Tag: REMAX

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

Are You a Hoarder?

Shreveport-Bossier City Homes and Lifestyle

What Are You Afraid to Throw Away?

So how many of you are scared to throw things away?  Or maybe your spouse might be (no don’t throw your spouse away!)

This is a serious questions because many of us struggle with not being able to dispose of items for various reasons.  Either sentimental in value, an emotional, physical or even nostalgic reasons.  Whatever the reason have you recently taken an inventory into what you hold on to?

You probably should!

I was looking through some clutter and thought “how long has this been here?”  It really needed to go, but the emotional pull wouldn’t allow me to take the next step I needed and throw it away.  I’m sure I will when my wife yells at me loud enough but not quite yet!

My favorite item are all the 25 year food items I keep “just in case” because lets face it anything can happen at ANY time, right?  (Just 23 years to go, Honey!)

Recently, I was with clients showing them a run-down property they wanted to fix up and restore but that all came to a screeching halt when we walked in and the place was a hoarders nightmare.  I had never seen a place so terrible before!  It ended up being sold but only for the value of the land.

Now, that’s a very rare example but it does beg the question:  When you are trying to sell your home are following your agent’s advice and minimizing clutter?  Are you boxing up those items you just can’t seem to part with but no one else wants to see?

If you are serious about selling your home that’s exactly what you better be doing.  A potential buyer always envisions themselves in the home they are looking at.

So make sure when the time comes to sell you clear out the clutter, open up the blinds and drapes, and get the house smelling nice.

You’ll be surprised at how much a difference that will make!

**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

Lawn Care Tips For the Summer!

Shreveport-Bossier City Homes and Lifestyle

Ahhh, summer is here.  It’s time to kick-back and relax in the backyard.

Unfortunately this is also when a lot of “unwanted guests” show up as well:  bugs, mosquitos and weeds.  By taking proper care of your lawn, however, you can get the most of it, and get the most out of your summer.

So keep your lawn lush, green and bug free this summer by practicing proper lawn care with these helpful tips.  And remember, for the bast lawn care, look into hiring a professional company which will allow you even more time in the hammock with a cold drink in your hand!

The Tips:

  • Water your lawn. Well, of course right?  But there is an art to it.  Be sure to practice proper watering and water conservation techniques.  The early morning hours are the best time to water your lawn because the air is cooler.  In the middle of the day water evaporates too quickly and doing it at night is even worse.  Water can cling to blades of grass overnight and as it sits there it promotes fungus and lawn disease over time.
  • Water long enough to moisten the soil about 6 inches down but don’t water more than that. The first time you water this summer check the soil every 15 minutes to see how moist it is.  When the water reaches six inches in depth then record the time and how long it took and us that as your baseline result going forward.
  • Check your lawn for any signs of discoloration or poor texture. Browner, more brittle grass can be signs of damage.
  • Hire (or DIY it) a professional pest-control service to spray around the foundation of your home to help keep the bugs on the outside. You can also reduce bugs’ presence by properly treating your lawn.
  • Make sure to poor out any standing water as it collects to prevent mosquitos from breeding
  • While your lawn is normally the focus point of the yard, make sure not to forget about trees, shrubs and other outdoor plants. Mulch beds are important too.  Keeping your yards properly maintained will increase your home’s value and appeal as well.

When you are the one working outdoors on these projects make sure you stay hydrated with water.  Working in the summer heat it can be tempting to wear shorts and flip flops, but it’s important to wear long pants and closed toe shoes for safety purposes.

And if working out in the elements doesn’t appeal to you consider hiring a professional.  They will make sure everything you need gets done and they might even find things you overlooked!

**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!

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

A New Family Addition!

Shreveport-Bossier City Homes and Lifestyle
I know it’s been a while since my last post and I apologize for that.  My main goal with these is to stay in touch with you, let you know what’s going on in my life, give you great value and local market information and help meet any need you have whether it’s Real Estate related or not.
Giving you glimpses into my world hopefully builds trust and one day I hope to earn your business and be your Shreveport-Bossier City Real Estate Agent of choice!
So where have I been?  Well, our little family has had some recent life changing events … for the good!
I’ve become a new Daddy again to wonderful little boy!  And while I love it, it can be very exhausting for my wife and I which tends to put my weekly e-mails on the back burner.  But I am trying my best!
Which leads me to ask …. What Life Changing Events are you going through?
Putting on my Real Estate hat let me phrase it this way: Are you suddenly finding that you need more room, or the kids have left and you finally are looking to downsize?
One of my clients needs to move his mother in to live with them so they need extra space with a mother-in-law suite.  Another of my clients needs to Upgrade her home space because a new baby is on the way.  And several others have moved here due to job relocation.
And YES, my job is to help each and everyone of them out; and I due a pretty darn good job if my reviews and client testimonials are any indication.
You see, my passion is to help ALL CLIENTS regardless of their need or life changes.  My job is to help YOU get to wherever it is YOU need to be!
**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

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