Wishing for a New Home

by southerngirlweb

I have been wishing for a new home since I moved to this farm about 7 years ago!! Please, understand, I am NOT moving. I LOVE my farm. But the house here is falling down around us. I’m actually not kidding. The people who put on the roof didn’t add gutters, so the entire roof is rotted and moldy and mildewed. The floors in 2 of the bedrooms have holes in them that the carpet was just stretched over. The septic is from 1970 and only has 1 drain line. And the well, we believe has shifted too close to the dirt, because it pulls sediment and we have to change filters every 2 weeks now! This has been the perfect example of “What Not To Do” as a seller or landlord I think I could have ever experienced!

After 2 years of struggling (and learning) we finally started construction on our new house. We got the notice from our builder that we are about 60 days away from completion!! I was looking for a particular product and a particular process so this experience has been a learning one for sure! I really wanted to General Contract it myself…those years as a project manager for an electrical firm all came flooding back. But lenders will not give money for projects that are self GC’ed, unless you have experience (never understood this…how do you get experience if you don’t first get a chance?). So plan 1 was for a friend to GC and I just run it. He backed out at the last minute because he wouldn’t make enough money (he sort of missed the point) so I had to find something similar. I had a very simple wish list for my new home:

A Separate Real Office with Doors
A Dining Room (always on my list)
Closets
2 story
In the Woods
$100 per square foot

I went with a builder that allowed me to do a portion of the work on my own. It’s a very strange arrangement where you become both the client and the sub contractor. The problem is, this company does not have their shit together! And I pride myself on always at least seeming like I have my shit together. I will not be referring them to any clients. And don’t even want to mention their name here! Mainly because after this experience, I can definitely do this on my own. It’s their level of planning and customer service that have made the biggest problems and mistakes. They delivered our floor joists and ceiling rafters 3 weeks (and one snow storm) before they were installed. Now they are covering the cost of mildew removal and remediation throughout the entire house. That is just one large example in a long list of what I think are simple planning mistakes that have cost them money and me time and now my future clients. I’m not trying to be a Monday morning quarterback, but I will certainly use their failures and develop a much more efficient system.

When it comes to builders, I found there are really 2 types out there…spec built homes in cookie-cutter neighborhoods and giant, custom, McMansions that cost entirely too much money. In looking for my own home, I noticed that there is very little out there to get exactly what you want on a decent, affordable budget. Everyone wanted to tell me that it’s because supplies are so high. While that may be true, that isn’t the only problem. The biggest problem with builders and construction that I have found is a lack of creativity. Finding creative solutions to getting the client exactly what they want on any budget is the type of business that I want to run! And those are the types of people I choose to do business with. I do not want to hear what the problem is, but what a solution to the problem is.

What do you wish for in a new home??

What do you wish for in a new home? I love working with buyers to find exactly what they want. Sometimes what they think they want changes as we look. Pictures in this market are VERY deceiving. In my opinion almost negligibly so. With the use of wide angle lenses, digital rendering and Photoshop, you should ALWAYS go look at a property first. This making an offer before the property is available to view, or offers as sight unseen, is crap! As a listing agent, I rarely every accept those offers. (1) they have really low Due Diligence fees, and (2) they don’t seem to get as much as expected from the sale. My suggestion to buyers is always wish big and be patient. I am in the business of solving problems, not really selling real estate.

As simple as my wishes were for a new house, it has been a struggle. We had to move the location so knock off #5 (Well, we didn’t really HAVE to, but someone – or some hubby – didn’t want “spend anymore money”). There aren’t as many closets as I would like (so I’m adding more once we move in – watch for the pantry build). But we finally have walls and windows and stairs and a roof! We still have a long way to go, but it’s beginning to feel real. Ever experience something that you wished for for so long and it doesn’t seem real, or it seems surreal, like an out-of-body experience. If not, maybe you’re not wishing big enough???

Life • real estate • Uncategorized • February 6, 2022

The Importance of Support

by southerngirlweb

I would probably classify myself as a loner. I have a group of great friends that group chat all the time and get together at least once a month. I have children, so sometimes being alone is impossible, but they are older now and more independent so they need my help and constant attention less and less, well…sort of. My intention for a life partner has also morphed into this you-live-your-life-and-I-live-mine atmosphere that once or twice a week/month we get to bring it together, but it has to be planned and intentional. COVID may have exacerbated some of this. We want to spend less time with the people we were stuck with for 18 months and more time with those we missed. And I had completely planned for my professional life to take the loner route, as well. But something changed in the last four years that maybe was COVID-related, but maybe more “you have a teacher heart” related.

I went into real estate with the intention of it being a lonely profession or at least a family business. But, like literally everything else in my life, the universe had a different plan. I recently discovered that one of the things I enjoy most about this business is how I get to HELP other people. (That’s been my word of the year for two years now!) I thoroughly enjoy helping clients achieve their goals. Maybe its a house in the boonies with land for animals, or a condo in the city so they can walk to everything, or a rental to keep them safe until they can buy. Whatever! Literally! When I do my job from a heart of service, I get the most from my success. Recently, that has really extended into helping other real estate agents as well.

I really enjoy what I do. And it DOES lead to Super Happy Clients!

This business doesn’t have to be cut throat. It isn’t a competition to make more money than my fellow agent. I don’t have any secrets to doing business that I want to keep away from everyone else. In my opinion, there isn’t even a “magic bullet” in real estate that creates success. It is all about the WORK. Put in the TIME, follow a GUIDE, and find HELP! How much TIME…that’s up to you. What GUIDE….that depends on you. Where do you find HELP…it is literally everywhere. The help I found came from my firm, Giving Tree Realty. Not because they have a magic formula that breeds million dollar sales, but because they have a collective atmosphere of support, guidance, and hard work mixed with a few examples of what not to do and guided by a moral compass to put all of it into perspective. It’s not just a recruiting tool to say that we have a family atmosphere and a giving spirit. It is literally at the core of our system. The moral compass is what has fueled my success in business, but more so in my life and mind. I’m not selling 30 million a year, but I’m making more money than I ever have, and I still have time to run a farm and make dinner for my family.

REALTORs are different from Real Estate Agents. This label means certain certifications, memberships, and training. Many agents choose to not go that extra mile, because of the fees. We are guided by ethical standards, required to maintain continuing education credits, and regulated by a Commission. This symbol means the highest level of professional in this business.

Humans are social creatures. We do not thrive on our own. We can survive and even succeed, but we reach our highest potential when we have a community of support lifting us up. That is one of the reasons I think it is imperative that buyers and sellers be represented by a licensed agent, even better a Realtor. There is so much you do not know in this crazy market! You spend your days in whatever your world consists of. I spend my days reading, researching, and reacting to the ever-changing real estate market. I like to compare it to going to court for a life sentence without an attorney. Who would do that?! You need and deserve representation when your life hangs in the balance, and, on a purchase that controls the next 30 years of your life, it does! And, like an attorney, you get what you pay for! If you are selling your house and choose “the cheapest” Realtor, you will get “the worst” deal, one way or another. Feel free to ask me for examples! I. Have. Thousands.

If you choose “the cheapest” Realtor, you will get “the worst” deal.

This value of support had led me to want to create my own “Team”. I put it in quotes because the traditional definition of a real estate team is a group of agents with an abundance of leads, or at least that’s what I was told. That is not mine! I want to create a place where agents with like minded goals can get the true, honest, and helpful support to THRIVE in their business (and life, since we don’t live in a vacuum). I’ve been working through what that looks like and have a great plan, so now I just need to put it in reality. It starts with philosophy. It’s not about making the most money in the Lake Norman area, it’s about helping the most people. That looks very different for every agent, client, and person that will cross our path, but that is the point. They will ALL get what I call concierge level service. Literally, the highest level of service possible. And it will happen, not because they do or do not deserve it, but simply because they are here.

Real Estate as a career has been life changing for me. I knew it would be. There are a million predictors out there about what will happen this year in the market. At the end of the day, no one really knows. I’m going to keep following my moral compass and see where the year shakes out. I have the tools because of Giving Tree Realty. I’ll be over here putting in the WORK if anyone wants to join me!

FOOD • Life • real estate • Uncategorized • January 8, 2022

A Return to “Normal”

by southerngirlweb

Is it even possible??

I really dislike using that word…NORMAL. Could someone define that for me?? Does it mean a 9-5 job in an office? Two children and a white picket fence? The point is, normal is different for everyone. I hear people say all the time, “I just want a normal life.” Really, no ones life is normal. Humans have a way of making life work. We sure have been “making life work” for the last almost 2 years! As some major corporations are contemplating bringing workers back to the office in the new year, there is a lot to process, consider, and even plan. Maybe foremost on our mind is the fact that COVID is still around. We started quarantining and working from home because it existed, and it still does, so why would we consider going back to “normal”. The truth is it’s always going to exist. And variations of it have existed for years. We have got to get through some of the fear, use the knowledge that we have gained, and create an environment where people can be successful and thrive.

“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
Maya Angelou

Set Boundaries – What are you and the people you live with comfortable with? At this point we have all reached a limit. We know by now what we are comfortable with and what we are not. Some of us are comfortable wearing masks everywhere and all the time. Some of us prefer to stay away from people. I find myself being a mixture. I see the importance of live meetings, but understand the risk and apprehension involved. I find myself keeping live stuff to really important things that can’t be done any other way while trying to scale back on the random times out in public or in a crowd. We need to not only set the boundaries for ourselves and our families, but we need to feel comfortable communicating them. It cannot be an atmosphere where people feel afraid of doing what makes them comfortable. At least not yet. This will be a time to test the waters and see where we can go from here. Collaboration is important for many businesses and school is imperative for kids. We have to find a common ground.

Getting Healthy doesn’t mean loosing weight.

Get Healthy – I really wish we could have some serious conversations about how food is medicine. I’m not saying you won’t get COVID or you can cure it with the right diet, but it does make your immune system stronger to fight the virus, and any other illnesses that might come our way. Start with leafy-green vegetables. This is the #1 best source for anti-oxidants that can boost immunity and fight off free radicals. Berries make great warriors too. Try adding a smoothie to your day, whether just for breakfast or an afternoon boost instead of coffee. What if you added a salad to your day? Salads are easy to pack as to-go lunches. The toppings and dressing may not make them “low- fat”, but the bed of greens you add stuff to can make it a health punch! Staying healthy may mean vaccine, maybe that means vitamins, maybe that means loose weight. This is a great time to do double duty on the healthy trip and keep your body fighting germs.

My new favorite smoothie recipe: 4 oz V8 Carrot Ginger, 4 oz vanilla almond milk, 6-8 mango chunks, 1 tsp. turmeric…blend and enjoy!

Stay Flexible – Things are definitely going to change. We are going to see times where schools go to remote learning or events that get turned into Zoom calls. It is important to keep that in your mind. It may mean that we still need an at-home learning space for the kids or private office space for Zoom meetings. When the teenager is late for school and my entire schedule gets turned upside down, I get super frustrated! I’ve learned this year to prepare a little flexibility into my schedule. Mentally decide which activities can be moved around and which cannot. The mental exercise of rearranging my schedule is a little calming in itself. We are still being asked to do things a little out of the normal, so mixing that with what used to be normal may take a little mental exercise.

The Real Estate industry didn’t really slow down pre-post-or during the pandemic. We made changes on the fly. And we are keeping most of those…masks are required to see houses, no overlapping appointments, trainings are still virtual or at least have a virtual option. But business is kicking right along! People want to move! Inventory is still super needed with about 5 buyers to every seller. Interest rates are still low enough to save you some money on a monthly payment from pre-pandemic rates. And sellers are still able to get top dollar for their home at a rate of about 19% over pre-pandemic values. We are also beginning to have conversations of dealing with an influx of foreclosures or bank owned properties. I am very interested to see how that whole market levels out and have done some training and preparation to deal with those opportunities.

I am looking forward to a great 2022! Yes, I am a glass-half-full person. Positive energy into the atmosphere will send me positive energy back. That is what I believe. My word for the year is still HELP, same as last year, because I think there are so many more people that will need my HELP in 2022. Whatever your outlook for the year, Good Luck and don’t be Normal!

FOOD • Life • real estate • Uncategorized • September 29, 2021

Happy Fall Y’all!

by southerngirlweb

It is my favorite time of year!!! Maybe because it’s my birthday season! Maybe because it’s Halloween and “witches” are finally cool! But this year I decided to explore a little deeper into why I love this season so much. Have you ever felt a real connection to the Earth? I think I do more in the fall. It’s like the energy, colors, harvest and celebration make me a more productive human, a better person, even a better Real Estate Agent.

THE COLORS:When I was a kid, my mother did this color matching thing that helped you understand what type of colors worked well for your skin tone and personality. We were all definitely “Warm” color palettes! And those are all the colors of Fall. What I realized is that those deep dark colors of the leaves as they change is that fall really matches my personality too. I enjoy a full-bodied life. The things I consume are that way as well. Food is heavy with flavor, drinks are full of tannins or malts, books have rich and deep stories. After a visit last year to Colorado, I saw the difference in the green mountains of North Carolina that I love so much from the Rockies in the west, but that doesn’t even begin to compare to the beauty that happens when those greens turn to gold and burgundy and orange. It literally does something to my soul. The change is a powerful miracle that I’m not even sure of the scientific specifics, though I’ve heard it and taught it to my children so many times. That change gives me hope, because after all the humans mimic what happens to the Earth, since we are nothing more than Earth ourselves. If the Earth can go through such drastic changes to create so much immense beauty, so can we.

THE ENERGY: I feel a different energy in the air. Maybe it’s created by the pull of the Earth away from the sun. Maybe it’s created by the cool temperatures. It could even be the lack of humidity in the air after a summer of thickness. All of those things seem to make it easier to do things. It gives me energy to work harder and longer. I even see it in the animals on the farm. The horses always get a little more frisky this time of year. Our old guy Tyson, who you can’t get to run in the summer, will just take off in these months. I don’t work horses very much in the summer because the heat is too much, in my opinion, but once the temps begin to cool, we are back in the arena putting on some muscle mass. The boys here have gained a few pounds on all that summer grass. Now it’s time to turn that into muscle.

THE HARVEST: If you don’t go to the Farmer’s Market this time of year, you are really missing out! And if you don’t have a local one, find one to deliver! My favorite delivery is Misfit Market, but there are tons of local farms that will ship. My favorite thing to do is go to the local farmers market to meal plan for the week. Our last market find was homemade pasta. I really enjoyed building meals around the homemade tortilini, ravioli and gnocchi we found. Sometimes I can find bushels of older produce that I can take home and can for the winter. One day I will get back to my own harvest. The nights of shelling peas and snapping beans in front of the TV are not over for me. I dream of a pantry full of Ball jars with all kinds of concoctions. I will be apple picking in the next week. Then there will be a trip to pick pumpkins and gourds for processing and drying. In preparation for my garden next year I’m going to try to do a little seed banking this year! I’ve been reading about it in ancient cultures. The people who held the seeds in a village held the power! I don’t have a green thumb by any stretch, or any power for that matter, but I am sure going to try!

THE CELEBRATION: The beauty of it all is that it culminates in my absolutely favorite holiday…Thanksgiving! It is the only holiday that is truly, solely about food. My favorite day where I spend all day in the kitchen and all week prepping. It celebrates 3 of my favorite F words Food, Family, and Football. What could be better than eating with your favorite people and falling asleep in front of the game or starting your own outside in the cool air. I spend time making crafts and decorations and dessert (which I never make because I don’t measure things). When my native ancestors would gather from the fields and preserve and store and then give thanks…I fell connected to that, or at least I try to. And as I get older, I find the need to try a little harder every year to connect to that. It’s not trendy and people don’t understand why I do it. They say it’s “harder”. But how can something that your people have been doing for hundreds of years be harder than the basic, plastic stuff people try to do now?!

August was a busy month! I think the cooler temps will make the market even more active.

OH WHAT DOES THE MARKET DO?? And I don’t mean Farmer’s Market. Traditionaly Spring is the busiest time for Real Estate. People are looking to move through the summer and settle down for fall. But after the spring, and heck the last 18 months, we could all use a “settle down”. In the 4 years I’ve been in Real Estate, the Fall has been my favorite. I do think this year we will see a calming of sorts where people are actually able to get into the homes they want and maybe even have a selection of homes to look through. BUT, with the right tools and techniques, none of that really matters. Yes, I can likely get you the financing. Yes, I can find you a beautiful home in your budget. And Yes, the price you pay might be higher than what you would get it for in maybe 12 months…BUT the interest rate will be lower!!! Find yourself a mortgage calculator and do some quick math…$370K house at a 3.5% interest rate ($1675) vs. a $350K house at a 5% interest rate ($1840)…https://www.mortgagecalculator.org The rates are already starting to climb. There is some fear that the Fed will make some changes. I met with a lender this past week that has a program at $0 down, 3.5% for a 640 credit score that’s a conventional loan. Yes, Real Estate is about price. But sooooo much goes into that price. Fall is my favorite time to sell houses!!

I hope you enjoy all the cool temps, amazing food, and beautiful scenery!

business • Life • real estate • Uncategorized • May 8, 2021

Put Your Kids First

by southerngirlweb

This week I heard one of the best ideas I think I’ve heard in a very long time, and I want to share it with everyone! It’s a totally new way of thinking about planning for your children’s future. And it’s genius! I think you can use it to fund what ever path your children decide to follow.

Are you big “college after high school” people, or “just get a good job” families? I have always said that I just want my girl’s to be happy. The reality in this country is that we need a heavy mix of both. Trade schools are pushing to get students the training they need to get into the workforce as quickly as possible without all of the college debt. But we still need doctors and lawyers. I have always wanted to make sure we had the means to help the girl’s do whatever it is they decide to do, whether it’s traveling in a van teaching surf lessons (totally a possibility), or going to medical school to be a vet. College is an expectation after high school. However, we talk a lot about other options. No matter what kids decide to do after they graduate, the reality is they are going to need help from their parents!

What if that plan revolved around real estate investing?! Just hear me out…

If you have a young child, let’s say 5 and under, consider buying an investment property this year. Interest rates are lower than they will be in a couple of years. If you already own a home, a 2nd home will cost you a 20% down payment and a “good” credit score. You could choose to hold that property as a rental house for another family to raise their children. You could choose a property in a destination location that would make a good Air B and B. The point is that you hold it. Pay a real estate agent/property manager to run it if you must. In 12 years or so when your child is graduating from high school, that property has either made you a yearly profit that you have saved, or you sell it for the appreciated value and use the profit to pay for college, trade school, or just offer as a down payment on their own new life. Though property value increase rates will slow and correct in the next 10 – 12 years, they will very likely not go backwards. We learned our lessons in 2009! Punch some numbers…a $150,000 house at a modest 10% appreciation would yield $15,000. That’s a lot more than I feel like I’ve saved in a 529 account!!

Even if your kids are ready to graduate!

What if your children are older? I still say do the same! In Charlotte alone appreciation rates are going to sky rocket in the next year because of the current sellers market. It is possible to hold the house for 2-5 years and sell for a $20K to $50K profit. Maybe you don’t have enough time to save for their 4 years at college, but you do have the ability to pay for their first year out of pocket. And that amount could easily pay for multiple years at a trade or community school.

You can even capitalize on this concept if your children are graduating this year or next! Why pay for on campus housing when you can invest in real property? If you buy a 3 bedroom house in or around a college town or campus, you can let your college freshmen choose 2 people to room with them who will pay rent! Heck, make your kid should pay rent! When that child is done with school, sell the home and collect the profit. Or don’t and keep it as a collegiate rental for the future. I think in this scenario the options are endless. The biggest point being that instead of paying someone else to make money on real estate, you are!

The big picture is to have a real estate investment property for every child!

Let’s talk about the down sides (even if there aren’t any:)). Managing real estate investments are not always easy. There is an amount of luck and risk to figure into the equation. Consider just the price of rent for whatever property you are thinking. That rental rate needs to cover the mortgage you pay, homeowners insurance, homeowners dues, taxes and some amount for repairs. You can do it either way. Find the going rental rate in that neighborhood, easily accessible with a search through my real estate portal, or figure the rate by adding all of those elements together. If your lender says the mortgage for that property would be $800/month, rent it for $1500 to cover all of the others. There is always the option of hiring a real estate professional to manage the property for you. Property Managers can do as little or as much of the management as you want them too for a small fee that should also be added in to the rent rate.

There are a million ways to work this out! These are the kinds of ideas that I got into real estate for. You do not have to be wealthy to make money! The only way to build wealth is to take a little risk. Upward mobility from lower to middle or middle to higher class can only happen with knowledge. It isn’t always about working harder. It’s about working smarter. I want to help people figure out how to add wealth to their life. This seems like a no brainer to me. I sure wish I had learned this trick when the girls were little! Once our farm house is built, these are the next goals on the list!

Send me a question and let’s get started planning for your kid’s future!!

Life • real estate • Uncategorized • January 9, 2021

The Story of 5 Hairdryers

by southerngirlweb

It’s 2021!!! Normally, my first post of the year would be about planning for the new year…resolutions, word of the year, design down planning, goal setting, and so on. But this year, I’ve been planning for the new year since November! Maybe because it was such a horrible year! I hired a business coach this year and we started planning early. I am so excited for what this year is going to bring me and my family!

My Favorite Goal Planner for 2021 CLICK HERE

But this post is not about planning, it’s about reflecting. One thing that I did differently this year to plan for next year is first reflect on what went right and what went wrong in 2020. Surprisingly, a lot went right. It certainly didn’t turn out the way I expected or wished, but we really did get a lot accomplished as a family and a business. That leads me to the story of the 5 hairdryers.

One item that always ends up on our to-do list or family goals or inner work is to be better at communication. I have discovered through my crazy life that it is really the centrifuge of everything. Running a family, a marriage or a business is all about how you communicate with people. The ONLY way we get what we want out of any relationship is if we first tell them WHAT WE WANT. (Read that again.) We can tell our children to clean their room, but if we have never told them what “clean” means to us, how can they satisfy our request? If we get joy out of random gifts or surprises, our significant other doesn’t know to do those things if we never tell them that brings us joy. It may be most important in business. Ever take a position that comes without direction? Like there is no job description that tells you exactly what you are expected to do. Then you get in trouble for not doing something that you had no idea you were responsible for doing. It happens in small businesses all the time. Without communicating with someone what you need, want, or expect there is little chance that the other person will get it right.

But there is another side!! Communication is not a one way street. It has to go both directions. If you never LISTEN to what the other person needs, wants, or expects, you will never make them happy. Again, apply this to your children, your significant other, and your business. When hubby tells me he needs time with the boys, I have to respect when he takes that time.

What about the holidays? Do you ask people what they want and then get them something totally different? A lack of communication is what lead us to the story of 5 hairdryers.

I am a planner. The people in my life should know this about me. I have conversations with everyone about what you want for holidays, what we are doing when, and how we are doing it. I actually get a lot of joy out of planning. So for the holidays, I plan very carefully what to get each and every person on my Christmas list. My children are no exception, maybe even more so. They have too many things, in my opinion, so Christmas for me needs to be very deliberate. I saw an idea one time about getting them one item for each category…clothes, books, music, toys, activities. For years, communicating with their father about what he was getting and I was getting made me crazy because it became a competition of whose presents were better and he never stuck to what he said. I gave that up last year, and just focused on what they had here. This year, no matter how hard I tried, there was a breakdown in communication somewhere between my husband and I about what we were getting the girls. I had my list (on paper) and he had his list (in his head). I never really understood why there were two. Maybe earlier communication could have solved that. No where on either of those lists were hairdryers. On Christmas Eve as we are wrapping the last of the presents we realize, he has bought 2 hairdryers and I had bought another. There are only 2 bathrooms in our house. No one needs a personal hairdryer in their room. We only NEED 2 hairdryers. But now, because neither of us communicated the gift of a hairdryer with the other, we have 5. The quasi-minimalist in me cringes at the excess, not to mention the over-spending.

https://www.pinterest.com/marypagehaslett/holidays/?invite_code=058b5d7c43db483fa887bea949a2464d&sender=57984051360831260

As the conductor says at the end of Polar Express, “lesson learned”! I try to communicate. I feel like I tell people things. I can’t fix how they listen, so maybe I need to fix how I tell them. This idea goes for all the important areas of my life, my hubby, my girls, and my business. Let me digress for a minute about kids. They are not adults. They are kids. We can expect them to know how to behave, or what satisfies us in terms of “good” behavior and “good” decisions. But if you never tell them that drinking underage is unacceptable or that smoking marijuana is not allowed, how are they supposed to know, especially if they see people around them doing those very things. Don’t ASSUME your children know your rules and boundaries just because they came from you. They are individual human beings with their own thoughts, decisions, ideas, and minds. What seems like common sense to our adult brains may not have made it past the hormones of their adolescent one. You do not control those things, though you have the power to manipulate those with the right communication. But refusing to communicate with people, simply because they should already know it, just leaves more room for trouble. So, for 2021, more direct communication, maybe even written, typed, messaged, emailed, or texted. No assuming the ones around me can read my mind or just know what I’m doing and why.

Communication really is the key to almost any situation. It’s a skill that has to be learned and taught. Being open and transparent can be scary. But choosing not to can put a relationship at risk. I choose this year to value my relationship with those around me over protecting my pitiful pride.

real estate • December 6, 2020

“Save Your Money”

by southerngirlweb

I have never been great at money issues. But I’ve never really had a lot of money to manage. I mean, there was a time when my family and home had money, I just wasn’t allowed control of any of it. What I have done is learn. Whether it’s the years of business school, the genius money-minds I’ve had the privilege to be around, or the reading and observing I do, I have a few simple ideas that can make a huge difference in your wealth and bottom line. As a real estate agent, I guide people on the largest financial decision of their life. I find myself very responsible for their financial health.

Buy Something, Not Everything

First of all, OWN REAL ESTATE. I am not saying that because I’m a Real Estate Agent. The truth is actually the converse. I am an agent because I know that is the basic building block and first step to any type of wealth and security. It is my mission to “help people”. Paying rent is putting money in someone else’s pocket. Paying mortgage is putting money in your own future pocket. Owning real estate works to build wealth in two ways, tax deductions and equity. It’s a reward for having a steady credit life, like marriage is the reward for having a steady relationship life, both of which give you a tax write off because of our archaeic tax codes that champion societal norms. You don’t have to agree with them to take advantage of them. It is also like a bank for future wealth. You can borrow against the value of what you own. You can also sell and make a profit. The money you put into it you can always get out of it.

Secondly, don’t spend what you haven’t got. Credit cards should be reserved for emergencies only. And that does not mean the emergency that I absolutely need this thing from Target. Credit is beneficial to increasing wealth, but it has to be micro-managed. You should always, when possible, use other peoples money to make money. But, if that money is borrowed, it HAS to be repaid, preferably before it comes due. Is what you are purchasing on credit worth the price plus the interest? Because the credit company is going to get some amount of interest. It’s almost like credit is only for advanced financial people. Beginners need not apply!

Also, BUDGET. More importantly, live within your means. My favorite financial advice is, “you only have 2 options, increase what comes in, or decrease what goes out”. I like to start with what goes out. What does it take for me to like my best life? I have to write it down and add it up. Then, I can say, this is how much I need to make, every month, every year, whatever. I can increase my income to match that number, or I can take things out that are not as important as others. If I write everything down, I have a better look at where my money is going to make that decision. Increasing income could mean getting a second job, asking for a raise or promotion, or changing careers completely. Those kind of decisions take time and preperation. Most of the time, it is easier and quicker to decrease the amount that goes out. This can lead to some equally difficult decisions. Learn how to live on salary and use bonuses or commissions (surprise money or saved money) to fund the “wants”. In the end, being real about what you have, what is a need and what is a want.

Lastly, SEEK ADVICE. I am an avid reader. I am a life-long-learner. So I use books to teach me. How do you learn? Do you need to seek advice from a professional? If so, look for one with your interest at the heart of their business, someone who owes you a fiduciary responsibility. This is NOT someone who is hired by a fund or company to seek clients. Do you learn from the people around you? If so, surround yourself with the people that exemplify what you want to achieve. Don’t keep surrounding yourself with people that move you backwards, socially, emotional, or financially. That may mean that you have to step out of your box to find new folks that help you step up your game.

Money is a big topic. I was brought up in a traditional Southern family where we weren’t allowed to talk about money. But I’m okay talking about everything! If we don’t talk about it how do we teach it, learn it, or change it? Make yourself some financial goals for the new year! They are just as important, if not more so than all your other ideas for a resolution. If you have any questions about real estate, feel free to ask!

real estate • Uncategorized • November 21, 2020

Does the Coach need a Coach?

by southerngirlweb

Coaching and Mentoring are a continuum of activities in business.

I made a big-girl business decision this week! And I’m still a little nervous about it. All entrepreneurs, especially sole-proprietors, belabor the business decisions they make because our entire success does depend on it. I can’t blame anyone else but me if I made the wrong one. And I have made some wrong ones.

A year ago, I decided to join forces with a company called Homes for Heroes. It was a cool concept that fit right in with my “why”, to help people. They give cash back to “heroes” when they purchase a home. It’s done through a non-profit so it’s legit. The Real Estate commission does not allow buyers to walk away from a transaction with cash so this company came up with a work around using a donation to a 501c3. I especially liked it because their definition of hero extended to teachers, healthcare workers, and fire, police, EMT and military. But the program as an investment did not work out for me. I did not close one single hero in my first year, and I spent $150 a month to be a “member”. I made the decision to walk away from the program to save the monthly fee. But I did learn something! I truly believe the majority of people do business with friends, people they “Know, Trust, and Love”, before they even consider those types of programs. I decided to put all of my efforts into growing a referral business.

For things to change for you, first you must change.
~ Jim Rohn

The decision I made last week involves paying a little bit of money, actually quite a bit of money. Twice that of the failed, give-back program! But I can do it for half the time if I get into it and don’t see a true benefit. I’m not signing a contract, so that’s great!

I hired myself a coach! I’ve never done anything like that before! I danced my whole life. I had teachers and choreographers, not really coaches. I guess they sort of do the same thing. They want you to improve. They give you pointers on how to do things better. I just picture a coach as a person that yells and pushes, and I don’t respond to stuff like that. I’ve also worked in the management side with coaches who want to hold their agents “accountable” or they can’t be helped. It seems like it is motivated from a different spot than I ever really stand on. I’m not competitive at all. I don’t need to make a million dollars. I want to create a successful business, build a new house on my property, take care of my girls and my animals, but I don’t have to be rolling in dough to do that. Further more, I’m not going to work 80 hours a week. It is not even possible between #farmlife and #momofteenagers.

Furthermore, I am a “mentor” myself! That may be a favorite part of my management job. I really enjoy helping people get deals worked out and see their own success. They should feel cared for and supported in my “girl gang” (even though there is now 1 guy). Is it crazy for me to ask for help while I’m helping?

I have always believed that asking for help is a sign of intelligence, not weakness. I am smart enough to put in words or on paper what I need help with. Also, I am reflective enough to know that I need guidance. I am humble enough to know that I do not hold all of the answers. And I am smart enough to find the right person to help me. I had the option of many people. Even “free” people. I found it very important to find just the right person. I wanted a woman, a mother, and a successful entrepreneur. I needed someone that I could look up to, emulate, learn from. I was looking for someone that had a similar climb to the top as I do. No offense to men, but it is very different being a working mom or a “mom-treprepeur” than it is being a dad.

Don’t “kid” yourself…whether it’s working from home or in an office, it’s really like 3 jobs!

Do I need a coach? Maybe. Do I need guidance? Sure. Do I just need to talk to a person like me or like I want to be? Abso-freaking-lutely. I think we all do! Whether that person is in your family or your company or your church or your neighborhood, without guidance I feel like I’m flapping in the wind like a lost fabric of some greater piece. I search for guidance from many different places. I don’t think people can actually be better unless they spend time working on it.

real estate • Uncategorized • August 12, 2020

Interested in Investments??

by southerngirlweb

Things to Know

There are many ways to grow your wealth. But none have the kind of stability and return that Real Estate offers. And I’m not saying that just because I’m a real estate agent (I prefer to call myself ADVISOR)! I’m saying it because it’s true and I see it every day. Consider some of the most successful or wealthy people you know. I bet they own some type of property. It may be their own, an investment, or even commercial. Here’s what they know that you do not…

Passive Income
Tax Deductions
Market Stability
Simple Investment

Before you invest, there is some work to be done. (1) Find a mortgage lender that you are completely comfortable with. Some one that will answer all of your questions and is good at problem solving. Buying an investment property is VERY DIFFERENT than buying your primary residence. (2) Find a tax person! There are tax penalties to pay when you sell an investment property. AND there are tax benefits to be aware of like writing off the maintenance and improvements. Make sure you understand all that before you jump in.

Make Some Decisions

First off, what type of investment are you looking for? In my opinion, there are really 3 different categories that make the most sense for everyday investors…Buy and Hold, Buy and Sell, or Short-term Rental.

Buy and Hold means that you rent the property out. You act as landlord, or you hire a management company to do that for you. The investor has the opportunity to be completely hands on, making all decisions and doing all the work, or the investor can hire out all of those responsibilities like management, maintenance, etc. This is my personal favorite. I want to have a hand in creating affordable housing in areas of Charlotte where that does not exist. If the investment is done well, it is residual income for years to come.

Buy and Sell means that you find a distressed property, make the appropriate fixes and updates, and sell it on the open market for a profit. Again, there is opportunity to do as little or as much on your own as the investor would like. This type of investment can give a large lump sum at the end. I find the most difficult part of this is finding the right property. It takes a lot of digging, looking, and being constantly on the look out for something that will make money.

Short-term rentals are like vacation properties. Did you know that Charlotte is a destination? There are tons of rentals on AirBnB and VRBO for the Charlotte and surrounding areas. But in North Carolina, you have any other options. Mountain or beach rentals can be easily purchased from wherever you live and are equally as easy to maintain. These have an extra benefit of providing your family with a vacation destination. Many owners use the vacant weeks to entertain their own families or even business associates. Some owners even block out weeks from rentals for their personal vacations.

Location, Location, Location

These are the 3 rules of real estate investing…location, location, location! What ever decision you make about the type of real estate that you want to invest in will determine the location you should seek out. But keep a few things in mind…

Property Taxes – this has to figure into your investment cost
Goal – if you want to offer affordable houseing find an area in need and be creative…if you want to make tons of money in vacation rental find a popular spot with availability.
Investigate – what type of things are on the horizon for that area?

Below are THREE (3) of my favorite possible investments:

BUY AND SELL Look for extremely low price, property listed AS IS, or “investment opportunity”.

BUY AND HOLD Look for excellent location and well priced for the area.

Short-term Rental Find something that you would want to visit and others will too!

rental-hotsheet-0801 Download

Your Most Important Tool…ADVISOR

FIND AN AGENT!!!! I don’t care if you are looking for property in the Alaskan Bush…FIND AN AGENT!!! Yes you can find properties on Zillow, but that is not what real estate peeps do.

I’ve recently rebranded myself as a Real Estate ADVISOR, because, though I do represent you as your “agent” during the 30 days between offer and closing, I normally ADVISE people on a best course of action for up to 2 years before the contract is even written. And, no, you don’t pay for that service at the time it’s rendered. I get paid in cash when we close on a sale, or in returns when you refer me to the people in your circle. My advice is not “free”, but it is free-flowing.

If you want more info, set an appointment with me and let me ADVISE!

Life • real estate • Uncategorized • July 12, 2020

What’s the market like?

by southerngirlweb

The Charlotte, NC version!

I get this question a lot in my personal and professional life. Clients ask so they can judge if this is a good time to buy or sell. But in Charlotte, NC, there isn’t a bad time. We are one of the most sought after relocation places in the country. Businesses are relocating here everyday bringing hundreds of people at a time. I heard a statistic one day that said 4 people per day move to the Charlotte area. I personally have helped clients purchase homes in relocation, sometimes sight unseen. So understanding that this area is normally really successful in the market, I think it makes for a great barometer for the economy at large.

The Real Estate market and the economy are very closely related. Whether you are interested in buying, selling, or investing, the statistics tell a lot about the future and the present. Here are #3 reasons why:

Units Sold Between May 1 and June 30, in Mecklenburg County, 2,649 single family homes were sold. In 2019, there were 3,320 single family homes sold.While it is a significant decrease from a pre-COVID era, it did not stop. Transactions were still happening. Sales can be done contact free.

Median Price This is the median price for counties surrounding Charlotte for single family homes sold from May through June. Union County seemsto be the most expensive at $399,481 on average. Mecklenburg is only slightly behind at $389,403. What I am most impressed at is Lincoln county. Even though only 236 units sold from the previous graph, the average price was $341,113. If I haven’t explained to you the West Side Story…you should call me! Especially if you’re investing!

Lending Here’s the bad news. It’s all about the availability of funds. No matter what market you are looking at as a barometer of the general economy, if there are no funds available to purchase, the market does not grow. Stimulus checks were not big enough to buy a home and lenders are pretty strict after the housing bubble burst. Soooo, 70% of loans made on all those houses bought during May and June were conventional loans. What does that mean? Your credit score has to be 680+, you have to already have 20% of the purchase price in cash, AND you have to have 2 years of steady, full time employment. Those are tough requirements to meet in this COVID version of life!

Why is this information really important? Other than helping you understand what to expect from the market if you want to buy or sell, it is an indicator of what the general economy looks like. My concern is not the motivation of buyers and sellers, but the motivation of banks to lend money. They are not making exceptions to the rules for people who have had an interruption in their job history. In other words, if you were terminated for no other reason than COVID, through no fault of your own, because the entire country shut down, you could have to start over on the 2 year clock of consistency. If you went back to work quickly and are currently at a steady 40 hours a week, they may let it slide. But if you are still out of work or your work hours or pay decreased, you are not eligible to purchase right now. That is making it very difficult to get people into homes. At this point, I don’t think we need more stimulus to add to the 4.???Trillion Dollars of debt. We need to update and revise regulations!!

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