazine to support the current market conditions.

Contact me at 732-995-5609 /NJHomesbyRoslyn.com to discuss your next move. I am always happy to keep you in the know.

The summer homebuying spree continues as buyers rush to apply for mortgages, CNBC reports. The COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders delayed the spring housing market and fueled pent-up demand that took off well into the summer, making “August the new April,” CNBC adds.

Mortgage applications to purchase a home inched up 0.4% last week compared to the previous week, and are now 33% higher than a year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday.

Low mortgage rates are adding to buyer urgency. The average contract interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.11% last week, the MBA reports.

“The home purchase market remains a bright spot for the overall economy,” says Joel Kan, an MBA economist. “Mortgage rates at record lows and households looking for more space are driving this summer’s surge in demand.”

Meanwhile, applications to refinance are 34% higher than a year ago.

Offering an olive branch to refinancers, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Tuesday that it would delay implementation of a new loan refinance fee until Dec. 1. The fee, known as the “adverse market fee,” was originally slated to take effect in September. It will add a surcharge of 0.5% on mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that are refinanced into lower rates. That could result in up to $1,400 extra fee for homeowners refinancing an average $300,000 GSE-backed refinanced loan. The new fee does not apply to applications for home purchases.

“Extending the effective date will permit lenders to close refinance loans that are in their pipelines and honor the rate lock commitments they made to their borrowers, ensuring that economic relief in the form of record-low interest rates will continue to flow to consumers,” says MBA CEO Bob Broeksmit.

Source: “Mortgage Demands From Homebuyers Spikes 33% Annually, Signalling No End to Summer Spree,” CNBC (Aug. 26, 2020)

Buying a Home • September 1, 2020

Importance Of Homebuying Pre-Approvals

by Roslyn Sibilia

While Most Buyers Dive Right into the List of Homes to View…I have my clients start with getting pre-approved for their home purchase. It is the first step in setting the things up for the process ahead…and you need to be ready especially in this current market and the article below from Keeping Matters Current explains why…

You may have heard that pre-approval is a great first step in the homebuying process. But why is it so important? When looking for a home, the temptation to fall in love with a house that’s outside your budget is very real. So, before you start shopping around, it’s helpful to know your price range, what you’re comfortable within a monthly mortgage payment, and ultimately how much money you can borrow for your loan. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to do this.

According to a recent survey from realtor.com, many buyers are making the mistake of skipping the pre-approval step in the homebuying process:

“Of over 2,000 active home shoppers who plan to purchase a home in the next 12 months, only 52% obtained a pre-approval letter before beginning their home search, which means nearly half of home buyers are missing this crucial piece of paperwork.”

This paperwork (the pre-approval letter) shows sellers you’re a qualified buyer, something that can really help you stand out from the crowd in the current ultra-competitive market.

How competitive is today’s market? Extremely – especially among buyers.

With limited inventory there are many more buyers than sellers right now, and that’s fueling the competition. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes are receiving an average of 2.9 offers for sellers to negotiate, so bidding wars are heating up.

Pre-approval shows homeowners you’re a serious buyer. It helps you stand out from the crowd if you get into a multiple-offer scenario, and these days, it’s likely. When a seller knows you’re qualified to buy the home, you’re in a better position to potentially win the bidding war and land the home of your dreams.

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com notes:

“For ‘a buyer in a competitive market, it’s typically essential to have pre-approval done in order to submit an offer, so getting it done before you even look at homes is a smart move that will enable a buyer to move fast to put an offer in on the right home.’”

In addition, today’s housing market is also changing from moment to moment. interest rates are low, prices are going up, and lending institutions are regularly updating their standards. You’re going to need guidance to navigate these waters, so it’s important to have a team of professionals (a loan officer and a real estate agent) making sure you take the right steps along the way and can show your qualifications as a buyer at the time you find a home to purchase.

Bottom Line

In a competitive market with low inventory, a pre-approval letter is a game-changing piece of the homebuying process. If you’re ready to buy this year, let’s connect before you start searching for a home.

Source: “Why Is It so Important to Be Pre-Approved In the Homebuying Process” Keeping Current Matters (August 21, 2020)

Housing Market • August 24, 2020

Strong Real Estate Market Indicates Good News

by Roslyn Sibilia

This is good news!...A strong Real Estate market compared to those years ago is trending towards lower forbearance numbers than those anticipated…which means less foreclosures on the horizon due to the shutdown this year. Current conditions…this is not a housing crisis. The real estate market keeps moving forward.

A recent article by Keeping Matters Current shows why this is so.

Originally, some housing industry analysts were concerned that the mortgage forbearance program (which allows families to delay payments to a later date) could lead to an increase in foreclosures when forbearances end. Some even worried that we might relive the 2006-2008 housing crash all over again. Once you examine the data, however, that seems unlikely.

As reported by Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist for First American:

“Despite the federal foreclosure moratorium, there were fears that up to 30% of homeowners would require forbearance, ultimately leading to a foreclosure tsunami. Forbearance did not hit 30%, but rather peaked at 8.6% and has been steadily falling since.”

According to the most current data from Black Knight, the percentage of homes in forbearance has fallen to 7.4%. The report also gives the decrease in raw numbers:

“The overall trend of incremental improvement in the number of mortgages in active forbearance continues. According to the latest data from Black Knight’s McDash Flash Forbearance Tracker, the number of mortgages in active forbearance fell by another 71,000 over the past week, pushing the total under 4 million for the first time since early May.”

Here’s a graph showing the decline in forbearances over the last several months:

The report also explains that across the board, overall forbearance activity fell with 10% fewer new forbearance requests and nearly 40% fewer renewals.

What about potential foreclosures once forbearances end?

Kushi also addresses this question:

“There are two main reasons why this crisis is unlikely to produce a wave of foreclosures similar to the 2008 recession. First, the housing market is in a much stronger position compared with a decade ago. Accompanied by more rigorous lending standards, the household debt-to-income ratio is at a four-decade low and household equity near a three-decade high. Indeed, thus far, MBA data indicates that the majority of homeowners who took advantage of forbearance programs are either staying current on their mortgage or paying off the loan through a home sale or a refinance. Second, this service sector-driven recession is disproportionately impacting renters.”

There is one potential challenge

Today, the options available to homeowners will prevent a large spike in foreclosures. That’s good not just for those families impacted, but for the overall housing market. A recent study by Fannie Mae, however, reveals that many Americans are not aware of the options they have.

It’s imperative for potentially impacted families to better understand the mortgage relief programs available to them, for their personal housing situation and for the overall real estate market.

Bottom Line

If Americans fully understand their options and make good choices regarding those options, the current economic slowdown does not need to lead to mass foreclosures.

Source: ” Forbearance Numbers Are Lower Than Expected” Keeping Current Matters (August 21, 2020)

It’s Apple Picking Season In The Garden State

It’s Time For Spring Cleaning

Scholarship Application Season Is Here!

Listen to Your Fellow Americans

Helpful Tips When Working With Technology

What’s Changed On Your List This Year?

Keeping You In The Know

Mortgage Applications…No Sign Of Slowdown

Importance Of Homebuying Pre-Approvals

Bottom Line

Strong Real Estate Market Indicates Good News

What about potential foreclosures once forbearances end?

There is one potential challenge

Bottom Line

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