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Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Drive-Thru Mobile Food Pantry • Friday, May 1, 2020 • Registration Required
What?
The City of Port St. Lucie is partnering with Treasure Coast Food Bank to provide a free Drive-Thru Mobile Food Pantry for members of the community who are in need at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center tomorrow.
Where?
MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center at Port St. Lucie, 9221 S.E. Civic Center Place,, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
Vehicles should enter off S. Federal Highway/US1 in the Northbound lane.
Port St. Lucie Police Department will be on-scene directing traffic.
When?
Friday, May 1, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Registration is required. One registration per vehicle.
Two ways to register:
(1) Text FEED TO 21000 to receive the link to register for the mobile distribution
(2) Online registration click here:
https://treasure-coast-food-bank.ticketleap.com/drive-thru-mobile-pantry-05012020
Once registered, the driver needs to bring a copy of their registration to check-in.
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Treasure Coast Food Bank, the City of Port St. Lucie, and local volunteers will be distributing food to approximately a thousand vehicles of people struggling to buy groceries amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This event is expected to draw a large crowd, so please have patience and only participate as a last resort.
Drivers will be directed to stay in their vehicles while volunteers place groceries in their trunk or backseat. No walk-ups allowed. If you are sick, please stay home and send someone to pick up food for you. City employees and volunteers from the TC Food Bank will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment as they distribute food, keeping safety a top priority.
The Saints Golf Course, Select Outdoor Sports Courts and Picnic Pavilions to Reopen Friday, May 1, 2020
What: Select Parks & Recreation facilities and amenities will reopen for public use, which includes The Saints Golf Course, McCarty Ranch Preserve Campground, picnic pavilions, and some outdoor sports courts. CDC Social distancing guidelines are to be adhered to at City facilities and parks.
When: Effective Friday, May 1, 2020.
Where: The Saints Golf Course, 2601 SE Morningside Blvd.
A set of guidelines have been set in place in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of our guests, employees, and volunteers. The 19th Hole Restaurant and Pub and driving range remain closed.
Golf Carts:
- Staff and volunteers will not be handling golf bags at any time.
- No more than one person per cart unless the persons are members of the same household.
- We request that guests from different households do not travel to the golf course in the same vehicle.
- Carts will be disinfected after each use.
- Carts will be staged in a fashion to maintain adequate social distancing procedures.
Tee Times & Pro Shop:
- Tee times will be spaced at 15 minutes to allow for less congestion in common areas.
- Online tee times can be booked at www.golfnow.com.
- Customers must follow areas clearly depicted on the carpet to allow for the required six feet for social distancing.
- No more than four customers in the pro shop at one time.
- Please call 772-398-2901, during our normal hours of operation daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for further information.
- Staff will be wearing protective gloves and facial coverings to avoid direct contact with guests or their belongings.
- Staff disinfects credit card keypads after each transaction.
- Every half-hour, staff sanitizes key touch-points, including door handles, computers, phones, etc.
- Pro shop will close at 6 p.m. daily.
Golf Course:
- The driving range is closed.
- All golf carts must be returned by 7 p.m. for cleaning.
- Maintenance staff has placed foam inserts into cups, so guests do not have to reach into cup or touch the flagstick. Golfers should not remove flagsticks.
- Bunker rakes have been removed throughout the course.Please play “preferred lies” in the bunkers and do your best to smooth out the sand when leaving.
- Water coolers have been removed from the golf course. Please use the “touch-free” water station located near the 1st tee.
- Ball washers and sand buckets have been removed from the course.
Food & Beverage:
While the 19th Hole remains closed, we will have snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase in the golf shop. We are working with local food trucks to provide additional food and beverage options.
McCarty Ranch Preserve: 12525 Range Line Rd.
The campground is reopening to the public, with signage posted to follow CDC guidelines. Reservations are available online only at www.pslparks.com/camping.
Picnic Pavilions: www.pslparks.com/pavilion
Reopening to the public. At this time, and until further notice, pavilion reservations are not required. Pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis, during park normal operating hours.
Outdoor Sports Courts
- Outdoor tennis, outdoor racquetball, outdoor pickleball, and outdoor volleyball sports courts will reopen, per normal operating hours, to the public.
- Outdoor basketball sports courts will remain closed to the public.
- The outdoor running/track at Sportsman’s Park West, located at 220 NW Irving Street, will reopen, per normal operating hours, to the public.
Why: As parks and facilities open on a limited scale, the City reminds everyone to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Notices have been posted as a reminder to follow COVID-19 CDC guidelines. Play it safe by:
- Avoiding crowded areas. If a location cannot be enjoyed safely, then go discover a new facility or amenity in our City.
- Playing healthy. If you have the slightest feeling of illness, stay home.
- Starting a new tradition. Replace a handshake or a hug with a tip of your hat, a wave, or an air-high-five.
- Playing away, please. Maintain at least a six-foot buffer from others. That’s the distance of a long yoga mat, surfboard, or adult bike.
- Being courteous. Sanitize any surfaces you touched and reduce any points of contact.
- Picking up after yourself. Keep our City staff healthy and safe by picking up and disposing of your trash, such as cups, gloves, face coverings, tees, and sweat rags.
The following amenities remain closed:
- Playgrounds
- Recreation Centers (including indoor Fitness Centers)
- Outdoor Fitness Stations
- Outdoor basketball sports courts
- Dog Parks
- Botanical Gardens
- Sports Fields
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Americans in Stable Financial Positions Answer the Call to Donate Their $1,200 Stimulus Checks
Since the United States government began issuing stimulus checks to Americans this week, a group of volunteers from North Carolina has rallied thousands of people in stable financial positions to donate part of their stimulus checks to help people affected by COVID-19.
Within the first week of the Pledge My Check website being launched, over $18,000 was pledged from 37 people across 11 states.
This number is now up to $70,000 pledged from 129 people across 15 states. Individuals are encouraged to donate directly to the people, causes, or organizations they support because Pledge My Check is not accepting donations directly—so 100% of everyone’s pledges reach their intended recipient.
Similar efforts have launched across the United States supporting a variety of causes. Currently, Pledge My Check reports that the largest sum of their pledges is being directed to local causes, primarily addressing food insecurity through Feeding America’s network of food banks and their affiliated food pantries across the country. However, many people are simply donating directly to waiters, neighbors, and community members.
“The idea is to encourage folks to pledge in a way that is life-giving to them and others,” said Jordan Bowman, who leads a local nonprofit organization. “There is complete freedom in how people pledge, but we are encouraging them to consider local causes and to be creative in how they can use this money to support their neighbors, nonprofits, and small businesses.”
One woman named Kirsten who donated $1,200 said: “My husband and I decided to donate 50% of our total checks. We’ve made monthly gifts to several organizations. These are: Heifer International, UNICEF, The Arts, and Science Center of South East Arkansas, Doctors Without Borders.”
Other highlighted organizations include: Meals on Wheels, DonorsChoose.org, and GiveDirectly. Organizations can create their own custom pledge pages to encourage their volunteers and donors to pledge their stimulus checks to their organizations for free.
This initiative is the work of a growing volunteer team based out of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. “This project is all about bringing out the best in our communities,” commented project co-creator, Ryan O’Donnell. “When the stimulus checks were announced, I felt this was a simple way for people to help their neighbors.”
Lead project designer, Bethany Faulkner, added: “I’m fortunate to be in a stable financial situation. I wanted to help, and this stimulus check is an opportunity to redirect that vital financial support to those who need it most in our community.
“We built this tool to enable that and make it a community effort, even as we’re separated in our own homes,” she concluded.
This is just one of many positive stories and updates that are coming out of the COVID-19 news coverage this week. For more uplifting coverage on the outbreaks, click here.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Port St. Lucie renters and homeowners hurt by pandemic may see the city help with payments
PORT ST. LUCIE — For some renters and homeowners in Port St. Lucie unable to make their monthly payments because of the coronavirus pandemic, limited help may soon be on the way.
City commissioners on Monday endorsed tapping a pot of affordable housing money and expected federal dollars that could create a fund of nearly $1 million to help qualified residents pay up to two months in rent or mortgage payments.
The Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program, which could begin in the coming days, is designed as a foreclosure and eviction prevention measure to assist people experiencing an economic hardship related to COVID-19.
Mayor Gregory J. Oravec announced he wants the program to launch before May 17, when the state’s moratorium on evictions and mortgage foreclosures ends. Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 2 issued an emergency order that stopped all evictions and mortgage foreclosures from being filed for 45 days.
“This is going to help a lot of people,” Oravec said. “The only problem is we’re not going to be able to help enough people with this, but this is very impactful.”
Carmen A. Capezzuto, the city’s director of neighborhood services, said the program would provide up to 90 Port St. Lucie households with mortgage or rental assistance not to exceed two month’s payments with a maximum of $3,000 per recipient.
Assistance would only be provided for payments due on or after April 1, he noted.
The plan is to use money in the city’s affordable housing fund, called the 128 Fund, which has about $400,000 set aside for payment assistance, land acquisition and construction of affordable housing.
“We’re proposing to begin a rental and mortgage assistance program with guidelines that have been collaborated with St. Lucie County and the city of Fort Pierce,” he said.
It appeared Capezzuto was about to announce that the program, if approved, could begin Monday. But that was before council members peppered him with questions about who will get the funds, how the money will be distributed and how they’ll ensure the program will be fair.
“We know that demand is going to be a lot higher than what we could service with the amount of money that we have” Capezzuto noted. “We’re looking to partner with a not-for-profit agency to help us spend this money – get it to the people, and we look to start that on May 11.”
He recommended launching the program with $270,000 from the city’s affordable housing fund and along with $643,773 coming from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the form of community development block grant.
After Capezzuto’s presentation, Vice Mayor Shannon M. Martin said she was concerned about “making sure the people who need it really need it.”
“Going back to the (Payroll Protection Plan) all these businesses got money and they had to get shamed into giving it back,” she said. “So, we need to get close focus on that because if we are giving out funds, we need to make sure it’s going to the right people.”
She warned against getting “bogged down in red tape,” while making sure the people who are helped needed it because of the pandemic.
Councilwoman Jolien Caraballo suggested holding off for now and use the program as a “post-COVID strategy” to help residents.
“Maybe this is something that we do… once the storm has passed of covid, who really needs the funding at that point?” Martin asked. “Who hasn’t gotten help from their mortgage company in three months? Who can we really help?”
Oravec, though, pushed back on Caraballo’s timing suggestion because of the soon-to-end eviction moratorium.
“There’s your crisis. You’re not going to be able to go a month or two after it gets quiet,” he said. “There’s going to be a crisis the second that moratorium is lifted because you’re going to have landlords who’ve been waiting to kick out tenants for nonpayment, because they stopped paying in March.”
After council members all voted to back the program, Oravec instructed City Manager Russ Blackburn to return with answers to a host of questions detailing how the program will roll out.
“The second you are prepared to make a recommendation of approval on program parameters, I will work with the council to call a special meeting,” Oravec said. “We are all understanding that May 17 right now is the end of the moratorium on evictions and there could be just a monumental, crushing demand on that date.”
At Oravec’s suggestion, the council also supported writing a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking that he extend the eviction and foreclosure moratorium. Caraballo suggested they ask other cities to join in the request.
Link to full article
Monday, April 27, 2020
Everything you should know about mortgage forbearance
More than 3.4 million Americans are in mortgage forbearance plans, which allows them to pause payments for a month to as long as a year. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to jolt the economy, more people will face financial difficulty, including how to pay their monthly mortgage bill.
“The forbearance program is obviously designed to deal with the characteristics of this endemic. This isn’t related to mortgage underwriting or a downturn in the economy — it’s a sudden disruption that’s believed to be temporary in which people can resume their normal life,” says Ed DeMarco, president of the Housing Policy Council (HPC). “A forbearance is a normal tool in the toolkit, it’s been used with some regularity with natural disasters, or any temporary emergency which disrupts normal living and income.”
Some 6.4 percent of all active mortgages are in forbearance. So far, the total amount of unpaid principal due to forbearance is $754 billion, according to Black Knight. This includes 5.6 percent of loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and 8.9 percent of all FHA and VA loans.
Going into forbearance might be worrisome for many borrowers who are facing financial problems they didn’t expect or plan for. Understanding the basic facts might help alleviate some of the worry. Here we’ll cover essential forbearance questions borrowers have.
What is a mortgage forbearance?
Mortgage forbearance allows homeowners to pause their mortgage payments while dealing with a short-term crisis. In the case of coronavirus-related forbearance requests, most lenders are not requiring proof of hardship outside of verbal or written verification from the borrower.
Depending on whether you have a government-backed or privately-owned mortgage, your forbearance options might differ. Before you apply for forbearance, find out from your lender which type of loan you have.
What does forbearance mean under the CARES Act?
The CARES Act is the Federal Government’s relief response to the economic blow delivered by the coronavirus pandemic. The trillion-dollar relief package includes help for homeowners with government-backed mortgages, which make up about 3 out of 4 mortgages in this country. That includes home loans owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as VA, USDA and FHA mortgages.
Under the CARES Act borrowers facing economic hardship because of COVID-19 can get mortgage forbearance for up to a year. During this time, lenders cannot foreclose on your property. There are several repayment options available to homeowners once the forbearance ends. You can read about these options here.
What happens if you’re not protected under the CARES Act?
Borrowers with privately-owned mortgages are not covered under the CARES Act. Nevertheless, most lenders are offering forbearance and loan modification options for borrowers with privately-owned mortgages.
“The congressional mandate and CARES Act only covers loans owned by the government, loans that don’t meet those qualifiers aren’t guaranteed a forbearance. However, the forbearance take-up rates for non-federally backed loans is pretty meaningful,” DeMarco says.
Regardless of who owns your loan, be sure to talk to your lender if you’re having trouble paying your mortgage. The worst thing you can do for your credit is to simply stop paying the bill.
Can a private mortgage be switched to a government-backed mortgage?
The only way to get out of your current mortgage is to pay it off and get a new one via mortgage refinancing.
“There might some loans on a bank balance sheet that are available for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to buy,” DeMarco says. “But if they’re already in forbearance, it’s unclear if Fannie and Freddie will buy them.”
Will mortgage forbearance hurt your credit?
No, mortgage forbearance does not appear on your credit report as a negative activity.
Do borrowers pay extra interest if they get a forbearance?
Borrowers typically won’t have to pay additional interest on their mortgage in forbearance. The amount of interest and interest rate stays the same according to the borrower’s contract.
“During a forbearance plan, interest is not paid but still accrues in accordance with the terms of the note,” says Tom Goyda, senior vice president, consumer lending communications at Wells Fargo. “Additionally, as required by the CARES Act, no interest accrues during the forbearance period beyond the amounts scheduled or calculated as if the borrower made all contractual payments on time and in full under the terms of the note.”
The only situation in which the loan interest might change is if the lender extends the loan maturity date or increases the loan interest rate, says Andrew Demers, partner at Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman in Boca Raton, Florida, specializing in banking and real estate law. Demers points out that it’s critical for borrowers to understand the payment terms of the forbearance and says they should ask a few key questions, including:
- Do I have to pay interest or escrow advances during this time, or is this a complete payment deferral?
- Is the loan maturity date being extended?
- Will the lender recapture the deferred through a balloon payment at loan maturity, an extended maturity date, or some other catch-up method?
“Technically speaking, a deferment agreement is a modification and amendment to the loan documents, which requires a clear understanding of the parties’ respective rights and obligations,” Demers says.
After the forbearance plan is complete, if the borrower is approved for another workout option, the type of workout option offered will determine how the interest is handled.
“Interest accrues during the forbearance, but it doesn’t have to be repaid until later. At the end of the forbearance, the delayed payments and interest accrued can be paid in full by the client, resolved through an extended repayment plan or the loan may be modified, depending on the client’s needs,” says Susan Atran, spokesperson for Bank of America.
Can you refinance your mortgage during forbearance?
The chances of refinancing during a forbearance are slim. Lender will likely not be able to resecuritize your loan during forbearance.
Can lenders refinance once forbearance ends?
Generally, the borrower would have to pay off the foreborn amount (either with a new mortgage or cash) in order to refinance. However, there are variables that might affect whether a refinance is possible. Things like the type of loan you’re trying to refinance into, whether you ended up with a loan modification at the end of the forbearance and how the missed payments are being handled can all play a role in getting approved for a refinance.
“If they tack on mortgage payments to the back of the loan and resume normal monthly payments, the principal amount of the new, refinanced loan will have to capture the forbearance payments,” DeMarco says.
Can you sell your home during forbearance?
Yes, homeowners in forbearance can sell their homes. The foreborn amount would become payable upon sale of your property.
Are rental properties or second homes eligible for forbearance?
It depends on the type of mortgage you have. GSE-backed mortgage securities, that is property owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, are eligible for forbearance if they’re used as rental properties or second homes. However, FHA, VA or USDA loans cannot be put into forbearance if the property is used as rental property or second home.
Can you get a forbearance if you have a HEL or HELOC?
Some banks, like Wells Fargo, are offering forbearance to home equity customers. So check with your lender.
“At the end of the initial three-month payment suspension, Wells Fargo has a number of potential options available for mortgage and home equity customers,” Goyda says. “Depending on the loan investor and other factors, those options could include a continuation of the payment suspension, moving the missed payments to end of the loan or a modification to address longer-term financial changes that may impact their ability to keep up with their monthly payments. We’ll need to talk with them directly to understand their circumstances and identify the best way to help them going forward.”
Bottom line
If your finances were hit by COVID-19, talk to your lender as soon as possible about your mortgage relief options. A mortgage forbearance is not automatic, so you can’t just stop making payments otherwise your credit report will suffer and you can end up in default.
Link to original Article
Friday, April 24, 2020
3D-Printing Teen Makes Hundreds of Ingenious Devices to Alleviate Ear Pain for Healthcare Workers
A 12-year-old Canadian boy has come up with a brilliant way to support healthcare workers on the frontlines of the novel coronavirus outbreaks—all without leaving the safety of his home.
Quinn Callander was first inspired to start his labor of love after a family friend working at a local hospital expressed their wish for an “ear guard”—a small, simple contraption that alleviates the physical aches of medical face masks by alleviating the pressure of the elastic bands on the wearer’s ears.
After finding a few ear guard templates online, Quinn used his 3D-printer to make several different versions of the device for his friend to test. Once they identified the most efficient design, he made dozens of the devices for local hospital workers in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.
Upon realizing the game-changing impact of his donations, however, Quinn decided to keep making the ear guards.
Since he responded to the Facebook post in early April, Quinn has distributed hundreds of plastic ear guards to hospitals across Canada, the US, the UK, and even Singapore.
Quinn’s proud mother, Heather Roney, told The Globe and Mail that they have been flooded with requests since she posted a picture of the youngster displaying his creations to social media.
“We’ve heard from thousands of people who say, ‘This is the difference between working your 12-hour shift comfortably and being in constant pain,’ because of pressure on their ears,” said Roney. “It’s so simple, but it’s incredibly effective.”
Not only have the photos been shared thousands of times, they have inspired other 3D-printing enthusiasts from around the world to print their own ear guards. Roney recently wrote on Twitter that the 3D-printing design Quinn used for the ear guard has been downloaded more than 48,000 times. Manufacturing companies have even picked up the design and challenged other businesses to do the same.
However, Quinn doesn’t have plans of stopping his mission any time soon.
“I feel like we’ll keep doing this as long as we can,” Quinn told Narcity. “We’ll keep on doing this either until we run out of materials or until this whole thing blows over.”
This is just one of many positive stories and updates that are coming out of the COVID-19 news coverage this week. For more uplifting coverage on the outbreaks, click here.
Thursday, April 23, 2020
5 CARES Act Details That Every Borrower Should Know
There’s an extraordinary amount of uncertainty surrounding mortgage performance amidst widespread coronavirus-related hardships. Inconsistent and, at times, faulty messaging about public loss-mitigation requirements has only made the situation worse.
“There’s been a lot of information publicized on TV, by politicians, by news stations and not all of it accurate,” said Stan Middleman, CEO of Freedom Mortgage.
Some of this is understandable given the overwhelming nature of the health crisis and the need to respond to it in relatively short order.
But now that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and some related policies are in place, loss mitigation may be most effective if single-family housing-finance industry stakeholders communicate clearly on these five aspects of the law, all of which are closely tied to consumers’ ability to repay.
Not everyone is eligible for, or should take, a ‘payment holiday’
Some consumers think the federally mandated penalty-free payment-pause for coronavirus hardships removes their obligation to make payments for the time being, but in reality, it is available only upon request for certain government-related loans and borrowers that suspend payments are still responsible for making them later.
“As a result, our first message is to let people know if they can make their mortgage payments, they should,” said Middleman.
There’s a growing consensus that the mortgage industry needs to stress this in its messaging to consumers.
“If I were writing the script, I would say something like, ‘Forbearance is not forgiveness, but there will be a deferred payment until you get back on your feet,'” said Faith Schwartz, a housing finance consultant who helped set loss mitigation policy during the 2008 housing crisis.
An optional script available to mortgage businesses that are servicing government-sponsored enterprise loans also suggests emphasizing this point.
“Forbearance does not mean your payments are forgiven. You are still required to eventually fully repay your forbearance, but you won’t have to repay it all at once — unless you are able to do so,” the Freddie Mac script says.
Some loans not covered by the CARES Act are included in other local laws
Companies servicing loans that are not eligible for payment relief under federal requirements may still need to provide a coronavirus-related deferral of some kind if the borrowers who took out those mortgages live in states or local jurisdictions where it’s required.
New York, for example, requires that all its residents get at least three months of deferred payments.
Even when payment relief isn’t required, it may be available
Individual companies may opt to provide deferrals or other types of assistance in response to coronavirus-related financial concerns even if they are not required to do so.
Bank of America, for example, offers a three-month payment deferral without penalty by request online or by phone for the many mortgages it holds in its portfolio, and it has said it may extend that through the duration of the crisis if there is a need.
The CARES Act doesn’t specify repayment paths, but loan holders may
Other than ensuring that servicers don’t penalize borrowers for deferring payments, the CARES Act doesn’t specify what happens after the forbearance period ends.
But some entities are already mapping out their plans for how they will handle this.
Bank of America, for example, currently plans to add payments deferred for coronavirus hardships to the end of portfolio loans’ terms and extend regular payments by the amount forborne.
All coronavirus accommodations get a pass on consumer credit records
While deferral requirements are restricted to certain federal loans, the CARES Act also has a broader mandate for “accommodations” made to address the impact of coronavirus-related hardships on other types of consumer debt.
Under that requirement, borrowers that stick to the terms of that accommodation must be temporarily reported as current on their credit reports.
“This accommodation includes anything, whether it’s [one made for] a mortgage loan that’s not federally backed or any other type of loan like a credit card, a boat loan, a car loan, anything at all,” said John Ulzheimer, a former credit bureau employee and president of The Ulzheimer Group, a consulting firm in Atlanta. “As long as there’s an accommodation that’s made by a lender and you live up to that agreement, then they have to report you as current.”
Consumers can check their records to see if they reflect this requirement, but because the credit reporting companies themselves have been experiencing some coronavirus-related hardships, the CARES Act extended the amount of time credit bureaus have to correct errors from 30 days to 45 days.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Swiss Village Has Been Projecting World Flags Onto One of Their Tallest Mountains in Solidarity of Pandemic
Rather than raising a flag up on a flag pole, the nation of Switzerland is paying homage to their international neighbors struggling against COVID-19 by projecting different world flags onto the front of one of their most iconic Alpine mountains.
Light artist Gerry Hofstetter was commissioned to illuminate the famous Matterhorn mountain in Zermatt with different national flags to show solidarity towards countries that have been hit hardest by the novel coronavirus.
Now on every night since March 24th, the Matterhorn has displayed the flag of France, the US, India, Japan, Germany, the UK, Portugal, Spain, and many others.
“With this light projection, Zermatt wants to give people a sign of hope and solidarity in these difficult times,” reads the Zermatt Matterhorn tourism website. “The village shows solidarity with all the people who are currently suffering and is grateful to all those who are helping to overcome the crisis.”
Americans have been particularly touched by the gesture since the Zermatt website published a photo of the Star-Spangled Banner on the front of the 14,690-foot tall mountain with a caption reading: “As it stands, the USA is the country that has been most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis with the highest number of confirmed cases. Our thoughts are with all American people at this unprecedented time.
“May our message convey solidarity and give you hope and strength,” they added. “We look forward to meeting again at the foot of the Matterhorn. We are all in this together.”
If you want to check out additional photos of the light displays or watch the livestreams of the illuminations, check out the Zermatt Matterhorn website.
This is just one of many positive stories and updates that are coming out of the COVID-19 news coverage this week. For more uplifting coverage on the outbreaks, click here.
Monday, April 20, 2020
Watch this video if you are thinking about going into forbearance
Here are some things you should consider before you make the forbearance decision.
Please contact Mortgage Masters Group at 772.340.4003 if you have any mortgage questions or need guidance in making a forbearance decision.
Friday, April 17, 2020
Unemployment, SBA Loan & Stimulus Check Information for Real Estate Professionals
After repeated conversations with DEO personnel, Florida Realtors® are now advising members to file for unemployment benefits through the state’s unemployment system, even though they know they will be denied.
Unemployment Benefits
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After repeated conversations with DEO personnel, Florida Realtors® are now advising members to file for unemployment benefits through the state’s unemployment system, even though they know they will be denied. DEO says this is necessary on their end to establish state benefits ineligibility. Once the state deems them ineligible, they will then be able to apply separately for federal benefits, although that exact process is still being worked out. We recognize this is far from an ideal solution and we are continuing to urge DEO to streamline the process to prevent confusion and get people their benefits faster.
This new information is reflected in Florida Realtors® Comprehensive FAQ on this topic so we encourage you to keep checking this page for new updates. Also, at the top of Florida Realtors® Coronavirus Page is a link to sign up for Florida Realtors® Daily News. We suggest you do that if you haven’t already as they send out important news alerts through that system, as well.
Financial Assistance / SBA Loans
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The state has exhausted the $50M available for the SBA emergency bridge loan program and the federal government has exhausted the money available in the small business and payroll protection loans that were authorized through the CARES Act. Florida Realtors® are coordinating with NAR to push the federal government for more money for these types of loan programs through a new federal relief package. They are also staying in contact with the governor’s office to see if additional loan funding is available through the state. More information about the federal loan situation can be found on SBA’s Coronavirus Page.
Stimulus Checks
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A new IRS Get My Payment Page is now available to help you check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment. The online application will give you information about your payment status, payment type, and whether the IRS needs more information from you, including bank account information.
Boat ramps in Port St. Lucie will open to responsible recreational boaters
Starting April 17, 2020, at 8 a.m. boat ramps in Port St. Lucie will open to responsible recreational boaters.
The City’s Parks & Recreation staff members are working to remove the concrete barriers to allow access to the boat ramps which have been closed for three weeks.
Law enforcement will be visible on the waterways reminding boaters to adhere to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Distancing Guidelines. Port St. Lucie Police Department’s Marine Patrol will have a presence near launching sites, St. Lucie County and Martin County’s Sheriff’s Office will maintain a presence at local sandbars, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be enforcing boating and waterway laws.
The initial closure of the boat ramps occurred to reduce gatherings of more than ten people and in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Some instances of large groups gathering at boat ramps were reported to parks staff. For the health and safety of our residents, City administration made the decision to close boat ramps along with all other activities that could not comply with the CDC guidelines.
The City of Port St. Lucie reminds residents as they charter the waters to practice social distancing. Here are few recommendations:
- Limit the number of people aboard to those family members you share your home with.
- Keep your distance from other groups.
- Maintain a safe distance from others when doing things like loading up at the dock or fueling the boat.
- After doing anything that requires touching an item someone else may have touched, like a fuel pump, disinfect by washing your hands or using a hand sanitizer as soon as possible.
The City wants to remind boaters of Florida’s Executive Order No.20-09, directed by the Florida Fish and Wildfire Conservation Commission. Under the executive order all recreational boats must be at least 50 feet apart and there can’t be more than 10 people on board.
Please enjoy all the beauty that Port St. Lucie has to offer but enjoy it while boating responsibly. The City’s Parks continue to be open for walking, running, individual activities and uses of no more than 10 people following distance separation guidelines. City staff have posted notices at all City boat ramps reminding boaters to practice social distancing. During these uncertain times, social distancing is the best way to stay safe.
City Boat Ramp Locations:
- C-24 Canal Park: 500 SE Oakridge Drive
- C-24 Canal Boat Ramp at Oak Hammock Park: 1982 SW Villanova Road
- Veterans Park at Rivergate: 2200 SE Veterans Memorial Parkway
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Call 772-340-4003
It’s not too late! Interest rates are incredibly low ⬇️ which means you can get more for your dollar!
Contact us today 📲 for any and all your real estate concerns – We are here to help. 
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Stay Healthy!
For the most up to date information, go to our COVID-19 page: https://mortgagemastersgroup.com/covid-19/
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
IRS to launch 'Get My Payment' web application for people to get stimulus money quicker
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSET) – According to a release from the U.S. Department of Treasury and the IRS, they plan to launch the “Get My Payment” web application next week.
The release said that the web application is free and it will be found at IRS.gov.
The app will allow taxpayers who filed their tax return in 2018 or 2019 but did not provide their banking information on their return to submit direct deposit information.
Once that information is added, they will get their Economic Impact Payments in their bank accounts quickly instead of waiting for a check to arrive in the mail.
The release said that the “Get My Payment” web application will also allow taxpayers to track the status of their payment.
They said that the web application does not need to be downloaded from the App Store.
For taxpayers to track the status of their payment, they will need to enter basic information in the “Get My Payment” app:
- Social Security Number
- Date of birth
- Mailing address
People who want to add their bank account information to speed receipt of their payment will also need to provide the following additional information:
- Their Adjusted Gross Income from their most recent tax return submitted, either 2019 or 2018
- The refund or amount owed from their latest filed tax return
- Bank account type, account and routing numbers
Americans who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 can use “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here” to submit basic personal information to quickly and securely receive their Economic Impact Payments.
According to the release, the “Get My Payment” web application cannot update bank account information after an Economic Impact Payment has been scheduled for delivery.
To help protect against potential fraud, the tool also does not allow people to change bank account information already on file with the IRS.
The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information.
The IRS and the U.S. Department of Treasury urge taxpayers to be on the lookout for scammers and email phishing attempts about the COVID-19 and Economic Impact Payments.
Monday, April 13, 2020
Why You Should Think Twice About Delaying Your Mortgage Payments
Rob Allen and his friends used to talk about sports all the time. These days, the main topic of conversation is mortgage forbearance.
Forbearance, an agreement with your mortgage company that allows you to reduce or delay payments for a set time, is a possible remedy for homeowners unable to cover costs because of the coronavirus pandemic. In recent weeks, many of Allen’s friends have lost their jobs, seen their income drop or have tenants unable to make rent and they are now struggling to pay their mortgage.
“Everyone I know is going through it,” said Allen, who lives in southern New Jersey and is an independent marketer who connects construction companies with jobs.
He still has some work coming in, but his income has dropped significantly. He, like many of his friends, is contacting his mortgage company to delay payments.
With millions of people experiencing financial hardship because of the outbreak, the requests for mortgage forbearance skyrocketed by 1,270% between the weeks of March 2 and March 16, and by another 1,896% between the weeks of March 16 and the week of March 30, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
The recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security act, or CARES act, allows impacted homeowners with federally backed loans to delay paying their mortgage and get a break on accumulating interest for up to a year.
But securing relief now could come back to haunt you later. Your bank still expects payment at some point and it may even require a lump sum at the break’s end.
“That’s the default setting,” said Andrea Bopp Stark, a housing attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. “Some servicers and lenders will require borrowers to pay in full at the end of the forbearance period. But if borrowers can’t pay one month now, it is hard to see how they might pay four months worth of their mortgage payments at once later.”
What is mortgage forbearance?
Borrowers need to keep in mind: mortgage forbearance is not mortgage forgiveness.
A forbearance agreement allows a borrower to pause or reduce payments for a period of time without the lender starting the foreclosure process. In return, the borrower agrees to resume payments when the time is up and pay the additional deferred amount, including principal and interest, to bring the account into good standing.
“The forbearance agreement is just putting off payment until a later day,” Stark said. “It is the lender saying, We give you temporary reprieve and at the end, you pay us.”
How the deferred money is paid back at the end can make all the difference.
Mortgage companies can require homeowners to pay the deferred portion in one lump sum. But in some cases, you may be able to negotiate with your mortgage servicer to pay extra each month until the deferred amount is repaid or add the suspended payments to the end of the loan. Another option is to apply for a loan modification, in which the loan company might add the deferred amount to the balance, increase the length of your loan or reduce the interest rate.
Once you get through the lengthy hold times on the phone or confusing web applications, receiving forbearance is fairly easy, said Stark. More difficult is what comes later: paying for the suspended payments.
Some options, like a short-term repayment plan, may be possible to secure on the phone with an immediate approval from your servicer. For longer-term solutions, like a loan modification, you’ll need to submit a formal application.
If you pay your taxes, insurance or condo fees directly, those expenses are not included in the forbearance. Continue to pay them or make other payment arrangements.
Is the relief worth it?
When Allen talked to his mortgage company about getting a forbearance, he was initially heartened by the offer for a three-month freeze on payments.
“But then it will all be due after the 90-day period,” he said. “I’m going to be facing that bill as one lump sum.”
Although his mortgage company told him he could look into a payment plan or apply for a loan modification at the end of the freeze, he thought the risk was too great. He decided not to enter into a forbearance agreement.
“I’m not willing to stall the payments just to be hit over the head with them all at once in 90 days,” he said. “Don’t say, ‘we’ll delay it,’ then, ‘oh by the way, you owe us thousands of dollars.’ That’s no use.”
Allen’s auto lender offered to defer payment on his three auto loans for 60 days, and agreed to have the deferred amount tacked on to the end of the loan.
“I don’t have a car payment until June 9 and I know it will be a regular payment,” he said.
Allen said he will use the relief from the car payments to cover the mortgage payments.
“I’m fortunate I’m able to make that choice,” he said. “I know others can’t.”
Requesting forbearance
If you can’t afford your mortgage payments, the first step to entering into a forbearance agreement is to contact your mortgage servicer, the company you pay each month. You can’t just stop paying without an agreement in place.
When you ask for forbearance, determine whether late fees and interest will accrue during the forbearance period. If your forbearance is under the CARES Act on a federally-backed mortgage, fees and additional interest cannot accrue.
Next, ask about options for repayment, said Stark.
If your servicer offers a loan modification, know that it can be a complicated and labor intensive process that involves presenting proof of income, details about any benefits you receive, bank statements and tax information.
Stark recommends contacting a Housing and Urban Development approved housing counselor or looking for local legal aid groups.
“You have to ask for assistance and you need to make plans for these payment options,” she said. “If you think you need this, you should start looking into this now.”
Article Link: https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/13/success/mortgage-forbearance-coronavirus/index.html
Monday, April 6, 2020
When Can I Refinance My Home?
How soon you can refinance your mortgage depends on the lender you use and the type of refinance you want. And while it’s possible to refinance a mortgage soon after taking out the first one, there are other factors to consider before you apply.
Refinancing a mortgage involves replacing your current mortgage with a new loan. The process can help you take advantage of lower interest rates, lower your monthly payments with a longer term, allow you to take some of the equity you have in your home, and more.
Before you pull the trigger on a refinance, however, here are some things to consider.
When Can I Refinance My Home?
Depending on the situation, it’s possible to refinance a mortgage loan immediately. In some circumstances, however, you may need to wait:If you want to do a cash-out refinance and gain access to some of the equity you have in the home, the waiting period can be at least six months after your current mortgage loan closed.
If your original loan was modified to make payments more affordable, you might need to wait up to 24 months before you can refinance it.
If you want to refinance an FHA loan with an FHA Streamline Refinance, the waiting period is 210 days.
Even if you can refinance your loan shortly after getting it, there are some things to consider before you do so.For starters, some mortgage lenders have pre-payment penalties that kick in if you refinance your loan or sell your home within three to five years. Also, getting a mortgage can affect your credit scores, so if you apply for a refinance loan shortly afterward, it could influence your qualification requirements, making it difficult to get a new loan to replace the old one.
Finally, some lenders may require a waiting period between loans, which can limit your options when looking for a loan with the best terms for your needs.
When Is It a Good Idea to Refinance Quickly?
While the idea of refinancing a mortgage soon after getting the first one may sound odd, there are some clear benefits that can make it an excellent choice in certain circumstances:Lower monthly payments: If your financial situation has changed and you need a lower monthly payment, refinancing could make it possible to get a loan with a longer term. And if interest rates have dropped since you first got the loan or your credit score increased dramatically, qualifying for a lower interest rate could also reduce how much you owe each month.
Eliminated private mortgage insurance (PMI): Conventional mortgages typically require PMI if you put down less than 20% of the loan amount at closing. If, however, the value of your home increased quickly or you’ve made a large payment and qualify to get rid of it, refinancing could save you money. Also, some government-insured loans charge mortgage insurance, and refinancing one into a conventional loan could get rid of it.
Change in interest rate structure: Borrowers can choose a fixed- or adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). While an ARM can save you money upfront with a lower fixed interest rate for a set period, it becomes variable once that period ends. If you notice that interest rates are rising and want to lock in a low fixed interest rate to avoid taking on too much risk, refinancing can allow you to do that.
Equity cash-out: If you need cash fast and want to avoid high-cost loans, doing a cash-out refinance will give you access to some of the equity in your home at the cost of the new mortgage loan.
Borrower removal: If you were recently divorced and both spouses were on the loan, it may be a good idea to refinance the mortgage into the name of the person who plans to live in the home.
What Should I Consider Before Refinancing?
While refinancing a mortgage loan can provide a lot of benefits, there are some things that could make you think twice about starting the refinance process:Loan costs: Mortgage loans, including refinance loans, typically include closing costs that can range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount. If your mortgage is $200,000, that’s between $4,000 and $10,000 that can eat into the potential savings or other benefits you’d get from refinancing. It’s essential that you take the time to calculate your potential savings from a refinance compared with the costs to close the loan.
Other costs: If you’re refinancing your loan to get rid of one form of mortgage insurance, it’s possible that the new loan will require another form. Make sure you understand the terms of each mortgage type to get an idea of what your ongoing costs will be. Also, pre-payment penalties can make it difficult to get out of your original loan.
Credit situation: If your credit scores have changed since you got your first loan, it could affect your chances of getting approved for a refinance loan with more favorable terms. The same goes if your debt-to-income ratio (DTI)—your monthly debt payments relative to your monthly gross income—has increased in the meantime.
There are many good reasons to refinance a mortgage loan, but carefully consider these things to make sure your reason is good enough.Will Refinancing Affect My Credit Score?
Virtually every time you apply for a loan, the lender will run a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry can knock a few points off your credit score. If you’re applying for multiple mortgage loans, each additional inquiry can have a compounding effect on your score, dropping it further.As a result, it’s best to do all your rate shopping in a short period (typically between 14 and 45 days), during which all your inquiries will be counted as one for credit scoring purposes.
Also, closing out your old mortgage loan and replacing it with a new one can negatively affect your credit score because it lowers the average age of your credit accounts.
Because refinancing can have an impact on your credit, it’s important to make sure your credit is in good shape before you start the process.
Next Steps
If you’re planning to refinance your mortgage loan and understand both the benefits and drawbacks, compare multiple lenders to ensure you get the best terms available.Also, take your time when weighing the savings or other benefits against the costs of getting the new loan. While it may make sense in the short term to refinance, there are some situations where it could cost you more in the long run.
As you go through the process, check your credit score regularly to keep track of where you stand and address any potential issues that arise and can hurt your chances of getting approved.
Source: When Can I Refinance My Home?
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Google Apps to Work from Home
A temporary hub of information and tools to help teachers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
Teaching from home is going to require a different approach
How do I teach remotely with video calls?
Start a video call with your class
With Hangouts Meet you can create video calls and invite your entire class. Please conserve bandwidth and turn off your camera when possible.
Live Q&A’s with your class
Use Audience Q&A in Slides to get real time questions from students which can be upvoted by the rest of the class.
Livestream your lesson
Live streaming saves bandwidth on weaker internet connections. Create a calendar appointment and invite your class to watch.
How do I teach remotely without video calls?
Communicate and engage with students
Use Google Classroom to set assignments, encourage collaboration, and support communication with students when teaching from home.
Make a class website for your students
With Google Sites you can easily create a private class website to host lesson information, worksheets, videos and more.
Create an online quiz for your class
Set and automatically mark quizzes and assessments with Google Forms.
Provide real-time feedback in Docs
Use the comment feature in Google Docs to provide quick, in-context feedback whilst students work.
How do I make lessons accessible to all?
Type with your voice
Students can use voice typing to enter, edit, and format text in Docs and Slides, all without a keyboard.
Learn about accessibility features on a Chromebook
Help teach your students how to use the accessibility features on their Chromebooks.
Learn about accessibility features in G Suite
Teach your students to use assistive technology in G Suite, like voice typing and braille support.
How do I keep students engaged?
Support student discussion
Encourage discussion by having students post questions and comments in Google Classroom.
Arrange 1:1 time
Set up appointment slots in Google Calendar, and allow students to book time for individuals or small groups.
Work on a virtual whiteboard
Demonstrate concepts by using Jamboard and sharing your screen, or have students collaborate on mindmaps, diagrams, etc.
Keep in touch with parents and guardians
Use Guardian Notifications in Google Classroom to provide regular email summaries.
How do I keep in touch with other teachers?
Take virtual coffee breaks together
It’s important to stay connected with colleagues. Create regular coffee break events in Calendar and invite others to join via ‘Hangouts Meet’ video call.
Share teaching resources online
If you’re creating resources other teachers can use, share them on Google Drive.
Stay connected with instant messaging
Use Hangouts Chat to stay connected with colleagues. Set up chat groups so you can connect in smaller groups.
Share all-staff updates
Use Google Groups to create a mailing list to keep all your colleagues informed.
Source: Teach from Home
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