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Articles by Corinne Guest
Fifteen Years in Real Estate Was Enough for Me
I've met plenty of real estate agents who've been in the business for 20, 30, even 40 years. Some are still going strong, still enthusiastic, and apparently have no intention of retiring. Good for them. I lasted 15 years. Now, to some agents, that probably doesn't sound particularly impressive. But I can assure you, 15 years in real estate is plenty of time to experience the highs, the lows, the difficult transactions, the wonderful clients, and everything else this business throws at you.
October Heat and a Stubborn Woman
Yesterday was ridiculously hot for October. in Barrington. Three weeks ago, I officially put the air conditioning to bed for the season. Summer was over, fall had arrived, and I was quite pleased with myself for getting everything packed away. Apparently, the weather didn't get the memo. The dogs spent yesterday stretched out in front of the fan I'd thoughtfully provided, while I suffered in silence. Could I have unpacked the air conditioner? Of course. Was I going to? Absolutely not.
Sometimes the Best Real Estate Advice Is: Don’t Move
Real estate agents are generally in the business of helping people move. Buy a house. Sell a house. Find something bigger. Downsize. Relocate. Start again. But sometimes I think the best real estate advice is much simpler: Don’t move. At least, not yet. After years of selling houses, I learned that people don't always want a different house. Sometimes they simply want their current house to stop annoying them. The kitchen is too dark. There isn't enough storage.
Printing a blog post? Print View?
Many years ago we used to have a button to click to go to print view so that a blog post could be printed cleanly. I cant seem to find that link anywhere, did it go away? Like 5 Richie & You Cedar City, UT Roy Kelley Gaithersburg, MD Bob Crane Stevens Point, WI Thomas J. Nelson, REAL... San Diego, CA Bob "RealMan" Timm Minot, ND Bookmark
Three Golden Retrievers, Two Acres and a Lot of Memories
Two acres sounds like an enormous amount of space until you fill it with Golden Retrievers. Then it becomes a racetrack, a squirrel surveillance zone, a ball-storage facility and, occasionally, somewhere I happen to live. For years, there were three of them: Finlay, Fletcher and Makenzie. Today there are two. But if you’ve ever loved a dog, you’ll understand why I still find it almost impossible to tell their story without beginning with all three. Finlay was my heart dog.
Did You Know Today is One Hit Wonders Day?
I remember when a "one hit wonder" guy was the warm-up act for the headliner band. That guy who sang "I wear my sunglasses at night". The problem (if you can call it that) is that everyone in the crowd was waiting for that song. His other music was enjoyable; but that's the song they were shouting for. When he finally played it, he milked it for more than it was worth!
When is YOUR end of summer.
Is it September 22nd the Autumnal Equinox, was it the last day of August, or was is Labor Day? I am an end August person, probably because I am ready to usher in the fall like no-one else on earth. Like 3 Debe Maxwell, CRS Charlotte, NC Thomas J. Nelson, REAL... San Diego, CA Richie & You Cedar City, UT Bookmark
Living Life on your Own Terms
At some point in life, you have to stop asking, **“What does everyone else expect from me?”** and start asking, **“What do I actually want my life to look like?”** We spend so much of our lives following expectations—building the right career, earning the right amount of money, owning the right things, and living according to a timeline someone else created. But success doesn't have to look the same for everyone. For some, it's a successful career.
What part of being a real estate agent takes more time than consumers probably realize?
Everything, lol. On a more serious note- expectations of what the job is and isn't continues to shift. I mentioned to one of my sales managers on my planned changes that I felt like my practice is become half media company and half real estate agent. He agreed. I have many of the behind the scenes components completed with just a few key pieces remaining. Next up- the audio and video.
What Works In YOUR Real Estate Market, How Do YOU Weave Video Into Your Real Estate Marketing?
This Week's YouTube Thursday Video Question. If Jammed Wall To Wall With Agents On Every Urban Metro Market Corner, Attention Getting Seems To Be The Goal. Pick Me, Stand Out, Make It Cute, Clever, Memorable. But Do You Make The Emphasis On The Agent Or Do You Turn The Camera Around To Capture The Property? Less Agent, More Property, Extra Helpings Of What's It Like Where The Unique Real Estate Listing Is Located? Who Is Your Target Audience?
Flip-Flops to Fleece: How to Winterize Your Home Before You Freeze
Summer is done, just look at your trees leaves, they are getting less sunlight, fading chlorophyll, schools are back, Labor Day is done, football season is upon us and look in your grocery store and see the Halloween candy is already tempting you. I know, I know, many of you in the south don't experience what we do above the Mason-Dixon line, but you might get an ice snap or those surges of darn tourists and snow birds that hate the heat but like the warmth will be upon you.
Time To Buy A New Pickup With A Snowplow. I Did Not Need A Salesman, Just Access To Different Models. Local Ford Dealership Leaves Them Unlocked, Help Yourself, Study The Products, Mileage, Prices.
Buying vehicles has changed. My dad, one of the least techy people I know recently bought a truck online after deciding between one near him in western SD, one in California, or one in Wisconsin. Surprised me nearly a year ago one day with a call saying he was rolling into Stevens Point in a few minutes and needed directions to my office. I was surprised to hear he bought the truck online, flew in that morning, and did not think to actually call ahead.
Catch Them Small: The 15-Minute Home Checklist That Saves Thousands
Lake Barrington Home Sales Preparation Here in Lake Barrington it's a sellers market also described as hot. But that does not mean you can be lazy when it comes to preparation to sell. Remember that buyers have stealth eyes, especially the DIY guys and they'll find it even if you think it's not worth bothering about. Ask any retired real estate agent about the biggest deal-killers during a home inspection, and they will all give you the same answer: neglected maintenance.
Has real estate gotten easier or harder since you first entered the business?
After 27+ years in this business, I’d say the fundamentals of real estate have not gotten harder. In many ways, the business itself is easier because the tools, information, and technology are better than they have ever been. What has become more difficult is managing consumers' expectations and other agents who are complicated to work with because they're either too green, poor communicators or too burned out.
When a listing isn’t getting activity, what’s the first thing you look at?
Appointment required, limited showing times, guard dogs, gate codes, day sleeper (yes I have seen a couple of those over the years), must be accompanied by LA, no lockbox. Buyers (and their agents) need to get into the house. Let them in!
As a Retired Realtor, would you give opinion on pricing.
Friend, of 10 years now, also prior client, - thats how we became friends - asks whether to reduce price. She thinks it's low, son says take off market...
Never Let Your Insurance Company Decide Who Is To Lay Your New Carpet
Water, Water, Everywhere. (Well It Seemed Like It.) In 2023 my Husband already had ALS and his daily abilities declined very fast. In October of that year we suffered a water softener hose blowout in our finished basement which caused damage to 80% of the carpet, the walls in the bedroom, bathroom and great room, as well as frying the water heaters electrical control panel. There was water everywhere. I was alerted to an issue because my shower water was freezing cold.
Comments On Your YouTube Real Estate Video Channel. It's Thursday. How Does Disabling Comments Hurt Your Channel?
Someone may have a simple question that moves them forward. I love making comments on the channels I watch, no longer real estate but a couple of hobbies I love, it's even better when the author or others reply. It's a conversation. 2 Kathleen Daniels, Prob... San Jose, CA Andrew Mooers | 207.53... Houlton, ME
An In Depth Look at a Residential Home Inspection - Your Checklist
What is a Home Inspection? A home inspection is a visual examination and if possible testing of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. It includes everything that can be looked at without moving structure, fittings like built in cabinets and carpet, or furniture and personal belongings. Testing of systems is only limited by access and time of year. We'll take more about that in the what's included section.
Drone Photography The Right and Legal Way!
I own a drone. It's the DJI Phantom 3 Pro. It has a stabilized Go-Pro 12 megapixel HD camera mounted on the underneath and I use a mini Ipad to see where I fly. Truth be told I have not yet flown it yet, my son has. The control is like a game controller so for him, being a gamer it was as easy as pie. We had some fun with it last year with one thing in mind. Add it to my real estate tools to provide great aerial photos of homes and land.
Start Your Home Sale with a FREE Market Analysis in Barrington IL
If you are considering selling a home in Barrington IL, why not start with a FREE market analysis carried out by a local top Realtor. An automated market analysis does not exist. Market analysis are more than looking at home sales in the area and coming up with an average; which is all that software can really do. Auto home estimates cannot see that sales a mile away are in a different school district or may be a completely different size. Auto software uses the data it has and that's very limited.
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