Make Your Next Move Your Best Move With A Realtor
You are finally aligned and ready to embark on a new journey: Moving out.
Whether that is venturing out on your own for the first time into your first apartment or into your first home, the excitement bubbles inside as you look forward to finding the living space of your dreams. Or not! Perhaps the whole home hunting process makes you a bit anxious and confused as you flip through apps like Apartments.com, Zillow, and Trulia making calls to property management offices and realtors alike trying to find a lead.
Whether you are the first or latter of the scenarios, you can benefit greatly from your search if you invest in a seasoned realtor's assistance. I know what you're thinking: "Now I have to paya realtors fee?" And my answer is, yes. Spend it, sis. The investment is worth it, and you are worth it.
Rather recently, I called myself trying to save a few coins by searching for my first apartment on my own, and almost became a victim of a renter scam. Thankfully, I used my head and sought counsel from my friends and family about the rental before making a decision. I was blessed enough to find a great realtor to help me find my first apartment who was able to talk my rent down by $100 from the asking price. I save $1,200 a year that I would've paid if I hadn't hired my own realtor, and she checks in with me yearly for my feedback and offers suggestions about buying or renting my next apartment. You are paying to have an experienced agent with your best interest at heart on your side in an industry that is trying to give you less as you spend more.
I sat down with a millennial realtor Madison Fraizer who was able to spill the tea on the apartment and home search to explain the many reasons why partnering up with a realtor is one of the smartest and most risk-free moves that you can make:
Though using online apartment listing is a great starting point for young women looking to move, would you suggest using a realtor?
Madison Fraizer: I definitely recommend utilizing a realtor, a lot of the inventory we have privy to, opposed to you going on Trulia, and definitely not Zillow, or 'Killer Craig's List'. I'm still very skeptical about Craigslist, even though I found my current apartment on the site, but it was because I knew the broker. Anyone can post on Zillow and Craigslist now so it's more so for the assurance if you are a woman; one for safety, and two to be certain it is really inventory. Is it really available? I had a client, unfortunately, she thought that my condo was for rent, and when she went to go meet the seller off Craigslist, they robbed her on Christmas Eve. So that's why I encourage people to stay off the online platforms and to partner up with a reputable realtor in person.
What are some tips and trends you could offer to young women trying to find a great value in their investment whether they are looking to rent or buy?
I encourage young adults to have roommates because rent is so high. Rent is so high that it is forcing people to buy. You may think that buying into a single-family home is too much, as I did I was younger. Now I have a chance to work with other young women who do investment properties, and I am looking to invest in the same. I will be able to live in one unit and let the second unit be rented out in order to pay my mortgage.
This way, whatever money I am making, I can save for my next investment because rent is ridiculous, especially due to gentrification. I can attest to this, as I worked a decent job every day, and could not afford a luxury apartment because the rent starting for a one-bedroom in my town started at $1800. I had to move further south so that I could afford my lifestyle.
For some of us that are on the search for the right fit in a realtor, what are some guidelines you suggest we follow?
When looking for a realtor, the first thing I think they should ask is if the realtor is resourceful. Could they offer you a variety of programs? If they are looking to rent, are they knowledgeable about the market you want to buy into? You want to find a realtor that is in constant contact with their clients, following up, doing everything that has to be done to get it to the closing table. Rentals can be just as hard and as difficult as selling a house because of the paperwork involved and the requirements of the landlord.
"You want to find a realtor that is in constant contact with their clients, following up, doing everything that has to be done to get it to the closing table."
As the new year approaches and many of us make resolutions to move into a bigger and better living space, make it your first order of business to find a realtor that best fits your needs. This is a great opportunity to enlist the help of a female realtor of color that is not only well-educated in their craft, but street smart in regards to the surroundings that you are looking into.
Follow Madison @Msmadisonrealty for more tips!
Related Stories:
How These 4 Single Women Saved to Buy Their First Home - Read More
The Woke Woman's Guide to Building Generational Wealth- Read More
How I Over The Stigma Of The Stigma Of Moving Back Home As An Adult - Read More
Tour Multi-Faceted Creative Mckenzie Renae's Dope ATL Abode - Read More
Featured image by Getty Images
New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
SheaMoisture is providing us with the cheat code for transforming dry and damaged strands into thriving and deeply nourished crowns. By unveiling their 4-step hair system, the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is equipping you with the tools to reverse signs of hair damage caused by protective styling, heat, and color and is uniquely formulated for Type 3 and 4 hair textures.
The haircare system revives damaged natural hair by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds through a game-changing combination of HydroPlex Technology and AminoBlend Complex, a unique blend of fortifying amino acids formulated specifically for curly and coily hair. Scientifically proven to reduce breakage by 84% and make your hair six times stronger (vs. non-conditioning shampoo), the collection infuses your hair with the nourishment it craves and the strength it deserves.
All five products of the SheaMoisture Bond Collection are infused with natural strengthening ingredients like Amla Oil and fair-trade shea butter. The collection consists of the 4-step breakage-fighting Bond Repair system, as well as the Bonding Oil.
“When trying it out, I quickly noticed that my hair felt revived and renewed, and my curls were so hydrated,” Crystal said while using the Amla-infused Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. “I also felt my hair strands were stronger.” So much so that the influencer felt brave enough to get her hair braided shortly thereafter. “I can definitely say that I will be keeping it in my hair wash routine,” she added in the caption of her Reel about her positive experience using the products.
SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is making bond-building a key player in your wash day routines and the purveyor of life for thirsty manes. Because who doesn't want stronger, shinier, happier hair?
Step One: Bond Repair Collection Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair with SheaMoisture Bond Repair Shampoo, your go-to solution for luscious locks. Packed with hella hydration power, this shampoo adds moisture by 60% while removing buildup without stripping your strands. This shampoo gently cleanses impurities while significantly enhancing shine, smoothness, and softness.
The Bond Repair Collection Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are powered by the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, SheaMoisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
Step Two: Bond Repair Collection Conditioner
Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Conditioner deeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
Step Three: Bond Repair Collection Masque
This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Featured image courtesy
Draya Michele And Jalen Green Address Backlash Over Age Gap In Their Relationship
Romantic relationships with significant age gaps often attract heightened attention and scrutiny, especially when they involve an older woman dating a much younger man.
This criticism is usually viewed as a double standard, considering society's general acceptance of couples like Jay-Z and Beyoncé or Julius Tennon and Viola Davis, where the male partners are over a decade older than their female spouses.
The debate surrounding age gaps in celebrity relationships reignited in March when Draya Michele, a 39-year-old former reality star and entrepreneur, revealed she was expecting her first child with her boyfriend, 22-year-old Houston Rockets player Jalen Green, after nearly a year together. Immediately following the announcement, Michele, who has two sons from previous relationships, faced massive backlash due to the couple's 17-year age difference.
In response to the scrutiny, Michele posted a quote on her Instagram story, which has since been deleted, suggesting she was comfortable with being "misunderstood." The post read, "Get comfortable being misunderstood. Only a fraction of people will be able to truly grasp your essence. You are not on anyone else's timeline of comprehension."
Since then, the couple welcomed their daughter in May and maintained a relatively low profile regarding their relationship. However, during a recent outing in Hollywood, Michele and Green shared their thoughts with TMZ about the criticism they have received.
Draya And Jalen On Age-Gap Backlash
When asked about the online chatter surrounding their relationship, Michele revealed the couple's strategy for dealing with negativity. "We try to stay off the internet and not really listen to that kind of stuff," she explained.
Green echoed this sentiment, stating they don't care about the public backlash. The former Basketball Wivesstar elaborated that they strive to live as normally as possible by blocking out the hate.
“We block it out and we mind our business,” she stated.
When questioned about why she was facing scrutiny despite the pair looking the same age, Michele disclosed that the entire ordeal was strange.
“I don’t know what people’s problems is,” she said. “We are two adults– being in love. I don’t know why that would rub people the wrong way. It’s kind of weird. Love is love at the end of the day.”
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images