April 2022 Midwest by Featured Agent

April 2022

Should you

rent or buy?

How to decide

Kinga Korpacz

Top 10 Questions to ask your agent

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Fresh start —

Spring home staging tips

Even if the weather suggests otherwise, spring is right around the corner (and has already arrived in many places). With this change of season comes a change in the way you stage and present your listings. Spring is all about showing off a space that looks fresh, clean and inviting. Check out these pro-approved home staging tips for spring. They don’t call it ‘spring cleaning’ for nothing Spring home staging starts with a deep cleaning. Winter is tough on a home’s interior. There’s been water and dirt tracked in on boots. Dust building up from heated dry air. And clutter accumulating from holidays and other activities. Before you start adding the aesthetic touches, get back to basics and be sure the home is cleaned and freshened from floor to ceiling. Encourage your sellers to overhaul and purge, rather than just stuffing clutter out of sight in closets. Remember, buyers will check closets for storage space 4

and if they’re overstuffed, it appears there’s not enough room for storage.

Turns out, it’s easy being green — Spring is all about new beginnings. This year’s Pantone Color of the Year — Greenery — is the perfect starting point for adding spring color to the home. The fresh hue is inspired by the color of new leaves, and is surprisingly easy to blend with other colors (Pantone calls it ‘nature’s neutral’). Give the home a fresh, trend-ready look and feel by incorporating the color into throw pillows, bed and bath linens and kitchen towels or placemats. Additional colors that will be hot for the season are blush pink, tan, sage and a spectrum of blues — from delicate robin’s egg to rich lapis.

When in doubt, bring the outside in — Nothing says spring like something in bloom. Fresh flowers placed throughout the home are always an elegant Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Spring is such a special time of year. Capture that feeling in your listings by staging them to reflect the promise of the season. You’ll attract buyers who will want to make your listings their new beginning. and upscale choice. But if that’s not in the budget, there are plenty of other ways to bring the outside in. Flowering potted plants are a more affordable and longer-lasting choice. Potted herb gardens are beautiful, fragrant and perfect for a kitchen windowsill. Indoor succulents remain a popular choice and require almost no maintenance. They’re an easy way to add greenery to any room.

From April showers to fresh flowers — While winter is all about scents that evoke cozy warmth — like vanilla and cinnamon — spring’s home scents should be fresh, clean and light. Think of those things that make you take a big deep breath, like laundry drying in the sun, freshly cut grass, or spring’s brightest blooms. Look for candles or oil diffusers in these scents and place them strategically throughout the house for Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

subtle hints of fragrance. Extra points if the candle colors echo the spring color theme.

Don’t forget those finishing touches — Showing homes this time of year is tricky. You might go through two or three weather changes in the same day. But you’ll be ready for them if you keep a fresh welcome mat by the front door, an umbrella holder in the entryway and hang a few Command hooks to hold raincoats or sweaters. Be sure the front walkway stays clean and unobstructed. On cloudy days, turn on lights throughout the house to chase away the gloom.

Should you rent or buy? How to decide

Any milestone life event, such as getting married or divorced, having a baby, relocating for a new job, or sending adult children out into the world, can put you in the position of having to choose whether to rent or buy your residence. There was a time when conventional wisdom dictated that buying was always the better choice, but the ’08 housing crash changed that. Now, experts advise that people make the decision to rent or buy based on more than whether or not they can afford a mortgage payment, and take several other factors into account as well. Here are five questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to rent or buy the next place you call home.

How Stable is Your Life? — None of us can

predict the future, but before choosing to buy a home, you need to have a general idea of where you see yourself in the next five years. Do you have a good job that you enjoy and plan on keeping? Is your relationship status likely to change? Will you be adding to your family — or will it be shrinking when kids move out? Are you making plans to travel extensively? The way you answer all these questions will factor into your decision to buy or rent. Bottom line: If your life is reasonably stable and you foresee it staying that way, buying a home may be the way to go. If not, continue to rent until things settle down. Have You Saved for a Down Payment? While in some cases it’s possible to purchase a home Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

You may find that as your life changes, you end up being both a renter and homeowner at different points along the way.

a larger space and using more water. Making sure you’re financially prepared before buying a house will help ensure you get to enjoy your new home and not struggle with being “house poor.” Are You Prepared to Furnish and Decorate? Furnishing and decorating a home takes vision, time, effort and, of course, money. Even the most committed minimalist doesn’t want to live in a space that’s devoid of personality (or furniture). And really, at least half the fun of owning a home is making it your own with paint, décor and furnishings. When you’re working out your financials, don’t forget to factor in the cost of decorating the home.

without a down payment, most financial experts advise against it for a number of reasons. For one, buying a home without a down payment means a higher mortgage payment and will also require private mortgage insurance. Additionally, sellers are more likely to accept an offer that includes a down payment, especially in competitive markets.

Can You Afford the Monthly Costs? — As a renter, monthly housing costs are generally limited to rent, utilities and perhaps, renter’s insurance. When you buy a home, your monthly costs on top of the mortgage payment can include property taxes, HOA fees, yard maintenance, and higher utility bills than you’re used to because you’re heating or cooling Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Do You Really Want to Own a Home? This may seem like an obvious question, but it’s worth doing some soul searching to figure out if you’re really ready to be a homeowner. Many people buy a home because they feel it’s the logical “next step,” or because friends and family pressure them into making an investment, only to find it wasn’t what they really wanted. Spend some time really thinking about your needs, your goals, and the life you want to live. If you come out of it feeling energized and excited about the prospect of owning your piece of the American Dream, go for it! If not, keep renting until you feel differently.

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer for whether anyone should rent or buy their home. It’s a decision entirely based on each person’s unique set of circumstances. And remember, nothing is forever. You may find that as your life changes, you end up being both a renter and homeowner at different points along the way. 7

Top 10 Questions to ask your agent

Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant financial transactions most people will ever be involved in. So it follows that choosing a real estate agent to help reach those goals is an extremely important decision. Surprisingly, though, many people don’t spend the time they should or ask the right questions of their buyer’s or listing agent. They might say that they prefer to ‘go with their gut’ or just ‘have a good feeling’ about someone. While it’s certainly important to feel a connection and develop a rapport with your agent, there are several pertinent questions you should also ask. This isn’t necessarily the complete list, but will give you a good start.

5 Questions to ask a Listing Agent

Are you a full-time agent? Many agents, especially those new to the business, get started by practicing real estate part time. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with that, but be aware that agents who aren’t fulltime may not be as focused on your listing as you would like.

Have you worked with homes in this price range? A competent agent should be able to sell a home regardless of listing price. But it’s ideal to have an agent who regularly works with homes in the same range as your home. They will have unique insights into the market and the buyers who are looking for homes just like yours. How will you market this listing? Your home won’t sell if no one knows about it. Agents today have more marketing options than ever and should be able to answer this question quickly and thoroughly. If they don’t seem to have a concrete plan in place, keep looking.

How do you communicate with clients? This isn’t necessarily a trick question, per se. But the best answer is for the agent to ask back, “How would you like me to communicate with you?” An agent should tailor their communication style and frequency to your preferences.

What is your average days on market? Simply put, days on market means the length of time a listing appears on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) before it sells. While a number of factors affect this, agents with a lower than average number of days are pricing and marketing their listings effectively.

5 Questions to ask a Buyer’s Agent

How often do you work with people like me? Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, starting over after divorce or widowhood, upsizing, downsizing or relocating to a new city, every buyer has unique needs. Find a buyer’s agent who has plenty of experience working with people in your situation.

May I speak with some of your past clients? Reading online reviews can shed a lot of light on how an agent’s past clients feel about them, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Even if you don’t actually plan to speak with past clients directly, an agent’s enthusiastic or reluctant answer to this question can tell you a lot.

How many homes have you found in this neighborhood? The more familiar an agent is with the area you want to live, the better chance you have of finding a home you’re going to love. There’s a good chance they’ll know about homes that are about to come on the market but aren’t yet listed. Do you work with a network of professionals? Connected agents should have a network of professionals ready and waiting — from lenders and title agents to contractors and painters. If they can’t offer solid referrals, keep looking for an agent who can. How do you win a bidding war? There isn’t a single correct answer to this question; it’s more about how prepared the agent is with an answer and whether or not they have a plan in place to handle this inevitable situation. 8

Kinga Korpacz

Integrity, patience, and trust. All three are important characteristics for any real estate professional to possess, but for Kinga Korpacz of EXIT Realty Redefined, it doesn’t stop there. Kinga’s dedication to her clients and her craft are the driving force that has led to her success in real estate.

After building a large and loyal customer base at her family’s auto body shop, Kinga decided in 2001 to take all she had learned and apply it to an entirely new industry. “I was always very big on customer service at the body shop and got to know a lot of people who trusted me,” says Kinga. “That was how I got my first clients and sold seven homes in my first year,” she added. It was the perfect segue into helping people with their real estate needs, and she hasn’t looked back.

Today, as she oversees 35 agents in her own brokerage and boasts over 20 years of experience, Kinga still makes it a priority to continue to learn and grow, allowing her to adapt to rapid changes in the industry. She has a long list of impressive designations as a result of her continuing education, however, there are three she is most proud of: GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), and C2X (Commitment to Excellence), a special endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS.® “These are not easy designations to get, so I’m really proud that I was able to achieve them,” stated Kinga. “I didn’t get these designations to make myself look smarter, but rather because there is always more to learn and that helps me better serve my clients.” Specializing in residential and short sales in the Northwest

“I really do care about my clients and I always follow up with them on what I say. Integrity is very important to me.” suburbs of Chicago, it’s easy to understand why clients keep coming back and referring friends and family to Kinga. In fact, she estimates about 95% of her business is from repeat clients and referrals. To her, it’s more about listening intently to clients’ needs and providing them with solutions than it is about selling homes. “I really do care about my clients and I always follow up with them on what I say,” she explains. “Integrity is very important to me.”

Staying connected to her past clients is equally important to Kinga, not just to remain on their radar, but because

she truly enjoys the friendships she’s built over the years. Sending greeting cards for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and even Easter, Kinga always makes it a point to keep in touch. “I don’t want to be what I like to call a ‘secret agent.’ I like to invite my clients to lunch or to grab a cup of coffee just so they know I’m grateful for their business.”

As important as her business is to her, Kinga also prioritizes community involvement. She is a member of several committees, and is on the board of directors with Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS,® and also

“This isn’t always an easy business to be in, but it is a very rewarding one. You just have to have patience, be outgoing, and always be willing to learn.” serves as the Federal Political Coordinator for her local congressman. “I believe in serving my community and in being a good leader. It’s a good way to hold yourself accountable and to meet like-minded people to share ideas with.” Her one piece of advice to anyone new to real estate? “Join the Women’s Council of REALTORS.® It really opened up a lot of doors for me. If you’re brand new to the business and you don’t know where to start, start there!” When she’s not busy networking or assisting clients, Kinga enjoys reading, spending time with her daughter, and loves to go dancing.

Looking towards the future, Kinga has plans to provide more coaching and training to the agents in her office to ensure their success as well as her own. It’s a winning strategy to have when your teammates often refer business to one another. “Our office is growing leaps and bounds and I want to make sure my team knows they can count on me to help them achieve their goals,” Kinga stated. “This isn’t always an easy business to be in, but it is a very rewarding one. You just have to have patience, be outgoing, and always be willing to learn.”

Kinga Korpacz EXIT Realty Redefined | Rolling Meadows, Illinois 773.484.6006 | kingakorpacz@gmail.com | www.kingaonline.com 12

Top 10

Ways to keep in touch

We all know REALTORS® whose client base consists of 100% repeat and referral business. It’s an amazing achievement, and a goal many other real estate professionals aspire to reach. But how do they get there? Are they just lucky? Or maybe they’ve always just been in the right place at the right time? The truth is, they are the ones who understand the value of consistently communicating with clients long after the transaction is over. Whether you choose to do one, two or a combination of the following, check out the Top 10 ways to keep in touch with clients.

Send Anniversary Cards — No, not wedding anniversary (though that would be a nice touch). We mean sending a card to commemorate the date of the closed transaction you had with them.

Keep Clients Informed — If you want clients to think of you as an expert in local real estate, prove that you are by sending informative newsletters. If you don’t have the time or resources to put one together, there are turn-key services that provide standard content with a bit of local customization.

Share a Cup of Coffee — If you have time to meet clients for a cup of coffee and a catch-up, that’s great. But even if you don’t, you can still treat them to a cup of joe. Send out Starbuck’s cards or gift cards to a local favorite coffee shop with a note saying “This cup is on me.”

Send Small Gifts — Encourage clients to remember you by sending small, useful gifts, a few times a year. Set Up Periodic Calls — Make quick phone calls to check in and make sure clients are happy in their new home and see if they need any recommendations for home care professionals.

Send Birthday & Holiday Cards — Birthdays and holidays are the perfect time to let clients know you’re thinking of them. If it seems like too much to keep track of, there are automated services that take care of everything for you. Host an Event — Love planning parties? Host an annual client appreciation event. Go all out with food and entertainment to make it a truly memorable experience and a must-attend event on clients’ social calendars. Grab Lunch — You might not have time to do it with all your clients, but taking your very best clients out to lunch a few times a year is the perfect way to cement the relationship.

Make the Holiday Rounds — The holidays are a perfect time to stop in to see clients’ beautifully decorated homes and deliver a thoughtful gift.

Make Social Media Matter — If you’re going to spend time on social media, make it count by using it to keep in touch with clients. You’ll develop a stronger connection as you keep up with their daily activities. Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Work/life balance —

Tips for setting boundaries when business is booming A career as a real estate professional, is by design a bit unconventional. With late nights and weekend work, there’s no disputing that top producing REALTORS® often have a full plate. Trying to balance family life, or a personal life on top of the demands of providing exceptional service, it’s little wonder that most REALTORS® cite the need for balance as a goal year-after-year.

While achieving perfect equilibrium is probably a lofty goal when business is particularly busy, it is still possible to achieve a semblance of balance, or at least a feeling that your life isn’t completely lopsided. Here’s a look at ways to work towards better work/ life balance, even when your real estate business is booming.

Focus on What Needs to Be Done First No matter how disciplined you are, or how hard you 14

try to stick to a schedule, the reality is that things come up in real estate which are time sensitive. Because every transaction is different, it’s impossible to foresee all challenges that can come up on any given day. That’s why it’s beneficial to start each day with a list of things that need to be done that day, no matter what. Start with those tasks, so if something comes up later in the day, you will have at least accomplished those to-do items that were necessary. Block Off Chunks of Time for Specific Tasks Studies are beginning to indicate that multi-tasking can lead to decreased productivity. For this reason, it’s beneficial to focus all attention on a specific task for a set period of time. If you need to make follow-up calls, for example, schedule a block of time when you’ll focus only on that task. Likewise, if you need to work on a listing, schedule a set period of time in which Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

No one said being a busy REALTOR® would be easy. But there’s no doubt the rewards are worth it — as long as you make it a priority to carve out time for your own personal life, in addition to the time you spend making your clients’ lives better. love what you do. So, make certain to plan to reconnect with friends, enjoy family activities, or otherwise have fun when you have the opportunity to take some time off. It might help to buy tickets in advance to a movie, or schedule reservations at a restaurant, to keep you accountable to your personal obligations.

Put Personal Time in Your Calendar — Schedule time for yourself, or time with your family, and put it in the calendar like you would any other appointment. Even if it’s just 30 minutes of reading, relaxing, taking a bath, or walking the dog, it’s important that you honor commitments to yourself like you would commitments to your clients.

you’ll dedicate yourself to working on that task only. In most cases, when you focus your whole attention on completing a task, you’ll find you’re able to do so faster than if you’re trying to work on multiple projects at once. Assess Your Lifestyle Habits and Overall Health — If you’re not sleeping enough, chances are you’re not performing at your best, which makes everything feel unbalanced. Monitor your diet, make at least a little bit of exercise a priority, and avoid too many late nights coupled with early mornings. You’re less likely to feel frazzled, overwhelmed, or exhausted if you’re taking good care of your health.

Plan for Fun in Your Free Time — Because real estate can be consuming, it’s important to remember the adage about all work and no play, even when you Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Unplug for a Bit — Technology is great in allowing real estate professionals to work from virtually anywhere, but as is the case with most things in life, there can be too much of a good thing. Try shutting down your phone during lunch meetings. Silence your calls while watching your children play sports. Unplugging from your phone, computer, or tablet is a smart way to set boundaries in your pursuit of balance.

Learn to Delegate — If there are tasks that can be handled by an assistant, a colleague, a family member or a friend when you’re particularly busy; let them handle it. This will help keep you focused on priorities, and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by tasks that need to be done, which are not necessarily the best use of your time.

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