First comes home, then comes marriage?

Couples today are significantly more likely to purchase a home before marrying than older couples were, according to a survey commissioned by real estate franchisor Coldwell Banker that appears to point to a cultural shift in views toward homeownership and marriage.

Twenty-five percent of married couples between the ages of 18 and 35 bought their first home before their wedding date, compared to 14 percent of married couples who are 45 or older, according to the survey, which was administered by Harris Interactive on behalf of Coldwell Banker. 

"While life goals and expectations continue to weigh on young couples, their views of homeownership are transcending their plans of marriage and starting a family, creating a direct effect on the patterns of buying a home altogether," said Dr. Robi Ludwig, Coldwell Banker's lifestyle correspondent. "What we're seeing is that young couples are switching up the order and purchasing their first home regardless of whether or not they have set a wedding date. This is a huge movement within the American culture. While younger generations may be focusing more on their career, and in turn waiting longer to get married and have children, they are not delaying their dream of homeownership."

Other findings of the study include: 

• Eighty percent of homeowners surveyed said buying a home strengthened their relationship more than any other purchase.
• Thirty-five percent of married homeowners purchased their first home by their second anniversary. 
• Ninety-three percent of homeowners who purchased their first home while married always planned on buying a home after marrying. 
• Thirty-five percent of married homeowners wish they had bought a home earlier than they did. 

Is your big day coming up! Time to settle into a nest! Call me today! Laura Key 310.866.8422

BY INMAN NEWS, MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013. Inman News®

HELLO....Life is Calling

We live in an "instant" world and I think that has caused us to be a society of selfish, inpatient and sometimes uncaring people.  Life steps in sometimes and decides to slow you down whether you like it or not.  During this "Lull" in my career it has made me appreciate the little things in my business and in my life.  It's the little things that matter.  Like taking a few minutes to just breathe and be grateful for the little things.  

Have you ever just stopped what you are doing in your busy world and just "LOOK".  I mean, REALLY look!  Yesterday I was walking my pups and decided I needed to stop looking down.  I made a HUGE effort to slow down and look at the things around me.  Guess what I saw?  BEAUTY.  California is beautiful.  You do not have to be by the beach to appreciate the simple beauty among the hustle and bustle of city life.  Now, I am not sure you know that I am a true country living girl.  Not cowboy rodeo type, but rolling country side, bluegrass, garden fed, run through the yard barefoot, type of girl.  When I grew up, I had fields to play in.  I remember laying in the grass and just watching the sky and finding animals in the clouds.  Somewhere along the way we stop this process.  We get caught up in business, in life, in raising children, being a wife, being everything to everyone.  In that tornado of life you forget there is a beautiful world calling out to you.  Things get rushed and pushed to the next day, only to find your list never gets done.  

SCREECH...back to the walk?  I stopped to breathe. Here is what I saw. Tall, lean, majestic palm trees, wonderful vines full of pink delicate flowers, a clear blue sky and the smells of home cooking coming from the homes around me.  There were kids playing in the front yards, laughter coming from the distance, a church bell calling people to worship, you know...the little things you tune out in the busy daily life that you lead when trying to get to your next destination. So now, I have decided that each day I am going to take at least 15 minutes to just hold my head up and use my true eyes to see.

Yes, that's all spiritual and stuff. (giggle)  But I noticed when I  made that decision it made it easier to study the material in front of me.  I even stopped to think how blessed I am that I can even take my Real Estate Course online.  Really...no joke...just a few years ago you would have to go to classes but I have the luxury of sitting in front of my computer and getting it done in the comfort of my home.  Which made me think of how I do business.  I have a cell phone, a fax machine, a copy machine in my home and IN MY CAR! I am a fully functionally office where ever I am.  If I need to look up a property or a fact it is at my fingertips.  Who needs the World Encyclopedia book set anymore.  Yes, indeed, this Realty Goddess is blessed and happy to live in a world where I can access info at a snap of a finger, but for this weeks lesson I am glad my spirit called out to me and made me slow down.

Because of this little spiritual awakening, I finished my course, passed the school test and now I am awaiting a state exam test.  I'll keep you updated!

Peace, love and blessings from the Realty Goddess!

Follow me on twitter, facebook, yelp, google+ and foursquare! Maybe we can share some laughs and smiles along the way.

Something about Night Driving....

What a whirlwind I am in.  Not a bad thing, just a "moving forward" type of life change.  Last night after packing all the final boxes and taking care of the final loose ends, my pups and I jumped on the road to a new life.  Most people I know don't like to drive in the dark, but me...well there is something about it that refreshes me.  Sure I was tired, I drove for about four hours before it was time to pull over, but it was time and when you listen to your heart, it will tell you things you don't second guess.

We hugged our neighbors necks - hard - in these last few days.  I let the tears flow as I remembered all the memories we created together.  Our neighborhood has changed over nine years.  We've had old friends move, new friends move in, kids graduate, and some special spirits make their final life transition.  I thought of all these things as I drove down I-70 in the dark.  The darkness covered me and allowed me to wrap myself in the comfort of letting tears flow.  It was so appropriate, I don't recall seeing the moonlight at all.  Maybe Mr. Moon decided he would give me a little time behind the wheel in peace.

Colorado has beautiful mountains, they can take your breath away if you just sit and look at them sometimes.  But my night driving kept my mind focused on the things flittering through my mind.  Even the wildlife along the way knew to just stay clear of me.  I had to be allowed to plow through without the guilt of harming one of God's creatures.  Even the little bunny, who was directly in my path dashed quickly back into the whirlwind of tall grasses.  Whew... I thought he was going to be "SPLAT" but I (or should I say "it") was spared.  All in all it was a refreshing and cleansing night. I let it all go as I slipped past the mile markers.  Memories of a beautiful place and wonderful friendships. 

Finally it was time to rest these weary bones and find a spot to lay it all down.  God is good and I can't say it enough.  I thanked Him as I closed my eyes and let it all slip into dreamland. "Today was a good day" was my last thoughts.

This morning I awake refreshed, bright eyed and bushy tailed.  My pups greeted me with love (as always) and we just sat for a while in silence.  Silence - sometimes you just need silence!  Silence OVER....Up and at em, wash the night away in a warm stream and get on with the day.

As I sit here, sharing a little piece of my life with you, I am sitting with two warm pups at my feet, a warm morning breeze blowing across my skin and the sunlight rays soaking through my smiling face.  What lies ahead is an adventure.  Something new, something exciting.  New friends, new memories and blessings -- Look at me!  I am going to be a California girl!  I'm not sure Cali is ready for me but I am going to take the bull by the horns and reach for the dreams I have floating in my heart.  For now....it's a new day....and it's going to be a new life!

There is something about day driving....but that story is for another day!

Peace, blessings and love from the Realty Goddess!

Follow me on twitter, facebook, google+ and foursquare!  Maybe I can share a hug and a smile along the way.

The Joy's of Moving...NOT!

When will this ever end?  In just a few short days we are pulling out of Denver yet I stand here in the AM among open boxes, rooms still not completely packed and I am losing my mind.  How on earth do  my real estate clients do it? 

I spent some time with a wonderful neighbor yesterday and she said she has moved 26 times in her life!  WHAT????  Please...moving gods, shoot me now!  I do not EVER want to do this again. 

Funny how you can build a ton of things you think might be of value to you someday! Sure...I really needed that button from a dress I wore in 2000!  Hey, you never know when that stuff might come in handy, right?  NOT!  At one point, I stood in the middle of the kitchen, shut my eyes tight and screamed out "I NEVER WANT THIS MUCH CRAP AGAIN"  I must admit, it felt GOOD to let that out with so much emotion!  However, somewhere in that scream my secret desire was that everything would magically pack itself!  When I opened my eyes...it was still there. I guess there are no moving fairies.

Oh sure...you do things to help keep you moving along.  The iPod is on constant play.  I'm working and packing to Prince, Adelle, Rolls Royce, Busta Rhymes and a music variety that would make your head spin, but I keep finding stuff that I don't need and the packing tape makes my hands numb and we have YET to book the truck, AND THE BOXES KEEP COMING AND COMING AND COMING....(breathing heavy now) Ok, 1-2-3 breathe in...breathe out....*sigh*  Now where is  my permanent marker, I gotta mark these boxes or else I will never know what I packed!

Maybe I can take a nap at some point today...oh wait...we sold the bed! How refreshing to know I can share my madness with you!

Until next time my precious ones...love, peace and blessings from the Realty Goddess.

Countdown to Los Angeles...Going with Love

We are in final countdown stage!  Just a few more short days and we will be loading the pups, packing the truck and heading to the City of Angels.  The excitement is killing me.  Some days I feel I am going to pop, others I am shaking in my boots!

We are in MAJOR pack mode.  We have sold most of our furniture, cleaned out old papers, wrapped up business, hugged and kissed neighbors and wore ourselves out packing. 

I was able to take a break from it all for just a few hours.  I had some very good friends throw me a "farewell" party.  I don't see it as a goodbye so I refuse to call it that.  As we all sat around the table, eating, laughing and sharing stories I opened my spiritual eyes and let it all soak in.  These people love me and I love them!  Life is so much more than business, sometimes we just wake up and walk through our days like zombies, but every so often you get to stop and smell the flowers with those you love.  My eyes are tearing up, my heart is full and I am blessed beyond compare.

So today, no talk about property managers, renters, or real estate. Today my post is dedicated to my friends.  Who took the time to share just a few minutes to warm my heart and send me off with love.

I thank you, I cherish you and I will never forget the warmth of your hugs and smiles.

There are big ships and small ships.  But the best ship of all is friendship. ~Author Unknown

Peace love and blessings from the Realty Goddess!

Follow me on this blog, twitter, facebook, google+ and foursquare.  Maybe, just maybe, we can share a internet hug!

Other Side of the Coin Pt. 3...Realty Goddess Turns Landlord

Renting our home has become quiet an adventure!  I scheduled three showings on one day.  I try to keep the showings to a certain window time just to keep the madness down a bit.

There are PRO's and CON's of living in our house while it is being advertised for rent.  Pro's...I am here most the time so if I put an Open House sign outside people can just come on in.  Con's...I had to put a sign on my door that says "do not disturb the occupants" for the times we will not be showing. Someone actually rang our bell at 8:45pm one evening asking to see the house!  People are amazing!

What I am slowly realizing is this...I am having a hard time taking myself out of ownership.  I notice when I show our HOME I have a story to tell about our house.  I know our neighbors, I love this neighborhood and this little red brick house is a place full of memories.  Brick, mortar, nails and wood are what constitutes a physical house, but what YOU put in it  makes it a home!  This is what is making it so hard for me.  Renters come in, they walk through, they have their comments (all good so far) they open closets and cabinets and it feels...well, it feels...SO BUSINESS.  Stiff and stale.  I can't wrap my head around that.  Even though this will not be owned by our renters, I want to know they will have wonderful memories of the time they spend here.  I want them to care and love our home and treat it with the respect it deserves.  Gosh, I am such a hopeless romantic even with houses!

When I have buyers, that is what I picture for them.  Memories, love and laughter, a place where you come and lay your burdens down.  A place to cherish and relax.  Is it so wrong to want that for my renters as well?

It all boils down to this...it does not matter if you own or rent...EVERYONE DESERVES A WONDERFUL PLACE TO CALL HOME!

Our home has not found its perfect fit yet, but I know it's calling out to the right ones.  Showing our home has made me cherish my memories even more.  Every Christmas we had major family dinners, sang around the piano, decorated our home, baked cookies for our neighbors and loved ones.  We were the home to "BE" for the holidays!  We raised our child here, had BBQ's, supported our neighborhood.  We laughed, cried, sang and danced here.  So I am taking this time to reflect on these things and I am letting the blessings wash over me daily.  It is my hope that the next occupants have the same wonderful feelings we had over our nine years here.

Now if we could just decide on a property manager....UGH!

For now, we keep showing and interviewing....tune in next time for the next exciting episode of Realty Goddess Goes Landlord.

Blessings, peace and love from the Realty Goddess!

Follow me through this blog, twitter, facebook, google+ and foursquare. We will share laughs and love along the way!  

The Other Side of the Coin...Realty Goddess Goes Landlord

I have been in Real Estate for five years now. It's had it's up's and it's down's but I really can't see myself doing anything else (besides singing of course) I love people! I love helping others start new chapters in their lives. My clients become my "friends" and I have experienced wonderful things in this career. I've seen babies born, marriages, retirements, and everything in between that cause changes in other's lives. I pride myself on repeat business and referrals! I have counciled people on the hardships of facing foreclosure, living through a short-sale and relocations. 

One thing I have just “dabbled” in is rentals.

Enter the “Jaws” theme song……

When I joined my current company, Cliffdwellers Real Estate (www.Cliffdwellers.net) I came in with a STRONG wind!  I think I might have frightened my managing broker, Tony Cline.  I am pretty wild in spirit!  Cliffdwellers also does property management for the Denver Downtown area and manages over 200 properties.  With that being said, one thing I was not too excited about was doing leasing.  I never really wanted to try it, I only wanted to be a listing and buyer’s agent. 

In the last year, I started doing leasing reluctenly.  For some reason “renters” and I just did not have the “relationship” that a buyer or a seller and I experienced. I'd make appointments, confirm them and find myself standing outside for 30 minutes waiting for people who just did not show up! Ah, yes, leasing is a different type of beast in real estate. 

However with the housing market being what it is right now, there are more renters than buyers.  Long story short….I jumped in the renters pool - both feet first.  Slowly I got my groove, I had a plan and before you know it I was helping renters find a cool place to live and opening new doors in my business. I am proud to say I have opened another door to my future and have also created more friends in this new avenue.  Why are some things so scary at first, then you conquer them and look back and say….Oh, what was I so afraid of?

Enter a NEW ROAD!  (Now you must sing “follow the yellow brick road” in your head) Can you see that music is the soundtrack of my life?  But I digress….

As everyone knows now, we are moving to Los Angeles in just a few short weeks.  We currently own our little red brick home.  We have made memories here, we have touched every single room and made it ours.  We take pride in our house and LOVE our neighbors. So, what to do, what to do????

It would not be wise to sell our home in this market, so now the Realtor becomes the Landlord!  Time to rent!  Now my knees are shaking, I’m wiping sweat from my brow and I am a bit sick to my stomach.  It’s so easy to guide others in my business.  I’ve worked with investors many times over.  Fix and Flip (no problem) Fix and Rent (no problem) BUT MY HOME….PROBLEM!

(To be continued….Tune in next time for the adventures of the Realty Goddess turns Landlord)

Make sure you follow me through this blog, facebook, twitter, google+ and foursquare. 

The Realty Goddess is Moving from Denver to Los Angeles

Just a few short weeks ago I was very content and happy in Denver.  Business is good, family is well, life is....well...LIFE! Then out of the blue "change" hit me.  There are many reasons for my move to Los Angeles.  I am going to miss Denver very much as well as all of my clients. (I will not leave you without guided hands! - more to come) As I reflect upon this change, I see it as a wonderful adventure.  Most of you know I am just a little ole' country girl from Prospect Kentucky with an accent to match.  When we moved to Denver in 2000 I thought I would never get use to the "big city".  At the time "T-REX I-25" project was starting and the traffic scared me half to death!  Somehow as  time moved on things got better.  I worked as a secretary in Genesee for about five years then "change" hit me hard and I decided to become a Realtor.  That change was one for the better.  I love people and that makes my job a perfect fit for me.  Even though I got in when the "bottom" started to sink, I survived!  I have been in the business for five years and out of about 12 people who started with me at the Real Estate School, I am the only one left in the business.  I am pretty proud of that! I have made many wonderful memories here in Denver.  One's I can share with my grandchildren one day, but now it's time to move on. Los Angeles is going to be such a huge change for me.  I am currently packing, working, and studying for my California real estate license.  Change can be good.  I look forward to running with the big dogs....only I will be running in heels! (wink)  There are some things I am a bit afraid of, but what is life for if you don't face fears and grow?  I'm ready for the challenge and I plan to take the lessons learned here in Denver and put them to wonderful use there.

I have picked which office I will align myself with.  More on that to come!  But for now I want you to share my journey, join me on this new path and watch me grow.

I want to say "THANK YOU" to all my clients, friends and mentors. As I reflect over the past 10 years, I see I have made WONDERFUL friends in all of you! Your support has been so fabulous and I am forever grateful!

So here we go...just a few more weeks of packing, renting the house, finishing business and studying....then this Realty Goddess is going to join the City of Angels!

Share my world!