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Let’s face it. Moving stinks. We never realize how much stuff we have until we go to move it, and it’s nearly always a bigger job than we think it is. While I always walk through and give my seller clients a list of things to do to maximize their sales price, there is so much you can get started on months before you move, that will make it exponentially easier when the time comes to actually put your home on the market. Since you may be months, or even years, away, from moving, you’re not really focusing on the buyers and their opinion yet. Right now, focus on what you’ve been putting off. (I guarantee you there is something, and it’s usually the attic or the garage.) The only thing less fun than doing some of this purging and organizing is doing it when you’re on a deadline to get your home on the market. My recommendation? Start with one area at a time. You’re ahead of the game, remember> That means you can allot two hours every Saturday (or whatever is comfortable for you and works with your schedule). Why do you need to purge and organize these deep recesses of your home? Who even looks at those things anyway? There are a few reasons, actually. First of all, you probably don’t want to pack and move things that you don’t want to keep, so it just makes sense to go through it periodically. Second, especially if you’re downsizing, you’ll want to know what you DO want to keep so you know how much storage space is at your new home. Third, if you’ve been in your home for a while, there are probably lots of things in closets, pantries, garage, and attic that you’ve totally forgotten about. Thinning all that down will help the potential buyers (even if they’re a few months away) see themselves, and their “stuff” in the space. So where to begin? You’ll need to - literally - decide where to begin. Attic? Basement? A hall closet whose contents haven’t seen the light of day in years? It’s okay to start small. One shelf or one corner of the attic is still progress. Have boxes on hand for items you want to donate. You’ll also make piles for keep, recycle, and trash. As you’re editing, be brutally honest with yourself. If you have boxes that haven’t been opened since your last move, you probably don’t need those items anymore. As yourself these questions as you decide what to keep: Do I use it? Do I need it? Do I love it? If you don’t answer yes to at least one of these, let it go. Remember, every item you keep will have to be packed, moved, unpacked, and require space in your new home. When you’re done with your purging for the day, make sure you get the items you aren’t keeping out of the house! Leaving boxes of donations sitting around only gives you an opportunity to second guess yourself and undo all of your hard work and decision-making. Plus, you’ll be one step closer to having a home ready to put on the market!   Do you need to get started but don't know where to begin?   Hiring a professional organizer is a great place to start! Mary Davis from In Good Order is a fantastic resource, and has helped me tremendously. She can help you both make a plan and help you execute it. (She can also keep you from going down memory lane with everything you're trying to purge!) Tune in every Monday in May as Mary and I team up to work through the whole process of moving! Get more info on Mary HERE.      

Common mistakes sellers are making when they go to list their home, even in this market. Probably the most important and the most overarching mistake people are making in this seller's market is not hiring an agent or not hiring a great agent. A good agent, or a great agent, is going to not only listen to you, but actually hear your specific circumstances, and understand the specific details of your home but also be honest with you and tell you if there are things that you need to know to help get the return on your investment that you want to see. A great agent is not going to just tell you your house is pretty but they're going to tell you if it smells like your four dogs and three cats, or the fish you had for dinner last night. The next big mistake is not prepping your home for sale. Prepping your home means cleaning, decluttering landscaping, maybe staging, making sure all your light bulbs have been changed and making sure everything looks clean and shiny and bright and welcoming. The third mistake is bad marketing. No house that goes on the market in 2021 should have your bad iPhone photos in MLS or anywhere else. Marketing goes well beyond that. But make sure that your agent is prepared to market your home in the best way that suits your home and the market that it's targeted to. The biggest mistake sellers are making is pricing and that's another video so stay tuned for that one. If you have any other questions or concerns or you'd like to talk to me about selling your home, please reach out.

Spring has sprung, and that means outdoors, gardening, and making sure your curb appeal is on point. Whether you've lived in your home a while and just want a refresh, have a new home that you want to "make yours," or you're getting ready to sell and need to give the exterior a little makeover, it is definitely curb appeal season. Here are 5 easy (and inexpensive) ways to boost that curb appeal, regardless of your reason. Clean up your yard. (Yep, just like you clean your house!). Get those old leaves and sticks up and out of the way. Obviously, adding a little color in the form of some flowers (even potted ones at the entry or at the sidewalk) makes a difference. Fresh mulch. I cannot stress the importance of this more! It's like new carpet for your yard? Big plants? Mulch them. Small plants? Mulch them. No plants? Yep. Mulch makes even those empty beds look better. Pro tip- the darker the better. It always looks fresh. Give that front door a makeover! A fresh coat of paint in a great color (or even a shiny black) goes a long way towards freshening up the curb appeal of your home in any season. New lighting. Don't underestimate the difference a little new lighting can make. Low voltage or solar landscape lights, a new lamp post, or more on trend sconces at the doorway. Trust me, even if you have to have an electrician come to do the install, these updates have a great ROI. Roll out the welcome mat! Add a fresh, new doormat and make sure you clean any cobwebs and touch up trim paint if necessary. Are you thinking of doing a little curb appeal overhaul? What's your first step?

Yes, we're in a seller's market, but even in a seller's market pricing mistakes get made every day. Basing pricing on over customization, your $70,000 darkroom may just be somebody else's spare bedroom, basing your pricing on what you want to get. The market doesn't care if you want to buy a new boat and a new house once you sell this one, basing your pricing on the repairs that you made to get ready for market because you had to take three dead trees out of your yard and it cost you $12,000 is not going to transfer into $12,000 extra. Basing your pricing on online estimates you, know what I'm talking about, and they are not always right. And lastly, timing. Timing can have to do with price. This market today is not necessarily the market in October, so make sure that you're up to date on what the market conditions are when you're ready to list. If you have any other questions, reach out to me I'd love to talk to you!

Rates have gone up. The market is crazy. Everything's a multiple offer situation. There are so many competitive bids out there. Is it even worth trying to buy a house? There are lots of reasons like that, that I hear people say every day and I'm here to tell you that especially if you're renting, you may not want to wait until the market crashes or wait until things cooled down. Yes, rates have ticked up just a little bit, but they are still historically low. Also, if you think about the fact that a $300,000 home with 5% down, your mortgage payment is going to be somewhere around just under $1,800. If you put 5% down, your rent may be $1600, $1700, $1,800 right now. Think about it this way. That year that you're waiting for that market to cool off, you will be spending $1,600 a month paying the equity in your landlord's mortgage. Wouldn't you rather be building the equity towards your own future, paying off your own home than paying somebody else's? Also, just like home prices are going up, rental prices are going up at the same time. So, don't wait so long that you get stuck in a cycle of having to continue to pay rent while the prices continue to go up just because you're waiting for some imaginary crash. Don't wait for it. It's probably not going to happen for a really long time. If you're thinking about buying a house or just dreaming about buying a house, give me a call. Send me a message. Ask me a question. I'm happy to talk to you and I'd love to walk through whether or not it is really a good time for you to buy.

Spring is finally here, but the spring market feels like it's been here for a while. If you have been paying any attention at all to the real estate market lately, you probably have heard a good bit about multiple offers, prices increasing, interest rates, and short days on market. But what does it all mean, and what does it mean for YOU and your real estate goals? I'm going to break down some of the info here for you, and give you my assessment (based on experience and research, but obviously not guaranteed) on what it all means, and how it impacts you. I've heard lots of people say they've thought of waiting to buy until the market cools, or until it "crashes." Here are my thoughts on that: the market is unlikely to "crash," at least not anytime soon. This is not a bubble in the sense of the last bubble ('06-'08). The problem there was primarily that lenders were loaning money to anyone, with very low standards proving they could pay it back. The market now is really a product of a few factors- The last bubble burst, putting some builders out of business, and causing most to slow down or stop building "spec" homes completely. A whole new generation of buyers has dropped into the buying pool (Hi Millenials!) Rates have been at all time lows for the last couple of years (yes, they have ticked up a bit, but they are still comparatively low to the "average" market.) Covid/quarantine/work and school from home...the list goes on regarding how we live in our homes, and how that has changed over the past couple of years, so more people are moving to accommodate those things. In the end, this crazy market is really a result of basic supply and demand. There are simply not enough homes for all the people who want or need to buy a home. So...will prices go down? Well, my thought is that prices won't go down anytime soon. The good news? They likely won't continue to increase at the same rate as they have been. If you're a buyer, what does all that mean? Well, my sentiment is always that if it's the right time for YOU to buy, it's a good time to buy. That is to say, sometimes there's no way to "outsmart" the market if you're buying a home to use as your primary residence. If you're going to be paying to live somewhere, and you usually are, you may as well be paying towards your own equity, rather than someone else's. Even if rates are higher than you'd like. You can always refinance if/when they go down again. If you're looking to buy an investment property, that's a trickier thing, because there aren't a lot of deals happening right now. (There are some, though, so it's not impossible!) In either case, talking through the possibilities, and the market conditions, in the area you're looking, BEFORE you find that place you want to call home, is invaluable in this market. The most important things you can do when buying in this market: Have realistic expectations (many people are writing 4-6 offers before they're getting to one that "sticks") Have a plan (know how much you can and are willing to spend, how much of a down payment is reasonable, and what your payments will be) Be ready to move forward quickly (and have all of those ducks in a row, including a pre-approval letter from a lender) when something comes on the market that you love If you're selling- yes, it is still a great time to sell, and things are going very quickly, often with few contingencies, and in many cases, OVER the asking price. That doesn't mean you can just throw a sign in the yard, though! Doing the prep work to get your home ready still makes a difference if you want to maximize the offers and the final selling price. This means cleaning, maybe a bit of yard work, staging, and overall, just making sure your house shines in its best light. It also means working with an agent who uses professional photography, who will do all the same things to market your property in this market that they will in a less "hot" market, and who will walk you through those things that will maximize the return on your investment. The difference that will make really is surprising, and can mean the difference in 5 offers vs 25. But, you say, "we can only accept one, though." True. But having more competition pushes everyone to build a better offer, giving you better terms, and a better price. Trust me. It's worth it. Do you want more details on the market or the neighborhood where you live (or want to live?) Reach out to me. I'd love to help you navigate the process, or just help you determine if it is a good time to buy or sell.  

Orange Ginger Roasted Carrots Who's ready for spring? Easter? Outdoor picnics, and colorful produce? This is great for Easter, or anytime you want an easy, colorful side, and so much better than those bland cooked carrots from my childhood. (I could make a joke here about every bunny loving them, but I won't do that to you.)      Ingredients 1 Large Orange, Unpeeled 12 oz (or so) Carrots 2 T Olive Oil 2 Garlic Cloves (unpeeled) 6 Thyme Sprigs 1 t Ground Ginger 1/8 t Kosher Salt Dusting of Cayenne Pepper (optional) Drizzle of Honey Cut your unpeeled orange in half. Cut one half into thin slices; toss with carrots, olive oil, garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, ground ginger,  and 1/8 tsp. kosher salt on a baking sheet. Dust with cayenne and drizzle with honey. Roast at 450°F 15 minutes, stirring once. Turn on broiler; broil 2 minutes. Discard thyme. Peel garlic; place garlic and carrots on a platter. Squeeze remaining orange half over carrots. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. kosher salt. (I use Jennifer Fisher Spicy Salt on this, and everything. It's unreasonably delicious, and just adds something special. Not paid, just a fan.)

What would Valentine's Day be without something a little sweet? (And most likely, chocolate?) If you want to make a homemade treat that is a wow, but also super simple, these shortbread hearts are a favorite of mine. I usually dip half in chocolate, but you can also drizzle them with chocolate, white chocolate, or icing, add a touch of sprinkles or a dusting of pink sugar, or press some colorful sprinkles in before baking. Whether your vibe is "love, love, love" with the kids, a little romance, or a solo evening of "treat yourself" with a plate of cookies and a good rom-com, these are always a great idea   Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Hearts 1 cup unsalted butter (softened) 3/4 cup sifted confectioner's sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract (the good stuff!) 2 cups sifted all purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 3- 4 oz of semisweet chocolate (chocolate chips will work, but disks or bars are better.) 1 tsp. canola or vegetable oil Preheat oven to 300. Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until combined in a stand mixture with the paddle attachment. On slow speed, beat in flour and salt until combined. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/16-to-1/8 inch thick. (Remember, these won't rise, so where they are raw is basically where they'll be cooked.) Cut out hearts with a 2-inch heart cookie cutter. Transfer cookies to an ungreased baking sheet; chill for 30 minutes. Get creative! Make designs with a fork, press sprinkles into the tops, whatever! Bake until just beginning to brown around the edges, about 18 minutes. (Cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature about 5 days.) Melt chocolate in microwave, 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, then stir in oil when fully melted. Dip cooled cookies half in chocolate, or drizzle chocolate over with a spoon. (While chocolate is still warm, you can also add sprinkles, a little sea salt, chopped pistachios or pecans...there's no limit!) Happy Valentine's Day!

So you want to buy a home in the new year? Here are some great tips to help get you started so that your plan gets off on the right foot. Tips for Buying a Home in 2022 First of all, find an agent that's going to work with you, you're going to feel comfortable with sharing all your hopes and dreams and some of your financial information. Next, you really want to start getting your financial information together and talk with a lender. A local lender is best and one that your agent works with on a regular basis is crucial and tremendously helpful as you go through the process. I have some great tools to not only help get your financial information ready, but also help you narrow down what exactly you're looking for in a home. Reach out to me and let's get you started on the process of buying. I'm here to answer any questions you might have!

I confess. I love the New Year. Clean slate, fresh planner, new goals...so many possibilities... It's one of my favorite times of the year for sure. Ever since I can remember, I've started the year with a list or a plan. But, for the last few years, I've chosen a word of the year as well, and let that guide not only those goals, but also my year. As woo woo as I can be, I was pretty shocked at how well it worked for me the first time, so obviously I've kept it up. This week, this weird week between Christmas and New Year, that's what I'm working on. I completed my business plan weeks ago, but this week is about recalibrating after the holidays, reflecting on the year, looking back on the things that worked or didn't, and looking forward to 2022. Tips on Choosing Your Word of the Year I have my short list that I'll decide on later this week, but here are my tips if you have never chosen a word of the year and want to try it this year: Think about where you want to be, or what you want to accomplish, in the year to come. Make a list of those things. You'll likely see a common thread. Would you like things to be easier? More simple? Are you looking for more balance in your business, relationships, etc.? Growth? Adventure? Once you make a list of those things, that word, or spirit, will likely start to speak to you. If you're looking for some inspiration for YOUR word, I've included a list below of 100 words to get you started. Focusing on Your Word of the Year Remember, it doesn't have to mean anything to anyone but you! Pro tip- when you have it, make it your Lock Screen, get a piece of jewelry with your word (this is what I do), write it on your mirror, a post it in your car, or wherever you're going to see it all the time! Adventure Soar Peace Bountiful Ease Peace Balance Drive Vibrant Bloom Blossom Gratitude Grace Learn Mindful Explore Persistence Drive *my word for 2019 Power Freedom Rebirth Transformation Growth Amplify Ascend Transcend Sparkle Ambition Flourish Maximize Minimize Breathe Comfort Perseverance Vitality Create Ignite Reflection Positivity Progress *My word for 2020 Movement Release Centered Thoughtful Steady Flow *My word for 2021 Fearless Energize Liberate Influence Affinity Acceptance Abundance Service Empower Simplify Faith Boundless Giving Cleanse Yes Build Confidence Committed Enough Grounded Imagine Manifest Passion Serenity Resolve Speak Strength Lead Worthy Authenticity Celebrate Connection Hope Purpose Sparkle Love Life Synergize Truth Achieve Nourish Stretch Strength Liberate Overcome Wholeness Richness Success Conquer Momentum Becoming Challenge Change Belief Have fun choosing what will be inspiring to you. Good luck, and whatever your word is, have a beautiful, bountiful, New Year!