It’s All About the Puppies & Rainbows

As a self proclaimed Family Friendly Realtor-I watch my client’s families locate their perfect home, sometimes all while leaving their first and only home. I become a member of the family for usually a few months! Often times I see your kids as much as I see my own! Especially in the spring. And I love it. Literally could not ask for more of blessing than all of my wonderful clients opening their lives and homes up to me. I’ve said it before but often I’m the first to learn of a pregnancy, engagement, death in the family, sickness, student of the month accomplishment, new car, new job, an acceptance to college, or a new 4 legged friend. Your successes are my successes, your sad times are my sad times. I literally carry a small piece of every single one of my clients with me forever. I think its fair to say that no one really knows how often I think about all of you and how I hope you are all living truly a wonderful life. #puppies&rainbows #awonderfullife

This year I helped just about 50 families accomplish their real estate goals. It seems almost impossible that it was almost 50! That is a whole lot of my favorite champagne (Veuve Cliquot for everyone!) and a whole lot of celebrations. But, once I focused on the sheer volume, I realized that I could be using my home selling powers for GOOD!  While I can help families by integrating myself into their lives during the buying or selling time frame, I want to help completely unrelated families going through the tough times too. Of course the choices are endless.  But, personally, I cannot fathom a greater struggle than caring for a child with cancer. For that reason I have decided in 2017 I will be taking a portion of proceeds from every transaction closed and donating to the Cops for Kids with Cancer Organization with the hopes of myself and my clients collectively sponsoring the donation to one of the families facing this uphill battle.

If you are not familiar with the Cops for Kids with Cancer Organization please take a look at their page. They are unique and worthy and make a great impact. They give a one time, hefty, no strings attached donation to families of those with a child diagnosed with cancer.  I have seen them touch the lives of 5 families I personally know, including one client and one very best friend, and for that I am so grateful.

Thank you as always from the bottom of my heart for your on going support and patronage. Happy 2017!!

#copsforkidswithcancer #slaythedragon

HGTV House Hunting LIES

WHUT do you say?? HGTV lies????

So its that time of year….resolution time. Did “Buy Your First Home” make it on the list?? If not, it should have. If it is on your list I am betting you are staying up late binge watching House Hunters having imaginary conversations with the unreasonable buyers. Maybe it’s Chip & Jo Jo absolutely slaying the home renno scene that is your thing. OR if you are anything like me and Mr. Family Friendly you are mourning the break up of Christina & Tarek of Flip or Flop. One thing you should know….when people tell you that HGTV is not reality, its TRUE!!! HGTV is NOT reality! Now now relax people, I am not hating on the network. It is the bread and butter of my TV life (Minus This is Us-because hello that show freaking ROCKS). But – in all seriousness here are a few takeaways on some misconceptions of the home hunt.

1. You have all the time you need to make a decision: Okay no one wants you more committed to the home of your dreams than me….but sleeping on it a few days to think about it and mulling it over at the coffee shop may not be the best approach to securing your home before the rest of the world does in this super low inventory market.  If you know this is the house, let’s do everything we can to get it ASAP.

2. Sellers are willing to Negotiate: Did you see the link above? In this market not all sellers are going to come down 10% on their ask price like you see on these shows. But don’t worry if you are under the guidance of a Certified Home Buying Advisor you can be confident that we will make sure you are not over paying for a home.

3. It might take more than 3 homes: It might take 100 homes to find the right home. It might drive you insane, and cause you to land face down in your glass of wine at the end of the day. For some people its the first home you see and for some its #50. And that’s okay! Make sure you are working with a patient and experienced buyer agent so that when you find the process taking longer than you’d like, you know they are by your side supporting your decision making the whole way.

4. After 3 months you are magically transported to your new home: It doesn’t just happen that you SURPRISE are plopped in your house at the end of 3 months and life is grand. You have to trust that you are working with the right lender that gets you to the closing table ON TIME with no surprises, no extensions, no rate increases, no excessive points and closing costs, and no application rejections. Choose wisely and listen to your Realtor. We are not suggesting our preferred mortgage lender for our benefit, a great agent is suggesting their vendor solely for YOUR benefit.

5. We don’t live in TX or Georgia: HGTV films A LOT there. Try to keep your chin up. It may look sad that they get soooooooo much house for such little money, but we get a lot here too! Our employment rate is higher, our standard of living is higher, we enjoy all 4 seasons, hospitals, universities…hell we have the New England Patriots! I mean really…who needs a 4600 square foot new build with a golden bidet, grotto pool and heated bathroom floors for $200k anyway. AMIRIGHT??? BECAUSE… well…BRADY #blessed

6. You aren’t a flipper: It’s not all sunshine & rainbows. Hell it broke up Tarek & Christina! I know they make it look easy, and its super entertaining and dramatic to watch. But it’s not as easy as they make it look. For starters you need a LOT of liquid capital. The flippers you see on TV A. Are making money to be on TV B. Get many of the materials and labor discounted because they are essentially advertising for the brand or the contracting company C. The houses don’t always sell as fast as they show and then you are responsible for all of those carrying costs. Many times the profit margin is narrow if anything at all.

7. CLOSETS: You don’t need a walk in closet big enough to fit your son’s entire little league team…we are in new England and when these houses were built people did not own 19,700,020,900,890 pairs of Lula Ro leggings. They had a few dressing gowns. If they survived with “a few dressing gowns” then surely we can survive with less than perfect closet space. Things can be done, walls can be opened. It’s gonna be ALLRIGHT.

8. Newsflash: IT’S ACTUALLY NOT the end of the world to paint some rooms! GASP. No really, it’s going to be okay. Step 1. Go to your local hardware store Step 2. Pick out Paint Step 3. Walk to the liquor store Step 4. Walk to the pizza store Step 5. Call friends. You are one party away from getting rid of Mauve walls and replacing with Revere Pewter.

9. You aren’t Chip & JoJo: WOMP WOMP….haha I’m kidding. Let’s all live the dream. You too can decorate your home while canoodling with your significant other and offering up cheesy puns. SO many of their (surprisingly affordable) accessories are available on the Magnolia Home site. Even that super awesome crayon caddy! And, many of the furniture pieces you have seen are available at Jordan’s. We can all learn a thing or two from Chip & JoJo.

10. You don’t have to be a Millionaire: I always love trying to figure out what it is that people do to allow them to afford such houses. I mean OCCASIONALLY there are some houses on HGTV where you are like HUH, Sweet mother of God where did I go wrong in life that THOSE people can afford this!? Since they don’t give a full history with the show (though I WISH THEY WOULD-can you hear me HGTV??), I will let you in on a little secret….step one was their first little starter home in the burbs. The one with little closet space, mauve walls, original appliances and power blue tile bath. It’s time to start on your sweat equity. Let’s get after it and chase that American Dream. #Theresnoplacelikehome #wheredoyouwanttolive