Brandy is a long term resident of Mariettaa and a life time resident of Cobb County She is married to her husband, Jarrett and is the mom to two adult sons, Justin and Carter
She has spent the last 18 years serving her community Currently, she is a licensed Realtor and Division Leader for the United Home Group powered by Keller Williams Realty Partners
ShouldYouBuyaNew BuildoraFixer-Upper?
Many buyers struggle to decide which kind of home they should focus their hunt on: a new home that’s move-in-ready or a fixer-upper that could cost less but needs a lot of love
Both options have their perks, but deciding which is best for you comes down to your lifestyle, priorities, and how much time and energy you ’ re willing to invest Here are a few key questions to ask yourself to help make the right choice:
1. What’s your maintenance tolerance? Fixer-uppers are usually older homes that need some TLC to bring them back to life With older homes, you ’ re also signing up for more ongoing maintenance to keep everything running smoothly If the idea of tackling surprise plumbing issues or patching up a leaky roof sounds like a headache, a new construction home might be your choice New builds come with modern systems, warranties, and minimal maintenance, giving you more peace of mind
2. How many home projects can you take on? If you love doing projects and renovations, a fixer-upper can be a great choice But home projects take time, money, and energy–and often more of it than you ’ re expecting If you ’ re balancing a full-time job, family commitments, or simply don’t love the idea of living in a construction zone for a while, new construction might be a better choice for you New construction homes are move-in ready so you can start enjoying your home right away and don’t need to worry about fixing things up
3. How custom do you want your home to be? One of the biggest draws of a fixer-upper is that you can fully customize it to match your style and needs Depending on the level of renovations you ’ re doing, you can choose everything from the layout to the finishes, creating a home that’s completely unique to you New construction, on the other hand, often comes with pre-selected finishes and layouts You may have some options to choose from but a new construction home won’t be as fully tailored as a home you renovate or build yourself If personalization is a top priority, a fixer-upper might be the way to go
Which choice is right for you? If you love the idea of minimal maintenance and a move-in-ready space, new construction is calling your name But if you ’ re excited about creating a home that’s uniquely yours and don’t mind a little (or a lot of) hard work, then a fixer-upper could be your perfect fit Ultimately, the right choice comes down to your lifestyle, budget, and how much time and energy you ’ re willing to invest in your home
Still feeling torn? That’s okay! Reply to this email, and we’ll weigh the pros and cons and find the perfect fit for your next chapter
4ThingsEveryHomeownerShouldKnow
Whether you ’ re settling into your first home or you ’ ve been a homeowner for years, there are some essential things that you NEED to know These 4 things will help you maintain your home, prevent problems, and make the most of your space
1. Make Your Furnace Last: One of the easiest ways to extend your furnace’s life is by regularly replacing its filters, which keep your furnace running efficiently and can lower your energy bill Some furnaces require monthly changes, while others can go a few months between replacements To make switching filters easy, buy several filters at once and label them with the date they should be replaced
2. Locate Your Main Water Shutoff Valve: This might not sound exciting, but it’s one of the most important things you can do as a homeowner In the event of a burst pipe or major leak, knowing where your main water shutoff valve is located can save you from expensive water damage Typically, the valve is found in basements, crawl spaces, or near the perimeter of your home.
Take a few minutes to locate it, and make sure everyone in your household knows where it is and how to turn it off in an emergency Hopefully, you’ll never need to use it, but if you do, you’ll be glad you know where the water shutoff valve is!
3. Choose Timeless Colors: When it comes to permanent fixtures like toilets, tubs, tiles, and countertops, it’s smart to stay with neutral colors, like white, gray, or beige These shades never go out of style, so you can keep your home feeling updated without the expense of big renovations If you feel like the colors are a little blah, it’s easy to inject some flair into your space with paint, rugs, and decor!
4. Stop Drain Odors: Does your home have drains that you don’t use often like in a basement or utility area? Over time, the water in the trap can evaporate, allowing unpleasant sewer gases to seep into your home Gross, but the good news is that there’s an easy fix. Just pour about a quart of water into the drain, followed by a few tablespoons of cooking oil The oil will form a seal over the water that slows down evaporation and keeps odors at bay
Staying proactive on home maintenance is one of the best things you can do as a homeowner It helps you save money and keeps your home in great shape so selling is easy to do down the line By following these tips, you can protect your investment and enjoy your home to the fullest!
Want more tips to make the most of your homeownership journey? Just reply to this email and let’s talk!
ThisCouldBetheWorstAdvice…
BWhen it comes to big decisions like buying or selling a home, it’s natural to turn to your loved ones for advice After all, they mean well and want the best for you! But unfortunately, there’s a real danger of family and friends giving you bad advice on real estate
Your loved ones want to help, but their advice is often based on their own experiences. While their advice might have worked for them, it may not align with your current financial situation, goals, or the realities of today’s real estate market
For example, they might tell you to look for a “fixer-upper” because it worked out for them 20 years ago. But if you don’t have the time or budget for major renovations, following their advice could leave you feeling overwhelmed and financially strained
One major reason advice from loved ones can lead you wrong is because they’re in a different financial position or life stage than you What’s realistic for them might not be for you, and following their advice without considering your own financial situation can lead to overextending yourself or settling for less than you deserve
Taking advice from people who aren’t in your specific situation can lead to some big mistakes like overextending yourself financially, choosing a home that doesn’t meet your needs, or missing out on opportunities because you ’ re too focused on advice that doesn’t apply to your situation When it comes to real estate, the stakes are high, and mistakes can be expensive
The best person to rely on for advice isn’t your friends or family, no matter how much they want the best for you Instead, it’s safest to get your real estate advice from a professional: your real estate agent!
Your agent understands the local market trends, knows how to navigate the complexities of buying or selling a home, and most importantly, will tailor their advice to your unique situation Your agent will work with you to understand your financial position, life stage, and goals, ensuring you make informed decisions that align with your priorities
While it’s great to seek input from those you trust, remember that their advice isn’t one-size-fits-all Instead, avoid taking bad advice, even if it’s well-meaning, and get guidance from your real estate agent!
Ready to make the best decisions for your real estate journey? Reply to this email, and let’s chat about how you can navigate the process with confidence!
5StepstoPreparefortheSpringMarket
Spring is right around the corner, and with it comes one of the hottest times to sell a home this year If you ’ re planning to list your home this spring, now is the time to get prepared!
Here are the 5 key steps you need to take to make the most of the spring market and get your home sold for top dollar.
1. Get a Competitive Market Analysis: A competitive market analysis (CMA) will give you an accurate idea of what similar homes in your area are selling for, which will help you understand what your home will score on the market A CMA will help you find that sweet spot for your listing price so your home sells quickly and for the best possible price
2. Declutter and Depersonalize: Spend a weekend sorting through your belongings, packing away personal decor like family photos, and clearing out items you no longer need. This will allow you to create a blank slate for buyers to imagine their lives on that feels clean, open, and inviting
3. Deep Clean and Make Repairs: Once your home is decluttered, it’s time for a top-to-bottom clean with a focus on less obvious areas like baseboards, windowsills, and light fixtures While cleaning, take note of any repairs that need to be made like leaky faucets, squeaky doors, or chipped paint Taking care of these details will make your home feel well maintained and move-in ready for buyers
4. Upgrade Your Curb Appeal: First impressions matter, and your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see Clean up your landscaping, and freshen up your home’s exterior to make everything look clean and tidy. You can also make the entryway to your home feel welcoming with a new doormat, some potted plants, or even a fresh coat of paint on the front door. These small upgrades can make a big difference in how buyers perceive your home
5. Secure a Great Real Estate Agent: Before you can list your home, you need a great real estate agent to help you get top dollar A great agent will help you market your home, negotiate offers, and ultimately get you the best deal while ensuring you have a positive and smooth experience
By taking these steps now, you’ll set yourself up for a successful sale this spring Ready to get started? Just reply to this email to set up a time to chat about preparing your home and making the most of this spring’s market!
