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When workplaces in 2020 due to the virus, it sparked a surge in home buying that is leading to some big decisions for homeowners as offices begin to reopen.
After more than a year of working remotely, Americans have moved farther away from the office and are less willing to commute, according to survey data from Realtor.com®. Those pandemic purchases are leaving some new homeowners and companies in conflict about what’s next.
Nearly sixty percent of new homeowners, who purchased within the last twelve months, are working from home and 62% prefer to be. Despite it being the clear preference, only 48% have been told by their employer they can continue to work remotely. One quarter of those surveyed still have no definitive answer on whether or not they can remain fully remote indefinitely and another quarter already have plans to return. homeowners in the job market. For companies willing to stay more flexible with either hybrid or entirely remote opportunities, there is a large cohort of young professionals with growing families who value homeownership and affordability, and welcome the benefits of a technologically-enhanced employment landscape.”
That’s created a dilemma for new homeowners who are happy at home and uncertain if and when their employer will want them back in the office. When asked what they will do if their employer decides they must return to the jobsite -- while 48% said they’d try to arrange a flexible schedule that allows for some in-office work and some remote work, nearly a quarter say they will find a new job. Just 30% of those asked said they would willingly return to the office if asked and only eight percent say they would sell their pandemic purchase in favor of a home closer to work. (PRNewswire)
Tips To Stop Dog Attacks On
Mail Carriers
“Throughout the last year we have seen homebuyers across the country, empowered by the new found ability to work remotely, moving farther and farther from crowded urban downtowns in search of more space, higher quality of life, and a lower cost of living,” said George Ratiu, Sr. economist for Realtor.com.® “Our survey data shows that people are really enjoying their new communities and larger homes, and aren’t willing to give them up anytime soon. Looking forward, if companies return to more conservative policies on working from home, we could see an influx of new Warm weather means more pets are outdoors, posing an increased risk for our mail carriers, and others making home deliveries.
When a dog attacks a letter carrier, the dog owner could be held liable for all medical expenses, repayment of lost work hours, replacement of the uniform and other costs, which can run into thousands of dollars. Here are four simple tips to prevent dog bite injuries that should be enforced all year round: •Door Delivery: If a carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Some dogs burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors. Dog owners should keep the family pet secured. Remind children and other family members not to take mail directly from carriers in the presence of the family pet, as the dog may view the person handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.
•Electronic Fencing: Carriers may assume, when they see no physical fence around a property, the property is animal-free. This can be a dangerous mistake. Postal officials request that you keep your dog restrained or inside when the mail is delivered. Although the electronic fence may keep your dog from wandering, it does not protect your Postal Service carrier, who must enter your property to deliver the mail. Even homes with curbside mailboxes may have oversized packages or signature-needed items that require the carrier to approach a doorstep and cross the boundaries of the electronic fence. This poses a serious risk to carrier safety.
•Dog in Yard: Make sure your dog is properly restrained on a leash away from where your mail carrier is delivering the mail. Mail delivery service can be interrupted at an address or neighborhood the carrier deems unsafe because of an unrestrained dog. Service will be restored once assurance has been given that the animal will be confined during regular delivery hours.
•Tracking: Dog owners who have access to postal notification features such as Informed Delivery (informeddelivery.usps.com) for letter mail and package tracking are urged to use this as a way to gauge when the carrier is on the way and to ensure the dog is properly restrained. Expecting a postal package delivery on Sunday? Postal officials urge dog owners to restrain their animals on Sundays as well, as more residences are receiving deliveries throughout the weekend. (NAPSI)—
Every Home Should Have One
“A fire starts in a residential home every 86 seconds in the U.S. - and the rapid protection offered by fire extinguishers can make the difference between minor, insignificant damage and greater tragedy,” says Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First Alert. Follow these tips on fire extinguishers in the home:
Fortunately, many home improvements are not as Keep it within reach. Unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association. When seconds count, having an extinguisher within reach is crucial for quick response. Place fire extinguishers on every level of your home, plus the common places like the kitchen and garage. The NFPA recommends installing fire extinguishers close to room exits so that you can discharge them and quickly escape if the fire cannot be controlled. In addition, make sure that every responsible member of your household (including house sitters and babysitters) knows where each fire extinguisher is placed. Know how to use it. Fire extinguishers generally include instructions on proper usage, but a simple way to remember the steps is with the acronym PASS:
• Pull the pin on the extinguisher • Aim the nozzle low toward the base of the fire • Squeeze the trigger • Sweep the nozzle from side to side
There are a variety of fire extinguisher types to choose from - from home and kitchen to commercial applications. Select a home fire extinguisher that weighs three pounds or less for easy handling. For home fire extinguishers, other features to look for include a metal valve and trigger, which offer the durability of a commercial grade extinguisher, as well as an easy-to-read color-coded gauge for accurate measurement. Remember, a fire extinguisher that has been discharged is no longer effective, so consider rechargeable extinguishers, which can be recharged by a certified professional if the unit is used. Know your ABCs. While they may look similar, fire extinguishers have very specific ratings that indicate what kind of fire they are designed to extinguish. A Class A rating can put out fires caused by wood, paper, trash and other common materials, while Class B rated extinguishers are intended for gasoline and flammable liquids. Class C-rated extinguishers are meant for fires caused by electrical equipment, such as frayed cords. For trusted reliable protection, It’s best to select a multirated extinguisher, such as the First Alert Rechargeable Home Fire Extinguisher, which is capable of handling most types of household fires. To learn more about fire safety, visit FirstAlert.com. (BPT) -
Choose Carpet For A Healthy,Stylish, Comfortable Home
Being at home more often has inspired many people to make changes in their favorite spaces that focus on health and comfort. You might be surprised to learn that carpeting a room supports both these goals, plus offers near endless style possibilities.
EclipseTM Rapid Wall Repair Patches from DAP Carpet is a popular flooring option, accounting for 48% of the total U.S. flooring market, according to the Carpet and Rug Institute. Adding carpet or refreshing the carpet you already have in your home has many benefits, from helping you breathe easier to keeping loved ones safe. Here are the top reasons people are opting for carpet:
Health and indoor air quality. Carpet can help support a healthy home, even for people with asthma and allergies. The updated asthma management guidelines from the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute do not include recommendations to remove carpet as a way to treat asthma and allergies.
“Scientific research shows that carpet does not negatively impact allergies or asthma. In fact, carpet can improve your home’s air quality by trapping allergens, keeping them out of the breathing zone and making them easy to vacuum,” said Dr. Michael Halwig, allergy specialist on the clinical faculty of Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. “All too often patients have been advised to remove carpeting in the home to deal with environmental allergies. This is often expensive and impractical for many families. Current knowledge shows that the use of vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters and other environmental control measures are much more effective in reducing allergens in the home.”
Safety and noise reduction. Carpet and carpet pads help absorb excessive sounds to soften noises within a room while serving as a sound barrier between floors. This is especially important in rooms with large TVs, sound systems or speaker phones, as well as in hallways and on stairs to soften foot traffic. Whether you’re working, studying or relaxing, carpet reduces noise so you can focus.
Carpet is also a safe choice, particularly in multigenerational homes. In addition to added comfort in cushioning footsteps, carpet can help reduce slips and falls that may occur more easily on hard surface flooring. Carpet is safe for the whole family, but especially for toddlers and older individuals who are more prone to falls. If a fall does happen, carpet can help minimize injury.
Fashion and functionality. Carpet can serve as a neutral foundation, in popular tones of gray, cream or beige, or it can be a focal point featuring vibrant colors and bold patterns. Select an option that suits your personal taste and complements your home’s aesthetic. Because carpet provides thermal insulation, it helps maintain a room’s optimum temperature.
To learn more about the research and benefits of carpet, visit www.beautyofcarpet.com. (BPT)
