Author

Kristin

Why a Bathroom Renovation Matters in a Competitive Market

written by Kristin

In a real estate market where competition is fierce, every detail counts. And one area that can make or break a sale? You guessed it—bathrooms.

Here’s why investing in a bathroom renovation can be a game-changer when you’re looking to sell:

1️⃣ Stand Out in the Crowd: A beautifully renovated bathroom can instantly catch a buyer’s eye in a sea of listings. It sets your home apart and makes a lasting impression, potentially leading to more offers and a quicker sale.

2️⃣ Meet Buyer Expectations: Let’s face it—buyers have high expectations, especially when it comes to bathrooms. In today’s market, they’re not just looking for functionality; they want luxury and style. By upgrading your bathroom, you’re meeting and exceeding those expectations, making your home more appealing to potential buyers.

3️⃣ Maximize Your Home’s Value: While the upfront costs of a renovation might seem daunting, the long-term benefits can be significant. A well-designed, modern bathroom can increase your home’s overall value, allowing you to command a higher asking price and potentially recoup some of your investment.

4️⃣ Faster Sale, Higher Returns: Homes with updated bathrooms tend to sell faster and for more money than those without. It’s a simple equation: the more desirable your home is to buyers, the greater your chances of a quick and profitable sale.

So, if you’re gearing up to sell your home in a competitive market, take into account the power of a bathroom renovation. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about standing out, meeting buyer expectations, and maximizing your home’s value.

Ultimately, a bathroom renovation can significantly improve your quality of life and enhance your home’s overall appeal. If you dream of that luxurious oasis, weigh the costs against the potential benefits and decide what’s right for you.

April 3, 2024 0 comment

Featured

Finding Clarity, Embracing Change: Divorce and a Fresh Start

written by Kristin

Divorce can be daunting, but it’s also an opportunity for a fresh beginning. Whether navigating this journey for the first time or seeking a smoother path, having the proper support is vital. Here’s why you need a seasoned agent and advocator in your corner, guiding you through the most significant financial decisions couples make when divorcing.

Clarity Amidst Chaos: Divorce can be a whirlwind of emotions and decisions. A seasoned agent understands the intricacies of property division, helping you gain clarity amidst the chaos.

Financial Stability: Your home is often the most significant asset in a divorce settlement. Selling it requires careful consideration to ensure both parties receive a fair share. A knowledgeable agent can help you navigate this process, safeguarding your financial stability.

Emotional Support: Beyond financial matters, divorce involves emotional complexities. Having an agent who empathizes with your situation can provide invaluable support as you embark on this journey.

Steps to Hiring an Agent:

a. Research: Look for agents experienced in handling real estate transactions related to divorce.

b. Interview: Meet with potential agents to assess their expertise and compatibility with your needs.

c. References: Don’t hesitate to ask for references from past clients to gauge their track record.

d. Trust Your Gut: Choose an agent you feel comfortable confiding in and trust to represent your interests.

Getting Your Home Ready: Selling your home is a significant step in a divorce. Ensure it’s market-ready by:

a. Decluttering: Remove personal items to depersonalize the space and allow potential buyers to envision themselves living there.

b. Staging: Consider professional staging to showcase your home’s potential and maximize its appeal.

c. Repairs: Address any maintenance issues to present your home in its best light.

Why Representation Matters: Having a real estate agent representing you ensures:

a. Negotiation Expertise: Your agent will negotiate on your behalf to secure the best possible outcome.

b. Legal Understanding: They’ll navigate the legal aspects of property division, ensuring compliance with divorce agreements.

c. Peace of Mind: With a skilled agent handling the complexities, you can focus on rebuilding your life with peace of mind.

Navigating divorce and embarking on a new journey is a transformative experience. With a seasoned agent by your side, you can confidently navigate the challenges, paving the way for a brighter future.

April 1, 2024 0 comment

Featured

Devouring the Moments: A Guide to Overcoming Life’s Challenges

written by Kristin

These past few weeks have been a roller coaster of personal and professional stress. Full disclosure – I’ve been in a funk. I’ve been sick and feeling foggy. I’ve found solace in personal development work. It’s a journey, and I wonder, can you relate?

Acknowledging the challenges, I’ve leaned on family support, motivational healers, and personal coaches. In the pursuit of staying in the moment and away from worry, I’ve discovered the power of Gratitude. Today, let’s explore how to avoid the “shit spiral” and instead embrace and devour the moments of goodness and kindness that surround us.

Steps to Devour the Moment:

1. Connect with Nature:

Take a moment to step outside and immerse yourself in nature’s calming presence. Whether it’s trees, sunlight, animals, or the sounds of the environment, disconnect from worries and appreciate the abundance around you. As you read this, I’m looking at the snowfall in my backyard, breathing in the cold air when I step outside– a practice that helps relax and calm the mind.

2. Express Gratitude:

When overwhelmed by the “shit spiral,” write down 10 things you are grateful for. Take this moment to appreciate the positive aspects of your life. Here’s a personal example:

I am thankful that my car starts in this cold weather.
I am grateful for my daughter’s healthy pregnancy.
Thankful for improved health and vitality.
I appreciate my husband’s understanding.
I am thankful for the time to write this blog.

ETC…..

3. Be Present and Mindful:

Stay focused on the task at hand. Minimize distractions and be present in the moment. I’ve set a timer to keep me on track and focused during the tasks at hand.

4. Do Your Best:

Put forth your best effort, even when it seems unrewarded. Getting rejected for something isn’t fun, but I always strive to give my whole self, even when unwarranted. Confidence arises from doing something well, and positivity tends to follow.

5. Shift from Negative to Positive:

Receive and give compliments, and respond graciously when asked about your well-being. Shift from a negative mindset to a positive one, actively seeking moments to turn the day around.

6. Embrace Humor and Perspective:

Find humor in challenging situations. When faced with a stain on the car carpet, turn it into an opportunity to use Resolve carpet cleaner. Small shifts in perspective can make a significant difference. I love a clean car carpet.

7. Devour Moments of Goodness:

Use the word “devour” – relish every joyous moment, big or small. Counter every negative thought with a positive one. Notice the changes in your mood and aim to break free from the spiral.

Conclusion:

In the journey of life, challenges will come and go. By implementing these steps, you can actively shift your focus from the negative to the positive, ultimately transforming your “shit spiral” into a journey of embracing and devouring the moments of goodness and kindness that life has to offer. Be kind to yourself on the tough days, practice Gratitude, and soon, you might find yourself enjoying a beautiful sunset at the end of the day.

January 20, 2024 0 comment

Featured

Seamless Transitions: Selling Your Home with Expert Guidance

written by Kristin

Are you considering selling your home and embarking on a new chapter of life? Whether you’re moving to a new city, downsizing, or simply seeking a change, the process of selling your home can be both exciting and challenging. That’s where I come in – to make your home-selling journey a seamless and successful experience.

Why Choose Professional Assistance?

Selling a home involves more than just putting a “For Sale” sign in your front yard. It requires a strategic approach, market knowledge, and effective negotiation skills. Here are some reasons why partnering with a seasoned professional can make all the difference:

1. Expertise in the Real Estate Market

Navigating the real estate market can be complex, with market trends, pricing strategies, and buyer preferences constantly evolving. As a seasoned real estate professional and a Certified Listing Agent, I stay abreast of these changes, ensuring your property is positioned competitively to attract the right buyers.

2. Strategic Marketing

Effective marketing is key to selling a home swiftly and at the best possible price. From high-quality photographs and compelling property descriptions to targeted online and offline campaigns, I employ a comprehensive marketing strategy to showcase your home’s unique features and attract potential buyers.

3. Negotiation Skills

Negotiating the terms of a home sale is a delicate art. I bring strong negotiation skills to the table, advocating for your interests and ensuring you get the best possible deal. Whether it’s price negotiations or navigating inspection results, I am committed to securing a favorable outcome for you.

4. Streamlined Process

Selling a home involves numerous steps, from listing to closing. I streamline the process, handling the paperwork, coordinating showings, and facilitating a smooth transaction. My goal is to minimize stress and maximize efficiency so you can focus on the excitement of your next chapter.

How I Can Help You

When you choose me as your real estate partner, you benefit from personalized service and a commitment to achieving your goals. Here’s what you can expect:

Customized Marketing Plan: Tailored marketing strategies to showcase your home’s unique features and attract the right audience.
Professional Photography and Staging: Presentation matters. I collaborate with skilled photographers and stagers to highlight your home’s potential.
Transparent Communication: Stay informed at every step. I believe in open and honest communication to ensure you are empowered throughout the selling process.
Negotiation Expertise: Advocating for your best interests during negotiations to secure favorable terms and maximize your return on investment.

Ready to take the next step? Let’s embark on this journey together. Contact me today to discuss your goals, and let’s turn the page to a new chapter in your life.

January 20, 2024 0 comment

Selling Your Home

5 Easy Ways to Banish Morning Overwhelm

written by Kristin

Let’s face it; mornings can be the toughest part of your day! It’s hard to get up and going because you didn’t get enough sleep last night or were kept up with little ones or your spouses snoring. And hitting that snooze button only puts you in a foul mood.

Whatever the reason, sometimes mornings can be overwhelming and getting out the door can be a chore.

But there are things you can do to set yourself up for a successful morning. You might already know these but putting them into practice is key. Doing it consistently will make for a brighter day and an easier week.

Here are 5 Easy Ways to Banish Morning Overwhelm:

Plan out what you will wear the night before. This is an oldy but a goody. Get your clothes, accessories, shoes etc. ready to step into so you don’t even have to think about it.
Clean up the clutter in your kitchen and bathroom. Ever notice that those two places give you the most anxiety? Make those areas as clean, fresh and clutter free as possible each night so you wake up to calm.
Write a to-do list before bed. You’ve heard this before I’m sure but it works to clear your mind. Remind yourself what you need to do and get it out of your head so you can get a good night’s sleep.
Take 5 minutes before getting out of bed to slowly wake up. Do not go back to sleep. Make yourself open your eyes and center yourself. Think about the day ahead and what needs to be accomplished. Give yourself some time to acclimate to the morning routine.
Use key scents to wake up your mind and improve your mood. Orange, lemon, peppermint and ginger can really ignite your spirit. Use them in soaps, lotions and candles to set up your morning mood. Buy the best products you can that smell wonderful to you and use them lavishly. Having a few extra minutes to engage your senses helps you look forward to your morning routine and makes you happy!

Bonus:

My favorite way to banish overwhelm in the morning is to hug someone ( including your furry friend) and be grateful they are in your life. I’m not a morning person at all and will not engage in much household banter during the wee hours but I will love on the dog (who can resist a sleepy pet?) and I used to hug my kids awake in the morning when they were little. You don’t have to say a word, just give them a nice squeeze to let them know you love them and are grateful they are with you on this day.

If all else fails and your morning goes to sh*t anyway, sip your beverage of choice as you head out the door and put it all behind you. Tomorrow is another day to try one of these tips and banish the morning overwhelm.

June 29, 2017 0 comment

Style

Key Words To Say When You Look Great

written by Kristin

When you look in the mirror and you know you look great, what do you say?

Today, I want you come up with a few key words that you can say when you look fantastic. And yes, when you look in the mirror I want you to use your personal phrases to confirm that what you are seeing really feels like you and gives you confidence.

Why? Because saying these key words will help you each day to make sure you are styled correctly.

Here are some ideas for you to say when you look great:

I look cute!
This is a fun outfit!
I look pulled together.
I look pretty today.
This is a comfortable outfit.
This suits me so well.
I’m rocking this style!
I look awesome!
This is working for me!
I look beautiful.
I look classic.
I am perfectly styled today.

Send me your key words so I can hear what you are coming up with!

Check out these outfits on PINTEREST to see if they might describe your style and then try and replicate the outfit for yourself!

Need help with your key words? I’m here to help you be confident with your style so just let me know how I can help you!

June 6, 2017 0 comment

Selling Your Home

How To Get People To Say Yes To You

written by Kristin

You’ve been here before. You need to convince someone to say YES to your idea, your plea, your request. Yet despite your best efforts sometimes you are not rewarded with the answer you want. You get turned down. I’ve been there before and I wanted to understand the art of ask. So I started researching why this happens and I’ve discovered a few simple things you can do to set yourself up for success the next time you need someone to say YES to you.

Top tips on how to get people to say YES to you:

Be honest with yourself. Is this request something that you can actually picture happening? Will someone say yes to your request? If it’s going to be a hard no then don’t bother because it is a waste of time for both of you.
Build trust. Do you have a good relationship with the person you are asking the request from? If not, build up the personal side of the relationship first before the ask.
Gather evidence. Make sure that you are asking for something that is based in fact or relevance. It’s harder to turn down someone when they present well thought out truths and reason.
Dress to impress. People put you into a category within 6 seconds of seeing you so make sure you look the part. Dress up and add color to make an impression. Blue is a comforting and straightforward, approachable color. Red makes a statement of power and purple evokes feelings of royalty and strength. Use your style to your advantage to connect on a different subconscious level.
Timing is everything. Did you ever have someone come to you right before lunch and want a favor? Were you put off or distracted by that chicken salad sandwich waiting for you? Make an appointment if necessary even when asking a friend or spouse. You want to be considerate of their schedule and be in the right frame of mind. Think about the ideal timing for your ask and avoid times like first thing in the morning (unless scheduled), or right before lunch (no one wants to make a decision when hungry), or at the end of the work day or before an important event or meeting. You’d be surprised how many people don’t equate good timing with an answer of yes.
Consider bringing a warm beverage. Yep you heard that right. Warm drinks make people feel comfortable at ease and can improve your power of persuasion. This is why so many positive conversations happen at coffee shops!
Be willing to negotiate. What are you willing to give up in order to get what you want? A little give and take or compromising goes a long way in getting what you want.
Be persistent but not pushy. It’s ok to loop back in the future if your ask wasn’t granted and renegotiate if appropriate. But if it’s not something the other person is liking to give in on even in the future then give it up. Better to keep building trust for future asks.

I hope this little list helps you with your next ask. Here’s to the power of getting people to say YES to you from now on!

April 10, 2017 0 comment

Organizingyourhome

5 Useful and Quick Ideas to Organize Yourself

written by Kristin

5 Useful and Quick Ideas to Organize Yourself

Many people made the New Year’s resolution to get organized this year. And many started out gung-ho. But what has happened over the past few weeks is resistance. Resistance to the amount of work getting organized is going to take and how you are going to accomplish it all.

You don’t have to have so much resistance with the right information. In fact, you will have an easier time of it once you understand few simple tricks and a new way of thinking about organization.

Here are my useful and quick ideas to organize yourself this month:

Identify the area that is causing you the most stress. There is one area in your home that drives you nuts. Ok, you know the room. Now write down 5-10 reasons it is giving you so much anxiety. Get specific and get clear. It can be your front entry way, kitchen, bedroom or closet. What is about that area that doesn’t stay organized even though you feel like you are straightening it up all the time? It is up to you to identify it and that’s where we will start this organization activity from.
What is that area’s design style? You may be asking yourself what does this mean? Does your area have a style? Do you like the layout or design of the area? Is it pleasing to be there? Does it have a function but no design elements that are appealing to you? Think about color scheme, layout and placement of furniture or accessories in that area. The psychological effect of having a designed area will help you want to stay organized. If you don’t know what your design style should be, check out Pinterest to come up with ideas.
Click here for my ideas!
Declutter. Take things out of the area you are organizing so you can design the room. Decide what things will need to stay in this area once you put it back and only put those things in there.
Purchase organizing containers and accessories. Once you have the design elements of the area in place take a look at the items going back into the room. Do you need more hooks, shelves or bins to store everything in? It’s a good idea to have each item in that area live in it’s own place. That means shoes always go in the rack, coats always go on their hooks and miscellaneous items get put into smaller containers. Look for accessories that compliment your design and are functional for the space.
Redesign the room with your accessories. Go ahead start organizing. Put your items in their containers and put them back into the room. Once you see the completed look and it is designed exactly the way you want it you will find you stay organized. You stay organized because you like the way it looks and with very little effort you can easily put things back where they need to go.

Staying organized is so much more than just putting things in containers and straightening things out. You must have a complete and useful design style and then complimentary organizing accessories that go with your design.

If you are struggling with either the design concept or how to organize your area, please contact me.

5 Useful and Quick Ideas to Organize Yourself

February 4, 2017 0 comment