At my former corporate job, “work/life balance” seemed to be the catch phrase of the month. I worked in a very demanding job (90+ hours a week most weeks demanding), but as long as the façade of work/life balance was there, it was all good.

Fast forward a few years to now; and I’m working for myself. Yes, theTHOUGHT of work/life balance, and the illusion of work life balance is there. Theoretically, I could take off a day to, say, go to the beach – but honestly, how many of us actually take off a Tuesday because we want to spend the day in the park?

Several weeks ago I suffered some life changing and devastating news. Over the course of five days there were two strokes in the family, three close family deaths, and some personal health issues. Probably needless to say, at first, I was in a tailspin and really didn’t know which way was up. Now, I’ve been able to get my head above water and have been working…kind of. I’ve been doing what HAS to be done. I’ll ask myself “What MUST be done today?”– then I’ll do that, and really only that.

I don’t bring up my personal life so that you can feel sorry for me – please don’t, I am very blessed in so many ways. I brought this up to ask for your help: How do you handle yourself when you fall into “personal crisis mode?” What gets you moving again when all you want to do is sleep through the day? How do you pick yourself up off the floor and kick yourself in the butt again?

It seems likely that the US Senate will approve a deal to extend the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, but the devil is in the details.

Florida Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson told reporters traveling to Florida with President Obama Monday that he thought that the extension would be approved, but both senators and representatives are among those who think that there should be some fiscal offset for the extension. Spending any more money on the stimulus effort also could stir up a hornets' nest in some circles.

The proposal in the Senate that appears to have the most likelihood of passage would extend the $8,000 credit through March 31, then its value would drop by $2,000 for each of the subsequent three quarters of 2010. This plan was offered by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucas, a Montana Democrat.

Source: Associated Press, Andrew Taylor (10/26/2009) and The Wall Street Journal, John D. McKinnon (10/27/2009)

Another great post at Realtor.org's YPN Lounge if I do say so myself :)

Check out the lounge here to see my latest post about how I have opinions and love to share them. I've learned, the hard way, that not everyone wants to know how I see things and I'm learning to censor myself. But don't ask what I think - I WILL tell you :)

Extending the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, due to expire at the end of November, is high on the Democratic Congressional to-do list, legislative aides said.

After Wednesday’s meeting with President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) released a statement that the government should “continue efforts to strengthen the housing market by extending the home buyer tax credit.”

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com, who is a consultant to Democrats in the administration and Congress, is advocating extending the credit through August and making it available to all home buyers. He said failure to extend the credit just as more foreclosures enter the market will push housing prices down. 

Also, on Thursday, the House is expected pass legislation to extend the credit through 2010 for people who have been out of the country in the military, intelligence, or foreign services.

Source: The New York Times, Jackie Calmes (10/07/2009)

As some of my followers know (and if you read my first post from the YPN blog) I'm in the market for a new home for my husband and I. I have purchased a home before (my downtown condo in 2004) but my husband wasn't my husband at the time so he has not purchased a home before.

As a REALTOR, sometime I forget about the emotional side of buying or selling a home (come on - it's my job to pull the emotion out of the transaction) but this process should be a nice 'reality check'.

I thought I would write my experiences, thoughts, and emotions here to help others (first time home buyers or not) realize that even us 'old has beens' go through the gambit of emotions when buying or selling their home.

I'll start with our criteria:

• In the Blue Valley, Olathe, or Shawnee Mission school district
• Close to highway access (any highway - K7 and K10 count!)
• 4 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 bathrooms
• Daylight windows in the basement (or a walk out/up)
• Not North facing
• Preferably a 3 car garage

Check me out over on the Realtor.org YPN blog! How cool is that?

I am very excited and extremely honored to be a part of such a great team! I really look forward to working with such a great group of young professionals.

Realtor.org has asked me to join their Young Professional Network  blogging team. Young Professional Network is an online place for young professional Realtors to discuss the business side of real estate and develop the next generation of leadership for our industry. This is a big deal for both me and The Heritage Home Team and I look forward to blogging about the ‘other’ side of the business.

Don’t worry; I will definitely share a link to my first blog post!

1. Full Time - Your Realtor needs to be full time; not doing several thing - just in real estate. Real estate is a fickle market and can change on a dime. You need someone on your team that is keeping up with those changes. You need someone who's following the trends, viewing houses, attending seminars and workshops, and generally keeping up to date on the goings on in Kansas City. When someone does not commit fully to real estate it's the ancillary, yet very important, items that tend to be pushed aside.
2. It’s the number of transactions, not years in the business, that’s important – But more is not always better. You want to know how many transactions your Realtor has completed in the last couple of years but if they are a single agent working alone make sure they don’t have too many transactions – you might not get the attention you want and deserve if you’re transaction number six for the month.
3. Website - Check out the Realtor's website and not just the company they work for - See if they have their own website. Technology is such a key part of the real estate business these days. An agent that doesn’t have their own website (and a decent one at that) may not have all the tools they need to market your home to sellers properly.
4. Get the presentation – All agents should come prepared with a listing presentation laying out how they plan to market your home, information about them and their broker, and how the home selling process works. If you don’t automatically receive the presentation from the agent you’re interviewing, ask for it.
5. Have a look around - Did the Realtor look around your home on the inside and outside? Although the area and location of your home does have a large influence in the value of the property so does the home itself (for the good or bad). If you keep your home meticulously maintained – inside and out – it oftentimes has more value then a home that is left in disrepair. Home buyers like to be able to move right in with no work.
6. Were they on time? - Realtors will work on your behalf with lots of contractors and consultants that are just as busy as everyone else. If they don’t show up on time for you (who is interviewing them) do you have confidence that they will be prompted with the inspector, appraiser, and electrician? Late arrival or missed appointments could potentially delay the closing of your home.
7. Solid Stats - Did the Realtor present some solid facts and figures that show why you should use them?
8. Testimonials - Do they have testimonials or referrals that you can follow up on? You will probably have to ask for contact details but all agents should have at least 2 or 3 people that that are more then willing to speak with potential clients about the agent’s services. You should also be able to find testimonials (with no contact info) just about anywhere the agent is present: on their website, the listing presentation information, Facebook, Zillow, Trulia, the list goes on and on – there should be no shortage of praise.
9. Technology – Social media and online is future of the real estate industry. See how much the Realtor understands about new technology; websites, etc. The best way to do this is to do a Google search for the person’s name or company name. You might want to also check the key websites like Twitter, Zillow, Facebook, etc.
10. Commissions – Remember this is a business transaction you are entering into with your Realtor. If you select a Realtor because they were willing to cut their commission what do you think could happen when they are negotiating the sale of your home on your behalf? More often then not, you will get what you pay for.

Everyone in real estate has their mind on one thing: What's going to happen on December 1st?

Realtor.org reported yesterday that bills are pending in both the US House and the Senate to extend the current credit - but don't expect to receive more money or for it to be extended to all home buyers - if the bill is extended at all.

If you're still on the fence about purchase your first home now is the time to jump down! To take advantage of the current tax credit you must have closed on your home buy November 30th - but with the Thanksgiving holiday we suggest closing by the middle of November.

Banks and title companies are busier then ever because of this credit so it's taking more then the average 30 days to close on a home. If you add in the 6-8 weeks it could take to see what is available in the market and have an offer excepted you should really start looking now.

Of course, The Heritage Home Team is here to help you throughout the whole process! 

As every first time home buyer knows, time is running out to cash in on the Federal Government's First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit. As I've said before, and will say again-right now, the tax credit is a nice incentive but should not be the only reason you chose to purchase a home. You need to be ready for the commitment: financially, emotionally, and physically.

Here is an article from the Wall Street Journal about an over zealous first time home buyer. He lost sight of the reason to purchase a home and it almost cost him - big.

Remember to use a knowledgable buyer's agent (someone that works for you - not the seller) and know what the property is worth. Homes should not be purchased on PRICE alone - make sure you understand the VALUE of the home. Each person's situation is different, do not force yourself into believing that you are ready for home ownership if you know, deep down, you're not. And when you feel you are ready to purchase a home - give The Heritage Home Team a call!