Conquered the climb up Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park, September 2024.

As the flowers start to bloom and the temperatures begin rising, there’s a sense of renewal in the air. Spring is more than just a season; it’s a time to shake off the winter blues and embrace new opportunities. And for me, there’s no better way to welcome this vibrant season than by comparing my two favorite outdoor activities – hiking and attending ball games – to the journey of buying or selling a home.

Hiking into Home Buying: A Journey of Discovery

Embarking on the home-buying journey feels a lot like setting out on a hiking adventure, something I enjoy very much. Just like planning the perfect hike, I begin by charting my course – defining my budget, scouting neighborhoods, and identifying those must-have features. And much like gearing up with the right equipment, getting pre-approved for a mortgage ensures a smooth ascent into the world of homeownership.

During the hike, each trail presents different challenges – just like the diverse properties you’ll encounter. I take note of the surroundings, weigh my options, and remain open to the unexpected beauty of each home. It’s like finding that perfect spot to soak in breathtaking views – only this time, it’s the home that captures my heart.

Ball Games and Home Selling: A Team Effort

Now, let’s talk about selling – a team sport that, like attending a ball game, brings a sense of community and excitement. Getting my home ready for sale is like the preparation before a big match. Decluttering, staging, and minor repairs become my pre-game rituals, setting the stage for a winning performance.

Once my home is listed, it’s game time! Each showing and open house is like a play on the field – showcasing my property’s strengths. I team up with a realtor, my star player, to navigate negotiations and strategize our winning moves. Just as a ball game has its ups and downs, selling a home has its twists and turns. Staying agile, adjusting strategies, and aiming for that home-selling victory are key.

Spring Fever: A Common Denominator

Whether conquering trails or navigating real estate, the common denominator is the infectious energy of spring. It’s a season of growth, transformation, and embracing the outdoors – my two favorite activities perfectly mirrored in the housing market.

So, as I lace up my hiking boots or grab my baseball glove, I invite you to join me in channeling that energy into finding your dream home or orchestrating a successful sale. After all, just like nature, the real estate market is ready to bloom with possibilities. Happy springtime adventures! 🌷🏡⚾

“To whom much is given, much is expected” is something I tried to instill in my children. I wanted to teach them the ways of kindness. It would’ve been easy to have focused only on our own family. By allowing my children the opportunities to extend love and kindness to others helped them grow into better human beings.

From exposing children to the greater needs of others teaches compassion and empathy.  I loved reading to children. Children at home, children at school, or even nieces have heard me read again and again. My favorite book to read was Where the Red Fern Grows. Yes, I cried every time I read this to class after class. This book is one of the best books to teach empathy.

Empathy is trying to understand what another person is feeling; it is seeing the world through another’s eyes. It helps people to get along better and to feel better. Hearing the story of a little boy’s adventures with his beloved dogs and experiencing the loss with the boy brought many tears from everyone in my classroom. Empathy. They felt what the main character was feeling. They saw his experiences. They felt what he felt.

Being able to understand how others feel is paramount to having peace in this world. “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” – Theodore Roosevelt

I watched my parents become involved with various needs in our community. Mom volunteered to drive patients to chemo treatments, worked to make the $35 donations stretch into enough food to serve needy families for days, or fight for the rites of the often overlooked population. Dad would donate pints that lead to gallons of blood, deliver meals, and donate platelets that were just perfect for a fellow church member. Together they decided to open our home for foster children when my brother and I were in elementary school.

This doesn’t include the hours they each spent in the PTO, girl scouts, ball fields, or driving teenagers from park to park in a rented van for safety.

My parents were not only dedicated to our family, but also to the family we built outside of the walls of our house. This taught me to always think of others. Being community minded, working with and for others, or looking at others with the attitude of  love and kindness can lead to bigger and better things for everyone involved. It embodies “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

Knowing that I have been blessed beyond measure, I hope to always remember that “We are all in this together. Each and everyone of us can make a difference by giving back.” (Beyonce).

After I retired, I found myself stepping back into a classroom or two for temporary positions; it is easy to see that teaching is a part of who I am. For 32 years, I walked the halls of school buildings as I chatted with children of varying ages while building relationships to better help their experiences in the walls of our classroom. Once we walked into that classroom, we were family.

For 180 days, the state of Tennessee and the parents of each child, trusted me to make bazillions of decisions each and every day for each and every child in that room. From teaching a 13-year-old student to write her name to reading A Christmas Carol to 7th graders, each class was as unique as each child and family that entered my life. I have many, many memories that flood my mind as I write this. I have been reconnected with many students that are now parents, teachers, realtors, or lawyers. They will always be a part of my story, and I hope that they remember a bit of our journey together.

Retirement wasn’t an end for me; it became a new chapter. Moving from molding young minds to diving into the real estate game has been a new and exciting experience, and resolutions became my roadmap through the uncharted territories.

One big resolution? Embracing the learning curve. Every day brings something new – from market trends to the art of negotiation. It’s a reminder that growth happens when we step out of our comfort zones. It’s why one of my hashtags has been #alwayslearning

Then there’s the resolution to foster genuine connections. In education, it was about building relationships, and in real estate, it’s no different. It’s about understanding people’s stories and being a part of their next chapter. Its about drawing on past relationships to forge forward with reconnections and rebuilding. When former students have called to inquire about buying a home, my heart has jumped for joy! Their parents trusted me then, and they put their trust in me now to help them once again.

Balancing work and leisure is another resolution I carry into my retirement days. Taking a breather to enjoy time my grandsons, hiking with my three-legged dog, and visiting with my parents work together to keep my metaphorical cup full.  A well-balanced life makes for a better life.

As I look ahead, I’m pumped for the adventures the year holds. Resolutions aren’t just about checking boxes; they’re about savoring the journey. So here’s to new beginnings, genuine connections (and reconnections), and soaking up the life of a Middle Tennessee realtor.

Wishing you all a year filled with growth, joy, and the thrill of chasing your resolutions! Let’s continue to learn and vow to leave no house behind! #alwayslearning #nohouseleftbehind