Ashley Nicole Blog

But before you pick up a sledgehammer and go full HGTV, it's worth asking yourself a few questions. After all, the road to a Pinterest-perfect home can be a bumpy one, and sometimes, it's paved with unexpected costs, and a few "Why did we think this was a good idea?" moments.

So before you dive into a major project with a hefty price tag, ask yourself these four important questions to make sure it's a wise decision:

1) "How long will we be here?"

Before ripping out cabinets or adding a second story, consider how long you plan on living in your home. If the answer is "forever," go wild!

But if you're thinking more along the lines of "five years, maybe less," you might want to scale down those renovation dreams. The last thing you want is to sink a fortune into it, and go through the stress and mess of it all, and only enjoy it for a short time.

Especially if it doesn't make you more money on the sale of your home…

2) "Will it improve the value of the home more than the cost of renovations?"

Many homeowners believe that no matter what improvement they do to their home, or how much they spend, it will make their home worth more money. Well, it usually does make it worth more money, but not necessarily as much as homeowners expect it will.

A lot of home improvements will add some value to a home, but don't actually produce a positive return on investment. For instance, according to a recent HGTV article, there are only three projects that typically have a positive return on investment, and they're not sexy projects, unless you consider new garage doors and front doors sexy…

No matter what project you plan on doing, go into it knowing that it won't necessarily add a healthy profit onto the value of your home when you sell it.

3) "Do I care if it doesn't net me a profit?"

It's not a big deal that a project won't turn you a profit, if you're planning on living in the home for some time and it'll bring you enjoyment! Sometimes, you just need to treat yourself, even if that means your renovation doesn't pay off in dollar signs.

Maybe your newly minted home theater won't add much to your property value, but if it adds endless movie nights with friends and family, who's counting? Just make sure you're comfortable with enjoying the upgrade for yourself and not relying on it to pad your wallet when it's time to sell.

4) "Does it make more sense to just move?"

Sometimes it's easier (and cheaper) to pack up and find a house that already has the features you're after. If your dream kitchen or bigger backyard is going to cost as much as a down payment on a new place, it might be worth asking if it's time to start house hunting instead of hammer swinging. Moving may seem like a hassle, but so does living in a construction zone for the next six months!

Without overthinking it… if you were sitting down to play a game of Monopoly, which two properties would you most want to own?

There's a decent chance Park Place and Boardwalk crossed your mind.

They're expensive. They feel prestigious. They're kind of the Monopoly version of making it. And if you're being investment-minded, they probably seem like the smartest things to own if your goal is cashing in when other players land on your properties.

If those were your picks, apparently you'd be in good company.

Journa...

These strengths prove invaluable when it comes to another vocation: parenting. Caring for young children is one of the toughest jobs in the world — not unlike being a real estate agent.

While both often feel like relatively thankless gigs, it's good to know the skillset is virtually interchangeable — and, oh so important! Check out these 11 reasons real estate agents make great parents.

1. We can handle anything.

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When a seemingly straightforward home inspection turns up something horrific like asbestos or pipes held together by duct tape, agents are ready to guide buyers and sellers through to the other side. This is great practice for those future calls from the school nurse who says your kindergartner has head lice or just broke an arm at recess. Agents, and parents, have to be on their toes at all times for whatever comes their way!

2. We can function on very little sleep.

Preparing contracts and readying for a weekend full of open houses and showings is a recipe for exhaustion. While it's not easy, the ability to keep many balls in the air simultaneously is key when you're a mom or dad — especially because you'll be doing it all on very few hours of sleep.

3. We're accustomed to endless driving.

Shuttling clients from one home to the next is great preparation for all those school drop-offs and pick-ups. You'll quickly become skilled at answering questions, mediating potential squabbles, and answering the age-old, "Are we there yet?" all while keeping your eyes on the road.

4. We're adept at explaining complicated information.

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From the in-and-outs of attorney review and the meaning of the mysterious-sounding term "escrow," agents take complicated information and put it in language anyone can understand. This talent comes in handy when kids inevitably ask the old, "Where do babies come from?"

5. We know that enough coffee can get us through anything.

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Staying up late to ensure everything's in order ahead of buyers' and sellers' closing is almost like a dress rehearsal for those sleepless nights with a teething toddler or preschooler who's had a bad dream. But, because we still have to get up and go the next day, agents and parents quickly learn that morning and afternoon coffee isn't just a "nice-to-have" — it's a necessity.

And wine at the end of the day doesn't hurt either…

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6. We're always imparting wisdom.

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Without seeming overbearing, agents have a way offering helpful suggestions like, "Let me recommend a great home stager!" Or, "I know a way we can tackle that dog odor together!" that puts clients on the right path without straining the relationship. If you can manage to do this as a parent, you're ready to raise teens.

7. We do the worrying for you.

Because this isn't our first rodeo, agents can anticipate problems before they arise. Things the average person wouldn't even think to worry about are already on our radar — and we're ready to fix them. Being just the right mix of anxious and a little bit psychic helps parents predict — and hopefully avoid — difficult situations, like when that beloved stuffed toy goes MIA at bedtime.

8. We've got your back.

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First-time homebuyers in particular can benefit from a little TLC and a lot of support along the way. Real estate agents never hesitate to let our clients know we're in their corner, working on their behalf every step of the way. Children thrive when they know they've got the unconditional love of Mom and Dad backing them.

9. We know a great playroom when we see one.

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When agents are showing homes to families, we feel a childlike joy when we discover a great playroom, which may just get the deal done. Cool and colorful features attract buyers with kids because a finished rec room is one less thing they'll need to take care of once they move in. Having seen which amenities get the little ones super-excited, agents know exactly what children want. We've also picked up tips on taming clutter along the way, which helps immensely when we have a brood of our own.

10. We can negotiate with anyone.

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When we agents know our clients have their hearts set on making a deal happen, we put our negotiating super powers to the test. Parents, too, need to be experts in the business of compromising. (Offering some special and well-timed incentives, a.k.a bribes, never hurts either.)

11. We know the best school districts.

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Finding a home in a well-performing school district is the dream of every buyer with children. Because we real estate agents have done our homework and are well-versed in which schools get high marks, we know exactly where to settle down when we become parents ourselves.