AUGUST 1 2022
Informative | August Home Maintenance Checklist
Back-to-school season is the perfect time to catch up on your home maintenance! The kids can do their homework while you do yours!😅
A well-maintained home will save you time, money, and hassle in the long run! Home maintenance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Just do a few tasks each month!
Here are some home maintenance tasks to check off this month✔️ Save this post for later by clicking the bookmark icon above📌
AUGUST 2 2022
Personal | 4 Questions I Get Asked As A Real Estate Agent
1. What are the requirements to become a real estate agent, how much does it cost, and how long does it take?
The requirements and costs are different in each state, but you’ll probably end up spending $300-$1,600 with pre-licensing education fees, exam fees, a background and fingerprint check, broker fees, business expenses, etc. To become a real estate agent in the US, you need to be at least 18-19, have legal US residency, complete your required pre-licensing education, and pass the real estate license examination. The process to become a licensed real estate agent typically takes 2-6 months on average.
2. How much and when does a real estate agent get paid?
Most real estate agents are paid solely through commissions that are based on a percentage the property’s selling price. The buyer’s agent and seller’s agent typically split the commission (6% is pretty average), and both agents are paid when the sale closes. Your broker will also take a small percentage of your commission before you get your cut!
3. How does a real estate brokerage work?
It is required to hang your license with a broker as a new real estate agent. Your designated broker will supervise you and oversee your activities to ensure you are following the state and national real estate laws.
4. What does a typical day look like as a real estate agent?
Each day is completely different depending on your clients urgency and response time, how busy you are, the market, etc! A good portion of my week is spent making calls, writing contracts, negotiating, showing houses, meeting with clients or other agents, responding to emails, networking, and making sure everything is running smoothly for my clients!
AUGUST 3 2022
Interior Design | 3 Back To School Organization Tips For Your Home
Here are 3 home organization tips for surviving back to school season✏️🎒
1. Create a functional space for everyday items (that typically end up on the kitchen counter) to take control of clutter and avoid chaos. Designate an area near the entry of your home for your kids to hang their backpacks and store their shoes, sports gear, mail, books, and other items they may need for school.
2. Set up a designated homework spot in your home and use an acrylic caddy to organize crayons, pens, scissors, glue sticks, pencils, erasers, etc.
3. Create a family command center with an acrylic wall calendar, a place to drop mail and paperwork, a bulletin board for notes, chore charts, and hooks to hang keys and sunglasses. This is a great way to keep everyone on the same page and manage the busyness of back-to-school season.
AUGUST 4 2022
Informative | Are You Ready To Buy A House?
Swipe to find out if now is a good time for you to take on homeownership! 🔑
AUGUST 5 2022
Local | International Beer Day: 3 Of My Favorite Breweries In (**Insert City**)
Grab a custom, locally brewed craft beer at one of the best breweries in (**INSERT CITY**) to celebrate!
Swipe for three of my favorite local breweries 👉🏼
AUGUST 6 2022
Informative | How To Prepare For An Open House
Here are a few things I recommend doing to prepare for an open house:
✓ Turn on all the lights, open shutters + curtains, and let in as much light as possible
✓ Lock up valuable items in a safe or take them with you
✓ Get rid of knick knacks and declutter as much as possible
✓ Light a candle or use an oil diffuser
✓ Make all the beds
✓ Empty all the trash cans in the house
✓ Put away pet food bowls, litter boxes, toys, and other pet items
✓ Depersonalize your home by putting away family photos and other personal items
✓ Bring your pets with you when you leave
✓ Set thermostat at a reasonable temperature
Click the bookmark icon to save this post for later!📌
AUGUST 7 2022
Personal | A Peek Into My Personal Life: 6 Things I’m Working On Behind The Scenes
AUGUST 8 2022
Informative | The Worst Thing A Seller Could Do In This Market
AUGUST 9 2022
Local | How To Explore (**Insert City, State**) For Free This Summer
A typical day as a real estate agent often involves listing appointments, showings, continuing education courses, meetings with clients for lunch, taking phone calls, and responding to emails and text messages.
Besides real estate, here is a little peak behind the scenes to show you what I’ve been up to lately in my personal life!
One of my August goals is to (**INSERT ONE OF YOUR GOALS FOR AUGUST**). Comment below one of your personal goals for this month!
Truth be told, a lot has changed in the real estate market over the last 7 months. In 2021, demand was record high, inventory was record low, and bidding wars were not just common, they were expected. Home prices skyrocketed and yet, houses were still flying off the MLS in a matter of minutes.
The 2021 real estate market was something many of us real estate agents have never seen before. In 2022, the market finally seems to be cooling off a bit and we are getting back to more of a “normal market”.
It’s still a strong sellers market, just not as crazy as summer of 2021. Now is a good time to sell, as inventory is still low and buyer demand is likely to stay strong.
Since the market has and continues to change, it’s important to list your home at the right price so you don’t sit on the market for too long. Overpriced homes take longer to sell + sit on the market for a longer period of time, and this often leads to the sellers eventually accepting a lower offer than they could've received if the property had been priced right in the first place!
Trust your real estate agent, do your own research, set your listing price competitively, and remember that, although this market isn’t as crazy as last year, it’s still a great time to sell your home!
Swipe for a few fun ways to explore (**INSERT CITY**) without breaking the bank!
AUGUST 10 2022
Personal | A 6 Step Game Plan To Improve Your Credit Score
Your credit score is a major factor in whether or not you’ll be able to qualify for a mortgage. As a homebuyer, your credit score will positively or negatively affect your loan options, interest rates, mortgage terms, and how much house you can afford.
Whether homeownership is something you’d like to achieve in the next 6 months or the next few years, the benefits of checking and building your credit will majorly pay off in the long run.
Swipe for a 6 step actionable game plan to improve your credit score, build a strong financial future, and prepare for homeownership 👉🏼
AUGUST 11 2022
Local | Your Next Date Night In (**Insert City, State**)
Look no further — here is a full itinerary for your next date night in (**INSERT CITY, STATE**) ❤️
AUGUST 12 2022
Interior Design | 7 Daily Habits For A Clean House
If you spend the entire weekend cleaning but don’t keep up with laundry, dishes, household chores, and putting things away throughout the week, the mess will quickly return in just a few short days.
Stop constantly playing catch-up with housework and implement these 7 daily habits for a clean house🏡
AUGUST 13 2022
Informative | Marry The House And Date The Rate!
If you fall in love with a house, don’t let a higher mortgage rate discourage you from buying. I advise my clients to shop around for a mortgage and work with a few lenders to find the best deal possible (marry the house and date the rate!). Keep in mind, you’ll also be able to refinance down the road when interest rates are lower.
Don’t let the home of your dreams slip away, because even with a higher interest rate, real estate is still a great investment!
Want to learn more about the buying process? Send me a message and I’d love to answer any questions you have!
AUGUST 14 2022
Personal | My Commitments To You As Your Real Estate Agent
Here are my commitments to you as your real estate agent, and why I should represent you as your realtor.
1. As your real estate agent, I will work hard to make sure your real estate transaction goes as smoothly as possible.
2. As your real estate agent, I am committed to working with you. My clients will always come first.
3. As your real estate agent, I am eager and prepared to answer any questions that might come up during the buying or selling process.
4. As your real estate agent, I have detailed knowledge about the (**INSERT CITY**) area and the real estate market. I am committed to learning and put aside time frequently for continuous education.
5. As your real estate agent, I promise to always be honest, transparent, and kind. I will never put my commission ahead of what’s best for you.
6. As your real estate agent, I will do my best to make the entire buying and/or selling process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
7. As your real estate agent, I am committed to being your biggest advocate, negotiating on your behalf to help meet your specific goals, needs, and objectives
8. As your real estate agent, I promise to respect your time and confidences. I will not disclose any personal, financial, or other confidential information you share with me to anyone.
9. As your real estate agent, I promise to follow through, follow up, and communicate with you in a timely and professional manner.
10. As your real estate agent, I am committed to giving you 110%, 100% of the time!
Looking to start the buying or selling process? I’d love to connect — send me a DM and let’s chat!
AUGUST 15 2022
Interior Design | 5 Kitchen Gadgets You Need From Amazon
Here’s what to search on Amazon👇🏼
A. Prepdeck Mini Chop’r - Fast & Easy Food Processor - Electric Vegetable / Garlic Chopper, 1.5 Cup Capacity - Ultra-Sharp Blades - Bump Resistant Safety System - Long-Lasting Charge & USB Cable Included
B. Full Circle and Brush Set, White Tiny Team Mini Dustpan
C. Evriholder Easi-Twist 2pk, Easy Grip Jar Openers, Pack of 2, Colors May Vary
D. Navaris Hanging Kitchen Waste Bins - Over-Cabinet Garbage Bowl Holder Trash Containers for Collecting Food Scraps and Compost from Counter - Set of 2
E. Food Huggers 5pc Reusable Silicone Food Savers | BPA Free & Dishwasher Safe | Fruit & Vegetable Produce Storage for Onion, Tomato, Lemon, Banana, Cans & More | Round, Terracotta
AUGUST 16 2022
Personal | Looking To Relocate? Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Moving To (**Insert City**)
AUGUST 17 2022
Informative | 6 Terms You Should Know If You Are Looking To Invest In Real Estate
AUGUST 18 2022
Interior Design | Save Or Splurge: New Build Selections
As you can probably tell by now (if you’ve been following me for awhile), I absolutely love where I live.
Here are 5 reasons why you should consider making the move to (**INSERT CITY**):
1. (**INSERT A REASON WHY YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE/A REASON WHY YOUR CITY/STATE IS A DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE **)
2. (**INSERT A REASON WHY YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE/A REASON WHY YOUR CITY/STATE IS A DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE **)
3. (**INSERT A REASON WHY YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE/A REASON WHY YOUR CITY/STATE IS A DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE **)
4. (**INSERT A REASON WHY YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE/A REASON WHY YOUR CITY/STATE IS A DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE **)
5. (**INSERT A REASON WHY YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE/A REASON WHY YOUR CITY/STATE IS A DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE **)
Most of us will have to set a budget for how much we can afford to spend on design selections, and it’s crucial to know where to save and when to splurge to avoid getting carried away!
Swipe for my new build selections guide: new construction upgrades that will increase your home value and ones that aren’t worth the money👉🏼
AUGUST 19 2022
Local | Sweet Treats To Beat The Heat: 3 Of My Favorite Ice Cream Spots In (**Insert City**)
Whether you’re craving a classic cone, a milkshake topped with whipped cream and a cherry, or a banana split sundae, (**INSERT CITY**) has you covered for all the sweet cold treats you could ever dream of🍦
Grab a scoop of your favorite flavor this weekend at one of my favorite local ice cream spots in (**INSERT CITY, STATE**)!
AUGUST 20 2022
Informative | Fixed-Rate VS Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
An adjustable-rate mortgage: a home loan with an interest rate that adjusts periodically based on the market. With an adjustable-rate mortgage, your rate and monthly payments can go up or down over the term of the loan. An ARM (adjustable-rate mortgage) has a fixed rate for the first 3-10 years before (known as the initial period) before moving into the adjustment period.
You should consider a fixed-rate mortgage if:
1. You plan to live in your home for a long period of time.
2. You want a consistent mortgage payment that always stays the same.
3. You want to know how much interest you’ll pay over the life of your loan.
You should consider an adjustable-rate mortgage if:
1. You plan to sell the house in a few years (before the initial period is over).
2. If interest rates are high (ARMs usually have lower rates and mortgage payments during the initial period).
3. If you plan to pay off your mortgage before the adjustment period begins.
Have questions about the home buying process? Send me a DM and I’d love to chat with you about next steps!
AUGUST 21 2022
Informative | The 2008 Recession VS The Real Estate Market Right Now
The collapse of the housing market in 2008 was caused by easy credit, loose lending standards, and financial engineering that allowed high-risk mortgage borrowers to purchase homes they could not afford. Due to the market crash, people lost jobs and pensions, home values went way down (eliminating the option to refinance or borrow against your home’s value), and people couldn’t afford to make their mortgage payments. Over 3.7 million Americans lost their homes due to The Great Recession in 2008.
How is todays’ market different than it was in 2008?
1. We have higher lending standards and regulations than in 2008, and getting a mortgage loan is far more comprehensive than they were in the early 2000s.
2. Homeowners today have record levels of equity due to high demand during the pandemic (when demand exceeds supply, home prices tend to rise exponentially).
3. During The Great Recession, unemployment rate rose up to 10% in fall of 2009. As of April 2022, the unemployment rate in the United States hit a record low of 3.6% nationwide.
We can’t predict what will happen in the real estate market over the next few years, but here is my advice👇🏼
If you are looking to make your next real estate move in 2022, here is what you should do: look at the statistics, do your research, and find a real estate agent who will guide you through the current market conditions and help you to make educated and well-informed decisions.
Want to learn more about the buying and/or selling process? Send me a DM and I’d love to connect with you and chat more!
AUGUST 22 2022
Informative | Back To School: 4 Things You Need To Do To Make Your Home “Listing Ready”
Grab your notebook and a pencil ✏️ todays lesson is about how to prepare your home to sell.
Here are 4 things you need to do to make your home “listing ready”👇🏼
1. Declutter as MUCH as possible! Put away family photos, gallery walls, trophies, awards, religious items or signs, knick knacks, collector items, and dog toys to give your house a “model home feel”. Potential buyers need to imagine what THEIR lives would look like in your home. If you fail to tidy up, your clutter could easily turn someone off from purchasing your house.
2. Hire professional cleaners to deep clean your house + get a professional photographer to take listing photos. Not only will a clean house and professional listing pictures help you sell your home quicker, but you may receive better/higher offers too!
3. Your first impression to potential buyers = your homes exterior. Curb appeal is everything! Trim your shrubs and flowers, cut the lawn, add some new outdoor lighting, get a new doormat, and make your home feel inviting and warm.
4. If your home has a lot of issues, you may want to consider making some repairs prior to listing. Water damage, termite damage, mold, cracks in the foundation, a broken HVAC system, odd smells, and roof replacement are all repairs you should take care of before selling your home.
Have questions about the selling process? Send me a message and let’s chat!
AUGUST 23 2022
Informative | Why You Need To Get Pre-Approved Before House Hunting (Checklist Style)
It’s crucial to get pre-approved before starting the house hunting process to get your finances in order and determine what you can afford.
Submitting a pre-approval letter with your offer shows the sellers you are a serious buyer and that you are financially qualified to purchase a home.
When you get pre-approved before house hunting, you’ll be ready to submit an offer whenever you find your dream home!
To get pre-approved, you’ll need to send your mortgage lender documents such as proof of assets and income, good credit, employment verification, tax documents, etc.
If you are looking for a good mortgage lender in (**INSERT STATE**), send me a DM and I’d be happy to connect you with a couple of my preferred lenders!
AUGUST 24 2022
Interior Design | What’s Your Interior Design Style?
Mine is (**TAKE THE QUIZ AND INSERT YOUR ANSWER**)! Comment your results below👇🏼
AUGUST 25 2022
Informative | Why I Believe In Buyer Consultations
Buyer consultations are super important for you to get an idea of the buying process, learn more about the current market trends, and for us to get to know each other!
During a buyer consultation, I will ask you questions about what you are looking for in a home, your timeline, and your budget.
Together, we will work on your needs VS wants list (yes, there is a difference!), so we can both get on the same page and I can help you to find the home of your dreams!
The home buying process can be challenging, but my goal is to make it as stress-free and enjoyable as possible!
Ready to become a homeowner? Let’s meet up, discuss your real estate goals, and I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Send me a message to book a buyer consultation!
AUGUST 26 2022
Local | 3 Builders To Check Out In (**Insert City**)
Here are 3 builders I recommend checking out!
AUGUST 27 2022
Informative | Positive Affirmations For A Smooth Sailing Home Sale
Here are 8 affirmations for a smooth sailing home sale 🏡
AUGUST 28 2022
Interior Design | Living Room Rug Buying Guide
Area rugs are not cheap, so it’s important to get the size right to avoid a costly mistake!
How do you determine what size rug to purchase for your living room?
Here are 3 things to keep in mind:
1. If you can’t decide between two sizes, it’s almost always best to go bigger (rather than smaller).
2. Ideally, you should leave at least 6-12 inches of exposed floor space around the perimeter of an area rug.
3. When buying an area rug, don’t forget to purchase a rug pad! Placing a rug pad under your area rug will help to keep it locked in place and adds an extra layer of comfort + cushion.
4. Always PLACE the front 2 legs of your furniture pieces on the rug!
Swipe for my rug buying guide 👉🏼 and save this post for later by clicking the bookmark icon above!
AUGUST 29 2022
Personal | 5 Signs You Should Break Up With Your Real Estate Agent
Since your real estate agent will be super involved in your real estate transaction, it’s important to work with someone qualified for the job. It’s also important that you and your real estate agent have similar communication styles and compatible personalities to be able to work well together!
Here are 5 signs you should break up with your real estate agent:
1. They have bad communication skills
Your realtor never answer your calls and they forget to call or text you back. You feel like you can never get ahold of them and it seems like they are always too busy for you.
2. They lack tardiness and professionalism
Your real estate agent always show up late. They don’t value your time and they don’t dress professionally. They don’t prioritize you and you question their values.
3. They put pressure on you
If you real estate agent is pressuring you to make a decision, this is a major red flag. Your real estate agent should give you advice and their professional opinion, but they should never push you into doing something if you aren’t ready.
4. They lack negotiation skills
A good real estate agent will negotiate to help you get the best deal possible. If your realtor lacks negotiation skills, you should think about working with a different agent.
5. They only care about the paycheck
If your real estate agent seems to only care about the money, you need to fire them immediately. Find a different agent who genuinely cares about you, someone who has better intentions and ethics.
Looking for a new realtor to guide you through your next real estate transaction? I’d love to connect with you to see if we'd be a good fit — DM me!
AUGUST 30 2022
Informative | What Is A Temporary Rate Buydown?
A temporary interest rate buydown is a financing tool that allows you to temporarily lower your interest rate for the first few years of the loan.
As a buyer, a temporary rate buydown is a great way to reduce the cost of your mortgage payment in exchange for an up-front cash deposit.
As a seller, a temporary rate buydown is a way to give buyers an incentive to purchase your property (without lowering the listing price) by offering a seller concession for the sale of your home.
Mortgage rates are expected to continue rising in 2022, so a temporary rate buydown is a useful tactic for both buyers and sellers in this market!
Have questions? Send me a message and let’s chat!
AUGUST 31 2022
Informative | Selling To An Instant Offer Company: The Pros And Cons
