The more stressed you are, the more you need a great Realtor

For every real estate transaction there's a story. Some stories are happy; weddings, growing family, downsizing freedom and the like. Many are sad; divorce, death, financial pressure and tales of that ilk.

The more emotional the move, the more you need a great Realtor who has your back. Sometimes when you're on cloud 9 you need the voice of reason keeping you on track and not overpaying for a home. When you are in despair you definitely need a trusted professional helping with the overview and managing the details of your transaction.

In my experience the best Realtors display tremendous empathy. They will feel deeply what it is you're feeling and lose sleep over thinking of ways to help you. Literally. That said, the most effective Realtors in the midst of any emotional crisis keep their cool and keep the transaction process at a manageable speed for the client.

The vast majority of people, when upset, cannot process information well. They are already on overload. I've often let grieving clients know that I am happy to repeat information, re-answer questions and simplify as much as possible the stress on their choices. In doing this, I completely respect their intelligence and competence -- I just know that under duress we are not firing on all cylinders.

When dealing with the sale of your biggest asset or the purchase of your biggest asset, look for a realtor who is invested in your welfare and not pressuring you to add to their paycheck. A great realtor will give you the straight goods -- but kindly. They will make sure you and your loved ones are protected and well served in the good times and the bad.

A great Realtor is the voice of heart AND the voice of reason. Just one more example of why they're worth their weight in gold.

Is your heart in your home?

Home is massively important to me. I can't begin to describe how much I love pulling into my driveway and seeing my little yellow house. It is a humble home, but full of colour and the presence of my dogs and objects of art and photos that I love. Very commonly I am told by guests how deeply they relax there and how it reminds them of a home they loved from growing up.

On the bleakest of days when I nestle in at home and light my wood stove -- it's a little coffee coloured wood stove with glass front -- all is as it should be in my world. Home is sanctuary, creative space, play space, work space. It is where I go to rest, rejuvenate, create, entertain, laugh and commune.

I have lived in houses that were not a good fit for me. Rather like having a pebble in your shoe, you can be thankful for having shoes....but the fit is uncomfortable and distracting. The quest for home is a driving force and one that should be respected.

Perhaps this is why home buying is often an emotional decision. Logically someone is looking for a town home that's brand new yet fall in love with an old character home they drive by one the way. (There is a slang expression, "buyers are liars" in the real estate profession. This is not meant to be rude but to indicate that often a buyer thinks with their logic that they want one thing and end up buying something else entirely based on the draw of their heart.)

Many people I take house hunting know within seconds of walking into a home whether it is for them or not. Part of my job is to make sure it's not something easily altered that is the barrier if they don't like it. Is it the smell? Is it because the walls are yellow or the carpet pink? Cosmetic changes can be made easily. So, take your time to see if the home speaks to you in any meaningful way.

A great Realtor will try to get to know you, what makes you tick, what makes you comfortable. We're not being nosey...just investigating clues to help you find the home that wows your heart. There are few things more satisfying to a great Realtor that watching your expression when you find the home for you!

When you buy a home to live in, live in it! That might sound funny, but so often people will use all neutral colours or the most generic taste in furnishings instead of tricking it out just for their joy. But that's a blog for another day....are you buying to live there or buying to flip?

I wish for everyone the deep and satisfying joy of having your heart in your home. If you're living somewhere that doesn't fit you...call me. We need to talk. Don't let a few weeks of inconvenience stop you from being at home in your home.