What is Your Favorite Season?

Spring is a great time to plan. This story is a reminder that planning and persistence take us to more places than imagination alone.

A small seed was planted in the ground just as spring arrived. Although the seed was excited to grow and see the world, as the days passed, it realized that growing was a difficult process. The soil was tough, the sun was hot, the seed was often parched and felt like quitting, but it remembered its goal of growing into a beautiful flower and spreading its petals to the world.

Yet, the seed persevered and pushed through the tough soil and scorching sun. It didn't give up even when it felt like giving in. Finally, after many days of hard work and determination, the seed emerged from the ground as a sprout. As the sprout grew taller and stronger, it realized the obstacles it faced were merely preparing it for the challenges of life. And when spring was in full bloom, the sprout blossomed into a beautiful flower, spreading its petals wide and basking in the sun's warmth.

To the flower's surprise, though, it soon discovered that it was not just any flower. It was a small sapling, destined to grow into a magnificent tree. The flower was amazed at how far it had come and how its perseverance had helped it reach its true potential.

Just like the seed, we might face challenges in life, but if we push through and persevere, we will probably be surprised by the amazing things we can achieve.

Does Your Credit Need a Boost?

 

Spring is the time for a fresh start. If that means buying a new home, your credit score is one of the most important numbers to watch. A good credit score only gives you a better chance of getting approved for the home you want. So before you start your home search, here are a few reminders you can do to give your credit score a boost.

\Let me know how I can help or answer any questions you have

Repair Any Credit Bumps

Before buying a home, you must know your credit score and fix any credit issues.

Don't Be Late

This is one of the easiest things you can do to help your credit boost. Make all of your payments on time. Avoid any late payments on your bills.

Don't Add To Your Credit

You shouldn't take out new credit if you're getting ready to buy a home. Instead, hold off on big purchases until after you close on your new home.

Use Credit Tools That Help

​There are many tools out there that can help you track and help you boost your credit score. Credit Karma and Credit Sesame are a couple of examples.

If you're moving this spring or summer, give your credit a boost. Good credit means a better interest rate and lower payments on the house you want. If you need to find a lender, I work with a network of great mortgage professionals. If you’re ready to start your search, I’m here for you. Call me to set up a time to meet.

Does Your Kitchen Need an Upgrade?

Your kitchen is the hub of your home. It’s where you connect over meals, have family game nights, and organize the chaos in the mornings. It’s also one of the most important rooms to keep up-to-date if you’re planning on selling. Depending on how old your home is, it could take a major remodeling project if you’re trying to improve it. So, how do you conquer your kitchen remodel? Here are a few tips.

Plan. Plan Again. Plan Some More.

To keep construction time minimal and on budget, you should plan your kitchen remodel extensively. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends that you plan for six months when remodeling a kitchen. Think about your existing kitchen, how traffic flows, prepare for the unexpected, and ergonomics.

Keep Your Footprint.

It’s easy to start demoing and start from scratch, but you should keep your same footprint. Problems can begin with a change in footprint; when you start moving plumbing and electrical, costs go up.

Buy Appliances That Work For You.

Your oven and refrigerator are important tools in your kitchen, but you don’t have to buy luxurious appliances that look good. Think about your lifestyle and how you cook. Spend your money on cabinets and flooring.

Create Storage Space.

Storage is essential in any room, but it plays a big role in the kitchen. Try adding cabinets that reach the ceiling or hanging shelves for storage.

Constant Communication is Key.

Staying in constant communication with your contractors is crucial for a successful remodel. It will help you stay on budget and on time. Be present during working hours, have a clear communication plan, and give the project manager your cell and email for easy communication.

Use these tips to help you conquer your kitchen remodel. If you need help finding a contractor, I have an extensive network of professionals. If you’re considering selling, I’m your local real estate expert and would be happy to give you a free market evaluation. 

Feel free to call, or text to set up a meeting.

Is Your Home on Buyers' Hot List?

 

Happy New Year!  I hope 2023 is off to a great start for you and your family.  If you have plans to sell your home this year, you might ask, is it still a good time, or should I wait? You're not alone. I'm getting that question a lot this year. It's not news that the housing market has shifted, and homes aren't selling hours or days after they hit the market. However, there are still buyers, and homes are selling. Here are a few ways to turn your home into a HOT home during this slower market.

Fix Any Maintenance Issues The housing market has changed, and the days of selling your home "as is" are over. If you have any maintenance issues you've put off or have yet to get to, it's time to invest and fix them. Likewise, you must update anything that looks outdated to attract buyers.

Make Updates Before Listing Your Home Home improvements are vital to attracting the right buyer. So before we put your home on the market, add a fresh coat of paint to your interior walls. Also, if you can update your floors, that can go a long way and pay off when you sell your home.

What Do Buyers Want? Aside from investing in maintenance and painting, common improvements attract buyers. For example, invest in upgrading your kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor living space. Improve your garage storage space, and make these improvements for a better ROI.

In this market, it's essential to make a great first impression. Use these ideas to make your home a must-see home for potential buyers. I'd be happy to set up a time to discuss your home. 

Email, call or text me to set a time to talk.

Are Your Habits Helping?

 

According to legend, there was a stone that looked like an ordinary stone, but when held in your hand, it could make your dreams come true. The stone was hidden on a rocky riverbank among millions of look-alike stones. A person knew when he or she found the real stone because of its warmth, while all the other rocks felt cold.

Hearing about the legend, a man sold all of his possessions and camped on the river. The next morning, he began testing stones.

He picked up an ordinary stone, threw it away if it was cold, picked up another one and threw it again. He repeated the process for hours and then for days. Days turned into weeks. He became good at the process.

One day, he picked up a warm stone and, without even thinking, threw it into the river. Suddenly, he realized what he had done! He had developed such a strong habit of throwing every stone into the river that when the magic stone came along, he still threw it away.

It’s important to notice that not all habits are bad. Sometimes a habit is simply a behavior we’ve repeated enough times that it becomes automatic. Consider the new goals, dreams and aspirations you are pursuing this year, and notice any old habits that could be blocking your pursuit.

Deciding to “throw them away” might require less energy than maintaining habits that are unproductive.