Small businesses are the backbone of our country’s economy, and many of them–namely in the food service industry–are hurting right now. What can individuals do to help them now? Don’t think of it as helping a business stay open but helping friends and neighbors during a time of crisis! 

• Do you already have a monthly purchase at a local boutique or a pedicure in your budget?  Go ahead and call them and buy a gift certificate/card/credit in that same amount. Using it for the future would be great, but once everything is back to normal, give the gift card to someone else, and continue your normal shopping with the store. 
• If those same establishments have their own merchandise, why not buy a t-shirt, mug or car sticker along with your gift card purchase? 
• If it’s allowed, order takeout from your favorite restaurants, whether it’s lunch or dinner. Many eateries are bundling dishes into family meals and offering curbside delivery, making it easier for you to order. 
• Some local businesses have online shopping available; if so, do your shopping that way. Most business owners are certain that everything is handled properly and will offer shipping or pick-up at the door. 

• Leave a review for your favorites at any online review site, business Facebook page, or other social media. Everyone needs the encouragement, plus, it helps others decide whether to do business with the establishment in the future. 
• Don’t forget your local produce stands and farmers’ markets! Grocery store chains must wait for deliveries, so if they’re out of your favorite lettuce, call around to the local stands to see what’s available. 

Many businesses are offering free shipping for online orders and are making it easier to shop via social media. It may take some creativity, but we can all do our best and do our part to help our local businesses, our local economies, and our neighbors. 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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For many, that popular buzz phrase can be changed around to fit the current situation! If you’re suddenly working from home and have kids doing their schooling long-distance, it could be a challenge getting into a routine and staying put.  How can we keep cabin fever away? Follow these tips so you can keep calm and carry on: 

• Following a general routine is best for good mental health, especially with children in the home. Have a set time to wake up, have meals, etc., because it takes away any what-comes-next anxiety. 
• Working in your yard or garden can be great therapy, believe it or not. The physical activity increases your mood, too, and getting the kids involved helps them as well. 
• Clean house! A cluttered, dirty home can affect your mood, so put on some upbeat music, grab the dust mop, and get to work! 

• When you dread doing something, the best stress-reliever is getting it over with.  So, if a junky closet or pantry has you in stress-mode, dive in, clean it up and get it organized. 
• Keep in (distant) touch:  don’t neglect relationships just because you can’t physically be together. Instead of texting, give friends and family a call and talk for a few minutes. 
• Add a long bath to your schedule! Soak your cares away in a leisurely bath, complete with those bath salts and soaks that have been sitting at the back of your bathroom closet since the holidays. 
• Laugh! Stream-watch your favorite comedy shows or play a fun game with the kids. 

Remember–if you aren’t required by any government entity to isolate yourself, this isn’t a period of solitary confinement. Get out–keeping your distance–walk the dog, ride bikes or just play outside with the kids, shop for necessities only, and talk on the phone with friends and family. Taking care of you and yours, physically as well as mentally, is the best peace of mind anyone can have. 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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The Windermere Real Estate Market Trends Report shows the average sales price was $650,893 in March 2020 compared to $627,258 in March 2019. Homes were on the market for an average of 78 days, compared to 66 last year. Homes sold for 97% of the list price.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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The Kissimmee Real Estate Market Trends Report for 34741 shows 53 homes sold in March 2020 down from 56 in March 2019. The average sales price was $186,904 compared to $219,506 in March 2019 and homes were on the market an average of 50 days, compared to 56 days in March 2019.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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The Celebration Real Estate Market Trends Report for 34747 shows 132 homes sold in March 2020 compared to 130 in March 2019. The average sales price was $363,946 compared to $306,965 in March 2019 and homes were on the market an average of 74 days, compared to 83 days in March 2019.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Not all housekeeping habits are good habits, especially things that we think save us time or money.  Since it’s nearly Spring-cleaning season, turn over a few new leaves to make sure your home is reflecting your good efforts to keep it clean. Let these tips get you on your way: 

• Dirty Dishes Leaving unwashed dishes in the sink is not only the perfect equation for bacteria, but an invitation for insects. If you’re not washing dishes daily, rinse them and place them in the dishwasher. 
• Dry Dusting  The best way to remove dust, dirt and allergens is dampening a microfiber cloth with a mixture of water and castile soap. Save the furniture polish for polishing. 
• Towels and Washcloths Hanging towels and wet washcloths to dry instead of piling them in a basket or (worse!) on the floor before laundering will inhibit the growth of bacteria and mildew. 

• Cleaning Solution Directions Using too much or too little cleaning product is simply a waste of your time and money. If something is especially dirty, using more than the recommended amount can just attract more dirt over time. Repeat the application or add some elbow grease instead of too much detergent. 
• Dirty Cleaning Tools Rinse mops and allow to dry completely or use washable mop pads to stop bacteria growth. Vacuum cleaner filters should be kept clean or replaced.  Your broom can even use a dip and swish in hot water and detergent, rinse, and dry. 
• Vacuum Last Our grandmothers have taught us to dust last while doing chores, but most cleaning experts suggest vacuuming last, as what dust you’ve stirred up will fall to the floor, and the vacuum will clean it all up. 
• Procrastinating Waiting until mold appears on the leftovers in the fridge or the ceiling fan blades get fluffy with dust just causes more work for you. Check leftover food regularly and throw it out and clean your fan once per month. Allowing cleaning jobs to go unchecked simply causes you to have to work harder and could make your home unsafe. 

No matter what your schedule is, take a few hours each week to set a housekeeping routine, and stick to it! Your home should be your personal haven, and having a cluttered, dirty home is not going to give you much peace.  Get the family involved, assign age-appropriate chores, and you’ll soon break those bad housekeeping habits. 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Unless you’re paying cash for a new home, there will be more than just you, your real estate agent, the seller and their agent involved in the process. Appraisers, lenders, inspectors are just a few of the professionals you’ll come across, and it will relieve some stress on your part if you know ahead of time who they are and what part they’ll play during your house hunt. 

• Mortgage lenders in order to be adequately prepared to begin looking for a new house, you should be pre-approved. It’s best if you look at a few different lenders in order to find the best loan, so before you go, see what the balance recommends for finding the right mortgage for you. 
• Real Estate Agents The agent you choose to assist you on your new home search is extremely important, as they will be your resource and constant contact throughout the home-buying process. In most transactions, there will be a listing agent representing the sellers, but it’s unlikely you’ll be meeting them. 
• Appraiser Your lender wants to be certain that the house you want to buy is worth what the seller is asking and will have a home appraisal done by a qualified person.  Learn more about what’s involved with the appraisal from realtor.com®. 

• Home Inspector Once your offer has been accepted, it’s in your best interest to hire an inspector to go over your prospective new home.  You don’t want any surprises with structural issues or mold or insect infestation after you have the keys in hand. Call a few before you decide who to hire, and ask these important questions when you contact them. 
• Homeowners Insurance Agent This agent should be familiar to you, as you already have auto or even renter’s insurance. Most insurance companies offer a discount for having more than one policy with them, and it may be an easy fit to go with your current company. Don’t let that stop you from shopping around for better rates, however. 
• Real Estate Attorney Many states require you to hire an attorney, as they will go over all the documents, handle funds, and perform the title search, to name a few of their jobs during the home sale process. Find out why it’s always a good idea to have a real estate attorney, whether it’s the law or an option. 
• Title Insurer  In case there are any questions about the sale of the home being legitimate (no liens, family feuds, etc.), you’ll need title insurance, and in most cases, the lender or attorney will already have that lined up. 
• Mortgage Servicer Sometimes, a lender will sell your loan to a mortgage servicer, and you will be notified if that happens. Learn the difference between a lender and a servicer at Investopedia.  

Not all of these will be involved in your situation, and you may come across another professional or service during your experience.  Every one of them, however, is important for a smooth transaction, protecting you and your largest investment. 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Schools are closing for (hopefully) short periods all over the country, businesses are closing temporarily, and more people are staying put at home.  It’s hard not to be anxious during this time of uncertainty but staying home shouldn’t be a bad thing! Relieve some of the extra stress with any of these distractions for the kids, and yourself! 

Ideas for the Kids   

• First and foremost, be certain you have some schoolwork time. Teachers and school administrators across the country are doing their best to keep your children learning, whether through online access or hard-copy work being sent home.  If having a designated area becomes tedious, allow them to make a work area on the floor, in a homemade tent, outside in the backyard–it doesn’t matter where it’s done, so long as they work on their assignments. 
• If you have a book lover and can’t get to the library, check out these free read-aloud sites: Storyline Online is sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild, and you’ll find the likes of Betty White reading Harry the Dirty Dog;  Barnes & Noble has nineteen children’s classics; We Are Teachers has author read-aloud and activities for up to middle-school ages. 

• You don’t have to be stuck inside–teach children the joy of old school games like Mother May I?, Simon Says, Red Light Green Light, hide and seek, and good old tag are all great games to play that you can participate in, and help the kids (and maybe you, too!) release some pent-up energy. Fatherly has some great ideas to play when you must be inside. 
• Fun science experiments with common household items can be fun for everyone! 
• When nerves start getting frazzled, the younger kids will like Cosmic Kids Yoga videos on YouTube. 

Tips for the Grown-Ups 

• According to RescueTime, we are only truly productive for 2.8 hours per day. Taking that into consideration if you’re having to work from home, break up your work and the children’s learning time into two 90-minute periods, or three one-hour periods.   
• Practicing social distancing simply means you’re not going out to public places, nor are you spending time with friends and family. Need to go for a jog? It’s fine! Need some reading time in the sunshine? Use your backyard or balcony!  
• Start Spring cleaning, get the garden ready, or get to those little DIY jobs you’ve been putting off! 
• Have you been wanting to learn a skill, like watercolor, knitting, or something else you can do at home? Look for instructional videos on YouTube and get started–you have no excuse! 
• Check on your neighbors. If you can call them or text them, do; in the case of an elderly neighbor that lives alone, leave a note in their mailbox or taped to their front door with your phone number, asking them to call if there’s anything they need, even if it’s just to talk. 

We must keep in mind that “This too, shall pass.” Some days will be harder than others during the next few weeks, but with a good attitude, and that adage in mind, you will get through. Stay connected to friends and family and remind yourself that you’re simply keeping yourself and your family members as safe as you can in uncertain times! 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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When interest rates drop, many who are still paying a mortgage start thinking about refinancing their home. Other reasons why they choose to refinance; the desire to change to a fixed rate, debt consolidation, or hoping to lower their monthly payments. While all of these are good, sound reasons to refinance, they all have pros and cons.  

• Lowering your interest rate can save money. It will not save much if you’ve already been paying on your home for several years, however, especially if you refinance with a 30-year mortgage. Investopedia says that going for the new rate is a good idea if you can reduce your rate by 2%. 
• When credit card debt is included in a debt consolidation refinance, homeowners risk losing their home for unsecured debt if they cannot keep up the payments. Credit counseling would be a better step to take first if you are considering debt consolidation to pay off credit cards. 
• Refinancing to lower your monthly payment sounds great until you realize that a lower payment only comes with a longer pay-back term and paying more interest in the end. 

• Let’s say you’re making more money and would like to shorten the term of your mortgage by having a higher monthly payment. Nerdwallet suggests that you ask yourself a few questions, then decide if you should refinance or just pay more on your current loan every month. 
• Has your credit score gone up? If so, find out if you can get a better interest rate as a result. Again, be sure you’ll be saving money in the end before you sign the dotted line. 
• You can turn your home’s equity into cash with a cash-out refinance, and if the money is needed for some home improvements or investing, it may be a better way to get the cash. The drawback comes in when the return on investment doesn’t work out, and the equity in the home is lost. 

Closely examining your reasons and goals for refinancing will help you make this decision. Don’t forget to factor in closing costs and other refinancing fees. These can add up, just like when the house was first purchased, and may not be much of a savings at all when it’s all said and done. 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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The Kissimmee Real Estate Market Trends Report for 34741 shows 47 homes sold in February 2020 up from 46 in February 2019. The average sales price was $213,467 compared to $186,125 in February 2019 and homes were on the market an average of 41 days, compared to 46 days in February 2019.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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