I spent WAAAAY too much time recently trying to untangle an issue I thought had been fixed. I followed every step in their process, but the problem was still there. After over an hour on the phone, I was told they couldn’t accept the information the way they told me to send it. Then they said received it and will take care of the issue. We’ll see – I’m still watching this.

I had a similar situation after my auto was hit a couple of years ago.  My local agent was, to be polite, pretty useless. But the corporate office was worse: they lost my vehicle, then didn’t want to extend my temp auto rental to cover the “lost period”. Even worse, they lied when they told me they were negotiating with the other driver’s insurer. I only learned that when I received a check from them for “uninsured driver coverage”. I have a great new insurance agent and company.

Ask friends and family for names of good people: Banks, doctors, hair stylists, insurance agents, auto service, roofers, attorneys. Yes, even REALTORS. Find someone local whenever possible, someone who makes you feel comfortable. Talk to them in person, or at the very least, with a call. ANYTHING can be written in a text or post. Don’t be afraid to ask if they can do big jobs on budget and on time.

It is your money, home, car, etc. Find someone you like. You’ll know you’ve succeeded when you give their name to someone else.

The post Real Estate 101 – Choose Service Professionals Thoughtfully appeared first on Brenna Piper REALTOR ABR CRS American Way Real Estate .

Life is a building process: School. Driver’s license. First job. Next jobs. Dating. Children. Homes.

Yes, plural – homes. We all want our first home to be our forever home. In my case, it was a small farm outside of Nashville fondly called “the tick farm”. My friends and I coveted it. A co-worker bought it. We bought condos. The friend eventually sold the farm and moved closer to town. We graduated to houses.

It is rare that our beloved first home is our forever home. Lives, tastes, needs, locations – these all change. And unfortunately, homes are firmly planted. But it is a step up on life’s ladder. Homes are important as investments AND nests. They may offer tax advantages. They are a much better use of housing funds than rent because when they are sold, they usually generate profits that can be used for the NEXT house.

Your forever home may be your first. It may be the third…or the tenth. Just think of every one as yours and enjoy it.

The post Real Estate 101 – Life’s Building Blocks appeared first on Brenna Piper REALTOR ABR CRS American Way Real Estate .