Solitude

I have always been a girl that needs time alone. Being by myself is where I recharge, it is my home base and it is often when I can think clearly and creatively. I am coming off of a few very busy weeks and my mind and body are craving some alone time. Time by myself can actually be some of my most productive time; I tinker, I organize all the while thinking, scheming and plotting. It is the time where some of my most creative work is created – blog ideas, marketing work or new ways to get into the community. 
The term introvert has become mainstream after the release of Susan Cain’s novel Quiet. Being an introvert seems to be more popular now than when I was growing up. I often wonder what sparked this, is it the fact that someone finally put a new face to introversion? In the past an introvert was shy, collected and meek and now we realize that is not that case. Is it because the world keeps getting louder and faster and we now physically crave silence and/or being alone? Or, is it that Eastern alternative medicine is making its way to the Western world and we are now seeing the benefits of silent activities such as meditation? 
Whatever the reason, I find my alone time crucial to my sanity and success. As life gets busy I have to make time to be alone, whether it is a few hours or a few days. I am curious how do you recharge? Is it time alone? If so, how do you accomplish it in your busy world?
In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352

Switching out clothes for the next season

I caught a glimpse of my closet this AM and it is an understatement to say it is disorganized. It seems summer has come overnight here in Denver. Today will be the second day in a row it will reach 80 degrees. The change in weather is why my closet is in such disarray – two weeks ago all I needed were winter clothes but now I need to break into my summer clothes. Every other day I find myself reaching into storage to grab clothes geared for summer temperatures (which then end up on my closet floor). There is always this awkward period in Denver where you are not 100% positive that the new season has arrived for good. Sure, it is 80 degrees today but there is a chance of snow Thursday. It is a science to determine when to switch out clothes. Although I may be wearing a summer dress one day, I am still hesitant to store that wool sweater and boots for fear I MAY still need them as early as tomorrow. 
How do you deal with the change of seasons? Please share when you switch out your clothes. Until then I’ve vowed to grab the applicable season’s clothes each day and keep my closet door closed.
In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352

The Arc Floor Lamp

I have never been a fan of floor lamps as I can never get them to look right. Although, one of the latest trends in lighting that I can got on board with is the arc lamp. 
Over the weekend I bought this exact lamp for behind my sofa. There were a few reasons why I went with this floor lamp: the arc gives this lamp a lot of character vs. just a free standing floor lamp. Also, I currently have electric plugs on the floor, therefore, people do not run the risk of tripping over the cord attached to the wall.
An arc lamp looks great behind a sofa or chair.
It also looks great accentuating a dinning room table or desk. 
 Where would you put an arc lamp in your home? 
 
In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352

What it means to be a buyer in the Denver area

Denver’s real estate market still remains very tight with low inventory and many buyers. This article in the Denver Post clearly depicts the realities that most buyers face in this market. Homes under $400,000 are under contract typically in a week, multiple offers start coming in within hours of the home hitting the market and most offers come along with a letter playing to the emotions of the seller. 
Knowing that this is the market that buyer’s walk into they need to pull out all the stops. A buyer in the Denver market has to be flexible with their time and their wish list knowing they may not get the home they put in an offer for. They must react quickly or the home will be gone within days. Buyers also need to be realistic with price and financing. This is not a typical market where there is a lot of negotiating, highest and best is asked for up front. Buyers also must be aware of what a seller and listing agent are looking for. 

“Full-price cash offers still typically move to the front of the pack. Next in line are those who have pre-qualified for a mortgage and have the cash on hand to cover any shortfall between what they offer and the appraisal.

Listing agents say that they look closely at a buyer’s source of financing — bank, mortgage lender or broker. Within that, they weigh the reputation of the lender, downgrading those known for stringing out the approval process or stranding buyers at the closing table.”
The below graphic shows how severe the lack of inventory actually is.
Buyers in this market must ensure they work closely with their agent. Open communication between buyer and agent is required now more than ever. Both the buyer and the agent have to be creative on ways to get a home in this market. 
In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352

My Corporate America Experience

Last week was my one year anniversary of leaving Fidelity. First of all, the year flew by! I thought I would take some time to talk about what I have learned since departing corporate America but then I realized it would be no different than this post. So, I figured I would take some time to mention what I learned from my years in corporate America because my time there was invaluable. Although, some people may scratch their heads wondering how finance could have helped a real estate career, my time in finance built a solid foundation to be successful in real estate. 
In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.

Buyer Need

Meet Debra. Debra is looking for a home after years of renting. She is a facilitates manager at Columbine Elementary School in Denver and is crucial to the Columbine community. She is looking for a 2-3 bedroom home in Montbello, Green Vally Ranch or Aurora. She is looking for a home to call her own with enough room for entertaining her four adult children and ten grandchildren! A must have is a yard for all her grandkids to play in and room for a dinning table for all the family.
Who do you know who might have a home to fit Debra’s needs? 
In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with  Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352