Local REALTOR Receives International Award!

So I have your attention!!!

Just as in my previous career, I share family stories when selling properties.  Stories seem to be a fun…hopefully informative way to teach.  As a Realtor, I am teaching and negotiating…the two main skills. I often hear from young parents…OH I HATE TO SEE the BEST years go “bye”  with my toddlers.  And I often share that being a parent gets better every year if you have done your Parenting Homework as your children grow up and are  blessed with a loving community of assistance as the years roll by.

So MY AWARD…….6 days in France with these two!

As they tell me every once in a while…They are grown women.  To me that means George and I are tuition free and they are off our pay roll.

Rooms in our little apartment in wine country.

The view out of a bedroom window…..Cutesville for sure!  My grown women know what I like.

Farm market steps from our apartment…

And time in Paris.   This is the best award…sharing time with my Grown Women.

 

Time and Change…another REALTOR Perspective

When I first meet a client I always remind them what I am not…financial adviser, real estate atty, home inspector, architect, lender, professional photographer  and the list could go on.  I know my limitations and I surround myself with ethical, talented, experienced professionals for those roles.  There is no training for the some of the situations I experience when I am working for my clients.

EXAMPLES:  Downsizing, Divorce, Relocation, Family Illness, Helping children make an easy transition to a new school, Helping following spouse with ideas for career change, coming to a new country…..and the list continues with each client …

I have helped this 95 year old downsize  so many times.  My brother and I have learned so much about downsizing and getting rid of stuff.  Experience is such a good teacher.

Of course this Brutus is my mother and I just delivered her Halloween costume.

Our youngest daughter, Emily was just home for her Birthday.  This plate hangs on the wall in our pantry and has been used for many celebrations.  As I was putting it back on the wall, I was thinking, will this end up at Goodwill Store or treasured by a family member.  These experiences help me have a HEART for my clients.  Just recently I have been helping a retired couple returning to OHIO.  They have made several trips back and we have looked at many properties.  They apologize for taking so much of my time…the truth is I enjoy my time with them and they are teaching me what is involved in selecting your truly, forever home!

I LOVE my helping my Clients, Learning, and Being the BEST Realtor I can be!

Pumpkin Time…So MANY Ways

LOVE Decorating for Fall. Saw this glass vase with copper on the bottom…so easy to replicate…thank goodness for spray paint.

PUMPKIN Time…had to ask George to stop at Renick’s Pumpkin Farm on Route 23.  Remember stopping there with my Father almost every time we made the trip from Waverly to Columbus.  The market was open 12 months a year in those days.  I found some interesting pumpkins and George found an apple pie.

Both our finds ended up on the kitchen table before the day was over.

IRON and Elm located in Clintonville  or Easton…  good place to find some ideas for using STUFF in our lower level.

George honestly thinks I have been to too many home inspections…and that I look for possible repairs in our house BUT it is time to schedule gutter cleanings, HVAC check ups, replace filters, making sure all is tightened up for the winter and checking it TWICE.

Market has slowed down but there are ALWAYS families moving to Central OHIO…and they all seem to be surprised by all we have to offer……and soon learn to love the life in the Midwest!

 

 

A GOOD Day for this Realtor!

In the last few days, I got calls from 2 past clients…what a compliment!  This will be the third transaction for each client.  Both are going through a new stage in their life.  Even though these transitions may be difficult/exciting,  I feel honored that they trust me to help them navigate through this change.   Repeat business is like reuniting with old friends.  Catching up with family members, changes in jobs, and interests…..all part of the transition.   LOVE my JOB!

 

 

Suggestions for Finding Treasures and Ideas in Central OHIO!

Three of my favorite HOME and Garden Shows are happening in September.  So many new and old ideas all wrapped up in  Fun Times Exploring.

1.  BIA Parade of HOMES Is being held a little later this year in Eversole Run in Jerome Village.  The show includes 7 top Custom Builders.  Great place to see the latest in design and home furnishings.  You will have the opportunity to interview  builders and see their work.  A word to the wise…always hire a realtor to represent you when building.  I enjoy guiding buyers through all the choices to help make the experience less stressful and hopefully more economical.   The builder and company will be representing the builder. 9/1-9/16  YOU need representation too.

2. Country Living Fair in Columbus…many of the ideas you see in their magazine and more.  Demonstrations and how to classes.  9/14-9/16

 

3.  Springfield Antique Show Extravaganza  This is truly an ADVENTURE!  Wear very comfortable shoes! 9/14-9/16  Where else would I find these treasures?

Enjoy…The HUNT is part of the FUN!!!!!

Realtor collects 42 years of Personal Housing Stories to Help Clients Make Educated Decisions

Milestones in Housing from the beginning of Mr. and Mrs. Yanok

First Apartment    How to break a lease???

• Found an apt. on Northwest
• Blvd. in Grandview
• Talked the owner in to leasing to a unmarried woman before wedding. and the me too movement..my mother was with me.  He decided since I was a HOME ECONOMICS Teacher, I would be like renting to Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker back then…70’s.
• I then decided to look a little closer  to my school and found the same apt. just a little East of Bexley, for less money and closer to work…Yes, I took my mother back to the owner of the Grandview Apt. and after some fast talking, I was able to break the lease.

 LESSON LEARNED…Do your homework before you sign the lease!  

 

 

First New Build     Allowances, Selections, Time Frame, Construction Loans

• Being 26 years old and only renting, we only interviewed one builder that owned the lot we had selected.
• Each selection was a process and always seemed to be just a little over the allowance.  We only went to the builder’s preferred vendors.  To our credit, the internet was not a shopping center at that time.
• Because our builder was building several homes, he used some of our money to complete other new builds.  Then as time went by materials for our house increased in price and we were expected to make up the difference.

              LESSON LEARNED…….Interview and Hire a Diligent REALTOR to watch out for YOU.  

 

Second New Build   Think of the end use.  Talk to others that have just gone through the process                                                                                                        

• George readily told me whatever we learned 17 years ago, is not applicable today.
• The home builder and his sales staff represent the builder.  You need someone to represent you.  A good realtor earns their money otherwise left to the builder.
• We found lights from a wholesale electric supply to select fantastic lights for less money.
• Not being a realtor at that time, somehow we created an OPEN FlOOR Plan based on what we had learned from parenting experiences with two young girls…always able to see and hear most of their activities and conversations with friends.  Yes, our house was full of friends…
• So glad we upgraded to a unusually large granite island in the kitchen which became a workplace for all…science projects, art supplies, calculus study groups, cleaning lacrosse sticks and golf clubs and the list could go on
• We decided to build our retirement home on the first floor…yes our Pine Box Home

LESSON LEARNED…Make sure all family members have some input and/or consideration.  Plan for the future.

As the market changes, I learn and share new ideas, concerns, advantages, disadvantages, points to remember to help guide my clients to make the BEST decisions for their families.

                                                                                                              LOVE being a REMAX Realtor!

 

Protecting Real Estate and Menu for Furry Friends

Chipmunks….so cute but such a destructive animal…holes and tunnels but they are so cute…Listed below are remedies that might help.

Suggested by both neighbors…

Menus:  Peanut butter with one blueberry in the middle or Peanut butter sandwich…only the best blueberries…suggest Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods..prefer crunchy peanut butter

Added addition to the MENU:

 

Deer…another pest.  They are so beautiful to watch in the winter but so bold in the summer.  I wouldn’t be too surprised if they were relaxing in lawn furniture on our deck…

Suggestions…change the deer repellent…Inniswoods was my source…

As one friend that saw me using this method …at least they won’t talk dirty???

My latest Deer Repellent!  Just got my hair cut yesterday…human hair in a burlap bag?

Remedy for snakes….Scream!

I do love mother nature but like to see a balance.

Happy Summer MONTHS!

 

 

Families…the BEST Part of BEING a REALTOR

LOVE my job…Yesterday I helped my very first clients close on their retirement home.  Let me explain…the Mrs. grew up in this house, raised their own children in this house, had collected many generations of belongings all stored in a Pole Barn in Delaware County.  Years have passed and I have enjoyed working for them through several DOWNSIZING moves!  Yesterday after closing, I offered my advice for their future!  It is time for them to go go, before they have to slow go, and then no go.  We all promised to meet at BOB EVANS for lunch or dinner soon.  They have thanked me many times but I hope they know as my first sellers, they taught me so much.  I was blessed with an amazing couple who have become my friends.

Thank you to my clients for your patience while I was in Ca. being a grandmother.  And thank you Evie and Eli for keeping me informed so I can help my clients and their children when touring and selecting homes.

Eli, Fire Chief, turns 3!  Grandpa and Gaga go WEST!  Our daughter threw together a Hot Party in a few minutes.

Fireman Says…

SAVE the Animals in the Fire!

Cool Down…

And Evie was also celebrating…Thank you to Mike, Andi, Eli, and Evie for a great visit!

New listings coming soon.  Duffy, all brick, four bedroom in Highland Lakes, Olentangy Schools, and R&H built home off Bethel, minutes from OSU, Riverside, Battelle.

 

 

I LOVE being a REALTOR…Why?

THERE are so many reasons but the PEOPLE I meet help make my day!

I am working for a Veterinarian  that is driving over 5 hours to meet with me to  search for a home.  We share amazing, fascinating, and fun conversations in our travels as we search for that perfect home for her and her two dogs.  1.  She is listening to Audible books while driving to Columbus.  I get book reviews…”Peak Secrets from the NEW Science of Expertise” was this weeks topic.  How do you become an expert?  2.  I have learned that setting up an agility training course for dogs requires a larger back yard with no large shade trees and well established grass.  3.  Work dogs can begin their training herding ducks.  Sheep come much later.

Last week, I spent one day with a family visiting 4 middle schools in 4 school districts.  What fun for a former educator to see what is happening in schools today!  Love working for families that realize selecting a school is one of the most important factors in finding a home.

I never know who is coming through my door…..but I will be ready.

 

March Madness in Central Ohio Real Estate

 

Crazy season for buyers and sellers !

Reasons you need an experienced REALTOR like ME!

1. Buyers are competing with other buyers that are escalating offers, taking out appraisal clauses, not including home inspections and the list could go on.
2. Sellers are accepting offers with a handshake, preapproval letters from an unknown lender, long inspection periods, and nowhere to move their families.

I can guide you through the process.  If ever a time for a need of an knowledgeable,  honest, patient, caring Realtor with a sense of humor to help relieve the stress, join my winning team.