I am fortunate to work with many wonderful clients who are big picture thinkers and many times, we become good friends. This makes my job so much more enjoyable.  Being a real estate agent is hard.  And while I know what you are thinking as I have heard it all before …”Agents make all this money and these houses sell themselves. You make the big bucks!”  On and on  …

The truth is that it is the hardest job that I have ever had.  Keep in mind that I have re-invented myself over the years a few times ~ media sales rep, stager/designer and now real estate professional.

Sometimes though, the best part of my job has nothing to do with the transaction and selling a house is not about the price or the commission or the close of escrow.  It has a much deeper meaning.

Last year, I had to honor to list a beautiful property that was very unique. I knew going in that it would take a very specific buyer.  We were on the market several months, went through price reductions and ongoing meetings and strategies about different marketing tactics.  My sellers were always so kind and understanding.  I worked primarily with their daughter.  Over the months, she and I communicated almost daily as we worked as a team.  I am sure we both wondered if we would ever bring this one to a close. When we finally got into contract, it was a rather challenging escrow. When it came time to sign the closing documents, I sat with her and her parents and we talked about the many wonderful memories they had in the house as they had built it in 1985. We talked about parties and events and music playing and dancing and their hope that the new owners would be able to make the same amazing memories that they had in their home.

Many times when a house takes longer to sell and there are price reductions, the homeowners want to blame their agent and perhaps this is what made this transaction one I will always treasure.

My client thanked me and said, “You never gave up and we appreciate all your hard work and efforts.”

It was such a meaningful message and even writing this, I get a big choked up.  They reminded me of my own parents and all the amazing memories we had on the farm in Ohio and when I left that day, I sat in my car and just cried.

Sometimes it has nothing to do with the numbers but more importantly with the meaning and the emotions. That day I felt very blessed but also very homesick for my mom and dad.

Have you been thinking about investing in a rental property and just were not sure where to begin?  I am here to help you!

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I love construction and renovations. I love making changes and upgrades.

One of the best parts of my job is providing clients with ideas and a vision for improving their homes. I love the whole process from planning, to discussing the budget, managing the progress and then, always, the big reveal when we are done staging.

For some clients, the concept of spending money to make money can be hard to understand. It can be difficult to tell clients that their home is outdated. I never want to offend anyone but my job is to present the best product that I can, within the specified budget. Continue reading →

Big day for my buyers from Seattle!  It has been a crazy week as we have been trying to get this deal closed and we hit a few road blocks, which is very common but also very stressful.  The movers had stretched their deadline for delivering their things to Friday at 7am and if we couldn’t make that happen, they would go into storage.  As someone who has moved many times, I know that you always want to avoid going into storage as the chances of things getting broken and misplaced increase immensely, the cost goes way up and it delays the delivery!!  Please…anything but storage!!  I literally spent all day and evening Wednesday trying to negotiate with the sellers to let us move their things in on Friday, even if we had not recorded.  It was a challenge ….

So here it has it all played out ….

7am.  I meet the moving truck at the property!

10am. Let the unloading begin!!  We were not permitted to unpack at this point – only to unload.  Still waiting on the call from title that we had recorded.

10:30am. A bit of a curve ball – the house was supposed to be cleaned but, YIKES, look at these drawers!!  So I ran to Ace Hardware, bought the cleaning supplies and came back to the house and got to work!!  While we waited for the approval to start unpacking, I started cleaning!!  Check out my progress of these before and after photos!  If I don’t cut it as a realtor, I could always start a cleaning company!

2pm. We are on record!!  Happy clients!  Happy Day!  The best part of my job!!

Welcome Home Rasbands!