Who Could Use a Little Less Stress in Their Lives? Me Please!!

Shreveport-Bossier City Homes and Lifestyle
Ok folks, so here goes another round of personal honesty on my part.
 
I am under a continuous amount of stress.  Mental, Physical, Emotional, Spiritual and Nutritional.  You name the subcategory of stress (all but death or divorce), look it up in the dictionary and my face is likely there with a disheveled look sheepishly waving back at you.  😩  👋
 
Is that something most people want to announce, especially someone who wants you to hire or recommend me to family and friends one day?
 
Ummmmm …. No.
 
But it’s true, I can’t deny it so why hide?  And to be even more transparent writing about it now is actually kinda therapeutic, so thanks!  🤣🤣
 
It wasn’t always this way and wont always be … and that’s the point, really.  We are all at various stages and seasons of life and that usually brings added stress and pressure that we may have never encountered before.
 
These are My Current Stressors, can you relate? 
 
– Expecting a new baby
– Career fluctuations
– Raising kiddos that make you wade REAL DEEP in the patience pool
– Saving for college
– Managing the household, and so much more ….
 
All the while trying to make sure I am the best husband, father, brother, son and family example I can be to everyone who needs, counts and depends on me.  Whew!
 
No, not stressful at all. 🤣🤣
 
But when I go into ‘real estate agent’ mode all that evaporates.  I become laser-focused, tactical and all about my client.  My job is to then make sure you are under the …
 
 … least amount of stress as possible.  😎😎
 
What does that look like, you ask?  Great Question! 
 
Regardless of whether you are buying or selling the categories of my expertise and help are basically the same:
 
– Answer every question you may have on the process from beginning to end
– Be open and honest with you
– Guide you down the path that is in your best interest not mine
– Take care of all the paperwork
– Interface with all the parties that work behind the scenes in the buy/sell process
– Negotiate with the other party on your behalf
 
Since I have been doing this for quite some time I am perfectly comfortable taking on that role and making it easy for you.  So if you need to buy or sell a home this year and want an agent who will make it as stress-free as possible make sure you select a great agent.
 
Me Please!
 
 

**Ryan Wheeler is an expert real estate agent and military veteran serving buyers and sellers of homes in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.  Connect With Me Here

Bossier home house photo Shreveport Bossier Expert Real Estate Agent Realtor Military veteran buy home sell house Ryan Wheeler moving

A Guaranteed Way to Make a Mistake in Real Estate

Shreveport-Bossier City Homes and Lifestyle

I’m near the end of an amazing (and yet scary) experience. An experience that is sure to challenge and change me.

What is it?

I’m about to be a Daddy again.  YIKES!!  😨

As an old man (sort of) I’m about to start over and have another baby.  Who wouldn’t be at least a tad bit nervous?

Well, I’m not having the baby my wife is; you know what I mean. 😳

Even though I’ve “been there, done that” it’s still very scary. Half the population are grandparents at my age for goodness sakes.

But…

I didn’t realize one could be terrified and thrilled at the same time.  Terrified because the unknown is always scary but thrilled to have the joy of another baby in the house.  And man do I love me some babies!!

Our little guy will be born sometime mid-April of this year and will complete our family. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

In my terrified moments my mind naturally turns to the unknown … it’s the same nerves and questions I had with my previous kids:

Am I financially prepared?  Do we have enough money put away?  What about college?  What about ____ (fill in the blanks).

I know this is normal and I have been here before … so what am I really afraid of?   I suppose I’m afraid of the future, of the unknown, of not making the right decisions with a little one that fully counts on me for literally everything!

All Normal stuff right? Right?? (someone help me out here!) 😀

Well guess what  …. some of you are on the verge of not making the best decisions in the world of real estate.  You are going through some of the same stages of doubt and nerves that I am.

Whether a buyer or seller you are probably nervous (maybe terrified) and asking some of these questions:

-Can I afford to buy or should I rent?

-I need a bigger place for my growing family. Can I afford to sell and move?

-Should I sell my home on my own?  If so, where do I start?

-Do I really need a real estate agent for any of this?

My brain is on fire all the time.  I’m always trying to place myself in the position of my clients and anticipate their needs.

So here’s what it all comes down to.  Here’s how to reduce the chances of making a real estate mistake this year, or any year …

The Key is to Reach out to a real estate agent you trust who will answer your questions and navigate you through the process regardless of whether you are buying or selling.

Going at it alone is the terrifying part … and I can guarantee you the person on the other side of any negotiation table will be properly represented placing you at a major disadvantage and likely losing you a lot of money in the end.

So …. Don’t be like me and be scared or terrified of something new!  With the right help, the right team and good decision making at the beginning we can all be less terrified on the new journey we are both about to embark!

**Ryan Wheeler is an expert real estate agent and military veteran serving buyers and sellers of homes in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.  Connect With Me Here

Mardi Gras: Is it Worth the Hype?

Shreveport-Bossier City Homes and Lifestyle
So Here’s a Sincere Question:  Is Mardi Gras Worth It?
Is Mardi Gras worth all the time, effort, energy and trouble?  Some say yes and some say no … we all have an opinion, or maybe you don’t care one way or the other.  That’s fine too.
My local (read that as Shreveport-Bossier City) Mardi Gras experiences have been good but I know others who have had just the opposite.

As with any large gathering of people in a tight space who are virtually free to do as they please there will always be those who do stupid things and make the experience unpleasant for everyone around them.

I think the statistics (and your own experience) likely bear that out too.
But as a parent, friend, or what have you it is your job to create a pleasant experience regardless of the chaos around you.
Let’s now think about your last real estate experience …  
Don’t hyperventilate and don’t swear … just think for a moment.  Was it similar to the above mentioned?  Not everyone will have a pleasant memory which is unfortunate.
And why is that?  Most of the time what I hear is:  “I had a bad Realtor!”
Hmmmm …. are you sure that’s the reason because there is so much more that goes on behind the scenes that the typical home buyer or seller is oblivious to.
So let me re-frame your thought process:
Did you ever think about this?  
 
-Your agent cannot control what the loan officer does or doesn’t do
-Your agent cannot control what the Title company does or doesn’t do
-Your agent cannot control Government shutdowns
-Your agent cannot control what the person on the other side of the transaction does or doesn’t do
-Your agent often can’t control what you, the client, does or doesn’t do (although we try our best)!
 
Do you see where I’m going with this?  Although the majority of agents do their darndest we just don’t have control over every aspect of the buying and selling process.
And should you choose me I promise to do my best to give you the calmest yet most fun Mardi Gras like experience I possibly can and keep you coming back for more!

**Ryan Wheeler is an expert real estate agent and military veteran serving buyers and sellers of homes in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.  Connect With Me Here

Shreveport Bossier Expert Real Estate Agent Realtor Military veteran buy home sell house Ryan Wheeler

Making a Stupid Mistake and NOT Regretting It

Shreveport-Bossier City Homes and Lifestyle
Ya’ll are not going to believe this!  I did something incredibly stupid a few weeks back.  How did I ever survive it I’m not sure but here I am to tell you.  😬

And do I regret it?  Nope, not one bit … Well, that’s not entirely accurate.  Let me explain:
A few weekends back my wife and I ventured out to Dallas, Texas.  She is 6 1/2 months pregnant and wanted to run a 5K race; they called it the “Hot Chocolate Run” I do believe. 🏃‍♀️☕

Now, I’m not a fan of going hundreds of miles away and spending a ton of money on hotels and food just for something one can do in 30 minutes in their own neighborhood …. I’m just sayin’.

BUT … she had fun.  And to be honest so did I.  She did more than run a race.  She had great bonding time and fun with her friends, me and the baby.

We all went to Great Wolf Lodge afterward and spent some much needed quality family time together.  It was our last getaway before the newborn arrives in a few months.  None of that was a mistake, of course.

My stupid mistake was in thinking it would all be a waste of time, energy and money and actually telling her that a few months ago.  Not the smartest thing but to her credit she doesn’t hold grudges and for that I am blessed.

So what don’t I regret?  I don’t regret going although I wasn’t very keen on it in the beginning it all turned out better than I could have expected or imagined.

Times like this I often reflect on my clients and their situations and it got me thinking … have any of them ever said they made a stupid mistake in buying or selling a home with me?  Anyone?  😧

And you know what?  No matter how much I think on it … Not one person ever has said that.

Ever ….   😌 👍

And why is that?

Well, a lot of it has to do with the sound advice I give each and every client which helps them determine their best course of action.

You see, sometimes the best course of action is for a client NOT to take a certain action they think they should or they want to.

That’s where I believe my job is the most important and the most difficult.

But ultimately helping a client by giving them the best advice possible so they don’t make a stupid mistake is what I am here to do and that is definitely NOT something I will ever regret.  😊👍

**Ryan Wheeler is an expert real estate agent and military veteran serving buyers and sellers of homes in the Shreveport Bossier City area.  Find me on Facebook and also Connect With Me Here!

My Journey from Client to Agent

Shreveport-Bossier City Homes and Lifestyle

Many moons ago the Air Force stationed me at Barksdale right here in Bossier City. I did not have any experience in buying a home (hey, we were all once first-time home buyers, right?) but I nonetheless stepped out of my comfort zone and trusted a local agent to help me through the process.

Honestly, I don’t recall much about that experience except to say there were no hiccups and everything went smoothly. But I don’t recall my real estate agent teaching me anything, helping me through the process much, anticipating my needs nor educating me so I could make decisions that were in my best interest and not theirs.

It was more like a hand’s-off approach … but it all, miraculously, worked out. Even though it wasn’t a terrible experience I knew it could have been much better. It was then that I decided, no, I knew that I could do things so much better … if I were ever provided the opportunity.

The Air Force ended up sending my family and I back to Barksdale AFB two more times which allowed me to experience the buying process and working with different agents again. But this time there was a difference. And the difference was the agents. These are people I still know to this day and call friends.

They took the time to listen, they cared enough to course correct me and make sure I made good decisions, they walked me through the steps, the process and all the paperwork, explaining everything to me. They did it all with such grace and ease. I was immediately impressed by their professionalism and high standards of integrity and patience.

When I decided to throw my hat in the ring and became an agent myself I knew exactly what service, integrity and professionalism looked like because I had witnessed those qualities firsthand myself. I knew what it took to not just be a good agent but an expert who cared, who wasn’t afraid to be honest and tell the truth (even if the truth is hard to say and hear) and who valued integrity and honor in an industry where most people forget their previous agents’ name.

I didn’t want to be forgotten. That’s not a good place to be and that’s not where I belong. I choose to be different because, well, because I was once where you are. I was once needing more help than I knew. I needed a professional on my side to help me buy and also sell, who knew what I needed before I even did and helped me to get results.

I know I still have a lot of work to do but I have had great role models and mentors. I believe in always growing and doing better. The past several years as an agent has refined and honed me. Humbled me and grown me. I am now in the daily process of becoming that which I wanted to be and taking the road less traveled has made all the difference.

**Ryan Wheeler is an expert real estate agent and military veteran serving buyers and sellers of homes in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.  Connect With Me Here