Archives for October 2019

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

This prestigious award honors excellence among the top 1% of

agents in the country based on 2014 sales and client reviews.

Communicating with Teens: There is Hope!

If you’re feeling diconnected from your teenager, don’t give up hope! With a few simple strategies, you can open up the lines of communication, and maybe even do a little bonding in the process.

Choose your moment. Don’t start firing questions at teens when they’ve just gotten out of bed, are engrossed in a movie, or on their way out the door. Choose a time when they’re less preoccupied—say, while rummaging through the fridge for a snack—to kick up a conversation.

Be specific. When you do have a window to talk to your teen, don’t waste it with open-ended questions, like, ‘How was your day?’ Be more specific—i.e, ‘Tell me how the tryouts for the volleyball tournament went’—and you’re like to get more detail. Plus, your teen will appreciate that you’re aware of and care about the details of his or her day.

Enlist food. There’s one thing all teenagers have in common: food. Invite them to grab a burger, some ice cream or a latte, and they’ll probably reward you with a nice chat along the way.

Say yes to rides. If your teenager doesn’t have his or her driver’s license yet, you’re probably frustrated by the endless requests for rides all over town. Don’t be. The intrinsic privacy of the car provides one of the best opportunities to talk with teens, and a time when they often feel safe opening up and sharing feelings.

Embrace texting. While face-to-face conversations may be scarce, teens and texting are inseparable, so make texting a part of your communication game plan. Not only is texting a quick, painless way for them to check in with you, it’s oftentimes a way for them to share more serious information. Texting allows them to avoid an awkward, in-person conversation, and gives you time to think and respond thoughtfully as opposed to just reacting.

Say sorry. The parent/teen relationship is often a volatile one. You’ll probably say the wrong thing in the wrong way several times over. That’s ok. Just be sure to apologize. This shows teens that nobody’s perfect—not even you—and that you respect them and their approach toward adulthood.

These small strategies can go a long way in creating healthy communication during a critical time in your child’s life, and set the stage for a strong relationship long into adulthood!

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

This prestigious award honors excellence among the top 1% of

agents in the country based on 2014 sales and client reviews.

Working from Home? 10 Ways to Stay Productive

Advances in technology and a rise in entrepreneurship have made work-from-home situations much more common. Not only is it convenient (hello pajamas!), but it saves a ton of time and gas commuting back and forth to an office each day. How can you stay productive in an environment that screams the opposite? Here are 10 simple ways to make working from home work for you.

1. Create a workspace.

Some may already have a home office that designates where work is to be completed, but if you don’t, fear not! Your workspace doesn’t have to be behind a desk; it can be anywhere you feel you’ll be most productive. The key is to give yourself the same structure an office setting would, but keep it on your terms.

2. Dress the part.

This doesn’t mean wear attire that makes you uncomfortable. Rather, make an effort to look presentable – the effort you put into your appearance will translate to more effort put into your work. The trick is to avoid clothes that promote lethargy and instead wear whatever energizes you.

3. “Commute” to work.

Commuting may seem like a drag, but it’s actually valuable time spent preparing or reflecting. Fake a commute each day by taking time to transition to and from work – check your emails while eating breakfast, or catch up on the news at the end of each day.

4. Make a list.

Staying organized inevitably leads to better productivity. Keep all your ducks in a row by making a list of priorities – these can be daily or weekly, as long as your list keeps you on track and focused. And when you complete all of your tasks, you’re done for the day!

5. Stick to a routine (most days).

Stay in control of your time by working specific hours every day. Along with your list, it’s important to have a routine that you can stick to. Following a schedule not only forces you to wrap up assignments on time, but also lessens distractions.

6. Take breaks.

It’s easy to get caught up – be sure to set aside time each day in your schedule to clear your head, eat lunch and relax. You’ll return to your work refreshed and ready to tackle new projects.

7. Switch up your routine (some days).

One drawback from working at home is that you can get stuck in your routine, especially with limited social interactions. Meeting someone for coffee and a quick chat is a great way to curb any feelings of disconnect.

8. Connect online.

If you can’t leave home, seek out connections with others online. Join a forum for your industry, discuss the latest water cooler topic on a message board or use social media to reach out for a few minutes every day.

9. Check in periodically.

Telecommuters need to stay in contact with their supervisors and team members throughout the day. It’s crucial to keep the lines of communication open because it ensures that everyone’s on the same page.

10. Don’t make it personal.

Try your best to reduce distractions by making personal calls in the evening (or whichever time you’re not working), and have conversations with your spouse or children after your specified work hours.

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

This prestigious award honors excellence among the top 1% of

agents in the country based on 2014 sales and client reviews.

Staging Secrets of Model Homes: Revealed!

Staging can boost a sale price of a home by as much as 10 percent. The best staged homes strike the balance between lived-in and never-owned. How can you apply that science when staging your home? Look no further than model homes, which draw buyers by blending the form-follows-function principle with the preferences of today. Here are some tips:

-Remove anything from the room that doesn’t fit the intended purpose of the space, and vice versa.

-Delineate sections in a room with area rugs, and “float” furniture away from walls and on and around the space.

-Group solid furnishings, like sectionals or bookcases, with visually lighter pieces, like a glass side table or raised bench, to convey spaciousness over sparseness.

-Mix general and task lighting in rooms that see the most traffic. Install lighting between open-air shelving or underneath overhead cabinetry in the kitchen, and place a small lamp on a desk or workspace in a child’s bedroom.

-Accessorize sparingly. Display only a handful of books with like-colored bindings in bookcases or shelving units, add one (thriving!) house plant to a side table, or hang one statement piece of artwork (scaled appropriately) over a bed or fireplace.

Stage to the model home aesthetic with these tips and you’ll be well on your way to selling your home for more.

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

This prestigious award honors excellence among the top 1% of

agents in the country based on 2014 sales and client reviews.

10 Ways to Save on Gas

Looking to save some money at the pump? If fluctuating gas prices are tampering with your budget, use these suggestions from the experts at The Energy Voice to fuel up less and get your finances back on track.

1. Make the grade: Most cars run on regular, which is less expensive, but check the owner’s manual to be sure – using the wrong grade can have a negative impact on your fuel costs.

2. Drive smart: Limit aggressive breaking or acceleration, avoid speeding and idling, and be prepared with alternate routes to steer clear of gas-guzzling traffic.

3. Cruise along: Travel efficiently by keeping a constant speed when driving long distances.

4. Forgo air conditioning: Turning off the AC will save you a nice chunk of change when you don’t have to fill up as often.

5. Tune it: Maintain your car with regular oil changes and filter replacements to squeeze more mileage out of each gallon.

Check the tires: Low tire pressure affects fuel economy, so monitor your tires and fill them up if they fall below the recommended level.7. Lighten up: If you tend to haul a lot of junk in your car, consider removing it – unnecessary weight will add up to more money spent at the pump.
8. Go hybrid: When it’s time for a change, choose a hybrid or otherwise fuel-efficient vehicle to get the most out of every tank.

9. Choose what works: Alternatively, if you’re trading up to a new vehicle and don’t want to go hybrid, select a car that meets your driving needs in other ways. Smaller sedans work well on city streets, whereas diesel-engine trucks are better suited for towing.

10. Commute wisely: When you can, opt for public transit, carpooling or telecommuting to save you trips to gas station. Another benefit? You’ll conserve energy and lessen your carbon footprint.

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990