All posts by Alysia Heun

First Time Landlord? Here’s How to Rent Out Your Property

A first time landlord completing a rental agreement with clients.

Renting a property out may seem like a relatively simple task, but for first timers, there’s a lot to learn.

That said, once you have a clear understanding of what’s involved, it’s a matter of working through the steps to best ensure that you attract great tenants, and everyone can have a positive experience.

Here are the critical steps to take to rent out your property for the first time.

Continue reading

Innovative Regional Office Debuts for Missouri Realty Executives

The owners of Realty Executives' new regional hub in Missouri.
From left to right: Patrick van den Bossche, Chuck Maher, Kim Maher, Todd Matoushek, and Chris Matoushek

Realty Executives MidAmerica Region, Realty Executives Premiere, and Realty Executives of St. Louis have announced the future opening of an innovative collaborative service center in Imperial, Missouri. This business center, boasting conference space, training facilities, and closing offices, will be operated by two independently owned and operated brokerages in the region.  This one-of-a-kind hub is symbolic of the brand’s unity in Missouri and its commitment to expanding its real estate footprint throughout the state.

Continue reading

One Realtor’s Message to “Share a Spare”

Lynda and Loyd Brookshire of Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Loyd is dealing with kidney disease.

When Realtor® Lynda Brookshire shares her tagline “Live your best life at the Alabama Gulf Coast,” she is thinking beyond real estate and relocating to sandy shores. Along with helping clients find their dream home, she is dedicated to letting the community know that health is wealth. Her friends and family tease that “she is gonna get you a house or get you a kidney…or both.”

Brookshire and her husband, Loyd, moved to Gulf Shores in October 2017.  After a series of health challenges that landed Loyd in the hospital multiple times within a span of two years, Brookshire realized it was her mission to increase awareness for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), organ donation, and the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. She believes sharing their experience can help others give, receive, or maximize the gift of life.

Continue reading

7 Mistakes to Avoid While Moving with a Pet

A family who is moving with a pet.

It’s safe to say that moving to a new place is just as nerve-racking as it is fun for most people.

A new home can usually mark a feeling of positivity and excitement, a fresh start somewhere new. However, our pets don’t see it that way.

Moving to a new place is confusing and sometimes even traumatic for your pet, whether it be a dog, cat, rabbit, bird, reptile, etc. This is because most pets need routine and familiarity. Once a familiar environment and way of life is established, it becomes difficult for them to get adjust and become socialized to something new.

Unfortunately, pet owners either forget this fact or completely overlook it, resulting in their pets becoming extremely stressed out without their owners realizing why.

It’s crucial to learn how to effectively prep and guide your pet through the moving process and how to adjust. To get some tips on doing this, keep reading and learn about some of the most common mistakes to avoid while moving with your fluffy, feathery, or scaly friends.

Continue reading

Thinking of Starting a Vacation Rental Business?

A couple entering their vacation rental for the summer.

A vacation rental can be a great way to bring in money with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or preparing passive income streams for retirement, you want to plan carefully when setting up this business model. Advanced planning will pave the path to success. These resources can help you get started on the right foot.

Continue reading

How to Use Video to Sell Your House

A person showing us how to make a video to sell your home.

Have you decided to sell your house? If that’s the case, one of the first things you’ll need to do is make sure it’s ready to sell. This means making any necessary repairs and doing a little bit of staging. But don’t forget about one of the most important aspects of selling: marketing your home. Using videos is a great way to do this. In this post, we’ll give you a few tips on how to use videos to sell your house. Keep reading to learn more!

Continue reading

What to Know About Contract Contingencies

A realtor and buyer talking about the real estate contract and contingencies to include.

There are many steps to purchasing a new home. After the initial offer is made, buyers and sellers often negotiate before they come to an agreement. Buyers then deposit earnest money to show they are serious about the purchase, and both parties begin the closing process.

However, a lot of things can go wrong between signing the contract and closing on a house. To protect buyers, several types of contract contingencies may be included in the contract. These allow the buyer to legally back out of the sale if necessary.

Many home contract contingencies are accepted by sellers, but some may weaken offers on a home. Here are four common types of home contract contingencies and how to tell which ones may be right for you.

Continue reading

What to Look for in a Garage Door When Buying a Home

A white garage door located at the end of a home.

When viewing potential new homes, it is easy to focus on floor plans and closet space, but what about the garage door? After all, your new home’s garage door will determine more than just curb appeal. It can also shape the energy efficiency of your home and become a costly burden if it’s not in good shape. That is why you need to consider these four factors when checking out that garage door along with the rest of your potential new home.

Continue reading

Color Trends for Summer 2022

A couple looking over swatches to decide on color trends for summer.

Summer is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start decorating your home in colors that help bring feel-good energy indoors. We’ve rounded up all the color trends you need to know for this season. Feel free to mix complementing colors together or choose the one that best fits in with your established home décor. Incorporating these fun colors can lead to a bright and cheery atmosphere without ever having to leave home!

Continue reading