1 year

I'm going to take a minute and pat myself on the back. I just pulled up my name on the MLS as Listing and Selling member and I was ecstatic to see the results. I quit working my office job on May 12th of last year to pursue a career in real estate. In one year I have 8 (10 if you count a closing on Friday and one next month) closings under my belt and almost $1.2 Million in sales, which for a rookie in this market is pretty good, don't you think. I'm having more fun than I ever thought I could have and I really am proud of myself.

There is also no way in hell I would be able to get to this point if it weren't for some people who I need to mention.

My parents. You both have had my back through good times and bad and to support me through this past year has been incredible. Thank you for all of the help you have given to me and the opportunity that you gave me and my family. I love you.

The Twins. Jenny & Christie, for real, if it weren't for these two ladies I would be sitting here typing, 'holy shit, a year has gone by and I have nothing to show for it.' The support you have given me, gave me every bit of confidence that I needed to make it. I am beyond grateful for everything you have done for me and the confidence you have in me. :-)

Jeremy & Espen. I feel like I have all the time in the world and not nearly enough time for you guys. Thank you for believing in me and giving me hugs when I'd cry about a stressful closing or cheering me along at a successful one. Obviously I love you both to pieces.

So that's it, my back hurts from all of this self-patting. Yeah me!!

4th of july

The days leading up to the 4th of July were insane. I had two buyers in from out of town and was rushing around like crazy with them. I met one on Friday at 9 and was with her till 3, then on Saturday I met her again at 8am and was with her till about 2, then I had to swing by a clients house in Gilbert and then from there I headed up to Scottsdale to pick up another buyer who I was with till just about 8pm. On the morning of the 4th I even met up with one of them again till about 12:30. But, it was totally worth it, both were so cool to drive around with and both of them made offers on homes, one is in escrow, the other we will hopefully know by Monday.


By 1:30 I was with the boys at the pool enjoying the warm weather and taking it easy. Chan and his lady came by for a while and kept us company till about 4. I was exhausted so we napped for ever and didn't leave the house to see fireworks till 8:30, they started at 9!

Traffic down Scottsdale road towards the 202 was blocked off so we took the detour west bound on Curry, definitely the right choice. The streets were lined with cars and we thought for sure we'd miss the show. I even downloaded a Fireworks app for my phone for Espen, ha!!

We headed south on Priest and right around Rio Salado we saw a ton of cars pulling into a dirt lot turned rogue parking lot. We parked our car and hoofed it for 15 minutes till we reached another barrier nearing the Tempe Town Lake. But seriously, right as we got there the fireworks started, directly in front of us. Perfect! We left during the finale and made it back to the lot right as the last car was pulling out so we had next to no traffic to deal with. It could not have worked out better. Although, I think the best part of the night was when we hit up Super Burrito so we could stuff our faces with enchiladas, tacos and quesadillas! hah!

Happy belated 4th of July!



{sun bathing self portrait}


{jeremy making a splash}


{jeremy, chan, espen & the 'dorka' whale}


{chicken fighters}


{starting to get tired}


{fireworks}


{super burrito, super tired}

summer time!

It's been a while since my last post. I have been SO busy I can't even catch my breath sometimes, but it's been an incredible month and a half since I left the cubicle. The twins have kept me moving in the right direction and I can't thank them enough! Life right now is so sweet. I'm loving it.


Another thing I love, Summer in Arizona. I love summer time. I love the heat, I love the sun and I especially love it when I can bake in it...swim in it...and share this time with Jeremy & Espen. (and allison, of course)

We've been a bit busy this summer so we've only made it to the pool a handful of times but there is still plenty of time to use it, we live in AZ after all.


{looks like i'm giving birth, angry face and all. hahaha}


{looks like his avoiding the sun}


{he looks so handsome}

Taking the day off...kind of.

Thursday was the first day after leaving my job at Great American Title and right away I went to work training with the twins. The girls let me tag along on a listing appointment in Scottsdale in the morning. The appointment itself only last a couple of hours and the only other thing I had planned on doing that day was getting my lock-box key so once that was done I had the afternoon to hang out with Jeremy and Espen. We took a walk to Coffee Bean and over to the civic center to roll down some hills. We had the whole afternoon and evening to play and relax before we headed off to California the following day. I tried to take full advantage of it since starting Monday I will be focusing a ton of time and energy in to real estate.




{thanks espen for this cute picture}




{this is what awaits me on monday...thanks christie for my 3 dozen roses}

love small spaces.

This is probably one of my favorite House Tours on Apartment Therapy, ever! How great are the little pops of color throughout, from the pillows on the couch to the stacked books and fresh flowers near the bed. I love it. Not only is it beautifully decorated, it is just a tiny bit bigger than our place and it looks HUGE. Although we don't have an open living/sleeping space, it is still incredible how large a tiny home can feel. Makes me want to run out and find a little table for our front window, just big enough for my laptop, a cup of coffee and of course a wonderful table lamp.

Sell, sell, sell!

We sold all of Espen's furniture on craigslist this weekend...all but his little couch which should have a home by the end of the week. We are holding our yard sale this weekend. I hope we can get rid of EVERYTHING over the weekend. My goal is to only bring one box of items to the condo. Well, one box that does not have to be unpacked. We won't have room to store anything, so we NEED to clean house this weekend. Only 4 more weeks here, I still can't believe it.

Wait a minute, strike that, reverse it...

My boss hired me back full time today...for now. Thank heavens! Love the job, love the hours, love me some money. This is definitely a fantastic turn of events. Lets hope it keeps up.

Again!

On Saturday my boss informed me that he no longer has enough business to keep me on as a full time employee, I now have 2 weeks, while working just 2 days a week to pound the pavement and find yet another job. This is unreal. My brain feels like it shuts off every time I open my already lengthy novella that is my resume. It shows that I have a ton of experience in all sorts of fields (within real estate) but every time I have to add something to it, I begin to feel more like a failure. I know it's not true because if you look back I either left on my own or had to leave because of others failures...so I will press on.

We still have not settled on a moving date. There are several things we need to straighten out first, obviously a job for me, but a few other items as well. I can't wait for the yard sale! I just want it all gone so we can start fresh in our tiny new home.

Considerable Downsizing

As you all know, the economy has taken it's toll on just about everyone one way or the other. For us, it's been quite a rough ride, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. And although we will be 'losing' our home of six years, we have the opportunity to keep a roof over our heads, albeit the roof is only 600 square feet. We are diving head first into 'small space living' with a 2 year old in tow...and we are going to make the best of it!
Now comes the daunting task of cleaning house, de-junking, yard saleing and testing our skills at savvy space saving design. Between now and December, we have our work cut out for us.
Wish us luck!