Stephanie Finney, Realtor

Jay Leno Bought this Newport,RI Castle as a Gift to his Lovely Wife Mavis immediately after seeing it! Incredible Photos in Comments. Jay and Mavis were cruising through Ocean Drive, Newport in 2017 and spotted this lavish mansion called Seafair. Mavis then said-"Look at that house. That's unbelievable. That's the greatest house I've ever seen". So Jay Leno walked in and said, "Can you get the owner on the phone?" and he asked the owner, "Would you sell it as is, with all the furniture in it, and just, you know, salt in the salt shaker, and this ketchup in the refrigerator? That's all I need." Owner said "Sure!" So they came up with a price, and bought it.

Here’s your “Market in a Minute”.

Your quick weekly look at what's happening with mortgage rates and in the housing and finance markets. Markets in a Minute

Your quick weekly look at what's happening with mortgage rates and in the housing and finance markets. Markets in a Minute

Hey, look into the markets…

Rates Consolidate This past week, interest rates held steady or moved sideways after the nice decline we experienced a couple of weeks ago. Let's discuss what happened and look at the news items in the week ahead.

If you'd like to schedule a showing, get in touch with me.

I have another home going on the market today!

Taking listing photos… my favorite photo

The Federal Reserve Spoke, Markets Listened

The Federal Reserve Spoke, Markets Listened The Federal Reserve met this past week and held rates steady for the 6th consecutive meeting. Let's discuss what was said and how the market reacted going into next week.

The Price Is Right! Bob Barker’s Hollywood Hills Estate Sells for $800K Over the Asking Price The six-bedroom, six-bath house recently was snapped up for $3,788,000—an impressive $800,000 over the asking price.

A look into the markets…

The Quiet Before the Storm This past week interest rates held steady as the markets brace for the Fed meeting this coming Wednesday. Let's discuss what happened and look at the big news events ahead.

MMG Weekly: Rate Spike Attracts Buyers

Rate Spike Attracts Buyers This past week interest rates ticked up to the highest level since November on continued inflation fears. Let's discuss what happened and look at the important news in the week ahead.

Shred Day at MHCS

Land of Confusion This past week interest rates moved higher with the 10-year Note yield briefly touching the highest levels of the year. Let's discuss what has happened the past couple of weeks and look ahead.

New to the market… It’s a must see in Grimes

Let me know if you’d like to take a look.

504 NW Calista Ct, Grimes, IA 50111 | realtor.com® 504 NW Calista Ct, Grimes, IA 50111 is for sale. View 16 photos of this 3 bed, 2 bath, 1040 sqft. single family home with a list price of $280000.

This is not a new list posted below, but it's circulating again because of the misleading, incorrect, and flat out wrong information the media has been pushing recently because of the proposed NAR settlement.

My clients know my value, but some people I haven't worked with have reached out to me with questions, so the purpose of this post is to inform and educate.

People, the hardest and most satisfying work I've every done in my life is being a REALTOR. If you know me or have ever worked with me, you know I work my butt off for my clients, and the list below does not include the hours spent providing emotional support, the phone calls and texts where all I can do is listen to them and support them, and the non-transactional time spent with clients who are understandably anxious about buying or selling a home.

For most people, their home is their biggest asset, and there are so many steps and unknowns during the process that they need an experienced guide to protect them and get them through it. I bought and sold my own homes myself before I became a Realtor, and knowing what I know now, I'd never do it again. But that's me. You do you.

There will probably be some changes in our paperwork going forward, but the fundamentals of the job itself remain the same. It will still be hard work and long hours helping people achieve their goals and dreams.

Here are some things to know.
The average FULL TIME REALTOR’s earnings last year was $44,813 @ 40+ hours a week. REALTORS do not get paid a hourly wage or salary and they only get paid if they sell a home and it closes. As an agent you could work with someone days, weeks, months, or years with no guarantee of a sale ever.

Essentially they wake up each day unemployed going on job Interviews and they deal with constant rejection. They dedicate time away from family, pay for babysitters, miss dinner and weekends and rarely take vacations. They are on 24/7! They constantly need to be on, or they could miss an opportunity. They have lots of upfront expenses that must be paid out before they even get paid:
Broker Splits and Fees
Office rent and utilities
MLS Fees
NAR Fees
Local Association Fees
E&O Business Insurance
Extended Auto Insurance
Self-Employment Tax
State Licensing Fees
Advertising Fees
Showing Service Fees
Website Fees
Assistant's Salaries
Showing partners
Transaction coordinator
Yard Signs
Photographers
Videographers
Office Supplies
Business Cards
Property Flyers
Electronic Lockboxes
Continued RE Education
Legal Fees
Gas
Income taxes are not taken out so they have to put that aside around 25-30%.
Health insurance if they don’t have a spouse who provides it.

As a listing agent they have lots of tasks far more than just selling a home.
1. Prepare Listing Presentation for Sellers
2. Research Sellers Property Tax Info
3. Research Comparable Sold Properties for Sellers
4. Determine Average Days on Market
5. Gather Info From Sellers About Their Home
6. Meet With Sellers at Their Home
7. Get To Know Their Home
8. Present Listing Presentation
9. Advise on Repairs and/or Upgrades
10. Provide Home Seller To-Do Checklist
11. Explain Current Market Conditions
12. Discuss Seller’s Goals
13. Share Your Value Proposition
14. Explain Benefits of Your Brokerage
15. Present Your Marketing Options
16. Explain Video Marketing Strategies
17. Demonstrate 3D Tour Marketing
18. Explain Buyer & Seller Agency Relationships
19. Describe the Buyer Pre-Screening Process
20. Create Internal File for Transaction
21. Get Listing Agreement & Disclosures Signed
22. Provide Sellers Disclosure Form to Sellers
23. Verify Interior Room Sizes
24. Obtain Current Mortgage Loan Info
25. Confirm Lot Size from County Tax Records
26. Investigate Any Unrecorded Property Easements
27. Establish Showing Instructions for Buyers
28. Agree on Showing Times with Sellers
29. Discuss Different Types of Buyer Financing
30. Explain Appraisal Process and Pitfalls
31. Verify Home Owners Association Fees
32. Obtain a Copy of HOA Bylaws
33. Gather Transferable Warranties
34. Determine Need for Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
35. Verify Security System Ownership
36. Discuss Video Recording Devices & Showings
37. Determine Property Inclusions & Exclusions
38. Agree on Repairs to Made Before Listing
39. Schedule Staging Consultation
40. Schedule House Cleaners
41. Install Electronic Lockbox & Yard Sign
42. Set-Up Photo/Video Shoot
43. Meet Photographer at Property
44. Prepare Home For Photographer
45. Schedule Drone & 3D Tour Shoot
46. Get Seller’s Approval of All Marketing Materials
47. Input Property Listing Into The MLS
48. Create Virtual Tour Page
49. Verify Listing Data on 3rd Party Websites
50. Have Listing Proofread
51. Create Property Flyer
52. Have Extra Keys Made for Lockbox
53. Set-Up Showing Services
54. Help Owners Coordinate Showings
55. Gather Feedback After Each Showing
56. Keep track of Showing Activity
57. Update MLS Listing as Needed
58. Schedule Weekly Update Calls with Seller
59. Prepare “Net Sheet” For All Offers
60. Present All Offers to Seller
61. Obtain Pre-Approval Letter from Buyer’s Agent
62. Examine & Verify Buyer’s Qualifications
63. Examine & Verify Buyer’s Lender
64. Negotiate All Offers
65. Once Under Contract, Send to Title Company
66. Check Buyer’s Agent Has Received Copies
67. Change Property Status in MLS
68. Deliver Copies of Contact/Addendum to Seller
69. Keep Track of Copies for Office File
70. Coordinate Inspections with Sellers
71. Explain Buyer’s Inspection Objections to Sellers
72. Determine Seller’s Inspection Resolution
73. Get All Repair Agreements in Writing
74. Refer Trustworthy Contractors to Sellers
75. Meet Appraiser at the Property
76. Negotiate Any Unsatisfactory Appraisals
77. Confirm Clear-to-Close
78. Coordinate Closing Times & Location
79. Verify Title Company Has All Docs
80. Remind Sellers to Transfer Utilities
81. Make Sure All Parties Are Notified of Closing Time
82. Resolve Any Title Issues Before Closing
83. Receive and Carefully Review Closing Docs
84. Review Closing Figures With Seller
85. Confirm Repairs Have Been Made
86. Resolve Any Last Minute Issues
87. Attend Seller’s Closing
88. Pick Up Sign & Lock Box
89. Change Status in MLS to “Sold.”
90. Close Out Seller’s File With Brokerage

As a buyers agent they also have many tasks.
1. Schedule Time To Meet Buyers
2. Prepare Buyers Guide & Presentation
3. Meet Buyers and Discuss Their Goals
4. Explain Buyer & Seller Agency Relationships
5. Discuss Different Types of Financing Options
6. Help Buyers Find a Mortgage Lender
7. Obtain Pre-Approval Letter from Their Lender
8. Explain What You Do For Buyers As A Realtor
9. Provide Overview of Current Market Conditions
10. Explain Your Company’s Value to Buyers
11. Discuss Earnest Money Deposits
12. Explain Home Inspection Process
13. Educate Buyers About Local Neighborhoods
14. Discuss Foreclosures & Short Sales
15. Gather Needs & Wants Of Their Next Home
16. Explain School Districts Effect on Home Values
17. Explain Recording Devices During Showings
18. Learn All Buyer Goals & Make A Plan
19. Create Internal File for Buyers Records
20. Send Buyers Homes Within Their Criteria
21. Start Showing Buyers Home That They Request
22. Schedule & Organize All Showings
23. Gather Showing Instructions for Each Listing
24. Send Showing Schedule to Buyers
25. Show Up Early and Prepare First Showing
26. Look For Possible Repair Issues While Showing
27. Gather Buyer Feedback After Each Showing
28. Update Buyers When New Homes Hit the Market
29. Share Knowledge & Insight About Homes
30. Guide Buyers Through Their Emotional Journey
31. Listen & Learn From Buyers At Each Showing
32. Keep Records of All Showings
33. Update Listing Agents with Buyer’s Feedback
34. Discuss Home Owner’s Associations
35. Estimate Expected Utility Usage Costs
36. Confirm Water Source and Status
37. Discuss Transferable Warranties
38. Explain Property Appraisal Process
39. Discuss Multiple Offer Situations
40. Create Practice Offer To Help Buyers Prepare
41. Provide Updated Housing Market Data to Buyers
42. Inform Buyers of Their Showing Activity Weekly
43. Update Buyers On Any Price Drops
44. Discuss MLS Data With Buyers At Showings
45. Find the Right Home for Buyers
46. Determine Property Inclusions & Exclusions
47. Prepare Sales Contract When Buyers are Ready
48. Educate Buyer’s On Sales Contract Options
49. Determine Need for Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
50. Explain Home Warranty Options
51. Update Buyer’s Pre-Approval Letter
52. Discuss Loan Objection Deadlines
53. Choose a Closing Date
54. Verify Listing Data Is Correct
55. Review Comps With Buyers To Determine Value
56. Prepare & Submit Buyer’s Offer to Listing Agent
57. Negotiate Buyers Offer With Listing Agent
58. Execute A Sales Contract & Disclosures
59. Once Under Contract, Send to Title Company
60. Coordinate Earnest Money Drop Off
61. Deliver Copies to Mortgage Lender
62. Obtain Copy of Sellers Disclosure for Buyers
63. Deliver Copies of Contract/Addendum to Buyers
64. Obtain A Copy of HOA Bylaws
65. Keep Track of Copies for Office File
66. Coordinate Inspections with Buyers
67. Meet Inspector At The Property
68. Review Home Inspection with Buyers
69. Negotiate Inspection Objections
70. Get All Agreed Upon Repair Items in Writing
71. Verify any Existing Lease Agreements
72. Check In With Lender To Verify Loan Status
73. Check on the Appraisal Date
74. Negotiate Any Unsatisfactory Appraisals
75. Coordinate Closing Times & Location
76. Make Sure All Documents Are Fully Signed
77. Verify Title Company Has Everything Needed
78. Remind Buyers to Schedule Utilities
79. Make Sure All Parties Are Notified of Closing Time
80. Solve Any Title Problems Before Closing
81. Receive and Review Closing Documents
82. Review Closing Figures With Buyers
83. Confirm Repairs Have Been Made By Sellers
84. Perform Final Walk-Through with Buyers
85. Resolve Any Last Minute Issues
86. Get CDA Signed By Brokerage
87. Attend Closing with Buyers
88. Provide Home Warranty Paperwork
89. Give Keys and Accessories to Buyers
90. Close Out Buyer’s File Brokerage

Fed Rate Cuts Coming...So They Say The Federal Reserve met this week and reaffirmed rate cuts are coming but, how many and why? Let's discuss what happened and look into the week ahead.

Beautiful

Awesome English Style Country Foyer

Are you decluttering your closet? This is a great help…

I’ve created this simple flow chart which follows along my train of thought when decluttering clothes in hopes it can be helpful!

I understand that we are all unique with unique situations so a one size fit approach doesn’t always work.

However, I often get messages asking how I decide what I keep when simplifying, and clothing is the most asked about so I’m sharing this.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you decide what to keep or what to let go when decluttering your closet!

Make sure to FOLLOW along this week as we discuss more closet simplifying and decluttering!

For $1.5 million, you can live in this modern home South of Grand This custom-designed home South of Grand features quartz countertops, oak flooring and a tiered deck.