Grumpy Cat, Howard the Shelter Cat & Being Fab-u-lous

Grumpy Cat just
signed an endorsement deal

I pretty much spent last week in class learning advanced real estate stuff for advanced certification, so I can be a fab-u-lous realtor. But despite aspiring to the fab-u-louso status, sitting in a classroom = learning about all the stuff I should be doing, but can't be doing because, well, I'm sitting in a classroom.

It's the ol' Catch-22 syndrome. 

And, of course, while sitting in the classes learning to be fab-u-lous, the list-maker that lurks deep within me started a list-making frenzy complete with highlights and arrows. I have an "Ah-Hah!" list. I have an "Aps I Need" list. I have a "Must Learn" list. I have an "Action Items" list. 

Howard the Shelter Cat napping

All of that just means that I now really need a "Things That Make My Head Explode" list. Jeepers Creepers.

I wouldn't have to worry about all of that if Howard the Shelter cat would just wake up from his cat-nap and get with the program and start earning his keep. You know, like Grumpy Cat, who recently got a sweet endorsement deal with Friskies and who supposedly already is earning six figures. Hails bails, I'd be happy if Howard the Shelter cat would just earn a couple of figures.

Howard the Shelter Cat
earning zero

I think I'll start a new list: "Howard the Shelter Cat's Earning Potential."

I think it'll be a short list.

As in Zero. Nadda. Zip. Zilch. 

Guess I'm going to have to work harder at being fab-u-lous.

Don't let procrastination stop you

While I was hosting an open house waiting for the next wave of prospective buyers to waltz through,  I ran across this nifty little cartoon posted on Mashable illustrating the 12 types of procrastinators.

I know I have been each one of those little cartoon guys at some point in my life although I'm not much of a napper. I wish I were, though. I envy people who  can slide in a power nap here or there and wake up refreshed.

Me? Well, I just can't do it. I'm either down for the count ,or I lie there ticking off all the things I have to do and never fall asleep. So it's no surprise that I'm The List Maker on the procrastinator sheet.

Whatever category you fall under, don't let your procrastination stand between selling your property and finding your dream home. Remember, interest rates are still at historic lows and existing home prices are climbing back up. It's a great time to get moving!

Home Hall of Shame Confessions

Confession time… I looked with great interest at a little slide show on MSN real estate's website aptly called the "Real-estate hall of shame: Deplorable design features."

Sadly, out of the 10 Hall of Shame items, I either currently have or have lived in homes with at least four (perhaps five) of the offensive items. (I'm a little fuzzy on the shag carpet thing.)

At the time, though, the items listed were the cat's meow. (And, if I have to explain the cat's meow… then I probably have to explain avocado and gold colored appliances to you as well.)

At least, though, I can proudly say that my current home only contains 1.5 shameful items. I have a sliding shower door in my guest bathroom, but the door is glass. Thus, the .5.

Sadly, I have the dreaded popcorn ceiling throughout my home. It'd like to remove it, but my arms never quite recovered after helping my daughter eliminate those unsightly bumps in her home.

I know I'll have to eventually deal with it especially if I ever decide to sell my house.

Until then, the scraping tools will remain in the garage until I can no longer bear the shame of it all.

Boomerang kids

I took a few moments today to try and catch up reading and found this fun infographic about Boomerang kiddos--the ones who leave to go off to college and then return to live at home with their parents.

According to the survey, the average American believes that adult children shouldn't live at home for more than four years. Adult children (18-34 years old), however, thought five years was a good number and then, of course, there were some real cranky people out there--some 13% of Americans--who didn't think adult children should live at home at all. You can look at all the stats & info on Boomerang kids here.

Should you be fixin' to fixin' up?

Dear Home Diva,

I was thinking about fixing up my house before I put it on the market.  Are there any renovations I should do before I list it?

                                                               --Fixin’ To

Dear Fixin To,

Whoa! Hold your horses, Missy! Before you start any major renovation projects, take a deep breath and look at your house with a critical eye.

First make any essential repairs before tackling the basic, tried and true stuff that will put your home on the fast track to being sold. Things like a fresh coat of paint (neutral paint) will do wonders to showcase the rooms in your house. De-cluttering will not only make your house look roomier, it also allows buyers to visualize how they can live in your home.

Remember, if you have too much stuff, buyers can’t visualize where to put their stuff. And, if they can’t visualize where to put their stuff, they will move on down to the next home.  

Once you’ve assessed the inside, check out your home’s curb appeal, sprucing up your yard as needed.

Still wanting to remodel?

There are certain remodeling projects that provide a good return for your money. According to Remodeling 2013 Cost vs. Value Report for the Dallas area, you can expect to recoup 65 to 85 percent of the cost of replacing your front door, 68 to 71 percent for window replacements and about 77 percent for a wood deck. Many more projects are listed in the report and can be downloaded for free at www.costvsvalue.com

But before you start any home improvement projects in order to sell your house, it would be wise to consult with a realtor who knows your market and can determined how your upgrades will effect the sale price of your house and how much bang you’ll get back from your renovation bucks.

                                                                --the Home Diva

Why do I need a realtor?

Dear Home Diva,

I am thinking about buying a home and don't know why I need a realtor. Can't I just find a home on the Internet and call the listing agent?

Dear DIY Buyer,

There are many reasons you need your own realtor. The most important reason is to have someone whose job is to be your advocate and to protect you and your interests. As a buyer’s agent, your realtor works for YOU and watches out for YOU. Your realtor also helps you navigate through the entire process from start to closing. As a Coldwell Banker agent, my top priority is to deliver exceptional one-stop full service real estate experience for my home buyers and sellers. I will work with you throughout your entire home search or sale process. As YOUR agent, I look out for YOU, whether you are buying or selling. And remember, as your agent, I can show you any home you are interested in regardless of whose sign is on the property or who the listing agent is. So let’s get you moving in the right direction!

–the Home Diva

Welcome Home!

Welcome to my newest blog that chronicles my latest (ad)venture--real estate. 

For 27 years, I was a public education school teacher and many of you followed me at my other blogging site (mybellringers.blogspot.com) which I still use to muse about all things educational. A while back, I discovered I have a gajillion words just rattling around in my brain waiting to pop into the bubble above my head. My blogs seem to provide a good home for those words to go. I hope you agree.

This particular blog as well as my website, askthehomediva.com, is meant to be interactive. I hope you send your real estate questions either to the website or here. The questions & answers from the website will be archived here.

You can also find askthehome diva on Facebook. If you haven't liked the page, I would definitely appreciate a thumbs up!

(Ad)ventures are always more fun when you have more people so tell your friends and family and come follow along!