GDHomes

Selling your home with pets can be challenging, not only because it can be stressful removing pets for every showing, but also because buyers want to envision themselves living in your home, and that means hiding any evidence that animals lived there. One whiff of a dirty litter box or smelly carpets, or view of a mess in the yard, could ruin a showing.

While you love your furry family member, sadly, not every buyer will.

When preparing your home to sell, it is important to remove evidence of any pets in your home. This includes deodorizing, deep cleaning, and repairing any damage such as scratched door frames or flooring and carpet stains. When eliminating any odors, make sure you are not just masking them, as that can turn potential buyers off even more.

With so many families owning pets, it can be hard to imagine anyone disliking yours, but at the end of the day, you want to ensure nothing gets in the way of selling your home. The time you invest now in preparing your home will pay off in a successful sale.

𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟷.

Here are a few current market trends, as well as insight into where the market may be headed:

▪️ Prices = High. 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙗, 𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚

▪️ Inventory = Low⁣. 𝙒𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙪𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙠, 𝙝𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩

▪️ Interest rates = Even lower⁣. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙡𝙮, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨

⁣▪️ Days on market = Measured in hours, not days⁣. 𝙒𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙙𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩

If you have questions about what’s happening in your neighborhood, reach out! I would love to answer any questions you have or provide a free market analysis. Your home could be worth more than you think!

FALSE! Home inspections 🔍 provide SO much valuable information, but can also be very overwhelming. There is almost always going to be a list of repair and maintenance recommendations for the house you want to buy, but when negotiating inspections it's important to 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴.

➡ A material defect is a specific issue that may have a significant, adverse impact on the value of the home, or that poses an unreasonable risk and/or can be expensive to fix.

It's important to have a good agent by your side to help guide you through the home buying process, set the right expectations, and make it as exciting and stress-free as possible!

ᴍᴏɴᴅᴀʏ ᴍᴏᴛɪᴠᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ✨

One of the toughest things for most people is managing their emotions and actions that revolve around things that are 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹.

It’s frustrating and scary for most of us, enough so that it is a frontrunner in the cause of stress in people today. Focus on making this the year you get mindful about letting go of the things you can’t control, and those things that no longer serve you. CHOOSE to find the good, see the positive, and stay in the moment – rather than let influences of negativity and worry take the wheel. It’s about carefully choosing your thoughts and actions and learning the incredible gift of releasing the emotion connected to the outcome of things.

There is something refreshing and beautiful about summer décor – breezy fabrics, natural elements, and boho influences make it feel like you’re bringing the warm weather and sunshine indoors. ☀️ Here are a few of the latest interior design trends that we have been seeing this summer that will most likely be staying for a while.

𝟷. 𝙽𝙰𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙰𝙻 𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙰𝙻𝚂

Rattan, wicker, wood, and other natural materials are usually associated with the summer season, however, designers are now saying this trend works all year round. From wood bead chandeliers to woven baskets and wicker chairs, there is a lot to choose from. It’s all about incorporating natural elements that are simple, earthy, and minimal, to help set the boho summer vibe.

𝟸. 𝙶𝚁𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝙺𝙸𝚃𝙲𝙷𝙴𝙽𝚂

Sage green kitchens are fast becoming one of the biggest kitchen trends for 2021! Whether it's paint, cabinetry, or tiles, the hue is popping up everywhere.

𝟹. 𝙱𝙸𝙾𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝙳𝙴𝚂𝙸𝙶𝙽

In other words: bringing the outdoors IN. This type of design is gaining traction as more people are living in cities than ever before, without direct access to balconies, patios, or outdoor space. The pandemic has increased everyone's desire for outside space and the need for it to work beyond just the summer months. This includes plants inside, living green interior walls, and the use of natural stone in tiles and other building materials.

Which trend is your favorite? Have you incorporated any of these designs into your own home?

Many first-time homebuyers stay away from buyer’s agents because they think it will cost them money, but that could not be further from the truth! A buyer’s agent will likely SAVE you money, because you get the benefits of an agent’s knowledge, expertise, and negotiating skills... for FREE.

When I represent you in a real estate transaction as your buyer's agent, you don't pay me – the seller does!

As a real estate agent, I spend a LOT of time in my car driving around between showings, appointments, and closings. I always try to make the most of this time by listening to audiobooks and podcasts.

I'm looking for new podcast recommendations! What have you been listening to?

𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚛'𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚝, 𝚜𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚢 𝚒𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐?

▪️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁.
One main reason a house can sit on the market longer is that it is priced "outside of the market". The ultimate deciding factor of the value of your home is 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘺. If you priced your home on the high end with the hopes of getting a lower offer, you are probably missing out on a majority of buyers looking for homes in your actual price range. Pricing your home competitively will attract more buyers and drive up demand. The rule of thumb is that if you are getting showings, but no offers, you are 5% overpriced, whereas If you are not getting showings or offers, you are likely 10% overpriced. Buyers in today's market are savvy and have a lot of ways to do research. They know how much a home is worth by looking at home valuation sites like Zillow, and they won't even go see a home that they believe is overpriced.

▪️ 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲.
I always say that your first showing is always online. If you don’t have professional photos, or your home wasn't prepared well, you’re not creating interest in your home (or enough that will get the buyers off their couch and into your home!)

▪️ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
There is a lot of competition out there to sell homes. Even in a competitive seller's market, the more you can do to make your home look appealing to a buyer, the better your chances for a quick sale at the best price. There are a few things you can do before you list that will make a small impact in your wallet, but a large impact in the eyes of a buyer. This includes a fresh coat of paint and new flooring.

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲-𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲.

ᴍᴏɴᴅᴀʏ ᴍᴏᴛɪᴠᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ✨

You are the writer and the editor of your life. YOU have the choice to decide what direction your life takes. Our world is made up of stories, and if you don't like the one you're in, 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚊 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚗𝚎.

Selling can be 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲, I promise!

Although there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to selling a home, I've created a few tools and adopted a proven strategy to help make the process as stress-free as possible and put sellers at ease.

Here are just a few ways I do things differently when I help you sell your home:

✔️ Constant communication.
I try to make sure that I am always available to provide feedback from appointments, answer any questions, and address concerns.

✔️ Working with you how you prefer. Whether you like phone calls, emails, texting, or in-person meetings – I will work with you however you would like.

✔️ Easy-to-follow checklists that help you prepare for every step of the process – from photo prep and staging to the final settlement day checklist, and everywhere in between.

My sellers never have to wonder where they are in the process, where I am as their agent, or how the sale of their home is going. If this sounds like the kind of home-selling experience you’re looking for, I would love to hear from you! Send me a message and let's start the conversation!

Although it may seem to make sense to talk to your bank or current mortgage company about getting pre-approved, it may not be your best option.

When you are shopping for a good lender, it's important to consider all options, including local credit unions and mortgage brokers. A lender can make or break a transaction, and a bad lender can very easily make the entire process a nightmare, and even cause the deal to fall apart at the last second.

It's also important to compare interest rates, loan terms, down payment requirements, and closing costs and other fees between a few different lenders.

𝘕𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴?

I have few key lenders I work with regularly whom I trust to make the transaction seamless and stress-free. I'd be happy to share!

ᴍᴏɴᴅᴀʏ ᴍᴏᴛɪᴠᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ✨

As we navigate our day-to-day lives, it can sometimes feel like we are not making progress toward the things we want. However what we don’t realize, is that if we keep taking those steps, at the end of the day, week, month, and year we will have achieved BIG things.

It's important to make an effort to make small positive changes in your life 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺. You might be surprised at how much you can change through small, consistent action. You don't climb a ladder with one huge step, you have to take one step at a time. It's about repetition and having a constant purpose.

What goal has scared you? Have you always wanted to run a marathon? Or learn a new skill? You have to start somewhere, and let that somewhere be today.