Should it stay or should it go?

Remember when you remodeled your kitchen and installed that high-end stove and oven you use every day to cook fabulous meals for your family? If you sell the home, you probably think you can take it with you. Not so fast! The buyer may have other ideas.

CHIC (Pearl)

Generally speaking, anything that’s permanently installed or custom built — like light fixtures, built-in shelving, and major appliances — stays with the home. Decorative items like rugs, artwork, and non-custom curtains are typically fair game if they can be removed without causing damage to the property. But if you find it’s hard to say goodbye to that special something that really pulled your home together, it’s important to avoid misunderstandings and make your plans clear to buyers in advance.

GEEK (Kevin)

Pearl’s absolutely right here. You have to set expectations up front. If you don’t plan on leaving your appliances or other hardware in the house, it’s wise to replace them before you start showing the house or disclose that info before you enter into contract. Even something as simple as those custom cabinet handles you’re planning to take with you could be the one thing that makes a buyer commit. Don’t lead them on. If you’re ever confused about what stays and what goes, ask your agent!

Mother’s Day Hangover

We don’t know about you, but we felt a little behind the curve on Monday. Maybe it was all the mimosas and See’s Candies for Mother’s Day! How did you celebrate Mom?

CHIC (Pearl)

Every woman will tell you that flowers are a waste and chocolates are bad for their diet. But the truth is, every mom loves flowers, and every mom likes chocolate, especially when it comes from their babies — no matter how old those babies get!

GEEK (Kevin)

I’m the kind of guy who celebrates Mother’s Day every day. Whenever I’m in the neighborhood, I’ll stop by to see if anything around the house needs fixing or if mom needs a grocery run. At the end of the day, it’s the little things that make mom happy!

Demand & Supply

As higher mortgage rates become the new normal, more buyers are entering the market. But the same high rates are causing many potential sellers to stay in their homes with lower long-term fixed payments. When will supply catch up with demand?

CHIC (Pearl)

I get the feeling we’re almost there now. New listings, offers, and sales prices may be down year over year, but they’re all on the uptick so far in 2023. Open houses and broker tours are packed, and homes are selling quickly with multiple offers. Everything seems to be moving in a positive direction.

GEEK (Kevin)

Feelings are fine, but I need more data before I’m willing to say the market is on its way back. We could also be in the middle of a long-term malaise that will only be resolved when things explode or fall apart completely. Neither would be surprising at this point. But here’s hoping for an explosion.

The Return of the Commute

Those of us who were lucky enough to work from home during the pandemic are slowly getting back to the office, but the traditional commute will never be the same. How’s your return so far?

CHIC (Pearl)

I’m one of the lucky ones who can continue to work from home, so the only commute I need to navigate is the path from our bedroom to the shower to the kitchen to the office. It may sound like a dream, but it can be very hard to find motivation when a bag of popcorn and streaming videos are at your fingertips. That’s why I try to pretend my supervisor is watching — even though it’s just our cat!

GEEK (Kevin)

If I never have to wait in rush hour traffic again it will be too soon. There is nothing more wasteful and mind-numbing than sitting in your car for hours every day with nothing to do but inch forward, check your text messages, and call a friend to vent. I know I’m not supposed to look at my phone while I’m driving, but I don’t call that driving. It’s more like waiting for a miracle.

Take out or dine in?

In the age of COVID, we’ve gotten used to DoorDashing and online ordering. It’s so easy to grab your food off a rack without having to interact with anybody. But some of us miss that human connection. So do you pick up or sit down?

CHIC (Pearl)

As you might guess if you follow us on social media, I love going out to eat with friends, family, coworkers, and just about anybody who will join me. Even the Geek! It’s thrilling to sit around a table in a bustling restaurant sharing good company while a chef prepares your meal just steps away.

GEEK (Kevin)

If you like loud music that drowns out any chance at conversation and slow service due to staffing shortages, by all means, let’s dine in! But seriously, why mess around and waste a whole night in a crowded room when you could be at home with good food, the people you love, and your TV?