2021 Housing Market Update

December 11, 2020November 16, 2020 by silverelk

A Strong Housing Market Expected to Continue into 2021

“2020 will be known for a lot of things, and a record-breaking year for real estate will certainly be one of its more unexpected legacies,” prominent economist Daryl Fairweather said.¹

And he’s right: most of us would have expected the housing market to suffer from circumstances like a once-in-a-hundred-years pandemic and historic inventory shortages. But, rather than a slowdown, we are continuing to experience a surprisingly robust real estate market across the country. And experts estimate that these conditions are likely to last well into the new year.

Fannie Mae Senior VP and Chief Economist Doug Duncan predicts that existing home sales will ultimately “be up a percent or more in 2021.” He believes home prices will continue to rise due to limited inventory, but he is confident the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates low into the future, which will be “very good for households.”²

Market conditions like fewer available listings, changing criteria for desired homes, and record-low mortgage rates are changing the way people buy and sell homes, most likely in a lasting way. But this sustained activity, even in the uncertainty that is 2020, proves that our country still views real estate as a sound investment. The only question now is how you can take advantage of the housing market’s “new normal.”

FEWER LISTINGS EQUALS A SELLER’S MARKET

Inventory, meaning the number of homes for sale, is at a record low across the country. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports there are fewer homes on the market today than the association has seen in data going all the way back to 1982.³Currently, the total housing inventory is about 1.47 million units, which is a decline of 19.2% from one year ago.⁴

Experts do predict some relief on the horizon. MarketWatch had previously anticipated housing starts would occur at a pace of 1.45 million and building permits would come in at a pace of 1.52 million.⁵But it turns out that the market exceeded expectations: compared with last year, housing starts are up 11% and permitting for new homes occurred at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 1.55 million. That represents a 5% increase from August and an 8% increase from a year ago.

For now, the fact that there are fewer listings creates an advantageous housing market for sellers.

There are several reasons why:

For one, buyers have to act fast to snap up available homes. As a result, most properties that come on the market stay for an average of just 21 days before they are sold.⁶ “That is the fastest ever recorded in our monthly series,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

Another benefit is that sellers are enjoying higher net returns on their listings. This is thanks to the tough competition for homes, which often results in bidding wars between buyers. Nationwide, the median home price in September rose to $311,800. That translates to about $40,000 (15%) more than just a year ago.⁷

This seller’s market is not simply a product of the pandemic. In fact, in the country’s top 100 metro markets, inventory has been dwindling since the first quarter of 2020.⁸ This means that even with increased construction, buyers can’t simply wait for things to go back to normal before reentering the market. Rather, all signs indicate that this is the new normal.

What It Means for Homeowners:

These higher home prices show that buyers are willing to spend more on a home right now than they did last year. So, if there ever were a time to list for top dollar—and expect to receive asking price quickly—that time is now. Serious Sellers can access our Market Guide INSTANTLY to simply the facts and options. Ask us for a free consultation of your home’s value today and be sure to learn about virtual home tours or staging tips for top dollar in our former Elk Insights Blog.

What It Means for Homebuyers:

Due to low inventory, buyers could easily find themselves in a bidding war. Time is of the essence in a seller’s market, so you’ll need to get your financing in order and be pre-approved for a loan before you begin your home search. We can connect you with a trusted mortgage professional to get you started. Keep reading to learn where your advantage is in this housing market and download our Buyer’s Guide INSTANTLY to boost your confidence on what to expect and why.

BUYERS BENEFIT FROM LOW MORTGAGE RATES AND A BIGGER PLAYING FIELD

Don’t worry, homebuyers. This “new normal” of real estate has benefits for you too.

For example, people used to base their next home purchase on how far the commute was to work or in which public school district it was. But now, thanks to the pandemic shifting the locus of jobs and work, they are free to consider what they need from a home to make it a place they truly want to be in as they work, teach, exercise, cook, and live.

Often, this equates to needing more space in different types of areas. Realtor.com consumer surveys show that people are desiring quieter neighborhoods, home offices, updated kitchens, and access to the great outdoors.⁹ The search for these criteria is driving residents out of densely populated metropolitan areas and into the suburbs.¹⁰ And this exodus from cities is good news for buyers: it opens up more possibilities for inventory that they could not have considered pre-pandemic.

Another advantage for buyers is the record-low mortgage rates. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hit a record low in mid-October when rates fell to 2.81%. That’s the lowest since Freddie Mac began conducting the survey in 1971, and well below last year’s 3.69%.¹¹ Similarly, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage can be had for as low as 2.35% compared to 3.15% a year ago.

Thanks to these rates, buyers are afforded the opportunity to buy nearly $32,000 more home than they could one year ago, while keeping their monthly payment the same.¹² So even though home prices are high now, it is currently more affordable to buy a home now than it was last year. With these kind of rates, my father now has the perfect retirement villa and only a $1200 payment on a 205,000 loan; freeing up his overhead to enjoy golfing on a daily basis and still saving for vacations!

If you want to take advantage of these rock-bottom mortgage rates, you need to act fast. Though rates are projected to stay low, housing economists predict that the window of opportunity to get the best rate could be closing in the coming months. Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association, said he expects the average rate on a 30-year mortgage to rise to 3.5% by the end of 2021.¹³

What It Means for Homeowners:

Record-low mortgage rates offer you the opportunity to lower your monthly payment—or even take out some equity—with a refinance. With those additional funds, you could even choose to invest in a second home in a new desirable location. Reach out to us for a referral to a trusted mortgage professional or an agent in those markets. If you’re in a position to plan how to vacation in the future without being shut out, or shut down maybe its time to invest in that second home away from home.

What It Means for Homebuyers:

The time is now to determine how much home you can comfortably afford and make a plan to find it. We can set up an EXCLUSIVE search for you to find homes that best meet your new needs, even if they’re in neighborhoods you wouldn’t have considered before.

A RECORD-SETTING YEAR FOR HOME SALES IS JUST THE BEGINNING

Despite the seemingly adverse buyer conditions, 2020 experienced a 14-year high number of home sales, NAR reports. Existing-home sales, which include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 9.4% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.54 million.¹⁴ That’s a 21% increase from a year ago!

Every region of the country has seen a surge in sales activity. According to George Ratiu, senior economist for Realtor.com, part of the reason for these continued sales is that the pandemic has created a paradigm shift in the patterns of real estate.¹⁵ For example, housing needs are typically resolved by late summer and early fall to coincide with the commencement of the new school year. With homeschooling and remote work, however, buyers have been freed to continue their home search into the traditionally slow winter months.

Another reason for the robust market is that Millennials are finally putting their money into homeownership. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the homeownership rate for 25-to-34-year-olds rose to 40.7% by the end of last year.¹⁶This is significant because Millennials, the generation of people in their mid-20s to late-30s, currently surpasses Baby Boomers as the nation’s largest living adult generation. As the remaining percentage of this group starts investing in homes in the near future, demand will persist.

All of these factors indicate that the housing market is poised to remain strong as we head into the new year. And as Jonathan Woloshin, head of U.S. real estate at UBS Global Wealth Management, believes, they could “buoy the housing market for years to come.”¹⁷

What It Means for Homeowners:

It’s tempting to believe that homes will basically sell themselves in a market like this. But we’re still seeing properties that are overpriced and under-marketed sit unsold. We can help you optimize the process of selling your home so you can get the best possible offer. Pricing properly one of the keys to protecting your equity. Try consulting with a Certified Residential Listing Specialist during your preparation or learning why those public evaluation estimates are erroneous and often set unrealistic expectations costing sellers, especially F.S.B.O sellers, thousands of dollars.

What It Means for Homebuyers:

Preparation is key to success in a seller’s market like this, but don’t let yourself become paralyzed. We are here to answer your questions and offer sound advice to guide you through all the options that are available to you.

REAL ESTATE IS A SAFE BET

Your other investments might have been on roller coasters this year, but the real estate market has been steady, competitive, and strong throughout. That makes it a good choice for your financial future.

National real estate numbers can give us a pulse on the market, but real estate happens in our own backyard. As your local market experts, we can help you understand the finer points of the market that impact sales and home values in your own neighborhood.

If you’re considering buying or selling a home before the new year or in early 2021, contact us now to schedule a free consultation. We’ll work with you to develop an actionable plan to meet your goals.

Sources:

Redfin –
https://www.redfin.com/news/housing-market-news-september-2020/
Housing Wire –

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/fannie-maes-doug-duncan-offers-his-predictions-for-2021/

CNBC –

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/22/september-existing-home-sales-jump-9point5percent.html

NAHB –

http://eyeonhousing.org/2020/10/existing-home-sales-surge-despite-record-low-supply

MarketWatch –

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-home-construction-slows-slightly-in-august-driven-by-pullback-in-multifamily-starts-2020-09-17

National Association of Realtors –

https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-soar-9-4-to-6-5-million-in-september

Business Insider – https://www.businessinsider.com/how-2020-broke-the-housing-market-inventory-could-run-out-2020-9
Forbes –

https://www.forbes.com/sites/petertaylor/2020/10/11/covid-19-has-changed-the-housing-market-forever-heres-where-americans-are-moving-and-why/#74e7355761fe

Realtor.com –
https://www.realtor.com/research/top-consumer-home-features-coronavirus/
Wealth Advisor – https://www.thewealthadvisor.com/article/covid-19-has-changed-housing-market-forever-heres-where-americans-are-moving-and-why
Washington Post –

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/10/15/30-year-mortgage-rate-drops-record-low/

Forbes –

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/buying-a-home-low-mortgage-rates/

BankRate –

https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/refinance-window-could-close-soon/

National Association of Realtors –

https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-soar-9-4-to-6-5-million-in-september

Forbes –

https://www.forbes.com/sites/petertaylor/2020/10/11/covid-19-has-changed-the-housing-market-forever-heres-where-americans-are-moving-and-why/#74e7355761fe

TD Economics –

https://economics.td.com/us-falling-mortgage#:~:text=The%20homeownership%20rate%20among%20millennials,47.7%25%20at%20a%20comparable%20age.&text=This%20means%20that%201.4%20million,that%20of%20the%20older%20generation

Axios Media –

https://www.axios.com/real-estate-market-819e3c85-3765-4014-91c0-b545be6d5935.html

Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell Real Estate?

June 6, 2020June 6, 2020 by silverelk

Traditionally, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate. However, the coronavirus outbreak—and subsequent stay-at-home orders—led many buyers and sellers to put their moving plans on hold. In April, new listings fell nearly 45%, and sales volume fell 15% compared to last year.¹

Fortunately, as restrictions have eased, we’ve seen an uptick in market activity. And economists at Realtor.com expect a rebound in July, August, and September, as fears about the pandemic subside, and buyers return to the market with pent-up demand from a lost spring season.²

But given safety concerns and the current economic climate, is it prudent to jump back into the real estate market?

Before you decide, it’s important to consider where the housing market is headed, how it could impact your timeline and ability to buy a home, and your own individual needs and circumstances.

WHAT’S AHEAD FOR THE HOUSING MARKET?

The economic aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak has been severe. We’ve seen record unemployment numbers, and economists believe the country is headed toward a recession. But people still need a place to live. So what effect will these factors have on the housing market?

Home Values Projected to Remain Stable

Many Americans recall our last recession and assume we will see another drop in home values. But the 2008 real estate market crash was the cause—not the result—of that downturn. In fact, ATTOM Data Solutions analyzed real estate prices during the last five recessions and found that home prices actually went up in most cases. Only twice (in 1990 and 2008) did prices fall, and in 1990 it was by less than one percent.³

Many economists expect home values to remain relatively steady this time around. And so far, that’s been the case. As of mid-May, the median listing price in the U.S. was up 1.4% from the same period last year.⁴

Demand for Homes Will Exceed Available Supply

There’s been a shortage of affordable homes on the market for years, and the pandemic has further hindered supply. In addition to sellers pulling back, new home starts fell 22% in March.⁵In fact, Fannie Mae doesn’t foresee a return to pre-pandemic construction levels before the end of 2021.⁶

This supply shortage is expected to prop up home prices, despite recessionary pressures. Fannie Mae and the National Association of Realtors predict housing prices will rise slightly this year⁷, while Zillow expects them to fall between 2-3%.⁸ Still, that would be a far cry from the double-digit declines that occurred during the last recession.⁹

Government Intervention Will Help Stabilize the Market

Policymakers have been quick to pass legislation aimed at preventing a surge in foreclosures like we saw in 2008. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress gives government-backed mortgage holders who were impacted by the pandemic up to a year of reduced or delayed payments.¹⁰

The Federal Reserve has also taken measures to help stabilize the housing market, lower borrowing costs, and inject liquidity into the mortgage industry. These steps have led to record-low mortgage rates that should help drive buyer demand and make homeownership more affordable for millions of Americans.¹¹

HOW HAS THE REAL ESTATE PROCESS CHANGED?

As the pandemic hit, real estate and mortgage professionals across the country revised their processes to adapt to shifting safety standards and economic realities. While these new ways of conducting business may seem strange at first, keep in mind, military clients, international buyers, and others have utilized many of these methods to buy and sell homes for years.

New Safety Procedures

The safety of our clients and our team members is our top priority. That’s why we’ve developed a process for buyers and sellers that utilizes technology to minimize personal contact.

For our listings, we’re holding online open houses, offering virtual viewings, and conducting walk-through video tours. We’re also using video chat to qualify interested buyers before we book in-person showings. This enables us to promote your property to a broad audience while limiting physical foot traffic to only serious buyers.

Likewise, our buyer clients can view properties online and take virtual video tours to minimize the number of homes they step inside. Ready to visit a property in person? We can decrease surface contact by asking the seller to turn on all the lights and open doors and cabinets before your scheduled showing.

The majority of our “paperwork” is also digital. In fact, many of the legal and financial documents involved in buying and selling a home went online years ago. You can safely view and eSign contracts from your smartphone or computer.

Longer Timelines and Higher Mortgage Standards

The real estate process is taking a little longer these days. Both buyers and sellers are more cautious when it comes to viewing and showing homes. And with fewer house hunters and less available inventory, it can take more time to match a buyer with the right property.

In a recent survey, 67% of Realtors also reported delays in the closing process. The top reasons were financing and buyer job loss, but appraisals and home inspections are also taking more time due to shifting safety protocol.¹²

Securing a mortgage may take longer, too. With forbearance requests rising, lenders are getting increasingly conservative when it comes to issuing new loans. Many are raising their standards—requiring higher credit scores and larger down payments. Prepare for greater scrutiny, and build in some extra time to shop around.¹³

IS IT THE RIGHT TIME FOR ME TO MAKE A MOVE?

The reality is, there’s no “one size fits all” answer as to whether it’s a good time to buy or sell a home because everyone’s circumstances are unique. But now that you know the state of the market and what you can expect as you shop for real estate, consider the following questions:

Why do you want or need to move?

It’s important to consider why you want to move and if your needs may shift over the next year. For example, if you need a larger home for your growing family, your space constraints aren’t likely to go away. In fact, they could be amplified as you spend more time at home.

However, if you’re planning a move to be closer to your office, consider whether your commute could change. Some companies are rethinking their office dynamics and may encourage their employees to work remotely on a permanent basis.

How urgently do you need to complete your move?

If you have a new baby on the way or want to be settled before schools open in the fall, we recommend that you begin aggressively searching as soon as possible. With fewer homes on the market and a lengthier closing process, it’s taking longer than usual for clients to find and purchase a home.

However, if your timeline is flexible, you may be well-positioned to score a deal. We’re seeing more highly-incentivized sellers who are willing to negotiate on terms and price. Talk to us about setting up a search so we can keep an eye out for any bargains that pop up. And get pre-qualified for a mortgage now so you’ll be ready to act quickly.

If you’re eager to sell this year, now is the time to begin prepping your home for the market. A second wave of infections is predicted for the winter, which could mean another lockdown.¹⁴ If you wait, you might miss your window of opportunity.

How long do you plan to stay in your new home?

The U.S. real estate market has enjoyed steady appreciation since 2012, which made it fairly easy for owners and investors to buy and sell properties for a profit in a short period of time. However, with home values expected to remain relatively flat over the next year, your best bet is to buy a home you can envision yourself keeping for several years. Fortunately, at today’s rock-bottom mortgage rates, you can lock in a low interest rate and start building equity right away.

Can you meet today’s higher standards for securing a mortgage?

Mortgage lenders are tightening their standards in response to the growing number of mortgage forbearance requests. Many have raised their minimum credit score and downpayment requirements for applicants. Even if you’ve been pre-qualified in the past, you should contact your lender to find out if you meet their new, more stringent standards.

Is your income stable?

If there’s a good chance you could lose your job, you may be better off waiting to buy a home. The exception would be if you’re planning to downsize. Moving to a less expensive home could allow you to tap into your home equity or cut down on your monthly expenses.

WHEN YOU’RE READY TO MOVE—WE’RE READY TO HELP

While uncertain market conditions may give pause to some buyers and sellers, they can actually present an opportunity for those who are willing, able, and motivated to make a move.

Your average spring season would be flooded with real estate activity. But right now, only motivated players are out in the market. That means that if you’re looking to buy, you’re in a better position to negotiate a great price. And today’s record-low mortgage rates could give a big boost to your purchasing power. In fact, if you’ve been priced out of the market before, this may be the perfect time to look.

If you’re hoping to sell this year, you’ll have fewer listings to compete against in your neighborhood and price range. But you’ll want to act quickly. Economists expect a surge of eager buyers to enter the market in July—so you should start prepping your home now. And keep in mind, a second wave of coronavirus cases could be coming in this winter. Ask yourself how you will feel if you have to face another lockdown in your current home.

Let’s schedule a free virtual consultation to discuss your individual needs and circumstances. We can help you assess your options and create a plan that makes you feel both comfortable and confident during these unprecedented times.

The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial advice. Consult a financial professional for advice regarding your individual needs.

Sources:

Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenparis/2020/05/08/latest-housing-market-update-from-realtorcom/#20bf7829113e
HousingWire – https://www.housingwire.com/articles/realtor-com-housing-market-will-bounce-back-this-year-but-the-rebound-will-be-short-lived/
Curbed – https://www.curbed.com/2019/1/10/18139601/recession-impact-housing-market-interest-rates
Realtor.com – https://www.realtor.com/research/weekly-housing-trends-view-data-week-may-9-2020/
Money.com – https://money.com/coronavirus-real-estate-home-prices/
Fannie Mae – https://www.fanniemae.com/resources/file/research/emma/pdf/Housing_Forecast_051320.pdf
HousingWire – https://www.housingwire.com/articles/pending-home-sales-tumble-on-covid-19-shock/
HousingWire – https://www.housingwire.com/articles/zillow-predicts-small-home-price-drop-through-rest-of-2020/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis – https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CSUSHPINSA
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-mortgage-forbearance-what-you-need-know/
Bankrate – https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/federal-reserve-and-mortgage-rates
National Association of Realtors – https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2020-05-11-nar-flash-survey-economic-pulse-05-14-2020.pdf
Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/sites/alyyale/2020/04/17/buying-a-home-during-the-pandemic-dont-expect-your-everyday-home-purchase/#fadad3d33b0c
Washington Post – https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/21/coronavirus-secondwave-cdcdirector/

THRIVE@HOME: Clever Ideas to Engage All Ages

November 17, 2020April 6, 2020 by silverelk

Gorden & I have connected with over 200 clients and gained a large perspective on what’s happening in the majority of homes around us.

This time of year I usually publish a Spring Events Calendar to get out and enjoy festivals, sunlight and create memories together. We have always been a business couple more concerned about authentic relationships, than the transaction so we wanted to find a new way to serve you while you shelter in place. There are so many great ideas we have heard about, searched out or tried for ourselves. We hope you find one or many of these suggestions applicable to your world: Just click on any hyperlink for online access or instructions, where available.

You probably had a Summer Adventure lined up and we pray all goes as planned. For peace of mind, here are the flexible airline cancellation policies during the Coronavirus outbreak. We have lined up some ideas to keep you active and balanced through out the next month for BODY, MIND and SOUL… we pray you find at least one idea to make a fun memory while remaining socially responsible.

CHILDREN

Free Printable Worksheets

Take the work and expense out of doing school at home with a vast collection of free worksheets for kids! They not only have free worksheets, but they also have hands-on activites, printable games, and more to make learning FUN! You will find resources for all ages from toddler, pre k, kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, junior high, and more! They have a HUGE collection of school worksheets. All the free printable worksheets for kids on this site can be accessed by subject or grade level to make it easy to find exactly what you are looking for. Just be sure to scroll the very bottom of the page.

Home School Tips & FREE Resources

Trying to figure out how to homeschool and stay sane? Review tons of great articles on how to homeschool – whether you are new to the whole concept, have homeschooled several years, have a preschooler, or are diving in with a first grader 123HomeSchool4me.com can really help you structure the day for any grade.

17 Old-Fashioned Activities Kids Today Will Love

Ditch all those screens and teach your kids these classics from your childhood.

Disney Games

Featuring a lot of your favorite Disney characters, these games are not only entertaining, but super cute as well. They’re perfect for a true Disney lover who’s looking to pass the time in the most magical way possible. There are different types of games for whatever you’re looking for. If you’re someone who likes to complete puzzle after puzzle, Disney’s got you covered. There are also action games and interactive ones. Disney even has an iPhone game where you can create your very own Magic Kingdom, so it’ll be like you’re at the parks even when you’re relaxing on the couch at home. Here are all of the desktop versions.

Gateway Kids Experience

Hey parents, while weekend services are online only, we don’t want your children to miss out on connecting! You can have a fun ministry experience right from your home! Choose from our videos created weekly for each age group, birth through sixth grade. We pray this creates opportunities for your kids to grow spiritually and together as a family. These materials are best facilitated with a parent, so we encourage you to gather your family, press play, and have FUN! Check back each week to discover new lesson guides and find new videos posted here!

FAMILY FUN

DISNEY CHANNEL MOVIE DANCE TUTORIALS

High School Musical was the one that started it all with the musical movie trend on Disney Channel. From there, you got Camp Rock with the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, to the most recent, ZOMBIES 2. Watching these movies may make you want to get up and dance, so if that’s the case, here are 10 dance tutorials from different Disney Channel movies to get you going. Tag your roomie, jump on Facetime or groove with the family. Just get mooooooooving!

EXPLORATION, ART & CULTURE

Experience culture in 360˚ degrees:

Go inside the Space Shuttle in VR, Step into the Orion Nebula, Meet a Prehistoric Sea Dragon and more.

These tours — which are totally free, by the way — are made for seeing the sights on your own time, and enjoying iconic pieces of culture from the comfort of your couch. Find a museum you’ve been wanting to tour, and launch its virtual tours right away. It may just cure your wanderlust and boredom. Seeing the world is easier nowadays thanks to technology. There are the apps that help you plan out your next road trip or locate the tastiest and highly-rated eateries in the area. Most notably, though, there are tons of virtual museum tours online that’ll let you see the greatest masterpieces of all time from the comfort of your couch.

8 Virtual Museum Tours That Let You See The Sights From Your Couch

Explore paintings, sculpture and architecture in virtual reality with Google Arts & Culture.

ZOOM VIRTUAL BACKGROUNDS

Connecting after school or work is key and ZOOM has become a verb for families around the world. Design a custom background for free with Canva.com. Just Create a Design and search for Zoom Virtual Background, then upload a favorite vacation photo. Does someone in your crew love Disney? Modsys designed living spaces and bedrooms inspired after all the princess favorites. Perhaps you’ll find a room you want change the view where you shelter in place. Don’t know how to set a virtual background? Just follow these instructions and make junior, dearest or your office look spectacular! (I’m partial to sunset views on the lake, myself.)

VIRTUAL PARKS

While limiting blue screen time is healthy, we do believe you may find some adventure if you stream for the whole house to comment and plan for better days! THEME PARK SPOILER ALERT, if you’ve never been on some of these rides the experience really was made for a full 4D in-person effect. They may appear to slow or miss the high tech visuals from a recording, so if you really want to be surprised, skip this option.

Virtual Universal Orlando Rides To Stream When You Want All The Thrills At Home

Virtual Disney World Rides For Your Very Own Disney Day At Home

Exploring the great indoors has never been so good. Unlike actually going to the national parks, these tours let you experience huge mountains and dreamy hiking trails from the comfort of your couch. They don’t require you to pack a backpack with essentials like a reusable water bottle, an extra pair of sneakers, and protein-filled granola bars. It may be in your best interest to have snacks by your side while you click yourself down the dirt paths. But, that’s entirely up to you.

Virtual Tours Of National Parks For When You’re In The Great Indoors

REAL PARKS: USE TRAIL LINK!

Trails Matter More Than Ever! Fresh air and sunshine is fabulous for the soul, and the stir crazy. During these extraordinary times, more people are counting on trails to stay active and healthy. TrailLink resources are FREE to help find a trail near you! Search by location, bike trails, walking trails, hiking and let the sunshine in while maintaining a social distance. AVOID THE MELTDOWN: Plan ahead for dog friendly routes and paths that don’t lead to play parks, if you or the children (furry ones too) will be disappointed they are temporarily closed.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

KICKSTART YOUR DAY WITH STRETCHING

Depending on whether you have ample time or only 10 minutes to spare in the morning, there are a bunch of stretch tutorials that are fit for your schedule. For some of these videos, you don’t even have to leave your bed. It definitely helps to narrow down which morning stretch to try if you have a goal in mind. A simple go-to goal could be to get a quick energy boost, but you can also choose to stretch to increase your flexibility or embrace a relaxing mindset as you prepare to tackle the day.

PEACE, CALM & STRESS MANAGEMENT

Sometimes, the stress that comes with your daily responsibilities, jam-packed schedule, or important work projects can be all too real. When you want to hit the refresh button, you might have a yoga routine that works wonders, or you may soak in the bath with a cup of tea and juicy read. You can also launch one of the best meditation apps on your phone. These apps can bring zen into your life, and help you understand what’s going on in your mind. With animated videos, calming sounds, and some guided exercises, they can ground you and give you helpful tools to use throughout your day. They may coach you on how to take a proper deep breath, or how to find peace at the beginning of your day, before having breakfast and brewing a hot cup of coffee. They may also ask what’s going on in your life, and allow you to thoughtfully reflect on your friendships, relationships, and interactions.

SMOOTHIE BOWLS

Snacks that are delicious and Instagram-worthy are your jam. When you see a decked-out cheese board or colorful smoothie bowl on your feed, you can’t help but turn your phone to your roomie and say, “We have to make this.” Smoothie bowls, in particular, are incredibly tasty and will leave you feeling bright, happy, and nourished. Watch a few smoothie bowl tutorials on YouTube, then head to your kitchen and make one for yourself. They’ll bring you into the kitchens of influencers and a few fitness lovers, and teach you how to combine frozen mango, rich-colored dragonfruit, and cashew milk to create a one-of-a-kind snack. Not to mention, they’ll coach you on how to perfectly sprinkle coconut shreds and flax seeds on top of your smoothie bowl for the ideal pic. If you have some spare time, watch these 10 smoothie bowl tutorials and then whip up your own. They look so delicious from beginning to end.

DATE NIGHT

Disney World Fireworks Shows On YouTube

There’s no better way to end a magical day than with a fireworks show, and Disney knows that. Add in your favorite songs from Disney movies, and you’ve got a spectacular show that’s sure to make your heart burst and eyes water with happy tears. You don’t even need a park ticket, and forget having to camp out in front of Cinderella’s castle to snag the perfect spot. Just stream and dream.

FaceTime Date Night Ideas

When you’re in a relationship, any kind of distance can be tough. You’d rather be next to the person you love, laughing and cuddling with them on the couch. It becomes #necessary to plan nights when you can talk on the phone and put these FaceTime date night ideas to good use. These date nights will make you forget about the miles between you and focus on making new memories. They’ll bring you two together and give you a chance to do all of your favorite things. Maybe you love watching TV shows, or having photo shoots with them in your free time. All of that is still possible, including those romantic dinners and kitchen dance parties, thanks to the technology and apps built into your phone.

BestLife.com/Relationships

If you seek to find balance, gain confidence, lower your stress, advance in your career, be smarter with your money, build the home of your dreams, nurture your best relationships, live longer, and look and feel better than ever before, look no further! You’re ready to live your Best Life. In addition to the most cutting-edge and expert-backed smarter living advice in the categories of wellness, health, relationships, travel, and more, Best Life is also the web’s premier destination for positive, feel-good news. From the day’s hottest viral content that everyone is talking about to the most important scientific breakthroughs, Best Life is the ultimate news source for health-minded readers who want to improve and challenge themselves every single day.

Marriage Today Real Resources

A better marriage is possible! We believe that, with the right information and a mutual commitment to success, even the most unhealthy relationships can be healed. In the categories on the website, you’ll find resources to begin that process of restoration and growth. During the next few months, these resources are free to help families overcome, heal and find

INSPIRATION

UNITE714.COM

Untold thousands of believers are also praying the same prayer at 7:14 each morning and night. Pastors, leaders, churches, and individuals from around the globe are joining together — with one heart, one voice, and one prayer — to see the pandemic halted, lives healed, hardships mitigated, people come to Christ, and an outpouring of God’s Spirit. Let’s unite together across denominational, network, national, and ethnic lines. Let’s gather with one heartbeat — to unite and focus our eyes on God, seek His help and healing, and believe for an awakening in every nation. God promises in 2 Chronicles 7:14, that when we humble ourselves, unite in prayer and seek His face, He will hear us, He will speak, He will forgive, and He will heal our lands. Thousands of churches are joining in one united prayer during church services.

LOOKING FOR HOPE?

Does all of the news lately cause you to lose sleep or feel anxious, wondering what’s next?

This is not The End: Pastor Jimmy Evans shares a message to help us understand the times we’re living in and how to walk through them with hope and faith.

Peace, not Fear: Pastor Robert Morris shares a timely and encouraging message about how you can have peace during a time of crisis.

I’m Still Scared: Pastor Stephen Furtick addresses perspective on protection and the raw emotions many are facing during the pandemic.

LIFE CHALLENGES

There are some very difficult moments we are missing by sheltering in place and just willing yourself to get over it, isn’t healthy. While there are lots of resources available, often it can be overwhelming. If you, or someone you adore, has suffered a personal loss or is struggling to move forward and dream again here are just a few TED TALKS and interviews from real people to help aim you, inspire you and soothe the heart.

Resilient Grieving:A growing body of research has revealed our capacity for resilient grieving, our innate ability to respond to traumatic loss by finding ways to grow—by becoming more engaged with our lives, and discovering new, profound meaning. How to Figure Out What You Really Want: Overcoming trauma, fear and searching for new hope in a harsh reality. Exploring what brings you joy, finding clarity and avoiding perfection. How To Motivate Yourself to Change Your Behavior: Research that shows how emotion, motivation, and social factors influence our expectations, decisions, and memories. Discover three ingredients to doing what’s good for yourself. Detoxing Your Mind: Dr. Caroline Leaf is a world-renowned cognitive neuroscientist, author, and speaker. In this interview, she reveals how to practically stop toxic thoughts and rewrite the way we think.

Most importantly:

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Even with all of the tools and technology available to keep us connected, many of us are still feeling stressed, scared, and isolated. However, you can rest assured that you are not alone. We’re not only here to help you buy and sell real estate. We want to be a resource to our clients and community through good times and bad. If you and your family are in need of assistance, please reach out and ask us know how we can help. Our community connections run deep and your “need” may be the very answer to prayer for the small business owners or furloughed talent we can arrange to bless you both.

We’re here for you.

Kemberly & Gorden

#BuildingRelationships #GuidingYouHome #InvestingInDreams

www.SilverElkRealty.com

Kemberly McLaughlin“Building Relationships & Investing in Dreams.” At Silver Elk Realty we are blessed to work together as married, and licensed sales agents… you get both of us on every sale and our goal is to Guide You Home! Real Estate is about relationships
and change management is an art. We are fully dedicated to serving our clients before, during and especially after each purchase & sale. Gorden is our lead agent & master negotiator. Kemberly sets up private tours, coordinates staging, marketing & client care programs.Our SILVER STAR experience includes: Genuine Care, Effective Communication, Exceptional Education, and 100% Commitment to Your Goals.

Feel free to visit our company page www.SilverElkRealty.com to learn more about us and read our reviews.

We would love to meet you & support you with a strategic plan to Guide YOU Home.

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