To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, most companies are shifting to remote work. As a result, plenty of people are reconfiguing their spaces and scrounging for the tools to effectively work from their homes.
We reached out to our coworkers for some work-from-home inspiration. Some of us are having to make do and get creative with the space we have at home. Others are seasoned remote employees who have mastered an aesthetic.
Abby Dauchess — Home Jungle, Charlotte, NC “My setup is what used to be my painting/art area now turned into my WFH sanctuary. Once I knew we were going to be working from home for a while, I wanted to prioritize a dedicated space I could focus in. It’s very nice sitting by a window because I have a great view throughout the day while being stuck inside during social distancing. I especially love having a large portion of my indoor plant collection near my workspace to look at and care for.”
Ali Dunlap — Parent’s Basement, Raleigh, NC
“My father joked about him setting up a workspace for me and when I got home this is what he showed me. Snapped a pic, then got myself back upstairs to set up at a desk.”
Brandi Myers — A Funky Space, Charlotte, NC “This space is my home office that I use for freelance design work so I needed a room that was energizing and also comfortable to spend time in. My love of color and eclectic sense of style challenges me to balance contemporary pieces with antiques. This is by far the funkiest space in my house.”
Brian Miranda — Quarantined Paradise, Puerto Rico
“During this time of the year we enjoy not-too-hot, mid-70s weather from time to time, which makes it perfect for the hammock! Since I’m working from a back-breaking dining room chair, I thought it would be cool to use the hammock for a while so I came up with this crazy setup.
Carlos Jimenez — Apartment by a Boat Marina, Puerto Rico
“My dad’s favorite hobby is fishing, so the apartment is PACKED with fishing gear. Even though we’re stuck inside most of the day, it’s nice to have a nice view to work with and for running after work.”
Claye Stokes — The Game Room, Waxhaw, NC “Showing off the new content performance dashboards to my best co-worker in my music & gaming room. The table is a pool table but I can put a topper on it which makes it my office/conference table. Coworker’s name is Rusty, he’s a two-year old Australian Shepherd.”
Clint Branch — Designer’s Desk, Charlotte, NC
“I think having a lot of plants around my desk helps fuel creativity and brings life to my work space.”
Ken Hocker — Visual Representation of His Mind, Charlotte, NC
“If I’m going to be stuck at my desk, I need to be surrounded by visual and auditory stimuli to keep the creative juices flowing. The walls of the office are constantly being added to in the hopes that one day every inch will be covered. Very similar to the interior of McSorley’s in NYC, minus the beer and history.”
Taylor Leamey — Home Art Studio (AKA Guest Bedroom), Charlotte, NC
“I angled my desks to take advantage of the natural light instead of facing it. I selfishly hung the things I am most proud of in front of my face, hoping they will sometimes inspire me. (Does it work? No idea. But I like looking at them.)”
Shannon Ullman — Walking Office, Philadelphia, PA
“I bought this treadmill about two months ago because I wanted a healthy alternative to sitting all day. I walk super slowly while working and aim for 10k steps a day!”
Show off your work-from-home set up and tag us @freshome with the hashtag #freshWFH.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, most companies are shifting to remote work. As a result, plenty of people are reconfiguing their s...
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As the number of coronavirus cases increase around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to profoundly reshape daily lives and habits. If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve likely seen people in the U.S. and around the world “panic buying” in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, but it’s critical to remember that being prepared doesn’t equate to stockpiling or hoarding.
During the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to not panic or stockpile supplies. There are healthcare workers and sick people around the world who have a much higher need for supplies like face masks. A shortage could pose an even greater health risk to communities. Instead, it’s best to create a household plan, as recommended by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. With a household plan, you can prepare and anticipate what sort of items you’ll need in case anyone gets sick at home or there’s a disruption of daily activities in your community.
There’s a ton of information on how to prepare for a coronavirus outbreak in your community, and it can be overwhelming. We’ve compiled a list of what to do and buy while you’re quarantined at home.
Make a plan, scan your home
A COVID-19 outbreak could last for a long time in your community, so a household plan can help protect your health and the health of those you care about, according to the CDC.
The CDC provides step-by-step guidance on how to establish a successful household plan, and recommends basing the details of your plan on the needs and daily routines of who you live with. Take a look around your home and scan your pantry, medicine cabinet and bathrooms to figure out what you already have, then write down what you’re missing.
Buy what you need for two weeks
If you’re in home quarantine, you should have at least two weeks’ worth of supplies and minimize trips to stores to avoid contact with others.
Both the CDC and U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommend buying enough household items, medications and food to last two weeks. It’s also a good idea to look into how to get food delivered.
“It’s important to note that food production suppliers and companies are not reporting any shortage of food supplies across the country — so while you shop, it’s not necessary to hoard food or other grocery store items,” Tamika Sims, PhD, director of food technology communications at the International Food Information Council Foundation, said in a blog post.
So, you’re probably wondering: What exactly should I buy during a COVID-19 pandemic?
Prioritize your grocery list
Prioritize non-perishables, frozen foods and canned vegetables on your grocery list the next time you make a trip to the supermarket. If you’d like to buy fresh produce, try to use that up first to minimize any food waste. You also have the option to freeze most fresh produce if you buy too much.
“Instead of going to the store several times a week, try to get enough groceries for one full week, buy more healthy shelf-stable items to avoid spoilage, and refrigerate foods properly,” Sims said.
Additionally, keep an eye out for foods with long shelf lives such as dried beans, rolled oats, pasta products, shelf stable milk and rice. These types of foods can usually sit in the pantry for several years.
While you can have a supply of bottled water in the house, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made it clear that “Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual.”
If you have pets or children in the home, pick up some extra food and supplies all at once to avoid making extra trips throughout the week.
Check toiletries and cleaning supplies
Across the internet, images of empty shelves and shopping carts full of supplies have led more and more people to panic buy. Toilet paper is one of several items that has become the latest coronavirus panic buy, but the reason why isn’t very clear. It’s natural to want to prepare for the worst, but don’t overstock basic toiletries.
Within the two-week limit, make sure you have enough toothpaste, floss, face wash, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. It’s also good to have extra laundry detergent and hand soap at home.
Refill prescriptions and over-the-counter medications
Make sure you’re up to date on any prescription medications and have a supply of necessary over-the-counter medications. In light of COVID-19’s spread, CVS and Walgreens are offering free home delivery of prescription drugs. And some insurers, such as Aetna, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield have temporarily waived early refill limits on 30-day prescriptions.
The CDC advises patients to check with their pharmacists about the possibility of 30-day emergency refills and to keep a 7- to 10-day supply at home, while the American Red Cross recommends having at least a 30-day supply of any prescription medications at home.
Things you don’t need to buy
It’s easy to act out of fear during a frightening global situation like the COVID-19 pandemic, but panic buying and stockpiling doesn’t help the situation. Keep in mind that you can skip the hand sanitizer if you’re self-isolating (as long as you have hand soap), and that you don’t need to wear face masks if you’re healthy.
“The current recommendations regarding masks are that if you yourself are sick with fever and cough, you can wear a surgical mask to prevent transmission to other people,” Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist, said in a blog post. “If you are healthy, there is not thought to be any additional benefit to wearing a mask yourself because the mask is not airtight and does not necessarily prevent breathing in of these viral particles, which are very tiny.”
As one last reminder, here’s a list of things you don’t need to buy right now:
Face masks (unless you’re sick)
More than a two-week supply of hand sanitizers or hand soap
Getty Images As the number of coronavirus cases increase around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to profoundly reshape daily ...
If you live in one of the many cities advocating for (or mandating) a self-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re suddenly spending a lot more time at home. Whether you’re working from home, homeschooling your kids, or just need to arrange your space for staying in, it’s a good time to organize.
After consulting with some top-tier organizing influencers and the president-elect of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO), we’ve compiled a list of ways you can organize your home for quarantine.
1. Organize your pantry
As you’re prepping your home for quarantine, going through your pantry and shelf-stable items is a great first step.
“Shoved way back in a corner of your pantry might be food that’s about to expire. What a great time to use up those older items rather than letting them go to waste. Since grocery store shelves are more empty than ever, I would suggest organizing your pantry and fridge/freezer before anything else in your home. It’s important, especially under the current circumstances, to rotate your food, consuming the oldest first – so that nothing goes to waste!”
Start by pulling everything out and marking expiration dates. Take an inventory of your shelf-stable essentials and what you might need more of. If you have an excess of some items, consider reaching out to elderly family and friends or donating what you don’t need. Wipe down your pantry and cupboards before you start putting everything away.
Debbie Sandler, owner of A Life Better Organized, told us to “sort remaining items into like categories. Keep spices together, canned goods, oils and vinegars, baking supplies, cereals and so forth.” Use baskets, jars, bins, crates, lazy Susans and containers to optimize the space.
2. Designated a space for work or school
If your job has shifted to working remotely, or your kids are doing their schoolwork at home, you’ll need to clear some work space. Setting aside a designated space will help keep the line between work and home from blurring, and make it easier to be productive.
According to Price, “You need a clutter-free space in order to focus. Use vertical space to store things whenever possible. Keep only the essential items on your desk. Wall pockets can be hung on the wall to store files and papers. Paper sorters on a desktop keep things separated and vertical, eliminating visual clutter and freeing up space to work.”
3. Create physical space for mental space
Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in your home, we recommend decluttering and rearranging your general living spaces. Clearing the space will help it feel less cramped, has several mental health benefits and can make you feel productive.
You may also need more free space for quarantine activities — like movie or game nights and exercising in your home. There are many free online resources for yoga and exercise classes.
Start by putting loose items away and finding more efficient homes for things you don’t use every day. Utilize closets and space under beds. Take a stab at rearranging your furniture to create more open areas.
4. Organize your closet
Turn on “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” and do a deep dive into your closet. Try everything on and consider donating clothes you haven’t worn in a year or more. Neatly fold and organize the things you want to keep by activity, style or color. Box away seasonal items, like big coats and warm scarves, to give your clothes more breathing room.
You can also get creative and repurpose older items. Crop an old sweatshirt, iron a patch onto your faded jeans, or tie-dye a t-shirt. If you want to hang on to old T-shirts that still hold memories, Sandler recommends turning them into a quilt
5. Sort through your entertainment collection
Do an inventory of all your books, movies and games. Find efficient places to store them, discover some old favorites to pass the time and donate the items you don’t enjoy anymore (local youth centers, retirement homes, children’s hospitals).
This might be the time to let go of old CDs and VHS tapes — things that take up space and have limited use. You may find you don’t need a lot of older movies that are available on the streaming services you subscribe to.
6. Pass the time with the past
Parse through your photo collection — both physical and digital. Going through photos is the perfect time-consuming project for social distancing. You’ll get to reminisce and remember good times, while also making it easier for your future-self to create albums or find specific photos.
“Now is a great time to do a clean out of your digital photos. Delete all those utility photos you took, delete bad photos and dwindle down the multiples. If you have time to take it a step further, decide how you want to share your photos. You can create a book or share with family in a cloud account. This can be a great time to share family stories with kids or ask older family members to share their stories.”
You can then take those photos and work on unfinished baby books, albums or scrapbooks.
7. Go for the garage
Garages and sheds are often host to random gear, tools, storage and the remnants of moving. Cleaning and organizing your garage is a physical task, great for some exercise and fresh air.
These spaces tend to collect more dirt, dust and grime than inside spaces. Empty out the garage or shed, then sweep and hose down the area. As you’re filling it again, go through everything and decide what you want to keep, sell, donate or throw away. Sort things by category and plan out where you want to store different item groups.
Utilize shelves and hang things to create vertical space. Consolidate similar items, like the Christmas decorations, into larger bins. Get creative with your containers — old paint cans, gum or mint containers and filing cabinets can all hold smaller trinkets and tools.
8. Clean out the car
A detailed cleaning and organizing of your car is great preparation for the eventual return to work and normal outings. Go a step beyond washing the exterior and sort through all the random nooks, crannies and glove compartments. Sandler says, “Bring with you two bags, one for the garbage and one for items to relocate. Like extra eyeglasses, coins, receipts, old DVDs, empty drink bottles, and expired coupons (except for Bed Bath & Beyond, they still take those). Remove mats and vacuum floors. Dust the dashboard and clean inside windows.”
One task at a time
There’s an opportunity to use your time during quarantine for things you wouldn’t normally have time for in a pre-coronavirus routine. Cleaning, organizing and reflecting on your material possessions will help you feel productive.
Price put it best when she told us, “We’re all going to be aware of the things that we really need. We might find out that some of the clutter we’ve held on to for years…does nothing for us even when we’re living in crisis. That tells us it’s OK to purge and make space for other necessities. On the other hand, we might find out that we need to make space in our homes for items we never thought we needed until now.”
If you live in one of the many cities advocating for (or mandating) a self-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re suddenly spendin...
High-speed internet isn’t a necessity for everybody, and sometimes high-speeds just aren’t available in certain areas. Many people can get by with satellite or mobile hotspots for basic web browsing, but for those of you who need it, fiber and cable internet provide more reliable connections, download speeds of 25 Mbps or faster and more capabilities for internet use without interruption. This speed and reliability are must-haves for online gamers, movie or television streamers and for those who are running their business or side-hustle from home.
Whether you’ve just moved and are looking to see what providers are out there, or you’re just fed up with inadequate service, read on to find the best high-speed internet providers out there right now.
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What high-speed internet providers are available in 2020?
Whether internet service providers (ISPs) in your area are familiar names or companies that are newer to the scene, there’s a lot to consider when deciding which one offers the best internet options for you. Here are our top five choices from all of the major providers.
AT&T
AT&T is a well-known name across the U.S. and is pretty widely available across the country. AT&T offers internet in various capacities to 21 states across the country. AT&T also offers lightning-fast fiber-optic in many areas on the Southwest coast and in the Eastern and Midwest parts of the country.
Comcast Xfinity
Xfinity puts a new name to an older company. Comcast has been around as a cable provider since the 1960s, and got into the internet game in 1996. Having teamed up with a well-known name like NBC makes it top-of-mind when it comes to home entertainment. It’s got reliable, speedy internet service for most of the country.
CenturyLink
CenturyLink is also on the fiber-optic bandwagon, offering speeds up to 940 Mbps in some areas. Its standard internet coverage extends to 36 states across the U.S. CenturyLink’s real claim to fame is its pricing and contract-free internet deals. Its “Price for Life” offer guarantees that as long as you keep your plan, the monthly charge won’t increase.
Frontier
Available in 29 states across the U.S., Frontier makes waves for its lack of data caps: a real bonus for high-bandwidth internet users and big families. Because additional data charges can quickly bump monthly costs from so-so to soaring, users can rest easy with Frontier. The company currently offers both cable and fiber internet where infrastructure exists.
Charter Spectrum
With gig network speeds up to 940 Mbps and cable internet available in areas where fiber connections are limited, Spectrum offers fast speeds to 46 states making it one of the most available networks around. They have no data caps and provide a free modem and antivirus software.
In select regions, AT&T will give an over 99% reliability guarantee on its fiber-optic and cable internet networks. That well-known and trusted performance is what sets AT&T apart from its competitors. Its included internet security suite and Smart Home Manager app further convince any fence-sitters of the company’s aptitude for pleasing its customers.
AT&T’s fiber packages are tiered by speed and start at 100 Mbps download for $49.99 per month. The top-level 940 Mbps also comes in at $49.99 per month. but both prices jump to $69.99 after the first year. The lower-tiered services also come with a 1 TB data cap per month, with an additional charge for usage over that amount.
CenturyLink
High-speed internet starts at $49 per month for 20, 80 and 100 Mbps packages at CenturyLink, all depending on what’s available in your area. Fiber-optic internet at 940 Mbps costs $65 per month where it’s available.
CenturyLink’s no-contract plans are attention-grabbing since there’s nothing worse than signing on to a long-term contract and finding the service just isn’t working for you. However, as long as you stay on the service you signed up for, CenturyLink will give you the Price for Life treatment — your price will never change. The exception? Price for Life is not available with the fiber-optic internet plan.
Frontier Communications
Frontier offers a number of packages that vary in speed and price point. With fiber-optic prices starting at $29.99 per month, it’s one of the cheapest solutions for high-speed internet. That price point only gets you 50 Mbps download and upload speeds, though. Possibly the best value is the $39.99 per month package, which bumps speeds up considerably to 500 Mbps. The highest tier, 940 Mbps, comes in at $74.99 per month.
Frontier’s lack of a data cap adds icing on their low-cost cake, since overage fees can add up fast, especially during an HD binge-watching weekend marathon. Starting prices are set for a year and bundles on Frontier’s products are decent, too. Signing up online for the 50 Mbps with basic TV add-on is just $54.98.
Xfinity
Another company that’s offering packages with no long-term contract, Xfinity makes a play as one of the most affordable internet service providers in the game. Packages that can reach up to 100 Mbps download speed come in at only $39.99 per month with no fixed term attached, although the price bumps after the first 12 months of service. The full 1,000 Mbps service comes in at $79.99.
TV bundles sweeten the deal, with packages such 1,000 Mbps internet service and over 250 channels for $149.99, although the TV packages come with a required commitment.
Charter Spectrum
As one of the most widely available providers, Spectrum offers fast speeds to many customers in the U.S. Packages start at $49.99 per month with speeds ranging from 30 Mbps to 940 Mbps for cable and fiber connections. Spectrum also provides no data caps or speed throttling (slowing speeds after a certain threshold). Spectrum also offers bundled packages with cable TV, home phone and mobile.
*Prices are accurate as of March 17, 2020. Prices for Xfinity were based on offers available in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Call to learn about the best high-speed internet providers in 2020
Choosing an internet provider is a big decision. If you’re signing up for a contract with a company, you should do your homework to be reasonably sure you’ll get the fastest internet speed and service you want and need. Check availability of these and other providers in your area and read reviews to determine the best option.
High-speed internet isn’t a necessity for everybody, and sometimes high-speeds just aren’t available in certain areas. Many people can get b...
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Understanding home equity
When you take the current market value of your home that you receive after an appraisal and subtract it from the amount you currently owe on your mortgage, that’s your home’s equity. Your home equity is how much of the property that you truly own. This is the formula you will use to answer the question, “How much equity is in my home?” Knowing the amount of equity you have in your home plays a vital role in major decisions like taking out a loan for repairs, improvements or to purchase a new home.
How much equity do I have in my house?
To determine the amount of equity you have in your home, you need to have it appraised to get the market value. Once you have the home’s appraised value, you can figure out how much equity you have by subtracting that value from your current mortgage balance. Determining a home’s equity uses a simple formula:
The appraised value of the home – (minus) the mortgage balance = equity
For example, if your home appraises at $200,000 and your mortgage balance is $120,000, the formula for determining your equity would look like this:
$200,000 – $120,000 = $80,000In this scenario, there is $80,000 of available equity in the home.
What if my home value increases?
There are several reasons why your home-value increase is beneficial. If you need to borrow money for a renovation or addition to your home, an increase in value gives you more equity to do so. However, there are negatives to a value increase as well. If you’re refinancing and your appraisal comes in high, it can have a significant impact on your interest rate because lenders use the appraisal to determine the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio.
Can I have negative equity?
Negative equity in your home occurs if the value of your home is less than the total balance of your mortgage. Lenders reduce risks by ensuring that you aren’t borrowing more than 80% of your home’s total current value. If the housing market drops and your home’s value decreases, that could result in negative equity. In this scenario, if you want to sell your home, you’d have to pay the difference between what you owe and its selling price.
Understanding home equity with the loan-to-value formula
Financial institutions and other lenders use the loan-to-value ratio (LTV ratio) to assess your lending risk before approving a home equity loan. If the assessment is a high LTV ratio, that means it’s riskier and could cost the borrower more for the loan. For example, if the LTV is at least 80%, that means you’re more likely to secure favorable terms and lower interest rates. The formula for calculating LTV is:
Current loan balance ÷ Current appraised value = Answer x 100 = LTV
As an example, if your mortgage is $120,000, your LTV ratio calculation would look like this:
$120,000 ÷ $200,000 = 0.6 x 100 = 60%
Loan-to-value ratio and home equity loans
When you want to apply for a home equity loan, the loan-to-value ratio compares your home’s value to the amount of the home equity loan you’re trying to obtain. That means, if you’re currently carrying a mortgage balance, your loan balance serves as the basis for the LTV ratio.
An LTV ratio is important because it helps lenders determine if you qualify for refinancing. Lenders prefer seeing a low LTV to minimize risk. A high LTV ratio may indicate there aren’t enough assets to ensure your loan will be paid off.
An LTV calculation impacts your ability to get a home equity loan in many ways. For example, if it comes in too high, the loan appears riskier to lenders. If you default on the loan, the lender might have trouble recouping its loss when trying to sell the property. Other ways your LTV can affect you include:
Better interest rates: If your LTV comes in low, you might get better interest rates on your home equity loan.
Higher interest rates: There’s a potential for higher interest rates on your home equity loan when your LTV is high.
Higher monthly payments: Your loan terms could change dramatically due to high interest rates which, in turn, can strain your finances.
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How can I improve my home equity?
It isn’t uncommon for your home value to decrease over time due to changes in the market. However, if your home value remains stable, there are many ways to increase its equity. First, pay down your mortgage’s principal, which will lower your loan-to-value ratio. Next, consider paying more than the required minimum mortgage payment to reduce your LTV ratio. Here are some additional techniques to improve your home equity:
Tips for improving home equity
Keep your home well maintained
Invest in wise home improvements and upgrades (research the ones that will give you the most value)
Enhance your home’s curb appeal
Frequently Asked Questions
How does home equity work? As your mortgage balance decreases and your home value increases, you are building equity. In other words, home equity is the portion of your home that you own minus any outstanding debts.
How much equity do you need for a home equity loan? Lenders require borrowers to have at least an 80% LTV ratio remaining after they receive a home equity loan approval. That means you must have at least 20% or more equity before going through the qualification process for a home equity loan.
What interest should I expect for a home equity loan? Home equity loans have an annual percentage rate that lenders base on your credit history, income, home value, mortgage balance, loan terms and loan amount. If you have a home equity line of credit (HELOC), you’ll typically have a variable interest rate that is tied to the prime rate and is subject to change.
How long does it take to pay off a home equity loan? Some home equity loan terms are as short as five years, while others can extend to between 10 and 15 years. The length of the loan also depends on whether or not you make extra payments.
Author Biography:
Jenn Greenleaf is a professional writer from Maine who also works part-time as a bookkeeper for her husband’s residential construction business. She specializes in writing about HVAC, commercial construction and other home-related topics.
ITTIGallery/Shutterstock Understanding home equity When you take the current market value of your home that you receive after an apprais...
This spring cleaning season, there’s a lot more than just decluttering at stake — a clean home could be your last line of defense against a coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. To help separate fact from fiction, we spoke with Dr. Stephen J. Thomas, Chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at SUNY Upstate Medical University, for expert advice on what, how, and when to clean.
“SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19 is believed to be able to persist on surfaces such as glass, metal, and cloth,” Dr. Thomas says. “Experiments looking at similar viruses demonstrated persistence for hours to days.” That means it’s possible to contract the virus if a surface in your home has been contaminated. Disinfecting and cleaning everyday surfaces is a great place to start your spring cleaning.
How to kill the coronavirus in your home
Surfaces inside your home would only be compromised if someone with coronavirus has been in the house. But because symptoms can take so long to appear, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Dr. Thomas advised us to clean high-traffic areas: “This would include the bathroom, kitchen and frequent door handles and other surfaces the person would potentially contact. Think of your normal routine in the house and the surfaces you frequently touch and this will give you an idea where you need to disinfect.” If someone in your home does have COVID-19, or at this point any kind of cold, you’ll want to disinfect these surfaces a few times a day.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cleaning a surface (reducing the number of germs) and then disinfecting it (killing the remaining germs). The CDC also advises people to use disposable gloves during the process. To kill viruses, it’s best to use products specifically endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use against SARS-CoV-2. There’s a fair chance you already have these in your cupboard, as familiar brands like Lysol and Clorox are on the list. You can also dilute bleach or use alcohol solutions (with 70% alcohol or more). For soft surfaces like carpets or rugs, follow typical instructions for cleaning and wash what you can in warm water.
The 10 most important things to disinfect regularly
Countertops, desks, tables
Doorknobs
Light switches
Handles — cupboards, drawers, appliances
Toilets
Sinks
Bathtub, shower
Remote controls
Towels, sheets, clothing
Phones, tablets, keyboards, etc.
Deep clean to pass the time
While the nation is encouraging social distancing, it’s easy to go stir crazy. A great way to feel productive and pass the time is by deep cleaning your home. If you spend part of your day on a bigger cleaning project, you’ll also feel better about the evening hours you spend binge-watching a TV show. Now’s the time to do the tasks you normally wouldn’t bother with, or perhaps only do once a year.
In the kitchen, you can pull everything out of your fridge or freezer and clean the appliance. This is also a great time to do some inventory, check expiration dates, and maybe stock up on things like frozen produce and protein.
You can also do all those little tasks you’ve been putting off. Like hanging a piece of art, changing the lightbulbs, finishing painting a room or completing that Pinterest craft you bought all the supplies for.
Spring is the perfect time to get started on yard work in preparation for summer. This is also a great way to get some fresh air and mild exercise. Plant your seedlings, spray down and clean lawn furniture, prune the shrubs, aerate your lawn, etc.
We’d also recommend doing a deep clean of your bathtub, for some much-needed self-care soaks. And vacuuming under furniture, like your bed and couches, can help with dust or allergies, and be a good chance to rearrange your space for more room while you’re quarantined.
A self-quarantine cleaning checklist
Dust, pretty much everywhere
Deep clean the oven, microwave and sink
Organize your junk drawers
Clean or replace the shower curtain
Polish stainless steel surfaces and wood furniture
Clean air vents
Wash pillows
Clean reusable grocery bags
Clean the windows and mirrors
Clean your makeup and brushes
Clean blinds and window hangings
Get at that grout in the bathrooms and kitchen
Turn and vacuum your mattresses
Clean out trash cans
Deep clean the drains in the kitchen and bathrooms
Clean rugs, mats and carpets
Wash and detail cars
Clean the vacuum cleaner and other cleaning tools
If you can help it, complete the tasks you already have the supplies for, since we should all limit trips to the store as much as possible. And just because you’re social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t be social: post your cleaning progress photos on social media and tag us at @freshome!
This spring cleaning season, there’s a lot more than just decluttering at stake — a clean home could be your last line of defense against a...
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What is equity?
You’ll often hear the term equity when it comes to homeownership, but you may not even know what that means even if you already own a home. The amount of money you receive when you sell your house, minus any debt associated with it, is equity. When looking at it from an investment point of view, the owner of the asset (probably you in this case) is referred to as a stakeholder. There are two types of equity: book value and market value. Equity calculations occur most often in businesses and homes.
Calculating the difference between an asset and its liabilities determines the equity’s book value. An equity’s market value is based on the valuation of investors, or its current share price if you’re calculating the market value for a business. For a home, fair market value is typically what people in the consumer marketplace are willing to pay for your house.
Understanding home equity
Say you want to determine how much equity you have in your own home. You can take its current value and subtract the amount you still owe. For example, if your home’s value is currently $130,000 and you still owe $80,000, you have $50,000 of equity. Two factors affect your home’s equity:
If appreciation occurs due to home/property improvements or inflation
Paying down the principal that you owe on your original mortgage
When you make a down payment during your initial purchase, that helps bring down the amount you owe on the mortgage. Down payments are both a portion of the home’s total selling price, as well as your initial equity stake. Many mortgages, like a VA loan or USDA-backed loan, don’t require a down payment, however, it’s common for homeowners to put down between 3-5%.
The loan interest you have on your mortgage affects how quickly you can build equity. Your loan interest is a percentage of your total balance, which most pay monthly until the end of the mortgage term. Loan collateral is when you take out a loan and, in the case of real estate, the home becomes collateral. This reduces a lender’s risk; if the loan goes into default they can sell the collateral to recoup costs.
The term lien means you have a legal right or claim against a property. The first time a home lien happens is when you obtain the original mortgage. In that scenario, the lien is helpful because the home becomes loan collateral and you can build equity. Keeping up with your mortgage payments helps ensure any other lien doesn’t attach to the loan. So make sure you’re paying it on time to keep any liens away.
What happens to my equity if my home increases in value?
Let’s take the earlier example of your home being currently worth $130,000. You owe $80,000, so there is $50,000 in equity. Now, assume that the initial cost of your home was $100,000, and you made a 10% down payment at purchase. That percentage is also known as your equity stake. If you don’t incur any additional debt on your home, its equity will continue increasing as you make payments and its value increases.
$100,000 – 10% ($10,000) = $90,000 (original amount of the loan before making payments)
Original loan: $90,000
Payments to date: $10,000 ($90,000 – $10,000 = $80,000 owed)
There are lots of ways to build equity, including one that requires no work at all. When your property value increases due to rising prices in the housing market, you’re building home equity. Here are some additional ways you can build home equity:
Lowering your mortgage balance: The more you pay against your mortgage’s principal, the more equity you’ll have. Just make sure there are no pre-payment penalties.
Making larger mortgage payments: Each time you pay extra on your mortgage and apply that difference to the loan’s principal, you’re building equity.
Change the payment schedule: By making 26 half-payments instead of 12 full payments, you reduce the term of your loan, saving on interest and building equity faster.
Refinance the terms: If you opt to refinance your loan to a shorter-term 15-year loan, you’ll have higher payments but you will build equity faster than with a traditional 30-year loan.
Make improvements: Some home improvements increase the property’s worth and thereby your equity. But only certain types of improvements will pay off, so research for your area accordingly. And don’t forget curb appeal.
Keep it maintained: Keeping up with regular repairs and maintenance can increase your home’s worth when it comes time to sell, which results in higher equity.
Home equity loans
One of the most beneficial aspects of a mortgage is the ability to borrow against your equity. You can do that with a lump-sum loan or home equity line of credit.
How does a home equity loan work?
There are two types of home equity loans: lump-sum loans and the home equity line of credit.
Lump-sum home equity loan: A lump-sum home equity loan means lenders are allowing you to borrow a lump-sum of money against your existing equity. Because they fund in a lump sum, they’re similar to a personal loan.
Home equity line of credit (HELOC): A HELOC is a loan where the lender qualifies you for a revolving line of credit against a percentage of your home equity. This loan works similarly to a credit card whereby you carry the balance from month-to-month for the amount you’re allowed to borrow against your home’s equity.
Qualifying for a home equity loan
Qualifying for a lump-sum home equity loan means the lender looks at your credit history, income, the home’s current value and your debt-to-income ratio. When you’re trying to qualify for a HELOC, you must have at least 15-20% of your home’s value in equity. That determination occurs following an appraisal. You must also have a debt-to-income ratio that does not exceed roughly 40% (or a bit higher) and a credit score above 620.
Pros and cons of home equity loans
Pros:
Easy qualification: If a lender knows they can use your home as collateral they are more likely to qualify you for and approve your application.
Lower interest rates: Even if the home equity loan is challenging to get, you may find it has lower interest rates.
Cons:
Risk: If you cannot make your loan payments, you risk the home going into foreclosure.
Limitations: If you want to sell your home, you must pay off your home equity debt first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is equity and how do I find out my home equity? Equity is the amount of money an asset owner receives when they sell their house, minus any debt associated with it. To find your home equity, your first step is getting an appraisal. Then, take the value of the appraisal and subtract it from the amount you still owe on your mortgage.
Is it a good idea to take equity out of your house? If you need to make home improvements, cover costs for college, consolidate debt, obtain emergency expenses or secure long-term investments, then you may want to apply for a home equity loan (assuming, of course, you can afford the increased mortgage payment).
What credit score do you need to get a home equity loan? You have a better chance of qualifying if your credit score is 700 or above.
Which is better to get—a home equity loan or personal loan? If you need a substantial amount of funds, it’s more challenging to get a personal loan. A home equity loan allows you to repay over a longer-term as well.
Are there closing costs on a home equity loan? Though rates differ from lender to lender, expect to pay between 2-5% of the loan in closing costs. However, it isn’t uncommon for lenders to waive these fees.
Author Biography:
Jenn Greenleaf is a professional writer from Maine who also works part-time as a bookkeeper for her husband’s residential construction business. She specializes in writing about HVAC, commercial construction, and other home-related topics.
ITTIGallery/Shutterstock What is equity? You’ll often hear the term equity when it comes to homeownership, but you may not even know w...
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