< Previous10 | Living Galveston County | 2022 T he number of professionals work- ing remotely skyrocketed in 2020, when businesses were forced to close their offices in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As the world transitions from the pandemic phase to an endemic phase, many office workers also are transitioning back to their offices. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that 59 percent of workers in the United States are now working from home all or most of the time, while 22 percent are rarely or never working from home. In 2020, 70 percent of workers were working from home all or most of the time, while 17 percent rarely or never worked from home. Those figures reflect that work life, albeit gradually, is returning to pre-pandemic norms. As individuals find themselves going back to the office with increased frequency, they might be wondering what to do with their home offices. If space inside a home is at a premium, then re-purposing a home office into a space that can be used more frequently is a great way to make better use of the existing square footage. The following are some ways homeowners can transform home offices created during the pandemic into more useful spaces. What to do with a home office after going back to work 2022 | Living Galveston County | 11 GO BACK IN TIME. Perhaps the easiest thing to do with a home office that is no longer needed is to return the room to its pre-pandemic state. Because the shift to remote work was so sudden, many homeowners were forced to turn washrooms, break- fast nooks or areas of their living room into home offices. Returning those spaces to their initial func- tions can make a home feel less cluttered and add more room for residents to relax and get around. CREATE A NEW ENTERTAINMENT AREA. Many homeowners converted a spare bedroom into a home office during the pandemic. In such instances, guest beds and other furniture might have been moved into storage or even sold or discarded. Either way, that means the office was cleared of bedroom furniture. Now that the room no longer needs to be an office and now that homeowners have made due without the extra bedroom, the room can be converted into an entertainment area. Swap out the desk for a foldout couch that can still accommodate overnight guests when necessary. Then mount a flatscreen television on the wall and utilize the room as a gaming room for kids or a film room/man cave for mom or dad. CREATE AN IN-LAW SUITE. The pandemic separated fam- ilies, as people living in different households were advised to avoid gatherings to stop the spread of the virus. Individuals with aging parents may have felt particularly heartbroken by this forced separa- tion, especially if their elderly par- ents were living in nursing homes that were stretched thin by staff shortages and other challenges. In the aftermath of the pandemic phase, families may want to invite aging relatives to live with them. Home offices can be re-purposed into in-law suites so aging parents don’t have to confront the isolation and loneliness many felt during the height of the pandemic. As professionals return to their offices with greater frequency, they can transform their offices into spaces they’re likely to use more often. — Metro Creative ConnectionCoastal REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE SINCE 1974sandnsea.com | 409.797.5500 Alison Christensen 409.539.1794 Carolyn Gaido 713.851.3377 Kathy Kendrick 214.793.4176 Peter Van Borssum 409.771.0946 Michael Gaido 409.457.4900 Stacey Rubio 832.889.2133 Susan Zielke 248.417.1813 Kimberly Gaido 713.498.2020 Skyler Lowery 832.738.6216 Patti Zajack 409.789.3199 Julie Greenwell 281.622.1344 Andrea Sunseri 409.370.0088 Barbara Zimmerman 409.599.4344 Brandy Duncan 832.652.7901 Pamela Gabriel 409.789.4990R E/MAX Crossroads Re- alty agents are highly trained professionals who realize the necessity of keeping themselves informed of all the latest changes in the highly complex real estate field in Galveston County and the surrounding areas. Robbie Nelson is the bro- ker and owner, along with her husband Ricky Nelson. Robbie has been a licensed Realtor since 2004. She opened her first brokerage in 2015 and has been a top-pro- ducing broker in the area. As current residents in Santa Fe, TX, they are fully aware of the current market trends and what it takes to get a great deal on a listing or get top dollar for your current home. When it comes to getting the job done right, you can count on them. The Realtors have a lot of connections within Galveston County and the surrounding areas. They pride themselves on making each and every one of our clients feel they are number one and the most important client. “Don’t hesitate to call and ask us any questions you might have,” Robbie Nelson said. “This process is all about you and your needs. Real es- tate is a big investment, and we understand that. RE/MAX Crossroads Realty strives to make the buying or selling a seamless process. We would love the opportunity to earn your business.” RE/MAX Crossroads Realty is a small dynamic office that makes sure that clients have the best experience possible in their real estate trans- actions. The Realtors take pride in having many repeat buyers, sellers and investors that continually trust them in some of their biggest trans- actions. RE/MAX Crossroads Realty agents are knowledgeable with the most recent real estate market information for Galveston, Tiki Island, Bayou Vista, La Marque, Texas City, Dickinson, Friendswood, League City, Hitchcock, Santa Fe, San Leon, Bacliff, Kemah and the surrounding areas. RE/MAX Crossroads Realty is a one stop shop for all your real estate needs. There is a wealth of useful Real Estate information for home buyers and sellers on the company’s website. From local listings to market analysis, this is a go-to resource for those who are buying or selling a home. Be sure to contact one of the Realtors for an update on market analysis. If you’re in the market for buying, selling or investing, give the agents at RE/MAX Crossroads Realty a call today at 409-739-7641 or visit the website at crossroadsrealtytx.com. RE/MAX Crossroads Realty: Helping Galveston County residents find their dream homes PAID ADVERTISEMENT 14 | Living Galveston County | 2022Robbie Nelson – Broker / Owner ABR®, CRS, GRI, TRLP Direct: (409) 739-7641 Office: (409) 927-1764 or (832) 680-1517 4111 FM 1764 Ste C, Santa Fe, TX 77517 robbie@robbienelson.com www.crossroadsrealtytx.com www.robbienelson.com CALL ROBBIE. GET SOLD . www.robbienelson.com Each Office is Independently Owned and OperatedS tarFine Furniture and Mattress knows that putting together the vision of your space can be an intimidating task that can lead to wrong-sized furniture and a frustrating experi- ence. Their team is there to make buying furniture fun and easy. StarFine is fami- ly-owned, and the business makes caring about your experience and satisfaction its top priority. In 1907, David Goldhirsh immigrated to the United States. He landed in New York, and, after six years, moved to Galveston. He be- gan working at M. M. Bleich’s corner grocery store. Seven years later, Bleich loaned David the money to start Star Furniture. The original Star Furniture was a “mom-and- pop” business, located at 414 25th St. in Galveston. The only other employees were David’s children, Simon and Frances. By 1941, business was booming, and Star Fur- niture moved to a three-story building at 2424 Market St. In 1944, Frances married Marvin J. Stein, and Marvin joined the business in 1946. Originally, he was “just going to take care of the store for a week,” while his father-in-law went on vacation. Marvin and Frances’ son, Ben Jay, proudly continues the family tradition of bringing quality furniture to Galveston County. His son, Jody, joined the business in 1997, and today he enthusi- astically serves as president of StarFine Furniture and Mattress. StarFine Furniture and Mattress is located right off Highway 45 on Broadway Av- enue in the quaint older area of Galveston Island. Ben Jay Stein retired from the daily duties in 2016 and turned the reins over to his son, Jody Stein. Jody and his wife, Kim, now represent the fourth gen- eration of this family owned and operated furniture and mattress store. Whether you are just vis- iting for the weekend, have a second home or live on Galveston Island year round, StarFine can outfit your space with the look and feel you desire with a unique look at a great price. The business offers more than 1,000 items in-store to browse through and try out. If you don’t find exactly what you are looking for, StarFine has hundreds of custom-order options and a free in-home design service to get your en- tire home looking just right. The design team provides an exclusive complimentary design service that listens to your vision and provides inspired and easy options for you to choose from. They have professional interior designers on staff that have been in the business for more than 25 years and specialize in designing and decorating homes, apartments, cottages, condos and more. The design process in- cludes identifying the room you want to redesign, any items or furniture pieces you’d like to keep, colors you’d like to incorporate, as well as the size of your space and measurements. The de- sign team then recommends the best options to create the perfect flow and function and draft up your new room with new pieces. If you have a definite style in mind already, then custom furniture may be the best option for you. StarFine has that too. You may have an idea of the perfect sofa, chair, sectional or recliner that you want for your home. Design- ing custom furniture allows you to select the style, size and color that’s just right for your space, your style and your budget. StarFine proudly features several custom design brands including Flexsteel, La-Z-Boy and Palliser. Completely cus- tomizable lines of furniture allow you to select exciting fabrics, style, size and color. You also have the option to customize your own seat comfort, leg color and much more on several of the collections. StarFine’s fabric selection includes pet-friend- ly and kid-friendly fabrics along with beautiful leathers and blends. Buying furniture should be a relaxing and fun experi- ence, and it is, at StarFine Furniture and Mattress. The employees are helpful, friend- ly and don’t do high-pressure sales. In fact, when you visit, they make you feel like part of the family. They carry an extensive collection of living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, mattresses, home office furniture, home accents and outdoor furniture. StarFine offers free delivery, special no-interest financing, store-wide savings and two convenient locations. Visit StarFine Furniture at 3727 Broadway Ave. in Galveston or at 3503 Gulf Freeway in Dickin- son or shop their store online at StarFineFurniture.com. StarFine Furniture and Mattress: Furnishing Galveston County homes at affordable prices for 4 generations PAID ADVERTISEMENT 16 | Living Galveston County | 2022Whether you are just visiting for the weekend, have a second home or live on Galveston Island year around, StarFine can outfit your space with the look and feel you desire with a unique look at a great price! We have THOUSANDS of items in stock, and deliver to anywhere in the Houston area! We also offer in-home design service to help with your design project. Most of our items can be custom built in the perfect color and style, just for you! UNIQUE Looks. EXCEPTIONAL Values. StarFineFurniture.com Galveston Location 3727 Broadway Avenue, Galveston, TX 77550 409-762-7821 Dickinson Location 3503 Gulf Freeway, Dickinson, TX 77539 281-678-829518 | Living Galveston County | 2022 What are the differences between real estate agents and brokers? R eal estate transactions often involve significant amounts of money. As a result, it’s common for both buyers and sellers to enlist the services of a host of professionals with real estate experience. Both buyers and sellers may work with real estate agents and/ or real estate brokers en route to buying or selling their homes. Agents and brokers are not one and the same, and there are some important distinctions between the two. REAL ESTATE AGENT Real estate agents are profes- sionally licensed individuals who can help both buyers and sellers, according to Realtor.com. Agents also may help property owners rent their homes. The amount of training real estate agents need to earn their licenses varies by state. Once individuals finish their required training, they must take a written exam that tests their knowledge of federal real estate laws and general princi- ples as well as the laws specific to the state in which they want to become licensed. Only after passing this exam do individuals become recognized real estate agents. Achieving agent status is the starting point for most real estate professionals, according to Investopedia. REAL ESTATE BROKER Real estate brokers are those professionals who have continued their education past the agent level and obtained a broker’s license. Each state has its own re- quirements in regard to becoming a licensed broker, but education and examinations are necessary regardless of where a person lives. The extra coursework to earn a broker’s license focuses on various topics, including ethics, contracts, taxes and insurance, according to Realtor.com. Agents may learn about these topics as well, but coursework for prospective brokers goes into more depth than it does at the agent level. Brokers also will study and learn about legal issues in regard to real estate. The legal issues brokers may learn about include brokerage operations, real estate invest- ments, construction and property management. Requirements vary, but brokers often must work as licensed real estate agents for no less than three years before they can earn their broker’s license, according to Realtor.com. There is more than one type of real estate broker. Principal/desig- nated brokers oversee all agents at a given firm and ensure the agents act in compliance with all real es- tate laws. Managing brokers tend to focus on the hiring and training of agents. Associate brokers have their broker’s license but work directly under a managing broker. Real estate agents and brokers can help buyers, sellers and investors successfully navigate real estate transactions, and each can serve their clients in different ways. — Metro Creative ConnectionNext >