Tag: fullertoncoronavirus

Estafas sobre el coronavirus y cómo evitarlas

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Mujer usando una laptop junto a artículos de protección contra el covid

Un estudio señala un aumento de estafas sobre el coronavirus a nivel nacional, siendo California el estado más afectado

De acuerdo a un estudio realizado por el sitio SocialCatfish.com que toca el tema de las estafas sobre el coronavirus por estado, los cinco estados principales son California (10,938 quejas, un aumento del 110% desde marzo), Florida (7,244 quejas, un aumento del 124%), Nueva York (6,677 quejas un 134%), Texas (6,427 quejas un 122%) y Pensilvania (4,245 quejas , hasta 201%).

A nivel nacional, la Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC) ha registrado 144.727 informes de fraude que costaron a las víctimas $93 millones, una pérdida media de $263 por persona. Las compras en línea ocupan el primer lugar en la mayoría de las quejas a nivel nacional acumulando 22,124 informes.

4 estafas comunes de compras en línea que puede evitar durante la crisis del coronavirus:

1. La estafa de los precios inflados: Algunos minoristas están marcando artículos esenciales como papel higiénico y desinfectante para manos a niveles exorbitantes. Esto es particularmente atroz con un desempleo récord, ya que las personas simplemente no pueden pagar $30 por papel higiénico. La ley de aumento de precios varía según el estado, pero en promedio es ilegal marcar un producto hasta un 10% o más durante una emergencia declarada. Amazon ha tenido que eliminar medio millón de artículos para la venta en su sitio web debido al aumento de precios y ha suspendido 6,000 cuentas.

Cómo evitarlo: si sospecha que es víctima de un aumento de precios, repórtelo al Departamento de Justicia en www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Actualmente, el mercado está abastecido a precios normales para artículos esenciales y es una buena idea planificar con anticipación una segunda o tercera ola.

2. La estafa de productos no entregados: Hay miles de sitios web que ofrecen productos esenciales, como cubrebocas y guantes que simplemente toman su información financiera y de pago, pero nunca le envían el producto y además se quedan con su información para futuras estafas.

Cómo evitarlo: compre productos de grandes empresas en las que confíe. Si se trata de una empresa más pequeña, investigue buscando en Google para ver las reseñas y si se han presentado quejas.

3. Envíos con límite de tiempo: Debido a esta estafa, los vendedores están obligados por ley a darle una fecha de envío estimada o enviarle sus productos dentro de los 30 días. Hay una excepción para los clientes que abrieron una cuenta de tarjeta de crédito para comprar un producto, lo que les da a los vendedores un plazo de 50 días para enviar su producto. Si hay un retraso en la fecha de envío esperada, la compañía a la que le compró el producto debe notificárselo.

4. Estafa de comestibles gratis: Los estafadores envían mensajes de texto a sus víctimas diciéndoles que acaban de ganar comestibles gratuitos de Costco con un valor de $130. Todo lo que los clientes deben hacer es proporcionar a los estafadores su información personal, y supuestamente recibirán comestibles gratuitos de Costco en su puerta.

Cómo evitarlo: actualmente no hay una cadena nacional de comestibles que ofrezca alimentos gratis. No dé su información personal.

How to Keep Your Dog Calm During the 4th of July

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Dog with Pendleton Blanket

Unsplash/Jennifer Chen.

How to help your pet through this fun but noisy holidaySUNSET  – July 2, 2020

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or in a doomsday shelter) you might have noticed that both illegal and “safe and sane” fireworks have been at an all-time high this month. And if you have a pet, you know that the loud booms have been especially unsettling for our furry friends.

To dogs, consistent loud noises and bright, flashing lights can cause a lot of distress, making the 4th of July (and the weeks before and after) one of the biggest times of the year for pet stress.

First, it’s important to recognize the many ways dogs can show signs of stress and anxiety. These signs can include: heavy panting, drooling, pacing, hiding, or trying to escape, trembling, potty accidents, wide eyes, and whining or barking. Pay attention to your dog and learn to recognize these signs or any other abnormal behavior.More Videos From SunsetHow to Pack an Emergency KitBe ready for any disaster with a pre-packed emergency kit.Volume 0%00:0501:11

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to help your dog overcome their fireworks-related anxiety. Here are some of the best tips I’ve tried with my easily spooked pup that seem to help.

Keep Your Dog(s) Inside During the Fireworks

This is a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people take their pets with them to enjoy a fireworks show. Not only is it scary for dogs to be out in the open or in a car with loud noises all around them, but it can also cause them to react in fear and run away. Keep in mind that fireworks may be enjoyable for humans, but they can be traumatizing for pets. If there is no other option, be sure to keep your dog’s tag and collar on at all times, and make sure your dog is chipped. This will make it infinitely easier to track down your pup should the unthinkable happen.

Get Plenty of Exercise

Tiring your dog out is a great way to ensure they sleep through the fireworks finale, which will give you all the freedom in the world to enjoy the show without worrying about your pet. An extra-long hike or ball-chasing session should do the trick, but make sure your dog is physically fit for the extra workout or it could lead to other long-term health issues.

Try Calming Treats

It’s important to do your research and consult your vet before giving your dog any calming treats or CBD tinctures. We’ve tried and loved NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Dog Soft Chews, which are chock-full of natural and active ingredients (vitamin B1, L-tryptophan, and melatonin) that promote calm and restfulness. We give our 70-pound dog four chews about 30 minutes before any high-stress event, coupled with reassuring petting and his security blanket, and it really makes a difference. While it’s tempting to give an anxious pet treats daily, check with your vet as even OTC treatments can cause digestive issues.

NaturVet Quiet-Moments

NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid for Dogs, from $12   Buy Now

A note on CBD for dogs:

While many dog owners have reported success using CBD oil to treat anxiety, there is currently no scientific data on how using CBD oil affects dogs. Because CBD products are not yet regulated, meaning consistency and purity are not always validated, check with your vet for the proper dosage for your pet’s breed and size.  

Try Soothing Sounds

If it’s bedtime and both you and your pup are having trouble dozing off, try a white noise machine, fan, or even the TV. The soothing and familiar sounds can help drown out some of the noise outside and re-runs might help you fall asleep more easily than an exciting new show. However, if the booms from the fireworks are too loud to drown with a fan or TV, turn up the music.  

SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine, from $79.99   Buy Now

A 2002 study found that music with a tempo of 50-60 beats per minute can greatly relax dogs, which means it’s time to make some classical, reggae, and soft rock mixes on Spotify for your pup. You can also purchase a device specifically geared towards dogs like the RelaxoPet Subliminal Sound Calming Aid.

RelaxoPet PRO Relaxation Trainer, $89.90   Buy Now

Create a Zen Spot

Chances are your dog runs and hides, tail in between legs when he hears a loud noise. By giving your dog the choice to leave a situation, you increase their confidence in dealing with uncertain or stressful moments. When choosing a “safe space” for your dog, look for a spot that is quiet, easily accessible, close enough that you can check on them, temperature-controlled, and big enough for your dog to stretch out as he/she needs. Be sure to provide water and any other comforting objects your dog enjoys, such as a security blanket (we like the ones from PetFusion) or safe chew toys. If your dog is feeling extra jumpy, check out the Thundershirt Anxiety Jacket, which is designed to apply gentle, constant pressure to calm anxiety, fear, and over-excitement.  

Thundershirt Classic Dog Anxiety Jacket, from $39.95   Buy Now

PetFusion Premium Pet Blanket, $17.99   Buy Now

Have a happy, safe, and stress-free Fourth of July!

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How to Set Up a Backyard Movie Theater In Under an Hour

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There’s nothing quite like watching a movie outside in your own backyard. Whether you miss going to the movie theater or you’re feeling nostalgic for retro drive-ins, you’ll love taking family movie night outside as the weather gets warmer. And DIY backyard movie theaters are actually pretty easy to set up yourself. You can do the entire thing in about 30 minutes if you have the right equipment (though keep in mind that a permanent installation will require a bit more work). “All you need is a portable projector to turn your own backyard into an outdoor cinema—any backdrop works in the dark… a kid’s tent, hanging a sheet, the wall, or even the ceiling of an overhang, says style and parenting influencer Alicia Lund. Ahead, learn how to ready your yard for movie night in just a few simple steps and watch Lund transform her own backyard into a magical outdoor theater to see how it’s done.

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U.S. home prices grew 5.5% in April despite pandemic

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The U.S. region that includes Colorado saw the strongest growth, with a 6.8% annual gain, FHFA saysJune 24, 2020, 12:25 pm By Kathleen Howley

U.S. home prices gained 5.5% in April from a year earlier as low mortgage rates and a shortage of listings boosted competition for properties and kept values growing even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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15 Crucial Questions to Ask a Realtor When Selling Your Home Amid and After COVID-19

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by First Team Real Estate | Jun 10, 2020 | Selling | 0 comments15 Crucial Questions to Ask a Realtor When Selling Your Home Amid and After COVID-19

Before you hire your next real estate agent to sell your home, asking the right questions is critical. The real estate market is constantly changing, even faster since the coronavirus outbreak. So if you are going to get top dollar for your home, you need a professional who is ready to tackle these tough questions to ask a Realtor and provide some quality answers.

An agent should be able to answer these 15 questions if they have a winning strategy to sell your home amid and after COVID-19. Because as the market continues to rebound, there is a whole new set of rules at play.

1. What is your plan for hosting virtual open houses?

Your agent needs to have a good grasp of digital marketing, especially since coronavirus has forced buyers to do the majority of their home search online. And virtual open houses are one of the biggest changes to the home sale process since COVID hit. In-person open houses currently cannot be held, so savvy agents have been hosting virtual open houses via Zoom, Facebook, and Instagram Live to allow large groups of interested buyers to view your home at once with minimal interruption to you and your life.

2. How will you publicize virtual open houses for my property?

Given the full planning, strategy, and execution of an in-person open house, a good virtual open house should have all of the same elements including a theme and giveaway to attract maximum participation, full marketing collateral, social media shares, eBlast, and more.

3. What kind of website and social media exposure will you provide?

Social media and online exposure are crucial to marketing your home in today’s market with so many buyers preferring to stay online for the bulk of their home search. Your agent should be active on social media and ready to roll out social shares for your property as soon as it goes live. And with the proper marketing, videos, and other marketing materials some homebuyers have been purchasing sight unseen amid COVID-19.

4. How many sites will my listing be syndicated to?

The answer from your listing real estate agent should include hundreds of syndication sites. When an agent places your listing on the MLS, it automatically gets syndicated to a couple of different online channels. But your property deserves an extended reach – and it’s possible to get just that if you work with an agent who has a robust network of syndication sites and a plan.

5. Do you have a comprehensive, step-by-step marketing plan for selling my property?

This should be a simple question – of course your agent should have a plan! Personally, our marketing plan at First Team begins with setting the perfect price for your home using intelligent pricing and your neighborhood’s home trend values and then moves onto exhausting all marketing exposure opportunities including matching your home up with thousands of active buyers we’re already working with at our company. With over 2,400 local agents across in Southern California, we know a lot of active house hunters!

6. Can you show me examples of the photography and marketing you provide?

Professional photography builds buyer emotion, minimizes your days on market, and maximizes your home’s price. Our preferred vendor for high-quality photography at First Team is PreviewFirst.  They produce beautiful photography AND videos to get buyers emotionally interested and invested in your home. Speaking of which…

7. Will you market my home through video so that buyers can tour it virtually?

In the wake of the coronavirus, photography isn’t enough. You need to allow all buyers, no matter their comfort level, the ability to view your home. That’s why creating a video to showcase your property in the best light possible is key. Check out some videos from our PreviewFirst partners here, including 3D tours as well.

8. What specific tactical steps will you take to ensure that I am pricing my home correctly?

It’s important that you are methodical and data-driven when it comes to pricing your home. And your agent should be the one with a strategy for how to do just that. Research comparable homes in your neighborhood that have sold with a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis), current market trends, and analyze each element to find the right price. At First Team, we use our Market Trends℠ tool to analyze your neighborhood’s home trend values to make sure we price your home properly so that it immediately gets the buyer’s attention it needs. Your price is a huge part of your home’s first impression!

9. Many agents are hard to reach. What is your availability and response time to answer a question or request?

If you like to text, make sure your agent does too. If you want a weekly check-in over the phone, let it be known. Remember, when it comes to selling your home, YOU should be the one calling the shots. Make sure your agent knows how you prefer to communicate and set expectations for response time. Even the busiest real estate agents should be able to commit to no more than a 24-hour turnaround time for texts, calls, and emails. Today’s market is changing even faster than usual, so you and your agent need to be perfectly in sync on quick decisions – especially during negotiations!

10. What should I do to get my house ready?

When hiring a Realtor to sell your home, preparations are a crucial topic to discuss. What budget-friendly updates will help attract more buyers? How can staging help your home sell for more money? Your agent may even suggest bigger remodeling projects that can help your home capture significantly more money based on other homes with similar amenities and updates in the neighborhood. Be open to ideas, make sure you choose preparations to fit your budget and translate into ROI, and consider taking advantage of programs like our First Impressions Concierge. Though our First Impressions Concierge, we pay upfront for the updates your home needs to sell for top dollar, and you don’t pay a dime until your home sale closes.

11. What happens if the appraisal comes in low?

This question has a lot of possible answers, and it’s important that your agent can speak about them all so that your home sale doesn’t hit a fatal snag. To decrease the odds of a low appraisal, an agent can play an active role by meeting appraisers at your home and sharing comparables and information about the home that the appraiser might not have. If a low appraisal still comes in, you can ask the buyer to make up the difference in cash, put together a second mortgage to cover the difference, lower your price and negotiate concessions in other aspects of the transaction like closing costs, and more. It’s important to know that you have options.

12. How will new mortgage rules affect me?

A true real estate expert has knowledge about every aspect of the transaction – including mortgage rules. There is a very good chance that the buyer of your home will need to secure a mortgage, and issues with that mortgage process can slow down your home sale. So make sure the real estate agent you choose to sell your home has strategies for overcoming these challenges in a sale, with a trusted lender to provide additional advice and insight. And if you will be selling your home and purchasing another, you will need help with your own new mortgage as well!

13. What will be your ongoing consultation role through completion of the sale – “until the check clears?”

A great real estate agent isn’t just there to help with one home sale, they are a guide and advisor for your financial future. Finding an agent who is a real estate planner, helping map out your goals and tying it to a strategy for success is what you deserve, and what you should be looking for in an agent. Remember, you’re building a lifelong relationship with an expert you can turn to whenever you need advice. And if you haven’t found that, then you haven’t found the right agent yet.

14. What happens if we get two or more offers at a time?

In today’s market with extremely limited inventory, it is very possible you will receive multiple offers on your home if you price it properly. So make sure you have an agreed-upon plan for how to review offers together. Set up a video call, review the fine points together, and make sure your agent knows what is most important to you. For some it’s the highest possible offer, for others it’s a quick sale, and for others, it’s finding a buyer who will love and cherish your home as much as you did. Whatever your top priorities, review them with your agent BEFORE the offers start rolling in.

15. What can you tell me about your past customers regarding the results and reputation of your services?

Check their references! Treat this process just as you would any job interview so that you find the right person. Always approach online reviews with a grain of salt, but don’t forget to read them – and review them thoroughly.

These questions to ask a Realtor when selling your home amid and after COVID-19 are all geared toward assessing their preparedness. Because without proper planning and strategy, you can’t succeed in any market.