June 2017 Midwest

June 2017

Transform your home

into a

summer oasis Why professional photography

is invaluable Should you rent

or buy?

MICHELLE GORDON also featured: Lauryn Durtschi-Jones Kelly Miller

contents

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

Materials and content included in Featured Agent Magazine and on featuredagentmagazine.com are subject to copyright and may not be copied or reproduced in any part without prior written consent. Featured Agent Magazine is published

by Times 3 Publishing Group, LLC. Publisher shall not be liable for any inaccuracy, error, or omission and makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the information, content, or materials included.

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professionals 4

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

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Priceless — Why professional photography is invaluable

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Top 10 Ways to keep in touch

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t featured cover agent

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Michelle Gordon q featured agent

Lauryn Durtschi-Jones

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q featured agent

buyers&sellers 6

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

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Transform your home into a summer oasis

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Should you rent or buy?

Ask yourself these 5 questions

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Kelly Miller

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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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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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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 8

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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 10

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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MICHELLE GORDON

MICHELLE GORDON Early in her career, Michelle Gordon loved using her background in interior design to make model homes beautiful and inviting. What she didn’t love was not being the one to sell the homes. “I knew I wanted to have closure and bring it full circle and have the chance to sell the homes, too,” she recalls. “It was always my dream to be in real estate, but I was nervous about it due to the inconsistent income.” She got her chance to pursue that dream when her husband’s job relocated the family from Pennsylvania to Michigan. “We no longer required my income, so it was my chance to finally try real estate,” she says.

“I laugh about it now because initially I thought it was something I could do part-time while my daughter was in school.” Like so many agents before her, she soon realized that success in real estate comes as a result of making it a full-time career.

Licensed since 2002, Michelle manages her own team — The Gordon Group GR — and assists clients throughout West Michigan with residential and commercial real estate services. Though the term “concierge service” has recently gained popularity 12

in real estate circles, Michelle and her team have been practicing that philosophy for years. “First and foremost, we are relationship-based,” she says. “I still communicate with the very first client I ever worked with in 2002.” She explains that while the team has systems in place to ensure productivity and efficiency, there’s always room for flexibility based on a client’s individual needs.

“No two people are the same, so our systems can be adjusted to each person’s lifestyle,” she says. “I learned a long time ago that if you have solid relationships with your clients, business will never be slow, because they’ll always be there for you.”

Given how much she focuses on giving her clients personal attention, it’s not surprising that more than 65% of Michelle’s business comes from repeat clients and referrals. “Another thing we focus on is developing and maintaining strong relationships in the community, because we want to be our clients’ resource for everything even semi-related to their home,” she says. “That can be a contractor, a dentist, Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

or where to go for a great dinner out. Because I’ve personally had to relocate so many times, I know what it’s like trying to find good people. I had a bad experience with a contractor once and I never want that to happen to my clients.”

Michelle acknowledges the “fast and furious” pace of real estate today, and makes it a point to instill in her team that there’s more to it than making a quick deal. “It’s very easy to fall into that and forget your core values. We never want that to happen,” she says. “People trust us, and that’s because we’ve shown ourselves to have values and proven we are trustworthy.” Another thing Michelle stresses to her team is the importance of continuing education. “I wish I had understood in the beginning of my career how important education and designations are,” she says. “I’m working on them now, but that can sometimes mean working 12- or 14-hour days.” That extra work is paying off. Michelle currently holds her CRS, ABR, and SSR designations. She is also a certified Short Sale Specialist. And there’s one more thing she makes sure her team does regularly. “We Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

have fun! Real estate doesn’t have to be stressful.

It can be a good time when you are working with someone you like and care about.”

Community involvement has been a cornerstone of Michelle’s career since her early days in the business. One of the first things she did was start a foundation called F.L.O.W. — Friends Landscaping Our World. They landscaped up to 10 homes a year in challenging neighborhoods to increase the area’s curb appeal. The program was so successful that Michelle received the Good Neighbor Award from the Grand Rapids Board of REALTORS®. “I drive by those homes to this day and they are all still very well-tended,” Michelle says. And that’s really what it all comes down to for her — changing her clients’ lives for the better. “I enjoy watching people’s lives change,” she says. “Usually someone is buying or selling a home because they’re getting ready to do something different in their lives. I feel very proud to be part of that; I take it seriously and find it very gratifying. Real estate is not just about an income to me. I go about it more personally.”

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“PEOPLE TRUST US, AND THAT’S BECAUSE WE’VE SHOWN OURSELVES TO HAVE VALUES AND PROVEN WE ARE TRUSTWORTHY.” With her team’s two divisions — The Gordon Group GR and Distinctive Homes GR — they are able to help a wide range of clients who are at varying stages of their real estate journeys. With plans in place to expand into commercial real estate, there’s no doubt the future looks bright for Michelle and her team. “My daughter, Amanda, who has been licensed for a year, recently joined my team. She’s been working with me in one way or another since she was 13.” From the sound of it, Amanda is ready to take things to the next level. “She has plans to expand the group to Chicago and Traverse City, because a lot of people own homes in both places,” Michelle explains. “That will allow me to stay focused on being hyper-local.” In fact,

she recently took a big step transferring from Keller Williams to a local boutique brokerage, JH Realty Partners, so she could do just that. “I’m very big on ‘local first’ and keeping money from these transactions within our community,” she explains. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen with my business when I made that move, but it has actually doubled!”

When she’s not working or studying for a new designation, Michelle loves spending time with her husband, family and friends. “I have a beautiful home that’s designed for outdoor living. If I can take an afternoon off and sit by the pool with my friends and be silly, that’s my favorite thing.”

MICHELLE GORDON THE GORDON GROUP GR | DISTINCTIVE HOMES GR | ADA, MICHIGAN

616.259.8211 | MICHELLEGORDON@GORDONGROUPGR.COM WWW.GORDONGROUPGR.COM 14

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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, 15

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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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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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 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 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 18

You may find that as your life changes, you end up being both a renter and homeowner at different points along the way. than you’re used to because you’re heating or cooling 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.

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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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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