TED TALK

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Feeling Cramped?

You bought your first home! You were feeling like you were on Cloud 9.

You had so many great ideas on your Pinterest board to make this place your own. From the cubbies for coats and boots to the chalkboard walls in the kids rooms.

But now several years have gone by and nothing has changed.

Your space is feeling cramped and tight and you are dreaming of a new home.

But how could you swing it?

Everyone knows this market is nuts!

Your current home would be sold in a heartbeat and finding a replacement would be impossible!

Prices have gone up so much, it wouldn’t make sense to buy a new home.

Does this sound like you? If so, we need to talk..

If so, we need to talk. I’ve got proven strategies to help you with this kind of move. Please reach out for a free copy of my Pathway to Peace guide or with any questions.

Have You Had Stitches?

When I was 12 years old some kid from Jersey skied over my head.

This was way before everyone wore helmets so you can imagine it was not pretty. I got to take a ride in the ski patrol sled to the bottom of the hill and a trip in the ambulance to the hospital.

The kid from Jersey was freaking out and wanted to know if I was going to sue him. I am not even sure I knew what that was at 12.

I have about 25 stitches in my head as my battle wound. Luckily that is about the worst accident I have ever had.

How about you, have you ever had stitches?

Perfect Design

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 mothers 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 fathers 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.

Zen Moment

OMMMMMM.

What do you do to relax?

To get to your “Calgon Take Me Away” place?

Your zen moment?

So I am no master but deep breathing always helps up front and then I do some helpful “self talk”.

I have also found that meditation apps such as Headspace and Abide are excellent for those (like me) that have trouble shutting up the noise that floats between my two ears.

How about you?

Mesa Verde

Bucket list.

Mesa Verde

It’s hard to believe I have lived in this amazing state my entire life and have never been to this incredible place.

If you find yourself near the Four Corners region this is so worth a visit. We did a tour of Long House with a park ranger and it was fascinating. I had no idea these ancient people were farmers!

Tell me about something on your Bucket List. Maybe something you’ve done or hope to do.

What Are Buyers Looking For?

Low to no inventory.

Yep, that is the current state of affairs in the real estate market. We have way more buyers than we do houses.

So what are buyers looking for?

Well anything at this point because they can’t be picky, but here are the most common things I hear:

1. At least 3 bedroom

2. Under $500K

3. Something that doesn’t need a ton of work

4. Master bedroom

5. Second living room

If you are curious about selling and what your home might be worth please reach out. I will listen to your needs and goals and give you sound advice.

Real Estate - Long Term Strategy

We all know the media loves a sensational story and there have been plenty surrounding the real estate market. Lately there has been lots of talk about interest rates and why now is not a good time to buy…

But when we compare what the talking heads SAY is going to happen compared to what has ACTUALLY happened the outcome is very different.

The following example starts with a buyer looking at a home valued at $300,000

• Oct 2015 “Housing today- a bubble larger than 2006” - we saw 5.1% appreciation - home is now worth $315,000

• Aug 2016 “We’re in a housing bubble” - we saw 5.4% appreciation - home is now worth $332,000

• Nov 2017 “Homeownership doesn’t build wealth, a study finds” - we saw 6.1% appreciation- home is now worth $353,000

• Sept 2018 “It’s better to rent than buy in today’s housing market” - we saw 4.1% appreciation - home is now worth $367,000

• July 2019 “The housing market is about to shift in a bad way for buyers” - we saw 4.0% appreciation- home is now worth $382,000

• Dec 2019 “Next year will be hard on the housing market, especially in big cities” - we saw 16% appreciation in 2020- home is now worth $443,000

• July 2021 “Housing boom is over as new home sales fall to pandemic lows” - we saw 18% appreciation - home is now worth $523,000

Had fear consumed this buyer back in 2015 they would’ve lost out on $223,000 of increased value, not to mention the seven years of payments made on the mortgage creating even more equity.

Remember, the interest rate on rent is 100%….

Make your financial decisions based on logic, reason and expert opinions. Don’t make decisions based on fear as you may miss out on big opportunities.

Real estate continues to be rated as one of the BEST long term wealth strategies.

Questions? Leave them in the chat or DM me. You don’t have to do this alone.

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.