After adjusting to our lives during quarantine, we are now beginning to think about the end of the crisis, and what the world will look like afterward. As our states emerge from lockdown at different paces, opening back up one-by-one, we, as a nation, are adjusting to our "new normal", asking ourselves, "What will our new lives look like?"

Lessons From the Past

The 1918 influenza pandemic, which killed about 675,000 people in the U.S., changed hygiene forever. In the following years, signs bearing the message, "Spitting is Unlawful" sprouted up in places like train stations. Covering your cough grew to be considered common courtesy, where before the pandemic, this etiquette was almost unheard of. Â...

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The Psychology of Design

There's a psychological reason behind everything we like or dislike in our lives, and our favorite design trend is no exception. Your favorite color, design style, and furniture type says a lot more about you than you may think.

Color and Pattern Trends for 2020

The current trends for 2020 are very exciting! Designers are pushing the boundaries with color, and the spaces they go into. These colors lend themselves to organically combining solids and prints. Whether your design style is traditional, modern or trendy, you can't go wrong with a neutral color or by adding natural wood statements and big vintage pieces to you room.

 

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After you have read all the books you have and binge watched Ozark on Netflix 6 times, why not broaden your horizons by visiting a national park or touring a famous museum? "But I have to stay home!" you say. Well, yes you do…but don't let that stop you! You can visit all those wonderful destinations you've always hoped to see right from the comfort and safety of your own home. Check out some of our favorite virtual destinations!

 

Feeling like you need a bit of culture after hours of Tiger King?

Visit all those famous museums you've always wanted to see but never had the time or money. Best thing is; you can now do it for free and in your jammies!

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With so many people out of work due to the COVID-19 crisis, we are living in a different world right now. One huge effect is that the mortgage industry is teetering on the lowest interest rates in history. During the Coronavirus pandemic, the home purchase market has not slowed down. There are currently more eager buyers than willing sellers. What does this mean to you?

Are You Thinking of Refinancing?

If you are looking to refinance and do not plan to take any cash out of your new loan, and if your loan is currently guaranteed by Fannie Mae, you can do an exterior only appraisal because of COVID-19.  There are also many property inspection waivers where...

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Time keeps ticking away, reminding us that another day has gone by and we are still mostly quarantined to our homes. We've binge-cleaned, exercised, watched TV series, baked all the bread, and boredom is really setting in. So what do we do? Some of us have work to keep us busy, but even that work doesn't fill the void. Where is the fulfillment we used to get when completing a project in the office, and how do we get it back? 

There is something in the nature of each of us that generates joy when we are being generous to others. Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." During this time of COVID-19, there are many ways to help others.