Your favorite real estate agent, Shannon

Making a list, checking' it twice...

Just kidding! I don't *actually* keep a list of naughty and nice buyers (especially because my clients are awesome!) but over the years I've learned a lot from other agents who have had some experiences to post about.

I feel like I have been successful with my buyers because I have learned from others.
Because of them, I ensure to have a buyer's consultation in the very beginning to set the stage for the next steps. This allows you to feel more confident!

I have created a list of things that I always talk to my buyers about up front before we start working together. It's a mutual respect and I thought I would share if you decided to work with me too.

Hopefully, I have not offended or scared you away, the goal is ALWAYS to just hand you the keys to YOUR home and ensure you are HAPPY!

Let’s be real…you didn’t open your FB app today for a market update 😴

You’re probably looking for tips on how to hang garland or for a fool-proof sugar cookie recipe and all things HOLIDAYS!

So, I’m not going to bore you with your typical market update…instead, I’m going to talk about our favorite Christmas movie characters (and let *them* explain the market instead)!

Consider this your second chance at homeownership.

Because you're not too old and you're not too late. You can search for a home "to share the sunset years of life."

Let’s call it: The Golden Transaction

You may not have a television network reaching out to you hoping to document your experience, but maybe you feel like a bit of a hopeless romantic when it comes to finding a HOME.

Think of it like this...the one-on-one dates are like the showings. They may feel a little intimidating but really, you're just there to get to know the house and see if it could be a good fit for you!

🌹 Then you have the rose. The rose is like the offer. Will they accept? It can feel scary, but you won't know until you hold it out for them!

Just like any decent reality tv show, expect for there to be a little drama. The negotiations, the inspection report (aka the gossip), and the appraisal (what does your family *really* think of him/her/the house?) are all just part of the experience!

I don't care if you're nearing retirement or if you're in your thirty, flirty, and thriving stage of life...when you compare your timeline to someone else's, it's never to late.

But homeownership isn't a race or a competition. And it's not too late for you to find a home you love!! I promise!!!

The question is, will you accept the future homeowner rose?

4:00, wallow in self-pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one; 5:30, jazzercize; 6:30, dinner with me—I can’t cancel that again; 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing… I’m booked! Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9, I could still check off a few items on my homeowner checklist!

If you're anything like me, all you want to do this month is eat cookies and watch The Grinch, so this month's homeowner checklist won't be too time consuming, I promise!

I’d bet my whole business on this advice!

Did you know? Black Friday began as a way to help companies who spent the year “in the red” catch up and get back in the black.

In other words, they spent the whole year behind and Black Friday was a way to help them catch up.

So what led to the frenzy of shopping and (not so?) huge discounts and people spending the day after Thanksgiving (where they're completely focused on being grateful for all they have) losing sleep to add things to their carts?

I'm turning on all CAPS for this one... BEING BEHIND ALL YEAR LONG.

Sweet home buyer, you are NOT behind. Even if you feel like you are according to your life plan

Here's my best advice for sellers right now!

You want to sell your house and buy a new one, but it feels like you can't afford the same houses you were interested in two years ago.

You feel like you should wait, but deep down that dream of homeownership won't go away! Plus, have you seen what your home is worth right now?!

But is it unwise to sell right now? Shouldn't you wait until interest rates go down? It would be crazy to give up your current interest rate, right?

Here's my best advice: worry more about YOUR home needs than the FEDS interest rates.

Because even the experts are getting it wrong. According to the NAR, experts have predicted the rates would cool this fall, yet they've actually continued to climb, according to Freddie Mac.

The market feels about as steady as a new Hollywood romance, but that doesn't mean there's no room for you to get in on the real estate game and move up.

You can't disregard the rates...they make a big impact on your monthly payment! But if you can sell your home, find a home you love, and you can afford it despite the rates, it just may be the best time for you to move!

The best way to decide for sure is to connect with your fav local agent and talk with your lender. We can work together to be the powerhouse trio (move over, Taylor and Travis!) and make a home selling plan for you!

So, there I was, driving in a strange neighborhood with my windows down, looking for somebody...anybody.

Let me back up.

I showed a house a few weeks ago and my clients loved it. They asked me about the recent upgrades and the HOA, but then they asked me a question I couldn't answer.

"Can you hear the early morning train from here?"

I've never been in this neighborhood at 5am so I had no idea, but I knew exactly where to find the answer!

Sometimes we have to get scrappy in order to buy a home confidently. There are two out of the box things I started telling my buyers to do that have made a big difference in their buying experience!

First, I tell them to drive by the house/neighborhood different times throughout the day. See what's happening early in the morning, late at night, and every time in between.

Want to know my top local recommendation for my clients??

Local lenders.

Don't yawn or keep scrolling, I'm serious! This is actually not well known among buyers!

Here's the skinny...when you write an offer, you have to also submit your pre-approval which has your lender info on it. Sellers want to know you’re qualified!

Because most agents understand the importance of working with a local lender, having an out of state lender on that pre-approval could make your offer look less appealing (especially if there are others you're competing with).

No joke, I have helped clients beat competing offers BECAUSE THEY HAD A LOCAL LENDER. Agents have worked with enough national lenders to know; local lenders are where it's at.

It’s not to say national lenders are bad, they are just typically much harder to get ahold of. It’s like when you call your internet company because you have a question, but you talk to a computer instead. JUST PICK UP THE PHONE, right?

I have a list of trusted local lenders I can refer you to! Do your research but remember your secret weapon is probably just a few blocks away!

I'm convinced this is the answer.

For a lot of you, anyway.

For both first time and repeat home buyers, higher home prices have been a giant pain in the butt obstacle to navigate.

House hacking may be the answer you've been looking for.

There are a couple ways to do this. You could buy a duplex and live on one side and rent out the other. (At some point you could buy a home you love and keep the duplex and rent out both sides!) ***This includes VA Buyers too!!

Another option is purchasing a multi-generational home. According to NAR, about 28% of first-time buyers and 11% of repeat buyers are choosing this to save money!

Top of the list of multi-generational home purchasers? Gen-Xers! (born between 1965-1979)

"Ok, Shannon, you got me thinking...are there options here in for me to do this?!"

I was hoping you would ask me that!

If you're looking for some options, reach out and I can add you to a search that meets your criteria, so you get real time updates. Stop clicking on those Facebook ads.

Free advice worth THOUSANDS ⬇️

Blame it on Fixer Upper or the thousands of home reno Insta accounts, but most of us are guilty of driving by an old, run down house and thinking about what we would do to fix it up.

The paint colors we'd choose. The hardwood floors we'd uncover. The way we'd "preserve the charm" but add "modern amenities"

As an agent I get to walk clients through homes that have been renovated all the time. I've seen beautiful transformations and I've seen, well...not so beautiful transformations.

Not all flip homes are created equal because not every home renovator holds themselves and their work to the same standards.

So when I walk through a flip home...I look past the paint colors and the new countertops and the flooring and I look for one thing...

Bandaids. 🩹

Gross right? Don't worry, I'm not talking about actual bandaids that have been left behind. I'm talking about bandaid fixes. ❤️‍🩹

"Repairs" or "improvements" that are merely cosmetic for the sake of the home *looking* nicer.

>See my short-term vs long term fix list.

Bandaid fixes invite a whole world of trouble for buyers months, even weeks after purchasing, because they were meant for the short game...not for long term use. 🤕

Sometimes buyers are so charmed by the outward aesthetics and shiny new appliances that they forget to ask about the inner workings of the house. Inspectors *should* catch any issues, but sometimes they are missed!

Remember, choosing paint colors and fixtures you love can all be done AFTER you move into a home with a firm foundation and systems and materials that keep you safe AND save you money. 👏

If you're interested in buying a freshly renovated home, I'm your girl! Let's walk through it together and find you a home you feel good about!