On The Blog

14 Ways to Save and STRETCH Your Budget

14 Ways to Save and STRETCH Your Budget

Real Estate
These days, it seems like everyone’s looking for ways to cut costs and stretch their income further. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your household expenses without making radical changes to your standard of living. When combined, these small adjustments can add up to significant savings each month. Here are 14 things you can start doing today to lower your bills, secure better deals, and begin working toward your financial goals. 1 | Refinance Your Mortgage For prime borrowers, mortgage rates are at or near historic lows. Depending on your current mortgage rate and the terms you choose, refinancing could save you a sizable amount on your monthly payments. There are fees and closing costs associated with refinancing, so you’ll need to talk to your…
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How I shaved $100/month off my mortgage payment

How I shaved $100/month off my mortgage payment

Financing, Real Estate
Let's just get right to it, shall we?⁠ I know what you're thinking— Mortgage payments are supposed to be fixed. How in the world did you REDUCE your monthly payment?  I'm glad you asked! The fine art of Refinancing Right now, interest rates are lower than they have been in the history of, well— F  O  R  E  V  E  R!  So, it was a prime time for me to convert my 7/1 ARM to a 30-year fixed mortgage.  If my calculations are correct, and they are, refinancing has: reduced my monthly payment by nearly $100/month,  saved me over 15% and interest payments (over the life of the loan) reduce the total number of payments so I'm mortgage-free 4 years sooner! The magic of the refi is based on the idea…
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Creating a Stylish Gallery Wall

Creating a Stylish Gallery Wall

Creative, Decor, Real Estate
It seems like a million years ago when I first heard Auntie Oprah say something like, "your home is your refuge. It should rise up to greet you when you arrive."⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I don't know why, but without any effort from me, the idea stuck— like, in a BIG WAY.  And every since then I've been determined to create a home that surrounds me like my favorite blanket and is filled with all the things that I absolutely love! Let me take you back to about six years ago when I purchased the perfect house for me...which also happened to need a COMPLETE remodel.  I mean it looked like 1985 threw up in every room of the house.  From the carpet in the bathrooms to the themed wallpaper in every single room,…
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#GetOutTheVote

#GetOutTheVote

Analytical, Crisis, News, Real Estate
Listen, you've heard time and time again that voting is not only a privilege but a responsibility.  If the current economic, political, and social climate has left you disgusted and spent, then your immediate response should be to make your voice heard.   VOTE! Then, figure out how to get involved! Start. Here⬇︎ The VOTING page on your county's website has a nifty tool to help you verify your registration status.  It's pretty simple to use and you only need information that is personally unique to you.  Here's what it looks like for residents in Cobb County, Georgia. If you're a registered voter, here's a sample of all of the information that is available to help you prepare for election day: Where to go to vote early (a great option…
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VOTE to strengthen Georgia communities

VOTE to strengthen Georgia communities

News, Real Estate
One of the most valuable rights we have in America is voting for leaders who will represent us and champion the causes that matter the most. In Georgia, we will soon have another opportunity to collectively champion issues that build strong communities and protect property interests with a vote for Congressman David Scott on June 9th. As a Georgia REALTOR®, I believe that we have a role to play in every community faced with the challenges of growth and quality of life issues that are important to all Georgians. I believe that homeownership positively impacts neighborhoods, communities, and the economic stability of our great state. Join me and tens of thousands of Georgia REALTORS® in voting for Congressman David Scott who has a history of championing issues that impact current and future…
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The future of home prices in 2020

The future of home prices in 2020

Analytical, News, Real Estate
With the housing market staggered to some degree by the health crisis the country is currently facing, some potential purchasers are questioning whether home values will be impacted. The price of any item is determined by supply as well as the market’s demand for that item. Each month the National Association of Realtors (NAR) surveys “over 50,000 real estate practitioners about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions” for the REALTORS Confidence Index. Their latest edition sheds some light on the relationship between seller traffic (supply) and buyer traffic (demand) during this pandemic. BUYER DEMAND The map below was created after asking the question: “How would you rate buyer traffic in your area?”The darker the blue, the stronger the demand for homes is in that area. The survey shows that in 34 of the…
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The impact of COVID-19 on American employment

The impact of COVID-19 on American employment

Analytical, Crisis, News, Real Estate
Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its latest jobs report. It revealed that the economic shutdown made necessary by COVID-19 caused the unemployment rate to jump to 14.7%. Many anticipate that next month the percentage could be even higher. These numbers represent the extreme hardship so many families are experiencing right now. That pain should not be understated. However, the long-term toll the pandemic will cause should not be overstated either. There have been numerous headlines claiming the current disruption in the economy is akin to the Great Depression, and many of those articles are calling for total Armageddon. Some experts are stepping up to refute those claims. In a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article this past weekend, Josh Zumbrun, a national economics correspondent for the Journal…
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A Gift for You:  The Quarantine ComeUp!

A Gift for You: The Quarantine ComeUp!

All, Creative, Crisis, Downloadables, Freebies
I'll admit it.  Right here on the interwebs for the whole world to see. I am a whole entire introvert— right down to my bone marrow!  But these days, social distancing has us all trying to find new ways to keep sane, stay entertained, and expand our skillset...including me! To help out, I’ve created a list of offers, activities, and opportunities that have either been flooding my inbox or that I’ve seen around these virtual streets. And lucky for you, I've put them all into a handy download that I plan on updating weekly.   What's inside? I'll keep it real— most of the options are free, but there are some low cost opportunities too.  There's a little bit of everything, which means there's a little something for everybody in…
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How To:  Develop & Assemble Badass Goals!

How To: Develop & Assemble Badass Goals!

All, Creative, Downloadables, Self Development
If you’ve ever set goals, but then abandoned them before your favorite show made it to the next commercial break — I’ll give you the good news first. IT'S NOT YOU! ⁠  The bad news is that your goals are probably just…well, #busted!   Sorry friend, there was no easy way to say it.⁠ ⁠In my experience, no matter the excuse we tell ourselves about why we missed the mark, all signs usually point back to a not-so-obvious singularity— failure to set SMART goals.⁠ ⁠I’m not being cheeky, SMART goals are an actual thing and I've designed a workbook that teaches you how to create some seriously badass goals for 2020 and beyond! SEE WHAT'S INSIDE!
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Understanding your closing options during the COVID-19 crisis

Understanding your closing options during the COVID-19 crisis

Analytical, Closing, Crisis, Real Estate
It's true, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused our nation to face uncertainties that continue to challenge our families, schools, businesses, and the economy in ways we could not have imagined. Now add to that pot, the already stressful exercise of closing on a new home and you just might be tempted to run and hide— or, at least have several drinks! ?. Before you start throwing 'em back, let me lead with this... We're going to be okay. Better yet, YOU'RE going to be okay! Already, our global citizenship has come together with extraordinary compassion to share creative ways to keep the kiddos entertained and care for our seniors. I want to do my part by giving you one less thing to stress about as it relates to your upcoming…
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