It seems like a while ago, but things became very uncertain when the Coronavirus started to officially meet pandemic status. At first, I remember us all sharing different thoughts and opinions about how this new virus would affect us, and it was hard to know, because this was something known of us had experienced before. It was and still is hard to find accurate information, especially since it is so easy to find conflicting information. It didn't take us long to realize that this in fact would have a very direct impact on our lives as well as our careers. 

The first phase seemed like the questioning phase. What are we, as Real Estate professionals going to do? How are we going to get ...

The biggest question we get right now is "how is real estate doing in the Covid-19 pandemic?", the simple answer is great but we know it's much deeper than that. Prior to Covid-19 the real estate market in the midwest was at an all-time high, with rates lower than they have been in years and buyers flooding the market, sellers found themselves getting major equity. Then Covid-19 hit and things seemly hit the breaks for the world, but did they? We have seen a major impact on our market but probably not in the way you imagine. The market remained strong with buyers wanting to buy but we had to make major adjustments to make this happen. Showing homes became very digital, open houses stopped...

Did you know that Mother's day is this Sunday, the 10th? Yes, this Sunday. Our minds are a bit distracted as 2020 has been anything but normal. That doesn't mean we don't want to make all of the moms out there feel appreciated on their day. Since many of us may not be able to see our mothers this year, I have put together some ideas that can be delivered to her door. These gifts are thoughtful gifts that may lift her spirits when we can't gather together this year.

A Magazine Subscription

Think about your mom's interests. Does she like crafts, art, gardening, etc? Get her a subscription to a magazine all about her favorite topics. You can usually pay for the full years subscription ...

This is a very different time that we are living in. We miss our family. We miss our friends. We canceled plans for events that are important to us. The health and safety of everyone at this time is very important and so is connection with those we care about. So how do we stay connected in a time like this?

If you haven't heard of Zoom yet, now might be a good time to look into it. It allows groups of people to come together for work or personal reasons and chat face to face (virtually). Not only can you catch up with those that you are missing, but people have started to get creative and started hosting fun events on zoom with their friends and family. Here are some fun ideas to ke...

If you are a fan of DIY projects, then you probably make changes to rooms in your home often. It's fun to change up accents, make something new (and it actually turn out nice), etc. You know what else makes DIY projects even more fun...when they are temporary. It's easy to spice up a space and then when you have a new idea, change it up just as easily as you did it. I am going to share some really neat, non-committal ideas for sprucing up different areas in your home. 

*These are also great ideas for updating your rental*

PEEL & STICK WALLPAPER

A home decor trend predicted for 2020 was bold colors and patterns. If you have ever had to remove traditional wallpaper, you know how diff...

First and foremost, in times like we are having, it is of utmost importance to take the steps necessary to protect your health. If you are an individual that finds themselves in the position ready/needing to buy a house, It's important to know how you can go about during this during this pandemic.

Many don't know that tech-savvy real estate agents have had the ability to sell homes remotely for quite some time. Here is a list of some of the services I can provide that will get you into your home and protect your health.

Virtual Tours: I will enter a home and walk through it while sharing live footage with you. This allows you to see the home without coming into contact with anyone. 

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Senior citizen assistance

Dollar General Information

Walmart Information

*Please note: Walmart opens an hour early on Tuesdays for seniors to do their shopping*

Senior Resources by Health and Senior Services

Develop a Plan!

-Designate a family member or friend to be your contact if you are in need of assistance

-Develop a plan with said family member/friend about what to do if you get sick

-Have an information sheet that includes the following:
All medications you take (use full medication names and how much you take)
A list of your medical providers and their contact information. Let your designated contact know exactly where this list is located.

As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist, I am always looking for resources for my matured clients. There are many resources out there available to you in times when you need them most. There may come a time when you will want to start exploring different options for Senior living. The most common forms of living include nursing home care, In-home care and assisted living. It is important to compare what each style of living offers, does it match up with your needs and what are you looking at financially.

Of course, you want to choose an option that will not only take care of your physical well-being, but also the option that brings you comfort and joy in your life. It is also important at ...

It is no secret that illness is a big topic of discussion right now. We are in the midst of flu season, hoping these warmer days help relieve the transfer of it. I thought it would be a good idea to go over how to properly disinfect your home during cold/flu season. There may be a lot of unknowns right now, but we do know that properly disinfecting spaces can help prevent the spread of disease.

First things first, when preparing to disinfect surfaces in your home, check the bottle of cleaner that you are using. Not all cleaners kill viruses. Many of them are created to kill bacteria, which is probably what most of us use during our regular cleaning routine. The bottle will clearly stat...

As always, time seems to be flying by in 2020. I can't believe we are already at the end of February. March is right around the corner, which also means that we are one step closer to SPRING!! I haven't gathered a list of events for the upcoming month in a while, but this time of year has me excited for what is to come. Here are some fun things coming up in March this year:

TUESDAY TRIVIA AT PAPPOS: 3/3 @ 7PM

This is a free event held every Tuesday at the Southside Pappos off of Battlefield. It is free to participate in trivia. They also offer some good deals on drinks and appetizers. Follow the link for more details (red title above).

RELICS ANTIQUES GARAGE SALE: 3/8 @ 10AM

Relics wi...

It is convenient to have a pantry in your kitchen, but honestly, not all homes offer one. If you are house hunting, you found the perfect house, but it doesn't have a pantry, this doesn't necessarily have to be a deal breaker. There are creative ways to store your food that look super cute and offer functionality. If you aren't a super creative/handy person, don't worry. There are many places that have started to sell some of these items since houses without a pantry are more common than you may think.

ROLLING PANTRY

You know how there tends to be space between your refrigerator and the wall? This is a great place for some extra storage. You can order or make roll out pantries to fill...

Have you ever been talking to your Realtor and you mention something you saw on Zillow and you sensed them cringing inside and out? If so, you're correct, Zillow is a third party website developed in 2006 as a real estate resource for buyers and sellers. To the average buyer or seller, it seems like a great resource but to the real estate industry, it is much like WebMD for doctors. So why do we dislike Zillow so much? It's simple, inaccuracy. Each state has the ability to label their state as a non-disclosure state, which means the sales price information of a home is not disclosed to the general public. Although Missouri is a disclosure state individual boards have chosen not the disclo...

If you have always living in Urban areas, you might want to consider living in the country. Personally having lived on a farm out in the country, I know there is truth to the benefits I am about to share with you about living in a more rural area. I do enjoy both urban and rural areas, but they each have something different to offer. Here is what County Living can provide you.

Less Stress

When you live out in the country, you have more space, privacy and life is a much slower pace. Your quality of life actually increases when you move to the country. You experience cleaner air, you can buy organic, fresh produce from the farmer up the street and you have the opportunity to spend mor...

It has been quite cold in 417 Land over the last couple of weeks. It seems that Winter has finally decided to officially say hello. It's easy when it gets so cold out to start feeling cooped up or stuck in the house. I thought it might be a good idea to share a unique date night idea where the only cold you will have to face is a 5 foot walk from your car to your date. 

The Moxie Cinema is such a special place in Springfield MO. It is a smaller, more intimate movie theater that shows independent films versus the Hollywood Blockbusters. It's such a great place if you enjoy foreign, artistic or just out right beautiful/absurd films. I have been several times myself. I end up leaving with...

Valentine's Day can be one of those holidays where people gift a lot of stuff. Good stuff, don't get me wrong. Who doesn't like chocolate? But some of us have started searching for ways to create new experiences rather than giving out random things. So here are some ideas to help you create that special experience this year for you and your significant other that you can get quick, even if you wait until the last minute.

S'MORES KIT

Did you know that you can actually buy a smore's roasting kit. You don't have to start a fire or try your best to roast those marshmallows in the microwave (just don't do it). Cozy up inside with your favorite blanket, get some graham crackers, hershey...

Now that we are well into the beginning of 2020, I'm sure you have heard the phrase "New Year, New You." I've been hearing it in conversations, seeing it in marketing campaigns, etc. This can apply in many areas of your life, including your home. It only makes sense to change up your home decor for the new year. Well here is something you should know before you start purchasing those new decor items....

2020 IS ALL ABOUT THE DRAMA!

We are talking dramatic, monochromatic color schemes in bold colors. And I'm not just talking about the walls, painting trim to match the wall color is definitely in for 2020! You can also expect to see prints galore. With so many options for easier wallpap...

There are a select few in this world who look forward to moving, but for most of us it can be stress inducing and a source of chaos. Moving does take a lot of work. There are a lot of things to think about, but there are ways to keep stress levels down as you move your life from one house to another. These tips can help you stay ahead of the game and tackle moving day once it gets here.

1) AVOID PROCRASTINATION AT ALL COSTS

It's easy to think that packing won't take that long, this can wait until next week, I'll make those phone calls later, but this is a trap that you do not want to get stuck in. Moving always takes more time than we anticipate. It is a great idea to start planning y...

I recently was having a conversation with an individual I had just met. They didn't know that I worked in the Real Estate Industry. This individual was doing some future dreaming about retirement and mentioned that she may want to eventually downsize when that time comes. She continued on by saying that anytime she has purchased a home in the past, she called the agent on the sign in the front yard. Therefore, she has never worked with an actual Buyer's Agent. I would like to share some information with you about the difference in types of agents and who represents who in a Real Estate Transaction.

When you find a house for sale by driving by, the name on the for sale sign is the Listi...

Come join us this Saturday for the 55th Annual Ozark Christmas Parade!! Free Hot Cider will be served at our office!

If you are getting ready to list or buy a home, you might start noticing that the Real Estate industry likes their abbreviations. You start hearing things like FSBO, HOA, COMPS, etc. Some of you may know what these mean, but for a first time home-buyer, maybe not and that is ok. Today, I would like to explain HOA. 

WHAT DOES IT STAND FOR?

Home Owners Association

WHAT IS A HOME OWNER'S ASSOCIATION

It is an organization in a subdivision that makes and enforces rules for the properties and their residents.

WHY WOULD I WANT TO LIVE IN A SUBDIVISION WITH AN HOA?

HOA's are there to set and enforce rules and there is usually a small fee that homeowners have to pay either monthly or yearl...