Lifestyle Centric

House hunting is extremely personal.  We all have our general fuzzy feelings of what the word “home” means.  Some people want woods and shade; others want elegance or a warm and cozy feel.  There are the folks that follow trends and only want the most up to date styles, while others look for a home with good bones that can be made into their own.  Everyone has a price point, what they can afford and are willing to spend, and most folks have a need for the home to be a wise investment.

            I read recently that the modern homebuyer is “lifestyle centric.”  They are looking for a home in a community that allows the lifestyle they want.  This can include neighborhoods with pools and walking trails, or close distance to restaurants and entertainment. 

Walking trail in local neighborhood

            When my husband and I look for a house, I always have in mind my love of gardening.  I want tons of shade trees and privacy, but I need a large sunny area to grow my tomatoes and cucumbers.  Choosing the right home determines whether I can grow some of my own food, and yet we spend so much time looking at bedrooms and kitchens.  We have lived far from the city, causing my husband to have a long commute.  We have lived in a tiny town near work, but with little in the way of parks or restaurants.  Each home affects lifestyle and opportunity, and that can be a scary thing in house hunting.  Right now we have a home closer to work but also closer to noise.  We have plenty of shade trees, but not great gardening spots. 

Tiny garden - tiny yields - big taste

            I read today about two different trends for homebuyers, between city and suburban lifestyles.  Each trend has its defenders and its positive aspects, as well as its specific problems.

            Suburbs are communities away from a city or town center.  They are collections of homes and neighborhoods, often further away from jobs and shopping.  City dwellers are closer to those necessities, but with a higher price point for less space.  The debate is which is better for community and health for those living in them. 

            One researcher said, ”When you do surveys, people in the suburbs generally know their neighbors more, they vote more, they’re more involved in their communities because they’re generally homeowners.  In my neighborhood we know our neighbors and it’s very diverse – and a lot of people don’t want to give that up.”   (Joel Kotkin).

            So, which is better?  Emily Badger wrote in a Washington Post blog that suburbs are killing us.  “…data has shown that car accidents are more frequent and deadly in the suburban cul-de-sac pattern than in an urban street grid...a study found that more compact and connected cities are strongly correlated with reduced rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.”

            Perhaps the answer can be found in the mixed-use communities, in which a small village is recreated.  The neighborhood or community includes single family homes, attached homes, restaurants, parks and shops.  The idea is that the neighborhood includes all aspects of the typical small town, and the people living there never have to leave.  Families can walk or bike to activities and live a calmer, healthier lifestyle. 

            Of course, any choice is only good if the homeowner takes advantage of the amenities.  Many people that live in these mixed-use communities still drive to shopping outside of the community because prices are lower with more options.  Biking and walking take time and energy.  People who live in these mixed-use communities also give up some freedoms, as the homeowners associations are usually more restrictive.  People in suburbs have more quiet, but often are found inside watching tv.  People in cities have many walking options, but often not the time.

            Since house hunting is so personal, we should each have a list of what is important to us, a list of things we know we will care about and not a list of trends or what is hot at the moment.  Only the person buying the house can really know what “fuzzy image” constitutes a home for them. 

In other words, buy the house you want, not the one your parents, friends, internet buddies, or even your realtor wants. 

            

Reuse, Create and Enjoy!

Recycling can take on many forms.  To reuse an item is not a new idea, as a matter of fact until recent times nearly every item was used and reused as needed.  Kitchen scraps fed the animals, bottles and jars were washed and used again, sacks became napkins, window treatments and even clothing.  At one time this was done because we had no choice, throwing away perfectly useful items was unheard of.  As time passed we had more money, cheaper items and a consumer based economy.  We daily toss items our ancestors would have used. 

            Of course as the pendulum swings, it is now trendy and modern to recycle.  It is also very easy as many neighborhoods offer services to pick up recyclable materials.  Composting, cooking regular meals from scratch, the buy local movement all help to cut back on what is dumped into our landfills.  A simple lifestyle is cheaper and easier on the planet as well.

            Today I recycled Christmas cards.  I saw the idea on a blog I follow about simple living.  Every year I save my Christmas cards because they are just too beautiful to throw away.  When my children were little we used the cards to cut out pictures for collages, to make post cards and once we tried to use contact paper and create placemats.  This year I made gift tags.  I cut out shapes, a main picture or a colorful section from each of my cards.  I left a spot to punch a hole for a ribbon, and tossed them in a box with my cheap sticker tags.  Next year at Christmas I will have designer style tags, and I won’t be hoarding stacks of Christmas cards anymore.

Reuse, Create and Enjoy!

Sold!!

Check out this new listing in North Charleston.  This older home has been well taken care of.  It is covered with Old Charleston Brick, and sits on a large corner lot.  Sitting on the back porch is a pleasure as the breezes feel cool and fresh.  The back yard is shaded and peaceful.  The owners have installed a walk in shower in the guest bath, making it easier to use for people with physical limitations.

This listing is just off of Dorchester rd, and close to Ashley Phosphate, and close to all the restaurants found there.  This home brought years of happiness to the family that lived in it, and is now ready to do the same for you!

Can you imagine relaxing in this converted den or enjoying family time in the living  room?

This home comes with a ramp, making the entrance of the home easier to use.

How to show homes

I have been showing homes for about a year now.  I have seen beautiful homes, messy homes, and everything in between.  I am always conscious of the fact that I am entering another person’s living space.  This is not a model home or an empty building; this is that person’s home.  They live here.  They are trusting me, as the realtor, and my clients, as potential buyers, to enter and walk through their home while they are not there.  They have placed a level of faith in us, and in the system, to protect and respect their place.

I always leave the home as I have found it.  I double-check that doors are locked, lights are on or off as wished, and pets are where they should be.  We do not touch their personal belongings; we do not look through dresser drawers or medicine cabinets.  Children do not play with the toys they find.   At the same time we have to spend some time looking at the size of the closets and the cleanliness of the stove.  We need to see what the refrigerator is like on the inside, if it is included in the offer.  We need to walk around outside, and to check out the garage.  We are not pet sitters, and although we do our best to keep the animals either inside or outside, we can’t guarantee the animal’s behavior.  So far no animals have escaped on my watch, and I hope to keep it that way. 

Just remember, when you are selling a house that many people will be walking through the home and looking at everything.  When you are buying a home, and walking through, treat that home as if it were your own.    Happy House Hunting!

Caw Caw Nature Center

       

    The Charleston low country has so many wonderful places to visit, it can be easy to overlook the local parks.  Caw Caw Nature Center is located along Highway 17 in Ravenel, SC, and it was created on top of several old rice plantations.  Last year my daughter and I enjoyed a guided bird walk at Caw Caw, and still today the experience is one of our favorite memories.

            Laura and I arrived a few minutes after the walk had started.  We paid our fee in the main office.  The ranger told us, “You can’t go on a bird walk without binoculars,” and he opened a drawer and handed one to each of us.  We joined the group nearby gathered on the trail.  The guide was a young man, but except for my daughter and I, all the participants were of retirement age.  A few had bird books, mostly downloaded on tablets and phones.  Everyone wore binoculars, carried water bottles and bug spray.  One older man joined us on a Segway.  The trails were wide and even, and he had no problems. 

We saw ospreys, herons, ibis, and many red winged blackbirds, but the greatest excitement came from seeing the momma gator and her babies.  On the entire walk I think we counted 9 gators, mostly young.  It was amazing how we could be standing beside a marshy canal, relaxed and listening to birdsong, and the guide would point and say, “Gator number 5.”  We had to learn how to see them, then suddenly gators were everywhere.

            I loved the beauty of the park, the excitement of the alligators, and the help in identifying birds, but I struggled with being in a group and moving so slowly.  I grew impatient every time we heard a new song or rustle of leaves.  Each birdwatcher whipped out his or her phone, pulled up the bird books and began discussing coloration of the crest, size of the beak, and style of the song.   I wanted to say, “the bird is beautiful whether identified, placed on a life list, quantified, or not.  Just enjoy!”  And really, we did enjoy.  My family has been back many times to walk, in various seasons.  And now, I can point out the alligators.

            Caw Caw is open Wednesday through Sunday 9-5.  Admission is $1 per person, and if you want to attend the bird walks on Saturday or Wednesday starting at 8:30 the cost is $5.  Caw Caw is a beautiful and historical place, and worth taking the time to visit.

            

http://www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?nid=53

How to stage your home to sell, by Shelley Hopkins

Images from Google images

As a Real Estate agent and a homeowner, I have had some interesting experiences previewing and showing homes.  A home is a reflection of those that live there.  The homes can reflect the lifestyle of busy families, or the enthusiasm of sports fans.  Some homes are so beautifully decorated I feel like I am in a photo shoot for a home magazine.  I always return to my house with redecorating plans.  Recently I enjoyed showing the home of an artist.  I loved his painting of a shark shooting through the water, bubbles flying away from the fish.  Twice I have been in homes that had paintings of nudes.  I was not offended, but I will say the memory of the home, the size of the kitchen or the color of the walls, faded in my mind.  This was especially true in the home where the owner stayed to talk with us, and I realized she was the model. 

            Owners should never stay during showings.  The potential buyer doesn’t relax, and really look at the home.  If the owner has to stay, he should go outside, or walk around the block.

            Staging is important.  I don’t believe perfection is necessary but there are several things to consider.  When a potential buyer enters a house for the first time, the buyer looks at the house with many thoughts in his mind.  “Will we be happy here?  Will all of our stuff fit?  Can we afford this?  Can we resale this home someday?” 

            At the same time they are forming first impressions based on all their senses.  How does it look – clean, cluttered, outdated?  How does the home smell?  What can they hear?  First impressions are important, and sometimes hard to overcome.

            When we pull into the driveway they buyer sees either overgrown bushes, weeds, and a dingy front door, or bright freshly planted flowers and a shiny door.  Once inside, if the curtains are closed and the lights off, the house feels dreary.  Sunlight streaming in from the windows makes a home feel cheerful and welcoming.  We all try to see past the decorations and furniture, but this is hard to do.  Cluttered homes full of knick-knacks and large furniture feel smaller.

Images from google images         

   Recently I showed a nice home.  The owners were gone.  They left a dog in the house, and a bone on the table with a note to give the bone to “Fido.”  I did, nervously, and Fido jumped on the couch to enjoy his treat and to keep an eye on us.  The TV was on, commercials sang to us as we looked around the house.  The client and I walked down the hall, and checked out the bedrooms.  As we returned towards the family room, I reached out to open a closet door.  Just then, a male voice boomed, “Don’t go in there!”  I jumped back and looked around fearfully.  No one was around.  Hurrying to leave we walked past the television.  The reality TV show Ghost Hunters was playing, the message to not go in there had not been for me.

            I would suggest not leaving the television on during showings.  It makes the house feel occupied.  Andy Griffith talking to me is OK, but Ghost Hunters yelling at me is not so nice.  It does make for a good story.  And the client didn’t buy that house.

What is a Realtor?

Did you know that as a Realtor representing a client I owe certain duties to the client? 

These duties are part of what we provide in an agency relationship with the client.  This relationship is usually created when the agent has the client sign either a listing agreement or a buyer’s agreement.  These documents are not created to bind the client to the agent, although there is some of that.  We agree to work together, and the client agrees that I am their agent, at least in the specific houses I have shown them or for the specific time we agreed on.

In this relationship with the client, I, as the Realtor, owe certain duties: loyalty, obedience, disclosure, confidentiality, reasonable care and diligence, and accounting.  So, what does this actually mean?

Loyalty states that as your realtor, I will act in your best interests at all times.  In other words, all my actions in our real estate endeavors will be for and in your best interests; not mine, not my friends, not my family.

Obedience:  As an agent I represent you and will follow all lawful instructions in the marketing or buying of real estate.  You are the boss.  Final decisions and directions are determined by you, the client.  An agent should not push you to a more expensive house, or refuse to make an offer because it is too low, for example.  I am the trained professional in Real Estate, and I have trained in order to be your advisor, guide, teacher, and negotiator, but not to make your decisions for you.

Disclosure:  An agent is always honest and I will always be honest with all people, whether they are clients or not.  But, to my clients I must disclose all known and relevant facts that will help you make good decisions.  I owe my loyalty to my client with whom I share my information.  At the same time I cannot keep secret known material facts, this is part of being honest.  And, at the same time I owe the next duty, confidentiality, to my client for all time.

Confidentiality:  I will, and must, keep my clients lawful confidences and secrets.  As an agent I know how low a client is willing to go, or perhaps I know the urgency the client has for selling a house.  This is a confidence I never share.

Accounting:  As an agent I must account for and be responsible for all money and property that has been entrusted to me.

The last duty is reasonable care and diligence.  This means I need to know what I am doing and do it to the best of my ability.  I have taken 90 hours of real estate classes just in the first year.  These classes are in real estate law, ethics, finance, measuring and appraising, and much more.  We have to keep taking classes every two years. 

By the way, there is a difference between real estate agents and a Realtor.  All Realtors are real estate agents, but not all agents are Realtors.  A Realtor is held to a higher standard of ethics and training.

With all the trust and information you give a Realtor, it is good to know we will take care and honor your trust.

So, lets find you a house, or lets get your home sold!  Call me and let me know how I can help.