Why Cannabis is the buzziest ingredient in skin care

Why Cannabis is the buzziest ingredient in skin care

The beauty world has been sparking up lately:  Cannabis is proliferating in beauty products, and it's poised to take you skin-care routine to a higher level.  That's because the star ingredient, known for its reputed stress-reducing and pain-relieving (among many others) benefits in the wellness space, has incredible prowess when it comes to topical, skin-boosting use.

For 5000 years, cannabis has been helping everyone. Before 1937, when it was prohibited, there was a cannabis elixir on every shelf.  It reduced inflammation and pain in a way I've never seen before

Why Cannabis?

We already know that inflammation is the root cause of so many skin woes, from acne to rosasea. Because of cannabinoids's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, using it can reduce puffiness, swelling and even soreness.  It's this all in one solution because of it's ability to target those problems simultaneously.

Studies have shown that CBD can potentially be helpful for fighting acne too and may even give your skin a more youthful appearance, thanks to its inflammation-fighting prowess.  And here's yet another anecdotal way cannabis is becoming a BFF for holistic types:  It can potentially help relieve pain.

Science shows why this is the case:  "CBD binds to a special set of receptors in the skin known as TRPV-1 receptors, where it can help feelings of heat, itch and pain, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York based dermatologist.  "This explains why it has a soothing effect on the skin.  Just as other natural oils are used in skin care, the natural fatty acids and antioxidants in hempseed oil make it a good choice for people with dry skin and eczema.

The Wide world of cannabinoids

While CBS is the compound popping up in beauty products, it's not the only one within the cannabis plant to be aware of.  There are nearly 100 naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids and CBD is the one that's most well-known for it's health and wellness benefits.

There are lots of chemicals within cannabis, and our body has an entire system that regulates them.  All of this comes into play when you slather the plant's extracts on your skin.

If you just have one cannabinoid, such as CBD, you're missing out on the over 100 additional cannabinoids that work together to produce the entourage effect.  Your body's endocannabinoid system has receptors and that full spectrum of cannabinoids work in concert more efficiently and effectively than on its own - hence it's good to look for the whole plant's extract in the beauty aisle.  

What to look for in the Beauty Aisle

As in the case in the food industry, knowing where your extract comes from is crucial.  It's important to know the source.  It's not enough to say you're getting CBD or hemp extract.  Some could be processed so intensely that the phytonutrients are stripped away and you're left a CBD isolate that's just a white powder, which is missing all the potent cannabinoids.  The last thing anyone wants is for someone to use something and it does nothing.  That is why its important to look for a company that is transparent with their products and lab-testing.  The US Hemp Authority just awarded 13 companies with this first seal for High Quality CBD.  Before you buy any CBD Products, we recommend anyone check out the company they are buying from.

Shop in Cannabis Skin Care

Hempworx was one of these companies that was awarded the seal for High Quality CBD by the US Hemp Authority.  They have 2 skin products, revive and renew.  These creams are $69 and worth every penny.

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Three Times You Can Kiss Your Earnest Money Goodbye

The earnest money deposit—the cash you offer to essentially call dibs on a house—is one of the most important and misunderstood parts of the home-buying process.

You can expect to put down anywhere from 1% to even 10% of the home’s purchase price as earnest money. (In some highly competitive markets, buyers are making even larger deposits in an effort to stand out.) An earnest money deposit tells a seller you are serious about closing. Without earnest money, you could theoretically make offers on multiple homes, essentially taking them off the market until you decide which one you like best.

Don’t worry—the seller isn’t going to run off to Aruba with your cash. It remains in an escrow account or with the title company until the sale closes. And, if everything goes off without a hitch, that earnest money is put toward your down payment and closing costs. So there’s nothing to lose, right?

Probably not, except these three scenarios where your earnest money could end up financing the seller’s trip to Aruba.

bye bye!

1. You waived your contingencies

In highly competitive markets, it’s becoming more common for buyers to waive contract contingencies regarding financing or an inspection. You might be tempted to do the same—it will make you a more attractive buyer. But it also comes with serious risks. You guessed it: You might lose your earnest money deposit.

The financing contingency guarantees that you’ll get your money back if for some reason your mortgage doesn’t go through and you’re unable to purchase the house. The inspection contingency allows you to renegotiate the price or demand repairs if serious defects are found during the inspection.

If your contract doesn’t have such buyer protections and you run into trouble with the inspection, you won’t be able to get your money back if you abandon the deal. Most experts recommend that you not waive the inspection contingency, unless you’re planning on tearing the property down.

As for the mortgage-financing contingency, waiving it may be the only way to compete with all-cash buyers. But you’ve got to be absolutely sure that you’ll be able to get approval from your bank.

2. You ignored the timeline outlined in the contract

Your contract usually sets out a specific time frame in which you’ll need to secure financing, get the home inspected, and be available for the closing. Generally speaking, as long as you’ve made a good-faith effort to adhere to the timeline, sellers will grant a reasonable extension if a lender drags his feet or there are other extenuating circumstances that delay things.

However, in some cases sellers may include a “time is of the essence” clause in the contract. Watch out for this phrase in your paperwork—it means the closing date for the sale is binding. If you can’t make it to close for any reason, you’ve breached the contract and could lose your deposit.

3. You get cold feet

If you have a change of heart about the home you’re buying—but there’s no problem with the property or the financing—you likely will not get your money back.

“If a buyer changes her mind and was able to request the down payment be returned without consequence then the whole idea of a contract would no longer be worth much. You just can't walk away on a whim.

The earnest money deposit serves a protection for the sellers when they take their home off the market. If late in the game you decide that you no longer want to make the purchase, they get to keep it as compensation for the time and money they have to spend on listing their home again and looking for another buyer.

When it comes to real estate, a case of buyer’s remorse could be even more painful than a lost deposit. To avoid both, really make sure the home you’re bidding on is “the one.”

6 Reasons You Should Never Buy or Sell a Home Without an Agent

It’s a slow Sunday morning. You’ve just brewed your espresso and popped open your laptop to check out the latest home listings before you hit the road for a day of open houses.

You’re DIYing this real estate thing, and you think you’re doing pretty well—after all, any info you might need is at your fingertips online, right? That and your own sterling judgment.

Oh, dear home buyer (or seller!)—we know you can do it on your own. But you really, really shouldn’t. This is likely the biggest financial decision of your entire life, and you need a Realtor® if you want to do it right. Here’s why.

1. We have loads of expertise

Want to check the MLS for a 4B/2B with an EIK and a W/D? Real estate has its own language, full of acronyms and semi-arcane jargon, and we are trained to speak that language fluently.

Plus, buying or selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. We have the expertise to help you prepare a killer deal—while avoiding delays or costly mistakes that can seriously mess you up.

2. We have turbocharged searching power

The Internet is awesome. You can find almost anything—anything! And with online real estate listing sites such as yours truly, you can find up-to-date home listings on your own, any time you want. But guess what? We have access to even more listings. Sometimes properties are available but not actively advertised. We can help you find those hidden gems.

3. We have bullish negotiating chops

Any time you buy or sell a home, you’re going to encounter negotiations—and as today’s housing market heats up, those negotiations are more likely than ever to get a little heated.

You can expect lots of competition, cutthroat tactics, all-cash offers, and bidding wars. Don’t you want a savvy and professional negotiator on your side to seal the best deal for you?

And it’s not just about how much money you end up spending or netting. As your realtor, we will help draw up a purchase agreement that allows enough time for inspections, contingencies, and anything else that’s crucial to your particular needs.

4. We’re connected to everyone

Realtors might not know everything, but we make it our mission to know just about everyone who can possibly help in the process of buying or selling a home. Mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, home stagers, interior designers—the list goes on—and they’re all in our network. Use them.

5. We adhere to a strict code of ethics

Not every real estate agent is a Realtor, who is a licensed real estate salesperson who belongs to the National Association of Realtors®, the largest trade group in the country.

What difference does it make? Realtors are held to a higher ethical standard than licensed agents and must adhere to a Code of Ethics.

6. We’re your sage parent/data analyst/therapist—all rolled into one

The thing about Realtors: We wear a lot of different hats. Sure, we’re salespeople, but we actually do a whole heck of a lot to earn our commission. We’re constantly driving around, checking out listings for you. We spend our own money on marketing your home (if you’re selling). We’re researching comps to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

And, of course, we’re working for you at nearly all hours of the day and night—whether you need more info on a home or just someone to talk to in order to feel at ease with the offer you just put in. This is the biggest financial (and possibly emotional) decision of your life, and guiding you through it isn’t a responsibility we Realtors take lightly.

The Numbers Are In: Yup, 2016 Is Off to a Good Start in Home Sales

We may be on the verge of spring, but housing and economic reports work on a bit of a lag time. We’ve only just gotten the major data reports for January, and it’s giving us a clear-eyed view of how the real estate market is measuring up this year.

And yeah, things are looking good.

Job creation—arguably the most important factor in housing demand—is moving apace. January saw 151,000 jobs created. That level of employment growth is below 2015’s monthly average, but unemployment is now near 10-year lows and is in line with the current macro forecast from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). This level of employment growth should translate into the 3% growth in housing sales we are expecting for the year.

Speaking of sales, January’s existing home sales report did not disappoint. Even though sales are taking longer to close, due to the implementation of new disclosure and closing forms and procedures, the pace grew 0.4% in January from December. Granted, that’s not a lot, but analysts had been expecting a decline. And from January 2015 to January 2016, existing home sales grew a solidly impressive 11%.

The increase in sales is resulting in continued tighter-than-tight supply—measured by NAR to be four months in January.  For you non-economists out there, that metric measures the number of months it would take to sell the current inventory of available homes, at the current pace. Got it? Six to seven months’ worth of homes on the market is considered normal; four months is cray-cray.

This is driving prices higher and encouraging consumers who hope to buy this year to get started as soon as possible

January’s new home sales and new home construction remained consistent with the pace of activity of the last several months. Still, the level of new construction still represents solid year-over-year growth, especially in single-family homes. The most encouraging sign: The median price of new homes is finally declining, as a result of the fact that builders are offering more affordable homes.

Finally, the most timely readings we can pass on come from our own observations at realtor.com that confirm that demand is growing rapidly at the start of the year, resulting in an acceleration in inventory movement that we typically do not see until March or April.

OK, not everything is rainbows and unicorns. The biggest negative trend impacting potential demand relates to the January and February declines in stock values, which have taken a toll on consumer confidence. But, even that negative trend has a silver lining: Mortgage rates are now substantially lower. The average 30-year conforming rate has stabilized at under 3.7%, giving buyers almost 5% more buying power than they had at the end of 2015, and strengthening their ability to meet the debt-to-income ratio requirement for a loan.

Net-net, pent-up demand appears stronger than any weakness caused by the financial markets. And the lower rates are encouraging would-be buyers to act sooner rather than later. With this strong start, 2016 should indeed see growth, but the biggest constraint will be the tight supply.

In the market to sell your home?  Give us a call!

Refinancing: The Right Move?

Refinancing: The Right Move?

The federal reserve recently raised interest rates, and if you have an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), it may be a good time to consider refinancing your home. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether your should refinance, so here are a few of the main considerations.

How long does your introductory rate last? Most ARMs have a fixed rate for the beginning of the mortgage. This is an introductory period (usually 3-10 years) when your rate will remain constant before it can be adjusted. If you have several years left in your introductory period, you can monitor interest rates for a while before making a decision. But if the intro rate is ending soon, it’s a great time to explore refinancing at a fixed rate.

How long are you staying? If you plan to sell your home soon—especially if you’re still on a fixed introductory rate—there’s not much motivation to refinance. But if you’ll be at your home indefinitely, you should consider your refinancing options. You could eliminate the stress of not knowing what your future mortgage rate and payments will be.

What’s your loan balance? The change in your mortgage payment will of course be determined in part by your remaining balance. If you owe $100,000-$200,000, a new interest rate may not greatly affect your monthly payment. On the other hand, if you owe $500,000, a change in interest rate could lead to a much higher payment.

Other factors The previous items are just a few of the factors that should go into a decision about refinancing. Changes in income and your current credit score should also be considered, so be sure to weigh your options and make an educated decision.

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The Woodlands Real Estate Broker

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