First Music Crush

It was the summer of 1983.

Just me, my two tone brown Fisher Price cassette player and Boy George.

The Culture Club was my first music crush.

How 'bout you?

Determining A Home's Value

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.

A Story of Patience

A hunk of clay. Soft, malleable and unassuming.

Yet, center that piece of clay on the wheel and with careful movements and patience you can create a masterpiece.

I took pottery in college, this is one of my creations.

It was probably my very favorite class…. ever.

One thing you need to know about pottery - you CANNOT be in a rush. See, if you don’t get the clay centered you have no chance of making anything but a mess.

As a twenty something I didn’t know much about “being present” or “finding inner peace”. But I do know that when I sat at the wheel with the clay swirling between my hands that I went to another place.

I would lose track of time, and the room would go dim and quiet.

Just me and the clay.

Only after many failures do you know the moment the clay is ready to become something else.

Ready to become something that is imagined in your mind and flows from your hands into the clay.

Even if you don’t consider yourself “artsy” or “creative” if you ever have a chance to give pottery a whirl I would so recommend it (pun intended).

But as I said you will have to have patience, something all of us could practice more of.

Making A Difference

This.

This is what keeps me coming back, year after year.

This is what brings me joy.

This is what makes the hard days easier.

This is my calling - making a difference in people’s lives and being a trusted advisor.

I’m forever grateful!

Home Improvements

3 small home improvements that yield BIG returns for sellers.

1. Paint the interior of your home a popular but neutral color. Repose Grey by Sherwin Williams or Oyster Pearl by Valspar are great options. Now I can hear you arguing with me - “it’s just paint, the buyer can choose their own colors and paint it themselves”. Here’s the issue, when the buyer sees the navy blue walls in your kids room they add it to their “to-do list” which means less money for you.

2. Some elements of home staging. A new rug, beautifully framed artwork (this doesn’t have to break the bank), a few strategically placed artificial (or real plants). A couple hundred will make a huge difference if the right pieces are purchased. The thrift store and a can of spray paint can go a long way too. For inspiration check out Pinterest.

3. Deep clean and declutter. This is probably the most important aspect. You only get one chance to make a first impression. Have a trusted friend over to help you “see” your everyday clutter.

Remember These When Buying A House

OOPS!! 6 big no-no’s when buying a house.

1. Not getting pre-approved. In this market sellers won’t even consider your offer without a lender letter.

2. Maxing out your budget. If things in your life go sideways you need to be able to handle unexpected expenses and maxing out your mortgage is a no-no.

3. Skipping the fine print. Do you have a prepayment penalty or a variable rate on your mortgage? Its important to know before hand the terms and conditions of your loan.

4. Making decisions from the heart instead of the head. This one is soooo hard. But try and take the emotion out of the equation.

5. Not factoring in other expenses such as HOA fees or mortgage insurance.

6. Not protecting your credit score before closing. This is not the time to take out a loan for a new car or furniture for your new home.

"The Olden Days"

The “old 80’s”.

This is what my kids call it.

This must be akin to what I would call the “olden days” when I was a kid.

Oh, how I miss the 80’s. The music , no cell phones, great toys, and what seems like easier times.

A couple of years ago I was talking with some of my clients who were 80 and 82 at the time. I was lamenting about the past and specifically the 80’s. How it was the best decade EVER.

They wholeheartedly disagreed.

The 50’s were their favorite decade.

And then I realized, its not so much the decade we mourn, but who we were then.

At the beginning of the 80’s I was a young child and I transitioned into a teenager by 1989.

These were some of the best years of my life, and right now it’s comforting to think about the past and how maybe things DID seemed more carefree back then.

What was your favorite decade?

Monsters Under The Bed

Monsters under the bed.

Do you remember? You know that feeling.

The feeling that there REALLY were monsters under your bed.

Fear that would grip you, and the armor of your blanket. And if you just buried your head under your pillow they couldn’t get you.

It’s crazy how real that feels when you are a child.

And then you grow up.

And the fear of monsters UNDER the bed disappears, but the monsters don’t go away.

As adults we just find them other places. In a job loss, a failed relationship or the death of a loved one.

But here’s the beauty in it all.

The imagination of a child is vivid. Just as it conjures up monsters under the bed it can also craft magical lands with unicorns and castles made of cotton candy

So I take a cue from my girls.

When the monsters start to creep in I send my blessings to battle.

For every set back, I have 10 things to be grateful for.

For every hurt, I have any number of dear friends who will stop whatever they are doing to help.

And for every unexpected turn in the road I know God is always with me.

Want To Be Wealthy?

5 things that will make you wealthy by Dave Ramsey plus one more from me.

1. Have a written budget. You have to have a written game plan with money or you’re going to lose.

2. Get out of debt. When you don’t have any payments, do you know what you’ve got? MONEY!

3. Live on less than you make. In the house of the wise are choice food and oil, but a fool devours all he has. Proverbs 21:20.

4. Save and invest. 100% of people who don’t save money don’t have any money saved.

5. Be generous. Follow the 7 Baby Steps and you can be outrageously generous!

And 6. - Buy a home! Long term renting will not create wealth (actually it will but for your landlord). It can be scary but it’s one of the BEST investments you can make for yourself. And you don’t have to have 20% down - that is an old wives’ tale. And remember the interest rate on rent is 100%.

Why Isn't Your Home Sold Yet?

Here are the three reasons your home is not sold yet.

1. Price: buyers know the market. They have access to tons of data online and while the market is still crazy buyers are not in the mood to grossly overpay for your home.

2. Condition: too small, too dated, too smelly, major repairs, dysfunctional floor plan, you get the picture.

3. Location: too close to the road, in town, out of town, on a mountain, in a valley, again, you get the picture.

Two of these things you can change, one you cannot. So if your home is not selling you will need to have a closer look at and and see what adjustments need to be made.

Be The Lion

I’ve struggled most of my life with not having a voice.

I was the kid that would shrink into a corner and avoid conflict at all cost. I felt incapable of standing up for myself to the point of destruction.

And on top of that, I’ve always been a people pleaser so my needs and desires took the back seat to everyone else.

But just the other day a dear friend reminded me that I HAD found my voice after all.

Let me tell you the story she reminded me of.

A couple of years ago we were at a women’s conference together. It was the opening session of the conference and we were in a large room with about 100+ people.

The woman speaking was presenting her original art work when suddenly she pointed to me from across the room and said she wanted me to have this painting.

I was dumbstruck.

She said God pinpointed me for this painting and that she hoped it spoke to me the way it spoke to her when she was creating it.

I love the colors, the imagery and the shofar intertwined into the image. The lion is mighty and brave. He looks after his family with fierce loyalty. And he is free.

Be the lion.

Are You Buying A house? Or Renting?

Buying vs Renting in today’s market.

Which is better?

There are pros and cons to both. But here’s a couple of key points.

• When you own your landlord can’t raise your rent.

• When you own your landlord can’t put your rental on the market.

• When you own you are building equity and wealth for YOU.

• When you rent and the sewer line fails its not your problem.

• When you rent you are not in a “committed relationship” with your home.

Homeownership doesn’t have to be out of reach, no matter what you tell yourself. I have great strategies and resources for first time buyers to overcome the fear of buying a home.

Favorite Books

Watership Down, The Life of Pi, Shakelton’s Endurance, A Prayer for Owen Meany and The Stand

If I had to list them, these are probably my five favorite books (though it was very hard to pick just five).

I just might re-read them.

What are your faves?

Saying Sorry is a Skill

I’m sorry.

Two small and simple words but sometimes they are so hard to say AND sometimes they are so hard to receive too.

Saying sorry is a skill. You will likely learn how to say sorry (or not say sorry) from someone close to you.

I wasn’t always good at saying sorry, and truth be told there are still times it’s still hard.

BUT these two little words have a way of setting you free.

Now, they don’t erase your misstep or words spoken in anger, but they will begin to build a tiny bridge between you and that other person.

Those two little words have a way of unburdening you of your shame and guilt so you don’t have to carry that heavy load anymore.

And when you can get to the place where “I’m sorry” is the next step you might feel a lightness you didn’t feel before.

I don’t underestimate the importance of being able to say sorry and accept an apology - being able to do so is a journey in becoming your best self.

With gratitude.

Churchill Quotes

This quote has legs!

It keeps changing for me depending on the times, but that figures because it was written by the great Winston Churchill.

Here’s a couple more famous Churchill quotes.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

“You can always count on Americans to do the right thing, after they’ve tried everything else.”

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”

Keep the faith.

CO2 Detectors

Do you have one of these bad boys installed in your home?

If you don’t, I BEG you to go to the hardware store TODAY and pick one (or two, or three) up.

As a guideline, Colorado law requires carbon monoxide detectors be installed within 15 feet of all bedrooms upon the transfer of property. But even if you are not selling your home it’s imperative that you are protected.

Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It steals oxygen from your red blood cells and can steal the life right out of you. You essentially drown without getting wet.

The weather is getting colder and folks are turning on their gas powered heating, so please don’t take a chance.

This is serious stuff. If you read just one of my posts all year, this is the one I want you to really take to heart.

With gratitude.

Let's Ready Your Home For Sale

Just because we have a lack of inventory doesn’t mean you get to skip the key components for readying your home for sale.

Putting your best foot forward still matters and will be a direct result of a quick sale.

• Take time to declutter. You are moving anyway so take this time to pack up the items you will not be using or needing in the next couple of months. Clear and clean surfaces matter to buyers.

• Deep cleaning. No one likes to clean baseboards but now is the time. An unclean house is distracting to buyers and they notice everything.

• Touch up painting or repainting. Getting rid of scuff marks and dirty walls is a quick and easy way to give your home a nice clean look.

• Repairs. You know the ones you said you would do when you moved in The loose railing, the missing screen, the broken window pane, now is the time to get those small but important repairs done.

Always Check These Things 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!

I Am Not A Perfect Mom

Things I am not: a perfect mom.

Things I am: someone trying my best, day in day out.

When I was pregnant with my first everyone told me that parenting was the “most difficult, yet most rewarding job you will ever have.”

This is not an understatement!

Raising humans is serious stuff! There is lots of second guessing, regrets, missteps and fumbles.

And yet, there is so much love, fun and and adventure.

So what I’ve learned in 14+ years of parenting is that you shouldn’t take yourself too seriously. Our kids have a tremendous amount of “built in grace”.

Ignorance is a Bliss

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.