coronavirus

Guidance for Moving During COVID-19

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has put a stop to the normal routines of everyday life both in the U.S. and abroad. And while social distancing is the course of action to take until told otherwise, moves aren’t always something that can wait. Real estate is considered an essential service in all states and there are many services providers to assist you in facilitating a move to a new home.

By taking extra safety precautions and minimizing social contact, you can still move safely. If you are about to move, you can still pull it off with a little extra planning and a few precautionary steps.

Here are some tips for making your move as safe, seamless and stress-free as possible.

Moving Companies:

There have not been any notable shutdowns of service among major moving companies. That being said, decisions about closures may be left to individual franchise owners. If you have already scheduled your move and haven’t heard anything, assume that your moving company is still providing services unless told otherwise, but still call just to confirm.

If you’re worried about moving during a pandemic for a move that is still upcoming and for which you haven’t scheduled movers, it’s hard to say what will and will not be available in the months to come. For now, continue to do research on companies and ask directly what steps are being taken when you reach out. What has changed at this point is largely going to be related to the customer experience itself, including frequent hand washing among movers and no physical contact between movers and clients.

If you need to select a moving company, ask for a virtual quote and see if the company offers fully contactless service. Forgo handshakes, for obvious reasons. A smile and a generous tip (sent through Venmo, PayPal or another contactless digital platform) are a welcome substitute. These companies have virtual estimate procedures available for competitive quotes

Moving companies are taking the coronavirus pandemic very seriously. To that end, companies across the country have put into place protocols designed to protect their employees and their customers. These include:

Following federal and local guidelines around social distancing and sanitization
Conducting virtual surveys instead of in-home surveys to provide estimates
Frequently sanitizing trucks and equipment
Practicing social distancing with customers and, as much as possible, among moving teams
Wearing masks and gloves
Keeping trucks stocked with hand sanitizer

All of these practices help ensure that moving services can remain available in a safe way.

Car shipping companies open during COVID-19 outbreak

Company	Status	Additional info
AmeriFreight	Open	Learn more
Montway Auto Transport	Open	Learn more
Sherpa Auto Transport	Open	Learn more
Ship a Car Direct	Open	Learn more
uShip	Open	Learn more

Interstate moving companies open during COVID-19 outbreak

Company	Status	Additional info
Allied Van Lines	Open	Learn more
American Van Lines	Open	Learn more
Expedia Van Lines	Open	Learn more
First National Van Lines	Open	Learn more
International Van Lines	Open	Learn more
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group	Open	Learn more
North American Van Lines	Open	Learn more
PODS	Open	Learn more
Silver Star Moving Group	Open	Learn more
United Van Lines	Open	Learn more

Storage Services

Same as moving companies, major storage companies continue to run operations. What you might be able to expect however is limited hours of accessibility and/or a reduction in the number of customers who are able to access their units at any one time. Storage companies should also be following proper hygiene practices, including sanitization of access pads and the requisite six feet or more of space between customer and customer and customer and employee.

Storage companies open during COVID-19 outbreak

Company	Status	Additional info
CubeSmart	Open	Learn more
Extra Space Storage	Open	Learn more
Public Storage	Open	Learn more

What If I’m Moving By Myself?

The process of a DIY move looks pretty much the same now as it did before COVID-19, minus the ability to have a couple friends come over and lend a hand in exchange for pizza. Some additional things that you will want to do however include keeping hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels accessible at all times, we well as making a detailed plan for both your departure and arrival.

Major rental truck companies continue to be in service, as they are considered essential for transportation and personal mobility needs. Again, what may be different is the experience, since companies like Enterprise and U-Haul have put into place their own protocols for physical distancing. This means that your pick-up and drop-off location may not be at the branch office, and that you’ll have to make your reservation online or over the phone instead of in person.

If you rent, talk to your current landlord about how you can safely drop off keys and collect your security deposit, and talk to your new landlord about the process for a safe move in. Putting in a blueprint of steps ahead of time will help you maintain social distancing during your DIY move and answer any questions you might have about the process.

Truck rental companies open during COVID-19 outbreak

Company	Status	Additional info
Budget	Open	Learn more
Enterprise	Open	Learn more
Penske	Open	Learn more
The Home Depot	Open	Learn more
U-Haul	Open	Learn more

How to Prepare For Your Move

One silver lining is that social distancing means that you might have more time to devote to organizing your home prior to your move and getting rid of the things you no longer want or need. If you plan on donating items like clothing, linens, furniture, shelf stable non-perishables, etc., call the place that you would like to donate to ahead of time and see what their policies are. While many people are in need during this time, it’s likely not going be quite as easy as just driving to your nearest donation center and dropping stuff of (but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it).

Junk removal companies open during COVID-19 outbreak

Company	Status	Additional info
1-800-GOT-JUNK	Open	Learn more
College Hunks Hauling Junk	Open	Learn more
LoadUp	Open	Learn more
Waste Management Dumpster Rentals	Open	Learn more

To prepare for a move amidst COVID-19, be sure to keep the following steps in mind:

Contact your movers

This is important to confirm your reservation and discuss best practices for moving day. Moving companies are putting in lots of safeguards to help protect their clients, and it helps to be on the same page as them in terms of what is expected.

Buy all of your supplies at once

You are going to want to get it right with just one trip to the store, so make sure you know exactly what you’re going to need for your move. Don’t use free or recycled moving boxes. The coronavirus can live on cardboard for as long as 24 hours, so now is not the time to be picking up free moving supplies from places that are recycling them. Boxes that you already have in your home are fine, but if you need any extras then you’ll need to go to the store and buy them new (even better if you can then purchase them through self-checkout). Better yet, order all your moving supplies online and have them shipped to your residence. Clean as you pack. Use this opportunity to sanitize your belongings, wiping items down with disinfectant. If you don’t have any, you can make one with a solution of one tablespoon bleach to one gallon of water.

Finish packing at least 24 hours before the movers arrive

Coronavirus can last a long time on surfaces, including up to 24 hours on cardboard boxes. Your movers will be wearing gloves, but for everyone’s safety you should still have your boxes packed and sitting untouched at least a day before your movers arrive.

Provide hygiene products for your movers.

To aid your movers in following necessary hygiene practices, be sure to leave out products that they can use while they transport your items to and from the moving truck. That includes soap and paper towels by the sink, and hand sanitizer by the door that they’ll be entering and exiting through. If you’re concerned about having enough supplies, let your moving company know so they can be sure to bring them along for use during the move.

Be transparent and flexible

In advance of your move, reach out to your neighbors — especially if you live in an apartment building — and share the date and time you plan to move. This gives everyone in your direct vicinity an opportunity to avoid unnecessary contact and let you know if your timing is a problem.

When you move into a new home, deep clean it

Be sure to deep clean and sanitize your new home before you move into it. Here are a few resources and tips to help:

CDC’s recommendations on how to clean and sanitize your home

Use disinfectant wipes for quick cleanings over the most high-touch areas – doorknobs, sinks, cabinet pulls, refrigerators, etc.
Use disinfectant sprays for areas that can’t be wiped clean. You can use Lysol, for example, on your couches and mattresses which will touch many surfaces during a move (the ground, the inside of a truck, etc.).
Use this CDC bleach mixture recommendation on your new tile floors. Use a disinfecting wet mop cloth on your hardwood floors As you unpack, be sure to also disinfect your computer and accessories (keyboards can get pretty gross – here’s how to clean them), your television remote controls, credit cards, wallet, and more.

If you have an extra minute, here are some additional things to consider

Prioritize your internet setup. Scheduling an internet installation date at your new home is critical for staying connected to friends and family. There are 1-2 hour call wait times at cable and internet providers right now, as more and more people call to increase speeds and bandwidth. You can’t bank on getting an appointment as easily as you have in the past. Additionally, consider a high bandwidth plan to account for changes in working from home, video calls, multi-device streaming, etc.
Stocking your kitchen full of groceries will feel a bit different this time around. Try Shipt or Instacart, or delivery options from your local grocery store.

Additional resources:

While planning your move, continue to monitor the health and safety guidelines set out by the World Health Organization (WHO)and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For tips on infection prevention, visit gov.

Moving is stressful under the best of circumstances; this is a scary time and certainly takes moving stress to the next level. With some planning and organization, you can relocate and stay safe even in an environment with a pandemic.

Filed under: Blog, Boca Raton real estate, coronavirus, Down Sizing, Exclusive Buyer Agency, Exclusive Buyer Agent, First Time Homebuyers, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, home safety, Homebuyer Advice, House Closings, International Home Buyers, Real Estate, Real Estate Closings, real estate news, South Florida Real Estate by Kim Bregman
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How To Clean Reusable Shopping Bags

We are all being more cautious these days, but it’s always been important to take good care of the bags you use to carry your food.

As we step up our hygiene routines with more frequent hand-washing and cleaning, it’s making us start to question the cleanliness of everything. Yes, including our reusable shopping bags. And while we probably should have been regularly washing our reusable grocery bags all along, it’s certainly not too late to start.

If you’re transporting raw meat, seafood, and vegetables in your reusable shopping bags and have never washed them before, you run the risk of inadvertently cross-contaminating your groceries. Do use the plastic bags provided at the grocery store for produce and meats before placing inside your bags.

Luckily, the solution is easy: just start washing your reusable shopping bags, according to the instructions below. Then, check to make sure you’re following the dos and don’ts of reusable bag storage.

Get in the habit of cleaning your bags after every shopping trip. Here are some tips:

What You’ll Need:

· Laundry detergent

· Disinfecting wipes or sprays

· Cleaning cloths or paper towels

How to wash cotton reusable bags:

The good news is that most reusable cotton and canvas shopping bags are machine-washable, just check the care label to make sure. Remove any inserts and turn bags inside out. (Clean inserts with a disinfecting spray cleaner.) Use the hottest water setting possible, along with detergent.

If you can, toss the bags in the dryer. Note: this may shrink some cotton bags slightly. Alternatively, line-dry the bag in an area with good ventilation to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

How to wash nylon reusable bags:

1Hand wash the bag in warm, soapy water, making sure to get into the corners and crevices. You can also machine-wash the bag, but be sure to use the gentle cycle.

Line-dry the bag in an area with proper ventilation to prevent the growth of mold.

How to wash recycled plastic bags (polypropylene bags):

You probably have a stash of these exceptionally sturdy bags from Trader Joe’s and the like. Wash them by hand using warm, soapy water, and then line dry them completely before storing them away. You can also dry them with a clean towel to speed up the process.

Alternatively, wipe down the bags with disinfecting wipes and allow them to dry. You may want to turn the bag inside-out to get into the corners and remove any crumbs or grime.

The dos and don’ts of storing reusable shopping bags

· Don’t store the bags in the trunk of your car. This dark, damp storage spot may encourage bacteria growth.

· Do designate one specific bag for carrying raw meat. This will help prevent cross-contamination. Then, wash that bag after every use.

· Don’t store away bags that are damp. Make sure they’re completely dry first.

· Do a sniff test. Musty-smelling bags are a sign they should be cleaned.

· Don’t store other items, like gym clothes or sports gear, in bags used for groceries.

Filed under: Blog, coronavirus, Exclusive Buyer Agency, Exclusive Buyer Agent, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, Home Maintenance, home safety, Homebuyer Advice, real estate news by Kim Bregman
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COVID-19 South Florida Resources

Quick Facts

If you live in Broward County, you can call this hotline to have your questions answered: 954-357-9500.

If you live in Palm Beach County, you can call this information line with your questions: 561-712-6400.

The Sun Sentinel posted drive-through testing sites in South Florida here.

Please be aware of financial scams. You can learn more and report them here.

Tele-Health

Medicare: Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services to respond to the current Public Health Emergency. Learn more here.

Florida Blue: Florida Blue’s network of primary care doctors and specialists will be able to treat patients virtually at their normal office visit rates. Visit the Florida Blue website, the Florida Blue app, the Teladoc app, or by calling Teladoc directly at 800-835-2362.

Baptist Health: Baptist Health is offering telehealth services through its Care on Demand platform. If you or someone you know has cold or flu-like symptoms, visit here using code CARE19.

Cleveland Clinic: Cleveland Clinic Florida is encouraging the use of its Express Care Online Virtual Care services as much as possible during the outbreak. Click here for more information.

Cigna: Cigna is offering COVID-19 specific resources for enrollees. Click here for more.

Humana: Humana has agreed to waive telemedicine costs for all urgent care needs for the next 90 days. This will apply to Humana’s Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial employer-sponsored plans and is limited to in-network providers delivering synchronous virtual care. More information here.

COVID-19 Public Website and Call Center

Please visit the Florida Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the DOH’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

County Health Departments

If you’re concerned that you may have contracted the coronavirus, please contact your healthcare professional or county health department:

Broward County: 954-467-4700
Palm Beach County: 561-840-4500
Miami-Dade County: 305-324-2400

Additional Resources

Bank Regulators have also instructed banks and servicers to be proactive in extending help to homeowners:

Banks have posted their own policies and ways for consumers to contact them for assistance:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Protect Your Credit: The CFPB is urging consumers to protect their credit(link is external) during this pandemic.
Protect Yourself Financially: The CFPB has a number of resources(link is external) focused on financial protection, both short and long term, such as paying bills, income loss, and scam targeting. Resources include contacts for housing and credit counselors, debt collectors, and state unemployment services.

CFPB Director Kraninger Statement on Joint HUD-FHFA Announcement on Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium(link is external)

Department of Labor (DOL)

DOL has provided resources for employers and workers(link is external) in responding to COVID-19 and including the impact on wages and hours worked and protected leave (these resources are primarily for businesses and employers).

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual. EPA has provided important information about COVID-19(link is external) as it relates to drinking water and wastewater to provide clarity to the public. The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

Immediate Foreclosure and Evictions Relief for Homeowners for the Next 60 Days

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has authorized the FHA to implement an immediate foreclosure and eviction moratorium(link is external) for single family homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages for the next 60 days. Read the full press release(link is external).

FHA Q&A Form

FHA continues to run single family business operations. FHA has created a Q&A form available on their website to keep interested parties updated on their procedures during the COVID-19 crisis. Please refer to https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh(link is external) for the most current information.

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)

FHFA has instructed Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and their servicers to be proactive in providing assistance to homeowners including forbearance. In addition, FHFA imposed a moratorium on eviction and foreclosures on mortgages backed by the GSEs:

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have issued similar guidance:

Homeowners who are adversely impacted by this national emergency may request mortgage assistance by contacting their mortgage servicer
Foreclosure sales and evictions of borrowers are suspended for 60 days
Homeowners impacted by this national emergency are eligible for a forbearance plan to reduce or suspend their mortgage payments for up to 12 months
Credit bureau reporting of past due payments of borrowers in a forbearance plan as a result of hardships attributable to this national emergency is suspended
Homeowners in a forbearance plan will not incur late fees
After forbearance, a servicer must work with the borrower on a permanent plan to help maintain or reduce monthly payment amounts as necessary, including a loan modification

Fannie and Freddie have also created pages with additional information:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The IRS has also created a Coronavirus Tax Relief section(link is external) on their website with updated information for taxpayers and businesses (these resources are for businesses and not specifically for consumers).

Tax Time Guide to Guard Personal, Financial, and Tax Information Year-Round(link is external) (these resources are for businesses and not specifically for consumers).
Income Tax FILING and PAYMENT Deadlines Extended: In light of COVID-19 crisis, the IRS on March 18 extended the income tax payment deadline(link is external) for individual returns (as well as all other entities) until July 15, 2020. Two days later, the IRS also extended the tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020. Additional forms do not need to be filed to qualify for these extensions

Filed under: 20 Blogs, Blog, Boca Raton real estate, coronavirus, Exclusive Buyer Agency, Exclusive Buyer Agent, First Time Homebuyers, Florida Real Estate, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, home safety, Homebuyer Advice, Real Estate, real estate news, South Florida Real Estate, Uncategorized by Kim Bregman
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Virtual Home Buying Made Easy!

Gov. Ron DeSantis enacted stay-at-home orders for Florida effective April 3, but the order considers real estate an “essential service,” so Realtors may continue to operate under limits set by CDC guidelines.

Under the issued Homeland Security guidance, “residential and commercial real services” are included on a 15-page list of essential services. These cover settlement services and government offices that conduct title searches, notaries, and mortgage and recording services, as well as construction. The advisory letter was created by the Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

Optima Properties is able to continue to service your needs as a Buyer.

Showings:

In-person showings are considered a health risk. We can

Zoom, Facetime, or Skype showings

Online Video Tours are available on active listings currently and more are being developed every day.

Contracts:

Digital Signing of all Contract Documents
Zoom, Facetime or Skype Contract Review

Deposits:

Wired Earnest Money Deposits
Following Wire Fraud Protection ( Voice to Voice Confirmation)

Property Inspections:

Electronic Delivery of Inspection Reports
Zoom, Facetime or Skype Inspection Review

Mobile Notary:

Mobile Notary and Virtual Closings Now Available

House Key Delivery:

Non Contract Key Delivery Service Post Closing

Please contact me for all your Real Estate Related Needs.

Stay Home and Stay Safe!

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Filed under: Blog, Boca Raton real estate, contracts, coronavirus, Exclusive Buyer Agency, Exclusive Buyer Agent, First Time Homebuyers, Florida Real Estate, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, Home Financing, home Inspections, Homebuyer Advice, House Closings, Mortgage Information, Real Estate, Real Estate Closings, real estate news, South Florida Real Estate by Kim Bregman
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How To Set Up A Home Office

I’ve spent more than three decades with a home office. When you work at home, even part time, you discover that a makeshift desk area on a kitchen counter or the dining table isn’t the best setup. Having a dedicated home office, even if it’s compact, makes a big difference in comfort and productivity. Having a dedicated space also serves as an important signal to those who live with you that you’re ‘at work’. Create boundaries within your home that your family members understand.

Stake Out Your Spot

You need to pick a spot in your home with the fewest distractions, and where all the essentials (like electrical outlets and your modem) are close by. Modern WiFi is a wonderful thing but understand it can still be inconsistent in even the most tech-friendly neighborhoods. I anticipate that our connectivity speed will be further degraded by all the streaming and game-playing that is happening now, in addition to everyone trying to work from home as well……be patient and see if you can upgrade to a higher speed with your home Internet provider.

Also, try to find a spot near a window with some natural light so you don’t feel completely tucked away from the world. Think about storage and try to keep work-only items grouped together. Think outside the file box to find an organizational system that works for you; see what you can use around your home. It’s more important to give everything that has been sitting out in piles a permanent home than it is to buy new containers. Here are a few ideas for organizing your home office:

· A grid of clipboards on the wall can make for a handy place to keep papers organized.

· Wall-mounted cups keep frequently used supplies neat and within reach.

· Cups and bowls borrowed from the kitchen make great desktop and drawer organizers.

· Labeled, open-top baskets on shelves are great for people who like piles

· Traditional files are still useful for important documents.

Set Ground Rules with the People in Your Space

Set ground rules with other people in your home or who share your space for when you work. I say “morning,” but not everyone who works from home follows a nine-to-five schedule. Yours might be a “getting started” routine at another time of day. I want my elderly parents to be able to call me anytime, but have reminded them that “after 6” is the best time to get my undivided attention. I ask other family members and friends to respect my work hours and stick with the less obtrusive email or text for non-emergencies.

Act as if you are “going to work”. Whatever your routine was when you were going to the office, try and maintain it now that you are working from home. Exercise, shower, get dressed (not pajamas), and then “go to work”. I try and avoid eating at my desk and taking a coffee break, lunch break, etc. Use these times to reconnect with other household members and address their needs and concerns.

Think About Your Back, Feet and Shoulders

Pick a back-friendly, ergonomic chair if at all possible and always make time for exercise (don’t forget to stretch!). I prefer to stand or walk around while I am on the phone but now that my husband is working from home as well, we find that this is distracting to one another. Go outside and get some fresh air while on that call.

Although you can easily work on a laptop from anywhere, an entire day, week, or even a month spent looking down at a screen is not going to do your neck muscles any favors. If you have the space and the budget, think about upgrading to a decent-sized computer monitor to plug your laptop into. I use two monitors so that I can multitask between emails, software applications required for my work, calendars, and more.

Most desks, chairs and monitors and still designed for the average sized man. I have made adjustments by ensuring that my monitors are at eye level. You can use boxes, books, magazines or anything you have around the house to easily accomplish this…no need to be purchasing special desks, risers, etc. If your chair is not adjustable, use pillows, etc. to ensure that you are sitting at the right height to keep your back straight. I have purchased an ergonomic cushion that provides comfort and support for my spine as well as adds two includes to my seat height.

Make Friends with Your Postal Worker or Delivery Person

Thank goodness for USPS, UPS and FedEx!!! These people get bonuses at Christmas for their daily deliveries to my door. I have always been an online shopper for convenience and time-saving and now that I am getting deliveries for food, office supplies and more the visits to my front door have increased ( still can’t find toilet paper however).

Take the time to let your local postal worker or delivery person in your neighborhood know you’re now working from home if your work involves a lot of envelopes and packages. I have made a point in the past to have a few daily words with the drivers that frequent my home. It helps when my local delivery person knows I’m working at home and sending and receiving envelopes and packages on a regular basis. In today’s world something as simple as leaving a note on your door explaining your situation will work and be appreciated. My UPS driver told me a couple of days ago that I can leave the package outside my front door with a note to pick it up or if I see him in the neighborhood to just hand him the box…..no need to go out to the UPS store!!!

Pump the Brakes with Social Media

Social media can be absolute poison if you don’t limit yourself. It’s definitely good to stay on top of the news during these uneasy times, but if you allow yourself to be sucked into endless posts, you might look up at the clock and discover you lost three or four hours of your day.

I enjoy social media and participate for both personal and work reasons, but I have learned to use it wisely. I check it before I head to my office with my morning coffee and then again at the end of the day. That doesn’t mean you can’t laugh at someone’s funny online story, or post about your favorite sports team or TV show. Just try to limit the damage during work hours.

Freshen up.

Give yourself a big pat on the back, because the hardest work is now behind you! Today is all about making your home workspace fresh and clean, so it will be a healthier, more pleasant place to spend time in.

· Vacuum your home office from top to bottom. Use an attachment to clean window treatments, high corners and fabric lamp shades.

· Wipe down shelves and surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth.

· Use monitor wipes to clean your screens.

· Use a keyboard cleaner to blow dust from between the keys or gently clean them with cotton swabs.

· Bring in some fresh plants to help clean the air.

Straighten up your home office before you are done working each day. Bring the coffee cups back to the kitchen and completely clear your desktop.

We are all anxious and a routine will help keep our life as “normal” as possible in these difficult times. Don’t be hard on yourself if you are not as productive as when in the office. Working from home is a mindset and a discipline and cannot replace a normal work environment. It takes time, discipline and commitment to find the right balance for your personal and family needs.

Filed under: Blog, Boca Raton real estate, coronavirus, Down Sizing, Exclusive Buyer Agency, Exclusive Buyer Agent, First Time Homebuyers, Florida Real Estate, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, Home decorating, Homebuyer Advice, Kim Around the Web, Real Estate, real estate news, Real estate trends, South Florida Real Estate by Kim Bregman
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Things to Improve Your Time Stuck at Home!

I have put together a few resources to “get us out in the world again” albeit visually,broaden our perspectives, hone our skills and otherwise improve our mental and physical health.

Art and Theater:

There are so many resources available on our devises and TVs for streaming and watching including UTube, PBS, and more. Here are some opportunities to bring art back into your life.

Virtual Tours of 12 Museums Around the World

Metropolitan Opera Free Streaming Nightly

Google Arts and Culture

Education:

Thought of auditing a class at a local university? These Ivy Leagues have 450 Classes you can take for free.

Online Ivy League Courses

Read the Classics Online For Free

Free Audiobooks to Read or Listen

Improved Business Skills:

Remember thinking, “I wish I had the time to?” Invest, at no charge, in improving your business skills, planning, and preparing for the future.

Free Courses from LinkedIn

Free Online Business Classes

Get Domestic:

Stuck in the house? Make the most of it.

Learn to Cook from World Famous Chefs

Free Online Sewing Classes

Free Online Home Improvement Courses

For Your Kids:

There is no lack on resources available online to assist families with continuing their children’s education and keeping them creatively occupied while being isolated and out of school. The following is just a few resources of the thousands that can be explored.

Educational Tool-Kit for Online Learning

Visit the Zoo!

NASA Kids Club

For Your Physical and Mental Health:

Let’s get in shape physically and mentally!

50 Free Online Workout Resources

Mindfulness Meditation Resources

Free Memory Games

For Your Pets:

Keep yourself and your pet occupied with a little behavior training

Free Dog Training Videos

Dog TV

Filed under: Blog, coronavirus, Exclusive Buyer Agent, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, Homebuyer Advice, Real Estate, real estate news, South Florida Real Estate by Kim Bregman
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How to Keep Your Home Virus-Free

For many people, staying safe from the new coronavirus means staying home. But infectious germs can live in your house, too.

Although the CDC has not found evidence of surface-to-person transmission to date (which is good news!), the virus may live on surfaces for hours to days, making regular cleaning and disinfecting a wise practice during this time.

To minimize the risk of getting sick, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend taking action to disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as countertops, doorknobs, cellphones and toilet flush handles, since some pathogens can live on surfaces for several hours.

Here are some other tips for staying safe at home:

The CDC recommends washing hands vigorously with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. As a backup, use hand sanitizers that are at least 60% alcohol.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a list of approved disinfectants to kill coronavirus. For surface cleaning, look for products such as wipes, sprays and concentrates that say “disinfectant” on the label and include an EPA registration number. These are required to meet government specifications for safety and effectiveness. For a homemade disinfectant, the CDC recommends mixing a quarter-cup of household chlorine bleach with one gallon of cool water.

After disinfecting food-prep surfaces such as cutting boards and countertops, rinse them with water before use.

For laundry, use detergent and bleach (for white loads) or peroxide or color-safe bleach (for colors) to kill germs. (Be sure to read clothing labels to avoid damaging garments.) To boost the effect, some washing machines have sanitize or steam settings that kill germs. Drying laundry on the dryer’s hot cycle for 45 minutes also is effective.

If possible, operate dishwashers on the sanitizing cycle. Machines certified by NSF International, formerly known as the National Sanitation Foundation, must reach a final rinse temperature of 150 degrees and achieve a minimum 99.999% reduction of bacteria when operated on that cycle.

Household air purifiers and filters that advertise the ability to kill or capture viruses can be useful but shouldn’t be a substitute for cleaning. Some purifiers use ultraviolet light, which has been shown to have germicidal effects, but their overall effectiveness can vary depending on their design, according to a 2018 technical summary of residential air cleaners by the EPA. While some filters advertise the ability to capture things like viruses, smoke and common allergens, they don’t necessarily kill microorganisms

Upgrade Hand-Washing Stations

Stock up every sink in the house to make hand-washing easier and more sanitary with:

A bottle of liquid hand soap (anti-bacterial soap not needed)
Stacks of fresh hand towels and a hamper for dirty towels, or a roll of paper towels and a wastebasket
A container of sanitizing wipes for daily cleaning of faucets and counters

Use the Right Products — and Follow Instructions

When it comes to cleaning, regular soap and water is all you need. But for the second step of disinfecting, it’s important to be sure you’re using the right product. Already have rubbing alcohol or bleach in your cupboards? Either one will fight the COVID-19 virus. (A word of caution on using bleach to clean surfaces: It can discolor laminate and may damage the seal on granite and other stone countertops over time.)

If surfaces are dirty, remember to clean with soap and water first.
To prepare a bleach solution, mix 5 tablespoons (⅓ cup) bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleaners.
If using rubbing alcohol,choose an alcohol solution containing at least 70% alcohol.
Check expiration dates. Do not use expired products, as they may not be effective against the COVID-19 virus.
Follow label instructions. Clorox has issued specific recommendations for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including leaving bleach solution on surfaces for five minutes.

Focus on High-Touch Surfaces

Cleaning and sanitizing the entire house would be overwhelming — and probably excessive. Instead, focus on the surfaces that get lots of contact throughout the day. These areas include doorknobs, light switches, tables, remote controls, handles, desks, toilets and sinks. And if you have kids or housemates who play video games, include those video game controllers.

Start a Just-Got-Home Routine

Put your belongings down in one spot, paying attention to what you carried with you throughout the day — likely suspects include your phone, key ring and sunglasses. Wash your hands for 20 seconds, then wipe personal items with an EPA-registered disinfecting wipe and leave to dry. When cleaning electronics, keep liquids away from openings, never submerge devices, and be especially gentle with touchscreens.

Help Kids Follow the Recommendations

If you have kids at home — especially if they’re not so keen on frequent hand-washing — consider one or more of these to make the ritual more fun:

Let your child pick out a fragrant hand soap or put hand soap in a colorful container.
Tape the verse of a silly song to the mirror so they can sing for the recommended 20 seconds.
For younger children, cue up a song to sing along to on your phone.
Be sure a sturdy stool is positioned by every sink in the house to make the soap and water accessible.

Do the Laundry, Wash Your Hands

If you have a cloth laundry hamper liner, toss it in the wash when you do the laundry. Wash laundry on the warmest setting your clothes and linens can handle, and avoid shaking dirty laundry, which can spread virus through the air. And when you’re done handling dirty clothes and towels, be sure to wash your hands.

Filed under: Blog, coronavirus, Exclusive Buyer Agent, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, Home Maintenance, home safety, Homebuyer Advice, real estate news, South Florida Real Estate by Kim Bregman
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