If you are new here, allow me to explain! On the first of each month, I post a home maintenance checklist to help you keep your home in tip-top shape year-round.

Before the summer heat kicks into gear, put aside some time to tackle some home maintenance!

Here are some tasks to do this month to keep your home looking its best👇🏼

1. Change HVAC filters

2. Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors

3. Dust ceiling fans + light fixtures

4. Deep clean and rotate your mattress

5. Wash windows and siding

6. Deep clean your dishwasher

7. Spray for bugs or schedule pest control for the summer season

8. Keep your lawn, plants, and flowers hydrated

9. Scrub the inside of your microwave + oven

10. Update your home security

It is a valuable marketing tool that can increase your chances of selling your home quickly and for the best possible price!

Here are a few things every seller should do 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 the thermostat to a reasonable temperature

Considering selling your home this year? Now is a great time to start the process and get your house ready to sell. I'd love to work with you! Let's connect — send me a DM!

Here are 3 books on my summer 2023 reading list!

1. **INSERT BOOK 1** BY **INSERT AUTHOR 1**

2. **INSERT BOOK 2** BY **INSERT AUTHOR 2**

3. **INSERT BOOK 3** BY **INSERT AUTHOR 3**

What are you reading this summer? I'd love to know — share in the comments below!

You may need to jump through more hoops than a salary-earning employee (and you might need to provide additional documentation), but being self-employed shouldn't stop you or scare you away from buying a home!

Whether self-employed or not, income stability is required to get approved for a mortgage. Most lenders will need at least 2 years of steady self-employment income to approve you for a mortgage.

If you are self-employed and are interested in purchasing a home, here is everything you'll need to qualify for a mortgage!

The benefits of purchasing and owning a home are indisputable. From helping you build wealth to improving your quality of life, homeownership remains a core component of the American dream.

Here are just a few of the financial benefits homeownership has to offer!

1. Allows for protection during periods of inflation, as you are able to control your monthly housing payment.

2. You'll build home equity with each monthly payment.

3. The value of your home will increase over time.

4. Owning a home may offer tax benefits and credits.

5. You'll have the ability to borrow against your home equity if needed (with a cash-out refinance, HELOC, or home equity loan)

6. Buying a home will help you to strengthen your credit.

Interested in buying a home and experiencing the benefits of homeownership? I'd love to work with you and guide you through the process. Send me a DM, and I'll be in touch!

Here are a few things on my summer bucket list to give you some ideas!

**Insert City** locals, I added some local recommendations to pair with each activity, so be sure to check them out!👇🏼

1. Go on an early morning hike

📍 **Insert local hiking trails**

2. Spend the day at a waterpark

📍 **Insert local waterpark**

3. Escape the summer heat at a local museum or indoor park

📍 **Insert local museum or indoor park**

4. Get a day pass and enjoy the amenities of a local resort

📍 **Insert local luxury resort**

5. Go to a paint-your-own pottery studio

📍 **Insert local pottery studio**

6. Hit up the farmer's market

📍 **Insert local farmer's market

What do you have on your summer bucket list? Share in the comments below!

When you sell a home in which you have equity, a chunk will go towards closing costs, and the rest will be yours to keep.

But selling your home isn't the only way to tap into your equity!

Home equity can be leveraged in many ways, such as taking out a home equity loan or doing a cash-out refinance to finance home improvements, consolidate debt, or cover other expenses.

Here are three of the most common ways to get equity out of your home without selling:

1. Cash-out refinance

A cash-out refinance replaces your existing home loan with a larger mortgage loan (by using the bigger loan to pay off your old one). The difference between the balance on your previous mortgage and your new mortgage amount is how you'll be able to access home equity and essentially "cash out".

2. Home equity line of credit

A HELOC (short for a home equity line of credit) is a way to borrow against the available equity in your home whenever you want (up to a set limit) while making low payments. With a HELOC, you use your house as collateral for the line of credit. Similar to a credit card, a HELOC allows you to borrow against your home equity, repay, and repeat. A HELOC typically allows up to 10 years to withdraw funds and up to 20 years to repay.

3. Home equity loan

A home equity loan is a type of mortgage that allows you to borrow money using the equity in your home as collateral. With a home equity loan, you'll get access to a lump sum of money all at once and will repay the home equity loan (with principal and interest) each month at a fixed rate over 5-30 years. Keep in mind, a home equity loan is considered a second mortgage, so you'll have to make monthly payments for your home equity loan in addition to paying your current mortgage each month.

Whether you’d like to achieve homeownership in the next 6 months or in 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 solid financial future, and prepare for homeownership 👉🏼

Summer is the perfect time of year to picnic in **Insert City**. Pack up a charcuterie board (and your drink of choice) and head to **Insert local picnic spot** for a picnic to remember!

Happy Father's Day!

Moving out of state takes a lot of patience, planning, and preparation. Generally, the farther you move, the more details you must worry about.

Here are a few of my tips for a smooth long-distance move!

Here are 5 home improvement projects under $10k that are worth the investment!

A well-stocked bar cart is necessary for effortless and chic summer entertaining.

Here's everything you need to set up a stylish summer bar cart that's ready to party at a moment's notice!

A. Alma pink double old-fashioned glass (from Crate And Barrel)

B. Marble & Brass Barware Set (from West Elm)

C. Stainless Steel Gold Cocktail Shaker (from Target)

D. Gold Stainless Steel Straws (from CB2)

E. Edge Highball Glass (from Crate And Barrel)

F. Morgan Agate Coasters (from Anthropologie)

G. The Little Book Of Cocktails (from Amazon)

I consistently strive to do my very best for each and every one of my clients. I'm able to do what I love because of you!

**Insert client name**, thank you for trusting me and allowing me to guide you through the home-buying process! I'm so happy we met, and I can't wait to work together again in the future. Congrats on your new home! 🥂

Here's what they had to say about working with me👇🏼

**Insert Client Testimonial Here**