The Michelle Driver Group

Are you in the process of creating the life of your dreams? If you are, how are you going about it and what does the journey look like for you? If you’re not, what’s holding you back?

You’ve found yourself in a seller’s market and not sure where to begin. We get it a seller’s market is full of intense bidding wars, conflicting best practices, and it’s overall intimidating to navigate. That’s why we put together a short list of what we believe to be the 4 best tips to set yourself up for success: 1 Shorten your escrow period. Put yourself in the seller’s shoes if you see two bids that are both competitive, but one has a shorter escrow period, you’re m...ore likely going to choose that over a longer period. Shortening your escrow can not only streamline the process but make your offer *very* competitive. 2 Reduce the contingencies. This one has the same reason as the above reason! The easier you make it on the seller, the more attractive your bid will be. 3 Write a personal letter to the seller. This is an underrated yet effective technique to build rapport with the seller! By going the extra mile to share your story and what this sale would mean to you can leave a positive and lasting impression. 4 Put down a strong earnest money deposit. In a seller’s market, there can be a lot of competition to fight off. That’s why it’s best to start with a strong earnest money deposit to show that you’re a serious candidate. Do you have anything else to add? Leave them in the comments!

Have you heard about #Japandi before? Japandi is a hybrid trend that marries the modern flair from Scandinavian design and the classic elegance of Japanese style to create an aesthetic that’s unique and beautiful. It’s quite minimalistic but also has an air of sophistication. Who out there loves Japandi-style homes?

Happy #NationalDonutDay! Or is it #NationalDoughnutDay? How do you spell it? Leave it in the comments. And also leave in the comments how you’re going to celebrate!

Which type of design style do you gravitate more towards? Are you a minimalist, more of mid-century modern kinda person, or can’t help but love modern farmhouses? Tell us why in the comments!

Oh, the tricky, tricky question of how you know what type of house you can afford. There isn’t one simple way to figure it out, but NerdWallet suggests a good rule of thumb is using the 28% & 36% rule. This rule says you shouldn’t spend over 28% of your gross monthly income on home-related costs and 36% on total debts. (Debts include things like mortgage, credit cards, student loans, and other loans.) But an even better rule to go by is hiring a real estate agent. They’re experienced professionals who can put you in touch with mortgage professionals to figure out a budget that works best for you.

Though it’s tempting to wait for that perfect moment to start something, the truth is: there’s no moment like right now. Happy #MLKDay, everyone!

It’s finally a #newyear, and there’s no doubt that everyone is hoping for a stronger year than last.

Have you visited a place that made you feel rejuvenated and inspired? A place where you would love to go back to ASAP? While traveling every day to that location may not be feasible, you can still bring that feeling into your own home. Your home is a sanctuary and should inspire you every day like your paradise getaway. ... This could mean adding textures and patterns that are typical of that area, decor pieces you saw often, and colors that you loved while visiting.

Are you in the process of searching for your next home, but don’t know how to start? Here are the top 3 tips on how to properly house hunt: 1 Get pre-approved for a mortgage. While this may seem too early it’s actually essential if you want to speed up the transaction process. Sellers will see that you are a trusted buyer, be more willing to negotiate, and you can get the keys to your dream home quicker! 2 Make a list of your non-negotiable must-haves. This will help yo...u focus your search and negotiate because you know exactly what you’re looking for. 3 Start online. Nowadays, people are selling more and more online. Doing preliminary research online will help you save time. Do you have other tips to add?

Are you a buyer trying to navigate a seller’s market? It can be a difficult and confusing process, so here are some steps you can follow to find your dream home. Is there anything missing from this list that you would add?

What are your top 3 New Year’s #Resolutions this year? Drop them down in the comments and see if anyone chose the same goals as you!

Though there are trends that definitely should stay in the late ‘90s/early 2000s (like frosted tips), shelf organizers are not one of them! Pantry like it’s 1999 and use items like woven baskets, vases, and ceramic cups to organize your pantry. As an added bonus, your pantry will look aesthetically pleasing! #WinWin

If you stepped into a home and saw 1 feature that makes you instantly turn the other direction, what would that feature be? For example, is it bright pink flooring and wallpaper? Is it not enough floor-to-ceiling windows? Or is it a huge fixer-upper?

If every real estate agent had a dollar for every time they were asked, Is this the year to buy a house? they wouldn’t need commission anymore! In all honesty, while there is no way to make predictions for real estate, standing on the sidelines definitely won’t help you reach your dreams. Don’t wait any longer, let’s chat today.

A new month calls for a new monthly to-do list. Don’t have one prepared yet? Try these three on for size: 1 As saddening as it is every single year, it’s time to take down the holiday decorations. But you can still have fun with decorations by keeping a wintery theme. 2 Create a home expense budget sheet for 2021 so that there are no surprises. This will also allow you to plan accordingly for any big plans/expenses for the year.... 3 If it’s time to move out, call your real estate agent! There’s no better time than now to start looking towards the future.

January is often called the longest month of the year but it doesn’t have to be with a trusted #realestateagent! Get in touch today and watch January fly by before you know it, you’ll be in your dream home!

Happy #NewYearsDay! Some people say New Year’s resolutions are cliché, but they can still be a great way to get your head in the right mindset. Especially for setting your intentions for the new year. What are some of your goals for this year?