Home is more than four walls and roof. Home is a door opening to you, your family, your pets, your lifestyle, your neighborhood, your community, your city. It’s all encompassing on so many levels.
Trekking Solo
Solo traveling can be fun, rewarding, and an exploration to a new place and yourself.
The month of February can be brutal for some. Some us who don’t wish to celebrate a Hallmark inspired holiday, glorifying how unloved we feel. So, from someone who has been through that, I would like to suggest falling in love—with a trip. I find traveling to be the remedy for heartbreak, like, go fall in love with a place not a person. The rewards will be better than any candlelit dinner or chocolates, I promise.
What I like about solo travel is that it opens you up to possibilities rather than adhere you to someone else’s itinerary or mood swings. Whether you choose to commune with nature or go for a foreign jaunt, traveling alone is liberating, rewarding, and gives you time to get to know yourself. Are you ready?
Pick a Destination. Make it fun, put all your bucket list destinations in a hat (mind you, just put those that fit your current budget), and choose!
Timing. Pick your date. Do you have to take time off of work? How long do you want to go for? Make sure you don’t have anything planned during that time like an upcoming wedding or shower.
Plan. Now that you have a destination, consider it’s locality. What are your necessities? How will you travel? Do you need inoculations or passports?
Book. Book your transportation, your lodgings, your restaurants, and any museums/events you plan on doing. This will save you standing in line or missing out on a wishlist item. AirBnB’s have been the best lodging experience I’ve had traveling unless you know someone where you are going. This allows you to get to know a neighborhood, meet someone local, and save money on food and lodging.
Research. Create a Google map and pin all the places you would like to see on your trip, even those you may not get to. Moods change. Make sure you see how walkable it is from your lodging or what the transportation options are (taxis, Ubers, trains, busses)
See Off-the-Beaten Path Stuff. Don’t be a tourist, check out some unconventional things and gain a new experience. Listen to the locals, talk with them, they always have cool suggestions.
Learn the Language. If you are traveling abroad learn a few phrases before going. DuoLingo is great for this. Things like, “Do you speak English?”, “Where is the bathroom?” “I’m lost, can you help me?”, and how to order food and drink are big ones. Most places, you will find English speakers, but ALWAYS be considerate to other people’s culture and language, that includes within the states (yes, Southerners and Yanks do things differently). We now have apps that can help you like Google translate.
Dressing. The biggest advice for packing is don’t pack too much. You’ll wear less than half the clothes you bring. Don’t forget these:
Mix-and-match ensembles will make your luggage lighter and give you the ability to buy something there if you wish.
A dress up look with shoes or a day-to-night look. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been out all day and then I get invited to a dinner with no time to go back and dress.
Dudes, bring a dinner jacket (nothing says American like shorts and flip flops)
Don’t forget the bathing suit for hotel pools, rivers/lakes, and hot tubs.
Weather appropriate clothes.
A comfortable bag you can walk around with. I suggest cross body bags to deter any places with pickpockets.
Get Lost. If you are traveling in a city, take a day off and get lost. Sometimes not having a plan will help you discover real beauty or stumble across a treasure. DO NOT plan too many things in a day, give time for rests or just chilling.
Journal. Write about your travels, what you see, what you ate, who you met. I promise it is the most rewarding thing to go back years ahead and read about your experience. It is unique to you and others will be able to share in that experience.
Ladies. If you do travel solo, always be aware of your surroundings and know where you are. Once again do research. There is a great blog for you solo lady travelers called I Am AiLeen. Tell someone where you are going in case you are going a la “off grid”.
Check Your Vehicle. If you are traveling by car, make sure to get a checkup before you leave. Check the oil, tire pressure, bring a gas container, check your windshield wipers, and brakes.
Eat. Be adventurous. I hated olives until I went to Spain. Pickled herring is also not as bad as it sounds. Try all the local famous foodstuffs.
Do a Tour. I am not a fan of guided tours, but one which is customized to your interests or a smaller group is the way to go. You’ll learn a lot more from it. If you happen to go to Paris, I highly suggest paying the money to go on a tour with Art Journey, this isn’t your parent’s guided tour.
Go on a Date. Yeah, I said it. Get on that dating app and find someone who can give you a first hand tour of where you are, no-strings-attached. Be up front about it, have fun with it. You might make new friends!
Lastly, here are some essential items to bring on your trip:
Umbrella or Raincoat
Always bring a Jacket!
A First Aid Kit
Comfortable and Supportive Shoes
Medications (although they are cheaper outside the US)
Adapters if traveling outside the country
Wireless phone charger
The hardest thing for a lot of people is to do things by themselves, especially after a breakup. Traveling will allow you to do this easily because you are distracted by the sites and sounds of something new. Your date with a new destination will be your honeymoon for one and frankly, sometimes the best dates are about exploring a new canvas. Happy Travels!
Tips for Open Houses
Tips for open houses
So you’ve decided to venture out and start looking at potential homes to purchase. As an agent, I’ve done a ton of open houses, but as a consumer as well, and I tend to have a keener eye. We can get distracted by staging and pretty details of the home, which is fine, but there are few things you should be looking out for while touring homes. If you have a contractor you work with or know, ask them to come along and they can spot defects a mile away. I’ve gathered a few tips for you as you venture out to find home.
Toolkit
Tape Measures can come in handy when determining if your must have new stove is going to fit
Cameras will help you remember, sure there’s the pro photos of the homes, but nobody is going to capture that suspect crack you see. You are also seeing a lot of houses, so it helps to remember.
Notepads are great to take with you on your tours, it helps you write down what you really like and dislike as you are going through different rooms that will help you determine your keepers and your no thank yous.
Look Up/Look Down
Check out the ceilings in a home. They can be telling by the cracks and color. How big are the cracks (could be a foundation problem)? Is there discoloration or any water marks leading to a leaky roof?
Are the floors warping? Check out baseboards and look under sinks for evidence of mold (black spots).
Don’t be afraid to lift up carpets that could be hiding damage or a moisture issue.
Look Out
Open and close windows and doors to see if they stick or are hard to open, this could be a foundation issue as well.
Check to see if there are drafts coming in and out of accesses. Also feel around electrical outlets.
If you see windows that have condensation, the sashes are broken and need to be replaced. Windows are pricey!
Look for termite evidence, if you see discarded wings or piles of sawdust, might be a sign.
Pay attention to smells, does it smell like mold or cat urine?
Storage
This gets neglected sometimes. Honey, if there is not enough room for my shoes, I’m passing! Seriously though, look to see how much storage space you have. Is there an attic or basement? Are there other closets outside the bedroom? Is there storage above the kitchen cabinets or enough to put Grandma’s China in? Is there outdoor storage, a shed or garage?
ChChChanges
Some houses come decked out with all the appliances, but some are not blessed with say a dishwasher, will you have room to install one?
If you are anything like me, layouts are super important. I like to change up my rooms every 6-8 months for refreshing and new energy (yeah I’m hippy dippy like that), check to see that you can do this. Some rooms will allow for a TV to go in one place and one place only, leaving you with years of unchanged furniture arrangement. Can you move your bed to another wall? What if you guys have a kid to teen situation, can you transform their room from twin beds to full, and will you be able fit a bigger dresser for their identity crises ensembles?
Ask
How old is the roof?
How old is the HVAC?
Has electrical been updated?
Why is the seller selling?
Has there been any price changes?
How long did they live there?
What’s the neighborhood like?
Have any updates been made to the home?
Is there an HOA?
If there is a well and septic, ask when was it serviced last, same with HVAC.
Are there any offers in hand?
The agent hosting should be able to answer all your questions.
We ask that…
As agents who host open houses, we want to supply our clients with the best feedback so be forthcoming with your likes and dislikes of the home.
Sign in when asked to, we aren’t in the habit of giving your information away, it is more for us to have a number of attendants and to make notes of feedback and to send out thanks.
If you can, don’t bring your kids. Nobody wants to see Johnny decide to use the half bath with door wide open, it will take the distraction away.
Wear floor friendly shoes.
Be considerate of other buyers while touring the house, give people space.
Be a visionary. Look at the potential of the home, that downstairs basement bar might not be your cup of tea, but could potentially be your teens lair or a great Airbnb situation.
Talk to the neighbors. You will be quite surprised at how much gets revealed in doing that. You definitely don’t want to be living next to Ugly Naked Guy or across from Mrs. Kravitz. Also explore the neighborhood, see what’s around.
Most of all this should be a fun experience. Make sure your agent is on hand so you can write an offer quickly when you find The One and get pre-approved! Happy House Hunting!
- Jo Ann L. Breaux, Realtor
A Rose is a Rose is a Rose
It’s #NationalRoseMonth and cultivating the notable English Rose in Virginia is idea for adorning your home inside and out. Here are some tips…
A Rose is A Rose...
It’s #NationalRoseMonth and we are celebrating these gorgeously, fragrant blooms with some tips.
“No matter where I roam, I will return to my English rose. For no bonds can ever tempt me from she.”
It is the month of the most famously romantic flora—The Rose. I’ve always looked at roses like engagement rings, they are pretty, but they don’t tickle my fancy say, like sapphires and peonies. However, roses hold a significant part of my memory banks and when I think of them, I think of my mother. She used to plant them when I was growing up and was so proud of them. Of course my mom can cultivate pretty much any plant on Earth, unlike my horticulture impaired self.
Over the last year, I’ve been ordering fresh cut flowers and I have been loving these decorative blooms. Some have even made lovely dried flower arrangements around the house. I particularly love the multi-toned hybrids. The rose that gets the best growth in Central Virginia is the—cue “Candle in the Wind”—The English Rose!
So, roses have genealogy as deep as our own and people take cultivating them as seriously as their breeding of Labradoodles. You’d think our roses came from Sir Elton’s home country, but actually they come from 18th century China. Now, for all of us rose dummies, the Kingpin of English roses, is cultivar David Austin. This man combined a special hybrid of old and new world roses. He’s so good at it, he created the most expensive selling rose, Juliet, selling it for $15.8 million. Shoo wee, that’s an expensive bloom sir! These gorgeous blossoms make any bridal bouquet stunning.
Are you ready to adorn your home in these fragrant and fairly easy to grow flora? Here are some tips on how to successfully do so:
Make sure it’s sunny! Roses love the sun so make sure where you plant them, they get the majority of the day basking in it.
They grow on bushes/shrubs so make sure you space them out accordingly. For the best effect, plant them about 40-45” apart. It will give it a more standout look.
It isn’t necessary, but to get best results make sure you compost and fertilize the soil to enrich it and to feed your blooms. Roses tend to grow in most soils, but for ultimate success prep your rose garden and keep the soil moist.
Soak them entirely before planting them and plant them quickly. Don’t let the bulb dry out.
Because we live in a more moderate climate here in Virginia, plant the base at ground level.
Keep them watered well during the first planting. After the first year, you can be a little more lax about the watering, taking it back to about every other day.
Remember to trim! You can prune your bushes to dictate how big you want them, but also remember to trim the blooms to make more room for others!
Decorate. Get those vases ready and showcase your girls!
Ask your local nursery for more detailed tips. Get growing!
Don’t forget to schedule your visit to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens for some prime Rose viewings.
Buying New Construction
Buying a new construction has a few more twists and turns than buying a renovation…
A while back, I had a nightmare of a transaction. Not my best moment as a new agent, but in this business you learn from your mistakes. My client found a home in a new sub-division and took it upon herself to investigate a new home being built there. She was determined to meet with the builder and talk plans. All great, right? You would think. I sometimes think that clients don’t understand what it is that we do as agents in representing them and this was just the case.
I took the initiative to sit down with her and the builder to talk of the plans for the new home. When she arrived to the meeting she brought her “amendments”. To make a long, convoluted and frustrating story short, she became the realtor and I became the blame for all things that went wrong due to her wanting primarily a new custom build.
Due to the lack of inventory here in RVA, contractors can’t build homes fast enough to satisfy the desire to live in prime locations with great schools. In my case, my client wanted to build her dream home in a planned sub-division. Keyword here is PLANNED. Buying a home has its process, but buying new construction requires slightly different criteria. Here are some tips to know when buying new construction.
LISTING AGENT: The listing agent works for the builder, NOT you. They are more about quantity than they are about finding you your dream home, hence why you should have a agent to help you be a liaison and communicator. In my particular transaction, I was cancelled out and both myself and the listing agent had to do a lot of damage control pacifying frustrating conversations with the buyer and the builder.
PRICE: New construction comes at a “base” price. For example, the home you want starts at $410,000 which will include certain features, but will also give options for upgrades. All those “options” add up. If you choose to go outside of the “included” fixtures.
“Builders rake in the cash on upgrades because they can get parts and labor relatively cheaply. The markup is huge, so investigate each option you're considering to see whether it would be cheaper to bid it out after you move in.” - HGTV
Decide on these things early on in the process, you should get a sheet with all the features and pricing for the vendors they stock with. Also note that in times like these, demand is high and materials are scarce which tends to up the pricing.
FEATURES. You can have whatever you want. Some builders will cater to a client’s customized build, but NOTE, having whatever you want does not mean your price will stay the same. You want gold fixtures, it’s going to cost you. You want to change the plumbing logistics? It’s going to cost you, not just in supply, but also labor. Builders tend to work with options they have already in place, you have choices, but they are determined choices of the builder’s stock. When you go outside of those choices and a builder agrees, you still have to pay for those upgrades. It is best to stay within the features list of options, fi you want that Khoeler shower head but they are using Ferguson’s, take the Ferguson. You can change it later and probably at a cheaper cost.
KNOW THE MASTERPLAN. When there are just a few houses in the neighborhood, it’s easy to envision your own little realm. It’s best to ask what the plans for the neighborhood is and all it’s amenities. Will there be a pool? How close will my neighbor be? Will I be able to build a privacy fence later? These are good to know as the community grows.
HOA: Speaking of plans, most of these communities will have an HOA. Getting those docs and knowing what will be allowed and permitted on your property is vital. Also, cost is a factor here. Are you going to be paying for full maintenance of your property or just the common areas? Will it be $300 a month or $160.
THE BUILDER. Make sure it’s a reputable builder. Do your research or have your agent do it, they should be able to see if there’s any issues or complaints about them. You also want to make sure they do quality work and work with materials that are going to last.
INSPECTIONS: Most new builds are inspected in order to pass codes and such, but it is advised that you have your own inspection as well. Some new builds also come with a Home Warranty, but some do not and your agent should make sure you are protected from any defects the home may have as well as the hardware it comes with. These inspections you provide will be more thorough.
IF you are looking for a customized build I highly suggest you buy a piece of property somewhere and hire your own builder. It is what my client should had done considering all the upgrades and changes she made to the planned construction she had purchased. Allow your agent to negotiate and advocate for you, they can give you real knowledge when dealing with new construction and know what to look and ask for.
If you are looking to buy a brand spankin’ new home, please contact me today!
The Colors of My Life
Colors are so powerful when it comes to setting a mood, selling or buying a house, or capturing a feeling…
All My Colors (in order): My house exterior, My house interior, the velvet blue furniture I’m dreaming of, the black that comes with the Aston Martin, and Valentino red I love to don as frequently as possible.
You know when you’re dreaming and something catches your eye and it leaves you with such a desire that you want it to become part of you? That’s how I feel about color. I’m sure all you design freaks are in the know that Pantone chose not one, but two colors of the year for 2021. I guess since 2020 was such a dull grey that had to spice things up. Funny enough they chose Illuminating Yellow and Ultimate Gray, how contrary and a good depiction of the past and future.
“Sherwin-Williams sets revenue records as DIY paint sales jump during pandemic.”
I’ve always found yellow to be an abhorrent color. I felt the only places it looked good on were lemons, bananas and the sun, but I’ve started to warm up a little to certain shades. Anyone who is familiar with my brand, knows I am a color loyalist — red and black will most likely be my go-to when choosing representation and clothing. My mother hated my goth phase in high school, “You know in Panama prostitutes wear black!” It gave me great satisfaction putting a sole red bandana in my hair to satisfy her discontent. I did however go through a strong purple phase, especially with hair colors (mom loved that). Each time I wear red I am complimented highly. It suits my passions, my culture, and my eye. Black, well, black says bold, it makes a statement that is serious, yet chic and I like that. I think after my obsession of wanting to fit in, becoming a slave to the United Colors of Benetton, it only seemed logical that my rebellious side take over, leaving black as my only option to convey how I was feeling (angsty) and besides, what color displayed The Cure and Depeche Mode better?
The memory of color is etched in my brain. I can remember the shade of green our 1970’s leather living room couch wore and I remember the electric blue hot pants my neighbor wore on her first day of high school. I recall only choosing the Midnight Blue crayon to shade my Fashion Plates’ designs until it diminished, unusable, and wished they had more than one in there. I still love that color to this day. I know I cringe at the sight of pastels, and coral seems to incite a certain gag reflex in me. I met a girl once who had Synesthesia and I was so fascinated that every time she would see or think of numbers it was a different color. I giggled as I asked her what painting by numbers was like. When I used to see gold in homes, it used to make me think of chintzy, gaudy things, now it has become a marketable trend. I think it’s safe to say that colors can remark an era of time, think turquoise and yellow kitchens of the 1950s, but who knew that a shade of pink could define an entire generation?
Color invokes emotion, memory and sets a mood. It is a factor in why some houses sell and others don’t. If I do a walkthrough for an upcoming listing and the walls are painted with an unattractive color, I tell them they need to paint. I’ve had clients pass on a bid because they didn’t like the color of the house, even though they could very well paint it the color of their dreams. I showed a house once that had a beautiful dining area with Emerald green accented walls accompanied with vintage wallpapering. I had to remind my clients to see the rest of the house before putting an offer, they loved that room so much.
We, as Agents, tend to steer listers towards neutrals, but I don’t hesitate to add color as a future option for my purchasers. It helps them set an individual tone to their home and envision what it could be. We are currently in a moody, vivid trend with home paint colors, which I am loving. I like to see a bathroom that’s painted black with brass fixtures, or a dining room that has a darker shade of blue on it’s walls. I think it pops and creates a unique atmosphere. When I lived in New York, I painted the living room this burnt sienna color and had warm hues and textures adorning it, think Morocco. We never had a guest who stayed awake in that room, there was always at least one person who fell asleep peacefully in a room full of people. I was proud to create that reaction because it meant my home was that comfortable.
Photo by: Homes & Gardens
Trends or no trends, color is an important aspect to home. It helps us express who we are and how we want others to feel. It’s powerful in it’s aesthetic and what it does to your psyche. I view color the way I view art, I feel it. If I walk into a room and I see Drunk Tank Pink, I’m going to instantly hurl. As you can deduce, pink is not my favorite color. Technology has made it so easy to create colors that are one of a kind or mock that of a bird or a classic car you love. So much inspiration, so little space! So, as the weather starts to warm up and you’re making your list of home improvements this Spring, think about how you want your house to look, inside and out. If you are thinking about selling this year, it’s a perfect time for you to be picking out your curb appealing shades. In the meantime, enjoy the blue skies, golden sun, and budding greens we are currently having, we’re due for a more colorful kind of year, no?
If you are thinking about selling your home and need some help guiding you through the process, please feel free to contact me. I’m more than happy to help you get the best value for your property and as quickly as possible.
Quarantine Chronicles: Dream a Little Dream
When the rental or the home you reside in becomes stale or you’re ready to dream of home ownership, do NOT think it impossible!
I woke up today, staring at the ceiling, looking at the four walls which surround the most sacred of places — my bed. I walk downstairs and drag my slippered feet to the kitchen, opening the cabinet to get my mug for that first morning sip. My counter is cluttered, there is literally some sort of appliance or kitchen utensil covering the length of it. I cringe. Oh yeah, look up at the top of my fridge where I find my step-daughter’s pumpkin from Halloween overfilled with candy she may or may not indulge in. I open the freezer, that is stuffed to the gills with minimal items, my frozen container of pomegranate seeds comes sliding out, only to hit the floor in sudden death. This is where you just sit on the floor depressingly eating the fruity carcass, gently sobbing, “WHYYYYYY?” Why is my fridge not bigger? Why don’t I have enough counterspace to become America’s Next Top Chef? Why must I look at these drab walls? You know, questions to start off your typical Monday morning.
I’ve lived in the house for almost three years. This will be my 34th rental in my 47 years of existence. I’m embarrassed by the fact that I’m a practicing real estate agent, but have never owned my own home. As I peruse Pinterest boards, watch DIY home improvement videos from some guy named Todd and sigh at watching Galey Alix design dream roomscapes on her TikTok. Sigh. It can get depressing, especially right now with our current pandemic crisis. I keep thinking will I ever attain the dream of owning my own home and what is it exactly preventing from doing so?
Truth be told, it’s unfavorable living in someone else’s home, paying someone else’s mortgage and having to live with someone else’s interior. There are times when I want to take out a wall or have an extra room. There are times I want a bigger kitchen or a better landscaped backyard. The dream of home ownership weighs on me heavily. So, I’m doing what a lot of people are doing right now —making a plan.
Photo by Ekaterina Bolovtsova from Pexels
The Timeline
The first thing I’m going to do is figure out a feasible timeline to make my dream happen. For some it’ll be six months and for others it will take a whole year. Think about your credit, your job, your current situation. If you are already in a good place (yeah you, you adult!) then think about when you want to make that move and what is going to required of you. Are you renting? When’s that lease up? Are you owning? What improvements do you have to make to get the most value out of your home to buy a sweet new one?
The Wish List
This is my favorite part. The part where i get to have a list of criteria of all the desired features in a home I want. After living in so many locations from architecture to community, I know the exact things I don’t want in my living space (water pressure is everything!). So when you are making out your list make sure you are covering all details, not just room size and bathroom count. Think about your must haves and hell no’s:
Will I be able to add any structural expansion to this home? If you needed to add an in-law suite or a working garage, do you have the room?
How many ways can I rearrange my furniture? You’d be surprised how many renovated homes have one, maybe two ways to rearrange a room. Rearranging rooms, adding furniture, changing styles are all ways to refresh a home, especially if you are also spending a whole lot of time in it.
Am I walking to Wawa and Kroger or am I enjoying the culinary delights of sitting at an outdoor cafe. Check your neighborhood experience. Some people like the views of stroller lined streets while others prefer the beauty of tree lined ones.
Are you sick of mowing a large lawn? Maybe you want something more low maintenance, like maybe a strip of grass.
No touching! Do you want bedrooms that kiss each other down a hallway or would you rather have them across from each other? Do you want to hide from your children or do you want to hear all that Fortnite chatter? A simple layout plan can change your whole living experience
Do you want that washer and dryer upstairs or downstairs? I personally like to fold and watch my stories at the same time!
Just how close am I to my neighbor? Do I want some distance there? Can you borrow sugar or would you prefer an ATV to get to your neighbor’s house?
Money, Money, Money.
If you are anything like me, money is always the one factor which deters me from my dreams. I find it hard to invest in myself and it hinders a lot of planning. To be perfectly honest, I’ve struggled most of my life financially for many reasons. It took me a really long time to find a career I could actually be successful at. It’s really strange that I can look at my bank account and see savings in there. Maybe you’ve been on that track too. Some of us didn’t have the trajectory of having a 401K and a white picket fence. So, what do you do when you want to buy a house, but don’t have the best finances?
Meet with a Lender or a Financial Planner: This will help you have a plan and one to stick with. They can tell you exactly what you need and how much to put away to get it. Sure, it might take a year, but if you are disciplined and follow the plan, it can happen for you. Usually, it’s as simple as putting away a little stash or paying off a debt.
Research: You’d be surprised how much help you can get when buying a home. There are grant programs and homeownership assistance programs you can qualify for. If you are a healthcare provider, teacher, or “hero” worker, you an also qualify for special loans in addition to first time homebuyer benefits.
Open a House Account: Go to the bank and open a bank account just for housing costs. Start collecting, not just for the house itself, but also for all the things you’ll want for that house, right down to the new dishes. It will give you a goal to focus on and if you just put a little away here and there, you’d be surprised how quickly buying a home can be a possibility. So skip DoorDash tonight, you don’t need yet another pair of yoga pants, put it in the kitty.
Look, but Don’t Touch
Even if you are not ready, looking at homes will give you incentive and inspiration, plus, it’s fun! It will give you a good idea of loves and undesirables. It will also give you a goal financially. Are you looking at $150K houses or $250K? I find that the amount of homes I look at bring me to certain conclusions like, “Hmm, seems the renovation work being done in this particular area isn’t very good” or “it’s the same kitchen over and over again!” You might decide that new construction is the way to go. Here are a few tips when you start out.
Go to open houses. Two reasons: You get ideas. You might see something that’s desirable in a home that you may not have seen before. You may have thought you wanted an open floor plan, but then you have discovered a formal dining room with pocket doors is quite lovely. This is a good way to test out all those things and get inspired without feeling pressure to buy. You can go in and be breezy with a “just looking” attitude. The second reason being if you don’t have a realtor, it’s a good way to interview and get a feel for some with casual conversation. I like to tell people finding a good fit is like finding a good date, if they are easy to talk to, approachable and most importantly knowledgeable, those are good options. Bring a notebook or something to take notes, video, take photos and grab business cards while you’re there so you can look back and add to your vision boards.
Bring a contractor or someone who knows construction with you if you can. This way you can learn what is good construction and what to watch out for when you are investing your money. Some realtors are good at pointing these things out, but some may not have enough experience regarding house builds or renovation features, such as quality, so sometimes these things get overlooked. They might also have insight on costs, especially if you are looking at an older home that’s in your price range but needs some work.
Look in unfamiliar neighborhoods. This doesn’t work for everyone if you are looking for a particular school district per se, but some of these districts are large and sometimes certain subdivisions get overlooked. I love exploring hidden neighborhoods because you never know what gems you can find in them. Take time to walk in them, talk to the neighbors, and see what’s around that could add to your living experience.
Get in the mindset that not every home is going to be a brand new or a complete renovation. Remember when people used to buy houses that other people use to live in? I think some people have gotten used to seeing renovated homes as the standard in homebuying. You could be missing out on homes that have a lot of character and ability to be worked with if you are only looking at reno homes. I showed a couple an old 70’s style ranch they thought would be hilarious to see. It turned out to be the exact floor plan they were looking for with some cool features that could be showcased with a little work. They were pleasantly surprised about the possibilities of a lower priced un-renovated home.
Are you excited now? I am! I can’t wait to put my plan in place. Sometimes it takes just a little hope and imagination to fulfill a dream, an investment, a change. And as always, let me know when you get started, I’m happy to guide your way!
Quarantine Chronicles: 13 Tips for Seasonal Home Prep
Tis the season for seasonal home prep. The weather is going to get crispier out there and now is the time to get those home improvement projects under your belt…
Yes, I see that yard filling up with the leaves. I also see the gutters overflowing. October is the perfect time to start prepping your home for the colder months OR for a possible listing. Here are few things to do to make that happen and increase not only curb appeal, but also add value to your home!
Get those gutters cleaned and schedule any roof repair needed.
Get those last mowings done and start protecting your plants and gardens.
Go around and see what seals on your home need to be repaired or replaced. Include repairing any leaks that your home might have as well.
Replace any old insulation.
Get your fireplaces cleaned and make sure they are in working order. This includes your furnaces and heating units. Get covers for your AC units to aid them in lasting longer and not getting damaged through the winter months.
Plant some grass seed for any patches in your yard or where the swimming pool was this summer.
Build your deck or repair it, it’s a great time for this and will lead to some nice outdoor space during those crisp evenings.
Build your firepits and get some nice blankets for guests who come over.
Paint your front doors and add some nice Fall decor to the mix, your home will feel refreshed and pop on the street.
Clean out your closets! Whether you are purging or alternating into your winter wardrobe, time to organize!
Get wood for the fireplace and fire pits! Everyone is going to be scrambling since most of us will be holed up at home depending on Covid, so be prepared! Get your wood now!
Power wash the exterior of the house. This is a must if you plan on selling. it will brighten and make your home look like new!
Consider cleaning any carpets in the house. Sure, we’ve been quarantined and left in our homes a lot more, but this will increase as the weather gets colder. Humidity is dissipating and cooler temperatures will allow for windows can be opened making drying easier.
Quarantine Chronicles: Ghosting on Halloween
The scariest thing this year? Well there’s been a ton, right? Halloween can still be celebrated and you can still have some spooktacular ways to get those treats in…
Photo by: LadyJRVA
I don’t know about the rest of you parents, but i have a 7 year old who has been talking about her Halloween costume since June. Obviously this is going to be really difficult on the kids. I’m sure there will be plenty of Halloween block parties and people risking the virus taking their kids trick or treating, I mean they are wearing masks anyway. For all of us, who don’t want candy collectors and our kids to be exposed going to random houses, there are some ways to enjoy the holiday and give your kids a bootastic evening.
Have a Zoombie Party
Gather their friends and exchange some scary stories. Vote for best costumes. Get the kids to write a song and share.
Have your own Halloween Party
Gather those in your “bubble” and have a fun time with costumes and spooky drinks. Have a pizza making event or a candy scavenger hunt. Make some phantastic cookies! Don’t forget the scary movies!
Do a Drive By
If you are hosting children for Halloween, leave little pumpkins with candy and some hand sanitizer out so they can grab and go! Have a halloween caravan with fun decorated signs and streamers. They can hang their bags/pumpkins outside the car window and be greeted by some great costumed candy distributors.
Have a Socially Distanced Halloween Picnic
Throw some blankets out in a wooded area or open field with treats or do it in a backyard with a projection screen for some fun scary movies! Have a bonfire!
Have the Treats Delivered to You!
Get someone you know to dress up and deliver treats to the house. You can say a a spooky guests will be stopping by for a surprise.
Set Up a Spooktacular Table
Have a walk up table filled with little baggie or mini pumpkin treats with hand sanitizers available. make sure you mark some six foot lines in sidewalk chalk to keep things distanced.
Have a Teaching Moment
Take this time to teach your children other country’s Halloween traditions, ie Día de Muertos or Samhain.
No matter what you decide this year, just make sure you are safe and protected. Be creative and take this moment to connect with your kids. Talk about what scary to them, read them stories, make decorations or food. There are so many ways to celebrate the holidays safely and heartily!
Best Tips for Nesting at Home
Here are some more helpful tips to help you get through this quarantined life.
Written by: Nestiny Realty
Sometimes, due to weather incidents, sickness or other uncontrollable events it's simply best to nestle in and stay at home. We know this can be hard but we've compiled some tips that can make your time at home feel like an impromptu stay-cation.😉🍹
No Boredom Allowed
Start (and finish) that book you bought last month.
Get artsy — grab some pencils and paper and let your imagination go wild, try your hand at a watercolor painting or color a soothing picture in a grown-up coloring book.
Dot-to-dots aren't just for kids!
Sharpen your pencils and play a few rounds of Sudoku 🔢 or challenge yourself to a good ole crossword puzzle (bonus: they can be found in many newspapers and magazines).
Break out your board games.
Get crafty — make some cute vinyl designs with your Cricut or try out jewelry making. It's also never too late to learn how to knit, especially a cute blanket for your friend's new baby.
Bake some delicious cookies 🍪 or muffins or try out a new recipe for dinner.
Make s'mores over your wood-burning fireplace. 🔥
Attempt homemade pizza and pair it with a classic movie.
Turn your house into a spa — take a relaxing bath with fuzzing bath bombs 🛀, give yourself an at-home manicure and pedicure complete with a fun new color 💅 and apply a face mask. For extra relaxation, sip on your beverage of choice.
Find a new show on Netflix (or favorite streaming service) and binge-watch all of the seasons.
Revamp all of your social media profiles.
Find your new favorite comedian. 😂
Create a vision board with old magazines.
Try a new podcast.
Dust off those puzzles.
Tour these 500+ museums from the comfort of your couch.
Get productive!
Roll up your sleeves and start decluttering your nest (for inspiration check out 32 Ways to Instantly Declutter Your Home and 7 Modern Apps to Organize and Declutter Your Home).
Try out meal planning and decide on your menu for the next month.
Get a jump start on Christmas gift ideas and maybe even do some online shopping for deals. 🎄✅
Reorganize your nest with Nestiny's Feng Shui Guide for a Harmonious Home.
Do a deep clean and pay extra attention to spaces in your home that you usually skip.
Go through all of the pictures on your smart device and organize/print them.
Take the time to boost your home's curb appeal to prepare your house to sell.
Take it Outdoors
Paint your front door a new color.
Start an herb garden. 🌱
Plant some seasonal flowers.
Give your mailbox a facelift with fresh paint and numbers. 📫
Liven up your porch with some new decor (thanks, Amazon).
Set up a picnic in your backyard.
Nest Turned Workplace
In the case of an event that keeps you from physically going into the office, it's a great option to be able to work from home. Here are five tips for when your nest becomes your workplace. 🏠
Dedicate a "space" that you will be doing the majority of your work. This could be a desk in your office, a kitchen table or even your back patio in nice weather — basically wherever you will be the most productive.
Be proactive and set up your space with everything you will need to do your job (laptop, cell phone, planner, pens/pencils, etc.)
A perk from working at home is that it can be done in your PJ's BUT grab a cup of coffee and be ready to start your day before signing on. ☕️
While multitasking on things around the house and working may seem like a good idea it can majorly decrease your productivity. Instead, decide when your lunch hour will be and save the laundry for then.
Make sure to take a few breaks throughout the day to reset and refocus just like you would do when at the office. May we suggest a five-minute power nap on your sofa 😴 or a short walk to get some air? 👏
It's hard not to go stir crazy when you have to spend extended periods of time at home. But as you can see there are many fun, creative and productive things to keep you busy as a bee — even when you're homebound. So grab a yummy drink, settle into your nest and try something new!
Want more advice about all things home — including home buying or selling advice? Nestiny is a great place for homebuyer education and to help you gauge how ready you are to buy a home. Journey Homeward allows you to enter all your wants and needs while the True Affordability Tool will break down your budget, showing what you can comfortably afford. You will also receive a Ready Report that will give you a vital head start in the home buying journey, saving you valuable time and money.
Working with a Contractor? Here's some good advice...
10 Pieces of Advice for Working with a Contractor
As realtors, working with contractors is quite common, but as clients finding the right one who will fit our needs can be difficult. We have 10 good pieces of advice when hiring a contractor that will help you on your home project journey.