Online Illinois Real Estate Learning

In partnership with the National Assoication of REALTORS® and ApartmentTherapy.com.

Navigating the real estate market was already intimidating, but in this uncertain time, we all have even more questions about how to do it. We asked you, our readers, to share your biggest concerns, which we then passed on to Vince Malta, CEO and broker of San Francisco’s Malta & Co. Malta — who is president of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) — channeled his 43 years of experience to offer advice about buying and selling in this strange new environment. Wherever you are in your real estate journey, start with a Realtor®, a member of NAR, whose expertise can help you find the right path.

OUR TWO MOST BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Is now a good time to buy?

Every person who dreams of owning a home has to answer that question individually based on a variety of factors — ranging from their personal financial picture to what’s available in their market to how long they plan to stay in one place.

While searching for and buying a home during the COVID-19 pandemic presents some challenges, with mortgage interest rates at an all-time low, for some it may be an ideal time to buy. Thankfully, the real estate industry has quickly adapted to the current circumstances and is leveraging technology that allows buyers to continue their home search virtually and close transactions using safety precautions or remote online notarization.

One of the biggest challenges buyers have faced in the last several years is a shortage of inventory. With the health crisis and stay-at-home orders, some sellers have pulled out of the market or delayed listing their properties, which only exacerbates the inventory challenge.

If you are a buyer in today’s marketplace, make sure you’re working with a Realtor®, a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. Realtors® understand the local market and can help guide you through today’s unique challenges, leveraging creative solutions to help make your dream of homeownership a reality.

2. Is now a good time to refinance?

Historical data, going back 50 years, shows that mortgage interest rates have never been lower. So, it sure sounds like a good time to consider refinancing, but this is a question to discuss with a lender or qualified financial planner.

If you do decide to refinance, be prepared: Lenders I’ve talked to are managing a high volume of applications, so you’ll need patience — along with outstanding credit. More than 2 million borrowers have sought forbearance on their mortgage payments as a result of the current situation. Some lenders have responded by tightening credit standards, including raising minimum credit scores. So make sure your financial house is in order, you’re continuing to pay bills on time, and you’re keeping debt manageable.

THE MARKET RIGHT NOW

3. What is the best place to find information about how COVID-19 is affecting the home-buying process in my area?

Contact a Realtor®, a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. Realtors® can provide insights into how your local market is affected by COVID-19 and can help you understand how stay-at home orders, and other local, state and federal government actions and recommendations, are impacting the home-buying process.

4. Is it currently more of a buyer’s or seller’s market? Is COVID-19 shifting these?

5. Would it be better to wait longer to see if prices will drop before purchasing?

6. What about “bubbles”? Are they going to burst now?

7. With uncertainty in the job market, is it a bad idea to put so much cash into a down payment?

8. How will the housing market/property value in major cities be affected by COVID-19?

9. I’ve heard that mortgage payments can be deferred due to COVID-19. Is that true, and if so, how can I find out if I’m eligible?

10. I’ve heard mortgage rates are low. Does that make it harder to get approved for a mortgage? Have lending requirements changed due to the uncertain market?

11. Before COVID-19, I heard wire fraud was an issue for sellers and buyers to be aware of. Has that changed?

12. Are new protocols due to COVID-19 adding any extra costs I should budget for?

13. I’ve heard that banks are swamped with applications to refinance. How does that affect my mortgage application to purchase? How can I prevent myself from getting lost in the shuffle?

UNIQUE LOGISTICS

14. Are new safety precautions being implemented in the home-buying process in light of COVID-19?

15. What’s the best platform for finding a Realtor® right now so meeting in person may be avoided?

16. How am I able to view a property in person while social distancing?

17. Are home inspectors and appraisers able to provide their services at this time?

18. Loan applications are traditionally very paper-heavy. Is that still the case?

19. Does a closing need to happen in person or can they be done digitally now?

20. How does a virtual closing work? Don’t some documents still need to be signed originals?

21. Are there any special considerations I should keep in mind surrounding COVID-19 before submitting a purchase agreement?

22. When should I start talking to a Realtor® if I want to buy a house in the next 12 months?

Websites like realtor.com make it easy to search for a home online before reaching out to an agent. However, the purchase of a home is infrequent and complex — and even if you’ve done it before, the process and the market are always changing. So we recommend you consult an agent early in the process. That way, when you find the right home, you’ll be ready to make an offer. In fact, it’s a good idea to interview multiple real estate professionals in order to find the one that you think is the right fit for your needs. And, of course, make sure you’re talking with members of the National Association of REALTORS®, who pledge to operate by a strict Code of Ethics.

HouseLogic, an NAR website for real estate sellers, buyers, and owners, offers these tips for selecting an agent.