Ignorance is bliss, Knowledge is pain

When the 2004 tsunami hit Indonesia, Bill and I were on a cross country road trip from Colorado to Vermont.

We listened to music the whole trip and had no idea this catastrophic, world wide event had happened.

It was surreal to pick up a copy of the Boston Globe and see photos of the destruction on the front page. Watching the footage of the disaster on TV was horrifying and it felt weird, knowing this had all unfolded and we had no clue.

Ignorance is bliss and sometimes knowledge = pain.

I felt off center and disoriented. I recognize that might sounds selfish but I have no other way to describe it.

Has anything like this ever happened to you? I would love to hear your story.

Deep Cleaning

If you are not doing THIS as a home seller, you are missing out BIG time. And this is not some secret formula or magic bullet.

It’s cleaning and decluttering.

Simple and cheap. But not very much fun. I get it - deep cleaning is not glamorous but it is sooooo important.

When you clean and declutter buyers can literally start to envision themselves in your home.

When your stuff is junking up a space they shut down. I even have buyers that refuse to see homes that seem dirty or cluttered just from the photos!!

In a market like this, with limited inventory, that is a huge statement about the importance of a clean-show ready home.

Know The Facts

Myth vs Fact

1. I need 20% down to buy a house. - NOPE! Some loans are NO money down such as USDA and VA.

2. I don’t have a good enough credit score. - NEWS FLASH, some loans will accept credit scores under 600.

3. Getting approved for a loan is HARD! - Did you know that around 75% of loan applications received are approved?!

   Know the facts before you decide home ownership is out of reach. I’m here to help with any questions you might have.

It's About Your Shoes

It’s all in the footwear.

Remember when you were a kid and you got a new pair of shoes and adults would say, “I bet you can run extra fast in those new shoes!”

And depending on your age, you did run faster (or at least you thought you did).

Funny thing, this still applies as an adult.

When we stay home and I have lots to do, the footwear I choose for the day dictates how much I am going to get done.

On the days that I go with the sneaks, I get tons done. The days I go with the slippers…. not so much!

Self-love

I recently saw a picture of myself and something strange happened.

I felt love for the woman I saw in the photo, like I would for a close friend.

In fact when I saw the photo I said, “gosh I love her”. And I don’t know that I have ever felt that way when thinking about myself.

This post is not intended to be some ego trip.

Its been a journey to get to a place where I could look in the mirror and be happy with who and what I see.

Self-love is something that gets beaten out of us from an early age.

You’re ugly.

You didn’t do well on that math test.

If only you were like so and so.

Your legs are too hairy, your eyes are squinty and you’re too tall.

We all have a negative narrative in our heads and for some of us its been on repeat for years.

I don’t know the time or place when the soundtrack stopped but it was probably subtle and gradual.

And somewhere along the way I started to sing a new song. Slowly at first - “You’ve got this. You can handle hard things. You are a good mom, wife and friend. You care. Not everything is your fault.”

Until the moment when I saw myself, separate from me, and felt real love for the person looking back. And I saw a glimpse of what our Creator sees in all of us. That He loves us so much and He delights in us. That we are His treasure, each one of us. And I remind myself that it is a gift to see with His eyes. So much beauty and love.

Life is a journey, we don’t always get to choose the path. But in moments like this I know its all going to be okay.

With gratitude.

Being a Local Real Estate Agent

Being a “local” has become a somewhat territorial statement.

“I’m a local so I know better, have priority or get to complain about all the non-locals”.

This is kinda BS in my opinion, after all we are all “locals” of planet earth At least I think so.

But there is a situation where being a local is super important.

Your real estate agent.

I often have clients ask me to help them buy or sell in other areas such as Denver or Grand Junction. And while my real estate license is good for the entire state of Colorado, I don’t feel I am providing the best service possible by helping buyers and sellers in areas I don’t know.

If you are not a local you might not know about the large employer that’s about to relocate, or the proposed airport expansion or areas notorious for bad water or shifting soils.

It is so flattering that my clients want to “take me with them” to their new area. And while I cannot be their boots on the ground agent, I’m more than happy to interview agents in other areas and find a great fit - a local who knows their community and can look out for your best interests.

My network of excellent agents is literally worldwideSo if you need any agent in another area, please let me know. It would be my pleasure to assist you.

A Punch To The Gut!

Don’t get caught!

Did you know that some homeowners’ insurance policies only cover damages to your home within 30 days of you moving out?

I found this out the hard way.

We had moved out of our house and I was checking on it every other day, BUT on the one day I wasn’t there the dishwasher decided to go kaput!

What ensued was the basement filling up with water and doing tons of damage.

I called my insurance company to make a claim and received the bad news; all repairs would be out of pocket!

Sucker punch to the gut!

So what can you do?

If you move out of your primary residence make sure you check with your insurance company to find out what will be covered.

In most cases you can get “vacant home” insurance which is more money than a standard policy but much, much cheaper than dealing with a flooded basement.

Please, please, please learn from my mistake and don’t make the same one yourself.

BTW - second homes have different insurance policies that typically fall under different guidelines.

Please reach out if you have questions.

Dealing With Our Own "Junk"

“Mama told me there’d be days like this!”

Have you ever felt like this?

Days you wanted to put a trash can on your head and shut out the noise?

Well for this little gal, raking leaves makes her want to escape.

There are days my job is really tough. Days that I want to go back to slingin’ lattes at Big Shooters Coffee, where I had a job that didn’t keep me up at night.

However, every challenge teaches me more about the business and more about human nature.

I always remind myself that each one of us is dealing with our own “junk” and extending kindness and grace to each other goes a long way.

With gratitude.

Gazillion Dollars

But Zillow says my house is worth a gazillion dollars!

Okay, I’m exaggerating, kind of.

Zillow uses sales data to come up with your “Zestimate” but what they can’t factor in are things like the view, traffic noise, intimate community knowledge, changes in the local work force like a company leaving town or coming to town.

In other words the “Zestimate” is a 50,000 foot view of your homes value.

Having your local agent help you price your home is like looking under a microscope at the value of your home.

Don’t leave these things to chance. Now is not the time to be inaccurate about pricing. Correct pricing is going to dictate whether your home sits on the market or gets multiple-over asking offers.

Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should

Biting off more than you can chew!

Just because you are approved for a loan for $500,000 (or any other amount) doesn’t mean that you should spend that much.

Let’s walk through this together.

You’ve finally got the home of your dreams, but you had to max out your budget to get it. What might you have to give up to have that home?

vacations

savings

college funds

retirement

fun family experiences

These all might be on the chopping block... and before you know it you might find yourself in financial bondage.

This house, the one you are in, or the one you are buying is likely NOT your forever home.

Homeownership is a process of stepping stones, each time you get more of what you desire. So hold off on maxing out your home budget and remember all the other financial goals you have.

What's an Encyclopedia?

Who’s interested in a used encyclopedia set?

This girl!

We got these from a friend and when I told Elizabeth they were going to be ours she was intrigued and excited.

What’s an encyclopedia she wondered.

I tried to explain the World Book collection I had as a kid. Remember those?

My favorite book was H for human body. Our set had clear sheets that showed individual body systems. One for circulatory, one for the nervous system, one for respiration, etc. I loved flipping through these clear pages and studying the amazing human body.

I explained to her that before the internet, if you wanted to know about something, you had to look them up in the encyclopedia.

I’m not sure if she believes me.

Anyway, the big day arrived and she spent a good 3 hours pouring over her new books.

Gosh, I love this kid.

Practice Makes Perfect

There’s something so wonderfully endearing in these words penned by my child.

I love the irony, innocence and determination of this sweet message she wrote to herself.

I love that she has the know-how and desire to encourage herself.

I hope that’s something I might’ve taught her along the way.

Interview Your Real Estate Agent

Agent reputation. Does it matter?

I think it does and let me tell you why.

If your agent is unprofessional it could hurt YOU in the long run.

Does your agent have a reputation of honest and transparent dealings?

Are their buyers prequalified and ready to buy?

Are their sellers serious and straightforward?

Has your agent set proper expectations with YOU, their client, so everyone is set up to succeed?

Is your agent easy to work with?

Does your agent return phone calls, text messages, and emails?

All of this can effect YOU when the rubber meets the road because in multiple offer situations, who you work with might make or break the deal.

So how do you know if you are working with a professional? Read reviews online (Zillow is a great resource), ask your friends and neighbors but most of all, interview your agent!

What did you say? Yes, interview your agent!

Any time someone allows us to help them with buying and selling we have in some way or another “got the job”.

It’s okay to talk to multiple agents and then decide who you feel most comfortable working with. True professionals welcome the chance to shine and earn your trust and business.

Family

This morning my youngest climbed in to bed with me for a quick snuggle before school. As I marveled at this perfect human being, I realized how divinely we have been created.

The folded arm of a parent is a perfect pillow for a snuggling child.

The distance between a mother’s shoulder and elbow is perfect for cradling a nursing infant.

The distance between a child’s hip, knee, and ankle is perfect for riding on a father's shoulders.

And a child fits perfectly into the shape of a sleeping parent for the best cuddles.

God made us to need each other. He made us to be together. He made our bodies and minds perfectly paired so that we could coexist with love, support and compassion. Not by chance, but by perfect design.

I am so grateful for my family - they are what matters most.

Magic Number

Hunting for unicorns.

I’m having lots of conversations with both buyers and sellers about pricing these days.

The market is feeling strange right now and I think the level of uncertainty has some of my clients feeling a little off kilter.

But there is no reason for confusion.

Even in a crazy market like this there’s still the “magic number”.

What’s the magic number you might ask? Its the price that yields a number at or above market value in the shortest amount of time.

Sometimes sellers will tell me that they want to price higher because someone out there might “just have to own their home” and will pay over market value.

Buyers will tell me that just maybe there’s a seller out there who would be willing to take a 50% discount off their asking price.

Sounds like hunting for unicorns if you ask me!

Here’s the truth.

The MARKET will determine the value and homes that are priced right will sell very quickly to buyers who are thrilled to be purchasing.

Sounds like a win-win for everyone.

Negotiating Inspection Items

I’m going to tell you a little secret: Negotiating inspection items can be a bit tricky.

Shows like Million Dollar Listing have not helped either. I cannot tell you how many times the agent on TV says, “We will just get the seller at inspection”. Yeah, it doesn’t work that way.

The purpose of the inspection is to reveal items that cannot be seen with the naked eye or issues that only a thorough home inspection would find.

In other words, the giant carpet stain you saw during the showing is not something that should end up on your list of inspection requests.

For the best results stick to health and safety issues.

And remember, it doesn’t hurt to ask for the things that are important to you. The seller cannot “ditch” you because you sent over a list of inspection requests. All they can do is say no.

If you have kept your list to major items that “any reasonable buyer” would find objectionable the seller is probably going to agree with you.

One of my biggest roles in a real estate transaction is helping you through this process whether you are the buyer or the seller.

Check These When Buying A Home

5 things to always check out when buying a home

1. The roof. Two things here. What’s the condition of the roof and how many layers of shingles. If there are already two layers of shingles you will have to tear off all layers and re-roof. If there is just one layer you can probably re-roof over it.

2. The septic system or sewer line. It is possible to have a septic issue and not know it, especially if you are buying a home that has been used as a second home.

3. Latent moisture. Looks like an old leak, and it might be. But there still could be mold behind the wall.

4. Water quality and quantity. Will you have enough water and is your water drinkable? Not as much of an issue when you have city water but if you are on a well its important to understand quality and quantity.

5. Radon levels. Radon is an invisible gas that the EPA reports can cause cancer. Its has been around since the beginning of time. Some homes have very high radon levels and while it might not be a concern to you, you will have to address it when you go to sell your home.

If you have questions, hit me up!

Skipping

A very wise man once told me...

You can’t be mad and skip at the same time.

Guess what?

It’s 100% accurate.

Go ahead give it a try. Next time you are really hot under the collar just start skipping.

I guarantee you not only won’t be mad anymore, you probably will not be able to contain your laughter.

Being Tall Is Now Cool

I was the tall kid.

And it didn’t real phase me until fifth grade.

That’s when I suddenly realized I was taller than most of the boys and nearly all of the girls.

I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. I just wanted to be short and tiny like all my friends. I struggled finding jeans that didn’t look like I was wearing capris all the time. I hunched down and tried to hide.

The worst was picture day when we had to line up by height. There was only one boy taller than me. One girl and I constantly argued about who was shorter. Who would stand next to Matt, me or her?

It was humiliating. And so pointless. As if I had control over my height.

My daughters are tall - go figure.

And I have yet to hear any of the negative soundtracks that played in my mind on repeat from them. I’m so grateful, maybe being tall is now cool.

And I love being tall now, though I still struggle finding jeans that are long enough.

Glorious Senses

Our 5 glorious senses.

How rich and vibrant our lives are with the input from our eyes, ears, nose, taste, and touch.

Combine one or more together and you are served up a feast of color, texture, sounds and smells.

When I look at this image I remember the fragrance of the foods, I can taste the olive that just rolled off the platter.

I can remember the sounds of the birds and the wind and I can remember the way the light was shining through the trees.

But what I remember most is the way the tray felt in my hands, it’s texture and weight. I remember my bare feet on the deck and the way the wind would blow against my skin.

Do you have a dominate sense?

The one that cues you in, the one that you rely on in a split second to gather information?

Mine is touch and feeling. I’m super sensitive to my tactile environment.

What about you?