After helping many first time home buyers successfully buy their dream home, Scott and Sophia noticed something that they wanted to share with as many future first time home buyers as possible! What they noticed was that several of these buyers weren’t aware that they had the ability to use a buyer’s agent to represent them in one of the biggest purchases they will ever make!

They want to put this out there to help educate as many people as possible that you can and should have an agent who works for you when you are ready to buy a home because let’s be honest, buying a home involves a lot more steps than most people realize! So what does a buyer’s agent do? In a nutshell, they help you, the buyers; navigate the entire home buying process one step at a time. But let’s dive in and break this down! Make sure you read until the end because there is great news waiting for you there!

First things first, a buyer’s agent will start by meeting with you to go over the entire home buying process to get you fully equipped so you know exactly what to expect. They will help you identify your needs and wants in a home including your top priorities as well as your deal breakers. They will then set up a custom home search that will find listings that match your wants and needs only so that you don’t have to filter through hundreds of listings that don’t even fit what you’re looking for.

When you start looking at houses, you’ll notice that they will be listed by a real estate agent. What is great about a buyer’s agent that works for you is they work in your best interest, not the sellers. In addition to helping you find a house that meets your needs, they will also help you understand your options when it comes to writing an offer, advise you on the market, help you determine what price to offer the sellers and most importantly, negotiate on your behalf. If you find yourself in a multiple offer situation, they have strategies to help make your offer stand out while matching the seller’s priorities. Once you have an accepted offer, they maintain strong communication with both you and the listing agent so you will always be kept in the loop and never left wondering what’s next!

A buyer’s agent will remove as much doubt as possible. They will provide you with all the tools necessary to make an informed decision before you take on the investment of owning a home. Think of them as your go-to resource throughout the entire transaction. Not only will they educate you through each step, they will refer you to their trusted vendors. From lenders to home inspectors, title companies, and contractors, there can be so many moving parts in a transaction that you’ll be thankful to have the help of trusted professionals and save time trying to research them on your own. All of this will help you have peace of mind throughout the home buying process and prevent you from falling into the buyer’s remorse trap!

It’s time to fill you in on the best part about hiring a buyer’s agent. Here it is.. it costs you absolutely nothing! You might be thinking this all sounds great and I would love to have someone work on my behalf but how much is someone like this going to cost? Having a buyer’s agent won’t cost you anything because the sellers are responsible for paying the buyer agent’s commission. So if you’re already searching for homes online, googling questions you have about the process and you’re ready to dive in, what are you waiting for? It’s time to find yourself a buyer’s agent who will work for you and walk you through all of this – literally, one house at a time!

Look for a buyer’s agent who you feel is a good fit for helping you through the process of buying a home. When you’re interviewing different agents, you’ll want to make sure you choose someone who not only seems knowledgeable but someone who will be available, willing to educate you, able to communicate the way that you want and most of all, someone you feel comfortable working with!

Thank you to our new site sponsors, Sophia Leece and Scott Boudreaux with RealtySouth for these great tips. For more information on what’s happening in the Birmingham Housing Market, or to schedule a free home buyer/seller consultation, you can reach them:

Sophia Leece, 205.895.9120 | sleece@lahrealestate.com |
Scott Boudreaux, 205.835.9787 |sboudreaux@lahrealestate.com | Website

With the flowers in full bloom and the sun gloriously shining, spring is a season of new beginnings. And there’s no better way to get this sense of renewal by breathing some new life into your closet. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or drastic changes, as all you’ll need are these essentials for a truly fresh spring wardrobe.

A Statement Accessory

Now that you can put those thermal layers away, it’s finally time to show off your accessories. Of course, it’s best to keep things to a minimum, since wearing a heavy pile can be quite the inconvenience. On that note, a simple yet stylish way to accessorize is by wearing a statement piece like this collar necklace from Jessica Simpson Jewelry. From drop earrings to printed scarves, sporting a statement accessory is an easy way to elevate your spring style.

Shirt Dresses

With so many dress silhouettes to choose from, it’s easy to be confused about which one you should wear. However, the shirt dress is proving itself to be the style of the season, thanks to its effortless chic vibe. Pretty Me recommends pairing your favorite shirt dress with sneakers or sandals for a look you can easily put together when running errands or hanging out with your loved ones. If you’re petite, you should wear a baggier shirt dress that doesn’t fall below your knee. This fashion trick ensures that your dress doesn’t overpower your frame while still maintaining an elegant look.

A Cute Blouse

What better way to welcome the sweet season of spring than by investing in a charming blouse? Whether it’s pretty patterns, puffy sleeves, or peplum shapes, tops this season are all about incorporating delicate, feminine details. And while florals are ever-reliable, why not switch things up by sporting a striped print blouse, such as this number from Madewell? Plus, a cute blouse makes dressing up feeling like a breeze, since you can easily pair with your go-to jeans to create a sweet spring ensemble.

A Hooded Jacket

The weather during this season can be rather fickle, with rainy days coming every now and again. This is why it’s always helpful to have a jacket in hand. Try to veer away from boring and ill-fitting silhouettes, and go for more tailored pieces. Travel+Leisure recommends this hooded raincoat from Cole Haan, which is both practical and fashionable. That way, you’ll be kept warm, dry, and stylish even during the occasional spring shower.

Minimalist Sneakers

Don’t forget to complete your spring wardrobe with a fresh pair of comfy sneakers. It’s pretty evident that the fashion world is crazy about sneakers, as you’ll find tons of designs to choose from. Your best bet? Opt for a classic pair of white sneakers, since their versatility means you can wear them with any outfit. Just be sure to apply a sneaker protector spray before wearing them.

Your fresh start this spring doesn’t have to be a complete closet overhaul. Instead, give your style an upgrade by investing in these essentials that can easily work with what’s already in your wardrobe.

By Dan Marullo, Ph.D.

With COVID-19 being declared a pandemic, we are now tasked to change our personal and collective behavior. It is understandable that many will experience fear, anxiety and anger in the coming days and weeks. This is normal and certainly a typical reaction to a crisis. However, whether we respond with grace or with terror is in our individual and collective control.

It is normal to be afraid. It is OK to acknowledge that fear and to take steps to cope with anxiety. Please consider the following:

Fear of the unknown is normal. We are each subject to feeling a host of emotions such as anxiety, worry, irritability and sadness. We can also experience poor sleep or appetite, trouble with concentration, a tendency to withdraw from other people and perhaps even feeling hopeless. These can be normal reactions to the situation and it helps to recognize this in ourselves and in others. For example, recognizing that your spouse or child is uncharacteristically moody or snappish may mean that they are feeling overwhelmed and need support. Certainly, anyone feeling suicidal may need immediate attention.

Seek reliable information. There is much that we still do not know about COVID-19 and that alone increases fear and anxiety. Gaining reliable information is key to addressing this uncertainty. Reputable websites for updates and information include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization. Websites for good psychological information related to COVID-19 include the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association.

Practice self-care. Because we are all susceptible to emotional distress, it becomes more important to take care of ourselves physically and emotionally. This may be complicated by social distancing given that social activities are commonly used by people to cope. We may not be able to attend religious services, go to work or school, the gym, shopping and so on. However, we can adapt and remain connected. Many churches are hosting online services, you can exercise at home using YouTube classes, and so on. A few things to keep in mind:

• Maintain a typical routine as much as possible. Try having your kids do schoolwork at home at the times they would at school. Do the same if you are working from home.
• Take a media/social media break. Depending on what you read or watch, COVID-19 is either the world’s biggest hoax or the end of the world. Neither is true. Seek accurate information and take a break from all the chatter.
• Social distance does not mean social isolation. We may not be able to go out, have play dates or travel, but we can maintain contact with family and friends via Facetime and other platforms. This is especially critical for our most vulnerable family and friends, those that must be on isolation because of health concerns such as the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.
• Consider volunteering in some way. The simple act of giving has been shown to reduce distress in the giver. It is gratifying to see people organizing food drives and other activities to support their communities.
• Find ways to maintain your spirits. A good sense of humor goes a long way. Our Italian brothers and sisters are singing from their balconies in defiance of their isolation. People are amazing. Find your path.

Be a role model. Our children are watching how we react to this crisis. What do you want them to see? Children and teens rely on the adults in their lives to model and teach behavior. A child’s coping often relies on how adults cope. Now is the time to teach resilience, compassion, self-sacrifice and healthy coping. These are lessons children will remember for the rest of their lives. We adults should manage our emotions and fears, and be the leaders our children need us to be.

Support our children. Our children are responding to this crisis as well and need support during this time. How children cope and what they need varies by their age and level of development. For example, small children respond to the distress around them and need comforting and security. School aged children, tweens and teens need information that is tailored to their age (Younger children need the basic facts, older kids can deal with more detail and abstraction). Recognize that a change in behavior may be a sign of distress and an opportunity to engage and support. Please consider:

• Maintaining a typical routine as much as possible. This includes schoolwork, bedtimes and mealtimes.
• Giving age-appropriate information and answering questions honestly.
• Monitoring use of TV and other media, particularly if your child is constantly looking at COVID-19-related content (Remember, bad information is scary).
• Providing opportunities for kids to give and contribute. Help them organize a food drive or a video chat with nursing home patients. This promotes a sense of engagement and teaches resilience.
• Managing your own emotions. Remember, our kids are watching. What do you want them to learn?

Acknowledge and recognize grief. Many of us are experiencing loss and uncertainty and it is OK to acknowledge that fact. As this process unfolds, we may lose people we love, jobs that we depend on, perhaps even that sense of safety that we once enjoyed. Coming to terms with loss is necessary and healthy. Now is the time for each of us to reach out as individuals and as a community to support one another, in small ways and in large.

Look for the lesson. I, like many of you, have experienced tragedy in my life. From that experience I have learned valuable lessons. I have learned much about myself and what I value and treasure. I do not know what lessons each of us may learn from this pandemic, but I do know there is something of value to learn if we leave ourselves open.

As I conclude this message, I feel a tremendous sense of community and hope. In some perverse way, this event has given all of us a “time out.” Perhaps this is our time to reflect, reconnect with others and remember what is truly of value in this life. I wish you all well.

Dan Marullo, Ph.D., is a pediatric psychologist and neuropsychologist at Children’s of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Many Americans are familiar with the acronym WFH (Work From Home); however, not as many are familiar with the similar acronym SFH (School From Home).

As U.S. schools and colleges nationwide react to the global coronavirus pandemic, many education institutions are moving classes online—or planning to—and students are having to deal with the transition to SFH.

Brainly, the world’s largest online learning community with 150 million monthly users, surveyed 1,600 U.S. high school and college students to find out how the coronavirus is impacting them.

Nationwide, 40% of students worry their grades will be negatively impacted by school closures or transitions to online classes due to coronavirus.

Eric Oldfield, Chief Business Officer of Brainly, has a few tips for students who are suddenly having to SFH to maximize their productivity and ensure they don’t fall behind during the lapse in classroom instruction.

1. CARVE OUT SPACE. Setting up a dedicated SFH zone that is organized and tech-ready is crucial to maintain a routine and ensure academic success. If you are not able to carve out space for a desk and are working at a kitchen table, on the couch or on a countertop, Brainly recommends having a designated school bag where you keep your computer and any necessary school materials. This allows you to be flexible in your schoolwork space but also have everything you need in one place.

2. BREAK TIME. Nationwide, 40% of students report that staying focused is the biggest challenge when receiving online instruction. And let’s face it: sitting and learning for hours on end can be extremely mentally exhausting. The easiest ways students can ensure they’re able to stay focused when SFH is taking breaks to recharge their minds. So, what is the ideal length of your breaks? The best way to maximize productivity is by taking SHORT breaks – say 5 to 15 minutes – every hour or so. Then take a longer break – at least 30 minutes – every 2 to 4 hours (depending on your tasks).

3. SOCIAL INTERACTION. Humans are social animals, and SFH can feel isolated for many students who are used to highly social interactions and periods of time throughout their day. Thankfully, online communities like Brainly or Kahoot bring in elements of social learning and encourage collaboration and the exchange of knowledge and ideas. You can take advantage of any number of these peer-to-peer learning platforms to stay engaged.

4. NO PAJAMAS. For many students starting to SFH for the first time, it can be difficult to delineate the start of the school day and ensure they get in the right academic mental space without the physical classroom around them. One of the best ways to ensure you continue academic routines and success is to actually get up and get dressed for the day as if you were still going to a physical class. Plus, bonus points that you’ll look good for video-conferencing if needed!

5. BE HEALTHY. It’s no secret that you can’t concentrate when you’re hungry and you won’t be prepared to bring your A-game if you haven’t had a proper night’s rest. Students should make sure they have ready-to-grab nutritious snacks prepared for their SFH days so they don’t have to take disruptive breaks to rifle through the pantry or refrigerator to find something to eat. Similarly, sleep and exercise are just as crucial for SFH success as they are for a regular school day– if not more.