Ask Allise

I'm in a season in my life, where my friends are getting married, settling down and looking to buy their first home! So, when my good friend, Allise (who just so happens to work at Harry Norman), mentioned she wanted to team up with me on a fun series, I couldn't say "yes" fast enough! Allise's positive attitude and bubbly personality, make her a go-to realtor in Atlanta. Oh, and she may bring you a thoughtful gift once closing on your house!

With 'Ask Allise,' I will be taking your questions from the comments section, as well as on Twitter using the #AskAllise! For the initial launch, Allise rounded up a list of her Top Ten Buyers Tips.

Top Ten Buyer Tips 

• Start working with a lender NOW!! The sooner the better. Lenders can help guide you in the right direction, even a year before your purchase. They can offer guidance about many things like taxes and insurance that you can not get from anyone else. 
• Be curious...Don't Be afraid to ask questions. There are no stupid questions when it comes to making the largest purchase of your life! 
• Use a REALTOR®! Sellers pay for the commission costs, so there is no reason not to use one. Not all licensed agents are REALTORS® and as a REALTOR®, we pay to be apart of an organization that holds a higher standard of ethics. All REALTORS® are not created equal! It's okay to shop around to find the best fit for you and your needs. Side Note: Your relative or best friend might not always be the best option, it can cause tension on relationships...true story! : ) 
• Do NOT get into a bidding war and over pay for the house. If the price is right then it might be okay to offer full asking, but be cautious that you don't pay more than what you can sell it for if the market stabilizes or goes down. 

• Remember, if you LOVE a house then odds are at least a handful of other buyers feel the same. So, be prepared when you find the right house it probably won't be on the market for long. You should be ready to submit an offer and have the pre-qualification letter attached. 
• Always get a survey and title insurance...better safe than sorry! No need to try and cut corners when it comes to the biggest purchase of your life. 
• Ask your friends to look for coming soon signs in your favorite neighborhoods and listen for upcoming listings...because it's always better to get a jump start and know before it hits the market. I have had a couple clients who found their homes through friends and through the NextDoor app. 
• Don't be House Poor. You might be able to "Buy" a house, but can you really afford it? There are a lot of other expenses that go into buying a house. Maintenance, Insurance, HOA dues, the list continues. Know your comfort level and prepare a budget before you start house-hunting. 
• Take as much time as you would like to purchase a home. Don't let anyone rush you. This is the most important purchase of your life and you deserve to feel 150% confident in your decision.
• Prepare now!! Check credit scores. Collect W2s from the past three years. And again, it is never too early to start working with a lender. 

 If you're in the market to buy a home, Allise is ready to help you find the right one for you! Feel free to send her an email with any questions you may have. 

In the meantime, be sure comment below with any and all housing Q's, or #AskAllise on Twitter!

 Until next month!

XO,

Kel

Weekend Event - Barre for Runners

As a girl who loves working out, you may find it hard to believe that running is not my go to for cardio. But according to an article on Fitnessmagazine.com, barre can be a great workout to incorporate into your training if you're a runner,

"Healthy runners, on the other hand, are encouraged to attend barre classes on days when they're not hitting the pavement. "Barre classes can be a great way to cross train and focus on core strength and stability," says Scrementi. Most importantly, runners should focus on core and hip-strengthening exercises. "It doesn't matter what type of cross training you are doing—weights or barre—but that you are sticking with a program that you enjoy."

Pink Barre owner, Tara, is a former Physical Therapist, so this class will tap into the benefits that runners can receive from practicing barre. And this Sunday (July 17th), you have the opportunity to take a free class tailored specifically for runners! Learn how you can become a healthier, stronger runner while supporting a member of the Pink Barre family, Amanda Kowaleski, in her upcoming marathon in NYC! Reserve your mat now!

See you at the barre. 

XO,

Kel

New Product - San Francisco Salt Company

I love finding out about new products, especially the ones that help me and my muscles relax! In between Pink Barre and my other workouts during the week, my muscles definitely take a beating. And I love me some TLC!

When I found out about these epsom salts, I couldn't draw a bath fast enough Seriously! The San Francisco Salt Company knows a thing or two about epsom salts. Their Epsoak Bundle includes: Sleep Formula (Epsom salt scented with Lavender Essential Oil), Muscle Soak (Epsom Salt scented with Eucalyptus & Peppermint Essential Oil), and our original unscented Epsoak Epsom Salt. 

They offer the best quality epsom salt at the best value. Numerous studies have demonstrated the profound and wide-ranging benefits of soaking in an epsom salt bath. Epsom salts help soothe muscle pain, cleanse pores, and detoxify the skin and contain Magnesium and Sulfur, which helps:

• Ease stress and improve sleep and concentration 
• Muscles and nerves function properly 
• Regulate activity of 325+ enzymes 
• Reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps 
• Improve oxygen use 
• Flush toxins 
• Improve absorption of nutrients 
• Form joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins 
• Scented with Lavender Essential Oil, Epsoak Sleep Formula also promotes a deeper, better night's sleep. 

My favorite of the salts has to be the Epsoak Muscle Soak with Eucalyptus and Peppermint Essential Oils. Ideal for soothing muscle pain and relieving aching feet—perfect for athletes and those who are physically active. Trust me, your muscles will thank you later!

Go get yo fitness on, and order this bundle while you're at it!

XO,
Kel