Chic vs. Geek: Get your mask on!

Why do we have to wear masks when we go out in public, and what kind of mask will save lives? Everyone seems to have a different take, and it’s confusing us. Bottom line: There are two reasons to wear a mask: protecting yourself and protecting those around you. My mask protects you, and your masks protect me! And when it comes to the basics, just about any kind of cover will do...

CHIC (PEARL)

If you care about the health and safety of your loved ones – and anyone you encounter when you venture out of the house during shelter in place – you should wear a mask. Remember, you can have coronavirus without showing the symptoms, but you can block transmission with a simple cloth mask. Or you can go for full face coverage like a luchador. Whichever way you go, you can help us protect our friends and neighbors!

GEEK (KEVIN)

Protecting yourself from infection in a pandemic is not simple, and it’s no laughing matter. If you’re going to be in close contact with a lot of people, I strongly recommend a medical-grade respirator mask. The infection occurs when particles fly through the air from talking, coughing, or sneezing, and science shows those particles can stay in the air for quite a while. That’s why I use this serious, construction grade mask!

Chic vs. Geek: Work From Home Edition

What are some helpful habits and activities to keep us healthy in mind and body during the shelter in place?

CHIC (PEARL)

It’s important that we all remember to take care of ourselves each and every day, and especially while we’re all stuck at home during this health crisis. I find it helps if I carve out time for personal wellness checks, so I’ve been taking 10 minutes every day for short, easy exercises and a little yoga. There’s no equipment, no monthly payments, and no sweaty chairs left by inconsiderate gym rats. Who could ask for anything more? Need a little motivation? There are a bunch of apps and websites where you can find easy-to-follow beginner workouts.

GEEK (KEVIN)

I don’t know about you, but when I’m stuck at home, I’m not thinking about working out. It’s all about the bread, baby! Sourdough bread, that is, which has become my own personal science project! Over five weeks of working from home, I’ve baked 15 sourdough loaves from scratch – including olive, chocolate, and rosemary – using my own starter (that's the mix of flour, water, wild yeast, and bacteria that helps sourdough rise and creates its distinctive flavor). I’ll admit that there have been failures along the way, but email me for tips, and I’ll send you my starter recipe!

Chic vs. Geek: COVID-19 Scams

How can we make sure to avoid scammers and Zoom bombers during the shelter in place?

CHIC (PEARL)

The authorization of COVID-19 relief funds by the federal government under the CARES Act has seen a rise in scammers trying to divert those funds into their own pockets. Here are some helpful tips for staying safe online and avoiding any delay in receiving vital relief funds coming your way. And stay tuned to the Federal Trade Commission for updates and alerts about coronavirus-related scams.

GEEK (KEVIN)

While we’re all socially distancing, and some of us are learning to work from home, virtual meetings have become the new norm for meeting, organizing, and socializing – sometimes all at once! However, popular tools like Zoom and WebEx have also become a target for hackers looking to get access to your personal information. Here’s a guidebook to lock down your online meetings.

Chic vs. Geek: Green Homes

It’s not always easy to tell a green home from a not-so-green one, and that’s because most green upgrades are “invisible”. There are five basic areas to consider when evaluating a green home: planning and design, energy efficiency, material conservation, water conservation, and environment. But there are tons of ways to make your home more sustainable.

CHIC (PEARL)

One easy way to save energy is to install a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans can be used in place of air conditioners, which require a large amount of energy. You can take it a step further with a programmable thermostat to make sure you’re only using your heating and air conditioning appliances when you really need them. Programmable thermostats contain no toxic mercury like thermometer-based models, and, in some climates, they can save up to $150 a year in energy costs!

GEEK (KEVIN)

Did you know the average household spends 11% of its energy budget on lighting? Traditional incandescent lamps only convert about 10% of the energy they consume into light, while the rest becomes heat. Investing in new lighting technologies, like light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can reduce your energy use for lighting alone by 50% to 75%. Have a look at these additional tips, and let us know if you have any questions about making your home a little greener!

Chic vs. Geek: Shelter in Place

As the shelter in place order spreads to the entire state of California, what’s your state of mind?

CHIC (PEARL)

Many brokerages have canceled open houses for all of their listings, and they’re limiting private in-person tours to two customers at a time. When I show a home to a client, I always think ahead and bring a respirator and disinfectant.

Healthy clients = Healthy realtors!

GEEK (KEVIN)

To be honest, there’s not a whole lot of difference. Everything is the same except we’re doing it all from home. Sure, it makes me a little grumpy, but I have one simple rule:

When life gives you lemons... grab some tequila and make it a party!

Or something like that. Anyway, here's a gif of a goat. Stay safe out there.