6 Things You Can Do Right Now to Help Your Community During the Coronavirus

 

 

We are now living in an unprecedented scary time and nerves are high from the frightening daily updates about the latest coronavirus outbreak.  It is now more important than ever to come together as a community to not only fight the virus and flatten the curve but to also help out others in need.  Some of you may be wondering how you can help out, but have no idea where to start. Here are five things that you can do right now to help out your community during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

 

1. Put your mask on before assisting others

Do you know how on airplanes, they tell you to put your oxygen masks on first before assisting others?  The same goes for right now. Before doing anything else, take precautions to protect yourself first from COVID-19.  Stay inside, and practice social distancing.  Social distancing (which should be called physical distancing), if you don’t know, is the conscious group effort to reduce close contact between people to hopefully stop community transmission of the virus.  By staying home, you are not putting others at risk, and protecting those in high-risk populations. Ultimately, social distancing will help flatten the curve. Here is a simulator that shows you how we can flatten the curve.   

2. Avoid gathering in public places

 Ideally, you should be six feet away from your neighbor.  Remember to also disinfect places around you that people are always touching.  I know that I will be disinfecting door knobs and all the surfaces in my home.  Governor J.B. Pritzker had issued a stay at home ban starting March 21st. Unless you must run necessary errands, try to respect this ban as much as possible — and stay inside.   

This also means that you should limit in-person visitation to people who are in assisted-living facilities and nursing homes.  While it may upset you that you cannot be with your mother or grandmother during this time, by visiting her in person, you would actually be putting her at a higher risk of catching the coronavirus.  So try visiting your loved ones virtually – through FaceTime or Skype – so that you can say hello without putting them at extra risk. 
 
And most importantly, wash your hands regularly.  Sing happy birthday to yourself twice, if it helps you remember to do a thorough clean. 

 

3. Support local businesses

Governor J. B. Pritzker had ordered that all bars and restaurants must be closed to dine-in customers from March 16th to March 30th.  Your local mom and pop shops will be feeling the blow from this ban. While dining in the restaurant is not an option for the time being, you will still be able to order for take-out.  Some restaurants now even offer curbside pickup! If you can, order takeout and support your restaurants. If you are in the position to, remember to tip well.  But if you feel that it is unwise to go in person to order takeout, purchase gift cards for the restaurants to use at a later date when the ban has been lifted.  This helps the restaurants because it gives them cash to use right now during this difficult time.  And you’ll have a gift card to treat yourself or your significant other to a wonderful dinner in the future!

4.  Foster a dog or a cat

If you feel that you and your children will go stir crazy from having to stay inside, foster a pet!  Now is the perfect time to foster a dog or cat so that you can teach your kids what it is really like to have a dog or a cat!  Animal Care and Control, as well as the many adoption and rescue centers, are always overflowing with pets who need a home.  Having a foster pet will not only help you pass the time, but it will also help with your stress and anxiety levels during this difficult time.
 
Here are some recommended places to look for a foster pet: Second City Canine Rescue, PAWS Chicago, K9 for Keeps, Safe Humane, and Chicago Canine Rescue, among many others.  If you would like more information on helping out with emergency relief fosters, click here.  Click here if you would like to sign up to foster!

5. Take care of the elderly and those in need

If you are young and in the low-risk population, offer to help out those in the high-risk populations.  Reach out to elderly people in your community or someone who is immunocompromised, and offer to go grocery shopping for them and run errands for them.  It will be much safer for you to walk about than for them to leave the house. 

Also, if you have extra resources, try to reach out to families with children that are in need that may need help with lunch, now that schools are closed.  Any way that you can offer assistance and support to your community will be greatly appreciated in this trying time

6. Join your local Facebook group

Now, for South Loop, there is a Facebook group called “Hello, South Loop!”.  These Facebook groups are wonderful because it allows you to stay in touch with your community.  Oftentimes, moms will post on there and ask if there is someone willing to watch her kids at a short notice.  Others will post that they are immunocompromised and need help running errands. By joining this group, it gives you the opportunity to help out your community when you can, and interact with others who live close to you.  Staying in touch with your community will provide many opportunities to offer a lending hand when you can, especially during the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic in our lifetime.

We are in this together as we work through the Coronavirus Pandemic 

 

While this is an extremely stressful situation for many, if we look on the bright side of things, you may become more in touch with your community now more than ever.  Just keep telling yourself – this too shall pass. In the meantime, try to keep yourself as healthy as possible and show compassion to businesses and people around you.  Whenever you can, lend a helping hand and heart virtually or physically. I am here to provide support to my south loop community in any way I can.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.  I would love to help out in any way I know-how.  Stay strong; we are in this together.  If you have any specific COVID-19 questions, be sure to check out the CDC’s website.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://www.terribuseman.com/help-your-community-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

7 Tips To Make The Most Of Your Open House

Have you noticed it yet? The days are getting longer. The sun is starting to shine again. And, as the temps slowly begin to rise, people are venturing outside once more. The time is right to take advantage of Open Houses. Here, we discuss tips a successful open house experience for both sellers and buyers.

Open Houses are beneficial for sellers and buyers. It’s a great way for sellers to showcase their home. It’s also a stress-free way for buyers to learn more about a neighborhood, as well as determine what they like and don’t like in a home.

When done correctly, open houses can often help sell properties faster and sometimes for more money.  Depending on the condition of your home, this might mean simply sprucing a few things up. Or, it may mean a major overhaul with staging. My goal is to help sellers successfully prepare their home for viewing and get buyers to see potential opportunities.

Prepare for a Successful Open House

I’ve put together a list of tips to help sellers and buyers make the most of Open Houses. From townhomes and single-family homes to condos and lofts, you’ll be prepared to either sell or find your dream home.

1.  Sellers Need to Declutter, Declutter, Declutter!

Spend a few days getting rid of your clutter. Clear off the hall table, the dining room table, and your kitchen and bathroom counters. To make your space seem larger, consider moving some of your furniture to storage, the basement, or the garage. Now would also be a good time to remove personal and expensive items throughout the house, including prescription medicines and financial documents. You want buyers to feel welcome with the freedom to imagine their own items in the home.

2.  Focus On Detailed Cleaning For Your Open House

Before you set a date for your open house, do a major cleaning. You may even want to hire a service initially. No corner should be left untouched. This includes baseboards, windows (inside and out), window screens, windowsills, ceiling fans, lamps and lampshades, fireplaces, floors, walls, and appliances. In addition, make sure to clean bedding, towels, rugs and carpets, etc. Scour all of your bathrooms. Wash shower curtains and make sure tubs and toilets sparkle. Sweep your front porch or balcony, as well as your garage. Make sure your lawn is well maintained and clear of any toys or debris.

 Keeping your home clean throughout the week is the hardest part. To avoid major housework, do your best to tidy up every day.  On the day of your Open House, if the weather allows, open your windows to get fresh air circulating.

Just as sellers focus on every detail, buyers should do the same. Carefully look at baseboards, walls, and ceilings for signs of leaks, cracks, mold, or mildew.

3.  Set the Mood for Your Successful Open House

Set the tone for a pleasant experience by creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Place flowers and plants on your porch or deck. Hang a wreath on your front door. Replace your outdoor mat with something fun for spring. If you have a driveway, move your car to the street for a better, unobstructed view.

As the homeowner, you may not realize your home harbors certain odors. Ask a friend or your realtor for their opinion. House odors are a major turnoff. However, rather than use air fresheners or highly scented candles, take time to thoroughly clean carpets, drapes, and other soft surfaces that may retain odors. It’s easy to rent carpet cleaners from Home Depot or your local grocery store. Add fresh scents and a burst of color with a few beautiful bouquets of flowers. Place them in your dining room, the kitchen, or the bathroom. Also, consider some sort of refreshments for visitors to enjoy.

Adjust your temperature depending on the weather. If it’s cold outside, make sure your home is warm and cozy. In warmer months, keep it cooler. This will also let potential buyers know your heating and cooling systems work.

Let the light in to make your home bright and cheery. Open the blinds, shutters, and drapes. Turn on all the lights and lamps. If certain rooms are dark, consider adding a table or floor lamp to improve your lighting.

If you have a yard, deck, or balcony, put out photos showcasing your outdoor space during warmer months so buyers can envision enjoying summer activities.

4.  Repairs and Staging

Go through your home and make a list of all the things that need to be repaired or replaced. Many of these can be quick fixes that will improve the appearance of your home. One of the easiest things you can do to freshen up your home is to paint it. Replacing cabinet doors and fixtures, rusty faucets, wall outlets, or scratched toilet seats won’t break the bank, but could potentially increase the value of your home. If some repairs, like leaks or electrical issues, are beyond your expertise, consider hiring a handyman.

Staging is another option to improve the marketability of your home. Making a few simple changes, inside and out, can drastically increase the value of your home, and potentially cover the expense.

While staging can make a home look better and diminish some superficial flaws, buyers should still pay close attention to every detail. What specific imperfections are deal breakers?

Open Houses can help buyers figure out their priorities when purchasing a home.

 5.What About Pets?

It’s best to remove your pet from your home on the day of the open house. With buyers coming and going, removing pets ensures their safety. You don’t want them to escape without anyone noticing. Take your dog for a walk, go to the dog park, or ask a friend if Fido can hang out at their place. Put your kitty in the carrier and head to a friend’s home. Before you go, it’s a good idea to remove all pet toys, food, and water bowls, beds, litter box, etc. Make sure to clean any pet stains and vacuum up pet hair.

While we love our pets, they can also be a source of stains and odors. Buyers should be wary of heavily scented homes, as well as carpet and flooring stains. This may not affect your decision to purchase a home, but it should be considered, especially if you have allergies.

6.  Setting a Date for Your Open House

Most open houses are scheduled on the weekends, but check the calendar before you set the date. While you don’t want to compete with major events or holidays, you may want to take advantage of neighborhood activities. Also, check the weather. If a snowstorm or frigid temperatures are predicted, not many will want to leave the comfort of their own home.

7.  Marketing and Social Media for Your Open House

Discuss advertising options with your realtor. Work together to create dynamic flyers with photos and pertinent information about your home. Promote your open house on your personal social media and don’t forget bulletin boards at your local grocery or coffee shop.

Sellers and Buyers:  Make the Best Of Open Houses and Get the Results you Want

While getting your home ready for an Open House may seem overwhelming at first, once everything is in order, it’s just a matter of maintaining your hard work.

Whether you’re selling or buying a single-family home, townhome, condo, or loft, the basics are the same. As a seller, your goal is to create a welcoming atmosphere that will assist potential buyers in seeing themselves as the next homeowner!  For buyers, it’s your opportunity to see what’s out there and determine what is most important when purchasing a new home. For more information about selling your home or finding a new home, visit my website.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT:  https://www.terribuseman.com/tips-for-successful-open-house/