Realty Executives Oceanside
By HomeKeepr
As a part of maintaining good social distance, many people are limiting who they bring into their homes. But this can lead to a bit of anxiety when you need to bring in some extra help to do jobs around the house. Plumbers, electricians and other contractors can’t do their jobs without access to your home’s internal space, but is it safe to bring workers inside when they also have to visit other homes and businesses as a part of their job?
Contractors want to keep themselves and their crew safe on the job, so almost any contractor you hire can be expected to follow appropriate safety protocols while in your home. With that said, there are things that you can do to help ensure that everyone remains safe when you have to bring in workers for necessary tasks around the house.
Before hiring a contractor or anyone to work inside your house, take a few moments to ask about their safety policies. You can ask about things such as whether they or their crew wear masks or ventilators when on the job or while dealing with customers. You can expect most contractors to have a safety and masking protocol in place, though it’s possible that you may encounter one or two who don’t want to take these precautions on the job. Asking them a few simple questions can help you identify those contractors and workers who will respect your desire to stay safe, and who will be careful the entire time that they’re in your home.
Before contractors and in-home workers are scheduled to show up, take the time to clean up the area where they’ll be working and sanitize any surfaces that they’re likely to come into contact with. This makes it easier for them to do their jobs safely. It also demonstrates that you are willing to show others the same considerations that you wish to be shown as well. Some contractors will sanitize the areas they work in at the end of the day as a courtesy, but if they don’t, then you should carefully sanitize the area after any workers have left each day.
Ideally, any workers who are in your house will wear a mask or other protection while they are inside. At the same time, you and your family should put a mask on whenever you’re in the same part of the house where work is going on. Additionally, while you should stay away from work areas whenever possible, it’s important to maintain proper social distance from workers when you do have to go into that part of the house. If you need to talk to the contractor or other workers, be sure to do it from at least a 6-foot distance or take the conversation outside if the work is happening in an area where proper distance is difficult to maintain.
Once work is wrapped up and the work crew is gone, be sure to check the work area to see if there is any additional cleanup needed. Most if not all of the cleaning should have been done by the workers while wrapping up, but it’s possible that some materials will remain that need to be disposed of. Wear gloves and a mask when handling any packing material or other items that were left behind by the work crew. You should also sanitize the entire work area unless you know for sure that the workers sanitized everything just before they left. While it may seem like extra work, it helps to ensure that there aren’t any contaminated surfaces left behind.
HomeKeepr is here to help you find the best contractors for the work you need who will respect your desire for safety in the home. Sign up for a free account today and start finding workers based on real recommendations from people you trust.
For more information, please reach out to us!
386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com | 
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@REOceanside
By Zoe Eisenberg
So you've decided to put your home on the market. Congratulations! Hopefully, you've brought a rockin' REALTOR® on board to help you list your spot, and together you've done your due diligence on what to ask for. As you start checking things off your to-do list, it's also important to pay mind of what not to do. Below are a handful of things to get you started.
Don't over-improve.
As you ready your home for sale, you may realize you will get a great return on your investment if you make a couple of changes. Updating the appliances or replacing that cracked cabinet in the bathroom are all great ideas. However, it's important not to over-improve, or make improvements that are hyper-specific to your tastes. For example, not everyone wants a pimped out finished basement equipped with a wet bar and lifted stage for their rock and roll buds to jam out on. (Okay, everyone should want that.) What if your buyers are family oriented and want a basement space for their kids to play in? That rock-and-roll room may look to them like a huge project to un-do. Make any needed fixes to your space, but don't go above and beyond—you may lose money doing so.
Don't over-decorate.
Over-decorating is just as bad as over-improving. You may love the look of lace and lavender, but your potential buyer may enter your home and cringe. When prepping for sale, neutralize your decorating scheme so it's more universally palatable.
Don't hang around.
Your agent calls to let you know they will be bringing buyers by this afternoon. Great! You rally your whole family, Fluffy the dog included, to be waiting at the door with fresh baked cookies and big smiles. Right? Wrong. Buyers want to imagine themselves in your space, not be confronted by you in your space. Trust, it's awkward for them to go about judging your home while you stand in the corner smiling like a maniac. Get out of the house, take the kids with you, and if you can't leave for whatever reason, at least go sit in the backyard. (On the other hand, if you're buying a home and not selling, then making it personal is the way to go, especially when writing your offer letter. Pull those heart strings!)
Don't take things personally.
Real estate is a business, but buying and selling homes is very, very emotional. However, when selling your homes, try your very best not to take things personally. When a buyer lowballs you or says they will need to replace your prized 1970s vintage shag carpet with something “more modern,” try not to raise your hackles.
For more information, please reach out to us!
386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com | | @REOceanside
By Realty Executives International
First, the facts: According to NAR, July 2020 posted the highest monthly total of existing home sales since 2006, jumping 24.7% over June to hit 5.86 million (SAAR). And for the first time in U.S. history, the median existing-home price for all housing types broke a record with the median surpassing $300,000.
According to Zillow, the typical U.S. home sold in just 16 days in September, a typically slow-moving month for real estate.
Still, delinquencies and subsequent distressed property sales could put the brakes on home price growth in the future. If, for instance, CoreLogic Chief Economist Frank Nothaft’s forecast holds true, home price growth could slow to 0.6% in July 2021 with prices declining in 11 states, led by Louisiana, Illinois, Connecticut, Iowa and Arkansas.
Consumers may also be feeling the trepidation. In a Zillow survey of more than 1,000 homeowners, about a third who are considering selling in the next three years cite life being too uncertain right now (34%) and financial uncertainty (31%) as reasons they aren’t selling. Despite a strong sellers market driven by high demand and low inventory, home sellers are largely taking a wait-and-see approach.
Among the 99% whose homes are not on the market, more than a quarter (26%) said they were concerned they would not be able to find or afford a new home once their current home was sold, the most commonly cited reason for not selling. General life uncertainty (22%) ranked as the second-most common reason, followed by anticipation of a more favorable sale price if they wait (21%).
Will 2021 Bring a Housing Recession or Continued Boom?
Recently, we asked several real estate coaches, team leads and brokers to give us their best housing market predictions for 2021. Here’s what they forecast for the future.
“2021 will be the year when everyone looks back and says, ‘That’s when it all really changed!’ 2020 was not the catalyst; it was the final straw that drove conflicting priorities into consensus. Change happened in 2021 because it was given permission by the events of 2020. I predict interest rates will hover and then rise a little bit, but until the dust settles, keeping mortgage rates low and the overall ability of most people to get a mortgage will continue to be a simple and timely process, which will be about 30-50 days. For the first six months of next year, I expect that inventory will stay low with a list to contract date of just over three weeks and a list to close date being just under 50 days. That will creep up around the holidays and then go back to this level by mid-spring. By next fall, it will be higher and begin to show a slowing market.“
“One more key indicator worth mentioning is that for the first time in the history of our industry, there are more agents actively licensed in the business than there are active listings. If that trend continues, which it cannot for long, the overall number of agents will take a hit when it comes renewal time, which is a state-by-state process. I would expect to see a dramatic change in agent population especially among brokerages that hire in volume. By mid 2021, we will see the impact especially if the market begins to slow and other job opportunities begin to open back up.”
-Matt B. Vigh, Real Estate Coach
“I think mortgage forbearance is going to present a problem for some people, but the difference between now and 2008 is more people have equity now. Statistics show that 47% of people who have mortgages around the U.S. have 100% equity in their homes. I predict those who are going to be in trouble own a home with low equity, aren’t able to get back into a job and are facing expired mortgage forbearance. Those distressed properties will present an opportunity to get back on short sales in certain markets, though it will be five months before we even see that.”
-Jan O’Brien, Trainer, Speaker, Coach
“I find the market interesting today because when we started opening things up in the summer we had record numbers. But the problem I worry about for the remainder of 2020 and 2021 is the surplus of distressed properties due to mortgage forbearance. That’s going to have a dramatic effect on many folks. Unemployment is going to play into that. It’s all regional of course. I do think big cities are going to be affected by this because they don’t have to work on site so that will shift the market. I suspect a slowdown in 2021 but, to be honest, I thought it would have already happened. In the next 18 months, I think we will see the brakes put on the market. I don’t see how it can’t.”
-Justin Letheby, Broker, Certified Trainer, Speaker and Coach
“When I look back at the mid-2000s, there was lots of speculation. Now, there’s cash on the sidelines so it gives some cushion against a potential real estate downturn. People are sitting around on cash because they’re scared of what happened to them in 2008. So they’ll hold their cash and, as interest rates come up a little, that will motivate them to buy. I think 2021 is going to be an amazing year and who knows where it’s going from there!”
-Ricky Carruth, Agent, Coach
“A COVID vaccine, treatment or both will likely create an unprecedented market in 2021. While the market has been strong in 2020, both buyers and sellers have been sitting on the sideline due to the pandemic. I expect a market coming that is better than we have seen in many years.“
-Greg Sanders, CEO of Realty One Group Edge
“We’ve all witnessed a real estate bull market that we’ve never seen in many generations. Lenders are lending within the constraints that don’t cause any yellow flags, and spring will be strong if not stronger than any spring we’ve ever seen. I’m fully expecting 2021 to be a bigger year and as big if not bigger than 2020 despite COVID.“
“I’m hearing lots of people saying they want to buy and want to sell, but they also don’t mind waiting. All the batters are on deck, and we have some sluggers. We’re such an appreciating market that, for the homeowner who gets in trouble, there’s a rip chord with the equity they’ve built over the last couple of years, so I don’t see mortgage forbearance as being a big problem. Oh, and I also think the Chiefs will win the Super Bowl again this year!”
-Quentin Dane, Broker
“Already, I’m seeing people circling the city, asking me about whether it’s a good time to look for that pied a terre in New York. I tell them to wait until February.”
Joseph Rand, VP of Innovation at Howard Hanna| Rand Realty
Check out more from our partners at Dotloop, to learn about upcoming trends and strategies in real estate.
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386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com | | @REOceanside
By HomeKeepr
Everything has its season, and for paint, winter is that time. Year after year, paint companies release their chosen Color(s) of the Year, which are meant to be reflections on trends that are coming to interior design near you. If you’ve been considering repainting a bedroom or your whole house, knowing what’s in can help you narrow down the impressively huge list of paint options available.
2021 continues the trend that’s been taking us far from the subdued hues that have been so popular in the past. Instead of neutral palettes, homeowners are going big or going home. That doesn’t mean the paint scheme in every house has to be glam, but it does mean that it’s ok to put a little personality out there. Pops of color are glorious when done properly and no longer the sale killer they may have once been. But it’s not exactly a revisit to the 1950s. Color should be used more strategically to create a big impact, highlight features in your home, and influence the atmosphere in living, dining, and sleeping spaces.
Most of the major paint companies have announced their colors for this year, though a few are still waiting for 2021 to roll around. Of those that have made it official, you’ll notice a big trend in color themes. Blues, pinks, and grays rule the day, though they’re not your grandma’s retro flavors.
Pantone: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating
One of the top names in color has come up with one of the top color combos for 2021. It’s a whole mood, really, and sums up 2020 pretty well. Ultimate Gray is a light neutral gray color that would be at home in almost any space. Illuminating, however, is a bright, determined yellow that should be used in small doses. As Pantone’s executive director, Leatrice Eiseman, wrote in a press release about the decision, “The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude.” It’s also way eye-catching.
Rust-Oleum: Satin Paprika
Do you dream of the desert southwest? Or maybe you already live there and want to bring a bit more pop indoors? Satin Paprika may be the answer. This coral red, spicy earth tone is the anchor for three distinct color palettes that Rust-Oleum has developed for 2021. It’s gorgeous in a variety of spaces, works with many different colors, and, frankly, it brings to mind the red stone that’s so common in the desert. Your succulents will feel right at home.
Glidden: Aqua Fiesta
Glidden zigged this year when a lot of the other paint brands zagged, and named Aqua Fiesta its Accent Color of the Year. It’s a bold, but not overly bright, aqua color that goes great with both light neutral browns and grays, allowing it to dress up all kinds of spaces. You might feel like taking an island vacation or dream of mermaids after painting this one on, though.
Benjamin Moore: Aegean Teal
Benjamin Moore was also feeling a bit blue when choosing 2021’s color of the year, but more blue than green, which resulted in a gorgeous dark robin egg-esque color. The gray undertones make it a great accompaniment to the popular gray neutrals, and the more strict blue gives it a bit of a grown-up feel. It’s a super calming color in any room and will even pair well with yellows.
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams: Passionate
Blue isn’t everybody’s thing, and clearly HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams agrees. It chose Passionate for its 2021 Color of the Year. This is a deep carnation, but not quite red, sort of color that looks awesome with earth tones and tans. It’s the kind of color that you may have never expected to like, let alone paint in your home, until you see it in action. Accent it with other bold tones and your humdrum room will absolutely be transformed.
Sherwin-Williams: Urbane Bronze
Looking for deep, rich color that won’t leave anyone guessing about your intention for your space? Urbane Bronze is a color that will define a space without regrets. It’s a warm gray-brown that goes well with a range of flooring and lighting, but stands up on its own without the need for a lot of fanfare. You might not want to use this on every wall, as it may have a way of making your space feel a bit small, but your accent walls and accent pieces will absolutely thank you.
Valspar: Hues of the Year
Valspar couldn’t pick just one, so instead went with a whole range of colors for the year. It chose 12 muted colors; these are colors that could be considered “barely there,” just a hint of bold for a room that isn’t ready to go all in. These subtle choices range from misty blue to a warm apricot, with buttercream, green, beige, and gray also on the menu. Use this palette together to create a wholly harmonious space.
Choosing your colors is only the first step to getting that big paint job done. If you need some help finding a painter who will knock it out of the park, don’t hesitate to ask your HomeKeepr family for a recommendation. After all, it’s an awfully good feeling knowing that someone you believe in trusts the painter that’s going to make your dreams come true.
For more information, please reach out to us!
386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com | | @REOceanside
By Caylin Harris for Parents Magazine
Any one of these whimsical ideas will make the holidays more jolly and joyful. But why stop at trying one?!
Check out books like Angelina’s Christmas, Little Robin’s Christmas, and Mice Skating, which all emphasize the spirit of giving. Gift an eggnog latte to your favorite librarian on your way in.
Get the original Walter Matthau narration of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and an exclusive Tim Curry reading of A Christmas Carol at Audible.com. Listen to them on the drive to Grandma’s.
Give each family member a book on Christmas Eve, and spend the rest of the night reading.
Catherine Hong, who writes about children’s books as @mrslittlebooks on Instagram, recommends finding the out-of-print edition illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa. “Her elfin, jelly-bellied, soot-smudged Santa is my favorite Santa,” says Hong.
To start the game, flick off the overhead lights and keep only the tree lights on. For an additional challenge, hide a favorite ornament and see who can spot it first.
(Or ask a grandparent to do it!) Make it a small nod to a big moment or interest of the last year. When your child grows up, he’ll have a collection started for his own family.
If trimming the tree with your great-grandmother’s baubles seems too risky with a toddler running around, try these techniques that display your treasures farther from little hands and curious pets. Some ideas: on the chandelier, on branches in a vase, or on wooden dowels hung on the wall.
Holly Charlesworth, the blogger behind My Sister’s Suitcase, holds an annual Santa-beard contest for her brood. Every family member makes a “beard” with shaving cream on his or her face, no mirrors allowed. When they’re all done, they take pictures, then hold a secret-ballot vote to determine who has the best beard.
If your child has a beloved stuffed animal or doll, pick out a present for the toy or doll together, wrap it up, and put it under the tree for Teddy to open on Christmas morning.
Load everyone into the car in their pj’s with a thermos of hot cocoa, and go on a holiday-lights tour of the neighborhood. Take it to the next level by giving each house a score of 1 to 10 and choosing your family’s favorite front-yard display!
The family of Parents contributor Jodi Levine loves the movie Elf and established a policy to watch it only once a year, with cousins, right before Christmas. To make it even more fun, they serve goofy Elf-themed foods and decorate.
With some help from the United States Postal Service, he’ll write back, complete with a North Pole postmark! Find details for the Letters From Santa program at the Postal Service’s website, including Saint Nick’s mailing address.
Gather some crafty supplies and DIY any one of these fun Advent calendars. Below are 15 ideas for tiny treats. (Psst ... save the candy for the last few days, since anything other than that may register as a disappointment once your child has gotten one piece!)
For an instant holiday mood booster, brew an easy five-ingredient stovetop simmer like this one from blogger Jamielyn Nye, of I Heart Naptime. Combine cranberries, orange peels, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and nutmeg in a small pot and fill it with a few inches of water. Simmer on the stove, adding more water throughout the day when it gets low.
Make paper snowflakes and use them to decorate the windows, but try making them with colored tissue paper instead of the usual white for a festive twist on the traditional craft.
The base of the menorah above is a spaghetti box painted blue. Once it’s dry, have your child glue on wagon wheels as the bottom of each candleholder, then add large rigatoni or ziti pasta. Decorate with any additional small pasta you have on hand. To make candles, cut paper straws down to size and twist small pieces of yellow tissue paper to form flames.
Dress up your kids’ favorite toys with homemade seasonal outfits like felt scarves, elf hats, and reindeer antlers. Here’s how:
Many local nonprofits run programs that let you give things to a needy family like new clothing, toys, household items, and food or grocery-store certificates. Take your kids along to shop and have them help you wrap too.
Visit a LEGO Store between November 1 and December 31, or use your LEGO bricks at home to build a holiday ornament. Display it in-store, or share online with the hashtag #BuildToGive. For every ornament built and shared, LEGO will donate a LEGO set to a child in need of play.
You can send your homemade greetings to the nonprofit Cards for Hospitalized Kids to distribute (full guidelines at cardsforhospitalizedkids.com).
Pick a cookie recipe your kids love and claim it as “your” cookie. Give it a goofy name, hype it like it’s a Girl Scout cookie making its annual return, and then bake it only at the holidays to keep it special.
Get the kids all dressed up and take them to eat somewhere nicer than usual, suggests Kate Smith, a mom of two in Lexington, Kentucky. Not only will they look forward to it as a special occasion where they’ll have a chance to drink out of wine goblets, but they’ll also get to practice their fancy table manners for the holiday meals to come!
Honor family members who are no longer with you by making a favorite recipe, drink, or dessert that they used to cook or enjoy. While you’re preparing the recipe with your kids, take the time to tell them about the person you miss.
Have your kids work with peelers to shred carrots and celery into a fancy salad. Let them shake on a little “reindeer dust” (aka sprinkles) for extra magic.
Hang a mini stocking at the foot of your child’s bed for Santa to place a tiny present in. He might also leave a clue about a bigger gift that awaits your kid downstairs. Wake up to squeals of delight!
For more information, please reach out to us!
386-506-8008 | Oceanside@RealtyExecutives.com | | @REOceanside
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