WE HOPE YOU "DANCE"

 

THIS CHRISTMAS GIVE THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL...

Did you know that Charles Dickens was credited with reinvigorating interest in Christmas and its traditions almost 180 year ago, when he wrote his novella, A Christmas Carol?  The ‘New Christmas’ that Dickens helped to create was essentially a family affair.  Dickens put home and hearth at the center of things, to stress fellowship, empathy between different sections of society, the responsibility of employers, good cheer and social harmony.

Today in America, and so many years later, we carry on much of the traditions that Dickens portrayed in The Christmas Carol – The Christmas tree, roasted turkey, holly, Santa Claus (Father Christmas), presents for the children and family and friends, gathering together for fun and fellowship. 

But 2020 has presented us with a new challenge at Christmas, a life & death challenge, to avoid gatherings to stay safe. The safety measures that the health professionals are asking us to follow are not theory.  They are based on science and taking a page from history.  The world suffered over 50 million deaths 100 years ago from the pandemic that started in 1918 and ended in 1920.  The second wave hit the world right after Christmas.  This year, we have seen the number of covid-19 cases increase dramatically again, after Thanksgiving.   In Southold Town, some hamlets have reported 30-50% more cases in the past 20 days.

So many friends and family are torn between traditional family gatherings and staying at home.  It seems almost impossible to establish a “safe” gathering when relatives and friends are travelling from other parts, working or going to school, or engaging in seemingly harmless activities, that expose us all to the virus. 

The greatest gift you can give your family and friends is to stay safe and encourage them to stay safe as well. You make the decision that will protect all your friends and loved ones from becoming ill or possibly worse.  The vaccine is a beacon of hope, but it will take some time to reach us all.  Stay home this year for Christmas, wear a mask, wash your hands, disinfect, practice social distancing, get tested if you are not feeling well, and let others know you expect them to do the same.

On the plus side, technology has given us new ways of communicating with each other.  Zooming, Facetime, and so many other ways of seeing each other, can brighten up the holiday and bring us closer together.  Our family will be zooming on Christmas Day and opening gifts we have sent to each other.  Create your own, new family tradition!

This Christmas, give the greatest gift of all to your loved ones – stay home, stay safe so we can all celebrate together next year…in person!

“God Bless us, everyone.”  

Wishing you a very hopeful Christmas!

HOLIDAYS WILL SOON BE UPON US…

     If you want to sell or buy a home, you may be thinking that you should wait until the holiday season is over.  It’s generally assumed that people are too busy shopping for gifts and not for real estate.  But today’s turnover of home sales is faster than anything we have seen in many years. In fact, the real estate environment created by the pandemic is like nothing any of us has ever experienced.  There are many serious buyers, anxious to buy and not able to find homes that meet their needs.  For sellers who must sell, there is no time like the present. Prices are continuing to be pushed up by the high demand and low supply of homes on the market. 

     For those would-be sellers who are staying put for safety’s sake, especially those who are most vulnerable to the covid-19 virus, be patient, stay safe and consider fixing-up projects that will make your home increase in value when you do put it on the market.

     In the meantime, spend time enjoying each day and planning for a stay-at-home holiday.  Send those gifts earlier, so they will be sure to arrive in time for the holiday.  And think about adding a gift or donation for a needy child to your holiday plans.

     This year, we should all consider adding a Hanukkah or Christmas donation to our list, especially for needy children. Certainly, we should start with our community -  local Churches, Synagogues, and charities like CAST, all offer opportunities to give at this time of year.  Here are a few top charities that help children at Christmastime: Toys for Tots, The Salvation Army, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Samaritan’s Purse (help children all over the world), Prison Fellowship Angel Tree (help children with a parent in prison), and Operation Christmas Spirit (help children in military families).  

Together, let’s make this a better holiday for as many kids as we can!

We Have Much to Hope For and Be Thankful For…

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most cherished times of the year to gather with family and friends. Yet due to the second wave of the COVID-19 virus and the increasing number of cases worldwide, we have been advised to limit our holiday gatherings.  Perhaps you will be celebrating virtually, or only with immediate family members.  Whatever you decide, please take the warnings to heart and heed the guidance we have been given from the CDC and the Governor – don’t gather in groups larger than ten both indoors and outdoors, stay home if you can, stay socially distant, and wear a mask.

We are in the second wave, we must all persevere and take care to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by doing what we are asked to do.  It has and will save lives.

Why all the concern and warnings about the second wave? If we look back to history - the 1918 pandemic took over 50 million lives worldwide and lasted almost 2 years.  There were no vaccines or drugs to treat the disease – the only way to control the spread of the “Spanish Flu” was to quarantine and wear masks.  The second wave, which came in the fall was the most deadly, and some say it was attributed to the movement of troops during the first World War. 

This has certainly been a year of crisis and uncertainty. But even in this time of crisis, there is a reason to be hopeful - we have two promising vaccines that are in or near production. We have refined and improved treatment of the virus and many more lives are being saved each day.

Right now, our job is to follow the guidance we have been given, and  to support each other.  Americans are innovative and bold.  We are a “can-do” nation.  We will see an end to the dreadful virus.  We all must persevere and encourage one another. 

Please take time this Thanksgiving holiday to be mindful of and grateful for all the blessings in your lives.  May this year’s Thanksgiving serve as a time of healing, hope and new determination.  We wish you all God’s Blessings and a Hope-filled Thanksgiving.

WHAT NEXT?

As we post this, the presidential election is undecided.  It maybe that way for several days as mail-in ballots are counted. “With the coronavirus now surging anew, voters ranked the pandemic and the economy as top concerns in the race between Trump and Biden, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate.”*

Both issues have had and will continue to have a significant impact on the Real Estate market:

·       The coronavirus lockdown in mid-March affected our ability to do business for many weeks.  And to this day, many activities are curtailed by necessary, but cumbersome, guidelines and restrictions that affect every property showing and transaction.

·       The slowdown of the economy, due to the restrictions to control the spread of the virus, has affected jobs, businesses, schools and places of worship. We all have had to curtail our social activities. 

We can only hope and pray that whoever wins this election, will focus on getting the coronavirus under control so that a second wave does not cause another lockdown, and that Americans, and people all over the world, can return to a normal life, albeit a “new-normal.” 

For now, let us all be diligent in protecting ourselves, our families, our friends and co-workers.  Wear your masks, be mindful of staying socially distant, wash your hands, sanitize home and workplace, and avoid large gatherings, until this dreadful virus is squashed and gone forever!!!! 

*Source: Newsday, The Associated Press, updated November 4, 2020 4:43 AM

POLITICAL DIFFERENCES?? LOVE WINS!!!

          The Wall Street Journal, had a particularly meaningful story about how two neighboring families get along even when their political views differ.  It’s particularly important now, in this time leading up to the Presidential election, that we are mindful of respecting one another’s views and having civilized discourse. I wanted to share the article’s message with you. Here is an excerpt:

“Millions of Americans are alarmed at the bitter split in the country, with 9 out of 10 Americans saying incivility is a problem and two-thirds saying it’s a ‘major’ problem—according to a 2019 poll by public relations firm Weber Shandwick taken before this year’s tumultuous events.

‘People know how wrong this division is and actually want out of it, but they don’t know what to do,’ says Carolyn Lukensmeyer, former executive director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona. The institute, which describes itself as a nonpartisan organization set up to promote healthy and civil political debate, offers programs on getting along despite differences. 

‘People can start by listening attentively and with an open mind,’ says Dr. Lukensmeyer. ‘Too often, people interrupt others or mentally prepare rebuttals while another person is talking.’

‘Listen long enough to understand how that human being came to hold the view they hold. If someone says something you don’t believe is factual, don’t respond in conflict or try to convince them otherwise,’ she says.

Troubled by the national discourse, next-door neighbors with opposing political views used yard signs to send a message of civility.  One family, lifelong Republicans, put a Donald Trump sign on their lawn. The other family, lifelong Democrats, planted a Biden sign in front of theirs.   Not extraordinary, except that another homemade sign stands in each yard.  It reads: “We  💗 Them” with an arrow pointing to the other house. In the middle of the heart are the words, “One Nation.” (see picture below)

Some additional advice: ‘ Accept that you don’t have to be right all the time. If you don’t think you have to be right, you listen more. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Recognize that the other person deserves respect. Be willing to consider their opinion. Don’t be so quick to judge someone because of the political sign in their yard.'”

Do you have friends who support opposing candidates? How do you get along with them? 

Appeared in the October 21, 2020, print edition, Personal Journal pA13 as 

'How Neighbors Split on Politics Stay Close.'

SELLING REAL ESTATE IN THE AGE OF COVID-19

Although we are doing our best to facilitate the process of showing homes, doing inspections and accommodating buyers, it is still not business as usual.  There are many CDC requirements we must follow to protect sellers and buyers from transmitting or getting the virus.  We feel our primary responsibility at this time is to protect our clients and customers in every way we can.

Clearly, the pandemic is not over.  Countries in Europe are closing down venues for the second time this year.  Witness in this country, the recent positive diagnosis of the President, the First Lady and so many people around them.  We cannot and should not let down our guard.

So again, we ask buyers and cooperating agents to be diligent and make sure that everyone knows that it is expected of them to provide up-to-date signed questionnaires. If they are coming from one of the states identified by Governor Cuomo’s office, that they quarantine before visiting homes for sale. Also, signed COVID-19 disclosures for the protection of all involved.

Other precautionary requirements for home showings:

•        Home must be unoccupied – seller must not be present
•         6-feet physical distancing
•         Face covering (mouth and nose) must be worn at all times
•         Should wear gloves and shoe coverings (must if seller requires)
•         Recommend showing only one party at a time
•         Visitors may only touch essential services like stair handrails
•         No children or extraneous visitors (they may remain in the cars)

We know that there are times, when all these precautions get in the way of our individual goals, but we urge you to step back and look at the bigger picture. Would any one of us want to be responsible for someone becoming ill of even worse? 

Protecting each other’s health, while we facilitate home sales, is our primary goal.  And we take this seriously.  It is the responsibility of each and every one of us.  It is the way we will help keep this deadly virus at bay until a vaccine is proven and widely distributed.

Please, don’t drop your guard!  Southold Town has had very good results in recent weeks – let’s keep it that way!!!