The Real Estate Beat

The Importance of a Health Care Directive

Hello Caton Team Friends,

A few friends have recently me asked about Health Care Directives. Though as Realtors we cannot advise on matters beyond Real Estate – I am reposting this article from the Mayo Clinic.

Real Estate means homes and home is where the heart is. I thought I would share this article and one on the importance of Trusts from Bankrate HERE.

Creating Your Advance Directive

Imagine if you were too sick or injured to express your health care wishes. Who would you want to make those decisions and guide your care? An advance directive is a legal document that allows you to express your end of life, health care wishes ahead of time.

Everyone over the age of 18 should have an advance directive on file. People often think they are too healthy to have an advance directive. The reality is that none of us know the future and at any moment, something could happen to us where we become incapable of making decisions for ourselves.

An advance directive has two parts. Since this is your document, you can complete the form in its entirety or you can complete only certain questions. The most important section to be completed is the first part in which you name an agent. This section of the document allows you to designate a person or persons whom you trust and who would be willing to represent your wishes in the event you need someone to make decisions on your behalf. This person(s) is called your health care power of attorney (POA).

The second part of the document is called the living will. It allows individuals to express their thoughts relating to care intended to prolong life. People can choose to accept or refuse medical care commonly related to dialysis, resuscitation, breathing machines and tube feedings. It is also possible to express your wishes related to organ and tissue donation. This part of the form is the most difficult because it causes people to really reflect on their values and beliefs on end-of-life treatment. Some people find it difficult to think about how they would like to die. Therefore, this part of the form often poses the biggest barrier in completing the advance directive.

Once you have completed your advance directive, it must be made legal. This can be done by having it notarized or having it signed by two witnesses, who are not your power of attorney. After it is legal, you should give a copy to your doctor, power of attorney and family.

This document is an important part of your medical record. Some of the choices you may put in your directive are:

The person you want to be your health agent and make decisions about your health care for you.
Your goals, values and preferences about health care.
The types of medical treatment you want or don’t want.
Where you would like to receive care.
Instructions about treatments such as artificial nutrition and hydration, CPR, and dialysis.
Donation of organs, tissues and eyes.
Funeral arrangements.

Next steps:

Review and complete the Advance Health Care Planning: Making Your Wishes Known Booklet.
Complete An Advance Health Care Directive Form. Have it notarized or signed by two witnesses who are not your power of attorney.
Give a copy to your doctor, power of attorney and family.
If necessary, complete a Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form. For more information about this form, visit the POLST page.
Visit our Community Resources page for contact information if you have any questions along the way.

I read this article from The Mayo Clinic HERE

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5 Annoying Work-From-Home Habits You Need To Stop Doing Right Now

5 Annoying Work-From-Home Habits You Need To Stop Doing Right Now

We Realtors know how to work from home, our office, our car, the coffee shop – sharing this article in hopes it helps you…

Many freelancers (like me) and telecommuters have long reveled in the pleasures of working from home (in all-day sweats no less). But now that the novel coronavirus has many more of us clocking our 9-to-5s from a home office or our dining table/work desk, it’s pretty clear that we could all do with a crash course on a few WFH rules.

By “rules,” we’re talking about etiquette—silent, subtle laws that are rarely stated, but are nonetheless crucial to doing a good job (and keeping that job, we might add).

What’s more, a lot of this WFH etiquette is fairly new, due to the latest technical advances for remote work. For instance, while video calls are one of the key ways to stay connected, how you behave on them can have a huge impact on how you come across to co-workers—and your boss, too.

So whether you’re a WFH veteran or an office worker adjusting to the new normal, here’s a rundown on six WFH habits that could be rubbing your co-workers the wrong way—plus some fixes that’ll keep you in good standing no matter where you work.

1. Turning off your camera during videoconferences

During videoconferences, we understand how it can feel a bit invasive to have your office mates take a gander at you, in nonwork attire, in your home. Still, if you’re wondering whether you can keep your PJs on and shut off the camera, the answer is no.

“We only take in 7% of what is communicated to us via words alone,” says Peter Arvai, founder and CEO of presentation software firm Prezi. “The rest is tone, voice, and body language.”

Showing your face will help convey that you’re paying attention, avoid miscommunications, and keep goodwill flowing.

At the very least, check in with your employer to see his or her preference for video meetings.

“All our meetings take place on Google Hangouts, but cameras aren’t necessary,” says Bart Turczynski, editor at ResumeLab. But every supervisor is different, so when in doubt, ask.

Of course, not everyone is comfortable on camera.

“It takes some people time to get used to looking at their face up close on a computer screen,” says Jennifer Osterholt, a strategic marketing consultant who helps small businesses. If you’re really uncomfortable, ease into video meetings by chatting with friends first.

2. Commenting on people’s home offices

On a videoconference you may see a new side to your co-workers—think a Smurf action figure collection on a bookcase. But refrain from commenting on anyone’s surroundings.

“A home office should still be treated as an office, which means you should communicate professionally,” advises Courtney Keene, a director of operations at MyRoofingPal, an online marketplace that connects people with home improvement contractors. “Plus, people should be understanding that not everyone has the perfect workspace at home.”

This is especially true of people who don’t work from home regularly.

“So long as employees are remaining professional and on task, managers should definitely avoid personal comments about their workspace,” says Keene.

3. Chronic lateness due to ‘technical problems’

We know, technical difficulties can trip up even the best of us. But to always be late because you’re fumbling to get the sound on or toggle to presentation mode doesn’t shine well on you, either.

So if you need extra time, “log on before the official start time of a virtual meeting,” says Osterholt. “I think proper etiquette and respect for other’s schedules means you plan to be at meetings a few minutes early.”

If you’re a videoconference newbie, log on even earlier.

“I encourage people with technical questions to log on 15 minutes early,” says Osterholt.

4. Eating and other disruptions during calls

Maybe you could snack on a few cashews in a meeting around a large conference table, but on video chats, it’s a lot more intimate—listeners can hear your every crunch.

“No one should be eating,” says Arvai. “It’s a disruption.”

One way to keep such disruptions to a minimum is to use your mute button liberally whenever you aren’t required to talk, which helps eliminate background noise so that whoever’s speaking can be heard clearly.

Another problem with video calls is when numerous people are talking at the same time.

“During a video or phone call with multiple parties, ensure that you avoid talking over one another,” advises Christian Giordano, president of Mancini Duffy, an architecture firm based in New York.

To keep this from happening, be cognizant of how much time you’re eating up. Speakers should start by saying, “I’m going to make the next two points” to cue others as to when they can chime in.

For professionals with children at home, the occasional kid disruption is bound to happen during a virtual meeting.

“There are occasional disturbances for people with kids, but that’s natural, and the whole team understands,” says Saurabh Jindalstartup of travel app Talk Travel.

5. Not keeping regular office hours

You may find when you’re working from home that you’re most productive from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. That’s fine—just make sure you’re also available as needed during regular work hours, and that you respond to your boss or colleague’s emails or DMs promptly.

“The whole of my team is now supposed to check in on Slack no later than at 9:30 a.m.,” says Turczynski. “This is when employees can state what they’ve accomplished the day before and their plans for the day.”

Remember—when working from home, employees can run the risk of seeming like they’re slacking off. So, it’s best to err on the side of being highly available during work hours to earn everyone’s trust.

By Margaret Heidenry | Mar 25, 2020

I read this article HERE

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The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

NO FOOLING – Forgivable Small Business Loans to Bring Relief

Forgivable Small Business Loans to Bring Relief

The U.S. Small Business Administration is gearing up for what’s being called an “unprecedented” level of funding soon to be available under the new Paycheck Protection Program.

Sole proprietors, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and self-employed individuals who are struggling to pay their bills due to the shutdowns and stay-in-place orders aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus are all eligible for a small-business loan. The $350 billion program is part of the $2 trillion economic stimulus package passed by Congress last week and signed into law by President Donald Trump on Friday. However, it is still unclear when the program will begin accepting applications.

“We haven’t seen this level of funding and money being pushed out of the SBA in such an extremely narrow window of time. It’s going to be difficult logistically,” said David Pommerehn, Consumer Bankers Association general counsel, in a Politico article. “The industry as a whole, including the SBA and partner lenders, really needs to work very tightly to make sure as much goes out as possible, as quickly as possible.”

Small businesses and independently owned franchises that are approved by the SBA and that employ 500 employees or fewer can qualify. The amount any small business is eligible to borrow is 250% of their average monthly payroll expenses (with individual salaries capped at $100,000 per year), up to a total of $10 million. The amount of the loan is intended to cover eight weeks of payroll expenses and any additional amounts for making payments towards debt obligations. The eight-week period may be applied to any time frame between Feb. 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

The goal of the program is to help business owners retain their employees at their current base pay. If all employees are retained and the business maintains at least 75% of their average salary levels during the 8-weeks, the entirety of the loan will be forgiven. If any employees are laid off or salary levels go below 75%, the forgiveness will be reduced by the percent decrease in the number of employees.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program will also offer up to $2 million for working capital costs, with a possible $10,000 advance grant that will be forgiven if applied to a permissible use, including payroll, paid time off, mortgage, rent, utilities, and debts from prior to Feb. 15, 2020. If the loan is used for other purposes, the borrower will have 30 years to pay it off at an interest rate of no more than 3.75%, with the first month’s payment deferred a full year from the date of the promissory note.

Business owners can get both loans, but they cannot use them for the same purposes. In addition, if the borrower receives a $10,000 EIDL advance grant and PPP loan, the advance grant will not be forgiven.

For more information, visit the National Association of REALTORS®’ coronavirus advocacy frequently asked questions page and click on “Independent Contractor/Small Business Concerns.”

Source: “Banks press administration to unleash $350B in small business loans,” Politico (March 31, 2020)

I read this article HERE

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

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What can we do for you?

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The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Stay Safe – Stay Home – Stay Sane – some tips to get through this Shelter in Place

Hi Caton Team Friends,

I know I’m getting stir crazy and I am sure you are too! A friend sent this and I thought I would share – some good tips to get through this – together.

Keep a schedule. Treat working from home just like working at work: Decide what time you’re going to start working, when your lunch break is, and what time you clock out. Designate an area as your “office” and try to only be there when you’re working. If you treat work too loosely, you can lose whole days to unproductivity — or never stop working. Having a schedule will also help kids who are used to the structure of school.

Stay aware of time outside of a work environment, too. During isolation, it can be easy to oversleep or stay up too late, which can be bad for mental health. Keep setting alarms and stick to a general bedtime if you can.

Practice self-care. Social isolation can be mentally and emotionally draining, and staying at home certainly isn’t great for your physical health, which is why it’s more important than ever to practice self-care. If you’re anxious about the state of the world or the health of your family and friends, this might be a good time to pick up journaling, start meditating, or even connect with a therapist who can meet with you online. If the constant influx of news is stressing you out, grant yourself permission to only check the news at certain times of day.

If your lifestyle is feeling a little more sedentary than normal, you might consider picking up an at-home exercise app or adding bike rides to your routine. If you can get outside to get some fresh air and sunshine without putting yourself into a crowded place, try to do so every day.

Stay social. Just because you can’t go get coffee with a friend or throw a dinner party doesn’t mean you can’t still be social! This is a great time to bring back the good old fashioned phone call — or get a little more personal with video chatting via Facetime or Google Hangouts. Have a virtual coffee date from the comfort of your own home, or play board games online. Settling in for some Netflix? Download the Netflix Party browser extension to watch TV shows and movies in real time with your friends.

Take action. If you’re feeling helpless, you’re not alone. But there are ways you can help without leaving the house! Donate to nonprofits that are struggling, buy gift cards to support businesses that are suffering without in-person shoppers, see if your local hospital is accepting homemade fabric masks, or offer to grocery shop for an elderly or immunocompromised neighbor.

Dealing with social distancing can be difficult, but we’re all facing it together! That means there are plenty of resources being circulated to help everyone handle this changing landscape. By taking these tips to heart, you can give yourself a solid foundation to get through whatever you’re facing and come out the other side stronger.

If you have any Real Estate related questions, please text, email, or call us. We’re here to help!

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

The Importance of Trust Agreements

REPOSTING THIS BY REQUEST – please say safe my friends!

Hello Caton Team Followers – for those of you who caught my Instagram Stories this morning – here is the information on Trust Agreements I found on Bankrate.com as promised. Never hesitiate to reach out to The Caton Team with any questions and we can point you in the right direction.

What is a trust?

You’ve heard of trust fund babies — those enviable young adults who live a worry-free life since they don’t have to earn a living. Just what exactly is a trust fund that provides them an income, and for that matter, what is a trust?

A trust is a vehicle to pass assets to a trustee, who in turn holds those assets — in a trust fund — for a third party, such as a beneficiary. Trusts can be an appealing option if your aim is to minimize taxes, protect assets and avoid the probate process. If you create a trust, you also can control how and to whom those assets will be disbursed. You can choose trustees to carry out your wishes. Many people create trusts to minimize hassle and fees for their loved ones, or to create a legacy of charitable giving.

What is the benefit of a trust?

The primary benefit of a trust is that it allows you to determine where your assets go and when your beneficiaries have access to them. A trust can save your beneficiaries from paying estate taxes and court fees, and can protect your assets from beneficiaries’ creditors or from loss through divorce settlements. It also lets you specify where remaining assets should go in the event of a beneficiary’s death. This can be helpful in a family that includes second marriages and step-children.

Trusts also allow you to pass on assets quickly and privately. By contrast, settling an estate through a traditional will may trigger the probate process, which can take a months or even years and can be a public process. With a trust, much of that delay can be avoided, and the entire process is private. This can save your beneficiaries from unwanted scrutiny or solicitation.

Common types of trusts

There are many types of trusts, and each is structured to accomplish different goals. Here are a few examples of commonly used trusts:

Marital or “A” trusts: Places assets into a trust when one spouse dies; income generated by those assets goes to the surviving spouse, and the principal often goes to the couple’s heirs when the surviving spouse dies.
Credit shelter trusts: These trusts allow both spouses to take full advantage of their estate tax exemptions, which in 2018 is a whopping $11.18 million per person, or $22.36 million per married couple. Assets above this amount are generally subject to a 40 percent estate tax once the second spouse dies. When the exclusion amount is held in a credit shelter trust, the surviving spouse can receive income from the trust’s assets until death, at which point the trust’s beneficiaries receive its assets free of estate taxes. These have become less popular since 2011, when a change in tax law enabled the executor of an estate to elect portability of a deceased spouse’s exemption to the surviving spouse.
Charitable remainder trust: The inverse of the charitable lead trust, in that it allots a given amount of income for beneficiaries and the remainder to specified charities.

Revocable vs. irrevocable trusts

People often think of a trust as an alternative to a will—a way of passing on wealth after one’s death. However, you can also create a trust and pass on assets during your lifetime. A revocable trust, also called a living trust, can be altered and even dissolved so long as you’re alive. It will usually keep your assets out of probate but you probably won’t escape estate taxes.

An irrevocable trust, on the other hand, cannot be altered once it has been created. By creating an irrevocable trust, you give up control of your assets but can protect beneficiaries from probate and estate taxes. Most revocable trusts convert to irrevocable trusts upon the death of the grantor — the person who set up the trust.

Why create a living trust?

You might consider creating a living trust for one of several reasons:

If you would like someone else to accept management responsibility for some or all of your property.
If you have a business and want to ensure it operates smoothly with no interruption of income flow in the event of your death or disability.
If you want to protect your assets from the incompetency or incapacity of yourself or your beneficiaries.
If you wish to minimize the chance that your will may be contested.

Choosing a trust that works for you

When considering a trust, always seek professional advice to make sure you’re making the right decision for yourself and your loved ones. An estate planning attorney or financial advisor can provide you with expert advice about whether a trust could be a useful component in your long-term financial plan.

I read this article at: bankrate.com

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Is Now the Right Time To Buy an Investment Property? How Low Rates Can Help Investors Increase Their Buying Power

Is Now the Right Time To Buy an Investment Property? How Low Rates Can Help Investors Increase Their Buying Power

With all the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic, now might not seem like the best time to buy any type of real estate, much less an investment property or second home. But don’t rule out the idea completely.

“With historic low rates, it is a good time to consider investing in real estate,” says Victoria Shtainer, a real estate agent and expert at Compass in New York. “Low rates give you more buying power, and we have been negotiating amazing deals for our buyers.”

Mortgage rates are expected to drop again after the Federal Reserve’s recent rate slash, which was intended to protect against the economic impact of the pandemic. That means that it may be time for buyers to consider an investment property. Here are some reasons to go for it.

Why people are considering buying

The lowest interest rates in nearly 50 years, and the potential for a recession, which could lower home prices, have attracted the attention of buyers.

“Given the current volatility in the stock market, investors are reassessing asset allocations in their portfolio, and considering how real estate may fit into this from an asset allocation standpoint,” says Shtainer.

She says the current environment, with low rates and a good selection of inventory, has given investors the upper hand in negotiations.

“More people are looking to real estate as their next investment, because of the potential for both appreciation and cash flow,” says Jennifer Anderson, of Anderson Coastal Group in San Diego. “It’s also a real, tangible item that can provide more control than other forms of investment.”

Benefits of buying an investment property

An investment property can be a valuable asset and a good way to generate passive income, and it might also provide tax write-offs and incentives that you wouldn’t get on other instruments, experts say.

“We always recommend speaking to your qualified tax adviser on your particular situation,” says Shtainer. “However, generally speaking, there can be tax benefits to owning an investment property. This can be via the tax benefits that mortgages provide, as well as the IRS’ treatment of your investment/vacation home, depending on how you rent it out.”

Anderson says that holding a property with the potential for appreciation and cash flow is a huge advantage of buying an investment property. It also diversifies your investment portfolio and protects your net worth while the market goes up and down.

Precautions to take before buying

Buyers should prepare, however, for the possibility of a prolonged economic shutdown. If you’re buying a property that doesn’t currently have tenants, it might be a while before you can find any.

That’s why the most important thing to have on hand before you buy an investment property is cash, says Nick Clements, general manager of Mortgages at LendingTree.

He says that because investment property owners will be responsible for repairs and maintenance, for tenants not paying rent on time, or for the time that might elapse between tenants, they need cash to cushion any bumps in the road.

He also advises buyers to research the appropriate legal vehicle, typically an LLC, with sufficient insurance in place.

“I strongly encourage an umbrella insurance policy. If a tenant gets hurt in your property and decides to sue, you will want to ensure you have the right structure and insurance in place,” says Clements.

To get a better sense of how much rent you might be able to collect, Anderson recommends reaching out to commercial real estate brokerages in the area and asking for historical rental rates for the last 10 years.

“That can give you a good snapshot on how market recessions or booms could impact your earnings or property value,” she says.

How to determine affordability

You don’t have to be a millionaire to invest in property or a second home. To determine whether you are ready to buy, Clements recommends asking yourself two questions.

“Are you cash-flow positive, and could you handle six months without receiving rent? If you can’t answer yes to both of those questions, now is probably not the right time to buy an investment property,” he says.

Shtainer says that buyers should be prudent, just as they would be with their primary residence. She advises that if you’re not buying the property in cash and will need financing, you should make sure you get pre-approved.

Pre-approval will tell you how much the lender is willing to give you for the purchase of your second home.

“Understanding your budget and sticking to it is very important, especially when making an investment,” says Shtainer.

She says that buyers should do their due diligence to ascertain what they can afford, and she suggests they partner with a broker in their market to make sure they are purchasing a property at a favorable market value.

By Ana Durrani | Mar 19, 2020

I read this article HERE

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Links for Resources – Covid 19

Hi Caton Team Friends,

I’ll be sharing links here to resources and info during our Covid-19 Situation.

COVID-19 – GOODWILL OFFERS and RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Government assistance resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19

Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act

I will be refreshing THIS PAGE with Covid Links if you want to follow.

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Market Update 3.30.2020

Hello Caton Team Friends!

I do hope you are well, safe and healthy. Some good news – the Government has approved a $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act – click to read more.

Also – Realtors have been deemed an essential service! However due to the Shelter in Place, there will be no open houses or tours till May 1. All showings are to be done virtually. If absolutely necessary, all precautions must be met, gloves, masks and booties at minimum.

The good news is – Realtors are prepared for such events, we can show homes virtually, we can draft and sign contracts on line, we can negotiate offers over the phone and email. We can do this because we have been doing things this way for a while.

Without a doubt the coronavirus has slowed down real estate sales with buyers and sellers hunkering down at home. So here’s some good news…

For our selling clients, homes are selling – last week one house received 20 offers! When they closed escrow, they signed outside with gloves, masks and booties at a long table. If you need to sell, The Caton Team is ready to list your home, get fantastic photos and virtual tours, prepare online disclosures the good news – inspectors and escrow officers are working too! So we can take care of your Real Estate needs with the comfort of knowing we are, and will aways be, a call or click away.

For our buying clients – now is your time to shine! You can apply for loans online, you can follow up with your current loan online, we can take care of the rest – online. With demand slowed down, you may have less competition. Buyers do need to be aware of lending restrictions and to double check how the down payments are doing if invested. Financing is still available but things are taking a bit longer, jumbo loans are a bit tougher within reason. We are seeing contingencies, inspections and appraisals happening. Close of escrows are about 45 days out and provisions to protect all parties have been drafted by the California Association of Realtors.

This year we have had (for a while now) more demand than supply and that has not changed. There are still many people who want to own a home in the Bay Area and seeing this as an opportunity. Warren Buffet always buys in a Bear Market!

As we find our new normal – now – more than ever – home is so important. The Caton Team is here to help you with your Real Estate needs and goals – every step of the way. Together – we’ll get through this.

Stay Safe – Stay Home – Stay Sane

I’ll be sharing Real Estate news on our Blog and humor on my Facebook Page – please feel free to friend, follow or share.

Sabrina & Susan

The Caton Team

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

7 Easy DIY Living Room Projects You Can Tackle While You’re Social Distancing By Jennifer Kelly Geddes

7 Easy DIY Living Room Projects You Can Tackle While You’re Social Distancing

Cooped up inside because of the coronavirus? In this unsettling time, doing your part to maintain social distance means you’ve been spending a lot of time indoors. And while movie marathons and board games can occupy part of your day, they might start to get old after a while. One can enjoy only so many games of Scrabble, right?

If you’re feeling a little stir-crazy (and other forms of entertainment just aren’t cutting it), try taking on a home project that’ll make you feel productive.

“In general, now is a great time to spring-clean, declutter, and organize—so try something simple,” says Julie Coraccio, an organizing professional and author of “Got Clutter? 365 Journal Prompts.”

In between school lessons and work-from-home office duty, consider ticking off a few of these easy-to-handle living room chores from the list below. You’ll gain a sense of accomplishment and emerge with a room that’s clean and organized. After all, a tidy home equals a tidy mind.

1. Upgrade your lighting

You’ll need good light since you’ll be inside for a while, so consider replacing old bulbs in your living room lamps with energy-efficient LED bulbs, suggests Ana Cummings of the eponymous design firm.

LED bulbs have a longer life and don’t heat up as much as incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, making them safer if accidentally touched.

And since you’re in the lamp department, take a hard look at the shades on each of your lights. If you have a similar size lamp in another room, swap the shades to give your living room a new look.

2. Hang (or rehang) a gallery wall

Redoing your wall design is a fast way to upgrade your living room’s look—and it costs just about nothing except your time and a few picture hooks and nails.

If you’ve always wanted to try a gallery wall, go for it! If you already have one, it might be time to change it up.

Either way, lay your frames on the floor to plan the arrangement. If you already have a gallery, play with the order of the grouping or add new pictures, then rehang.

3. Wash living room curtains

Washing curtains is one of those household chores we’re supposed to do every six to eight months, but it can easily fall to the wayside. It’s kind of a hassle, right? But now that you have some extra time at home, take a couple of hours to clean any curtains that are washing machine-safe.

If your curtains aren’t supposed to touch water, take them off the rod, go outside, and give them a good shake to get the dust off.

4. Wipe down baseboards

Your baseboards, crown molding, railings, and other wall details often get overlooked during regular weekly cleaning sessions. Remedy this situation by dipping a sponge in a mild wood surface cleaner diluted in warm water and gently swabbing these surfaces to get rid of grime and dust.

5. Restyle your book shelves

Another quick and easy task? Sort through all your books, magazines, and CDs, and release what you no longer watch or want to read.

“Then take the time to organize your books in a way that makes sense to you, whether by genre or author, color, or another method,” says Coraccio.

6. Rearrange your furniture

You might be in need of a furniture refresh, but home quarantine—plus the fact that most home goods stores aren’t open right now—can make that difficult. So to give your room a new perspective, and not spend a ton of money, try rearranging the furniture.

Now is a good time, after all, to evaluate what is and isn’t working for you. You might consider removing a chair or two to open the room up, or moving the couch in front of the radiator—you won’t be needing heat again until later this fall. Switch out the rug in your living room with a lighter one that has been sitting in another room.

7. Fix wall marks with paint

It takes just a few minutes with a Magic Eraser to remove those unsightly black scuff marks from living room walls.

“Or if you’re handy, repaint a wall,” suggests Cummings. “You’ll be looking at the same four walls for a long time, so make them as beautiful as possible.”

I read this article HERE, By Jennifer Kelly Geddes | Mar 23, 2020

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

Falling mortgage rates will likely hit a floor. Here’s why.

I thought I would share this info on Interest Rates…

Falling mortgage rates will likely hit a floor. Here’s why.

The Federal Reserve has taken emergency action to cut rates to zero. While 0% interest rates sound great to anyone who owns a home or is planning to buy, it’s important to slow down and talk through a couple of things.

First, the Fed does not control mortgage rates. Their cuts apply to rates for loans between the Fed and banks or from one bank to another.

Second, the Fed’s actions most quickly impact the rates on U.S. Treasury Securities. These markets can influence Mortgage Backed Securities, which will then influence mortgage rates.

However, in times of uncertainty, other factors can overrule the norm. This happened in 2008. Despite aggressive cuts by the Fed, mortgage rates hit a floor and never fell further. The same is happening now.

Why?

The volume of business. Demand for mortgage loans is stretching the industry’s capacity to serve. To slow demand, rates may hover at higher levels.

Reduced investment. When investors know borrowers will refinance early, they expect to lose income. This risk means fewer investors will buy new mortgage backed securities. Less demand equals higher rates.

Extra costs to lenders. When loans are refinanced quickly, lenders often pay back their earnings. Similarly, additional expenses can occur when rates shift too quickly for in-process loans. These costs are reflected in higher rates.

The Bottom Line

A 0% Fed funds rate will not lead to a 0% mortgage loan rate. Mortgage bonds will always have a level under which investors simply will not purchase them, and mortgage rates reflect that.

The Good News

Mortgage rates are at or near their lowest levels ever. That spells opportunity to save significantly by refinancing or locking in a great rate on a purchase.

I read this article from Welcome Home Funding

Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654

Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Want Real Estate Info on the Go? Download our FREE Real Estate App: Mobile Real Estate by The Caton Team

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties

DRE # |Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 |Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third party information not verified.

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