3 EASY AT-HOME DIY PROJECTS To Increase Property Value BEYOND CLEANING AND DECLUTTERING: What Improvement Expenses Make the Most Sense? Are These REAL ESTATE MYTHS Holding You Back?
5 BUSINESS LESSONS I learned From My Dog
Graham Harrop
ARE THESE REAL ESTATE MYTHS HOLDING YOU BACK?
Top Agent Magazine Debunks Common Misconceptions
In the fast-paced world of real estate, it’s easy to fall prey to common myths and misconceptions that can hinder your success. Whether you’re a seasoned agent or just starting out, separating fact from fiction is essential for navigating the
complexities of the market. That’s why Top Agent Magazine is here to debunk some of the most prevalent real estate myths and empower you to achieve your full potential.
MYTH #1
You need to have a large budget to succeed in real estate.
Reality: While having ample resources can certainly be advantageous, success in real estate is not solely determined by the size of your budget. With creativity, determination, and strategic planning, agents can achieve remarkable results regardless of their financial constraints. Top Agent Magazine showcases countless examples of agents who have built thriving businesses through hard work, ingenuity, and a commitment to excellence.
MYTH #2
It’s all about closing the deal as quickly as possible.
Reality: While closing deals efficiently is important, rushing the process can lead to costly mistakes and missed opportunities. Top Agent Magazine emphasizes the importance of building long-term relationships with clients, understanding
their needs and goals, and providing personalized service every step of the way. By focusing on client satisfaction and fostering trust, agents can establish themselves as reliable partners and attract repeat business and referrals.
MYTH #3
Real estate is a solo endeavor.
Reality: In reality, success in real estate often requires collaboration and teamwork. Top Agent Magazine celebrates the power of networking, mentorship, and partnerships in the industry. By surrounding yourself with knowledgeable colleagues and industry experts, you can gain valuable insights, access new opportunities, and overcome challenges more effectively. Together, agents can achieve greater success and make a positive impact in their communities.
It’s time to dispel these common real estate myths and embrace a more informed and empowered approach to your business. With Top Agent Magazine as your trusted resource, you can access valuable insights, learn from industry leaders, and stay ahead of the curve in today’s competitive market. Don’t let misconceptions hold you back—unlock your full potential and achieve the success you deserve in real estate.
Beyond Cleaning and Decluttering:
What Improvement Expenses Make the Most Sense?
Decluttering open spaces, emptying cabinets and drawers and removing knick-knacks might seem like obvious – and free – ways to improve a home’s presentability. Unfortunately, however, not all sellers or agents are willing to do much more than decluttering and cleaning.
Think of the listing as a reflection on yourself. If you didn’t comb your hair, shine your shoes, dress
neatly and drive a clean car, people would think you don’t care about yourself. They may wonder, “If he doesn’t care about how he presents himself, how is he going to present my house?” Likewise, not prepare a house for its most beautiful presentation might cast doubt on how the overall marketing will go. And, while not all changes will be immediately noticeable, chances are that what isn’t changed will be noticed.
Ashley Aguilera, REALTOR®, broker and owner of The Aguilera Team in California’s Murrieta Valley and Temecula, says that after every consultation, her team formulates a game-plan. “We want to set their property apart from everything else on the market, but also fall within the comfort zone of the seller’s lifestyle,” she says. Changes may run the gamut from minor repairs and moving furniture for better flow, to adding accent pieces to harmonize the home’s look or create a “wow” factor before professional photography.
Many agents recommend conducting a professional inspection prior to listing; some will even hire the inspector at their own expense. Of course, any necessary repairs found during inspection and not repaired before listing must be formally disclosed. But wouldn’t it be nice to have no surprises during the buyer’s formal inspection?
In general, some improvements are required, others are low-cost and others pay for themselves
with lower time on the market, competing offers or higher sale price.
Landscaping & Exterior
First impressions begin outside. Be sure to mow and edge the lawn regularly; prune back overgrown trees and hedges; hire a professional to repair uneven pavement (especially if it’s a hazard); remove or replace dying annuals; and clean or repair porches or railings. Are there dry or dead patches of lawn? An inexpensive repair to the irrigation system might be the solution.
While painting an entire house can be extreme, a wise investment is to paint trim, porches, steps or railings that may look tired or have too many colors; choosing a single, neutral color for trim can create a bright, cohesive look. Finally, check the roof, gutters and windows, looking for spots to caulk, shingles to replace, or debris to remove.
Walls, carpets, ceilings and trim
Next, it’s time for agent and seller to open up to one another about the interior. Janelle Holte, who leads Seller’s Edge Home Team in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, loves walking into a home knowing that her team will be the driving force behind selling it. “I like seeing how owners took care of it and raised their family in it,” she says. “But I won’t sugar-coat anything, so I tell them not to shoot the messenger!” She gives it to them straight, explaining what needs to be done to stage it to present well from a buyer’s perspective.
Those changes often include repainting at least the primarily living areas and replacing carpet, especially worn carpet or carpet that has faded or stained beyond what professional carpet cleaning could remedy. Sometimes, all that’s needed is professional carpet stretching to remove any buckling prior to cleaning.
Paint is extremely important if the home has faded or dirty walls, holes or chips on paint or plaster. If an entire paint job is not feasible, at least consider cleaning repairing the obvious and adding a fresh coat of semi-gloss to baseboards, moldings, windowsills, doors, banisters balustrades and built-ins. Don’t overlook the ceilings! A long-ago leak from a second-floor bathroom may have been completely repaired and moisture abated, but a patched-up ceiling is a red-flag.
Kitchens and baths
Most agents agree that the easiest costs to recoup in home improvements prior to selling are those spent in bathroom and kitchen updates. Complete remodels are unwise; you can’t anticipate the style preferences of their buyer. But refinishing, touching-ug up or painting cabinets can create a great impact, while also forcing the seller to remove unwanted or overstocked items from cabinets and drawers. Don’t forget the cabinet pulls – shiny, new nobs look nice.
Lee Ritchie of Ritchie Realty Group in Columbus, Ohio, gives a reminder to discuss any and all issues up front. “People need to be able rely on the professional who’s presenting, pricing and marketing their home,” she says. An honest and diligent agent will be an open book about the current market conditions, the quality of comparable listings and the potential return-on-investment for improvements.
Some agents, like Debra Dobbs of @properties in Chicago, even roll up their sleeves to help with decluttering and repairs. While not at all required or expected, doing so sure lets sellers see the investment their agent is willing to make for them.
KRISTA CARTWRIGHT
Finding Home: The Heartfelt Real Estate Journey of Krista Cartwright
For Krista Cartwright, real estate is deeply personal. Her path into the profession began not with a business plan, but with a childhood dream. “As a child, we moved frequently—almost every year,” she recalls. “My mom was a renter, and while she made each house feel like home, the instability of moving so often left a lasting impression on me.”
Determined to create stability for her own family, Krista set an early goal: to one day own a home. In her late twenties, as a single mother, she achieved that dream—and it changed everything. “Homeownership gave me a profound sense of security, pride, and stability,” she says. “That’s when I realized I wanted to help others feel that same joy.”
Krista began her real estate career in Southwest Florida in the early 2000s, a time of tremendous market growth. She experienced both the highs of the boom and the challenges of the 2008 crash, pivoting to work with REO properties and refining her adaptability. Before real estate, she built a strong background in sales and marketing, consistently earning top honors. “I wanted freedom—the ability to chart my own path and make a difference,” she says. “Real estate gave me that. It’s the perfect blend of entrepreneurship, service, and impact.”
Now based in Northern California, Krista serves as a solo agent with Alpine Realty in Mount Shasta, representing buyers, sellers, and investors throughout Siskiyou and Shasta Counties—from Redding, Mount Shasta, McCloud, Weed, and Dunsmuir to the Oregon border. “Northern California—especially the Mount Shasta region—is incredibly special,” she says. “It offers four true seasons, endless natural beauty, and a lifestyle that blends outdoor adventure with small-town community.”
Each property, she explains, has its own story. “We don’t have many traditional track homes here—each one has character, whether it’s a cozy cabin, a modern retreat, a historic in-town home, a riverfront sanctuary, or a sprawling country ranch.”
Based in Northern California, Krista is a solo agent with Alpine Realty in Mount Shasta, serving buyers, sellers, and investors across Siskiyou County, including McCloud, Weed, Dunsmuir, and up to the Oregon border.
Because of that diversity, Krista crafts a tailored marketing plan for every listing—combining professional photography, drone imagery, video, and lifestyle
storytelling to highlight each property’s unique character. “I showcase not just the property, but the life it offers,” she says. Her marketing spans all major platforms
and leverages her strong community connections. “In a small market, relationships and reputation mean everything,” she adds.
Much of Krista’s business stems from referrals and repeat clients—a testament to her authenticity and consistency. “People connect with honesty,” she says. “I want clients to know who I am and what I stand for, whether they meet me online or in person.” Staying connected comes naturally. “In a community like ours, I run into clients everywhere—at local events, on hiking trails, downtown, or even on the slopes at Mt. Shasta Ski Park,” she says with a smile. “It’s easy to
stay in touch when your clients become part of your daily life.”
After more than 24 years in real estate, Krista reflects with gratitude. “I’d absolutely keep my focus on service—that’s always been my heart,” she says. Her advice to her younger self: set boundaries early, seek mentorship, and never hesitate to ask clients for testimonials and referrals.
Beyond real estate, Krista’s passion for community runs deep. She actively supports local businesses and women entrepreneurs, having previously served three years as president of the local
Women in Business group. Her heart for giving back also extends to the Boys and Girls Club, an organization she helped champion early on by leading the local real estate association’s fundraising efforts during its founding.
In memory of her late best friend, Jeanne Yalon Owens—a beloved healthcare pro-
fessional and community leader—Krista established a scholarship fund to help local graduating students pursue careers in healthcare. “It’s a way to keep her spirit alive,” Krista shares. For her, giving back— whether through real estate, mentorship, or community service—is about building brighter futures and helping others find their place to call home.
Contact Krista Cartwright, Alpine Realty | Mount Shasta, California
kristacartwright@gmail.com |
siskiyouhomes.com
3 Easy At-Home DIY Projects to Increase Property Value
Most homeowners have a lengthy list of chores and bit projects they intend to accomplish around the house. Oftentimes, those to-do items are completed piecemeal over a long stretch of time, or else sometimes not at all. However, when it comes time to prepare a home for market, all those tasks begin to pile-up and overwhelm. The
list of things to do before the photographer comes or the first open house is held might seem endless, but not if you tackle just a few things here and there as you go. These sorts of projects—easy, DIY, at-home tasks you can accomplish in a few hours or less, with tools you most likely have on hand— go a long way with marginal effort.
Complete a quick rehab of closets and storage areas
Many agents advise clients to declutter and depersonalize their spaces ahead of professional photography and home showings. The idea is to provide prospective buyers with a neutral palette. Not only does this allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding within those four walls, but it also helps make a home’s square footage stand out. One way to add visual space to your home without calling in the contractor is to declutter common storage areas and closets. When buyers can get a complete look at a closet’s capacity, or a pantry’s depth, or the garage’s full functional potential, they get a better sense of a home’s potential and thus, its value. In that vein, consider decluttering and cleaning your high-traffic storage spaces: the garage, pantries, closets, attics, and basements. Besides, organizing and discarding unwanted items help you prep for a move anyway, while giving potential buyers a peak at how spacious your home really is.
Add easy curb appeal with a bit of sweat equity
Sure, curb appeal can arrive in the form of a new mailbox, pathway lighting, or updated house numbers, but it can also come cheaper than that. Curb extends to the upkeep of your lawn, landscaping, and home’s façade, and there are plenty of ways
you can give these zones a refresh without spending anything but time. Keeping your front and back yard green and uniform adds a lux layer to exterior square footage. Likewise, polishing the outside of your windows, trimming hedges, and sweeping the walkway can make a tidy and wellcared for first impression. There are other measures you can take too. Planting wildflower seeds in empty beds, or collecting some landscaping rocks to frame mulched areas can add a bit of character to your residence. Repainting the front door, ensuring trees are trimmed, and keeping back patios
neat and uncluttered also underscore a home at its finest, which is ripe for buyers to snatch up.
Transform tiled spaces into sparkling clean surfaces.
Bathrooms and kitchens are where sellers can stand to add plenty of value in the process of selling a home. While pricey renovations might be out of the question for some, there are still affordable and time-effective ways you can transform for these spaces for the better. Cleaning,
bleaching, or redoing your tile grout—in either kitchens, bathrooms, or other tiled spaces—can give these high-trafficked areas a new lease on life. Ensuring windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances and backsplashes are streak-free and polished also demonstrate to buyers that your home is well-cared for and practically move-in ready. Sometimes, the devil is in the details. You might consider relining drawers, changing out knobs and fixtures,
or else decluttering cabinets and shelves for a fresher look.
No matter the challenges ahead as you prepare your home for sale, completing a few small tasks every weekend or so can put you miles ahead of the competition. Without spending a dime, you can add serious value to your home’s bottom line, setting you up for success as you begin your own home-shopping adventure.
5 BUSINESS LESSONS I LEARNED FROM MY DOG
Applying these key lessons to your business can lead to an increase in productivity, creativity, and resilience.
Our furry friends bring immense joy to our lives. Their ability to project love and happiness into the world helps us feel calm. They seem to live entirely in the moment, which is something we
can learn from as humans. We can take it a step further and analyze how their behavior could be emulated in our own lives, particularly when it comes to business.
While there are certain dog characteristics we don’t want to replicate as humans (you can probably name quite a few), there are several that could lead to an increase in productivity. In this article, we’ve gathered five of the best lessons to be learned from dogs. Each one has its strengths, and applying these lessons to your work will undoubtedly lead to an improved way of doing business.
As we look into the specific lessons dogs teach us, keep in mind how their instinctual behaviors can make us not only better colleagues but also more adaptive and resilient professionals.
Here are the five valuable lessons dogs have taught us about business:
1CLEAR AND FREQUENT COMMUNICATION
Dogs are always communicating. Though their communication may not be as clear to us if we aren’t familiar with their behavior, their messages come in bright as day to the dogs around them. If you’ve ever taken a dog to a dog park, you will see what we’re saying. A bow towards the ground with a tail wag means, “I’m ready to play!” while a tucked tail, cowering stance and whimpering means, “I’m scared!” The dogs who send these messages are hoping for a response in the dog they’re communicating with, whether it’s to engage in play or leave them alone. The dogs who observe these behaviors instinctively know what they mean. Though they might not always respect what the
other dog is saying, the message rarely gets misconstrued.
We can take this lesson into our business lives by remembering the importance of clear and frequent communication. We have a lot more to say than dogs, so it’s even more vital that we are upfront with what we’re thinking and feeling. We can’t expect a person to respond if we don’t engage. And just like dogs do, we should be prioritizing open communication through both verbal and nonverbal cues to maintain coherence and clarity.
2
EMBRACE REGULAR OUTDOOR TIME
If you’ve ever tried to work alongside your dog, you know they can be quite demanding when it comes to breaks. Dogs want to spend as much time as possible being outside, and they’ll let you know if it’s been too long since they’ve felt fresh air. Animals crave being outdoors. Let’s not forget that humans are animals, too. It’s quite unnatural for us to sit behind a computer for 8+ hours a day, so we have to remember to take breaks throughout the day.
Set a timer on your phone to remind yourself to get up and stretch. When you have a longer break, take a moment to step
outside, even if the weather is bad. A deep breath or two in the outdoors will help you reset. Once you return to work, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to be productive.
3 FIND THE REWARDS IN LEARNING
Most dogs want to learn because it makes us happy. Some need to be bribed with treats or play time. No matter the dog’s age, though, they are generally receptive to learning new things. Training a dog to do tricks or have manners provides them with enrichment and rewards. Dogs tend to learn quickly, and they never seem to forget the things they’re taught.
As humans, we can apply this to our own lives by always seeking out learning opportunities. While we might not be rewarded with treats, we will be rewarded with knowledge, and we can use that to improve our business, make more money, and work more efficiently.
4 PRIORITIZE MAKING A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
Most dogs love humans and other animals. When they first come across someone they’ve never met before, you’ll see them exhibit quite a variety of positive behaviors in an effort to bond with their new friend. They might wag their tail and bring them one of their toys, offer a paw to hold, roll over, or give them a thorough, kind sniff. All of these actions seem to say, “I’m a good dog, you can trust me.”
People should attempt to say the same thing when they first meet someone, especially when it comes to business. Gaining trust is a key aspect of becoming successful as an entrepreneur, so showing others your open, happy, and accepting side will make a lasting impression. A smile, handshake, and light, positive conversation goes a long way.
5
REMAIN ALERT AND ADAPTIVE
Though dogs do love socializing and meeting new creatures, they also have a protective nature, meant to keep them and their pack safe. You can see this behavior play out when the doorbell rings or a stranger walks by your house. They will bark loudly, alerting you that something is happening. If you inspect the danger and tell them nothing is wrong, they eventually adapt their behavior, going back to what they were doing prior. When everything seems peaceful, they are always keeping their nose, ears, and eyes on high alert, waiting for anything out of the ordinary to happen.
We can implement this lesson by continually looking out for inconsistencies, and staying in touch with our instincts. If something in your work seems wrong, look into why that is, and adapt accordingly. In business, it’s important to stay in tune to what is happening, so we can keep up with changes and refine our strategies. Change is inevitable, and being open to that will help us reach new levels of growth.
The wisdom imparted by our canine friends supplies us with endless inspiration for our professional lives. The lessons they teach us, such as clear communication, the importance of breaks, continuous learning, making positive first impressions, and remaining adaptive, are essential for success in today’s business environment. By utilizing these principles, we not only enhance our productivity and creativity but also foster an atmosphere of resilience and mutual respect in the workplace.
