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How Exactly Does A Minimalist Sell Real Estate?
About a year ago I became interested in creating a minimalist lifestyle.
I started to question what I owned, and what I wanted versus what I needed.
I have noticed the philosophy that I live by at home transfers into the way I do business.
How exactly does a minimalist sell real estate?
Unfortunately, housing is not free.
We live in a society where we need money to have shelter.
I am in a business that provides something of value.
I am not selling you stuff you do not need!
I am much happier focusing on quality of business versus quantity.
Having clients that I click with and who like me is super important.
Creating meaningful-relationships with the people I work with and for provides me with a greater sense of job satisfaction and accomplishment.
I want clients that want to work with me because they can see the value I bring to them.
We all like to feel valued, right?
Being newer to the industry doesn’t have to be a detriment to your clients.
I have the opportunity to collaborate with successful, more experienced agents while bringing a forward-thinking, fresh energy to those I work for and with.
Being newer to real estate does not have to be a dirty secret!
The real estate business is always changing, which is what attracts so many of us to this job; we are always learning and adapting!
Life isn’t all about owning a huge, fancy house, is it?
What type of lifestyle do you want to live? Most of my clients don’t want to buy a house at the very top of their budget. They want to figure out what monthly payment they are comfortable with, that will allow them to spend less of their money on housing.
What other values do you hold? Do you want to be able to give back to your community? Take vacations? Contribute to your retirement and savings? These are important things to ask yourself during your path to homeownership.
Selling real estate isn’t solely about the houses or the mechanics of the process. It is about the people; the relationships you make and thinking of ways to create a more enjoyable and meaningful experience for you and your clients.
Tacoma Real Estate Agent, Keryn Giguere
One of the biggest questions when you start a business in real estate is, how am I going to market myself? I have decided to just be me!
Tacoma Cares: Nonprofits in The City of Destiny
I love the great sense of community in Tacoma. There is a large number of nonprofits in the 253 built to offer support and give others an opportunity to get involved and lend a helping hand. Tacoma’s community cares for one another. Here are just a few of the nonprofits that I have been involved with over the years and strive to continue supporting!
Tacoma Rainbow Center
The Rainbow Center is a drop-in center for LGBTQ individuals who are looking for connection, community, support and resources.
“Through education, advocacy, and celebration, the Rainbow Center expands resources and safe space for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied (LGBTQA) community.”
The Rainbow Center’s Annual Black and White Gayla is happening November 7th, and it is always a blast! They have a dessert dash, silent auction, live auction, and of course, dancing. This year's theme is the '20s so I will be dressing up for this event, which is one of my favorite fundraisers of the year.
Learn more about the Rainbow Center and the Black and White Gayla on their website:
Oasis Youth Center
Oasis is a drop-in center for LGBTQ youth and is located in the same building as the Rainbow Center. I interned at Oasis during my senior year of college, right when they moved to their first public location in 2013. The space provides support, mentorship, and friendship among LGBTQ youth ages 14-24.
“Our mission is to transform the lives of queer youth by creating a safe place to learn, connect, and thrive. Oasis envisions a world in which queer youth are valued in the community as strong, creative leaders. Oasis is a youth-adult partnership in which young people and adults come together for shared teaching, learning and action.”
Oasis is currently working on a new project to offer support to 11-13 year olds. Read more about this organization here! http://www.oasisyouthcenter.org/
Bridges: A Center for Grieving Children
I was a volunteer support group facilitator at Bridges for years. Bridges is a place for families to come together and work through their grief in age-appropriate support groups. They have different group nights, specific to the type of loss that a family is experiencing. For example, they have a parent loss night, a traumatic loss night, and a sibling loss night. Families, volunteers, and staff start the night with a potluck gathering, then break up into separate age-appropriate support groups.
“We offer a support program just for children because they grieve differently than adults. We believe that every family member is entitled to the opportunity to grieve in a supportive, informed and understanding environment. It's our hope that the children we serve will reconcile the death, and growth and healing will occur.”
For more information on Bridges or to become a volunteer, visit the following site: http://www.multicare.org/bridges-center-grieving/
MDC: Metropolitan Development Council
I worked as a temp for 6 months at MDC after I graduated from PLU. It is hard to sum up in one sentence what this organization does because it is such a powerhouse of resources. They offer support with health, education, housing, and employment. Their mission is:
“To develop and manage innovative programs that promote self-sufficiency and remove individuals and families from poverty.”
MDC is hosting their annual Share Breakfast fundraiser on September 29th at the Hotel Murano’s Bicentennial Pavilion in downtown Tacoma.
For more information on MDC and their upcoming fundraiser, please visit their site! http://mdc-hope.org/
The Grand Cinema
The Grand Cinema is a nonprofit cinema that plays local, independent, and foreign films that you won’t see played anywhere else! They host fun community events that make the cinema more than just a place to see exceptional films.
“The Grand Cinema enriches lives and enhances the cultural vitality of the Greater Tacoma community through the art of film.”
The Tacoma Film Festival begins on October 8th!
For more information on upcoming events, showtimes, or to read my blog post about The Grand Cinema visit the links below!
https://keryn.withwre.com/2015/09/08/more-than-movies-what-makes-the-grand-cinema-magical/
The YWCA
The YWCA offers support to those who have experienced domestic violence. Included in that support are shelter, children’s programs, legal services, and support groups.
“We provide safe shelter and comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, race, or religious affiliation.”
Glam that Gives is one of the fundraisers that this nonprofit puts on and it is a great event! It includes dinner and a fashion show!
Learn more about the YWCA here: http://www.ywcapiercecounty.org/
More Than Movies: What Makes The Grand Cinema Special
I have some history with The Grand Cinema. I have fond memories of walking from my apartment in Stadium, through Wright Park, down the hill to Corina Bakery located right next door to get a coffee and snack before beginning my volunteer shifts. While volunteering at The Grand Cinema I met people in my community and made friends. This theater is very special to me and if you go see for yourself, I am sure it will quickly become one of your favorites as well.
Here are some of the things that make the Grand Cinema Magical!
1. The Grand Cinema is not your typical movie theater. They play documentaries, local, independent and foreign films. I saw my first foreign film at The Grand. You will see fantastic movies here that do not get played in mainstream theatres! Do you like to discuss movies after you watch them? Attend one of The Grand's post film discussions that take place in the community area downstairs after certain movies. As a volunteer, I loved to ask people what they were there to see when they arrived and what they thought of the movie as they exited the theatre. You will frequently hear members and volunteers discussing movies in the lobby.
2. The people that dish up your popcorn, pour your soda and grab your snacks are all volunteers. When you start going to The Grand you will recognize the staff and volunteers; they care about this place immensely and want you to enjoy your time at the cinema. Want to volunteer? Besides making new friends, perks of volunteering include free movies before and after your shift, free popcorn and soda before, during, and after your shift, and a free movie pass to take with you when you are done! If you didn't know, The Grand is known for serving the tastiest popcorn in town! Seriously.
3. The Grand does more than play films, they also put on tons of fun events and programs! Some of my personal favorites include The Academy Awards Viewing Party, The Tacoma Film Festival, The Tacoma Pride Series andThe 253-Second Viewing Party. For kids, they have Tacoma Film Camp and Click! Family Flicks.
Going to The Grand is truly a unique experience that you will not find anywhere else. Become a member today and find out why this place ruined the experience of mainstream movie theatres for me, forever.
Check out their website for showtimes, events, membership benefits, and volunteer info:
http://grandcinema.com
It Costs You Nothing! And Other Reasons You Want A Buyer’s Agent
You have the Redfin and Zillow App, and your financing terms are set and ready to go.
Why get a Realtor?
There are numerous benefits that come from having a buyer’s agent!
First off, buying a house is complicated and can be overwhelming.
A buyer’s agent can keep you organized and be there to answer all of your questions through the entire process. We can let you know what to expect and anticipate problems that may occur along the way. We can usually gage how big of an issue something is and let you know which problems are an easy fix.
It costs you nothing!
Many people do not know that having a buyer’s agent costs you nothing. The owner of the home has already negotiated the commissions for both the listing agent (the person representing the seller) and the buyer’s agent. That means the seller pays both the listing and selling agent. It is in the buyer’s best interest to have their own agent representing only them! If you want someone to only owe you the duty of confidentiality and work just for you, you need your own agent.
We are a nexus of resources.
We realtors are in the trenches everyday working with home inspectors, lenders, title and escrow officers and fellow realtors. A realtor has many contacts that they trust and know they can rely on. This means you spend less time searching and filtering through the internet for contacts and let us refer you to people you can count on.
You already have a job!
When you add up all of the phone calls, scheduling, paper work and other tasks in a typical sale, the time adds up! Having a FULL TIME buyer’s agent allows you to focus on calling the shots and making those hard decisions, while we carry out the action steps and solve problems. It can be difficult for buyers to touch base with the other parties involved in a transaction on their own, especially those who work traditional work hours. If you have a real estate agent, you can have them facilitate the transaction while you are at work or enjoying your time off. We make all of those phone calls, appointments and manage your files for you. One less thing for you to worry about!
You make the decisions, but we advise and support you along the way.
Although you ultimately make the final decisions, buying a home can be emotional. You invest a ton of energy into finding the right place and naturally develop strong feelings around the purchase. A buyer’s agent that is trustworthy, empathetic, and who has your best interest in mind understands this and has your back! They will make you aware of your options in any given circumstance (and if they don’t know they will find out or direct you to someone who does!) and will help you figure out what the best decision is for you. An ethical realtor will not try to close you despite it not being in your best interest.
One thing that the apps don’t have?
The apps can show you what a house looks like and how much it costs. However, it won’t tell you where the best places to get coffee with friends are, which bars make the best cocktails, or where you can go for community and fun. You need a neighborhood specialist. Realtors are working and playing in their communities and if they are doing it right, building relationships with its members. Nothing beats having a person you can strategize and celebrate with and lean on during the hard times. You don’t get those things from an app.
Pick an agent who you like, trust, and who you know is competent. Whether your friend has used them in the past and can vouch for them, they have great reviews online, or you interview a few upfront and ask questions about the process! Check out my blog post about what Real estate agents do all day, here!
