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Ten Things To Do in Quarantine

April 27, 2020 By admin

Perhaps you’ve already organized the garage, cleaned the basement and watched every TV show you’ve been meaning to get to for the past several years. If you’re now desperately seeking an outside-of-the-box way to entertain yourself and your family for the rest of your time in self-isolation, try some of these fresh ideas.

1. Take a Virtual Family Outing
Many attractions across the world are bringing fun to families through the web. Famous zoos and museums are hosting interactive tours online. Popular travel site Airbnb has launched live online experiences, so you can meditate with monks, learn to Irish dance or catch an at-home concert in Argentina. Whatever adventure you choose, this is sure to liven up the rest of your time in quarantine.

2. Learn a New Language
How many years have you been trying to pick back up the language you studied in high school? Now is the perfect time to do so! Duolingo is one great language learning app that makes the process fun and easy. By the time COVID-19 subsides, you’ll have picked up a new skill!

3. Cook With the Kids
Let each of your kids find a recipe in a cookbook or online that you’d like to try. Help them run the show! Gather up the ingredients and get everyone involved with cooking, setting the table and helping with clean up.

4. Create a Fort
This “fort” could also become a nice quiet place for reflection. Make it soft and inviting, with pillows and blankets in the coziest corner of your home. This is a great place for kids to read or catch up on school work — and hey, parents are welcome to relax here too!

5. Have a Virtual Coffee Chat
Take your friendship coffee date and take it online! Invite a friend you haven’t caught up with in a while to a FaceTime, Zoom or any type of video conference. Have a cup of coffee or tea on hand and find out what’s new in their life. Try to chat with a different friend or family member each week!

6. Theme Night
Pick a theme, any theme, and let that guide your night! Whether you want to become pirates, superheroes or princesses for the evening, encourage everyone in your household to dress like these characters. Eat something they would eat, watch a relevant movie to set the vibe or play a game on that theme. You’ll be surprised at how fun this one can get!

7. Dessert Bake-Off
You too can create an episode of the Netflix show “Nailed It.” In the show, average people compete to create fancy meals and desserts – bring the competition to your home and challenge your kids to a dessert bake-off! Pick an aesthetically-pleasing Pinterest cake and see who can do it the most (or the least) justice.

8. Start a Sewing Project
There is a great need for personal protective equipment right now, both for healthcare workers and other essential workers. Try your hand at sewing if you have the materials and the capability, and create masks for these folks! You could also donate to local homeless shelters, as there are plenty of individuals in need right now.

9. Start a Gratitude Journal
This is a great habit to pick up moving forward! Each night or each morning, make it a habit to write what you’re grateful for. You can look back and reflect on it to be reminded of everything you have to appreciate in life, especially when the going gets tough!

10. Make a Vision Board
Visually portray your dreams on a poster board or piece of paper. Gather up your art supplies and old magazines, and look for images and pictures that portray your dreams. Decide what you want to accomplish, paste it on the board and let it serve as a reminder of what you are working toward!

Social distancing has been so critical toward reducing the spread of COVID-19. As you continue to stay home, try these ideas to brighten up your days!

Saving with a Budget

April 4, 2020 By admin

Now more than ever people are looking to save money. Whether it’s to create a nest savings, purchase a home, new car, college or just to save some dough. We collected some helpful information and included a free printable budget worksheet to help you find your way in the savings game.

Ways to get started with a budget:

Look at your spending – you have to know what you spend money on and how much in order to figure out what in your spending is NEEDED and WANTS you have in your budget. Sometimes wants don’t have a place in a budget until you have established a stable savings.
Budget what you will spend – once you know where your money is going, you can give allowances to certain things that like in the first step are NEEDS vs. WANTS.
Create savings goals – be realistic, if you can afford to save $20 a week, then it’s $20 a week. If you can do $5 do $5. Every little bit will add up over time, this is important step – paying yourself first means you are paying your savings something so the financial burdens are less of financial burdens in the future. A little can go a long way and it takes time to build up a solid savings.
Write it down – use a budget worksheet like this one from Savings Dollars & Sense or a spreadsheet of your own to track and hold your spending accountable. Update it often and stay focused with your eye on the prize. Whether you want to save $1,000, or $100 you need a plan.

Managing Anxiety in Uncertain Times : Tips for Individuals and Families

April 4, 2020 By admin

We wanted to share this awesome article from Dr. Adelayo. It provides some tips that can help ease your heart and mind through challenging times:

1. Focus on the facts

Follow reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Banner Health, for the latest information on COVID-19. Knowing the facts and what you can do to lower your risk can be helpful in reducing stress.

2. Talk it out

Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. It’s particularly important for kids of all ages to talk through what they are hearing with a trusted adult.

“Children and teens react on what they see and hear from their parents and other adults,” Dr. Adelayo says. “Take time to talk to them about COVID-19, provide them with facts and reassure them they are safe. If you have an anxious child, limit the family’s exposure to social media and the news.”

3. Limit news and social media

Incessantly listening, watching and following the pandemic can add to anxiety and uncertainty. With endless posts from concerned and worried friends and family and repetitive news stories on TV, try to limit time to a couple times a day.

“It may even help to remove all your app notifications and schedule time to get news updates,” Dr. Adelayo says.

4. Take care of yourself

“While some may have to still work from home, take this opportunity from going, going, going and focus on you and your family’s well-being,” Dr. Adelayo says. “If you can, go for walks together, stream a fitness class, read a book and take this time to refocus. Schedule/calendar in “mandatory fun time” so you can take your mind away from work and current events.”

Make sure you are also eating healthy, getting plenty of rest and avoiding alcohol and drugs, which can make anxiety worse.

5. Take it day-by-day

Since we can’t predict the future (yet) and shouldn’t hold onto the past, focus on the here and now. Being mindful can help you focus on what is right in front of you—what you can control today. It can also help you recognize moments when you begin to feel overwhelmed.

Need some help being mindful? There are some great apps for adults and kids, such as Calm and Insight Timer, that can help ease anxiety and tension and re-center your mind.

6. Seek help and support

If stress or anxiety is getting in the way of your daily activities, call your healthcare provider or speak with one of our Nurses on Call at 844-259-9494 to get support. To find a licensed behavioral health professional in your area, visit bannerhealth.com.

However, if you are contemplating suicide or self-harm, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

“Yes, these are uncertain times for us all, but finding opportunities in difficult times every day—even small silver linings—are going to get us through this time,” Dr. Adelayo says. “Be prepared as best you can, follow the CDC recommendations, but take time to breathe and spend priceless time with the ones you love.”

These may feel like the worst of times and an age of foolishness but hold steady. Through this difficult time, we can refocus on what is most important in life and become stronger and more resilient as a country.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Banner Health website or CDC.

As community activists we are here for you. We have additional resources and are happy to share with you. Please call us at the Kristin Graziano Group (480)229-6569 or send us an email.

5 Tips to Consider in a Real Estate Transaction

March 26, 2020 By admin

The Kristin Graziano Group is your go-to source of knowledge for all real estate matters! Check out our downloadable English or Spanish versions of 5 Valuable Things Buyers and Sellers Need to Know About a Transaction, like crafting a smart offer or staging the home for showings. This is a very practical piece to demystify the real estate process and help those who were hesitant to jump in feel more comfortable. Especially in today’s market.

This home is a great value for the market and with so many homes selling quickly it’s a rare opportunity. We have lots of homes like this one and we are ready to talk with you about your goals. Call us today at 480-229-6569.

New decade, new home decor trends

February 14, 2020 By admin

A new decade is upon us. And with the dawning of this new decade comes the opportunity to embrace the interior design trends that will make your home feel fresh and new—and, just as importantly, leave behind the trends that feel tired and dated.

In a recent article from realtor.com, design experts shared their picks for the interior design trends you may want to leave behind in the new year. Some of the trends to ditch in 2020 include:

Accent walls. Accent walls were all the rage—but instead of going bold on a single wall, 2020 will see bold, rich hues and fun, patterned wallpaper expanding to cover all four walls. As the old saying goes, go big or go home!
Rose gold and millennial pink. Millennial pink and rose gold were go-to hues in 2019—but design experts expect to see bolder shades of pink take center stage in 2020.
All things farmhouse. Farmhouse style has been everywhere in recent years (in large part thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame). But it looks like this trend has finally run its course—and homeowners will be ditching their farmhouse decor for more unique, eclectic interiors in the upcoming year.

So, what does that mean for you? If you’re thinking about selling your home, it’s important to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s trending (and what’s not) in interior design. That way, you can stage your home in a way that feels fresh, modern, and on-trend—which will appeal to buyers and help you sell.

Are we heading for an early Spring?

February 14, 2020 By admin

Here comes an early spring! A recent article on CNBC suggests spring will arrive early this year—at least when it comes to the housing market. In fact, some are speculating that January was very well the new April.

What’s causing this already-busy buying season to kick off ahead of schedule? Low inventory and rising home prices are spurring house hunters to come out of hibernation months before they previously would have.

With that in mind, whether you’re buying or selling, or both, it’s time to get moving. The following checklists will help you prepare yourself or home property so don’t get left behind!

Getting Ready To Sell

If you’re hoping to put your place on the market and capitalize on those early bird buyers, you want your property to be in the best possible shape. That means you’ll want to tackle the following tasks:

Clean: Scrub like you’ve never scrubbed before! Some recommend hiring a cleaning service as new eyes will find old stains and smudges you no longer even notice.

Paint: Nothing brightens up a room like a fresh coat of paint. Don’t forget the moldings and trim. Buyers notice every detail.

Declutter: You’re going to have to pack up anyway, so why not do it sooner rather than later? As you go through each room, start storing non-essential items that you plan to take with you to your new address. If you find items you no longer want or need, donate them or try to sell them online for a quick influx of cash you can spend on your new place.

Tackle repairs: Take care of anything that would pop up on a home inspector’s report. Chances are you’ll need to fix it before you move, so why not do it now and enjoy these improvements for as long as you remain in the home?

Work on your curb appeal: Your home’s exterior is what’s going to make that all-important first impression on buyers. If your lawn boasts more weeds than grass, your shrubs are dead, and your fence is falling apart, you can count on that prospect driving on to the next house.

Find the right real estate agent: Often sellers want to hire the agent who says they’ll list the property for the highest price. Or, they’re tempted to select one who’s willing to take the lowest commission. But, really, you want an agent with a track record of success who is familiar with the area and comparable listings, and has a marketing plan that will help you realize the maximum value. A sky-high listing price sounds great, but not if it takes you three years to sell, right?

Preparing To Buy

If you’re ready to purchase a new home, there are several things you can do before you hit your first open house to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Clean up your credit: Your credit score not only impacts your ability to secure a mortgage at all, but it will also determine the interest rate you’ll pay. If you’re worried about your credit score, start working toward raising it by paying all your bills on time and making sure your balances are low. Check your credit report by contacting the three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You’re entitled to a free report from each agency once per year. If you spot an error, having the report amended will boost your score.

Pro tip: Speak to an experienced mortgage professional. Sometimes they can advise you on what (and what not) to pay down or off, in order to improve your credit score.

Save for a down payment (and then some!): Being able to put 20% of the purchase price down at your closing isn’t necessary, but it could help you in terms of better rates and overall monthly payments. It can also help you to avoid paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI). It’s also wise to save for emergencies because once you’re in your new home you never know what may suddenly need repair.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage: Getting preapproved lets sellers know you’re the real deal. And, it let’s you know what you can afford, so you focus on the right price points, and can choose the perfect one to go after with confidence.

Rather than just prequalification, which is more like an estimate of what you can borrow, a pre-approval means the loan is much more likely to get through underwriting once you get a home under contract, because the lender has already assessed your credit, income, debts, and assets.

Plus, if you find yourself competing for a property, being able to tell a seller you’re pre-approved can give you the advantage you need against others who are not.

Do your due diligence: Think you’ve found an area you like? Check out neighborhoods at different times of day, and be sure to notice traffic patterns. For example, is the home you like on a street drivers use to dodge traffic on Main Street. Will you encounter school drop-off or pick-up congestion that will make getting in or out of your driveway a hassle? How about early morning church bells or that fire house whistle? Consider all these factors, and anything else that may appeal to you, or bother you personally, as you’re driving past potential homes.

Find the right real estate agent: Whether this is your first or fiftieth home purchase, it’s still wise to enlist the help of a buyer’s agent. After all, it doesn’t cost you anything out of pocket typically, and a good agent will help you by sharing their inside knowledge not only of the neighborhood, but also help establish what’s a good value in your price range.

At KGG we arrange showings on your behalf and they may also be able to alert you to red flags you’d otherwise miss while touring properties. We are seasoned experts and are happy to refer you to other pros you’ll want on your side, such as home inspectors, attorneys, and lenders.

Whether you’re planning on selling, buying, or both, you may be competing with plenty of other buyers and sellers once Spring is in full swing. So, taking care of the items listed above can help you get the edge you need. Especially with the Spring real estate market getting it’s own head start!