Home Emotion

Buying or selling a home can be a very emotional time. I encounter an array of individual reasons for people to move. Problem solving and working with people was one of the major reasons that I chose this career, it's the most challenging and rewarding things about what I do and I wouldn't change it for anything! Without being too specific (and this is only a glimpse at my daily experiences) I would like to share some of the most interesting stories I have been part of.

A retired couple have lived in their home for decades, raised their children there and made countless memories. It is time for them to downsize and they are looking forward to a lifestyle change. 
Along comes a young couple just starting out, they have completed their schooling and have jobs that can support a mortgage and set out looking for their first home together. I show them the property and they immediately like it, talking about offers and gathering information.
Negotiations are underway, excitement is mounting and he pops the question!! How much more thrilling can this get?! In the end the young couple take possession just in time to make it their own before their first Christmas in their new home and the older couple are able to comfortably step into the next phase of their lives.
 A fairy tale story that I was so fortunate to be a part of!

A young girl in age, but far more mature than most decides to take the leap and starts looking for a home. With a modest budget and enthusiastic attitude we start the search, often stumbling across pitfalls and discouragement but never losing hope. A roller coaster of a journey ensues with offers being made that never come to fruition, many unsuitable properties being seen and a long methodical process undertaken. Eventually we come across a property that is a far cry from what we had originally set out to find but ended up being 'the one'! Good things can come to those who wait and the negotiations, conditional period and closing went as smoothly as any transaction I have conducted!
Just a few months into her 20s, this young homeowner is already gaining equity and has a lovely home that fits her like a glove! Idyllic!

I was contacted to list a very unique home in a rural area. I knew it was going to be more challenging to find just the right buyer for this property... It had acres of land, completely off grid, only partially completed interior and required surveying tape and a paragraph of directions to find the driveway off a logging road, and it hadn't been lived in for some time. It was a charming place that had been painstakingly hand built from the ground up by the sellers during a time in their lives when their direction & path was very different.
Creative marketing and diligent site visits were necessary, as was a 4x4 vehicle. Over the course of the listing I was happy to do whatever was necessary to bring in buyers that would appreciate the property as the one-of-a-kind place it was. This meant meeting with renewable energy professionals and hauling a lawnmower up on a trailer to keep the encroaching vegetation at bay so that a potential buyer could find the property!
Not too long after listing, buyers  came forward that were looking for just such a spot and completed the sale! But my duties didn't stop there, I was even able to refer my client to a REALTOR® in her new location and they found a home perfect for the next phase of their lives as she was expecting her first child! 

Buying or selling a home is much more complicated than any other transaction we undertake. There are a multitude of factors that go into the decisions and often times multiple opinions and ideas. In order for things to go smoothly, one must be able to process layers of stressors ranging from monetary to emotional and everything in between. Multitasking when things seem overwhelming is difficult, and a professional in the field who understands these complexities is invaluable.
I thank each and every one of my clients that have trusted me with their most valuable assets and emotions. I appreciate every story that I have been a part of.

Positive Change & The Learning Curve

Keeping up with the evolving world of real estate can be a challenge. Continuing education is a must and the ability to adapt and change is paramount. Gone are the days of carbon copies, newspaper ads and handshake deals. If you want a stress free, smooth transaction, you had better enlist the help of an educated, up-to-date agent!

The housing market in Nova Scotia doesn't necessarily follow the boom/bust cycle like some of the more volatile areas in Canada, but it does have some ups & downs. In order to stay on top of the goings on, it is essential to have a team that is aware of new trends and is constantly upgrading their practices.

It is all too common to maintain an attitude of complacency and argue that 'this is how we have always done things'. I have never shared the idea of leaving well enough alone, but rather made efforts to try to find a better, more efficient and practical way of improving the status quo. Occasionally this causes some waves to be created around me, but that's exactly how the tides eventually change!


You see we have the ability to participate in change in every facet of our day, and can choose to make that change positive or negative. Perspective is everything and dictates how we digest information. The ability to evolve and grow is essential to leadership and being confident enough to make experiences educational is what can be the difference between making it and breaking it. Carrying on with outdated, inflexible practices simply because it worked in the past isn't necessarily beneficial, nor does it promote growth.
Why? Because it's 2015.

In this business I am fortunate enough to learn new things every single day. It can be overwhelming at times, but the more I learn about this business the more I want to find out! The team at Exit Town & Country have been participating in online sessions for the past few weeks geared towards being able to interact more effectively with people and understanding of personalities. This fresh perspective has been fascinating and has given me a new appreciation of the differences in people.

This business is highly people oriented and I am certainly grateful to be surrounded by colleagues & staff that are positive and enjoyable to be around. It's a huge benefit to work daily with this energetic bunch and be motivated to succeed & learn.

I am excited to maintain the upward growth of my business and continue to learn and expand my knowledge in the future! I am much happier climbing and learning, than simply coasting along.