Part 3
​Self Evaluation
            
        Here comes the third step; the most valuable and difficult one: self-evaluation.  Pull out your self-examination list and grab some Band-Aids because you are about to be cut up!  That’s if you are honest with yourself.  Separate your list into three categories: interests, strengths and areas of required growth.
 
            Let’s look at the first category: interests.  Think of all of the things that interests you; things that you may do for amusement, good or bad.  For example: church, social clubs, dining out, partying, drinking, etc.  We’ll evaluate them later.  This category requires two subcategories: keep it and trash it.  If we are honest with ourselves, we do have some interests that lead to self-destructive behavior; be it over-eating, over-drinking or any other abusive habits.  Obviously, we need to trash those items without a doubt. 
 
            The next category is strengths; again, honesty is required here.  We all would love to believe that we are good at anything and everything that we do, but we shouldn’t fool ourselves.  It just isn’t so!  I have encountered so many people who are delusional in this regard.  Again, honesty is your best tool here.  At what are you good?  What skills do you possess?  What things have provided you some measure of success?  This list can encompass tangible skills- things you can create or do with your hands or soft-skills, those non-tangible people skills, for example: communication, customer service, listening, etc.  
 
            Finally, the third self-evaluation category: areas of growth; these areas are usually related to personality issues, psychological or physical deficiencies.  Often times as adults, we are still dealing with issues and pain from childhood.  We need to address those issues within ourselves.  And some cases with the aid of counselors and/or religious leaders. We need to release our childhood baggage that is holding us back from accomplishing our dreams and goals.  One, a thirty year old, should not have the same mentality that one did as a twenty year old.
 
Additionally, as we conduct this evaluation in light of our economic environment, we should also consider tangible and non-tangible skills related to employment.  For example: lack of computer skills or skills that would foster on-the-job growth.  More meditation and prayer just might be needed again at this point in the process.  

Authored by Natasha Hughes Smith

Continued...
Paint
Sometimes, all a house needs is a fresh coat of paint and a deep cleaning to bring it back to life.

Market Values
Market values are great right now; however, if potential buyers come to your home and see they have to invest more money into the property by making repairs and remodeling, they will not be willing to offer you top dollar. 
With these tips you have all the knowledge you need to implement and market your home for the best price possible.
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Written by Natasha Hughes Smith

​Part 2
​Self Examination 
            When it comes to others, we can be extremely critical; we can pick them apart and scrutinize them like sorting trash for the weekly garbage pick-up. But ourselves, oh no!  We’re perfect, right?  Not!  Just ask your best friend, family, children, or spouse!  They can’t wait to dish the dirt and unroll a list a mile long of things they would change!  This is the very reason why we miss out on life and don’t accomplish what we could have or experience growth spiritually or psychologically.  We simply won’t do self-examinations from head to toe. 
 
Are you ready? I’m warning you, if you haven’t done this before it might be hard or even embarrassing, but the good news is that this is private.  No one has to see it.  Ok, now that I’ve prepared you, let’s do it!  Take inventory of yourself, just like you would take inventory for a homeowner’s insurance policy.  Write it all down.  Before you start, I would suggest meditation or prayer; the length of time is solely up to you, but it is necessary to clear your head and get in touch with yourself on a much deeper level than normal. 
 
Next, write everything down about yourself from your physical attributes to your psychological ones.  These attributes can be good or bad; don’t critique or judge these attributes at this time.  We’ll get to that later.

Authored by Natasha Hughes Smith

Despite the COVID-19 disruption of the real estate industry, the current market is a seller’s market with little inventory for potential buyers.  However, don’t assume you can automatically get top dollar for your home.  You have to put in the value; and the value will drive up interest and the number of offers.
Some of the ways to improve the appeal of your home are to increase your curb appeal, remodel outdated rooms, replace old windows, complete minor repairs and paint. 
Curb Appeal
Make sure that you have flowers or greenery to add color and interest to your lot as well as repairing
 
cracked driveways or walk-ways.  After all, the exterior makes the first impression; so, make it a good one!
Remodel
We all love our homes and get comfortable in them as we should. However, we can go blind to how outdated and bland our homes have become.  So, spruce up a key room such as the kitchen or bathroom or do a full-blown remodel if your market value support it.
Repairs
Take a look around to see what needs repairing; if you can spot it, it will be magnified to a potential buyer.  Make that small investment as it will pay out big at the closing! 
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Continued next week
Written by Natasha Hughes Smith               

Part 1​ 
            Sometimes we can go through life without a true sense of self or gratification.  We look in the mirror and wonder what happened to us; we are not the women or men, we as children thought we would become.  How can we recapture that spark and that hope we once had for our futures and make it our present?  How can we dig our way out from under the burdens of an everyday dull existence?
 
            Now more than ever, we should ask ourselves these pertinent questions.  Our country, especially Michigan, has experienced a devastating increase in the unemployment rate; and it is hitting across all educational and career levels.  Hard-working individuals are finding themselves in a position, which most have never experienced, joblessness.  The economic recession has made it necessary for us to re-invent ourselves to obtain gainful employment, but without a map or guide we won’t be very productive.  So to begin this journey, we should start, not with what’s happening today or our current situation; but think back to a more simple time.
 
Remember Your Youth 
            Think back to those childhood fantasies and dreams; the ones in which you would lose yourself during class or while attempting to complete your homework.  Is there something … an interest that you once loved doing that you have set aside because of hectic schedules, career, marriage, or children; basically, adulthood got in the way?  Think about it.  Do you miss it?  If so, write it down.  We’ll revisit that later.
 
            Is there a talent at which you are/were good, a job or career you thought you had to have or you would just die?  You fantasized about it almost daily.  Maybe you just knew that would be your path, but someone discouraged you.  People said your head was in the clouds and then that goal or career started to seem too far out of reach.  If so, write it down and we’ll come back to that too!

​Part 2 continued next week
Authored by Natasha Hughes Smith

Why do I need a realtor?  I often hear this question.  And when I ask people why they think they don’t need one, they say “I can find my own house.” Or they say, "I can find my own office space.”  That’s like saying I can cut my own hair.  Yeah, you might be able to, but would it look better if done by a professional? 

The state regulates certain professions because there is a level of training, knowledge and/or skill needed to complete them proficiently.  Do you know the laws that govern real estate?  Do you know the laws that govern mortgages and lending?  There is a reason that the state and federal laws require licensing in these areas.  The regulations are put in place to protect the consumer- You.
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If you go into a situation without a realtor working on your behalf, no one but you are to blame if you get the short end of the stick.  No one would go to court without their attorney and trust that the other party’s attorney will look out for them too.  No one would go to court and say, "Your honor I wave my right to an attorney.  I’ll defend or look out for myself."  So why go into a real estate transaction with just the seller’s realtor, who has an agreement to look out for the seller’s best interest?  Your best shot is to also have someone representing you!
#realtor
​#househunting
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Authored by Natasha Hughes Smith