September 2019

September 2019

Top 10 Things

first-time home buyer should know

every

Maintaining a budget on

commission

Get your move on —

Money-saving moving tips

Rob Wells also featured:

Megan Bock

contents

buyers&sellers 4

New in town? Tap into your REALTOR’S® rolodex

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Get your move on — Money-saving moving tips

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t featured cover agent

Rob Wells

q featured agent

Megan Bock

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professionals 7

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Dollars & sense — Maintaining a budget on commission Top 10 Things every first-time home buyer should know

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New in town?

Tap into your REALTOR’S® rolodex There are few professionals who will know more about their community than real estate agents. Even if your agent doesn’t happen to live in the exact location where you’ve purchased a home, there is a good chance that you have an incredible resource at your fingertips, who will be more than happy to help you get acquainted with your new neighborhood.

REALTORS® are almost unanimously active in their communities, often involved in multiple community organizations. In addition, because their profession puts them in contact with countless people every year, real estate agents always know a lot of people in different industries. Moreover, because part of their job 4

is to be able to introduce and educate others on the various benefits afforded by each community, they tend to have their finger on the pulse of the regions where they live, work and play.

As a newcomer to town, the vast knowledge that your agent possesses is an invaluable resource, right at your disposal. Here’s a look at some of the many resources most real estate agents can provide, when you’re moving to a new community.

Movers — Experienced real estate agents will be able to recommend you to a trustworthy, professional moving company to make your move as seamless as possible.

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REALTORS® are often worth their weight in gold, not only when it comes to helping you secure a buyer, or helping you to get into a new home, but in helping you feel at home in your new community as well.

Pet Sitters/Boarding Facilities — Trying to move while your pets are running around, or stressed out, can make moving day a lot more cumbersome. Instead of trying to keep an eye on Fido or Fluffy while moving, ask your agent for a referral to a safe place to keep your pets until you’re able to pick them up.

Cable/Satellite/Internet Providers — Your REALTOR® or the seller’s agent will be able to provide you with the options for internet service and/or cable options available in your new community so you can schedule installation ahead of time, and have all systems up and running when you need them.

Daycare Centers — If you’re moving with young children, you can certainly spend time online researching reputable daycare or childcare centers in your community. Or, you could save time and just ask your REALTOR® for a recommendation.

Carpenters/Handymen — Because real estate agents work with these professionals frequently, they will be able to refer you to a skilled professional to help you with repairs, or construction projects.

Painters, Carpet & Flooring Professionals You may wish to have your new home upgraded a bit before you move in, or after you’ve moved and if so, your REALTOR® definitely has the name and number of painting and flooring professionals who can help.

Electricians — If there are new lighting fixtures you’d like installed, or if you have specific electrical needs your new home isn’t properly wired for, contact your agent or the seller’s agent. They will be able to refer you to a trusted, experienced electrician in your area to make any necessary changes.

HVAC Professionals — When you need your hot Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

water heater replaced, or your furnace serviced, a single phone call to a real estate agent can likely save you a lot of time researching HVAC professionals online.

Landscapers/Seasonal Professionals — If you’re looking for help with mowing your lawn, designing gardens, raking leaves, or even snow removal in the winter, ask your REALTOR® for a referral — they will have one.

Babysitters — Believe it or not, real estate agents may even be able to point you in the direction of a trusted, reliable babysitter, for times when you need to leave your children at home.

Restaurants — If you’re looking for a nice evening out, or an amazing weekend brunch, your REALTOR® likely has suggestions in spades. To boot, they may know of specials, coupons, or weekly events at various restaurants in town.

Fitness Facilities or Classes — From yoga, to local gyms, to great walking, running, or hiking trails, your real estate agent will know where residents go to exercise.

Community Events — From getting in touch with your local chamber, rotary, or neighborhood association, to discovering a weekly farmer’s market, or story time at the library, your REALTOR® is a valuable community resource for you to utilize.

Real estate agents are in the business of helping others. Their success is also contingent upon knowing the ins-and-outs of the communities where they work.

As the result, REALTORS® are often worth their weight in gold, not only when it comes to helping you secure a buyer, or helping you to get into a new home, but in helping you feel at home in your new community as well.

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featuredagent Megan Bock magazine

Texas real estate professional Megan Bock loved her job as a teacher, but the rigid schedule didn’t allow her to spend as much time as she wanted to with her children. So when someone from local brokerage approached her and asked her to consider becoming a REALTOR,® she jumped at the chance. “After giving it some thought and realizing I loved people, properties, and paperwork, I got my license and dove right in.”

In the three years since, Megan has built a successful business serving home buyers and sellers throughout the Bryant/College Station area. Her client list is long and varied and includes everyone from first-time homebuyers to retirees.

No matter who the client is, Megan is committed to providing the highest level of service. “When someone is buying, selling, or investing, that’s a really big decision financially and probably the greatest investment they will ever make, so it needs to be about what’s best for them,” Megan explains. “I have a lot of experience buying and selling in this market and I believe it really helps to have knowledge of both sides.”

marathon, not a race. Not everything is going to work out; sometimes a deal falls through and you look back and see that it was for the best. When you’re dealing with people, it’s not just a numbers game.”

Based on her commitment to her clients and the community she serves, it’s clear Megan has taken that advice to heart. She is the founder of the Jingle Bell Market, an annual event that brings local businesses together under one roof so the community can come in and shop, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Mercy Project, which helps rescue enslaved children in Ghana, Africa. She also has a charity tree in her office which features ornaments from local charities. People can purchase an ornament from the charity of their choice and 100% of the proceeds go back to that charity. Additionally, Megan sponsors coat drives, canned food drives, and other community initiatives. “One of the reasons I went into this business was to be a blessing for my family, my clients and my community,” she says. “These events are part of that.”

As she looks toward the future, Megan’s goal is to continue improving her client services. “What matters most to me is that my clients have a positive experience and get taken care of. I want it to the best real estate experience my clients will ever have.”

The way Megan conducts business is guided by her faith, and the belief that people come first. “In this business we use the words ‘transaction’ and ‘property’ a lot but when you’re dealing with residential real estate it’s a very emotional experience,” she says. “A big part of my job is making sure my client is OK throughout the process and walking the journey with them.” Her clients also get the benefit of Megan’s teaching experience. “One of the things I love is helping my clients understand the contract and the market; it’s a way to still get my teaching fix,” she adds.

Megan is thrilled to have found her “forever career,” and fortunate that she has received excellent advice along the way. “Early on someone told me that this business is a

Megan Bock Walsh & Mangan Premier Real Estate Group | College Station, TX 281.782.3979 | Megan@MeganBock.com | www.MeganBock.com 6

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Dollars & sense — Maintaining a budget on commission Most real estate agents agree, one of their favorite aspects of being a REALTOR® is not having a ceiling on their income potential. However, because real estate is not a 9-to-5 job with a predictable paycheck every two weeks, many agents find themselves in feast-orfamine mode and come up short while waiting for their next commission. This is especially true for newer, less established agents, but it can happen to long-time agents as well. Here are several tips to to help real estate professionals avoid being cash-strapped during slow periods.

Determine your baseline — Total up all your monthly bills and living expenses so you know exactly how much money will be going out every month.

This way you’ll know the minimum you need to make or save to carry over from the previous month to cover the basics.

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Start saving for emergencies — Having a cash cushion to fall back on will give you peace of mind.

Start depositing a portion of every commission into an accessible (but not too accessible) savings account reserved exclusively for true emergencies, such as major medical bills, home repairs, or a long lull between commissions. Having emergency funds in place will help you avoid turning to credit cards if you face a tough month.

Plan ahead for expenses — Be sure your monthly budget allows for all types of expenses: fixed, variable and periodic. Fixed expenses are the ones you can count on month after month, such as rent and your car payments. Variable expenses may also occur monthly, but they will be different each time; think utilities and groceries. Periodic expenses are the ones that only happen once or a few times a year, such 7

as car registration, property taxes or purchasing birthday and holiday gifts. Place these on the calendar and start saving for them in advance so you’re not caught off guard when they inevitably come up.

Avoid relying on credit — When you’re waiting for that big commission to come in, it’s tempting to charge up your credit cards with the intention of paying them off once you get the funds. But a lot can happen between now and then. If you end up with credit card bills you can’t pay off right away, you will be accruing interest charges and always chasing that next big payday to try to catch up. Keep credit card use to a minimum and if you do use them, have a plan in place to pay them off quickly.

Keep expenses and spending in check — When commissions are rolling in regularly, it’s tempting to overspend. But remember, the housing market depends on a number of factors, many of which are outside your control. If you spend every last penny of each commission assuming there will always be another one, you’re setting yourself up for financial hardship down the road. Go ahead and treat yourself now and then, but be sure you’re saving with an eye on the future.

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Quick tips for living on commission • Total up monthly expenses and set a budget • Avoid using credit cards for everyday purchases • Regularly contribute to emergency savings • Plan for fixed, variable and periodic expenses • Be careful with over-spending and large purchases Budgeting for an unpredictable income can sometimes be challenging, but it’s worth it when you consider the many incredible benefits of a career in real estate. With some planning and care, you will be able to enjoy the good times and sail through the challenging ones.

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Rob Wells

Rob Wells

With his family rooted in Park City, Utah, since the early 1970’s, Rob Wells has a vested interest in not only his clients, but in his community as well. His father, Bob, was a leader in the growth and development of the local area and served as a long-time executive with Deer Valley Ski Resort. “I grew up here, and after traveling the world while serving in the military for 20 years, my belief that Park City is the greatest mountain community was confirmed.

I’ve yet to see a community so closely-knit, and witnessing the town further prosper is something I’ve cherished above all,” says Rob. “Since 2008, I’ve been a real estate advisor primarily for one reason: to share the experiences this beautiful town has granted my family with others.”

The local knowledge Rob possesses is second-tonone, which is an advantage that benefits his clients.

“I know all the neighborhoods and comps in the area. I also network with many other local brokers 10

to find properties that aren’t even on the MLS yet,” says Rob. His expertise lies in condominiums and investment properties in lower Deer Valley, as well as the lower Pinebrook Developments.

In addition, he’s partnered with a developer specializing in residential properties starting in the $500,000 range. “When you’re purchasing a property at these values, it’s important to know the rich history of the area, and that’s something I’m really good at because I have such an intimate knowledge of Park City and all the surrounding areas.”

As a global real estate advisor at Engel & Volkers Park City, Rob firmly believes in establishing a relationship with each and every client based on honesty and integrity. “Sometimes buyers or sellers may not like what you have to communicate, but if you’ve done the work to earn their trust, they can be confident with the advice you have for them. This creates a Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

“Loyalty and commitment are two of the most important values that transferred over from my military career to my real estate career. I learned that to be successful, it takes more than just selling yourself. It includes follow through, commitment, and loyalty.” win-win outcome for every deal,” says Rob. “If it’s not a win-win for everyone involved, I walk away.

There is no commission on earth worth jeopardizing my personal integrity.”

So much of Rob’s personal character stems from what he learned as an Army Ranger and has led to his great success in this industry. “Loyalty and commitment are two of the most important values that transferred over from my military career to my real estate career. I learned that to be successful, it takes more than just selling yourself. It includes follow through, commitment, and loyalty.”

That commitment involves being available to his clients whenever they need him for advice, to answer Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

questions, or to calm the nerves or stress that are often par for the course during the buying or selling process. “It’s as simple as answering your phone,” says Rob. “Now, that also means working long hours.

This isn’t a 9-5 job, but to be successful, you have to be there when your clients need you, no matter what time it is.” Rob certainly couldn’t boast a repeat client rate of 85%, one of whom he’s represented in more than 50 transactions, by doing otherwise.

Even outside of real estate, Rob is committed to serving others through the many charitable foundations he supports. “I sponsor the Peace House golf tournament, which benefits the local women’s shelter. I also sponsor tables at the Saluting Our Heroes annual event, and regularly make monetary donations to

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“I grew up here, and after traveling the world while serving in the military for 20 years, my belief that Park City is the greatest mountain community was confirmed.”

the Mountain Trails Foundation, Mountain Town Music, and Friends of Animals,” says Rob. When he’s not working or donating his time and efforts to supporting his community, Rob enjoys boating, scuba diving, and of course, hitting the ski slopes during the winter.

Looking ahead, Rob will continue to offer sound advice to his clients while further expanding his

reach in the Park City area. “I want to continue to serve my clients without losing sight of who I represent and what the end goal is,” says Rob. “When I can work with a family and guide them through the process, remove all the negativity that can come along with a typical transaction, and help them find a place to call home… that’s when I know I’ve done my job. That’s exactly what I enjoy most about real estate.”

Rob Wells Engel & Volkers Park City | Park City, UT 435.901.0075 | rob.wells@evusa.com | www.robwells.evusa.com 12

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Top 10 Things every first-time home buyer should know Buying your first home is exciting, stressful and life-changing. You’re going to be faced with a lot of important decisions along the way, and you’ll often have to make them quickly, so the more information you have going into the process, the better. Here are the Top 10 things every first-time home buyer should know.

Mortgage Pre-Approval Isn’t a Guarantee — Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is an important step, but just because you’re pre-approved, doesn’t mean you’ll actually get the mortgage. Financial missteps following pre-approval could derail your chances.

Decide Location Versus Space — Figure out what’s most important to you. Is it the neighborhood you’ll live in, or the amount of square footage you’ll have? Once you decide that, you’ll be less likely to compromise one for the other and avoid being talked into something you don’t really want.

Understand the Total Cost — You’ve saved for a down payment, you can afford the mortgage payment, so that means you’re good to go, right? Not necessarily. You have to take into account the total cost of home ownership, which includes insurance, HOA fees, property taxes, home maintenance & repairs and more.

Don’t Expect Perfection — Very rarely does your dream home look like your dream home the moment you step through the door. You have to be able to envision the possibilities and be ready to transform it into your ideal space. Be sure you’re looking at homes with an open mind.

The School District Matters — Even if you don’t have kids or aren’t planning to, the school district in which your home is located affects the property value.

Don’t Make Rushed Decisions — While it’s true that you may have to make some quick decisions during the bidding process, don’t commit to anything you feel you’re being forced into or aren’t ready for.

Understand the Time Commitment — As a renter, you come and go as you please, and if something breaks or needs to be repaired, you make a phone call and that’s that. As a homeowner, you’re responsible for maintenance and upkeep, both inside and out, which will likely take a bite out of your free time.

Research the HOA — If you’re looking at a home in a community with an HOA be sure you read and understand the covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) and talk with your potential new neighbors to get a feel for how the HOA performs.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions — You’re about to make a huge decision. It’s perfectly normal to have lots of questions for your lender, your REALTOR®, the home inspector and anyone else involved in the transaction. Most real estate pros enjoy working with and educating first-time buyers, so ask away.

It Should Be Fun! — The home buying process can definitely be stressful, but it should also be fun, too.

After all, you’re about to realize the American Dream of home ownership. Enjoy the ride!

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Get your move on — Money-saving moving tips As exciting as it is to move into a new home, the process of moving out of the old one can be costly and time-consuming. And waiting until the last minute and being unprepared will only make things worse. With the right planning and preparation, you can take some of the stress out of moving and put that energy toward being excited about your new home.

Here are several ways you can save your sanity — and even some money — when moving: Plan a schedule — Moving is a huge job! But just like anything else, if you break it down into small, manageable steps, it becomes much easier. Plan a schedule beginning at least four weeks out from your moving date to ensure you leave yourself plenty of time to get everything down and account for any unexpected occurrences. Be sure to factor in time for 14

sorting, packing, holding a yard sale, cleaning and making any necessary home repairs. Set daily goals and allow yourself rewards when you meet them, such as taking a break to have a glass of wine or stream an episode of your favorite show.

Sort and sell — Moving is probably the only time to really take stock of everything you have and decide whether or not it’s still something you need or want.

Go through every room in your home — including the attic, basement and garage — and take an inventory of what you find, then determine if each item is something you still need, use or love. If it doesn’t fall into any of those categories, it’s time to let it go. Sell items that are in good condition by listing them on EBay, Craig’s List, or Let Go, or simply have a blowout moving sale to get rid of everything at once.

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For anything that doesn’t sell, call a local nonprofit and schedule a time for them to come and pick it up.

Hoard boxes — There’s no need to waste money buying brand-new moving boxes. As soon as you know you’re moving, be on the lookout for boxes you can use. Whether it’s at your office, the grocery store, or your weekly Target run, pick up as many clean, sturdy boxes as you can. Ask family and friends to save any good boxes they run across, too.

Learn to love labels — It’s easy to toss everything into boxes, seal them up, and deal with it later.

But doing so will cost you time and money once you reach your new home. You will end up spending hours looking for things or just giving up and buying new versions because you can’t find what you need.

By taking time on the front end to carefully pack and label boxes systematically, room-by-room, you’ll be able to quickly unpack, find everything you need, and focus on turning your new house into a home.

Use what you have — Clear out your refrigerator, freezer and pantry by making meals out of the food you have. Try to get through as much as you can and if you have any non-perishable items left by moving day, donate them to a local food pantry. You don’t Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

want to spend precious time loading up boxes with canned food or have them take up valuable space on the moving truck.

Move mid-week — Sure, moving on the weekend is easier, and you don’t have to take any time off from work to do it. But, it’s also more expensive. Because everyone else wants to move on the weekend, too, you will be paying the highest rates. Moving midweek can save you money, and give you a head start on getting settled. You might even be unpacked and settled by the time the weekend rolls around.

Take a break from shopping — The last thing you need to do when you’re in the process of packing to move is bring in more things you have to pack. Take a break from shopping to focus on going through what you already have. Even after you move, hold off before shopping for new furniture and household items until you’ve lived in the space for a while. You’ll probably be surprised by how your current furniture and décor looks completely different in its new surroundings.

Planning for your move and taking the time to carefully pack and label your items will help moving day go smoothly and reduce your stress level so you can focus on the fun and enjoy setting up your new home.

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Let us introduce you to real estate professionals ready to assist with your next transaction. Moving can be stressful! We hope to educate and inform you about the process and share tips and insight on how to make the experience smooth and enjoyable. tu

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Take advantage of the opportunity to share, network and be seen. Along the way, pick up tips and ideas to help grow your business, increase motivation and achieve your goals.

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