FEBRUARY 1 2022
Informative | February Home Maintenance Checklist
Show a little love to your home this month by tackling your home maintenance checklist!🌹
1. Clean and vacuum curtains
2. Dust window blinds
3. Organize your spices
4. Clean garbage disposal
5. Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
6. Check fridge and freezer for expired items
7. Change HVAC filter
8. Flip mattress and replace mattress pad
9. Clean under sofa
10. Replace shower liners
Home maintenance can feel overwhelming and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Keep your home looking its best and avoid expensive issues down the road by completing your monthly home maintenance! Save this post for reference by clicking on the bookmark icon above📌x
FEBRUARY 2 2022
Seasonal | Fall In Love With A New Home
If you’ve been looking for a sign to start the home buying process, THIS is it.
Ready to talk homeownership? Slide into my DMS and I’d be happy to answer all your questions, get you connected with one of my preferred lenders, and start an MLS search to help you find the home of your dreams!
FEBRUARY 3 2022
Local | 4 Local Brunch Spots For Valentines Day
If you want to take your boo or a bunch of girlfriends out to Valentines Day brunch, consider booking a table now! Spots fill up quick for VDAY brunch!
Here are 4 of my favorite local brunch spots in **Insert city, state**!
1. **Insert local brunch spot 1**
What to order:
2. **Insert local brunch spot 2**
What to order:
3. **Insert local brunch spot 3**
What to order:
4. **Insert local brunch spot 4**
What to order:
Did I miss your favorite brunch place in **Insert city**? Share yours below!
#yourrealestateagent #yourrealtor #findarealtorincity #cityrealtor #staterealtor #staterealestateagent #statehome #staterealestate #movingtostate #citybreakfast #visitcity #breakfastinyourcity #yourcitybreakfast #cityeats #foodincity #brunchinyourcity #breakfastinyourcity #yourcityfood
FEBRUARY 4 2022
Informative | How To Buy And Sell A House At The Same Time
Timing can be tricky in this kind of situation. You may own two houses at once for a short period of time, or you could end up without a home for a few weeks or months and need to find a temporary living situation. What are some options for a better transition?
One option is to borrow the down payment money from a family member or a close friend and pay them back after you close on your home sale. You could even write up a simple contract to make things official and state when you will pay back the money.
Another option is to take out a bridge loan. This is a short-term (up to one year), temporary financing option that allows homeowners to “bridge” the gap between buying a new home and selling their current one. A bridge loan is difficult to get approved for, but if you have a strong credit and stable finances, it’s a great option to look into!
A sales contingency is option for buying and selling at the same time. With a sales contingency added to your offer, you won’t have to close on your new home until your current one sells. This type of contingency may make it harder to get an offer accepted, but if you can make it work, it’s a great way to smooth the transition into your new home!
If you sell your home before you purchase a new one, you could also draft a rent back agreement. This works great for sellers who want or need to take more time to move. A rent back (or lease back) agreement typically cannot extend beyond 30-60 days after closing.
FEBRUARY 5 2022
Personal | How I Got Into Real Estate
I love my clients' reactions when they walk through the door of their dream home. I love the phone calls to my buyers with news that they are officially new homeowners. I love being able to tell my sellers that they have over 10+ offers on their home. I just LOVE what I do!
I haven’t always been in real estate though. Before I became a realtor, I (**insert 3 things you did before real estate. EX: college, stay-at-home mom, other job(s) you had, etc).
When I became a real estate agent, I felt like I was finally where I was meant to be. Everything works out in the end and I couldn’t be more grateful that my life lead me to a career in real estate!
FEBRUARY 6 2022
Informative | 2022 Real Estate Predictions
FEBRUARY 7 2022
Home Refresh Challenge | Day One
Over the next week, I’m going to share 7 steps to refresh your home. Did you know that clutter not only affects your space, but it can also affect your sleep, anxiety levels, and ability to focus?
Refreshing your home might feel like a larger-than-life task, but it’s easier to accomplish something when you have clear and direct steps to follow. Join this challenge and you’ll be left with a clutter-free home & a clutter-free mind!
Step one of the home refresh challenge: purge, purge, purge!
Go room by room and look through every cabinet, drawer, pantry, and closet. It’s helpful to create three piles, labeled “keep”, “donate”, and “throwaway”. Get rid of old furniture you no longer want or need. Throw out expired food, drinks, and medications. The rule of thumb is, if you haven’t used it in the last year, you probably don’t need it cluttering up your home.
If you have an emotional attachment to some of your belongings, it can be hard to declutter your space. Grab a box or two and allow yourself to only fill the boxes with sentimental items (your childhood stuffed animal, baby blanket, your wedding dress, etc). If you have a collection of photo albums collecting dust, use a scanner to save them all to your laptop or phone!
If it’s difficult for you to get rid of sentimental items, take photos and upload them to your phone or computer, that way you can look back at them anytime!
Getting rid of old items makes room for new things, adventures, and people to come into your life!
FEBRUARY 8 2022
Home Refresh Challenge | Day Two
Rearranging furniture and decor items in your home is a great way to give your space a brand new feel. And the best part? It doesn’t cost you anything!
Choose a couple of spaces in your home and move around the furniture until you find an arrangement you like.
Here are a few tips for rearranging the furniture in your home:
1. Be sure to measure before you start moving things!
2. Don’t push furniture against the wall (leave at least 6-8 inches of space)
3. Consider walkways and don’t block traffic flow
4. Use mirrors to make the space feel bigger
5. Always position the largest furniture first
6. Don’t block windows or doors (natural light is always best!)
7. Choose a focal point (it could be the TV, the bed, the fireplace, etc)
8. Keep practicality in mind (EX: if you frequently host parties, be sure to leave room for drinks and food on the coffee table.)
9. Look for furniture arrangement inspiration on Pinterest!
PRO TIP: Save yourself the hassle of heavy lifting and order some furniture sliders to easily move around your furniture!
What space in your home are you going to rearrange? Share below!
FEBRUARY 9 2022
Home Refresh Challenge | Day Three
A new coat of paint is the easiest way to update the look of your home. The best part? All you need is paint, a paintbrush, some tape, and a free weekend!
You don’t even need to paint the entire interior of your home, just choose a couple of rooms or pick a fun accent! Even just painting the kitchen island or a wall in your master bedroom can freshen up your space and make your home feel brand new.
Guess it’s time to bring out the paintbrushes and get to work! 🎨 🖌
What trendy accent color are you loving right now? Drop your favorites down below to share some inspo!
FEBRUARY 10 2022
Home Refresh Challenge | Day Four
Light fixtures can either modernize or completely date your home. An easy way to update your space is to add more light!
This might mean switching out the 2007 fan in your living room or adding can lights to the kitchen to brighten up your space. Even switching out blinds for curtains is a great way to bring more natural sunlight into your home!
PRO TIP: Light fixtures can get expensive fast! If you are looking to keep your home refresh budget-friendly, spray paint one of the light fixtures you already own! You can even purchase new lightbulbs to really give your fixture a new look.
Whatever “add more light” means to you, lighting is key and can transform the way your space feels!
FEBRUARY 11 2022
Home Refresh Challenge | Day Five
You can learn almost ANYTHING on the internet! Use Google to your advantage this weekend and do some fun home projects to refresh your home!
Here are some DIY ideas to transform your space:
1. Create a textured canvas art piece by reusing an old framed canvas (or buy one at TJMAXX or HomeGoods), some drywall mud, a drywall taping knife, tape, a paintbrush, and a palette knife set!
2. Make a shiplap wall by cutting plywood into planks and attaching them to your wall using construction adhesive and nails.
3. Try peel-and-stick wallpaper to add a pop of color or pattern to any room! Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great way to give your bathroom or office a new look without damaging the walls.
4. Install under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen to set the mood and modernize your space.
5. Add some shelves in your bathroom or kitchen to elevate your space and add extra storage to your home. You can find tutorial videos for this on Youtube by searching “DIY floating shelves”!
Turn on some music, pour up your favorite drink, and let’s tackle some home DIYs this weekend!🛠
FEBRUARY 12 2022
Home Refresh Challenge | Day Six
Curtains are a great way to elevate your space and update your home. Grab a curtain rod from Target and curtains from IKEA (they are inexpensive and great quality!) for a window covering project under $70!
When you hang curtains, be sure to hang them high (12+ inches above the window frame), and make sure they are long enough to hit the floor. Choose a curtain rod that matches the rest of the hardware in your home, and a color that pops on the wall (EX: don’t use a white curtain rod if you have white walls)!
Instantly refresh your home by updating your window treatments!
FEBRUARY 13 2022
Home Refresh Challenge | Day Seven
Similar to choosing a perfume, it takes some thought to decide what you want your home to smell like.
To select your signature home scent, be sure to think about the mood you want to set. If you want a calming, relaxed atmosphere, maybe try something with lavender or chamomile. If you want a clean, fresh scent, choose something with citrus or floral notes.
It’s important to choose scents based on the intentions of the room. You want to avoid falling asleep in the kitchen with a lavender candle lit! 😂
Use something with hints of vanilla for a welcoming scent in the foyer, freshness like lemon or orange in the kitchen, calming lavender in the bedroom, cozy notes of pine or sandalwood in the living room, etc!
Get creative with products! Try wall plug-ins, oil diffusers, reed diffusers, room mists, and candles to see what you prefer!
WHERE TO START: What scent will make you feel instantly “at-home” when you walk into the door? What kind of experience do you want your guests to have when they visit your home? Use your answers as a starting point to choosing your signature home scents!
FEBRUARY 14 2022
Seasonal | Valentines Day Movie & Snack Pairings
Get cozy, light some candles, flick off the lights, and enjoy! 🍿
Happy Valentines Day!
FEBRUARY 15 2022
Informative | 4 Signs You’re Not Ready To Purchase A Home
Not being ready for homeownership doesn’t mean you’ll never be a homeowner. It just means you may need a little more time to prepare before you jump into purchasing a home,.
Here are a few signs you may not be ready for homeownership:
1. You have a lot of debt
Your mortgage lender will look at your DTI (debt-to-income ratio) when you go through the pre-approval process, and if you have too much debt, your mortgage application may be denied. Having some level of debt won’t stop you from getting approved for a mortgage, but if you have a lot of debt compared to your income, you may want to sit tight and pay some of it off before you add a mortgage payment to your monthly bills.
2. You have little to no emergency savings
At some point, you will need to invest some money into your home to keep up with routine maintenance and normal wear and tear. What happens if you lose your job and don’t have steady income for 3 months? Building an emergency savings fund ensures you have a strong safety net to fall back on, just in case something unexpected happens in your life or to your home.
3. You have bad credit
Your credit has a huge impact on whether or not you’re able to qualify for a mortgage, what kind of home loan you can qualify for, and what kind of interest rate you’ll have to pay. The minimum credit requirement to purchase a home is typically a 580 minimum FICO score. If you need to repair your credit, take the time to do so before looking into homeownership!
4. You don’t have a stable job
Without consistent income, it could be very difficult to pay your mortgage. If you don’t feel confident in the stability your job, you may want to wait until you feel more secure to purchase a home! Most lenders prefer that you have worked consistently in your current field for at least two years, as job stability is essential to get approved for a home loan.
Still not sure if you’re ready for homeownership? Send me a message and l’d love to answer all your questions!
FEBRUARY 16 2022
Interior Design | Home Office Essentials
There’s no better feeling than lighting a candle, opening your planner, and writing a to-do list for the day while drinking your morning cup of coffee.
Your home office should be free of distractions, a place you can go to focus, work, and get sh*t done. If you’re looking to restock your office supplies and treat yourself to some new goodies, here are some ideas for your shopping list!
1. A gold stapler from Target
2. A new 2022 planner from Paper Source
3. A fun new notebook and a Capri Blue candle from Anthropology
4. Pastel post-its from Amazon
5. An Ember temperature controlled mug
6. A Vitruvi essential oil diffuser
7. Plants or fresh flowers
8. An acrylic wall calendar (and dry-erase markers!)
Oh, and I almost forgot! Since we’re on the topic of office supplies, which do you prefer - a digital calendar or a paper one?
I tend to be more of a (**insert paper or digital**) (**insert girl/guy/gender identification**), but which do you like better? Comment below!
FEBRUARY 17 2022
Personal | National Random Acts Of Kindness Day
Today is #nationalrandomactsofkindnessday, and what better way to celebrate than with a RAOK?
Of course, we should spread joy year-round, but use this day as a reminder to show more kindness to others on the daily!
Today, I’m going to (**insert the random act of kindness you are going to do today**). (**Insert why you chose this act. EX: When someone compliments me, it makes my day!**).
Random acts of kindness don’t need to be expensive or extravagant. Here are a few easy ways to share love and kindness today:
1. Gift one of your favorite books to a family member or friend
2. Call someone you love
3. Pay for the person behind you in the Starbucks drive-through
4. Give a stranger a compliment
5. Hold the door for someone
6. Pick up litter on the street
7. Leave money on a vending machine
8. Bake cookies for your neighbor
9. Leave a generous tip for your waiter/waitress
10. Let someone go ahead of you while you’re waiting in line
FEBRUARY 18 2022
Local | My Favorite Local Happy Hour Spots
In (**insert City**), there are so many happy hour selections to choose from. Here are some of my favorite local happy hour spots in (**insert City, State**)! 📍
1. (**Insert favorite local happy hour spot 1**)
What to order: (**Insert favorite drink & appetizer on the happy hour menu**)
2. (**Insert favorite local happy hour spot 2**)
What to order: (**Insert favorite drink & appetizer on the happy hour menu**)
3. (**Insert favorite local happy hour spot 3**)
What to order: (**Insert favorite drink & appetizer on the happy hour menu**)
Did I miss your favorite spot? Share your go-to happy hour spot in the comments- cheers! 🍻🍸
#yourrealestateagent #yourrealtor #findarealtorincity #cityrealtor #staterealtor #staterealestateagent #statehome #staterealestate #movingtostate #your cityhappyhour #visitcity #happyhourinyourcity #yourcityhappyhour #cityeats #foodincity #happyhourinyourcity #drinksinyourcity #yourcityfood
FEBRUARY 19 2022
Informative | Should I Sell Or Rent My Home?
You should consider renting your home if:
- Demand for rentals is high in your area/neighborhood
- You’ve always wanted to become a landlord
- You want to make passive income
- There’s a possibility you’d want to move back in someday
- You have to pay capital gains taxes if you sell
You should consider selling your home if:
- You have no interest in being a landlord
- You need money to help you buy your next home
- You aren’t able to charge enough rent to cover your mortgage (and make some money too)
- It’s a sellers market (low inventory = high buyer demand) and you’ll be able to sell quickly and for a high price
- You are moving out of the area (and wouldn’t be able to check in on your rental)
The right answer for you truly depends on your situation. There are upsides and downsides to both selling and renting, and both have advantages and potential drawbacks that you’ll want to thoroughly consider and weigh carefully before making a final decision.
Have questions about selling or renting? DM me and let’s chat!
FEBRUARY 20 2022
Personal | My Morning Routine
There’s nothing worse than realizing you slept past your alarm, rushing around to get ready for the day, slamming some coffee down and running out the door. By starting the morning with intention and mindfulness, you’re able to set yourself up for a successful day and get started on the right foot.
A good day starts with a good morning routine. Four morning rituals I practice daily include…
1. (**ADD MORNING RITUAL 1**)
2. (**ADD MORNING RITUAL 2**)
3. (**ADD MORNING RITUAL 3**)
4. (**ADD MORNING RITUAL 4**)
What’s something you do (or would like to do in 2022) in the morning to set yourself up for a great day? Share below!
FEBRUARY 21 2022
Seasonal | Presidents Day
Wise words from one of the men we celebrate on Presidents Day, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Happy Presidents Day! Kick back, relax, and enjoy the tail-end of your three day weekend!
FEBRUARY 22 2022
Local | 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Moving To (**Your City**)
I can confidently say that I love living in (**insert your city, state**). (**insert 3 lighthearted pros of living in your city. EX: perfect weather, sports, alcohol, good eats, great people, amusement parks, activities, etc)... What else do you need? 😂
(**insert city**) is a great place to call home. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider moving to (**insert city, state**)!
1. (**INSERT REASON 1 OF WHY YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE**)
2. (**INSERT REASON 2 OF WHY YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE**)
3. (**INSERT REASON 3 OF WHY YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE**)
4. (**INSERT REASON 4 OF WHY YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE**)
5. (**INSERT REASON 5 OF WHY YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE**)
Looking to move to (**insert state**)? I’d love to chat more with you - send me a DM and let’s chat!
#localfavorites #citystate #city #state #cityrealtor #staterealtor #discovercity #discoverstate #statehomes #cityhomes #movingtocity #movingtostate #staterealestate #movetocity #movetostate
FEBRUARY 23 2022
Informative | What Your Real Estate Agent Can’t Tell You
This means that we are not allowed to discuss details of a neighborhood related to race, color, nationality, sex, disability, gender expression, and familial status.
We can’t tell you if the school district is good, if the area is safe, what the ethnic makeup is, or the average age of people who live in the neighborhood. It’s not that we want to leave out details, we just can’t legally answer some of your questions.
These laws ensure that nobody is discriminated against in property transactions based on her or his protected class, and that all people have equal access to housing they can qualify for.
Since we have restrictions on what we can and can’t talk about, you will have to find the answers to some of your own questions. As a homebuyer, you can look into neighborhoods online, talk to neighbors, drive around different areas, and do your own research.
You can also use online tools like Neighborhood Scout, NextDoor, or Family Watchdog to look into neighborhood/area safety!
Have questions about fair housing laws? Send me a message and I’d love to chat more with you!
#yourrealestateagent #yourrealtor #findarealtorincity #cityrealtor #staterealtor #staterealestateagent #statehome #staterealestate #movingtostate #movingtocity #discovercity #discoverstate #realtorinstate #staterealty #cityrealestate
FEBRUARY 24 2022
Informative | 5 Tips For Selling Your Home Quick + For Top Dollar
1. Work with the right agent
Working with an experienced, knowledgable real estate agent is key when you decide to sell your home. You’ll be working with your realtor through the entire selling process, so find someone who communicates well, has a good personality (someone you can connect with), and can walk you through every step of the way!
2. Make a good first impression
Your first impression = your homes exterior. The interior of your home may be beautiful, but how would a potential buyer know that if the exterior turned them off? Spruce up your homes exterior with shrubs and flowers, trim the lawn, add some new outdoor lights, and make your home feel welcoming. Curb appeal is important!
3. Use a professional photographer
Your listing photos need to be bright, crisp, and clear. These photos need to peak interest of potential buyers and show off the best features of your home. Use a professional photographer to take your listing photos for the MLS!
4. Clean, clean, clean!
Who wants to buy a dirty, unkept, cluttered home? Before showings, be sure to deep clean your entire house or hire a cleaning company to do it for you!
5. Choose the right price
If you price too high, you run the risk of your home sitting on the market for weeks. If you price too low, you may end up leaving some serious money on the table. Consult with your realtor to decide on the right listing price for your home!
Looking to sell your home in 2022? DM me and I’d love to chat more with you about the selling process!
FEBRUARY 25 2022
Personal | Rainy Day/Snowy Day Activities
Here are a few things my family loves to do when we’re waiting for a storm to pass.
1. Have a movie marathon - ask each person in your family to pick a movie to watch together, or choose a series to binge!
2. Play games - my favorites are (**insert three of your favorite board or card games**)
3. Make spiked hot chocolate (non-alcoholic for the kids, of course!)
4. Order takeout from (**insert your favorite takeout in your area**) - don’t forgot to try the (**insert one of your favorite items off the menu**), it’s to-die-for!
5. Make a blanket fort with pillows, fuzzy blankets, and some fun string lights!
What’s your favorite rainy or snowy day activity? Comment below!
FEBRUARY 26 2022
Informative | My Biggest Tip For Saving For Homeownership
You can do this by sorting your monthly expenses into categories like “living expenses” (rent, utilities, car payments, etc), “memberships” (gym memberships, streaming services, etc), “food & household” (groceries, home decor, cleaning supplies), and more. You may not consider yourself a big spender, but little things add up, so it’s important to include everything.
Once you have a good idea of how much you spend each month, you’ll need to figure out where you can cut expenses to make homeownership/saving more of a priority. This might mean eating out less, making coffee from home (instead of going to Starbucks), or spending less money at Target. Trust me, I’m good at spending money at Target, I know it’s hard!😂
Once you have a monthly budget estimate, you’ll also need a tracker for your monthly spending. Every week, it’s important to plug all of your expenses into the spreadsheet. This will help you to be aware of how much you’ve spent during the month and if you’re on track with your budget. Tracking your spending in the moment is just as important as being aware of how much you’ve spent each month in the past!
Do this for 30 days and I promise, your savings account will thank you!
FEBRUARY 27 2022
Informative | Open Q&A!
My DMs fill up each week with so many questions about buying, selling, renting, investing, and just about anything real estate related. I love being a resource and sharing tips and info with my amazing followers!
But here is your opportunity to get all of your real estate questions answered INSTANTLY ✉️ Rather than doing it in the DMs, I thought we’d change it up and try something different this week.
For the next few days, I’ll be turning my comment notifications on and will be answering all of your questions in the comments on this post! This will allow me to answer quickly + collectively and everyone will get to hear the tea! 🫖
Ready, set, go! Add your questions to the comments below!🙌🏼
CUSTOMIZE IN CANVA
FEBRUARY 28 2022
Personal | Your New Home Wishlist Based On Your Enneagram
Comment below if your enneagram number matches up with your home wishlist! I’m an enneagram (**INSERT YOUR ENNEAGRAM TYPE NUMBER**) and mine is definitely accurate 🙌🏼
The Enneagram personality test is a great way to get to know yourself and understand others better. If you haven’t taken the quiz yet, I would highly recommend you do! Search “enneagram test” on Google to find out your number and learn more!