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How to Start Investing in Real Estate
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Article written by Ricci Julia
The US housing market has been fraught with high borrowing costs and increased home prices; California is no exception. In a Times feature, mortgage rates in California have jumped to an all-time high of over 7%. Despite the recent turmoil, those interested in real estate investing within the state shouldn’t be daunted. After all, in our post ‘Owning a Home: The Ultimate Catalyst for Building Your Generational Wealth’, we showed how 63% of the net wealth of 80% of Americans comes from their real estate.
If you currently reside in California, you’ll certainly be given opportunities to secure valuable properties, granted the right approach guides you. Below are the steps you need to take to begin real estate investing:
Determine your strategy
For starters, real estate investing provides you with several routes. For rental properties, profit is primarily from rent, which depends on how much you charge. It’s advisable for rent to cover expenses until the mortgage has been fulfilled. Otherwise, profit is made through appreciation, though circumstances in which you can sell your property can be volatile due to price surges. Another thing to note is that the number of completed property sales in Mendocino County, specifically, is a mere 18.8%.
In light of that, real estate investment trusts (REITs) can be another great option. REITs utilize investors’ cash to buy, operate, and income-producing properties. Potential investors can diversify their portfolio here, as REITs can oversee different property types in Mendocino County, like healthcare facilities, malls, mortgages, and office buildings.
The strategy you choose shouldn’t be informed by preference alone; it should also be based mainly on your current financial situation.
Evaluate your finances
Investing in real estate won’t automatically yield great results. It’s essential to consider your overall financial situation, especially for serious California investors who value cash flow and equity upon securing a property. Real estate investing necessitates closely monitoring trends and pricing, which is where collaborating with a financial analyst proves beneficial.
Maryville University discusses how financial analysts conduct in-depth evaluations of potential properties. Although buying properties can lead to high returns, it comes with numerous risks. New York Times reported that median sale prices of houses in California were up by 12.3% in 2021. An average home will cost around $798,440. Investment costs are high, so it’s crucial that an analyst helps you gauge an investment’s quality and progress. You can also better gear your existing finances and take out a manageable loan if necessary.
Secure your financing
With a better understanding of your financial health, you can now secure funding for real estate purchases. Most of these are associated with mortgages. The referenced Times feature suggests that you should look at the following financial options:
California Housing Finance Agency loans:
For first-time real estate buyers (or those who haven’t owned a house in the past three years), they offer down payment assistance through the MyHome Assistance Program. This loan provides you up to $10,000— more if you’re purchasing a manufactured property or a new construction home.
Southern California Home Financing Authority loans:
These offer down payment and closing cost assistance to California residents. You can be given around 4% of your mortgage amount, not to mention you won’t need to repay the grant.
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) loans:
This best suits those who want to purchase properties in rural residential areas such as Mendocino, Del Norte, and Colusa. A USDA loan doesn’t require any down payments as well.
Raise your own funds for reserves
Although leveraging outside financing is enough to buy a property in California, you’ll still need to raise cash for reserves. Cash reserves cover renovation costs, mortgage fees, and property tax payments. As the Times feature mentioned, the average property tax rate for owner-occupied properties in California is 0.70% (around a 2% annual increase). That being said, reserves are especially relevant in abetting home upgrades, which increases your property’s net worth. Our referenced W Real Estate post shows that Mendocino County has a 12% home appreciation rating. The jump from 7.2% over the past decade is primarily due to home improvements.
Renovations don’t have to be as extensive as installing a pool. Kitchen or bathroom remodels can already heighten the value considerably. That rise can attract buyers and attain profit for properties in California. To raise your own funds, consider investing in stocks or finding a trusted partner that can help shoulder property expenses. Otherwise, certain mortgages offer cash back, which you can put toward your savings account for future costs.
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Agent of the Month – Fermin Escutia
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Congratulations to our September Agent of the Month, Fermin Escutia! Fermin’s approach to real estate is a highly disciplined one rooted in the belief that hard work is the only path to success. From discovering his “why,” to ensuring that the people in his life are always taken care of, Fermin’s methods are just one of the many reasons why we love having him on our team. Keep reading to learn more about Fermin!
What routines do you have in place to start your day off right?:
Morning coffee and morning talk with wife to discuss our eventful day.
To what do you attribute your success most?:
Identifying your “why” and putting a plan in place that entails knowledge, strategy, patience, and discipline.
What was the most difficult thing you had to overcome when first starting your real estate career? Or that still challenges you to this day?:
Time blocking and making sure to prospect and respecting your calendar.
What’s the transaction you are most proud of so far?:
My first transaction was selling a condo to first-time home buyer and I wanted to make sure it was seamless.
What is a unique aspect of the Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County Residential real estate market?:
Sonoma County is a great place to call home with so much to offer to all from the local wineries, beaches, parks, and great schools.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you’re are getting it right?:
When all the important people in your life are taken care of and are your number #1 fans.
What was the best vacation you ever had?:
Visiting Mexico with my family and having my children visit the town where their “Abuelitos” (Grandparents) come from and seeing it first hand and experiencing a different pace of life and not to forget the frequent visits to the local plaza and enjoy some hand made ice cream.
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
To find a mentor that has their pulse on the market and systems in place to help the Realtor get a jump start on success.
Agent to Watch – Chelsea Cambra
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Congratulations to one of our September Agents to Watch, Chelsea Cambra! Born and raised in beautiful Wine Country, Chelsea got into the real estate game with the goal to help others make this unique area their forever home as well. From searching for the perfect property to searching for the perfect spot to catch some live music, Chelsea is a talented and key member of the W Real Estate team. Read more about Chelsea below!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Go out to the garden and plan my day out in the fresh air with a cup of coffee.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in real estate?:
Growing up in this area I have always wanted to help others to make their dreams come true in finding the perfect place to call home.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
My Grandma always said, “Be good, if you can’t be good, be careful, if you can’t be careful, name it after me!”
If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would you go?:
The Azores in Portugal, so I can see where my family originated.
What is something most people would never guess about you?:
I am a giant cry baby and super sentimental! I cry when watching commercials, while attending weddings (even people I don’t know), when strangers show me kindness, well, you get the idea…
You’re stranded on a deserted island. What three things do you have with you?:
Boombox, hat, tennis ball/racket.
What does a perfect day in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County look like for you?:
Perfect 75-degree weather, hanging with great friends, touring the local downtown hotspots for some good food, drink, and live music.
What’s your favorite local restaurant?:
You can’t go wrong with any of the Starks restaurants, but if I had to choose one, it would be Stark’s Steakhouse.
Agent to Watch – Andrew Cooper
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Congratulations to Andrew Cooper, one of our September Agents to Watch! As a former chef, Andrew knows the value of a positive experience. With that in mind, when he made the pivot to real estate he was more than ready to hit the ground running. Keep reading to learn more about Andrew, his passion for real estate, and how you just might find him catching a wave out at the coast!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Send an offer out for the client’s signatures.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in real estate?:
To pursue my passion for helping people. Coming from my former career as a chef, it has always been a passion to bring enjoyable moments to clients. Now with real estate, I get to be a part of one of the most enjoyable experiences in life.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would you go?:
Italy for the food or the Maldives for the surf. Hard to choose just one.
What is something most people would never guess about you?:
I have never been to Ikea.
You’re stranded on a deserted island. What three things do you have with you?:
Pillow, spices, and a surfboard.
What does a perfect day in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County look like for you?:
Dawn patrol surf at Salmon Creek while my kids play on the beach. Then lunch at one of the many great restaurants before hitting the golf course for 18 holes and beers with friends.
What’s your favorite local restaurant?:
Diavola in Geyserville. Hands down the best in Sonoma county!
7 Tips for a Successful Open House
Open House
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Owning a home is the ultimate catalyst for building generational wealth. And despite the constantly changing market that we are currently facing, there are still buyers and sellers entering the market daily. Therefore, it is imperative if you are an agent to capture the interest of clients to keep your sales moving. One key way to drive up interest in a property, meet potential new clients, AND successfully close a deal is to hold an open house.
How Does an Open House Help?
An open house allows potential buyers to tour the property. They’ll interact first-hand with the house and see the work and care the sellers put into it. Additionally, when clients visit the property in person, they can visualize themselves living in the home.
With the recent spike in interest rates, it’s inevitable that buyers have reduced. This market shift has yielded competition among agents as one of the main real estate market trends of 2022. Therefore, as an agent, it is essential to make your listing stand out. With this strategy, you’ll:
● Attract the right clients
● Make a lasting impression
● Appeal to the buyers’ needs and interests
● Build a bigger pipeline
● Achieve more client conversion rate
To ensure your open house is successful, follow these tips:
Tips for a Successful Open House
1. Offer Virtual Open Houses
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, real estate markets experienced a hit. For example, the North Bay area was in limbo, with fewer purchases initially, and even now, many people are still hesitant to attend in-person events.
You can mitigate this challenge by offering a virtual open house for clients to view your property from the safety of their homes. You can use many different platforms to host your virtual open house based on what works best for you.
This strategy also allows time flexibility, catering to all schedules, preferences, and geographical locations. Consequently, you’ll have more views as clients can attend at their convenience and not get locked out due to time or place.
2. Allow Natural Light
One of the best ways to make your property look its best is by taking advantage of natural light. Here are a few tips to bring in natural light:
● Ask your clients to clean their windows thoroughly to let in maximum light.
● Move any furniture that’s blocking windows or creating shadows.
● Open up all the curtains and blinds in the home.
3. Use Food & Drinks
Offering food and drink will increase foot traffic at your open house while also encouraging visitors to stay longer in the home. Effortless strategies like serving simple finger foods can make potential buyers feel more welcome. This is also an excellent strategy if you are showcasing a home with a beautiful kitchen design or strong entertainment value!
A bonus of being an agent in Wine Country? Wine of course! Research the location of your property before your open house event. Is there a winery nearby? Try offering the local choices at the open house! This will help give your clients more of a feel of their future neighborhood and the amenities that await them!
4. Advertise Online & Offline
Ensure you advertise the home online and offline. Start by putting up signs in the neighborhood and leaving flyers. Then, list your open house on all major real estate websites. You can also share it in a local newspaper ad and should definitely post it on social media; remember to use relevant real estate hashtags to attract the right audience.
And don’t forget your fellow agents! Cross promotion and referrals are also helpful in promoting your open house. Share your open house details with your fellow agents and ask them to promote it to their spheres. Give them all the details like photos, videos, links, and any other relevant property info.
5. Use a Digital Open House Sign-in
A digital open house sign-in, such as a QR Code, will allow you to collect information from visitors for later follow-up and pipeline tracking. Plus, it’s a great way to know who visited and what niche is more attracted to the property.
6. Host an Event
You’re more likely to attract many potential buyers by incorporating creative, fun, and unique activities at your open houses. The events will make it more memorable and entertaining. For example, you could hold a raffle with giveaways like gift cards to local restaurants, wineries, or shops!
Events like these will give potential homebuyers a reason to linger, allowing you to strike up a conversation, give a more intimate tour, show off the property, and collect contacts.
Conclusion
No matter the type of property you’re selling, an open house is a great way to attract potential buyers and show it off. To make your open house more successful, follow the above tips and tricks!
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Tips To Create The Ultimate Homework Station
Little boy doing his assignment using a laptop at his homework station
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Homework time can be a delicate yet overwhelming time for both parents and kids. Kids can come home and decide they’d rather do pretty much anything else than sit down and do more school work. Or maybe your kids want to get their homework done right away, but also run the risk of getting distracted by their friends or siblings. To help combat the homework blues, we’ve put together some tips to help you create the perfect homework station, so your children can feel comfortable focusing and successfully complete their work each day!
Create a Designated Space Away From Distractions
Step one to set your kids up for homework success is to create a designated space for them to work! Choose a quiet area of the house where they can focus, whether it’s their bedroom or another spare room/area in your house that has fewer distractions. Make sure this area is comfortable and cozy so that they feel welcomed in to sit down and get started on their homework.
Get Creative with Desk Placement
Consider setting up the desk in an area with plenty of windows or natural light. This will provide a good balance of light for studying and allow for enjoying views of the outdoors as well when they need to take a break!
If you don’t have a lot of space, try a multi-functional setup. There are plenty of options and inspiration for fold-away desks that allow you to use a space for studying, and then tuck away all the supplies when you’re done! You can also get creative when customizing your kids space. Instead of just setting up a desk and being done with it, try adding in shelves to allow them to set up their materials in a way that best helps them concentrate and keep their desk free of clutter!
Install Sufficient Lighting
A vital step in setting up your homework station is to make sure that there is enough lighting and that it’s the right kind of light. This is going to be different for every person and their room setup, but here are some basics:
● You want a good overhead lamp and at least one other lamp (either on your desk or on the floor). Ideally, they should be adjustable so you can adjust the brightness depending on where you’re working in your room.
● Ensure that both lamps are not overly bright or dim—you want a good balance, so it doesn’t cause eye strain while studying. Also, avoid harsh overhead bulbs like fluorescent lights; go with soft incandescent lamps instead!
Keep Supplies Close By
To keep your supplies organized and easy to find, create a homework station with the following supplies:
● A basket or bin to hold pencils and pens.
● A container for paper clips, staples, and glue sticks.
● A plastic pencil box for erasers, highlighters, and markers.
Once you have a place for everything, ensure everything is in its place! If you need help keeping things neat, consider using labels or stickers as reminders, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle (or desk). This style of organization is especially important for your younger students!
Display Their Special Work
Find a place for your child to display their favorite artwork and successful assignments as well. This will help them feel good about the time they spend doing homework. You can hang up paintings or drawings on the wall with some simple pushpins and then maybe put up a few shelves above it where they can display their favorite books as well.
Another great place for displaying artwork is by using magnetic frames that are easily movable. This way, if there’s something new that they want to show off, it’s easy enough for them just pick up and move into place without having any trouble!
Conclusion
Whether it’s the dining room table, a desk in a quiet corner of your home, or a dedicated space in your child’s bedroom, creating the perfect homework station is all about setting up an environment that’s conducive to learning. By taking these few steps and creating this space in your home, not only are you helping your kids start the school year off right, you are showing your children that you are invested in their scholastic success!
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Owning a Home: The Ultimate Catalyst for Building Your Generational Wealth
Homeowners in the neighbourhood of their dreams
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The concept of the “American Dream” traditionally equates to the achievement of homeownership. It is a status symbol for many people, signifying stability, financial success, and the potential to contribute to one’s community positively. As proof, 63% of the net wealth of 80%
of Americans comes from their primary homes.
The continual increase in the number of people who own their own homes in the United States is a direct result of the numerous advantages of home ownership, ranging from social to financial aspects. Owning a home is a catalyst for building your generational wealth. Check out the following points to see how.
You Save on Housing and Invest the Money Elsewhere
North Bay realtors would tell you that clients with their own homes typically use less of their disposable income on housing-related expenses, freeing up more funds for other purposes and investments. This advantage explains why homeownership makes your net worth 80 times greater than renting. Therefore, owning your own home is a key to securing your wealth and your family’s future.
Further, monthly rent can be expensive. For example, according to different sources, renting a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is between $200 and $13,766 monthly, depending on the location. This price is still relatively high as a monthly expense. But when you own your own home, you forget about monthly rent. With that cost out of the way, you will save money and direct the savings towards profit-making investments, increasing your generational wealth.
The table below shows the Median monthly rent by the number of bedrooms in Ukiah as an example.
Number of Bedrooms Rent per Month
One-bedroom 908 USD
Two bedrooms 1185 USD
Three bedrooms 1645 USD
Four bedrooms 2028 USD
A Chance to Build Equity
Your share of the property that you own corresponds to the amount of equity that you have. It increases either when there is an increase in the current appraised value of your house or when you make additional payments on your mortgage. If you own a home, you should educate
yourself on how to compute your home’s equity.
Homeownership also gives you the freedom to potentially borrow on your home equity, refinance your mortgage, or redraw your loan to access it.
These funds can subsequently fulfill various purposes; you can opt to buy a rental apartment to improve your cash flow. You can also start different businesses that will increase your net worth and build wealth that will stay on for generations.
Home Value Appreciation
As a homeowner, you have a chance to raise your home value. For example, Mendocino County ranks as among California’s best places to buy a home. This rating is because of its tremendous home appreciation, 12% in the last 12 months and 7.2% over the previous ten years. You can capitalize on such advantages and sell your homes in the future to earn money, upgrade to a superior home, or make it your retirement residence.
When the value of your home appreciates, your net worth also increases, improving your generational wealth. There are a good number of factors that can speed up your home value and build wealth. Below are the main ones:
Upgrades and Updates
Home improvements can increase the value of your property, particularly in older houses that may include components that are no longer in use. An upgrade project’s impact differs according to the market and your home’s value at the time of the project.
Also, a home’s value can increase significantly due to particular renovations, such as installing a swimming pool or wood floors. On the other hand, a home’s value can increase considerably due to a kitchen remodel or the addition of a full bathroom.
Location
Your home value will appreciate when your location is suitable. Your locality should have:
● Availability of learning institutions.
● Ease in accessing jobs.
● Easy to access shopping centers and recreational centers.
● Proximity to medical care facilities.
When determining a home’s value, its location can be even more significant than its dimensions and current condition combined. For instance, closeness to roads, power lines, and public transit can affect the total value of a home in that location. In particular, North Bay has some of the best universities and transport systems. It is also home to leading tech companies like Adobe and eBay, making it an area of opportunities and growth. Hence, buying a home in this location guarantees value appreciation.
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Real Estate Market Predictions For The Second Half of 2022
Real estate market stock
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Whether you’re looking to buy a home to live in yourself or you’re a real estate investor looking for an income property, it’s important to know what to expect from the housing market during the second half of 2022. For many buyers, higher mortgage rates so far mean they can no longer afford homes in specific ranges. The challenge is that even modest single-family homes cost as much as lavish pads did a few years ago, so buyers are struck either waiting for more inventory to come online or moving to a more affordable area.
Here are the real estate market predictions for the second half of 2022.
Rapid Shifts in Economic Landscape Will Affect Real Estate
The rapid shifts in the economic landscape have some silver lining when it comes to housing affordability. With the unemployment rate near 50-year lows, employers are feeling the pressure to compete for talent, driving wage growth upwards from earlier year-over-year predictions (+3.8% vs. +3.3%). The labor market recovery continued with a net 390,000 jobs added to payrolls in May as the Fed ratcheted up its monetary normalization, consumer confidence dipped, and inflation remained a top concern.
The competitive labor market may also give some buyers more negotiating power on workplace flexibility, creating more opportunities to relocate to relatively affordable housing markets. Data from the first quarter of 2022 showed about 40.5% of Realtor.com home shoppers viewed listings that were located outside their current state, up from 33.4% in 2020.
Home Prices Will Remain High
Since the housing inventory isn’t expected to pick up all that much during the second half of the year, home prices are likely to remain elevated. Essentially, this means many buyers, especially first-time buyers, are apt to struggle to break into the market, especially in light of higher borrowing rates. As of May, the national median existing home price for all housing types was $407,600, with sales declining in three out of four regions of the US.
Home Sellers Face More Competition, but Buyers Get More Options
Homeowners continue to be in an advantageous position, especially those who have owned for longer periods of time and accumulated significant equity in their homes. This is likely to bring out more sellers hoping to capitalize on favorable market conditions which will ultimately mean more competition. There will be a re-balancing of the housing market away from the very seller-friendly tilt it has recently had.
This will bond particularly well for seller-buyers who have been more frustrated with the lack of buying options. Seller-buyers are not immune from the challenges all buyers face, such as higher home prices and mortgage rates, but home equity insulates them from some of the impacts, particularly those who have lived in their homes for longer periods.
Rising Rents Hurting First-Time Buyers
First-time buyers aren’t seeing equity and wealth grow due to the rising cost of everyday essentials. For these buyers, the challenging housing market is compounded by the fact that rising rents are making it difficult to save up for a down payment. The rise in rent is making it difficult for first-time buyers because in some months they have paid double digits for a studio to two-bedroom properties. Currently, there is an increased motivation to get into a home and lock in housing costs to prevent having to pay higher future rents.
Generally, 2022 reflects a housing market that is charting a path toward sustainability. Buyers will have to be patient and prepare to be flexible at a time when homes are hard to come by, prices are way up, and borrowing is no longer as affordable as it was in 2021. Home sales are still projected to hit a near record-high despite trailing 2021 levels.
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Agent of the Month – Tiffany Knef
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Congratulations to our June Agent of the Month, Tiffany Knef! For Tiffany, there’s no place quite like Northern California. She loves where she lives, and that passion for her home translates into a passion for helping others find their homes here as well! Whether it’s a first-time transaction, or expert home buyers looking to get back into the market, Tiffany is their expert to turn to. Keep reading to learn more about Tiffany, her passion for properties, and how when she’s not doing deals you can find her jet-setting all over the globe!
What routines do you have in place to start your day off right?:
I am up and out of bed at 6:00 a.m., make tea, exercise daily, study Spanish an hour a day, then time block to meet with clients, prospect, and work on active listings, buyers, paperwork, etc.
To what do you attribute your success most?:
Hard work & focus, working by referral, dedication to my clients, education and professional coaching, networking with local agents and agents throughout the world, gratitude, giving back/making a positive contribution to the world, positive attitude, patience, being calm & solutions-oriented, systems in place for a smooth process, a dedicated team to assist, a love for my career, celebrating making the dreams of my clients come true, live/work balance. Passionate about my clients, listen carefully to understand the goals and needs of my clients, and make those happen!
What was the most difficult thing you had to overcome when first starting your real estate career? Or that still challenges you to this day?:
Learning that there is plenty of business for all of us and that the clients we do get to work with are blessed, as are we.
What’s the transaction you are most proud of so far?:
Oh, that is a tough one. There have been so many wonderful experiences…….It is always exciting to give first-time home buyers the keys to their first property. And, it is satisfying to help long-time home owners transition out of their homes to the next phase of their lives. I have worked with multiple clients who live out of the country purchase or sell property while remaining out of the country. Ensuring that all the details are in place to create a smooth experience creates an exceptional outcome.
What is a unique aspect of the Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County Residential real estate market?:
We are an all seasons market – meaning that we get the opportunity to work with clients all year long, regardless of the weather. Our attractive weather patterns are a large part of the allure of the Northern Bay Area. In addition, the people who reside here are generally friendly, warm, and welcoming, which embodies a true sense of community. Our local farmer’s markets, cultural events, festivals, wineries, hiking & biking opportunities, and beautiful views (shoreline, forests, vineyards, fields, golden hills) are good for the soul.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you’re are getting it right?:
Work-life balance is critical in my formula for happiness. Time blocking as a daily routine helps me make sure I am on track. Time spent with family and friends is just as important as time spent with real estate activities. For the most part, I feel as if I live a full life, with plenty of time to work and play.
What was the best vacation you ever had?:
The last three vacations I took were all spectacular. Two weeks in Australia visiting family and friends and touring all over Melbourne; Two weeks in Italy, France, and Spain; Three weeks in Prague, Hungary, Germany, Italy, and Spain. This Fall: Three weeks in Spain, Northern Africa, and Portugal!
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Don’t wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait!
Agent to Watch – Kelly Sullivan
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Congratulations to Kelly Sullivan! One thing to know about Kelly – she is an incredibly hard worker with a deep-rooted passion for real estate. From the moment she built her own home at 26, Kelly knew this was the business for her. She hustled to get her real estate license, all while working full time and raising her two sons, and she hasn’t stopped hustling since. Keep reading to learn more about Kelly!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
No LACK thinking.. in a Flow Manifestation class currently and that was the theme yesterday 🙂
Why did you decide to pursue a career in real estate?:
I built a home when I was 26 years old while creating two young Sons. After I designed, contracted, and built a sweet home on 6.68 acres in West Petaluma I decided I would give Real Estate a go! I took my Real Estate Courses between babies, and worked in Marin as a Caterer all while having my Sons and building a home. It was the longest Real Estate license obtained ever, took 3 years to get it as I was a bit busy:) Once I passed, I never looked back! I have been full-time, full throttle for the past 32 years! I did cater the first 3 years of my career to support my REAL ESTATE habit:)))
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
My best client and Career Guidance teacher Mr. Barnacle at Novato High School told me,
“I LIKE TO DO REAL ESTATE WITH MY SUSPENDERS ON, thank you! “
He was my mentor and biggest cheerleader and made me always get out of my comfort zone. I always listened to him with all ears.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would you go?:
My 60th Birthday is Jan 2023 and I am percolating a chunk of time off, I have never taken more than 12 days off at a time. I want a big OL chunk of time to see and experience other cultures.
Thailand? Kayaking
Greece? Sailing
Puerto Rico and head out to the Virgin Islands to island hop?
What is something most people would never guess about you?:
I come from nothing, I lost my Mom when I was 15, and I raised my siblings. Very much a survivor, but also my heart is just so big, once I feel comfortable as I do not let too many really IN, life is golden.
You’re stranded on a deserted island. What three things do you have with you?:
My guy, a boat and a big smile!
What does a perfect day in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County look like for you?:
No phones, no technology, an awesome hike, delish crab or shrimp ending up on the Coast watching whales and running with my Grandkiddos and Pups:)
What’s your favorite local restaurant?:
Discovered ” Willi’s ” an awesome local Red and Freshly created tapas are pretty perfect, as I am living in Santa Rosa now and checking places out
