With the kids at home for the foreseeable future and many public spaces closed indefinitely, many parents will need a helping hand keeping their children entertained during this difficult time. Our REALTORS® understand that, while having fun is a great distraction, children still need to spend adequate time learning and growing while out of school. Thankfully, these seven educational websites offer great ways to keep your kids entertained and academically engaged while at home.

1. Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute Webcams
   With the weather warming up, a trip to the zoo would be a perfect no-school activity for children. Unfortunately, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are closed until further notice, but that doesn't mean that children can't check in on their favorite animals. The National Zoo has webcams set up throughout the zoo that give a live glimpse into the areas where many animals live. 
   
   
2. San Diego Zoo Live Cams
   The San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the world, and you don't have to visit in person to see why. They've set up nearly a dozen live webcams that your kids can stream right at home. Take a trip to Africa and watch the baboons and penguins. View the koalas of the Outback, the apes of the Lost Forest, and the polar bears of the Northern Frontier. Go on an exciting digital safari to see giraffe, burrowing owls, elephants, tigers, and condors. 
   
   

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Having a home office is becoming a sought-after feature for many home buyers. Whether you're an at-home worker or someone who just needs an occasional space to work on taxes and bills, you can enhance your experience by sprucing up your office space.

Our REALTORS® can help you with advice about what kind of office space might work in your home. In the meantime, here are some clever ways to improve your home office.

1. Let the light in.
   No matter the type of work you do or the business you're in, light can help you see better, think better and energize you. Considering painting your office walls off white or bright white. Light paint will make the space look much larger.
    
   Lighting things up can also in...

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There's no doubt about it – Sarasota has some of the best beaches in Florida.

Our REALTORS® love the beach, but the weather doesn't always cooperate. What's a family to do when hitting the coast isn't in the cards?

Luckily, there are plenty of options for fun and family bonding. World-class museums, cultural institutions, and attractions for kids abound. Any of them makes for a full day of memories that last a lifetime. 

Here are some ideas for Sarasota fun when it's not a beach day:

1. Crowley Museum & Nature Center – 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL 34240
   

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Living in Florida offers some amazing benefits during your retirement years – sun, sand, and surf, but for people ready to embark on retirement, there's something that could be even better:

Amazing tax benefits.

Our REALTORS® know many different factors go into deciding where to call "home." When you're ready to retire, you have more options than you've ever had before. The Sunshine State is unparalleled when it comes to helping older residents get more from their retirement budget by making tax benefits as easy as can be. Let's look at some benefits that are just as attractive as the warm weather:

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