Category: Real Estate

Real Estate

A Pickle of a Week

Lora Knows...

I never like sounding like a negative Nellie, BUT, (that word says here it comes) wow last week was a pickle.

I didn’t expect it to go quite like it did, but I never plan for days to be filled with one situation after another. I was strategizing movements, moving from this to that, thinking ahead of what had to be done to avoid a block, countless moves, and staying focused. I could be a chess champion, not like a grandmaster and OK perhaps not even chess, but for sure a checker champ of my block. I did hours upon hours of repetitive paperwork, had to reschedule most all of my appointments, spent time tracking things down through endless channels of remote workers, juggled to get everyone on the same page, tried to keep everyone (including myself) upbeat, and finally reached the point of success!

OK, so perhaps I’m not so negative, just tired.

So, what happened? Let me tell you!

My client, a wonderful young successful woman, was to close on her new family home in North Carolina on Thursday morning. We had worked hard to get things done with the attorney, the lender, utility companies, the seller and their agent. Then, as if the universe saw her reaching the finish line, it threw her into a tailspin. On Wednesday morning she let me know her husband left, he walked out on her and the children. Her voice didn’t tremble, her words were few, she didn’t even sigh. She simply said she wanted to go ahead and close on the house and what did we need to do to make this happen.

I gave a short laundry list of things to do just to start, and promised to keep her updated as we moved along. Then I jumped in feet first and started working on making her dream a reality. I spent the entirety of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday making phone calls and writing dozens of emails. We terminated the original deal, and I worked with the lawyers, the listing agent, her, the insurance company, and anyone else who happened to venture into my office. Then created an entire new deal for everyone to sign, bringing others up to speed, and getting signatures from far reaching places. Toss in Tropical Storm Zeta, on Thursday, and the loss of electricity and the internet.

Through all the things that happened during those three days that kept telling us to give up, we didn’t! Then on Friday, a great moment happened, I knew it had all come together. However, nothing will ever compare to when she was handed the key to her new home, and her heartfelt “thank you”, meant everything to me. I can’t imagine what she is feeling inside, overwhelmed I’m sure, but her face didn’t show it one time. I let her know once again I am here if she needs anything, and she said, “I’m OK.”

Now it is Sunday and the storm is long gone, and the sun is high in the Carolina blue sky. She and her children are spending the day unpacking. They are in their new home and figuring out what life in Hickory will hold for them through all these changes.

I’m happy to say that what was a pickle of a week, ended with me being grateful to everyone who stepped up to help get things back on track so she got closed. This pickle is one less thing she has on her plate.

Real Estate

Top 5 Needs Buyers Have

Lora Knows...

In today’s real estate market homes come up for sale, and receive multiple offers within a day. This is because of historically low interest rates, and demand is high and inventory is low. I think quarantine made people realize they just don’t like their home space anymore, and want something new. Me included!

COVID changed how people work, and many moved from their brick and mortar offices to their home dining rooms. Not only did the pandemic affect the home owners, but also school age kids. Bedrooms became virtual classrooms, and anywhere others weren’t became a sanctuary of quiet.

Other home needs have also changed. Instead of eating out, folks are cooking at home. Along with that came working out at home, swimming at home, entertaining at home and more. So, what are the top five things buyers are looking for?

  1. Outdoor spaces – including pools, gardens, kitchens, firepits, and game areas (think horseshoes, bocce ball, dance offs).
  2. Home offices – a place to work behind doors. No one wants to hear your Zoom meeting or conference calls, and you don’t want to your boss to hear someone in your house shouting out for toilet paper.
  3. Home gyms – a place to workout without having to worry about social distancing or wearing a mask.
  4. Bonus Rooms or Basements – finished spaces that add square foot for reading, crafting, watching a movie and more.
  5. Storage – being home a lot makes it necessary to have storage for craft items, games, books and more.

Daily Happenings, Real Estate

Dear Email, I Need an Hour

Lora Knows...

artI remember using dial-up to get to the welcome screen of AOL. The excitement of dialing in would make me smile, and then to hear that familiar voice say, “You’ve Got Mail”, was great. Fast forward a couple decades and the newness is long gone, and email is just a part of our lives.

In the past, I would wake up and within five minutes I would grab my phone and see if there were any missed calls, texts, and then emails. As soon as I opened the inbox I was immediately focused on its contents. I would grab my laptop, bigger screen, and sit on the sofa and dig into the contents of my inbox. Before I knew it at least 30 minutes, more likely 60, would be gone, and I would feel a bit stressed.

Then in early October my boss, Kim, was telling me about a speaker she heard who talked about not doing email for the first hour after waking up. She went on to explain that one hour can make a huge difference in our productivity level for the rest of the day. I like to try new things to be more productive, and thought I’d give it a go.

At first it was hard, and I cheated a day or two that first week. I decided I needed to put my phone temptation out of reach, and placed it on the end table in the living room. Moving it from my nightstand made a big difference, and helped me start a new morning routine.

I’m an early riser, and instead of sitting down to work on emails, I’m getting things done. It isn’t always something big, but just to have time to empty the dishwasher, start a load of laundry, write a note, and to get cleaned up for the day without worrying about that inbox, is amazing.

I was sure there was more information about waiting an hour, and while Googling the subject I found some good articles, blogs, and even entire books on the subject. One author, Julie Morgenstern, wrote in her book, “Never Check Email In The Morning”, that, “there is very little that cannot wait a minimum of 59 minutes”. I agree, and the email can wait.