I am a Realtor, a wife, a mother and the owner of 2 four-legged babies, Emmy and Gigi. There are times when these two dogs drive me crazy, but I love them both and they keep me grounded.
This morning, as I prepared for a private showing of one of my upcoming listings, it occured to me that I probably wear my love for pets on my sleeve--or pants, as the case may be.
So how can you tell I am a dog-owning Realtor? Here are some of the ways:
- All my slacks and skirts have tell-tale slime at dog height. I try to clean it off, but inevitably, Emmy gets me as I leave
- The same goes for dog fur. We now have two black dogs. If you think I wear a lot of black, you would be right...it makes it easier to be presentable.
- I am very punctual by nature, but if I have been working at home and have to leave for a meeting, I am likely to be a couple of minutes late. Why? I can't always get the dogs inside!
- When we meet for our first listing appointment, I completely get that you are more stressed about what to do with your dog(s) during a showing than what the asking price for your home will be.
- I will greet your dogs with as much enthusiasm as I great you.
- Dog owners 'get it,' and I will help you figure out the best way to handle all your dog stuff while the house is on the market--and I won't judge!
Being a dog owner is a huge commitment. Selling your house is a huge commitment, too. It isn't necessary that your Realtor be a dog owner, just because you are, but it sure makes it easier!
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been there all along; multiple banks, a second that has been sold multiple times, deadlines that came and went, a real estate market that has continued to improve since last fall. And finally, today, the public announcement of the Trustee Sale on the steps of the courthouse.
combo box.
the hours most of us keep in the 'real world.' This can make the scheduling of showings tricky, especially for families that get up and out of the house each morning. Sleeping students are not what prospective buyers want to come across as they are looking at bedrooms. Let your student know that they will be expected to make the house available, and the hours that the house will be available for showing. Make sure you let them know what you expect of them while the house is being shown (do they need to leave?).
The third challenge is incorporating their stuff into your recently cleaned-up and cleaned-out house. Of course, a storage unit is always an option. Another option is to get stackable plastic containers and store their dorm/apartment stuff in these containers, stacked neatly in a garage or storage room. Not every home lends itself to this option, so be sure to consult with your listing agent about the best way of handling this in your own home.
you can see. Some of the exterior updates that you might notice include: changing light fixtures, replacing windows, trim repair, deck sealing, replacing gutters. Other outside upgrades that you might notice being done include adding a deck or patio, a water feature (such as a water fountain), landscaping, and new exterior siding or painting.
financial trap of 'Keeping up with the Joneses.' While it might not make sense to pick your car or your handbag based on what the neighbors are doing, when it comes to real estate, a wise consumer will listen and learn from these conversations.
others know when they go to sell their Northern Virginia home.
15, 2012.
