Breaking: Demystifing CARES Act and Other COVID-19 Resources for Investors

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By Stephanie Mojica

The $2.2 trillion CARES Act is the largest economic relief program in the history of the United States and has two primary programs to offer — the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

These programs, offered through the Small Business Administration (SBA), provide unprecedented economic relief for entrepreneurs, according to Rony Marootian. He is the Marketing Operations Manager for the Los Angeles-based tax preparation and financial consulting firm Robert Hall & Associates.

PPP loans are based on the average monthly payroll expenses of a business, multiplied by 2.5 and capped at $10 million, according to Marootian. They are intended to cover expenses for a business during any eight-week period between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020. PPP funds can be used for payroll costs, rents, mortgage interest, and utilities. If a business owner maintains a certain level of payroll expenses and employee numbers during that eight-week period, the loan is 100% forgiven; as employee numbers fall below those levels, the forgivable amount is phased out.

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While business owners can get both the PPP and the EIDL, both loans cannot be used for the same purpose, Marootian said in a recent email interview with Realty411.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “if you are able to secure a PPP loan, the $10,000 grant will be subtracted from the forgiveness amount.”

EIDLs (also known as emergency advance grants) are to be distributed within three days of a business’ application; however, the PPP program does not have deadlines for lenders to disburse loans, Marootian said.

“However, the purpose of these new programs is to get funds to small businesses struggling to stay open and keep employees paid due to COVID-19, so the CARES Act has provisions to reduce burdens in the processes and increase efficiency,” he added.

SBA PPP loans are disbursed by SBA-approved lenders. Due to the circumstances of the COVID-19 crisis, the SBA has given the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the SBA the ability to grant temporary SBA-lender status to lenders that do not currently participate in the program; this will allow more loans to be approved and disbursed as quickly as possible. The SBA does not issue PPP loans, but instead guarantees them to the lender. However, the SBA directly administers EIDLs.

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“Based on our experience, we’ve not seen the government provide such a rapid response to help small businesses,” Marootian said.

“The purpose of these new programs is to keep small businesses afloat and get funds to small businesses who are struggling to continue to pay employees, so it was imperative that they responded quickly.”

According to the CARES Act, a small business is any business that operates with 500 or fewer employees. In some industries, the size may be expanded by the SBA. Self-employed professionals, independent contractors, and sole proprietors also qualify, according to Marootian.

“The SBA does not currently have an industry size standard for employee numbers for real estate brokerages, property managers, appraisers, or other activities related to real estate,” Marootian said.

Sole proprietors and “gig economy” workers will have to provide documentation to prove eligibility, including payroll tax filings to the IRS, Forms 1099-MISC, and income and expenses from the sole proprietorship, according to Marootian.

Marootian emphasized the importance of not pursuing any financial programs or making any business-related expenditures without some level of professional guidance.

“With so much uncertainty, be sure to speak to your accountant and financial advisor to review your options before you spend any money during this time,” Marootian added.

To find more information about the PPP loan program, please visit: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

To find more information about the EIDL, please visit: https://covid19relief.sba.gov

Robert Hall & Associates is currently offering complimentary consultations about taxes and other financial concerns. For more information, call 818-242-488 or email [email protected].

The Myths in Residential Assisted Living – Part 2

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By Gene Guarino

Where do we find the seniors?

There are tens of millions of seniors in our country today who will need assistance with their Activities of Daily Living, according to AARP. That doesn’t mean they’re all going to move into an assisted living home or facility, but they will need help. The question is how do they get that help? How are they going to find you? Are you going to help with that assistance by providing a home for them to live in and or the care for them? If so, that’s what Residential Assisted Living is all about.

Do seniors want to live with other seniors, and are they going to get along?

senior-1682483_1280

Yes. There’s a lot of seniors who are aging in place at home right now. Their kids have moved away. They’re at home all alone and maybe they can take care of themselves, but frankly, they would much rather have people around them. Being with other seniors their age is vital to their health and their mental stability and wellness as well, so it’s a great thing. Are they going to get along with strangers? People ask us that all the time. The answer is yes. The reality is they get it. They understand, they would rather be in their own home with their own family all around, but they know that’s not their reality. They do need help in a different level, different kind. They want to be with peers of their own age and there’s give and take.

How can they afford Residential Assisted Living?

money-2173148_1280

You know, a lot of people think the government’s going to take care of the long-term care needs of the parents or grandparents in their life, and the answer is, well, the federal government does give money to the state government. The state then comes up with a program. They basically say to their citizens, show us that you’re of age, let’s say 65 and above, show us your assets, your income, your age, and we’ll determine if you qualify for our program. That state’s program may pay out $2,000 a month for long-term care or assisted living, but that amount is going to be reduced by whatever income they have. We focus on private pay. Private pay is where that senior’s assets are being used to pay for their care or the family is subsidizing it privately, but it’s private money, not government money, not an insurance program. Now there are long-term care insurance programs, which are wonderful. The reality is less than 10 percent of the people that come into our homes have those long-term care policies. Most of them are using private resources, the senior’s home that’s been liquidated, a retirement account IRA, a pension fund that they or their widow, spouse are now receiving and collecting. It’s usually those three things, liquidating any other assets they have and once that money runs out, then it’s the kids who are supplementing whatever it is they need to take care of mom and dad.

Be sure to subscribe to our iTunes podcast to listen on the go! [CLICK HERE]

gene

Gene Guarino
Founder/CEO
Residential Assisted Living Academy™

Gene is the President, CEO & Founder of RALAcademy.com. Gene has over 30 years experience in real estate investing and business. Today, Gene is focused on just one thing… investing in the mega-trend of senior assisted housing. He has trained thousands of investors/entrepreneurs throughout the United States how to invest in and operate residential assisted living homes. For over 25 years he has been educating people on the strategies of successful investing, business and self-employment. He now specializes in helping others take advantage of this mega-trend opportunity.

 

The Myths in Residential Assisted Living – Part 1

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By Gene Guarino

Is this considered commercial or residential?

The first myth that I want to cover with you is commercial versus residential. We talk about Residential Assisted Living because it’s a single family home, in a residential neighborhood. The home itself might be a little bigger than your average home. Instead of a three bed, two bath home, it might start with a four bedroom, three bath home or maybe a five or six bedroom home. It’s a residential home, but we are using this for a commercial purpose. Now be careful how you word it and think about a RAL home. I didn’t say we’re running a business or operating a business out of a home, that’s different because many places that have an HOA, and have CC&Rs or covenants, codes, and restrictions, are going to have some kind of wording in there that says you can’t operate a business out of your home. When we talk about Residential Assisted Living, it is a residential home and a group home for the elderly, so it’s not a business. We don’t have a lot of customers coming and going all day long. You have to understand that’s what most of those restrictions are for. They don’t want to have a retail establishment in the middle of the neighborhood, but it definitely is residential and we’re using it for this specific purpose.

Is it hard to get financing?

financing-3536755_1280 Now when it comes to the lending, It’s a residential home. It’s non-owner occupied, so you could pretty much go to any bank as if you’re just going to buy a house that you’re going to use as a rental property, it’s called non-owner occupied because you’re not living in the house. This might be 20 percent down and then the bank will finance up to 80 percent LTV or loan to value. That can be a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan or other types of residential loans the bank is offering, so again it is a residential, not commercial property. Now we can also use private lenders, investors and joint venture partners, people who will provide the capital that’s needed.

What will it cost to renovate it into Residential Assisted Living home?

It depends on where the home starts. What does it already have? Do you want to add space, maybe convert a garage into bedrooms or a living space? That would all cost money, but at least we’re starting with the concrete floor, the walls, the ceiling, the electric. We may have to upgrade the HVAC, level the floor, put in walls, closets, doors, and windows. You can convert 20 x 24 garage for approximately $20,000 to $30,000 depending on your location. Always get permits, use proper contractors and so on.

Keep this in mind.

rocking-chairs-522757_1280Keep in mind that it is a residential home. It’s a group home for the elderly, but it’s a residential setting. Remember, step one is location. then find out what the rules and regulations are, and then begin. There are a lot of myths regarding Residential Assisted Living, and we are going to help you through it.

Be sure to subscribe to our iTunes podcast to listen on the go! [CLICK HERE]

gene

Gene Guarino
Founder/CEO
Residential Assisted Living Academy™

Gene is the President, CEO & Founder of RALAcademy.com. Gene has over 30 years experience in real estate investing and business. Today, Gene is focused on just one thing… investing in the mega-trend of senior assisted housing. He has trained thousands of investors/entrepreneurs throughout the United States how to invest in and operate residential assisted living homes. For over 25 years he has been educating people on the strategies of successful investing, business and self-employment. He now specializes in helping others take advantage of this mega-trend opportunity.

 

Senior Activities within Residential Assisted Living

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By Gene Guarino

Seniors may be starting to slow down, but it’s just as important for them as it is for you to stay active! They need to move and be engaged to stay healthy and happy. The types of activities seniors can do come in two main categories: the mind and the body.

hand-3672941_1280Activities that engage the mind are ones that offer seniors social, spiritual or intellectual interaction, with themselves and with others. Activities that engage the body are physical ones, exercises that get the senior up and moving around. Having both kinds of activities is incredibly important for healthy aging. Here’s a quick look at some types of activities in each category.

rollator-2298056_1280Body Mobility is one of the biggest issues that seniors face when participating in body activities. There are just certain things that seniors are unable to do, and these limits vary between people. One person may be able to get around with a cane, while another needs a walker and a third uses a wheelchair. All three of them need to exercise and move their bodies. They can all do activities, just at different levels. Physical activities are important because they improve balance, strengthen muscles, and stimulate blood flow – all important things for a senior! These seniors may not start out with much endurance, being able to only do five minutes a day, but with consistency they will gain endurance. A senior can build up endurance to participate in body activities from 5 minutes to 10 to 30 and even higher, it just takes working a little bit every day.

man-4229198_1280Mind Stimulating the minds of seniors is equally as important to their health as moving their bodies. There are many activities that any senior can do to engage their own mind as well as those around them. Art therapy is incredibly popular, especially with colorful and tactile projects. Crafting and arts can help improve seniors’ mood, dexterity and focus. Another great activity is to read a book aloud for the seniors or have them listen to audiobooks. Listening to a story really allows them a chance use their mind. Playing games is something everyone can enjoy! Some of the most popular games among seniors include classic board games like checkers, chess, and parcheesi or popular card games like spades, rummy, and canasta. Activities like games that engage the whole group make for some real stimulating fun. One of the best and most effortless ways to mentally engage a senior is to play music from their generation, from when they were teenagers. It really helps bring clarity and spark memories from their youth, and has even been shown to help those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. An active senior is one who is being stimulated physically and mentally on a regular basis through exercising, creative activities and social interaction. Consistent mind and body activities can really help improve mood, focus, dexterity, mobility, flexibility, endurance and so much more! Keeping active as a senior is vital to leading a happy and healthy life.

Be sure to subscribe to our iTunes podcast to listen on the go! [CLICK HERE]

gene

Gene Guarino
Founder/CEO
Residential Assisted Living Academy™

Gene is the President, CEO & Founder of RALAcademy.com. Gene has over 30 years experience in real estate investing and business. Today, Gene is focused on just one thing… investing in the mega-trend of senior assisted housing. He has trained thousands of investors/entrepreneurs throughout the United States how to invest in and operate residential assisted living homes. For over 25 years he has been educating people on the strategies of successful investing, business and self-employment. He now specializes in helping others take advantage of this mega-trend opportunity.

 

Transforming Your Home Into Senior Housing

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By Gene Guarino

What exactly is senior housing?

Senior housing can be anything from independent living to assisted living or even memory care or a SNF (skilled nursing facility) . For independent living, it is a home that would be considered “senior safe” with grab bars, smoke detectors, wider doors and the like. To really make it safe you would potentially remove the obvious trip hazards of uneven floors and small steps or transitions within the home. There maybe safety features like smoke detectors or cameras within the house, being monitored by an outside service. It could even include fire suppression. All of those things are potentially a part of providing safe senior housing.

What is Independent living?

From the real estate perspective, Independent living is providing a home that is “senior safe”. That may mean grab bars, smoke detectors, wider doors, trip hazards removed. Think about the “Golden Girls” The TV show from the 80s. The home itself may have 3 or four bedrooms with 3 or 4 or more people living there. If you have a home right now that is on a single level that could be converted to four bedrooms with at least two bathrooms, so there’s two people to a bathroom or maybe you add some extra bathrooms. That could be a good transformation or conversion from your current home into “Golden Girl” style senior housing.

smoke-315874_1280In that golden girls or golden boys model, the rent that you’re charging can be anything that you want of course but it’s higher than normal rent. That is because you’re including things like utilities, upkeep on the house, maintenance. Now imagine if instead of renting the house for $1,200 or $1,500 a month, you are renting each bedroom for $1,000 a month and it includes all of those things. That is $4,000 instead of $1,500. Even with the utilities accounted for you are potentially netting an additional $2,000 a month. So a senior wouldn’t have to worry about the upkeep and the uncertainty of the maintenance on the house. Even the utilities become a fixed cost because its included in the rent. They can be confident that all of their housing expenses are taken care of. Now they can just call a number and somebody comes and fixes whatever is needed. Peace of mind knowing that their housing is taken care of is very important to seniors.

What is Assisted Living?

No one moves into Assisted Living unless they need assistance. People that needed some help or assistance with 2 or more “Activities of Daily Living” or ADLs, would be the market for a AL Home. There is 24/7 care provided by properly trained caregivers. These are not nurses and doctors but rather people that are trained to help seniors and assisted them with their ADLs.

hospice-1902144_1280In residential assisted living we have residents not tenants. They pay a monthly fee for the care they receive and they are provided with a place to live but they are not tenants paying rent. Assisted Living means there’s going to be caregivers there. They’re not necessarily living in the house with them as live in caregivers though. If the caregivers are living there as “live in” caregivers, there might be a room that’s designated for the caregivers. But the conversion itself is fairly similar to Independent Living. The home needs to be “senior safe” but not ADA compliant. There may be a few more requirements to make sure it’s appropriate for assisted living.

Transforming your home into senior housing, whether it be golden girls and golden boys, or whether it be assisted living and all of the benefits that come with that, is an option that create tremendous cash flow. Being in a location that is close to things like Libraries, grocery shopping, movies and those kinds of things are more important for independent living, golden girls, golden boys, than it is assisted living. In Assisted living they’re going to be in the home, and their families visit them there.

You can also subscribe to our iTunes for on the go listening:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/assisted-living-networks-podcast/id1360517721?mt=2

gene

Gene Guarino
Founder/CEO
Residential Assisted Living Academy™

Gene is the President, CEO & Founder of RALAcademy.com. Gene has over 30 years experience in real estate investing and business. Today, Gene is focused on just one thing… investing in the mega-trend of senior assisted housing. He has trained thousands of investors/entrepreneurs throughout the United States how to invest in and operate residential assisted living homes. For over 25 years he has been educating people on the strategies of successful investing, business and self-employment. He now specializes in helping others take advantage of this mega-trend opportunity.

 

Making Money Or Helping People – Do You Have To Choose?

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By Gene Guarino

Can I do a RAL home as a business?

20 years ago, when I first heard about assisted living, I learned about the silver tsunami that was coming. Because when you think about it, the baby boomers have been driving our economy for decades and decades. The next move in our economy is in, taking care of seniors, those that need the help, that are aging in place and getting older every single day. It is the fastest growing demographic in the US and throughout the world.

tree-97986_1280When I 1st heard about the opportunity in the aging of the baby boomers, they were sharing it from the business perspective. I wanted to learn more but there was nobody willing and able to show me how it’s done. Six years ago, when the real estate market had virtually crashed all over the country, I said, “now is the time to get in.” But when it comes to the real estate part of the RAL home, it’s just bricks and sticks. You can fix it, flip it, buy it, hold it and rent it. That just feels kind of cold and meaningless. My next thought was “is there more of a personal side to this?” I was really looking for something besides the money that could be made.

What if taking care of people is my priority?

Taking care of the elderly could be your priority or focus in life. They are the greatest generation, and they need help with the transition. It’s more than that though, it’s personal. It’s your mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa too. It gets emotional for many people.

hospice-1821429_1280Make sure that your heart and your eyes and your focus are in the proper balance. You have to take care of business, but you also must have a heart. We’re taking care of people, but it’s okay to make money. This isn’t a charity and it’s a not a nonprofit.

You can help people and make money at the same time!

Making money is why we do it, but we can choose to do it in a way where we can make money and help people. The more money you make, the more you can give and it flows through you, the faster it comes.

Many of you would like to help more charities or provide more support for other people. If you need money, we can show you how to do that and if you want to help other people, you know you can do that as well through residential assisted living.

You can have the best of both worlds and take care of your own family.

couple-4871069_1280We are all getting older and have parents or people who are older than us. Eventually, somebody is going to need to take care of them. So on one side, you can start your own home so that they can move in and live for free. Or you can move them in and you can charge them whatever it is that they can afford and that you are willing to accept.

You see, it’s about the care. You want to take care of them. You want to have a little bit of control over the caregivers and managers, but not be the caregiver or manager. So by owning the Residential Assisted Living home, you can have that control, and you can help them do good and do well. It is truly the best of both worlds. Making money and helping others.

You can also subscribe to our iTunes for on the go listening:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/assisted-living-networks-podcast/id1360517721?mt=2

gene

Gene Guarino
Founder/CEO
Residential Assisted Living Academy™

Gene is the President, CEO & Founder of RALAcademy.com. Gene has over 30 years experience in real estate investing and business. Today, Gene is focused on just one thing… investing in the mega-trend of senior assisted housing. He has trained thousands of investors/entrepreneurs throughout the United States how to invest in and operate residential assisted living homes. For over 25 years he has been educating people on the strategies of successful investing, business and self-employment. He now specializes in helping others take advantage of this mega-trend opportunity.

 

Is Assisted Living the Business for You?

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By Gene Guarino

Can you start an Assisted Living Business?

A lot of people say, “I’ve never started a business before. I’ve never done anything like what you’ve done. Can I do it?” I want you to think about where you’re at today. Some of you are at a point in your life where you’re just going through the paces. You’re not quite sure what you really want or how to get out of the rat race, but you’re saying you want more. You’re afraid to start something new. I’m guessing that some of you are thinking there’s a lot of risks if you start something. I’m safer if I just stay where I’m at if I just keep working for the company if I just keep doing what I’m doing. I want to blow that up with you just a little bit right here.

business-3080028_1280Are you afraid to start a business?

I know some of you are afraid of starting a business. It’s unknown. You’ve not done it before. You are scared because you could lose money. You should be more afraid of losing time. Money can be replaced, but what you can’t replace is your time. And every day you put off doing something more or better, is a day that you’ll never get back. So I want you to dig in and think about what is it you really want. If you want help in getting to that future, I can help you. You don’t have to do it on your own. I’m willing to show you how.

How can the RAL Academy help?

survival-3580200_1280The Residential Assisted Living (RAL) Academy is all about teaching people how to do this. We come together and we help each other in this. I’ve done it before and I’m willing to show you how, but this idea of “I’m here and I want to get there”, That’s a big gap. Let me hold your hand and walk you through. Some of you are afraid to ask for that help and yet here I am offering that help. I’m here for you. I can’t help you with everything but I definitely can help you with starting a business, doing something new, senior housing, raising capital, all of those elements that it takes. What we do is bring it all together so that you can do it better, faster and easier.

What is your motivation?

You have to really think about why you do what you do. If you’re all about the money and the Glitz and the glamour, someday that’s going to wear out. The shine is going to dull. The excitement’s going to go away. Ultimately, what is it you really want? What you really want is likely to have people that love you all around you. You want to have the ability to share with other people what you have, not just your money and your things, but your knowledge, your passion, your encouragement. I can’t make you do it, but I can encourage you. I can give you the information, but again, I’m not going to make you do it. It’s who we are and what we leave behind, the legacy, family, and friends, those people, the what we do and the why we do it.

Be sure to subscribe to our iTunes podcast to listen on the go! [CLICK HERE]

gene

Gene Guarino
Founder/CEO
Residential Assisted Living Academy™

Gene is the President, CEO & Founder of RALAcademy.com. Gene has over 30 years experience in real estate investing and business. Today, Gene is focused on just one thing… investing in the mega-trend of senior assisted housing. He has trained thousands of investors/entrepreneurs throughout the United States how to invest in and operate residential assisted living homes. For over 25 years he has been educating people on the strategies of successful investing, business and self-employment. He now specializes in helping others take advantage of this mega-trend opportunity.

 

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting In Assisted Living

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By Gene Guarino

I’m going to suggest three things to you, and if you do them, you can experience tremendous success in Residential Assisted Living.

Number 1: Learn from others.

training-3185170_1280Learn from other people’s challenges, successes, and failures. Learn from other people’s mistakes whenever possible. Learn from somebody who’s actually doing what you are trying to do, not from people that just talk about it. When I share with you on RAL it is from my hard earned experience. Learning from my experience is a lot easier than learning it all on your own. Listening carefully when I say “here’s what I did that worked” and “here’s what I did that didn’t work,” If you do listen and learn from other people’s experience you would be very smart to take advantage of that knowledge and experience.

The most expensive lessons in life come from the experience that we gain when we say, I will do it myself. Many times we end up saying “I wish I knew that before I started.” You may be thinking that you’ll be saving yourself some money in the short term, but if you save yourself weeks or months or years that will be much more valuable than the small amount you may save in the short term. Saving time is even more valuable than saving money.

Experience is the result of taking action. Good or bad, lesson learned or lesson ignored, the result is experience. The experience we gain may show us what to avoid, or how to better respond to a specific challenge. If you’ve decided to learn from others whenever possible to help you avoid some of the negative experiences, that is well worth the effort. Simply learning from somebody who’s done it before, who has faced it before and is willing and able to show you how to do it in advance, can save you from having to experience the mistakes that you could have avoided. It is always best to learn from other people’s experience whenever possible.

Number 2: Have systems in place.

manual-3684460_1280When you have a business, you typically have standard operating procedures, SOPs. In Residential Assisted Living, the SOPs are commonly known as “policies and procedures.” It covers everything from bringing somebody into the home, medication management, menus, scheduling of the caregivers, record keeping and everything in between. Even checking a resident out of the home.

All of those policies and procedures are laid out clearly and are the guide for a smoothly running home. It is the systems for everything, “if this… then that.” It could be things like, if there’s a storm that causes the house to be uninhabitable, what is the system in place to be able to move the residents to another home? Where do they go? How do we get them there? What happens if the electricity goes out and the food in the refrigerator goes bad? Is there backup food and water? The policies and procedures and the standard operating procedures are the systems that we have in place to operate this business.

Number 3: Have a backup plan.

planning-620299_1280The third one is to have backup plans. If we have a system we can see what is going right, but when something doesn’t go right what’s the backup plan? What’s the plan B and C and D? We’re going to have a plan, “here’s what we do” in every situation. If this doesn’t work, then this is what we do next. How are we going to do this if we can’t get it done that way? If you have systems in place and you have the backup redundancy, you can pretty much handle anything that comes your way in Residential Assisted Living or virtually anything that you do.

You can also subscribe to our iTunes for on the go listening:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/assisted-living-networks-podcast/id1360517721?mt=2

gene

Gene Guarino
Founder/CEO
Residential Assisted Living Academy™

Gene is the President, CEO & Founder of RALAcademy.com. Gene has over 30 years experience in real estate investing and business. Today, Gene is focused on just one thing… investing in the mega-trend of senior assisted housing. He has trained thousands of investors/entrepreneurs throughout the United States how to invest in and operate residential assisted living homes. For over 25 years he has been educating people on the strategies of successful investing, business and self-employment. He now specializes in helping others take advantage of this mega-trend opportunity.

Breaking News: This Week’s Historic Stock Surge Calms Investors

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By Stephanie Mojica

After weeks of bad news, there is plenty of good news for real estate investors and realtors alike. On Wednesday, March 25, U.S. President Donald J. Trump as well as Senate and Congressional leaders reached an agreement on a $2 trillion stimulus package to hopefully stave off any recession due to the myriad problems caused by COVID-19.

economy-3972328_1280The day before, Dow had its best day since 1933, according to The Los Angeles Times. Dow’s index increased by 11.4%.

Standard & Poor leaped 9.4%, which was the third-best day for gains since the 1940s. Because Standard & Poor is particularly important for 401(k)s, which impact an estimated 50% of American workers, according to CNBC.

Nasdaq jumped 8.1% as well.

According to Forbes, the unprecedented stimulus package will do the following:

• send $1,200 checks to most Americans;
• increase unemployment insurance benefits;
• set up a $500 billion loan program for small businesses in trouble;
• provide $130 billion for hospitals;
• inject $150 billion into state and local stimulus funds;
• loan $50 billion to affected airlines; and
• create a $500 billion fund for industries, cities, and states.

wall-street-4847634_1280Yesterday’s latest statement from President Trump indicates he set Easter as an optimistic date for businesses to resume to full operation. These positive signs from Wall Street and the executive branch are increasing investor confidence in both the stock and real estate markets.

OH WOW! From Hoard To Restored

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By Holly Lynn

Go From Hoard To Restored With These Easy Tips

With spring upon us; along with tulips, allergies, and warmer weather, is the dreaded spring cleaning. It’s time to scrub, disinfect, and purge.

It’s an opportunity to prepare for the year ahead and lighten up the heaviness that too many Christmas gifts and accumulation of junk from the previous year.

With these simple tips, you can go from gatherer to minimalist in no time.

Make a plan of action.

idea-1855598_1280As with any project, a good plan of action is a good idea. If you want to get organized you have to organize your thinking.

Go from room to room and write down what needs to be done overall. Then make subcategories for each room. For example the kitchen. Write down everything that has to be done. Then in the subcategories write down the freezer, pantry, cupboards, etc. Next to each item write if you are keeping, donating, trashing, or recycling/upcycling, or selling.

You can find many helpful lists on Pinterest or just Google it.

Donate to charitable thrift shops.

Donating to charity feels good! It’s a way to give your stuff away to a good cause. Only donate items that are in good condition, unsoiled, and mark-free. There are many places that will take your belongings. Some will even pick up your donations, depending on location.

donate-654328_1280The Salvation Army has been around for almost 155 years. Donations fund a myriad of programs aimed at assisting people. The non-profit organization sponsors rehabilitation, financial aid, disaster relief, elderly services, youth camps, etc. Check the website for pick up availability in your area.

Goodwill is a for-profit charitable organization that uses funds to assist with job placement and employment services. Pickup service is available in some areas.

Hospice provides quality, palliative care for terminally- ill persons who have less than six months to live. They focus on comfort care rather than life-saving measures. They also provide other services such as family support services, financial assistance, etc.

AMVETS thrift stores’ goal is to provide veterans with extending services such as V.A health, scholarships for education, youth services, entertainment abroad, etc.

There are many more thrift stores that are willing to accept your donations.

Make money

Another way to rid yourself of excess stuff is to bulk up your piggy bank by selling your items. There are the old-fashioned methods of yard sales and garage sales, but in this day and age, the internet has many websites or apps that can make selling easier.

ecommerce-2140604_1280Craigslist is a website devoted to forums, rentals, rants, and raves, etc. One of the most frequented sections is the For Sale category. You can post any item for sale and arrange for a meetup between yourself and the purchaser. Always be cautious when procuring this kind of acquisition.

Poshmark is an app where selling your clothing, shoes, accessories to buyers is easy. Poshmark focuses on preloved fashion that is usually name- brand. They provide a shipping label and you pop it in the mail. No meetings are necessary.

Etsy This app focuses on the unique, handmade, and vintage.

Mercari, also known as the selling app, is a hub for many categories. From fashion to footballs, and Louis Vuitton to Nike, Mercari is a great place to off your hoard and get moola.

Recycle and repurpose

In a throw-away society, recycling and repurposing are beneficial to the planet. You can toss your paper goods; such as calendars, old dusty books, and magazines, in the recycle dumpster.

recycle-555645_1280Repurposing furniture to sell or redecorate is a creative way to save money or make money. The cost of new paint or varnish pales in comparison to having to purchase new furniture.

Always try to reuse and repurpose. However, if you spend too much of your time, or if it gets in the way of making progress in your cleaning expedition, then maybe you should let it go.

One way to get help is to get your friends on board. In exchange for helping offer and bribe them with your goodies. You can kill two birds with one stone. You know the old saying, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”

Throw it away

When you cannot see a way to donate, sell, give away, or recycle/repurpose; then just toss it! Please don’t ponder on this too long. This is what got you in this mess in the first place. Marie Kondo, organizing expert asks, “Does this spark joy?” If the answer is no, then release it. Just throw it in the trash bin!

Organize it

In the event that you just can’t part with Johnny’s school artwork or the sweatshirt you had since college, then at least organize it. Put it in boxes, plastic storage containers, anything to tidy up the clutter.

boxes-3992896_1280You can find superb, organizational, containers on Amazon or Walmart. Just make sure you do not make another hoard with storage boxes.

Here are some final tidbits to help you:

  • Use over-the-door racks for everything
  • Store shoes in a bin under the bed
  • Roll up towels, undies, and t-shirts for easier storage
  • Color coordinate everything
  • Keep kitchen appliances in the cupboards for clutter-free countertops
  • Hang your pots and pans
  • Use tension rods to add space in your cabinets
  • For chemical-free cleaning use baking soda, vinegar, and water.
  • Make use of vertical spaces
  • Bring older food to the front in your cabinets and refrigerator

“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.”
– Barbara Hemphill

“For every minute spent organizing is an hour earned.”
—Benjamin Franklin

We tend to hold onto belongings because they evoke memories, make us feel secure, or because of laziness. Whatever the reason that you find yourself surrounded by material possessions, free your soul by minimizing, organizing, and mitigating your load. When you do, you will move freely about your space. Not only physically but mentally. Clutter will bog you down. It makes you tired, interrupts your sleep, and gives you, what I like to refer to as scrambled brain syndrome.

When you finally come to the end of your clean-up, reward yourself with a hot bubble bath, candles, music, and champagne. Then toast to yourself and give yourself a Good Job and Well Done!

holly-lynn-square

Holly Lynn is an Airbnb Manager and financial hard money lender. You can reach her at www.hollylynn.com or [email protected] for services.