December Content 2020

December 1

Plants – love them or hate them?

Here are 5 plants to add to your home that reduce stress!

?Basil Plant
?Jasmine Plant
?Aloe Vera Plant
?Snake Plant (my favorite!)
?Lavender Plant

Research has shown that the absence of plants in our lives is linked to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. Alternatively, spending time in spaces with lots of plants can have a therapeutic effect and lead to feelings of calmness and reduced stress.

December 2

?How many homes did you look at before making an offer on your home?

Did you know that on average potential homeowners search on their own for about 3 weeks prior to contacting a professional real estate agent? I love first getting to know my clients to see what they have looked at or not looked at, so then when we go to tour homes, it brings items on their home wishlist to life!

Ready to start looking for your dream home – let’s chat!

December 3

Grateful to have made it into the last month of the year and also very grateful to have amazing clients keeping me busy!

Real estate during the winter months can seem a bit slower, but it is also the perfect time to get my ducks in a row as I plan out my goals and how I want to get there during the next year.

Anyone else ready for 2021 and excited to finish off the year strong?

December 4

? TRADITION #1

? TRADITION #2

? TRADITION #3

I am always open to new traditions, let me know yours in the comments!

December 5

?It’s time for this month’s home maintenance tips! The colder temperatures are here, but I think we’ve all learned this year how important it is to have major necessities on hand for emergencies (or pandemics).

Grab that extra pack of water or batteries and ensure your home is protected and ready to weather any storm.

December 6

Buying real estate in the holiday months does not guarantee your purchase will be secured with a lower interest rate. As anybody with even a modicum of real estate experience knows, interest rates fluctuate and aren’t easily predicted based on the time of year.

But, historically, interest rates tend to be lower during the holidays. And not due to “Yuletide cheer,” but limited demand (there’s just less financial business being done in late November and December).

So, while lower interest rates aren’t a guarantee when buying a home during the holidays — few things in real estate are a guarantee — you can often find favorable financing (and much better real estate deal terms) during the holiday months.

December 7

There are so many different tchotchkes to add to shelves, but here are a few of my favorite decor pieces to style with:

✨ Hardcover books
✨ Wooden beads
✨ Candles or Candle Sticks
✨ Vases / Statues
✨ Baskets

Always work in groups of three and mix items in terms of texture, height, and color.

December 8

WOW! Can you believe that millennials are the largest group of homebuyers on the market?

People who belong to the age group between 29 and 38 hold 26% of the home-buying real estate market share. The second-largest group are the Gen-Xers who hold 24% of the market share.

Do you fall into any of these categories?

December 9

When it comes to your entryway, the largest statements are the simplest ones. For most entryways, all you need is:

? Entryway Console or Bench
? Stylish Mirror
? Piece of Art
? Some Decor

You can always add a basket to take off shoes, a plant for some color, or a catch-all bowl for loose change and keys!

How is your entryway styled?

December 10

Imagine you are purchasing a new build and these are your choices for flooring options, which would you choose and why?

I’d definitely go with the lighter floors with light-haired dogs, but the dark feels oh so rich!

??Ready to look at your next home? Give me a call and let’s start your home search!

December 11

?Throughout 2020, we have seen several families and individuals pack up and move. Some moved across town, others across the country.

Recently, Realtor Magazine shared the 15 cities with the lowest cost of living. Would you move or do you live in one of these?

?The cost of living below factors in average utilities, internet, monthly gas, rent for a one-bedroom apartment, and food per person.

1. El Paso, Texas: $1,324.02
2. Wichita, Kan.: $1,393.44
3. Lincoln, Neb.: $1,422.53
4. Tucson, Ariz.: $1,498.35
5. Lexington, Ky.: $1,499.59
6. Albuquerque, N.M.: $1,508.80
7. Corpus Christi, Texas: $1,537.77
8. Mesa, Ariz.: $1,564.68
9. Louisville, Ky.: $1,618.42
10. Omaha, Neb.: $1,621.62
11. Memphis, Tenn.: $1,658.28
12. Greensboro, N.C.: $1,675.69
13. Tulsa, Okla.: $1,691.71
14. Virginia Beach, Va.: $1,731.65
15. Plano, Texas: $1,752.63

On the other hand, the five cities with the highest cost of living in the U.S. are:

1. San Francisco: ($4,315.77)
2. New York: ($4,178.78)
3. Oakland, Calif.: ($3,644.78)
4. Boston: ($3,426.47)
5. San Jose, Calif. ($3,416.14)

December 12

?Did you know that the majority of purchased houses are previously owned homes.

It’s hardly surprising to hear that 86% of buyers go for previously owned homes instead of new ones. Home buyer statistics tell us that resale homes are usually cheaper and, though it’s not the standard, can also come fully furnished.

Buyers under 28 are least likely to purchase a new home with 94% of them opting for a resale house.

*via National Association of Realtors (2020)

December 13

6 Things to Keep In Mind When It Comes to Renting vs. Buying

1️⃣ Rent Will Continue to Increase
2️⃣ Freedom to Customize
3️⃣ Privacy
4️⃣ Flexibility for Relocation
5️⃣ Tax Advantages
6️⃣ Building Equity

Want to dive deeper into which option is best for you, give me a call and let’s sit down to go over the benefits and downsides of renting vs. buying.

December 14

Ways to Save for a Down Payment:⠀
⠀
①Skip Starbucks (make coffee at home!)⠀
②Get a part-time job for that extra cash⠀
③Sell unwanted items that are sitting around your house⠀
④Cook at home instead of eating out⠀
⑤Talk to a realtor (ME!) about the different options you have for loans and how much you ACTUALLY need to put down.

If you are interested in selling or purchasing a home, I would love to chat with you.

December 15

What does debt-to-income ratio mean? (see post)

?Dive Deeper:
The DTI ratio helps lenders determine affordability based off of their available loan programs, and allows them to estimate how much you can afford to pay monthly for a mortgage.

Lenders typically look for borrowers who pay 28 percent, or less, of their total monthly income on housing, and less than 36 percent of their income on debt payments, according to Investopedia. If either percentage is on the higher side, and you want to buy a home, you might need to adjust your budget.

December 16

Tips for Millennials Thinking About Purchasing

① Count the costs.
② Don’t assume you cannot afford it.
③ Define your goals, wants, interests.
④ Examine your finances and budget.
⑤ Take a look at the current mortgage rates.

Buying is possible and with rental prices as high as they currently are, it might make sense to invest into your own pocket instead of someone else’s

December 17

[CMC Tip: Update image to be a photo of you!]

Hello and welcome! There are lots of new faces around here, so I wanted to introduce myself.

I’m [YOUR NAME], your local real estate expert representing both buyers and sellers.

[TELL THE AUDIENCE WHO YOU ARE]

Have you thought about buying, selling, or building recently? Or maybe you are thinking about it as you read this post.

Whatever it may be, the opportunity to be on your home journey with you would be an honor!

December 18

HELP! I need some last minute gift ideas or shops to purchase from that will be here in time!

What gift ideas have you given that people love?

Drop your ideas in the comments below and I’ll tag some small shops to see if they have any ideas to share as well:

? Small Business #1
? Small Business #2
? Small Business #3

December 19

Fill in the blank:

I haven’t purchase a home because…

??????????

December 20

Happy Sangria Day!! ?

Do you have a favorite sangria recipe you love for the holidays?

Try this recipe by @bobbyflay that is SO GOOD. Don’t forget to hit the “SAVE” icon on the bottom right of this post, so you can easily come back to this recipe when you want to make it!

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen and thawed
2 bottles fruity red wine
1/2 cup orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau
1 Gala apple, cored and thinly sliced, a few slices reserved for garnish
1 slightly under-ripe Bartlett pear, cored and thinly sliced, a few slices reserved for garnish
1 small orange, halved and thinly sliced, a few slices reserved for garnish
1 tangerine, halved and thinly sliced, a few slices reserved for garnish

Steps:
1️⃣Combine the sugar with 1 cup water in small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the sugar has dissolved, 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the cinnamon sticks and let cool to room temperature.
2️⃣Put the cranberries in a bowl and add the simple syrup along with the cinnamon sticks. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Strain, discarding the cranberries and cinnamon sticks.
3️⃣Combine the wine, liqueur, and the apple, pear, orange and tangerine slices in a container with a tight fitting lid. Sweeten to taste with cranberry-cinnamon syrup. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours before serving. Garnish with fruit slices and serve.

December 21

What’s the best way to pick out a paint color for your home? Buy some swatches!!

? Test your swatches during different times of day to ensure you love the way the color looks under daylight, in the evening when the sun is down, and when the artificial lights are on in your home.

? Remember that swatches in one person’s home may look totally different in your home and depending on the surrounding decor, the paint color can be altered.

Whites are so classic and can easily be made to fit a bunch of home styles – boho, modern, french, traditional, etc. What color are your interior walls painted?

December 22

Nearly half of more than 2,000 Americans recently surveyed say they plan to move soon to reduce living expenses, according to a new survey from @LendingTree. Forty-six percent of respondents say they plan to relocate within the next year.

The pandemic has also pushed homeowners (and renters) to look for the following: a nice yard to enjoy the outdoors without a shared space, a larger kitchen since they’re dining out less, and an office space for remote working or distance learning.

If you are thinking about moving, let’s take a look at your must-have list on your home and start our search!

December 23

Thank you for the kind words and referrals! I am always so appreciative of my clients and colleagues and this year even more so. So thank you for supporting me and my business!

December 24

Anyone else just want to snuggle in bed and watch Christmas Hallmark movies all day? ❄️

December 25

?From my family to yours, happy holidays! I hope you have a wonderful day spending time with loved ones whether it’s in person or virtual!

I cannot believe it’s going to be 2021 in less than a week!

December 26

✍?Do you still write thank you notes? Today is #ThankYouNoteDay and there is always something about a thank you note that makes my heart happy!

Sending and receiving little notes is always a humbling experience, ya know? That someone took time out of their day to write you a card and send it.

Whether it took them 45 seconds or 5 minutes, it is ALWAYS the thought that counts and it brings us back to the good ‘ol days.

December 27

Today is the day! You can do it and whether it works out or not, you will get to enjoy the ride and learn something new!

December 28

Four Common Pricing Mistakes:⠀
⠀
① Pricing too high from the start⠀
② Using an odd-listing price⠀
③ Not basing your listing price on sold homes in the area⠀
④ Refusing to negotiate with serious buyers⠀
⠀
When you hire me as your agent, I ensure my clients price their home to not only sell but are aware of what they should expect their home to sell at given the area, other homes that have sold, and what the inside of their home looks like. ⠀
⠀
Being honest and upfront with my clients lets them know that they are in good, EXPERIENCED hands, and that ensures a successful transaction.

December 29

?You know that one decor item in your home that you always buy more of even though you probably have enough? It can be candles, pillows, picture frames, baskets… for me – during winter months — it’s BLANKETS.

?Every time I see one, I’ve got to buy it! And then pair it with a storage basket to hold them or a aesthetically appealing blanket ladder and you are good to go!

??What’s your one item you always keep buying?

December 30

?Do you want your home to sell fast? Here are some things you should consider incorporating when it comes to listing your home.

??With all of my listings, I sit down with the client to dive deeper into each of these so that we can create the perfect plan to sell their home fast.

December 31

Anyone else feel like their hands are SO DRY from washing constantly on top of it being winter?
A few of my favorites include:

?? Aesop
?? Mrs. Meyer’s
?? The Laundress
?? Puracy

What hand soaps do you love using?