Home Life

You want your pets to be healthy and happy, and part of that means monitoring their health throughout their life. Your dog’s health might deteriorate due to age or illness, so it’s important to keep an eye on your canine friend’s medical needs.

You may take your dog regularly to the vet for checkups, but there are some situations that warrant a trip to an emergency veterinarian Palm Harbor FL. Make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice any of the signs listed below.

1. Excessive Thirst

If your dog has started drinking much more water than usual and you feel like you refill the water bowl constantly, it could be a sign of diabetes or kidney disease. Address this concern with your veterinarian right away, especially if your dog starts exhibiting other concerning symptoms.

2. Overly Tired

Lethargy is one common sign that something could be wrong with your dog. If your pet seems uninterested in going for walks, playing, or interacting with you, reach out to your veterinarian, especially if this behavior lasts for more than a few days. Note that increased lethargy can sometimes occur because of high temperatures or sore muscles, so use your judgment if you think your dog could use a trip to the veterinarian.

3. Vomiting

Vomiting is not unusual for dogs if it only happens occasionally, as dogs will typically vomit after eating something they shouldn’t have. However, if your dog vomits several times in a row, starts vomiting blood, or runs a fever in conjunction with consistent vomiting, you need to get your furry friend to the veterinarian as soon as you can.

4. Sudden Weight Loss

In most dogs, losing weight unexpectedly and quickly with no alterations to exercise and diet indicates a concerning health problem. Bring this issue up to your vet if your pet’s body weight drops by more than 10 percent.

The coronavirus has impacted Americans’ lives in every way. Those who used to work in an office setting probably work from home now. Those who have planned to travel prior to the pandemic, have probably moved it to a later date and now, they must’ve saved more funds for that plan.

But, if you have lingered on the thought of selling or buying a house—well, it has been unclear what should be done under the current health crisis.

The response of the housing market has drastically changed the processes of selling and buying a house. Open houses were canceled and people are left scratching their heads. Whether you have bought many times now or it’s your first time, you must have unlikely faced a situation like this in the past.

You may have already decided to put your plans of buying on hold or have pulled out your house from the market, but if you are in dire need to move, here are the 5 things you should keep in mind:

1. Mortgage rates are currently unstable.

Mortgage interest rates are constantly changing these days. The Federal Reserve has already lowered the rate two times this year. This in turn decreased interest rates in credit cards and savings accounts. Inevitably, mortgage rates should be lower too, right?

Long-term loans like 15-year and 30-year mortgages may not be directly influenced by the Fed’s changes in rates, but it still responds accordingly. While short-term loans are directly affected by the actions Fed takes.

Mortgage rates directly affect the demand in the market. When mortgages are low, the demand tends to go high, like in March when refinancing applications went very high because of the sudden drop in mortgage rates.

Low mortgage rates generally indicate that the economy is struggling. But during this unprecedented situation, mortgage rates are constantly changing caused by high market volatility. It is recommended that consumers remain flexible as the rates change.

2. Start the process as quickly as you can.

Home buying process takes time. It is best that you talk to your lender and get started immediately with the process. The surge in refinancing applications is not the only reason why the process is slow. Many employees are now working from home which contributes to slower response.

It’s not just the lending that is slowing down, appraisals too, since the process involves the appraiser to physically visit the property and quarantine is preventing them from going out and viewing homes.

If you are aiming to buy a house and move on a later date, you might want to get started contacting your real estate broker and lender now.

3. Utilize technology—video and virtual tours.

With the cancellation of open houses and home viewings, many companies are resorting to technology for help to ease the process.

Now, you can do a video call with an agent as he shows you around the house remotely—you can check the parts of the house, the kitchen, bedrooms, toilets, and others.

Other companies also offer 3-D models that you can tour as if you are in a game.

These technologies have been around for quite a few years now, but with the social-distancing, utilization of these virtual helps is becoming a trend. It provides convenience to people checking out homes in the market while still in the comforts of their homes.

4. Go for a real estate broker who takes this current health crisis seriously.

During this COVID-19 global pandemic when things and practices have drastically changed for the time being, it’s better to work with a broker who understands the situation, takes it seriously, and goes beyond his duties to serve you in these unique times that require such.

While many parts of the process require personal interaction, it is best to find a real estate broker who makes things easier for you, like maybe closing a home remotely if it’s possible.

5. Choose a direct investor.

On the other hand, if you have been planning to sell your home and were itching to move and need fast cash, the best thing you can do is sell your property to a direct investor. They are likewise called the iBuyers. What they do is they offer free consultation and provide you a no-obligation offer in just minutes!

Should you arrive in agreement with their fair written offer, they can close as fast as 7 days or you can choose your close date and they can work around your schedule. Contact one now at Candid Property Solutions – a reputable “we buy houses Los Angeles” company. They helped many people all throughout the years. Who knows, they can help you, too.

The coronavirus has impacted every aspect of people’s lives all over the world—including the real estate industry.

With the government’s effort to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 infection, social distancing and stay-at-home orders were imposed resulting in limited movement. Can you buy a house during this difficult time? Of course, yes!

How Government’s Safety Measures Affect the Process

Social distancing is intended to put at least 6 feet distance between yourself and the others to lessen, if not completely eliminate, the spread of the virus. Now you don’t go around walking with a measuring tool to make sure you are at a safe 6ft. distance from another person that is why stay-at-home order was also implemented. Following that are the closing of businesses offering non-essential services resulting in a lot of non-critical workers being laid off from their jobs? Events were also canceled and home schooling was encouraged.

Since buying and selling a house involves much face-to-face interactions and physical viewings, the current situation has proved to be a challenge to the process. Open houses were cancelled and meetings are being done virtually. Companies are also finding alternatives to perform appraisals and closings safely.

More than all of that, the buyers and sellers perceptions toward the situation is what matters most. They are scared to go out, deal with other people, and possibly contract the disease, then bring it to their homes, and infect their other family members.

The Positive and Negative Sides of This Trying Time in the Housing Market

• Advantages

It is likely that there is less competition in the market both for buyers and sellers. If you are selling, you are probably going to have more attention to your house than what you expect. If you are buying, you get less competition for your offer and get a better deal in negotiating the price and the closing date.

Also, the low mortgage rate right now is something that buyers would want to take advantage of. The unforeseeable time frame of businesses shut down signals that the record low mortgage rates are going to stay for a while.

• Disadvantages

Selling a house could become a painful process during this time. The buying interest has fallen and sellers tend to pull out their house from the market and wait until the situation is back to normal.

On the other hand, buyers who were laid off from their jobs may find it difficult to qualify for their loan. Also, even if buyers have steady jobs still, they are not likely to jump on a purchase without physically seeing the property.

Here are some critical questions you may have in mind:

• Can you get a mortgage in the midst of this health crisis?

Yes. It may actually be the best time to get a mortgage while the rates are record low. Fortunately, most of the processes getting one can be done online. But of course, you should also consider your current and future financial capabilities before deciding to get a mortgage because it is not a game you can quit anytime—it’s going to tie you up to years of debt responsibility.

• Can you get an appraisal and inspection in the midst of this health crisis?

This could be challenging because getting an appraisal and inspection requires physical visits to the property. But that is not totally impossible—some loans allow “dive-by,” or exterior appraisals and other loans are waiving inspections.

However, if it is possible for you to get your house inspected, do so. Because an inspector can easily spot red flags which will affect the value of your property. Waiving inspection before going through the process would be a risky move.

• Can you close a house in the midst of this health crisis?

Difficult but very possible. Electronic signature and online notarization of documents are a trend now. Other states also impose alternatives to have the documents signed—like meeting in person still while following the social distancing and sanitizing hands often during the process.

The Huge Role of Technology

Much of the processes now are being done with the help of technology—from virtual house viewings, 3D tours, house tours with robots, video calls, to utilization of e-signatures and online notarization of required documents. That is why, it is important for you to understand how they work and adapt as quickly as you can.

Things You Need To Remember…

Buying or selling a house largely depends on your confidence toward the current situation. There certainly are advantages of buying or selling a house, but you also have to bear in mind the challenges along the way. If you feel like those challenges are something you can work around with and resolve, then go ahead and take advantage of this situation to get a head start. Just make sure that you are dealing with a home buying company that is fair and honest. We recommend Mrs. Property Solutions. They offer cash for houses Los Angeles for quite some time now. You can trust them especially if you need to sell your house fast Los Angeles.

 

If you think the only way to avoid those expensive dry cleaning bills was to have your own dry cleaner assembly, you are mistaken. Depending on the needs of each garment, you may be able to take care of the problem with household items. Find multiple uses for your home staples while saving money. Who doesn’t want to do that?

Clean Delicate Fabrics

Sometimes it seems easier to send delicate fabrics like wool or silk to the cleaners rather than risk ruining them. Use mesh laundry bags to keep clothes from rubbing against each other. Wash them on the delicate cycle in warm, not hot, water with a special detergent made for fragile fabrics. You can add an additional layer of protection by turning the items inside out before putting them in the bags.

Treat Spots

If you have a cotton dress or dress shirt that has a spot on it, don’t waste a trip to the dry cleaner. Take a spray bottle with isopropyl alcohol and wet the stain, no rubbing necessary. It will not only disappear, but it also won’t leave a ring where the alcohol was.

Refresh Wrinkled Items

Wearing an item one time doesn’t necessarily mean it needs a full dry cleaning. If it is otherwise clean and fresh-smelling, get our your garment steamer. The wrinkles will fall right out. If you don’t own a steamer, use your iron on the steam setting with an ironing cloth. No one will ever know that you didn’t just pick it up from the neighborhood cleaners.

Prevent Stains Before They Start

Perspiration is the number one stain that most people have problems with on white shirts. It is a shame when you have a perfectly good shirt that just has yellow spots under the arms. The answer: spray your new white shirts with a solution that is 50% vinegar and 50% water before you wear them. The technique is supposed to keep your shirts from ever staining. Now you can say cheers with your red wine without worries.

Make Your Dryer a Dry Cleaner

Use specially made dryer bags to dry clean your clothes in your dryer. If you have something that is not washable but needs to be cleaned, you can try this at-home treatment from Dryel. The bags already have the cleaning agent inside, and it works with the heat of your dryer to freshen your clothes without the expensive price tag or the time to wait for them to be ready.

Want to give your living room a stylish makeover? Here are three simple tips that will transform your living room from bland to brilliant in no time!

1. Create a Focal Point

Increase the style and sophistication of your living room by creating a dynamic focal point. A focal point can be anything from a dynamic piece of art to an impressive chandelier. Paint your mantle an unexpected color to contrast with the walls of the room. Most homeowners choose to make the fireplace the focal point of the living room. Install a new mantle Complete the look by including a decorative fire screen to add some visual interest to the fireplace.

2. Adjust the Color

To give your space a fresh new look, apply a new coat of paint to the walls and trim. Choose a soothing color palette – tones of blue, white and grey are ideal. If you don’t want to tackle a large painting project, consider painting one of the walls in the room to create an accent wall. Hang pictures, mirrors and lighting on this wall to turn it into a thoughtfully designed centerpiece for your living room.

3. Add a Rug

You don’t have to go to great lengths to give your living room a whole new look. Sometimes, all it takes is a new rug to transform the room. As you choose your rug, pick a color and pattern that will work well with the overall aesthetic of your room, but don’t be afraid to get adventurous with texture. You could even layer two rugs to give the room some dimension in pattern and color.

Your living room is the heart of your home, so make some design choices to give it a whole new look. By following these tips, you’ll have a more stylish living room that your whole family will enjoy!

Your driveway is an essential part of your curb appeal. The wear and tear of your vehicle on it as well as the weather can crack and warp it. Asphalt is one option you should consider. Here are a few benefits of this material.

Durability

One benefit of having residential asphalt south bend in is that it is more flexible than other materials. It is less likely to crack or chip. It does have to be sealed about once a year to maintain it, but if you do it will stay structurally sound. It has a smooth surface that looks professional with the rest of your property.

Long-Lasting

An asphalt driveway can survive for ten to twenty years before it needs to be replaced. The length of this depends on how well you care for it, how much abuse it takes, and whether you have to contend with temperature changes and snow. This makes it one of the longest living materials that driveways are made off.

Budget

Asphalt comes in between gravel and concrete as far as cost goes. Since it is more durable than gravel and can last about as long as concrete, it is more economical in the long run. It is inexpensive to maintain which will extend its life. The labor to install the driveway is also affordable.

Quick Installation

If the weather is ideal, you can have a new driveway in a day or two if you go with asphalt. A steamroller presses the material flat then it is heat-treated. While concrete needs to sit untouched for a long period of time while it cures, asphalt is ready to go once the seal is applied. You can also add fun patterns into the material for an attractive accent that looks great with your house and landscape.