You may have noticed that things have been kind of volatile in recent weeks. Huge segments of the country are going into lockdown. Many employees across all sorts of industries are working from home. Tragically, many have lost their jobs. Many more are left with no choice but to endanger their health by working outside of the home. All over the country, people are worried about how they’ll pay their mortgages, and banks and lenders are responding in kind. In this turbulent time of payment breaks, fluctuating (and plummeting) interest rates and general uncertainty realtors and clients alike are left wondering “What do I do?”.
A worthy question that we’ll attempt to answer here.
Firstly, and most importantly, we hope that you’re all staying safe and remaining calm in these difficult times. Remember that stress wreaks havoc with your immune system. Secondly, while it may feel like the sky is falling, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t an opportunity, even in these perilous times, for the smart and the savvy. Let’s take a look at the current situation with interest rates, and how we’re not missing a beat to help our clients take advantage of them.
The Interest Rates Rollercoaster
Over the past weeks, we’ve seen interest rates dip and spike erratically. Well, that’s an understatement. Over my 15-year career, I’ve never seen such volatility! Just at the beginning of this week, rates started in the low 3%s. Then rates jumped all the way up into the fours before coming right back down again. While this has been worrying news, we have been advising our clients to ride out the storm and remain calm while rates stabilize.
Now they’re back at advantageously low rates. 30-year rates are in the low-mid 3%s and 15-year rates are back in the high 2%.
What Does This Mean For You?
These low rates are a gift in these unpredictable times for anyone who wants to increase their equity in their property and pay off their Chicago mortgage faster. Whether you’re buying a new residential property, an investment property or thinking of refinancing, the advice is the same. If you can afford to make slightly higher payments, now’s the time to capitalize on these great low rates. These will save you a small fortune in interest and ensure that you pay off your home loan faster.
As we can see, even in a time of international crisis, this is a silver lining which will prove highly advantageous for many of our clients a few years down the line.
Rest Assured… For Us, It’s Business As Usual
If you need a Chicago Mortgage broker to help you capitalize on the current low rates we’re here for you. Whether you need a home loan or refinance your home, you can breathe a sigh of relief. It’s business as usual for us! We’re all set up to work from home. We’re still approving, locking and closing loans. We’re working with attorneys remotely while buyers stay at home. For refinances, we’ve been carrying out in-home closings with a notary.
Please be assured that we’re doing everything we can to adapt to these challenging times and give our clients a sense of continuity during our precarious situation, while also ensuring that they don’t miss out on a golden opportunity.
Here For You In These Uncertain Times
Now more than ever, we understand the importance of the personal touch. Even though we’re not able to talk to you face-to-face, we want all of our clients to know that we’re still very much available to you to provide the personalized advice and support you deserve. We’re here to help you protect your investments, insulate yourself from risks and use the positive outcomes of this crisis to your advantage.
If you have any questions at all about interest rates, investments, home loans or refinancing we’re still making ourselves available to you. In these uncertain times, we want you to know that you’re not alone. Pick up the phone or visit us online if you need advice or guidance.
Until then, take care. And stay safe!
