​Every “standard” real estate transaction is unique, but this closing was exceptionally so.  Meet the Barr family, an adorable family of 5 who were living in Northern CA until just 10 days ago.  That’s when Jimmy put his wife, Nikki, and their three boys on an east bound airplane before hopping behind the wheel of the moving truck himself to follow them. 

I met the Barrs a few (six-ish) years ago at the wedding of our mutual friends.  When they recently decided to make a move from one coast to the other, it was the bride, Mary, who reacquainted us.    
 
With the general craziness life provides us all on the daily combined with lining up job transfers and planning a move across the country, the Barrs decided it would be quickest and easiest to get out here if they bought their house sight unseen.  It sounds crazy, right?  It was!  As Nikki's bestie, Mary was enlisted to help.  I was sending listings to Jimmy, Nikki and Mary.  Jimmy and Nikki would let Mary and me know which houses they liked and then Mary and I would go tour them.  Mary and I would then both provide our feedback to Jimmy and Nikki.  Surprisingly, we narrowed the search down pretty quickly.  Nikki picked out a great looking house online, Mary and I went to see it and we both loved it so the Barrs made an offer.  Just like that.  They didn’t even see the place until our final walk through on closing day and thankfully, they loved it!  I wish it were as easy every time.   
 
Not to say the whole thing was a piece of cake.  Navigating their transition from west to east certainly had it’s challenges and I definitely spent a little more time on the phone with Jimmy and Nikki than I do with my more local clients, but it was my pleasure!  Getting to know them better on their way out here made helping them buy a house more fun.  It’s always a good day when clients end up as friends when their real estate transaction has closed.   
 
So welcome to your new home, you crazy kids!  Thanks for trusting me to help you get out here.  May you enjoy many, many happy years at your new address.       

Happy Monday!  I'm kicking off the day with a home inspection and was happy have some little bee friends join me.  My clients today are retirees, who've just moved up to CT from the south.  We set out looking for single level living in a location close to the kids and grandkids.  What a great little find in this Enfield ranch!  It's recently remodeled, has almost everything from my clients' "needs" list and was reasonably priced.  Here's to hoping everything checks out after this inspection!  I like to think the honeybees came by to give us some of their luck! 

​Last Saturday was the Independence Day parade in Enfield, CT.  My mom is a resident in a long term care facility, Parkway Pavillion, which is conveniently located on the parade route.  The residents can sit on the lawn or at the end of the driveway for a great view on parade days, but most of them need a hand getting out there.  Parkway has a great staff who really care about the residents but they are out numbered and appreciate any extra help, especially the week of July 4th when lots of folks are on vacation.  For the last few parades, I’ve volunteered to help the residents out to the parade and then to get back inside after.  It’s not much, but they enjoy it and that makes me very happy.  Which brings me to my moral dilemma… If selflessness feels good, is practicing it selfish?  I’m kidding of course!  Long story short, volunteering is good for your health, so find a cause that’s close to your heart and serve it.          

In the current real estate market, tight housing inventory supply has been an issue.  As a realtor, my current client roster is all buyers and no sellers.  Not a single listing on the board.  This not only speaks to the low inventory trend, but makes me incredibly grateful for each and every buyer I have home shopping now!   

As the low supply of inventory continues to push home prices up, rising prices combined with higher interest rates will cause affordability to decrease.  I recently read that "the 20 percent dip in for-sale listings over the past five years mainly impacts first-time buyers searching for a starter home."

​Of the buyers I'm working with now, 6 of them are first-timers.  In an effort to be best prepared to help them I've been doing some research and came across the infographic posted below.  There are some great tips here for anyone starting their first home buying journey.  If you're thinking about buying a house, read on!  If you're thinking about selling a house, call me!  Like now, seriously.