If life were like a certain Netflix show (ahem, “Emily in Paris”), we’d be sharing pictures of croissants and flirting with a cute chef. But 2020 turned out to be an exceptionally difficult and eye-opening year. We learned we needed to speak up and take actions to have a real impact and help make our world more inclusive and anti-racist.
Among the serious moments, however, we also needed some things to bring a bit of humor into this chaotic world.
Whether you needed options to keep up with your mortgage or planned to take the leap into homeownership, Keep was here to answer all your questions.
Below is a wrap up of our most popular blog posts from the last 12 months. Here’s to the New Year!
Homeowners looking for mortgage relief
Many homeowners experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19, prompting the federal government to offer support. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act), implemented in March, mortgage relief options like forbearance were a popular way for loan servicers to help struggling homeowners keep their homes.
Loss mitigation explained: What to do if you can’t pay your mortgage.
After forbearance: What to do when your forbearance ends.
Rates drop to low, low, lows
To stimulate economic activity, the Federal Reserve dropped the national interest rate to historic lows, enticing consumers to borrow money for mortgages and other loans.
Making it work: Can you buy a home with no money?
Taking charge: Refinancing your mortgage during COVID-19.
The year of the first-time homebuyer
The stability of homeownership drew a wave of first-time homebuyers into the market, prompting questions about what to expect while buying a home.
What really goes on: Spotting discrimination while buying a home.
Clearing confusion: What is escrow — and how is it used in homebuying and homeownership?
Keeping cool and collected
At Keep, it was our goal this year you keep you as calm and comfortable as possible, whether that was through meditation tips or help with managing your home’s HVAC system.
Keeping calm: Common myths about meditation.
Chilling out: How to choose and operate air conditioners.
Going through changes
Folks spent more time at home than ever this year. This drove homeowners to consider whether it was time to feng shui their spaces and homebuyers to explore creative ways to chase their dreams.
Looking forward: Easy and affordable home decor for 2021.
Outside the box: Should you buy a manufactured home?
Before we wrap up
Loving what you’re learning? Here are some more of our favorites from 2020:
- How to actually DIY your home renovation.
- What to know about buying a foreclosed home.
