Special to The Laker/Lutz News

More small businesses to get county grants

May 19, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Pasco County Commission on May 4 provided $5 million more in funding for small business grants — bringing the total to $7 million — to help small businesses that have been struggling because of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19 pandemic.

The money is coming from Penny for Pasco funds, which are generated through a voter-approved additional 1 cent in sales tax revenues to help cover identified Pasco County needs. A portion of that funding was earmarked for economic development.

Commissioners have been working with the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., a nonprofit agency that focuses on attracting new businesses to Pasco, and helping existing businesses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an economic crisis, as businesses were forced to close to reduce the potential spread of the deadly virus.

As a result, business revenues have plummeted and scores of the businesses that have been shuttered might be closed for good.

Commissioners have been working with the Pasco EDC, which has administered the grant program.

Commissioners approved $2 million initially, with grants of up to $5,000 for qualifying businesses.

But, that $2 million fell far short of the need, with more than 1,400 companies applying for the grants within the first 24 hours.

Out of the first 450 applications received, 405 qualified for a total of $1,965,000 in grants, according to the Pasco EDC.

The additional funding is expected to provide funding for the remaining qualifying companies, among those who have already submitted applications.

Published May 20, 2020

Working through a pandemic

May 12, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

While some workers have been forced to stay at home by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order, others have continued working because their jobs are deemed to be essential. Here’s a look at some of the work that’s been going on across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Miguel Hernandez secures shingles to a new structure on State Road 54, at Stonewood Professional Park in Land O’ Lakes. Hernandez, who lives in Dade City, has worked for Imperial Roofers for 12 years. (Randy Underhill)

Over the road driver Anthony Forrest, age 55, from Houston, Texas, fuels his semi tractor at the Flying J Travel in Dade City. He was on his way back to Houston last month, after picking up a load of plastics from Tampa.

Debbie Barthle, of St. Joseph, stops by a fresh produce stand operated by Vernon Jones, on Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel. The stand has been busy, Jones said.

Looking for something fun to do?

May 5, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco County has been phasing in the reopening of some of its recreational facilities.

Ballfields and playgrounds remain closed in Pasco County, but some places are open in Pasco and Hillsborough counties that give people a chance to get out for some fresh air and exercise. (B.C. Manion)

Activities such as walking, biking, hiking, fishing or running can be done in specific locations, according to a Pasco County news release.

Groups of more than 10 will not be permitted and people must maintain social distancing from others of at least 6 feet, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

There are limited access openings at Pasco County parks, listed below. Restrooms remain closed unless noted, so please plan accordingly:

Withlacoochee River Park, Dade City
Aripeka Sandhills Preserve, Hudson
Boy Scout Preserve, New Port Richey
Crews Lake Wilderness Park, Spring Hill
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, New Port Richey
Key Vista Nature Park, Holiday
Lake Lisa Park, Port Richey
Pasco Palms Preserve, New Port Richey
Upper Pithclachascotee Preserve, Spring Hill
Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park, Hudson

These public boat ramps remain open:

Anclote River Park, Holiday (restroom access)
Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park, Hudson
Moon Lake Park, New Port Richey
Middle Lake, Dade City
Eagle Point Park, kayak and canoe, New Port Richey

These trails remain open

The Suncoast Trail
Starkey Boulevard Trail
Starkey Gap Trail

The county also recently reopened these additional locations, effective May 2:

Anclote River Park
Anclote Gulf Park
Eagle Point Park
Moon Lake Park
Robert K. Rees Memorial Park

SunWest Park will be open to 100 cars at a time, in addition to annual passholders.

All Pasco County recreation complexes, community centers and playgrounds remain closed.

All events, activities, youth and adult sports leagues, special event reservations, pavilions, camp/RV grounds, cabin rentals, field reservations and any other reservations also remain closed until further notice.

The status of summer camp programs is not yet known. The county is awaiting updates from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine how it can safely offer its summer camp program.

Gov. Ron DeSantis also announced that the state’s parks would reopen, effective May 4.

In Hillsborough County, officials reopened most of its nature preserves and the boat ramp at E.G. Simmons Conservation Park on May 2. It also reopened several conservation parks, along with walking trails at six neighborhood parks on May 4.

Residents will be required to follow social distancing guidelines, and portions of the parks will remain closed, including playgrounds, picnic areas, and kayak/canoe facilities.

The following conservation parks reopened at 8 a.m., on May 4:

Flatwoods Conservation Park, 14302 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa, and 18205 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Tampa
Morris Bridge Off-Road Biking Area, 12651 Morris Bridge Road in Thonotosassa
Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park, 100 Alderman’s Ford Park Drive, Plant City, for hiking and biking only
Upper Tampa Bay Trail and all parking areas

Walking trails are open at these neighborhood parks:

Jackson Springs Community Center, 8620 Jackson Springs Road in Tampa
Northdale Community Center, 15550 Spring Pine Drive, Tampa
Carrollwood Village Community Park, 4680 W. Village Drive, Tampa
Ruskin Community Center, 901 6th St. S.E., Ruskin
Apollo Beach Community Center, 664 Golf and See Blvd., Apollo Beach
All People’s Life Center, 6105 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa

All other parks remain closed.

Published May 06, 2020

AdventHealth Center Ice is site for free COVID-19 testing

May 5, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

UPDATE: AdventHealth has discontinued testing at this site.

AdventHealth is offering free coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing at AdventHealth Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

It began on April 29, and will be offered each weekday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for 30 days.

A doctor’s order is not required, but AdventHealth is encouraging pre-registration at AdventHealthCoronavirusTesting.com or (866) 694-5503 prior to arrival, according to an AdventHealth news release.

There are no out-of-pocket costs for the test, regardless of insurance status. AdventHealth will cover the cost of those who are uninsured, the release says.

The test consists of coughing and spitting into a cup, the release adds.

“Expanding testing is an important and necessary step to help flatten the curve and keep our community safe,” Mike Schultz, president and CEO of AdventHealth West Florida Division, said in the release. “We are investing in these testing sites in strategic community locations to make it convenient and affordable for as many people as possible.”

“Additional testing for COVID-19 is an important part of the plan to reopen our community,” Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, added in the news release. “AdventHealth has always been a good community partner, and I appreciate them working closely with Pasco County and the Florida Department of Health on this drive-through COVID-19 testing site for our citizens.”

Anyone who pre-registers will be assigned a designated appointment time. First responders and health care workers who show proper workplace identification will have a designated lane at the test site to shorten wait times for those groups. Test results are available in approximately two days to three days, and will be delivered through the AdventHealth app and the AdventHealth website.

Anyone who is tested will receive a call from an AdventHealth physician or nurse practitioner with their results and any next steps in care, if necessary.

Published May 06, 2020

Having fun and exercising — in the great outdoors

May 5, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

There’s no doubt that many people have been feeling a bit cooped up in recent weeks, in the midst of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. But, there are ways to exercise and have fun, as seen around The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Six-year-old Eliza Nudo and her 4-year-old brother Everett Nudo go fishing for the first time with their new fishing gear. They used hot dogs for bait. Their dad, Joe Nudo, and mom, Jessica, help supervise the fun. The family lives in Connerton. (Randy Underhill)

Hitting the links on a recent Sunday afternoon were, from left: Janette Thibodeau, Meg Merritt, Rod Merritt and Ray Thibodeau. The retirees live in The Groves, in Land O’ Lakes.

Carol Moore, of Wesley Chapel, walks Annie, her 10-year-old Chihuahua, through the neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. The tiny dog goes for two walks each day.

Jogger Christa Lusk, 41, takes a 2-mile jog on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Connerton. She works from home and jogs five times a week.

ICI Homes Opens New Wesley Chapel Models With 2.75% Financing

April 28, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Sometimes the most difficult of times, such as the challenges presented by COVID-19, also create unexpected opportunities.

This is true for buyers of ICI Homes in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. This premium builder has 12 inventory homes available now or in the next few months, including four cottage-style homes in its first Wesley Chapel neighborhood, Persimmon Park.

The two-story Primrose model is light and bright with lots of windows and exemplifies Florida’s casual lifestyle.

Not only does ICI Homes have a larger than usual inventory of unique one- and two-story homes, it is also selling homes in the high $200s for the first time in Tampa Bay.

“We are known as a premier, semi-custom builder, and typically build homes from the $400s to over $1 million. So to come into Wesley Chapel with moderately priced floor plans is very exciting for us, and more importantly for our customers who want our quality and craftsmanship in a smaller, more affordable home,” said Paula Spitler, Tampa sales manager for ICI Homes.

Almost as important as the quality and pricing of its homes, ICI Homes also is offering an exceptionally low interest rate of just 2.75% on 30-year mortgages, when using the builder’s preferred lenders.

“We call this our buy-down program, because a lower interest allows our buyers to increase their spending power, and more quickly build equity in their homes,” said Spitler.

“There are only a limited number of these special loans being allocated across our 20-plus communities in Florida, so please don’t wait. It’s first-come, first-served, and once these loans are gone, they’re gone,” said Spitler.

Many families are drawn to Persimmon Park because of its desirable Wesley Chapel location, and also because its students are zoned to the area’s highest rated schools — Wiregrass Elementary, Dr. John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High.

“One of Persimmon Park’s biggest draws is the schools our students are zoned to attend,” said Spitler. “We have families moving from nearby subdivisions, such as Seven Oaks, that were recently rezoned to other schools. Many families want to keep their children enrolled in the schools they have traditionally attended or have been assigned to attend.”

Persimmon Park is located within the master-planned development of Wiregrass Ranch —located off Bruce B. Downs and Chancey Road, directly behind The Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. Wiregrass Ranch is a 5,000-acre, walkable community with trails that lead to parks, schools, entertainment, recreation and top-notch medical facilities.

Persimmon Park is Wiregrass Ranch’s newest new home community, with ICI Homes committed to building 97 homes in this unique subdivision.

“Persimmon Park gives our residents immediate access to all that Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel have to offer,” said Spitler. “Plus, our amenities are everything a family wants without going overboard — a unique T-shaped pool and cabana, outdoor grilling, interconnecting trails, and dog parks for small and large breeds.”

ICI Homes is introducing its first neo-traditional homes in Persimmon Park, featuring open floor plans with front porches, and garages at the back of the home. The first phase has 40 homes on 40-foot home sites, and ICI is premiering five new floor plans with prices beginning at $292,900.

“Light and bright with lots of windows,” is how Spitler describes these floor plans, having a cottage look and feel that are open, airy, and exemplifies Florida’s casual lifestyle.

“These homes have been designed for people wanting to simplify their life, who want less square footage to clean and maintain, yet want all the upscale finishes and details offered by ICI Homes,” said Spitler.

Two beautifully furnished model homes are available for tour at Persimmon Park. The one-story Lantana model is the craftsman elevation and, at 1,793 square feet, features three bedrooms and two baths, with an open kitchen and unique breezeway for outdoor living.

The two-story Primrose model is the coastal elevation and, at 2,434 square feet, offers the master bedroom downstairs, and a game room and three additional bedrooms upstairs.

“Families love the rear-load design because it gives the home a very nice front elevation with no garage blocking the home’s curb appeal,” said Spitler. “Plus, rear garages make for easier access to the kitchen when it’s time to unload groceries, and also creates more backyard privacy with covered breezeways and summer kitchens.”

Model homes are open daily for tour, with or without an appointment. Sales staff strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols and always make sure families tour models by themselves, without other people in the model.

Families also can tour the homes virtually, via video, at icihomes.com.

“Our 3D virtual tours allow you to view and walk through our homes at your own pace, right from your couch,” said Spitler. “You can move from point to point for a complete 360° view to get a sense of the home’s space, finishes, floor plan and measurements. It’s truly the next best thing to being there.”

Published April 29, 2020

Every Townhome Has A 2-Car Garage At Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

April 28, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Maintenance free townhomes with two-car garages in the rear with a private alley are now open for tour and purchase at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

“Our townhomes are beautifully designed with upscale custom finishes, and offer buyers a tremendous value for the Wesley Chapel area,” said Cheryl Gonzalez, sales representative for Avex Homes. “Plus, every home comes with a two-car garage — something you rarely find in townhomes that begin at $225,000.”

Beautiful inventory townhomes are now available at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Every home has a two-car garage, and all feature unique architectural elements, including front porches, sweeping kitchen islands, covered breezeways and grass courtyards.

Three floor plans are available, ranging from 1,608 square feet to 1,834 square feet, each with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Homes are solidly built with families in mind, and rich in architectural design with distinctive exteriors and open floor plans. Each home has a front porch, covered lanai or private breezeway that connects to the garage.

“Buyers love our townhomes’ cozy feel and old-fashioned, traditional look,” said Gonzalez.

“People always comment on how spacious they feel because of our open floor plans and standard 9-foot ceilings on both the first and second floors.”

Homebuyers can upgrade their home’s finishes to their individual lifestyle and design preferences — from moving electrical outlets, to upgrading cabinets and flooring, to choosing colors that best show off their individual taste. The most popular upgrades are quartz countertops and luxury vinyl flooring.

“Folks really appreciate that they can select the finishes they want, including flooring, cabinetry, countertops and lighting,” said Gonzalez. “Unlike most townhomes in this price range, our buyers can choose the colors and finishes that are best for them. These are not cookie-cutter homes.”

Families also choose the townhome lifestyle because it offers carefree, maintenance-free living.

“Our HOA covers all exterior painting and maintenance, including the roof, and all lawn and landscaping services,” said Gonzalez. “People are busy and love not having to worry about these chores.”

The first five Avalon Park Wesley Chapel townhomes have recently been completed, and three are available now as inventory homes. A second building with six townhomes is underway, with completion and move-ins planned for the end of the year.

3 Inventory Homes:

Cambridge: 1,608 sq. ft., with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Tile floors, two-tone expresso cabinets, private lanai, huge master suite. $233,144 (base price $224,990)

Montgomery: 1,834 sq. ft., with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Front porch, flex room/den, large island kitchen, tile floors, grass courtyard. Two units available. $234,190 and $248,581 (base price $238,990)

The kitchen in the Bellevue boasts premium white cabinets and a large kitchen island with quartz countertops.

Bellevue Model Home: 1,820 sq. ft., with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, end unit, master on first floor. Premium white cabinets, large kitchen island with quartz countertop, luxury vinyl flooring, private breezeway/lanai, huge master suite. Large loft upstairs with 2 bedrooms, and bath with double vanities. (base price $243,990)

Avex Homes and Beazer Homes are builders in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, a 1,650-acre master-planned community located on State Road 54, three miles east of I-75. In addition to its new townhomes, Avex Homes also builds single-family homes in the development’s two neighborhoods — Cypress Village and Hawthorne Village.

“It is very rewarding to offer local residents affordable homes for first-time homebuyers, as well as luxurious, move-up homes for families wanting a larger home in a community like ours that offers great schools and so much to do,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group.

Single-family homes in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel start in the mid-$200s, and are built on a variety of lot styles, including conservation, corner and pond view. Avex Homes currently is selling its model home the original Cypress Village, and has four inventory homes that will be ready this summer in its new Hawthorne Village.

“There is still time to make your personal design and color selection on these inventory homes, if you move fast,” said Gonzalez.

Already, 1,500 people call Avalon Park Wesley Chapel home, and over 800 homes have been sold since it opened in 2012. The community will continue to grow over the next several years and, at build out, will be home to 10,000 residents residing in 4,400 single and multifamily homes.

Avex Homes is open daily for tour, with or without an appointment. Sales staff strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols and always make sure families tour models by themselves, without other people in the model. For more information, stop by the model center at 5216 Autumn Ridge Drive, Wesley Chapel, 33545. To schedule an appointment, call Todd Simon at (407) 590-3501.

Amenities And Schools
Families enjoy an array of amenities at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. This includes a recently opened second amenity center with a zero-entry pool, splash pad, spa and picnic area. Other amenities include the original swimming pool, tot lot, basketball courts, pocket parks with mini-libraries, dog park, and trails and walkways that will interconnect with the community’s downtown.

Nearing completion is a new charter school at the community’ entrance, Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, which will open for the 2020-2021 school year with 650 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Pinecrest Wesley Chapel will offer a core curriculum of English/language arts, mathematics, social science, science and electives, such as performing and fine arts, and world languages. For more information, go to the website, PinecrestWesleyChapel.com.

Downtown Center
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel also will offer residents places to shop and work when its downtown center is completed. Infrastructure construction has begun on the first phase, which will include two office buildings, two mixed use retail/residential buildings and a community park.

“We will be building beautiful, multi-story buildings with commercial space designed for businesses our residents want close to home — restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and entertainment, hair and nail salons, as well as activities like dance, gymnastic and karate studios,” said Lerret.

In addition to shops and markets, the community’s downtown area will have over 500,000 square feet of commercial space.

“We are not just developers— we are building a brand new town with family events all year-long,” said Lerret. “We’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today, and in the future.”

Daytona Beach Newest Avalon Park Community
Avalon Park Group, the Orlando-based developer of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, has announced its next master-planned community will be in Daytona Beach.

Avalon Park Daytona Beach will be built on undeveloped land located west of I-95 along State Road 40. The proposed new town that will include 730,000 square feet of retail space, 270,000 square feet of office space, 5,000 multi-family units, 1,650 single-family attached units and 3,350 single-family detached units.

“Building a town of this magnitude allows us to build in a compact and contiguous manner that discourages urban sprawl and has a much lighter environmental impact than typical suburban development,” says Beat Kahli, chief executive officer of Avalon Park Group.

All communities developed by Avalon Park Group incorporate a walkable, mixed-use and interconnected community that achieves efficient use of land and infrastructure costs. Additionally, its master plans preserve large contiguous space for conservation lands and incorporate a network of streets to reduce automobile trips. Together, this creates walkable neighborhoods that are centrally located around a downtown commercial center for all ages to live, learn, work and play.

For more information, call Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations, at (407) 427-6073, or email .

Published April 29, 2020

New Daikin Fit HVAC System Offers Maximum Comfort

April 28, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

With so many people working from home due to COVID-19, and the hot summer months quickly approaching, the need for a dependable and efficient air conditioning system has never been more important.

“We strongly recommend that you call now for your spring service and maintenance, and to get information and quotes if you’re considering replacing an older system,” said Gary Beurmann, air conditioning manager at Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes. “If you call now, we can schedule an appointment and get you prepared for the hottest months of the year.”

The trade services provided by Cornerstone Pros — air conditioning, plumbing and electrical — are all essential services that remain open during the Stay At Home order from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Our crews are working, and we’ve adopted COVID-19 safety protocols to protect customers and employees,” said Dana Spears, president of Cornerstone Pros. “Because our employees wear extra safety gear, and most of our work is performed outside or in remote areas of a home, we greatly limit exposure for everyone.”

With afternoon temperatures already in the 90s, A/C services are very much in demand right now.

“Many families are upgrading their A/C system, either because their existing unit is unreliable and is costing too much to maintain, or their unit is inefficient and uses an increasing amount of energy that results in hundreds of dollars in utility bills. Plus, we have great financing terms and rebates to offer from Daikin and utility companies,” said Spears.

Most air conditioning systems need to be replaced at 10 to 12 years, while builder grade systems often need replacement after five years, when their warranty expires.

“Your air conditioning system is an appliance, just like your refrigerator, and does not last forever,” said Beurmann. “But, before we recommend that an A/C system be replaced, my team of over 20 technicians and installers give customers several options to consider, with realistic costs and expectations.”

Beurmann explains that sometimes replacement is the best solution if an A/C is out of warranty, and the cost to repair it is better spent on a new system. “In addition, an energy-efficient new unit typically saves a family hundreds of dollars a year in lower utility costs.”

Beurmann adds that his team is all paid hourly, so customers never have a 100% commission tech pressuring for sales of new or upgraded A/C systems. “Our only motive is to do what is best for our customers,” he says.

Cornerstone is an Elite Daikin Fit dealer that offers local homeowners one of the best A/C systems ever made. Available only since February, the Daikin Fit features exceptionally cool comfort, a small footprint and high energy efficiency ratings.

“The new Daikin Fit system has so many more benefits than other systems in the market — there is nothing out there that compares,” said Beurmann. “Several of our customers were a Daikin Fit homeowner test site for the past two years, and they have been very pleased with the product and new technology the system offers. Cornerstone has never worked with a system that has so much to offer, and at a price point most people can afford.”

Cornerstone Pros offers 24-hour heating and cooling assistance to residents of Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Trinity, Odessa, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey and other communities in Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties. Its phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call (813) 990-0561 anytime, day or night. For more information, visit their website at CornerstonePros.com.

Daikin Fit Unique Advantages
Gary Beurmann, A/C service manager at Cornerstone Pros, explains the many advantages of a Daikin Fit system.

Home Feels Cooler
Your home will feel cooler and more comfortable because the system is highly effective at maintaining desired humidity levels because of its invertor/smart system technology.

Half The Size
The outdoor unit is half the size of a traditional condenser, which makes it perfect for pool and patios areas, allowing more space for outdoor living. It is also great for homes with narrow lot lines.

Exceptionally Quiet
It is so quiet that it can be installed outside a bedroom window and not be heard inside. This makes it great for sleeping for both kids and adults, because you don’t hear a compressor kicking on and off during the night. “It is so quiet, you can be standing right next to it and wonder if the unit is even running — it’s that quiet,” said Beurmann.

Energy Efficient
The Daikin Fit has an energy efficiency rating of 16 SEER and above, which means it consumes less energy to cool your home. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio — the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the cooling equipment is.

Affordability
Until now, A/C systems with inverter technology where very costly. Pricing on the Daikin Fit allows homeowners to get the best invertor technology on the market at a price comparable to lower competitor two-stage systems. Its smart system provides so much more technology than other products offer at its price points.

Tech Conveniences
The Daikin Fit has all the bells and whistles – including Wi-Fi connectivity and thermostat controls that are accessible from your phone, pad and laptop. Daikin’s super-intelligent, user-friendly system controllers allow you to orchestrate and monitor mode, temperature, time, airflow volume and more across your entire system, at the touch of button.

12-Year Factory Warranty
The Daikin Fit is covered by one of the best warranties in the industry, with a 12-year parts and labor warranty included in the price of the unit.

Published April 29, 2020

Why mortgage rates have been on a roller coaster

April 28, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

As a mortgage company, we receive a lot of inquiries regarding mortgage rates, refinancing and, most recently, “about that 0% mortgage the FED is offering.”

Sadly, there is no 0% mortgage, and the FED doesn’t set mortgage rates. But, people should still inquire as to whether they have an opportunity for savings.

What has happened over the last 45 days is a literal roller coaster in both mortgage rates and mortgage qualification requirements. What caused this see-saw?

Earlier this year financial markets and investors started to get concerned about the global impact of COVID-19. This caused investors to move to “safer” investments, such as U.S. Treasuries and Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS). The resulting demand for MBS created a drop in mortgage rates to “the lowest level in its nearly 50-year history,” according to Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

The seven days between Feb. 26 and Mar. 4 were the busiest days in the business for just about every mortgage professional I know. And, the weeks following the resulting massive spike in applications also saw a huge spike in mortgage rates.

In some cases, mortgage rates changed up to 2% in a single day for consumers! While the causes are complicated, the two major reasons why we saw this volatility was because lenders were unprepared for the huge spike in loan volume, and consequently had to increase rates to SLOW DOWN applications, so they could catch up.

The underlying MBS was changing rapidly, and there was a glut of product being offered, which lowered the value of the individual offerings (supply and demand). A number of lenders stopped accepting refinance applications altogether, as they focused on a more sustainable “purchase money mortgage” business model.

The concerns related to COVID-19 expanded as businesses started to close down and workers were laid off due to government mandates related to social distancing. Investors had new concerns as they worried about how mortgage payments would be made when homeowners didn’t have jobs.

Financial markets in the U.S. started to crash, and so the Federal Reserve Bank (FED) jumped in with an influx of liquidity and a couple of reductions to the federal funds rate. A second wave of refinance inquiries hit as borrowers called their loan officers again about taking advantage of this 0% FED rate being offered.

It was left to loan offices to explain that the federal funds rate is the rate at which the FED lends short-term funds to banks. Mortgage rates were actually still on the rise after those announcements, because with so many loans being refinanced, the value of servicing rights that lenders earn started to shrink drastically, and they realized they wouldn’t hit their break-even point on an increasing percentage of their holdings.

The mortgage market, as a whole, has seen a number of changes due to the impacts of the coronavirus. There has been a major tightening of requirements as secondary markets have dried up, or set significantly more restrictive requirements lending requirements.

This tightening caused many well-established lenders to stop accepting new loan applications, some other to cancel loans that were in process prior to funding them, and others to close their doors entirely. The impact was, and is wide-reaching, including some Florida-based banks and credit unions.

While the impacts of COVID-19 are still creating change in the mortgage industry, there is an opportunity for borrowers who can meet updated requirements like multiple checks to verify employment and requiring clients to certify that their income/earnings have not been impacted. Borrowers with lower credit scores also have more requirements placed on them, as lenders are adding guideline requirements to government-insured loans (FHA, VA and USDA).

In 2019, there were significant reductions to the cost of mortgage insurance, so if your loan still has mortgage insurance and your rate is in the high 3% to 4%, you might still save significantly by refinancing your mortgage. Mortgage rates are stabilizing, and while not as low as they were back in late February, there is a major opportunity for individuals to save, including some ridiculously low mortgage rates on 15-year loans.

These are the kind of rates that may not be available again. So, if you are interested in a new or refinanced mortgage, reach out to a mortgage broker who will shop the markets for you. Generally, you’ll find that an experienced mortgage broker has more options available to you than your local bank, because of their independence and desire to ensure you get the best mortgage for your situation.

By Gilbert Bennett
My Easy Mortgage, LLC
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator
Certified Military Loan Specialist

813-513-9846 (office)
504-931-7555 (cell)
MyEasyMortgage.com

NMLS # 1177528 | CO NMLS # 1268485

Published April 29, 2020

Bicycling hasn’t been shut down

April 28, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has closed businesses, caused churches to livestream services, shut school campuses, and closed playgrounds and most parks — but it hasn’t put an end to enjoying the great outdoors by bicycling. Here are a few cyclists getting some fresh air and some exercise.