June 2017

June 2017

Why professional photography

is invaluable

Should you

Transform your home into a

summer oasis

Chris McCall

also featured:

Lauryn Durtschi-Jones Juanita Harris Rowdheer Kapidi Chrisie Krasn Kelly Miller

rent or buy?

contents

buyers&sellers

professionals 4

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Work/life balance — Tips for setting boundaries when business is booming

Transform your home into a summer oasis

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Should you rent or buy?

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It’s the little things — Tips for moving with kids and pets

Top 10 Ways to keep in touch Priceless — Why professional photography is invaluable

Featured Agent Magazine Phone 888.437.5707 Fax 888.849.3663 contact@featuredagentmagazine.com www.featuredagentmagazine.com 2

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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 4

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.

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.

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featuredagent

magazine

Home buyers, sellers and investors in Dane County and surrounding areas who are seeking a professional, personalized, and proactive real estate experience will find exactly what they are looking for when working with REALTOR® Lauryn Durtschi-Jones. As a diligent and detailed real estate agent with Community Developers, Inc. (CDI), Lauryn says that clients can expect service that extends beyond just helping with a single transaction.

“We are dedicated to helping all of our clients not only get from point A to point B; our services extend long after the transaction. We’re here to provide service, forever,” she says. From educating buyers before they purchase, to doing things the right way, rather than rushing through the process, Lauryn says that “setting clients up for success,” is paramount to all else.

Her educational efforts resonate with clients, as prior to entering the family business of real estate, Lauryn was a professional educator, who relished her work as an art teacher. “I’ve always loved the arts, and I loved working with students to help them create the best art they could, and to become the best they could be,” she says with a smile.

Although she loved teaching, Lauryn admits that she’d always known she would one day become involved in real estate. “Our family has been in the real estate sales, property management, development and consulting business since 1966. “My grandfather became a developer, and my dad, Brian Durtschi — who is now our broker/ owner — followed suit. As a child, I loved watching them create developments, building everything from scratch. I remember watching how detailed my dad was in fixing things,

Lauryn Durtschi-Jones and making sure everything was perfect. I knew I wanted to be involved in that in some way, and choosing the sales

“We treat obstacles as uniquely disguised opportunities.” side of real estate made sense for me,” she explains.

These days, Lauryn puts her teaching skills, her years of real estate involvement and her passion for helping others to succeed to good use, whether a client is looking for a multi-family property or a single-family home.

She’s also enjoying serving as a property manager for clients needing those specific services. “Depending on the client’s needs, we provide the services they request,” she says. “We enjoy working with clients whether they are first-time home buyers, empty nesters, relocating, or retiring. It is very rewarding working with people of all different backgrounds.”

Moreover, those clients will never feel pressured, nor rushed, as Lauryn understands that real estate decisions should never be made hastily. “We are very patient, and can take the process slowly, so that our clients always feel comfortable with their decisions,” she says. Additionally, she says, perceived challenges are welcomed at CDI. “We treat obstacles as uniquely disguised opportunities.”

In addition to working with buyers, sellers and investors, Lauryn has maintained a passion for children and for education, and as such is involved in numerous community events, and donates to various charities which champion causes including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. She’s also a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, and stays busy outside of her career, in her own real estate endeavors. “My husband and I love rehabbing our own properties,” she says.

As far as the future is concerned, the sky is the limit for Lauryn and the team at CDI. But one thing is certain — she has no plans to leave real estate. “We’re planning to continue growing our sales, and will likely add additional agents to grow an amazing team.”

Lauryn Durtschi-Jones Community Developers, Inc. | South Central Wisconsin 608.513.7495 | joneslauryn01@gmail.com | www.cdire.com 6

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Transform your home

into a summer oasis

Whether you’re preparing a home for listing during the summer months, or just want your own living space to feel cool, comfortable and seasonally appropriate, there are several things you can do to make that happen. Of course, you can’t fully redecorate every room for every season, but there are many easy, inexpensive and fun ways to transform a home into a relaxing summer getaway.

Decide to Declutter — Think of your favorite summer beach house or the best hotel room you’ve ever stayed in. Chances are part of the reason you loved it was because it was clean, serene and clutterfree. To achieve that look, pack away a majority of the dust-collecting knick-knacks, framed photos, heavy throws, books, and other clutter. It’s a great first step in opening up rooms to give them a lighter, airy feel.

Your items will feel new again when you bring them back out in the fall; or you may decide you like the look so much that you begin to embrace minimalism.

Change the Layout — Nothing can change the look and feel of a room more quickly than rearranging the furniture. If your current seating arrangement is centered around a fireplace, change it around to focus Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

on a window instead. If living areas are feeling crowded, consider removing extra chairs or end tables and replacing them with large floor cushions in bright fabrics for lounging and watching movies; they can be stacked out of the way in a corner when not in use.

Embrace the Light — Replace dark, heavy curtains with light and airy sheer panels that catch the breeze and let in light. Your room will feel larger and more open when the windows aren’t weighed down with heavy fabrics and dark colors.

The Scents of Summer — We all love the smell of a pumpkin spice or rich, warm vanilla candle, but strong, foody scents can become heavy and overwhelming during the warmer months. Switch your home fragrance to something light, fresh, and clean.

Citrus aromas and green florals are universally pleasing choices, as are scents reminiscent of a day at the beach (especially if you’re landlocked). Instead of candles, which can generate extra heat when they’re burning, switch to scented oil diffusers. They’ll keep a steady, subtle aroma in the air without worrying about whether kids, guests or pets might accidentally knock over a burning candle.

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Add Splashes of Color — Here’s where it

gets really fun! Summer is the time for punchy brights, crisp nautical hues, and All-American red, white, & blue color schemes. Incorporate color into bedrooms and bathrooms with crisp new linens and towels in your favorite summer colors. Add some striped, floral and solid throw pillows to couches and chairs in the family room. Stock up on Turkish towels, which are super-lightweight, dry quickly and come in loads of fun colors. They can serve as pool towels, swim cover-ups, tablecloths or light throws if the AC is cranked a little too high. In the kitchen, add some brightly colored acrylic serving pieces like trays and pitchers to your table settings, and use cloth napkins in a complementary hue.

Bring the Outside In — Fresh flowers are

abundant this time of year — maybe even in your own yard! Take advantage of Mother Nature’s good mood and keep fresh flowers in your home throughout the season. It’s one of the easiest, most beautiful ways to make a home feel summery. Stick with vibrant colors like hot pink, sunny yellow and juicy orange; save the deep, dramatic hues like burgundy and purple for fall and winter. Whether you go for a full-on arrangement 8

Of course, you can’t fully redecorate every room for every season, but there are many easy, inexpensive and fun ways to transform a home into a relaxing summer getaway. or just a few stems in a simple vase, you’ll smile every time you see them.

Don’t Forget the Floors — Sandy. Wet. Muddy. Grassy. Dusty. Floor coverings take a beating during the summer. Roll up and store wool throw rugs and replace them with inexpensive washable rugs you won’t feel bad about getting rid of at the end of the season. Don’t forget to add a new doormat to every entrance door to catch sand, dirt, and water before they get tracked inside.

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featuredagent Juanita Harris magazine

Driven by integrity, and complemented by a true desire to serve the needs of buyers, sellers, developers and renters along New Jersey’s Gold Coast, Juanita Harris is a truly passionate real estate professional. Since 2005, the enthusiastic, yet authentic Juanita has made it her life’s work to provide others with honest, accurate information and education, when it comes to all things real estate related.

“A lot of agents tell clients what they want to hear, instead of what they need to hear,” Juanita says. “I’m honest and straightforward, but optimistic. I am committed to making sure my clients have a positive experience, no matter what their budget. Whether they are looking for a $1,000/month apartment, or a $10 million commercial property, I treat everyone the same,” she adds.

Juanita’s consistency in providing premier service, regardless of a client’s budget is almost certainly the reason her business is driven by repeat clients and referrals. Moreover, her knowledge of market trends, along with her intimate knowledge of Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Passaic Counties, also impresses even the most sophisticated owners and developers.

For example, Developer Robert LeDonne says, “I was recommended to Mrs. Harris by my contractor of a recently finished six-family building in Union City. Within months she had the building fully rented by high quality tenants, with no out-of-pocket expense on my part. Her design input during the construction phase was also essential in attracting the right tenants and filling the units quickly.”

The praise that Juanita receives is clearly flattering, but she remains humble in spite of her rave reviews. “I believe in learning everything, to a fault, and I believe in doing a little bit of everything, but doing it very well,” she says.

To that end, Juanita has a unique business model, which includes serving as the exclusive leasing agent for 10 different commercial buildings, along with working

with buyers and sellers seeking homes, condos and coops. “In the beginning of my real estate career, I was strictly working in residential purchases and sales,” she recalls. However, as her career continued to flourish, Juanita refused to be limited, and instead sought out opportunities to gain a wide variety of experience.

“I’m honest and straightforward, but optimistic. I am committed to making sure my clients have a positive experience, no matter what their budget.”

As such, these days, the award-winning REALTOR® says, “I help clients to rent space, buy new buildings and buy land. This helps me remain a well-rounded agent.”

Her versatility, and wide breadth of expertise has propelled Juanita to the top of her game, as evidenced by an impressive 10 Circle of Excellence Awards to her credit.

However, none of her achievements, nor the resulting success of her clients would be possible, were it not for her true love of working with and for others. “I appreciate the opportunity that real estate affords me to meet so many great people. It really does make me feel good about humanity. I know it sounds corny, but it’s how I feel,” she says sincerely.

Although she admits that her bustling career limits the amount of free time that she has, Juanita enjoys the opportunity to pay forward her success through contributing time, money, or resources to various charitable causes, with a special emphasis on music foundations.

“My grandfather was a musician at the turn of the 20th Century, so it’s very important to me to do what I can for music,” she says with a smile. Not surprisingly therefore, when she does have a free evening, you’ll typically find Juanita taking in a concert or live theatre performance.

In the meantime, and for the foreseeable future, Juanita says that her career plans include reaching out to even more buyers, sellers and developers, in order to provide honest, articulate, and expert advice on buying and selling in New Jersey. “I want to continue to help those who feel challenged by the process,” Juanita says. “Helping others really does help me to feel good.”

Juanita Harris

Liberty Realty | Hoboken, NJ 201.674.6069 | jharris@libertyrealty.com | www.upscalehomesforyou.com Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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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.

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Chris McCall

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Chris McCall “I’m not in the business of selling homes, I’m in real estate to create long-lasting friendships and relationships while helping to serve the community,” says Chris McCall, Associate Broker with Keller Williams in Gainesville, Georgia.

For 20 years, Chris has been doing exactly that, in addition to helping countless buyers and sellers in Hall County and surrounding areas to purchase or sell their home, land, farms, acreage, and new residential construction. However, his fascination with all things related to homes and design began even earlier.

“In high school, my best friend’s father was in the business of owning rental properties and buying and fixing up homes, which I found very interesting.

I also took drafting, industrial arts and woodshop throughout high school, which ultimately led me to study architecture and design in college. The 12

combination led me to the real estate world of listing and selling properties,” Chris recalls.

From the very start, Chris was a natural in real estate.

But it wasn’t just his education, or his fascination with design, which earned him the accolade of Rookie of the Year in 1998. Instead, according to Chris, success in real estate requires a third important component: a true love of helping people. “You have to get into this business for the right reason, which is helping people to achieve their lifelong dream of home ownership. Honesty, integrity, hard work, and determination are huge parts of how I run my business,” he explains.

Chris insists upon remaining in the forefront of emerging market trends, all the while providing second-to-none marketing campaigns for his listings. Understandably, these efforts have earned him

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“I’m not in the business of selling homes, I’m in real estate to create long-lasting friendships and relationships while helping to serve the community.” flattering praise and enduring loyalty from clients.

In fact, as the result of his efforts, today an incredible 80% of his business comes directly from word-ofmouth referrals, or from clients he’s helped in the past. “My clients deal directly with me, and not with a huge team of people. I give all that I have, all of the time, because I’m loyal and committed to doing a great job,” he says.

Chris’s drive to be the best in everything he does extends far beyond helping others with buying and selling real estate. His determination is also seen Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

clearly through his selfless dedication to bettering his community as a whole. In Hall County for example, he’s been involved with the United Way in the past, and was a member of the United Way Young Leader’s Society. He’s also an active member of the Hall County Chamber of Commerce where he served with The Leadership of Hall County. In addition, he serves as the North Hall High School lay coach for varsity girls basketball, and serves as the head JV coach as well. Finally, he’s also the head coach for the elementary and middle school girls travel basketball teams.

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“Honesty, integrity, hard work, and determination are huge parts of how I run my business.”

As the result of serving his community with professionalism, dedication, and true passion for helping others achieve their goals, Chris has earned a welldeserved reputation for excellence.

Along the way, he’s also accumulated many impressive awards. For example, he’s been the Top #1 Individual Keller Williams Agent in Hall County for multiple years. He’s also spent 19 consecutive years in the Million Dollar Club of the Hall County Board of REALTORS®.

For Chris, service work is frankly just a way of life, as is helping others navigate their way through a real estate purchase or sale.

“I believe God has blessed me in so many ways that my business is just one of those avenues he continues to bless, so that I may be a blessing to all those I serve,” he says humbly.

Given that he’s already been so successful, what else does Chris hope to achieve in the future? In his personal life, he says he intends to continue seeking ways to give back to the community, all the while remaining active in his children’s lives, and enjoying the incredible recreational options available in Northern Georgia. Regarding his professional life, he has a similar plan to stay the course, enjoying his work with buyers and sellers for many years to come.

“I’m going to continue doing what I have done for the last 20 years. I don’t see myself ever retiring from what I’m doing. I love what I do.”

Chris McCall Keller Williams Lanier Partners | Gainesville, GA 770.654.8111 | chris@mccallproperties.com | www.mccallproperties.com 14

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featuredagent Kelly Miller magazine

The transition to becoming an agent was a natural one for Kelly Miller, who had always been inspired by her mother, a broker and real estate franchise owner.

After a successful turn managing her family’s ski shop and a fruitful career in title insurance, Kelly and her mother joined forces to become DeKalb County’s premier mother-daughter real estate team. Today, Kelly and her team are the number one market share producers in the county, and in 2016 alone Kelly brought in a record $18.9 million in sales volume. While her success underscores her tireless work ethic and ability to deliver results, Kelly’s foremost goal is high quality service to her clients.

Though Kelly is keen to go where her clients lead, much of her work is centered in DeKalb County. Likewise, the majority of her business is driven by referral and repeat clients, a testament to her superior client care. In fact, much of Kelly’s success is based upon the interpersonal connections she forges with clients, taking time to understand their tastes and goals in order to best serve them. “I’m passionate about what I do,” Kelly says. “To me, that means keeping my clients in the loop and communicating clearly, however my clients prefer to work. Some benefit from meeting face-to-face for a cup of coffee, others would rather stay in touch by e-mail, text message, or phone. It’s my job to figure out the best option for them, let people know I care, and always close.” In that vein, accessibility and responsiveness are priorities for Kelly, which she readily meets by hopping in her four-door, double-cab truck to take her office on wheels wherever she may be needed.

Likewise, Kelly’s approach to the agent-client relationship is entirely tailor-made, focusing on each client’s particular goals — from taking the time to discover a client’s ideal community and home, to crafting personalized marketing campaigns for all of her listings. To make those processes successful, Kelly prioritizes forthright communication with her clients. “I always want my clients to feel comfortable bringing me their thoughts, concerns, feedback, and excitement,” Kelly says. “In this business, the most

important thing to me is to make a difference in the lives of the buyers and sellers I work with. My career as an agent is based on a fiduciary duty that I take seriously and am very proud to uphold.”

To market her listings, Kelly not only makes use of digital listing portals and traditional collateral to provide maximum exposure to each of her properties, she also maintains close relationships with fellow professionals around town. Having cultivated lasting relationships with the area’s leading lenders, lawyers, insurance professionals, and fellow agents, Kelly offers access to a vast network of dependable experts.

What’s more, her years of experience in DeKalb County allows her considerable insight into the local inventory and market. Beyond her personal dedication to high-class touches and going the extra mile, Kelly cites her company’s backing as an additional resource and support that benefits her clients. Having closed on 84 units in 2016, Kelly’s power to execute transactions speaks for itself, but she never loses sight of the individual or family at the heart of every transaction. “When I see my clients smile, I smile. When they’re happy, I’m happy,” Kelly reflects. “That’s what I always strive for. I’m a professional, but I really love to celebrate and share in the joy and fun when my client and I accomplish what we set out to do as a team.”

Directing her spirit of service to the community, Kelly participates in a variety of charitable causes and civic engagements, including work with military veterans, annual contributions to her local animal shelter, volunteer work with Meals on Wheels and Feed My Starving Children, and fundraising for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), which ensures children are supported and protected throughout legal and court proceedings. In her coveted free hours, Kelly enjoys bike riding, skiing, wine tasting, spending time with her husband and visiting her daughter in California, and her son in Chicago.

Considering the future, Kelly has aspirations to continue her business’s growth, while maintaining the high caliber care she is known to provide her clients. Additionally, Kelly sets daily and yearly goals, always energized by bettering herself, her business, and her clients’ experience. Having earned more than a decade of success in the real estate industry, the years ahead are sure to be filled with continued promise for Kelly Miller and her team.

Kelly Miller

Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group | Sycamore, IL 815.757.0123 | Kelly@KellyMillerTeam.com | www.KellyMillerTeam.com Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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Should you rent or buy?

Ask yourself these 5 questions 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

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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.

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It’s the little things —

Tips for moving with kids and pets

Let’s face it, buying or selling a home and moving across the country or even across town is one of the most stressful life events we experience. Throw in a few kids and a pet or two, and you’ve exponentially increased your stress level. However, there are plenty of things you can do to make moving easier on yourself and your family members, including the fourlegged ones.

While most children will adapt easily to the move, especially the younger ones, it’s still a good idea to prepare them well in advance for what lies ahead.

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Pets can be a bit trickier, but having a plan of action in place will alleviate much of the hassle.

For the Kids:

Check Out the Area Ahead of Time — Getting kids excited about starting a new chapter is half the battle. They can feel uneasy or nervous about being the new kid in class and making new friends.

Take a tour of the new school they’ll be attending and set up a meeting to meet the teacher in advance. Look for fun things to do in the area and scope out parks, Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

It’ll also keep them busy and give them a sense of accomplishment once their tasks are completed.

Hire a Babysitter — If you’re just moving across town, ask a relative or friend if the little ones can spend the day with them. You’ll find when you don’t have to keep stopping for lunch, snacks, diaper duty or potty breaks you’ll be much more productive and there will be less stress for everyone involved.

When normal, everyday routines remain the same during the moving process, it’s easier for kids to acclimate to their new surroundings.

For the Pets:

Get Current on Vaccinations — Make sure your pets’ vaccinations are up-to-date and that you have plenty of refills on any medications they’re currently taking. On the same note, be sure to get referrals for a new veterinarian before you make the move so you have someone to call in case of an emergency.

Update Your Address — If your pets are microchipped, it’s a good idea to update your information with your new home address and phone number.

Dogs often go into fight-or-flight mode when they’re extremely stressed, so if Fido manages to escape during the commotion of moving, you can be located much quicker if the vet has your current contact information.

restaurants, and libraries so the kids have a couple places to look forward to visiting. You might even want to introduce yourselves to your soon-to-be neighbors so there are familiar faces to greet you when you arrive at your new home.

Assign Jobs to the Kids — Give older kids the task of packing up their belongings and settling into their new rooms along with the responsibility of setting up another shared room in the house. Arranging toiletries in their bathroom or filling bookshelves in the den are smaller projects that contribute in a big way. Moving will go much smoother when everyone has a job to do and knows what’s expected of them.

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Keep them Secure — Kenneling your cats or dogs during a move across town is ideal but if you’re moving across state lines, keep them in a carrier or in a harness during the trip. If your cat has a tendency to be anxious during travel, putting her in a carrier with a few toys or a blanket will help her feel more secure and safe. Harnessing your dog will keep him from bouncing around in excitement, allowing you to stay focused on the road.

Get Comfortable — Be sure to have your pets’ favorite toys, beds or blankets unpacked so they’ll have something familiar to provide comfort on their first night in the new house. As overwhelming as a major move can be for humans, our pets can be affected just as much, if not more. Make sure to give them extra attention and affection as they look to you for reassurance.

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Rowdheer Kapidi

Rowdheer Kapidi’s entry into the real estate business began after earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering. He then decided the most direct way to break into the housing market was through real estate. That was four years ago, and today Rowdheer is at the helm of a thriving career with Bridge Realty in Minnesota. Rowdheer has wisely positioned his engineering and programming experience toward his ventures as a real estate agent, offering his clients a listening ear, keen industry insight, and the ability to deliver quantifiable results.

impressions are everything in the real estate industry.

Accordingly, he mines each property he lists for its most memorable and positive attributes, highlighting those to potential buyers. Combining his robust rate of referral and his status as a top producer with leading new-build home development companies like CalAtlantic Homes, Lennar, and Pulte Homes, Rowdheer’s ability to deliver results is proven, time and again. While his professional ethos is fixed on personalized client-care, he is also a reliable performer, consistently able to close. No matter the size of the deal, Rowdheer never loses sight of the individual or family at the heart of every transaction he secures. “Each day is a new challenge,” Rowdheer reflects.

“Every client has their own goals and tastes. But I love being able to educate buyers and help them find their dream homes — that’s my favorite part about what I do.”

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Based in Bloomington, Rowdheer primarily serves the greater Minneapolis region, with a particular focus on the premiere suburban areas of Eden Prairie, Apple Valley, and Maple Grove. Because of his engineering background, Rowdheer is particularly poised to handle new construction and builder-based transactions in his practice. In addition to his advocacy for both buyers and sellers — amounting to an impressive 95% rate of repeat and referral clientele — Rowdheer favors a knowledge-sharing approach to the agent-client relationship. “A priority of mine is to educate those I work with,” Rowdheer explains. “I walk them through the market and its conditions, the inventory available, how the process works. Foremost, I try to understand my clients’ specific needs. I really take the time to listen, ask questions, and understand their goals. From there, I’m able to help them sort through their options and the financial ramifications, both short-term and long-term.” Rowdheer is energized by his work in real estate not only because he is able to help others find their dream home, but also because it creates an opportunity to pass along his hard-won knowledge to buyers navigating the uncertain waters of homeownership.

To market his listings, Rowdheer employs his valuable IT skillset, scanning the web for ways to maximize a listing’s exposure, while also creating his own algorithms to draw potential buyers to his listings’ web presence.

What’s more, Rowdheer understands well that first

In addition to his service-oriented work with clients, Rowdheer also makes consistent efforts to stay engaged in his community’s charitable and civic organizations as well. Foremost among his commitments is the charitable organization, Are You Hungry?, a community outreach program that puts together meals and collects essential items for the homeless and those in need in Minneapolis.

In his free hours, Rowdheer enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children. He also enjoys seeking out new experiences through travel during his leisure time. To develop himelf professionally, Rowdheer is also a major proponent of ongoing industry education, citing the need to stay up-to-date on market fluctuations as a main priority of his practice. “Real estate is like a big ocean,” he explains. “There are lots of opportunities out there if you have good discipline, good follow-up, and good focus. You can achieve clients’ dreams but you need to give 100% of your effort and be patient.”

As for the future, Rowdheer has plans to continue to grow his business, with a specialized focus on new construction properties and developments. He also has a passion for custom building that he seeks to foster in the years to come. With years of seasoned experience under his belt, and a pure-hearted commitment to those he serves, the future ahead for Rowdheer Kapidi is sure to remain both busy and bright.

Rowdheer Kapidi

Bridge Realty | Bloomington, MN 612.810.7790 | rowdheer@gmail.com | www.thebridgerealty.com 20

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Priceless— Why professional photography is invaluable

Home buyers turn to their phones, tablets and computers when thinking about purchasing their next home. Study after study clearly shows that the days of waiting to look in the newspaper, or for a For Sale sign to pop up are long gone. With nearly everyone beginning their home search online, one thing is clear — they are looking to be wowed online before finding a buyer’s agent or even getting their financing in place.

That means that the photos of your listing need to capture the true beauty of the property, whether it’s a one-bedroom condo in the city center, or a sprawling ranch situated on acres of gorgeous landscaping. After all, you’ve only got a screen in which to showcase all the home has to offer, and all of the potential it may boast. That’s no job for an amateur.

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Even with the best of ideas and intentions about lighting and angles, trying to cut corners and photograph listings on your own just isn’t a smart plan. Consider that in the same way buyers and sellers turn to professional real estate agents to best advocate for their needs, it’s in your best interest to turn to a professional photographer to make sure you’re giving your clients the best opportunity for success in their sale.

Here’s a look at four reasons that professional photography is worth every penny when it comes to securing the best price for your listings.

The Pros Have the Proper Equipment — Professional photographers have invested a great deal into their career, which requires top of the line cameras, 21

lighting and lenses. Moreover, they’re experienced in editing and perfecting the shots, so you receive photos that pack a punch when viewed online.

The Pros Save You Time — Instead of one more hat to wear as a professional real estate agent, and more hours to a day which may already feel too short; allowing the professionals to take this responsibility off your plate saves you valuable time. From shooting the home, to editing and touching up the results, getting the shots that will grab attention online will take time that you likely don’t have to spare.

The Pros Take Care of the Technology — Professional real estate photographers know the formats and file types that various websites and publications require. They understand how to convert, size and curate the photos needed for the sites where you’ll be marketing the home. Many professional real estate photographers will take care of uploading the images for you as well. In addition, they are often skilled at turning images into simulated virtual tours to make your listing even more appealing to potential buyers.

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The Pros Deliver a Premium Product — Professional photographers are in the business of taking and creating beautiful visuals. As such, they are adept at creatively finding the best angles and lighting to make even small, or potentially crowded spaces look spectacular. Some studies have shown that eye-catching photos result in upwards of 130% more clicks when compared to similar listings lacking professional photographs.

With buyer expectations high, coupled with the convenience, efficiency and talent that professional real estate photographers bring to the table, there simply isn’t a good reason to try to cut corners when it comes to photography. It’s important to remember that the final result for your client can be the difference of thousands of dollars when it comes to the sales price. Since it’s your job to secure top-dollar for your client, professional photography is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Fortunately, the investment in professional photography can help you to earn your clients’ loyalty, repeat and referral business for years to come.

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featuredagent Chrisie Krasn magazine

As a second-generation REALTOR,® and native of Las Vegas, Chrisie Krasn has spent the better part of the last 20 years helping countless buyers and sellers throughout Clark County, Nye County, and Lincoln County to find the home of their dreams.

“I first got into real estate because my dad owned a Keller Williams franchise in Overton. My children were young, and I thought real estate would give me the flexibility I needed,” Chrisie explains. “What I found though, was my passion for helping people who are making a very big decision and investment,” she adds.

Saying she’s been successful in doing so is quite an understatement, considering her business today is an impressive 85% by referrals from clients, and from fellow agents, alike. The reason so many people are eager to refer Chrisie to others can be traced to her experience, negotiating skills, and her commitment to working hard for her clients. After all, according to Chrisie, the relationships she builds while helping others with the largest investment of their lives extend far beyond a transaction. “We become friends through the process, and that’s what I love so much about real estate. I’m such a people-person. I love being involved with families. It’s not about me selling them a home I want to sell. I help people to buy the home they want to buy.”

Driven by this “clients-first” work ethic, Chrisie works with both buyers and sellers, though she admits that working with buyers is particularly rewarding. “I love the hunt for the perfect home, and I love negotiations,” she says.

“Helping others to find and buy the home they want, in a way they feel good about, is very rewarding,” she adds.

To that end, Chrisie is known for going above and beyond in working with clients, and even with her fellow

REALTORS.® In fact, her efforts to mentor, train, and educate others earned her a position on the Board of Keller Williams’ Agent Leadership Council (ALC), which is open only to the top 20% of agents. In addition, she received the Icon award in late 2015 specifically for her leadership, teaching and mentoring skills. “The Icon award meant so much to me, because it came from my peers,” Chrisie says.

“Helping others to find and buy the home they want, in a way they feel good about, is very rewarding.”

In her role within the ALC, Chrisie also volunteers time to chair various events and participate in many charitable endeavors. From putting together client appreciation events with hundreds of guests in attendance, to her involvement with KW Cares, benefiting families affected by catastrophes, along with participating in Keller Williams’ Red Day, Chrisie is dedicated to helping others in whatever capacity she can.

In fact, she’s planning to do even more in the future. “Both of my sons also have their real estate licenses,” she says.

“My oldest is being trained and mentored by the owner of my company, and my youngest works as my transaction coordinator,” she says proudly. Moreover, she is looking forward to continuing to mentor others as she grows her own team in the coming years.

“I’m working with a business coach now, and I’m going to add to my team in the future. I really enjoy helping others learn how to grow their own businesses, too,” she says. However, that doesn’t mean that Chrisie plans to stop working with buyers or sellers in the foreseeable future. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

“I absolutely love what I do. I think that’s a hard thing for some people to say about their career, but I truly love what I do, because I love helping people.”

Chrisie Krasn

Keller Williams | Henderson, NV 702.461.5170 | chrisiesellsvegas@gmail.com Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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