Day: April 30, 2020

How The Coronavirus Has Impacted the Housing Market in Orlando, Florida

- Roshan

Back in 2008, the recession caused upheaval for housing markets across the U.S. Today, the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in economic challenges for nearly every industry. However, the housing market in cities such as Orlando, Florida, has actually shown growth. Home sales and sales volume have increased in Orlando as of March 2020, as shown in the featured infographic below. Although the stock market has dropped more dramatically in the past few months than it has since 1987, the median price for real estate in Orlando has increased by 8%.

Orlando is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. The housing market doesn’t show any signs of slowing despite the COVID-19 outbreak and the economic repercussions of the pandemic for other industries. There is still a lot of uncertainty about whether the worldwide coronavirus outbreak will impact the real estate market. Still, it’s important to remember that the 2008 recession started with the housing market crash. The coronavirus has certainly caused oil prices to sink drastically, and travel and leisure industries to almost disappear, but the local housing market seems to be steadily rising.

In Orlando, the pandemic may have delayed some homeowners from listing their houses, and the reduced inventory has stimulated an increase in housing prices and home values. Meanwhile, buyer demand is as strong as ever as more people move to the area. Last year, over 60,000 residents moved to the Orlando Metropolitan Area, and more are expected to relocate to the city in 2020.


Infographic designed by Authentic Real Estate Team

Health Conditions You May Not Realize You Have

- Roshan

The COVID-19 pandemic has made everybody more health-conscious. Whether it’s wearing a mask or staying two meters away from strangers, people are very picky about what were regular interactions. And, you should be because coronavirus is a nasty disease that spreads quickly. However, there is a silver lining to the crisis – you will take stock of your mental and physical wellbeing. With more time on your hands, and the fact your health is a serious matter now, it’s essential to use your free time to spot the warning signs. Then, you can take action and safeguard your wellbeing for the long-term.

“Won’t I already know about illnesses I may have?” Usually, ailments make themselves apparent via common and persistent symptoms, yet some are confusing. Sometimes, the signs can be similar to less worrisome diseases, or you may assume you’re tired and need more sleep. With that in mind, you’ll find four conditions that you may not realize you have and how to diagnose them below.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is incredibly tricky to spot for one apparent reason – you’re asleep. Unless you have an out-of-body experience, you won’t be able to tell if you stop breathing during the night. And, fatigue is the main symptom, so it’s tempting to pass it off as not getting enough rest. Or, you may think you’re coming down with the flu or a common cold.

However, other signs include a sore, dry throat, a headache, and irritation. If you have all of these at once, the odds are high that your condition is more than the early onset of influenza. This is especially true if the issues reoccur every morning. Oh, and don’t forget about snoring. Speaking to a doctor should result in night testing, and allow you to sleep for eight hours without interruptions.

Your energy levels and mood will skyrocket as soon as you diagnose and treat sleep apnea.

Tinnitus

An estimated 13% of the population suffer from this ear condition, so why is it hard to spot? The answer is that there are varying degrees of it, which means you may have a slight ringing in your ears. Still, it goes in and out, and it’s not enough to cause you harm or annoyance, so it isn’t a problem. At least, that’s what you believe.

Unfortunately, tinnitus can do damage under the hood when you’re not looking. The worst case is that it permanently damages the cochlea and leads to hearing loss. Although there is no cure, there are tinnitus management treatments that will limit the damage. A sound machine is an excellent example as it emits a low sound that cancels out the noise. Or, in specific circumstances, you may require a hearing aid. But, it’s better than straining to listen because you’re too proud to admit that your hearing is impaired!

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is when a gland in your neck makes too much of a particular hormone. As a result, you may lose weight at a rapid rate or sweat profusely. If these don’t seem like harmful side-effects, you should see the impact they have on your brain. Hyperthyroidism leads to a buildup of stress in some cases and is a major factor in higher cases of anxiety.

Plus, losing weight is about doing it steadily so that it’s healthy. Shedding the pounds too quickly will leave your skin and body looking aged. Thankfully, an iodine pill can stop your thyroid from working overtime, as can beta-blockers. Surgery is a last resort if the condition persists. Alternatively, watch out for hypothyroidism, the opposite for hyperthyroidism, as it leads to hair loss and self-esteem problems.

Appendicitis

Although you will experience a sharp pain in your side, most people are used to discomfort. This is because a balanced diet is a thing of the past, and junk food encourages your body to produce gas. Yes, some people suffer from appendicitis without realizing it because they think it’s flatulence!

However, appendicitis isn’t a laughing matter as it can be fatal if it explodes before it’s been removed. The main sign to watch out for is intense pain that doesn’t go away, but you should be aware of vomiting, fever, and diarrhea, too. A diagnosis is tough without a physical exam because your doctor will feel the area for inflammation, yet it is possible. You need to schedule an online checkup and explain your symptoms in detail as they could be enough to set alarm bells ringing.

Now you know about these surprise conditions, you should be able to manage them during a lockdown.

The Driving Bad Habits You Need To Stop

- Roshan

If you’ve been driving for several years, you probably see yourself as being a good driver. But, over the years, we all pick up bad habits. Some may seem small; however, they can still be very dangerous. Often these habits form out of confidence or complacency. You may think that because you’ve driven in a certain way before without an accident, that you’re perfectly safe to carry on doing so. Often though, the reason that you’ve never been in an accident is down to pure chance. Are your driving habits putting you and other road users at risk? Do you need to review your driving?

Here are some bad habits that all drivers, whether new or experienced,  need to cut out.

Drink Driving

We should all know that drink can impair your ability to control your vehicle. However, even drinking a small amount of alcohol seriously reduces your ability to react to hazards quickly. Some drivers believe they can handle a couple of drinks and be able to drive. These drivers are putting the lives of other road users at risk. Even after having legal action taken against them, 50 to 75 percent of suspended drunk drivers will continue driving. If you are planning on driving, don’t drink. Leave your car at home, or take public transport if you decide to go somewhere for a drink.

Tiredness

If you’ve had a long day, or you’ve spent a lot of time behind the steering wheel of your car, then you could be setting yourself up for a serious accident if you carry on driving when you’re tired. You may feel that you need to get home as quickly as you can. However, you should make sure that you take breaks on your journey as often as possible. This will help to improve your concentration. If possible, open a window and get some fresh air. Have a cup of coffee. And, ultimately, if you’re too tired to drive, stop somewhere, and sleep.

Using Your Phone When Driving 

Be honest, how often do you use your phone when you’re driving? Many drivers will use their phones, believing that they’re still in control over their vehicles. Even looking away from the road for a split second or two may be all that it takes to miss seeing a hazard early enough to react to it. When you are driving your vehicle, you should not be reading or replying to messages. You should also not be using your handset to make calls. Not only are you breaking the law, but you’re also putting lives at risk. There is no phone call or message that could be so important that you’d put risk a serious accident to answer them.

Get used to using the AI and voice control functions on your phone and set it up to work through your car’s Bluetooth connector. Keep your phone in a cradle and make sure that you don’t touch it or look at it when you’re driving.