how do you know it's time to move on?

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

Walt Disney, American creator of Mickey Mouse

I was sitting at one of my favorite coffee houses this morning getting geared up for the week, when I was visited by an acquaintance who asked--how do you know it is time to move on and go someplace else? 

 

For me, it was time to move when the call to return to the country was so intense, where I longed to see an unobstructed sunrise and sunset, have room to breathe and a house with space for the imagination.  We had been dipping a toe in the water for years, until one day it hit me like a ton of bricks...it was time to go, and I felt it to my core. Our house was ready because we had been maintaining it all along, and it sold immediately.  It was relatively easy. Buying our next home was a different story, but I discovered when the timing is right, things just slide into place.

 

With selling your house, you have to be ready to go and not "kind of want to go someplace else."  It won't work unless you are fully in and committed to the journey--in your mind can you see your new house? in your heart are you ready to let go of the attachment? and in your body are you ready to move your life?  Of course there is a bit of physical work to be done--have the house in good condition so that someone else would want to buy it.  But by being ready in a holistic way, you make the process so much easier on yourself.  

 

So if you are wishfully looking to move and aren't sure about when, start looking and listening for the signs within yourself that it is time to move on to your next adventure.  Then take a deep breath,  set your intention, take a leap of faith and give me a call! :)   Then start packing because it sets the right energy in your home that you are leaving.

a vision for a little house

The question is not what you look at,

but what you see.

Henry David Thoreau, one of my favorite American Authors

We have this cottage house listed on 250 Old Kennett Road just outside of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania that is surrounded by beautiful country estates...it is all potential.  Over the last several years, it has been neglected like Virginia Lee Burton's The Little House (one of my favorite childhood stories).  It would be easy to see what is on the surface and be afraid to take a chance.  However, this is a house that will love you for every little improvement you make upon it.  It is has been standing for over a 100 years and is not going anywhere.  With a bit of imagination and of course an investment of patience and some money will yield a great home.  I wish I could adopt all the homes such as this...for I see their charm, warmth and beauty just waiting for the right person to uncover it.  Want to take a tour?

lights are on but nobody's home

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

Thomas Alva Edison, American Inventor

Over the last months, I have been immersing myself in the works of great inventors and dreamers of the past 100 years.  Theirs are the tales of trial and error and looking for the opportunity in the present moment despite their circumstances.  Risk taking to reap the rewards, they were able to make great strides for humanity. We look back and say those were the "good old days" but I am convinced that we are in a similar time...when things are ready to change and advance...and yet we are focused on the pain of that growth. 

In my work as a Realtor, it is easy to get in step with the drumbeat of "it's a challenging market" but flipping that coin, I can get excited for my clients because it is a time of fabulous opportunity...interest rates are low, housing prices are low, and it is a great time to move.  "Well, that's fine and dandy if you don't have to sell your house" I am told.  However, look at it this way...we are all on sale and the house you want to buy is lower too.  Add to that the increased purchasing power resulting from low interest rates...the lightbulb should turn on.  So if you think big picture, and you know you would like to send your kids to college or have money invested for your future, purchasing a house makes incredible sense...buy low, rent it if you need, and sell later on when the market recovers.  This is just one idea, but imagine what else you could do by investing in the opportunity of today.  This could be the key to making your dreams come true.

Photo: Source

10 Favorite Things about a Country Home

I roamed the countryside searching for answers to things I did not understand.

-Leonardo da Vinci

A week ago, we packed up our house in the suburbs and moved to the country...something that I had been dreaming of doing for the longest time. We found this beautiful 300 year old home in a small town of Pennsylvania and decided to call it home. It has been part of the landscape for such a long time...we are just keepers of this home, and this is our watch. Our charge is to make it better while we are here.

There are some amazing surprises of living in a country manor such as this...here are my top 10:

1. Waking to the endless sky...whether it be a spectacular sunrise or an overcast day, there's no hiding from Mother Nature. She's got your number. Clear evenings reveal stars that were just waiting to be discovered.
2. Well water...I never realized how much chlorine was in the public water I was drinking. We got lucky because our water is crystal clear and fresh!
3. Windows...not exactly sure of how I will wash these tall beauties, but for now, I am enjoying the light that streams through the wavy panes.
4. The mystery of who lived here before and wondering what they thinking when they made changes to the house...a positive and a challenge!
5. The little breakfast spots that make the best French toast and coffee.
6. Figuring out how to arrange furniture in colonial sized rooms.
7. Making choices about what to keep. I have made a new rule...shop for only the best, but get less...there's not a lot of extra storage space in my house and over time, it occurred to me that it is okay to purge. Smaller collections of only the finest have more power.
8. Exploring the hilly road and spaces.
9. Not shopping at chains...there is something special when you know the people who make the food you eat and the things you need.
10. The quiet.

What are the 10 favorite things about your home?

Photo credit: Suze Moore

Come visit my new listing!

Come over to see a sweet house at 104 Bette Road! A fabulous ranch in the desirable community of Lynnfield. Cozy and well-cared for, this home has three bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a spacious kitchen, hardwood floors throughout and a fireplace. Whether you want to relax outside on the deck or be in the finished basement, this home has lots of space for entertaining.

home buying 101

The universe is merely a fleeting idea in God's mind - a pretty uncomfortable thought, particularly if you've just made a down payment on a house.

-Woody Allen, American screenwriter, film director, actor, comedian, musician, and playwright

Buying your first home can be an exciting adventure...it can also be completely overwhelming.  Becoming familiar with the home buying process beforehand can take away a bit of stress.  Here are some tips:

1. 
   
   Get pre-approved:  Deciding how much home you are going to buy depends on your income, debt, and credit score among other things.  There are many resources online that can help you understand how much you can afford, but most realtors are going to want you to have this pre-approval done before you go home shopping.  It makes sense because it helps us find the right house in your target price.
2. Select a Realtor:  A house is one of the largest purchases you will make.  Why not take some time to chose an expert who has the skills, market knowledge and resources to guide the process?  One place to start is to ask friends/family for referrals.  You want to interview your Realtor because you are literally hiring them for the job of finding your house.  Be prepared to discuss what is important to you...and make sure they listen...this is key!
3. Want List/Wish List:  Drive around your area, talk to people who live there, and go to open houses.  Find out what you really like about location, condition and style of homes.  The more educated you are on what you want, the more successful your Realtor will be in finding it.  Keep the want list/wish list mindset because no house is going to be perfect...what are the deal-breakers and what are things you can accept not having?  
4. House shop:  Start online by looking at homes in your area.  Most of the initial selection can be done while you surf the web in your jammies.  Your Realtor can also send you homes via the Multi-List System (MLS).  Once you have narrowed your search, time to go driving to see the homes phyically.  Typically people need to see about 10-12 homes to know which one they want to purchase.  Seeing many more than this is just overcomplicating the process and will make it more difficult.  When you go into a home, ask yourself:  "Could I see myself living here?"  Three things to consider in order of importance:  Location, Price, Condition...the first thing you can't change, but the other two are negotiable.
5. Investment:  A first home is typically not your last home you will purchase, so consider the investment value.  What activity is the neighborhood experiencing?  How have home values held over the years?  Your Realtor can do a comparative market analysis to help you understand this.
6. Papers, Papers, Papers!  As in any contractual process, there is a lot of paperwork!  Ask your Realtor to review all the terms with you...you are taking a big step, and you need to know what your obligations are.
7. Disclosures:  Most jurisdictions require property disclosures that explain what has been done to the property, the condition of the property as well as what will be included in the sale price.  It is important to carefully review this because once you sign the disclosure statement, you are agreeing to the terms.  Make sure you ask for additional information to clarify any issue before signing. 
8. Home Buying Process:  Once you find the home of your dreams and are ready to make an offer, the process really takes off, and your Realtor should be able to help you manage the negotiation of the price/terms you will accept.  First, the seller will receive/review the offer...and possibly make a counter-offer.  You then have the opportunity to review the counter if there is one, or if the seller accepts your offer, you have a contract to buy that home.  The next steps deal with home inspections (structural, termite, radon, etc depending on your locality) and financing (which bank is going to give you the money for your purchase?).  This part of the process can take a few weeks, and it is important that your Realtor help you navigate smoothly.
9. Home Warranties:  Having a home warranty on a property can be a big plus because they can provide repair or replacement coverage of major home operating systems and sometimes appliances.  This provides peace of mind...especially for your first time owning a home.
10. Walk this way!  Before you finalize your purchase, it is important to do one last walk-through to verify that the property is in the condition that you agreed upon.  You also want to insure that any require repairs have been completed.
11. Settlement:  At settlement or closing, you will be signing to take title of the property.  Before this can happen, many actors have to have done their work.  Here are some of the basics: 
1. 
   
   A title company does a search on the property to make sure it can indeed be transferred to you without liens or incumbrances.
2. The bank has to have your mortgage ready to go.
3. Insurance needs to be provided to cover your new home.
4. Inspections have all been complete and repairs made.
5. You have to have money for any closing costs.
6. There are more items such as having the utilities turned on, moving companies, etc. which your Realtor can assist.

Pride of home ownership is a huge part of the American dream!  While the process can be overwhelming, help is available to make sure the process goes smoothly.  If you have any questions...I'm just a click away!