Spring Update and Happy Easter!

Friends and family,

As we close in on four weeks of social distancing, complying with the stay at home orders, and Easter, we wanted to reach out to everyone.  How are you doing? For those still working and/or on the front lines facing this virus head on, how are you holding together? If you’re a business owner, how has this affected you?  Moms, dads and teachers, have you felt successful carrying out homeschooling and/or daycare?

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the uncertainty, worry, worst case scenarios and frustrations right now.  What are you doing day-to-day to secure your mental, physical and emotional health?  

We have gathered some tips to help support your health during these difficult times: 

•      - Create and keep to a routine
•      - Establish a realistic schedule
  
•      - Balance media time
•      - Exercise regularly
•      - Focus on the positives
•      - Plan meals in advance
•      - Spend quality family time together
•      - Connect with extended family and friends over Zoom, Facetime, 
•        Messenger, phone, text, etc.
•      - Remember to take regular vitamins
•      - Enjoy the sunshine when possible
•      - Eat as though you are trying to build your immune system, not break it
•        down
•      - Listen to music, read, draw, journal, mediate, pray - whatever works
•        best for you
•      - Finish overdue projects;
•      - Try to remain present and aware without allowing yourself to get lost in
•        the chaos
•      - Don’t forget to sanitize the daily used items we do not think about
•        often - phones, keyboards, mouses, remotes, baby gates, baby
•        monitors, door knobs, car door handles, keys, etc.
  
•      - Practice good hygiene  
  

Please reach out and share your experiences this past month.  We are all working through this together and would love to hear from you.  

Further, and necessary to keep in mind:

CDC guidelines of best ways to prevent illness and slow the spread:   

•      - Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible
  
•      - Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people
•      - Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips and social visits
  

•      - Wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social
•        distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and
•        pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based
•        transmission.

       The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or

       N-95 respirators.  Those are critical supplies that must continue to be

       reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as

       recommended by current CDC guidance. (And boy do we need to

       thank and provide for them right now.)

On a different note, we have been asked a lot lately how the real estate market has been affected, specifically in our local markets.  Here is what we know so far and we will continue to keep you apprised of new developments.  

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) updated their essential workers list to include residential and commercial real estate services.  This does not mean business as usual, however it does mean we can provide our services in a safe manner. 

We have been advised by our local real estate boards that business should be conducted virtually, as much as possible.  Where face-to-face contact can not be avoided, social distancing at least 6 feet apart should be observed, gloves and masks should be worn, hand washing and sanitizing when hand washing is not available, and limiting the amount of people in a home at any given time, is necessary.  In addition, we have been equipped with a few new forms to assist us in carrying out our services, and guide us in practicing real estate safely. We are implementing these recommendations and have adapted our services to include virtual showings for all our listings. With that said, we are still working with buyers and sellers. There are signs of a successful spring market and we anticipate the activity to continue.

The mortgage industry has seen various fluctuations and changes as well.  If you have questions or concerns about these changes, feel free to reach out.  We would be happy to direct you to a trusted mortgage professional.  

Further, if you have questions about the government created Cares Act and forearance, please contact your mortgage servicer. There are pros and cons a homeowner should be aware of before exercising this option.     

State and federal tax deadlines have been extended to July 15, 2020. 

We hope you find this information useful.  Again, we would love to hear from you as we continue with our new “normal.”  Have a safe and Happy Easter!

Best,