Category: Life at Home

With the ongoing pandemic, we have to be more creative than ever when it comes to finding ways to stay entertained in and around our homes. Outdoor movie nights are a great way to take advantage of warm summer evenings while still social distancing. Here are some tips for how you can make this happen in your own backyard!

Use a Projector

When it comes to the logistics of showing a movie outside, projectors are your best bet. This allows you to connect to a computer or phone to use any number of streaming platforms which greatly expands your movie options compared to using DVDs with a TV. Use a portable movie screen or take a DIY approach and hang a sheet yourself. If you’re going the DIY route, you can even create your own smartphone projector using a shoebox and magnifying glass!

Decorate

Set the mood and create some ambiance with decorations. You can hang string lights or lanterns for a pop of light. A citronella candle will not only provide subtle lighting but help ward off mosquitoes and other pests. Also, consider a themed movie night and decorate accordingly. If you’re having guests, you can get even more elaborate with the decorations by rolling out a red carpet or offering invitations in the form of tickets. You can make your movie night as minimalist or extravagant as you want.

Get Comfy

The ideal seating solution will depend on your unique space. For some, lawn chairs will work best. Take advantage of any patio furniture you may already have. You may want to spread out blankets and lawn cushions for a relaxed and cozy setup. Creating DIY cardboard cars is a fun activity for kids and makes them feel like they’re attending a drive-in movie in your own backyard.

Don’t Forget the Popcorn

No movie night is complete without snacks. No matter your audience, you can’t go wrong with some sweet and salty treats and soft drinks. You can offer a signature drink for adults and a non-alcoholic version for kids. Stick with popcorn in its classic form or try something different like these popcorn chocolate chip cookies.

Check out our blogs for more information, resources, and guides to make the most of homeownership!

Many of us are now working remotely, and finding the space for an office in your home can seem daunting. Fortunately, even the smallest of areas can be transformed into functional and attractive workspaces! Find your inspiration with these unique creative options for a small space.

Closet Conversion

Remove a door from a closet and build or place a desk inside. You can use shelving to maximize your storage space, and use sliding doors or panels to hide any clutter for a crisp clean look. Painting the inside of the closet a different color than the rest of the room helps designate the space. Source: http://www.naptimedecorator.net/diy/the-closet-to-office-aka-cloffice-makeover/

Popup Workspace

If you want the freedom to set and break down easily, a popup workspace can be your best solution. Keeping portable work essentials all together allow you to easily relocate from your kitchen, to a coffee table, or to the bedroom as needed. It’s a good idea to still ensure you have ergonomic seating if you will be working in the same place for a long period of time. Source: https://www.popsugar.com/home/popsugar-editor-at-home-offices-47352752

Corner Nook

Almost any corner of your home can fit a small desk and chair. Explore options to see which area of your home will work best for you. You can even purchase or build a corner-shaped desk if you find your space is particularly tight. Source: https://justagirlandherblog.com/a-cozy-office-nook/

Many of us at First Home Mortgage is working from home as well. Our experienced Loan Officers are utilizing the latest communications technology to provide the highest level of customer service to our clients while keeping everyone safe. If you have any questions about purchasing or refinancing, please contact a loan officer today!

Photo credit: Betsy Goldbold

Packing up and moving to a new home can feel overwhelming, but during the current global pandemic, this feeling can be heightened with extra precautions considered. Follow these 5 tips to make your move feel as safe as possible.

1. Decide whether to use a moving company

With all of us trying to limit social contact and states placing restrictions on gatherings, it’s not the best time to rally all of your family and friends for a moving party. Moving everything yourself or with just a couple of helpers is doable, and arguably the safest option overall. However, if you have a lot of large items to move, limited time, or simply don’t feel able to do it yourself, it may be worthwhile to use a moving company. Most states consider movers to be essential, allowing you to lean on those moving companies in your area. Be sure to ask what safety precautions the company is taking to limit contact, and if there are any different procedures they need you to follow.

2. Clean your home before moving day

Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting your home while packing and before moving helps prevent bringing germs into your new place. It’s also an important measure to help protect your family, friends, or movers who are in your home and handling your boxes and furniture. Cleaning companies may be available in your area, but again be sure to use caution when planning to have additional people in your home.

3. Keep social distancing guidelines in mind

Keep CDC guidelines in mind while moving, particularly if individuals outside of your immediate family are involved. Wearing masks, maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding touching your face are all great practices to keep everyone safe during your move.

4. Clean and disinfect your new home before unpacking

Ideally, the prior owners would have already cleaned and disinfected it for you, but in times like these, it’s best to be sure! Thoroughly clean and disinfect using CDC recommended cleaning products before moving items into your new home or hire a cleaning company to do it for you.

5. Wipe down boxes before unpacking

Moving companies will often unpack items for you, but some homeowners are choosing to skip that step to limit the potential spread of germs. If you choose to unpack items yourself, wipe down the boxes with disinfectant wipes before opening them. Another option is to leave boxes in your new garage or basement for a few days if possible until they are past the point where germs could survive on the surfaces.

Following these moving tips can help give you peace of mind, knowing that you’ve done everything possible to keep yourself and those around you safe. If you have any questions about moving or refinancing now or in the future, please contact one of our experienced loan officers today!

With so many of us enjoying plenty of extra hours in our homes right now, it’s an ideal time to tackle some small but impactful projects to maintain and improve your space. We’ve compiled a list of our 5 favorite ideas, that all require minimal supplies to accomplish!

1. Organize!

This may not be the most exciting task for everyone to tackle, but organizing and reducing clutter makes your home more functional and enjoyable now and in the future.

Some common hotspots include kitchen drawers and cabinets, bedroom closets, home offices, and other frequently used areas. Cutting through the clutter and putting everything in its place can be a time-consuming process, but the finished results are well worth it! Find some inspiring before and after pics here!

2. Plant a Kitchen Herb Garden

An indoor herb garden is a beginner-level gardening project that reaps big rewards. Indoor plants help clean the air in your home, and fresh herbs are delicious to cook with! You can get creative with containers and use items you already have. Teacups and teapots are an attractive option, but even Tupperware works! Find a list of popular kitchen garden herbs here!

3. Rearrange Your Furniture – Or Go All Out and Refinish it.

Simply shifting the items you already have in a room can transform it. This can help relieve the boredom of spending so much time in the same place. Try a few different layouts and pick the one you like best. If you get tired of your new arrangement, change it up again!  If you want to impact your lookup, even more, this is also a good time to refinish any furniture that needs it, or that you’d rather have in a different color!

4. Paint! Paint! Paint!

Touch up paint anywhere that needs it – from walls and ceilings to baseboards to cabinets. Try out an accent wall or new front door color for some extra punch! Check out baseboard painting tips here!

5. Switch Things Up

Change out the photos in your wall frames, update your air vent covers, or swap out your cabinet and drawer knobs for something different. These changes take a bit of time but don’t require anything more than a screwdriver!

Making the most of your extra time at home with easy projects can help pass the time, ease the monotony and boost your enjoyment of your home!

We’re all practicing social distancing at First Home Mortgage, but with today’s range of communication technology, our loan officers can still offer you personalized service while keeping everyone safe. If you have questions about purchasing or refinancing a home, contact one of our experienced loan officers today!

There’s no doubt that technology has revolutionized our everyday lives. Implementing smart devices and technology throughout your home can improve your quality of life. Other than work, we spend the vast majority of our time at home and by using technology to automate everyday processes, we can save time, energy, and even money. Here are 8 ways to transform your home into a smart home.

1. Smart Home Assistant/ Smart Speaker

The first item you will need to turn your home into a smart home is a digital assistant. The two most popular options are the Amazon Echo and Google Home. Using voice commands, you can control many functions including the temperature, music, and even turn lights on and off. You can also use the assistant to set reminders or create your grocery list.

2. Smart Home Hub

Some smart speakers have a built-in smart home hub, but if your speaker does not have one you should consider a separate hub. The hub is essentially the brain, a central location where all your devices connect, allowing for total automation of your home from one app.

3. Smart Lightbulbs

Smart lightbulbs will not only make your life easier, but they are energy efficient! The bulbs will connect to your assistant giving you the power to turn lights on and off in any room with just the sound of your voice or on the app. Depending on the type of smart lightbulb you choose you can even control other settings such as changing colors!

4. Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat can be used to automate the temperature in your home. The thermostat can connect to your hub or assistant and can be controlled through the app. It can learn your favorite settings and monitor temperatures in different rooms of your home. Plus, if you are coming back from a trip, you can adjust the temperature so it is perfect once you arrive home!

5. Smart Doorbell

Smart doorbells have become increasingly popular in recent years. They can create a way to keep your family and home safer. The smart doorbell will alert you when someone is present and allows you to speak through the doorbell. The HD camera inserted into the doorbell adds the extra protection of checking in at any time. This could come in handy for when you’re not home. Most intruders ring the doorbell before breaking into a home, so if you’re not there and someone rings, you’re able to speak to them and see them which could potentially deter any further crime. Some smart doorbells even have the capacity to recognize frequent visitors and can tell you who is specifically at your door.

6. Smart Plugs

Smart plugs allow you to group and schedule devices via your app. You can use these to put timers on lighting, turn on appliances, and more! These are cheap, easy to install and connect to your smart home hub or speaker.

7. Security Cameras

One of the best ways to keep an eye on your home is through indoor and outdoor security cameras. Most smart home security cameras, whether indoor or outdoor, can easily connect to your home’s wi-fi. Through your smartphone, you can access the cameras to check-in and ensure everything is as it should be. Most people opt to have multiple cameras outdoors. Putting one camera on each corner of your home can allow a full range of view to see what is happening all around the perimeter. Many security cameras come with a storage option, some recording movements and allowing you to save or rewind to view previous footage.

8. Smart Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential in turning your home into a smart home. These smart detectors use technology to sense danger and alert you via your smartphone. Some detectors can even detect false alarms, only alerting you of a real threat. Most come with add-ons like sensors to determine occupancy in the home during an emergency.

 

Source: https://thesmarthomer.com/how-to-make-your-home-a-smart-home/

1. Develop Morning and Evening Routines

Working from home can be a major adjustment when you’re used to going into an office every day. To help embrace your new normal, develop a morning routine that sets you up for success, and an end of the workday routine to help send a signal to your brain that the day is done. This adds structure to your week and replaces some of your familiar office habits that you may miss. Popular recommendations for a morning routine are to enjoy a healthy breakfast, get some exercise, and get yourself ready. Some experts suggest it boosts productivity to get dressed as though you’re actually going into the office. When your workday is done, a brief relaxing activity like a game or some leisure reading can transition you out of work mode.

2. Create a Dedicated Workspace

It’s important to have a workspace that works for you, both practically and mentally. A designated space that’s relatively peaceful and quiet is the best way to go. Be sure to set up everything you’ll need to do your job, and since you’ll be spending lots of time there, make it as comfortable and convenient as you can!

3. Establish Dedicated Hours

Some jobs have more set hours, particularly positions where we need to be available to clients and partners during regular office hours. Others can be more flexible. In either case, a set work schedule is considered good practice for working from home. It provides you with a structure similar to what you’re used to, makes it easy to keep track of your time, and helps to keep the boundaries between your work and home life in place.

4. Don’t Forget Lunch and Breaks

Just as you would in the office – be sure to take your lunch and some occasional breaks! Setting alarms to remind yourself can be helpful.

5. Squeeze in Stretching and Exercise

Getting up to walk around and stretch periodically is always important at a desk job, but it can be even more important when working from home. This is because your home desk setup may not be as ergonomic as your office desk and chair. Experts particularly recommend spinal twists and neck stretches to protect your back and posture.

6. Find Some Outside Time

Get some fresh air during lunch and breaks, and as part of your morning routine when possible. It’s important to get out of the house so you don’t feel too cooped up!

7. Focus on Communication

Working from home means you aren’t getting face to face time with your colleagues. This makes communication more important than ever. Stay in touch about projects you’re working on, and call or video into meetings when it makes sense. Multiple sources suggest it’s important to be extra positive in remote communication, since quick texts and emails can be interpreted different ways by the reader. Break out the emojis and exclamation points!

8. Set Work Life Boundaries

A whole new set of “coworkers” can come along with working from home. Setting boundaries for your little ones and furry friends can keep you from feeling frazzled while you’re getting things done. On the flip side, just because you always have access to your work doesn’t mean you should work all the time! Try to maintain the work-life balance you’re used to.

9. Manage Sound to Avoid Distractions

Too much noise can be distracting, and so can too little! If you have to work in a noisy area, sound canceling headphones are a worthwhile investment. If silence is getting to you when you’re used to the hum of a busy office, try playing quiet music or turning the TV on at a low volume.

10. Do What Works for You!

Most importantly, tailor your work from home experience to what works best for you! While working from home can be challenging, there are plenty of benefits to balance that out. Find a space and schedule that makes you happy and productive, and live your best work from home life!

We’re all practicing social distancing at First Home Mortgage, but with today’s range of communication technology our loan officers can still offer you personalized service while keeping everyone safe. If you have questions about purchasing or refinancing a home, contact one of our experienced loan officers today!

Keeping our homes clean and disinfected is an important step in safeguarding our health and the health of our loved ones, particularly now. Hand washing, social distancing, and other CDC-recommended guidelines remain vital, as no cleaning is ever perfect. However, we can all reduce our risks by following these 7 home disinfecting tips!

1. Protect Your Hands While You Clean

From harsh cleaners and germs! It’s best practice to wear disposable gloves while cleaning and wash your hands well after removing them.

2. Use Disinfectant Wipes for Frequently Touched Hard Surfaces

These include door and cabinet knobs or handles, light switches, and banisters. Try to wipe them down at least once or twice a day, and allow the surfaces to air dry for the most effective results.

3. Use Disinfectant Spray on Large or Porous Surfaces

Fabric surfaces like sofas, mattresses, and even carpets can be sprayed with Lysol or a similar product to kill germs on the surface. The disinfectant spray also works well for large areas such as tables and countertops, and bathroom surfaces. Clean these surfaces with soap and water prior to disinfecting. Again, the disinfectant spray to air dry for maximum impact.

4. Mop Up Floor Germs

1 cup of bleach per 5 gallons of water is a solution recommended by the CDC to mop your floors and kill viruses and germs. Please note that this ONLY works for non-porous floors. Bleach and hardwood flooring are not friends!

½ cup white vinegar per 1 gallon of water works well for disinfecting hardwoods and other porous floor surfaces.

Mop your floors thoroughly and allow them to air dry to fend off germs tracked in on your feet! Removing your shoes when you come in the front door is another good practice to reduce floor germs.

5. Clean your toothbrush

Soaking your toothbrush bristles in hydrogen peroxide for 10-15 minutes is a safe way to sanitize it. Just be sure to rinse it thoroughly when you’re finished! Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean hard surfaces, but it needs to sit for 10 or 15 minutes before being wiped away in order to be fully effective in killing germs.

6. Disinfect All Frequently Used Electronics

This includes smart speakers, TV remotes and buttons, keyboards, phones, tablets, and even debit and credit cards. Use your best judgment depending on the item to decide between using disinfectant spray vs. disinfectant wipes!

7. Cleaning your Clothes

The CDC suggests washing your clothing at the highest appropriate temperature and fully drying them. Laundry bins should be regularly cleaned and disinfected, and disposal laundry bags can further prevent the spread of germs from laundry. Avoid shaking dirty laundry, and always wear gloves or wash your hands well after handling it. Changing into clean clothes when you come home can also help prevent the spread of germs inside. Laundry detergents specifically designed to help fend off viruses can be found on the CDA’s full list of approved products, linked below.

Some popular EPA approved disinfectants for killing viruses include:

Clorox Multi-Surface Cleaner + Bleach

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

Clorox Commercial Solutions® Clorox® Disinfecting Spray

Lysol brand Heavy-Duty Cleaner Disinfectant Concentrate

Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist

Lysol brand Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner

Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Wipes

Sani-Prime Germicidal Spray

(Source: CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/05/health/epa-disinfectants-coronavirus-trnd/index.html)

Find the full list of EPA approved disinfectants here:

https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf

First Home Mortgage is practicing social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines, but our Loan Officers are still always available to help with your mortgage needs! With today’s wealth of communication technology, we’re able to offer our clients personalized service while making health and safety a priority. If you have any questions about purchasing or refinancing a home, please contact one of our Loan Officers today!