Sponsor Spotlight: Martha Faulkner, RSVP Real Estate Broker
Martha Faulkner has been a valued supporter of Homeward Pet for over a decade in so many ways: Sunday morning dog walker, former President of the Board of Directors, Development Committee Member, donor, and adopter. Whatever the role is, Martha’s probably done it!
Not only is Martha a passionate animal lover, she’s also a successful, client-focused real estate broker. By combining her two passions of real estate and animal rescue, Martha designed her business model so she could help animals in need: she donates 10% of her commission to the animal rescue of her client’s choice, including Homeward Pet.
If you’re in the market for a new home, Martha has a few tips to share with you:
1. Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start looking. Not only will this speed along the process when you make an offer, it will also give you a defined budget when you’re searching.
2. Make a list of “must haves” and “nice-to-haves,” and stick to it. No home will have absolutely everything you need, so having an idea of what’s most important in your future home will help you make the right decision for lasting happiness.
3. Test drive the neighborhood before committing. The house itself isn’t the only
important part of your dream home; you should also like the surrounding neighborhood. I recommend spending some time getting to know local businesses, the school district, and other amenities before committing to a home.
4. Pick a home style you love. Focusing on one style of home that fits your lifestyle can make the house search more manageable. lnstead of touring 12 so-so homes, you can spend more time on the 3 really great ones that fit your lifestyle best!
5. Document, document, document! lt can be hard to keep every home straight,
especially if your search goes on for a few months. Keep your phone or camera handy so you can keep the layout and amenities fresh in your mind as you review homes you’ve visited. Keep them organized in a separate folder for each home you visit for easy reference!
Adapted from realtor.com
Martha truly believes that Everyone Needs a Home, and shares hers with her rescue dogs Libby and Cody and her rescue cat, Sammy.
Learn more about Martha and RSVP Real Estate.