Julia Curry, Realtor

3 questions to ask when interviewing a REALTOR to determine if they're a good match: 1. Do they offer a complimentary consultation before starting the process? Agents who require you to meet prior to diving into the process are doing so for a good reason. They want to learn everything they need to know about you and your real estate goals while also educating you on the information that you are going to need to successfully buy or sell a home. This is a sign of professionali...sm and also an easy way to know whether or not they are a good fit before actually getting started. 2. Do they use social media to market their business? Why should you care if an agent uses social media? While Facebook isn’t an app that is designed to sell homes, it is a platform with over 2 billion active monthly users. Along with a variety of other social media platforms, it is crucial for agents to be utilizing social media when it comes to marketing your house or helping you find your house. Ask them how they use these tools to stay ahead of the curve and how that can in turn help you with your real estate needs. 3. How do they communicate? How often can you expect to hear from them and in what form? Will you mainly be talking to them or their admin? Are easy to get ahold of? Make sure they let you know how and when they will be communicating with you so you’re never left in the dark wondering why they haven’t returned your call or gotten back to you. Sounds pretty simple but the real estate industry doesn’t sleep so having someone that is going to stay on top of things is so important. What are your thoughts? Did you know to be asking these questions before reading this post?

Serious question: Have you ever invited Zillow over for coffee and given them a home tour? Me neither! So here's what I want you to understand about Zillow VS Reality: Your "Zestimate" doesn't necessarily equal the value of your home. They didn't see those hardwood floors you refinished... They haven't taken a rainfall shower in your newly remodeled bathroom They don't know the last time your roof was replaced or how old your home mechanicals are They haven't had wine at your oversized kitchen island you just had installed So instead of looking at your "Zestimate" as a measure of how much equity you can cash out of your current home, think of it more like a "guess-timate" because Zillow has never been inside your house (or your neighbor's). If you want to know the reality of your home value, make sure you work with a trusted real estate agent who can tour your home and be able to give you an accurate number. On the flip side - if you're looking at Zillow as a buyer, you could be getting outdated information. In this fast paced, seller's market most of the country is experiencing, if you're relying on finding your house on Zillow, you're likely going to be too late. Instead, get set up on a custom home search that is tied to MLS so that you're the first to know when that new home hits the market vs waiting for it to populate on Zillow. Moral of the story, replace your Zillow app with a REALTOR you can trust!

Is this something you worry about when it comes to starting the home buying process? BUYER'S REMORSE The last thing you want is to find that house you love only to move in and realize it's just a little too long of a drive to work and you hate sitting in traffic everyday, you can hear a lot of traffic when that was something you really didn't want to deal with, the location isn't convenient for your morning coffee runs or you're disappointed by the lack of options for dining... in town... There are things you can do to avoid that buyer's remorse and find a home AND location you love. Here are a few things to start doing now! Grab your car keys and let's go! 1. Tour different neighborhoods - are there specific areas you really love or that have attractions that are important to you like a bike trail, walking distance to the downtown or a community pool? 2. Look for nearby attractions that are important to you! Is it the coffee shop, a yoga studio, etc. 3. Tourist Mode - while you're out and about, stop for lunch, grab a latte from the local coffee shop, pop into the local boutique, and walk around to see what else you like or don't love about the area. 4. Keep an open mind! Sometimes we don't realize how great a particular area is because we think it's a little too far west or maybe there's a town that you haven't really explored. yet that would be perfect for you! 5. Test out your work commute - Actually make the drive from the area you're considering to the office and see if it works for you! PRO TIP: Don’t narrow your search location too much or else you’ll receive less listings. Sometimes it’s best to keep your options open especially in a competitive market.

Every month I do a fun email newsletter featuring a cool local event or attraction, a few home tips/tricks and give away a $25 gift card through a trivia contest! If you’d like to receive a copy, send me your email address and get added to the list!

Warning: Swiping may result in online shopping These are also amazing ways to give your kitchen a brand new look without the price tag of a brand new kitchen! Cabinet hardware and a backsplash alone will make your kitchen feel brand new and modern.... Comment below if you're already clicking over to Restoration Hardware to start shopping!

Q: Why do I need a pre-approval before house hunting? Because I treat my clients (and Instagram followers) like friends, I'm going to share the same advice I would share with my very own best friend asking this question! It's really and truly in your best interest to get pre approved so you can learn your overall financial requirements and what you can afford monthly.... Having a pre-approval prior to house hunting also gives the seller the assurance of knowing everyone going through their home is financially qualified. *It is even more critical to have this before touring homes when you're in a competitive market. If you have a pre-approval, you will be ready to submit an offer if you love the home (yay)! Time will be wasted if you go, love it, and then need to get your approval before writing the offer. In this competitive market there is no time to waste or you can kiss that home you loved goodbye! I want you to have a full understanding of both the market and your finances before you start the process. It will increase your confidence as a buyer and you'll be completely prepared for homeownership.

Stop here for a Spring Refresh 1 way to use seasonal accent colors in your home decor... Spring Linens: Buy a blanket in a fun accent color to drape over the back of the sofa or hang over a decorative basket (pro tip: put another blanket underneath the fun one so it's fluffed up on top)!

Here's the cliff-notes version You DON'T have to put 20% down Stop using Zillow if you want accurate and up to date information - get yourself set up on a custom home search to prevent overwhelm and disappointment... Real Estate Agents do A HECK OF A LOT MORE than open the door for you to tour a house. I can tell you everything - are you free for 17 hours while I explain it all? PLEASE work with a local lender. Especially in a competitive market - you need someone who is going to be easily accessible. Writing the offer only touches the surface of what you'll need a professional for. It is SO important to have someone working in your best interest throughout the transaction. I'm here as your guide and real estate resource. If you have questions, I'm only a DM away!

When you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life!

You got the keys! Time to make your Pinterest boards come to life! But you have an entire house to decorate and you’re feeling overwhelmed! Where do you even start? Here are some questions to ask yourself before making a decision: 1. Which room will we spend the most time in?... 2. Which room needs the most work? 3. Which space will be the least expensive to decorate? 4. Which areas need new paint and decor vs furniture and more major upgrades? 5. Which room will have the biggest impact? A lot of times it’s best to start with the area where you spend the most time. This is typically the kitchen and living area but it might be different for you, hence the questions! You might feel like you should tackle that yellow bathroom from the 50’s but is that really where you want to start? Or would you rather add some fun pieces to your living room and make that a space you love first? When you start with a focal space, it can also help you decide what you want to do in other rooms instead of going in reverse order. What is the first room you decorated after moving into your current home?

Stop here for a Spring Refresh 1 way to use seasonal accent colors in your home decor: Spring Shelf Styling: Incorporate seasonal colors into your shelf decor with colored vases, trays, candles, or frames. Remove book jackets on colorful books you want to incorporate and add those to your shelves for a pop of color.

Stop here for a Spring Refresh 1 way to use seasonal accent colors in your home decor... Spring Florals - Whether faux or fresh, freshen up what's in your vases with Spring colors. What is your favorite accent color to use in Spring?