The Compass and Homeownership
Friday, January 07, 2022Location. Location. Location. When people think real estate, many people consider property location one of the most important home purchasing factors. However, do you consider how the home sits on the property?Meaning, do you consider how the home sits on the property in terms of cardinal directions? (North, South, East, West)The sun rises in the... More
Reasons to STAY IN vs. GO OUT for NYE
Friday, December 31, 2021As New Years Eve (NYE), is approaching, many people are deciding whether they are going tostay at home or go out “Going Out” doesn’t always mean going to a club or bar. “Going Out” can mean going to a loved one’s homebonfireanother citychurchrestaurantIf I chose to go out for NYE, I prefer to either go... More
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Home Showings: Seller Perspective
Friday, December 24, 2021During the current market in Smith County, we still have a very low inventory of homes. During the holidays, buyers want to see houses because of the following reasons:They want to move closer to family, and they want to see what is available while they are in town.They want to move out of their current... More
Holiday Attire with East Texas Weather
Friday, December 17, 2021Y’all, it is hot. Not only is it hot, but it is humid… and it is December 17th, 2021. All over the country, people are experiencing cooler climate and snow. Now, I am not necessarily asking for a “winter wonderland” experience… because snow in East Texas has resulted into serious issues (Snowmadegon 2021). But, I... More
“White Elephant” Gifts That People Actually Use
Friday, December 10, 2021I will never forget attending my first “White Elephant” exchange party. My friends had explained to me that you were supposed to get a “funny gift” and the limit of the gift was $10.00 value. I had received a new spatula as a Christmas present, it still had the tag on it, and I had... More
Staging Item of The Week: The Blanket
Friday, December 03, 2021Yes, the blanket. Not only is the blanket the perfect item to have on the couch home, but the blanket also has become an essential staging piece for real estate photos. Prior to the quarantine times, blankets were nice to have on hand, and one was in the photo, it had to be in a... More
Happy Thanksgiving from Kelly Raulston
Friday, November 26, 2021I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with loved ones! This year, my husband and I had just moved into our new home the Sunday before Thanksgiving. We decided that we wanted to spend time at our new home as opposed to traveling this year. Instead of trying to find a turkey, we chose to... More
Attic Cleanout Tips
Friday, November 19, 2021As you are getting ready for fall and winter decorations, ask yourself this question…When is the last time I cleaned out the attic?It is recommended that the attic is cleaned out every 6 months, but a minimum of once per year.1. Completely Empty the Entire AtticWhen you remove items from the attic, clean, dust, and... More
Do People Really Watch Their Televisions?
Friday, November 12, 2021When I show houses, and I walk into the living room, my clients will either discussWhere to put the furnitureWhere to put the televisionWhere to put the Christmas treeBut, as I reflect on my own life, my husband and I will sometimes watch the television. We will watch a movie together, or sometimes watch a... More
Snowmagedon Items That I Will Ensure I Have for 2021-2022
Friday, November 05, 2021As the weather outside gets colder, I can’t help but to think back to when we had the snowstorm during Valentine’s week in 2021. I call it “Snowmagedon”. Several homeowners had plumbing nightmares.Several homeowners lost power, and heat.The aftermath took weeks, or months, to recover from. Some say that weather a once in a lifetime... More
