Tara Maxwell

The best advice I could offer a buyer looking to purchase a home in any market is to take the time to meet with a local real estate agent to go over expectations. Often buyers jump right into looking at homes without getting a consultation to go over market conditions, financing options, and an overview of the process. I really advocate for preparation which really helps to alleviate any anxiety the buyer may have.

If you were my best friend and you were selling your home I would give you the same advice I would give someone I just met. Have a local realtor meet you at your home and show them the current condition, make sure to point out any changes, repairs, or upgrades made as those will be things that help the agent determine value. Also, spend about 20 minutes discussing your goal and what timelines are important to you - I like the call this the expectation conversation. At this meeting you can discuss any questions you may have and help your agent by answering any questions they may have as well. I really find this to be a crucial appointment to setting up my sellers for success.

I have worked with buyers and sellers of all ages and facets of life. I really find myself drawn to first time home buyers, people relocating that need to sell, buyers relocating from out of area, and elderly clients that are looking to downsize. I really love to help ease the anxiety of those transitions and I find that to be very rewarding. I work with investors a lot and have found ways to eliminate a lot of anxiety for choosing properties, finding contractors, and being somewhat of a project manager at times.

My most fond recent transaction was with some gals that were relocating from California. They called me nervous to get started searching in an area that they were not familiar with and essentially were purchasing a home with only seeing it on our video tours together. I busted out my measuring tape and ensured them that their furniture would fit, I lined up the cleaning service as I knew they were meticulous and would appreciate having a nice clean home to move into. They were selling their home in California and had a few bumps in the road. We spoke on the phone everyday for 60 days and developed such a bond through me guiding them through both closings because their listing agent in California did not communicate as much as they would have liked. They told me over and over they could not say thank you enough for helping them ease their anxiety and help them get to the closing table on both sales. I am happy to report we closed and I now have two new friends.

I got started in real estate by accident but am grateful everyday for it. I was working as a Spa General Manager and after providing excellent customer service to one of our members he invited me for a job interview as his assistant for a top 5 team in the local Keller Williams market center. After learning the ins and outs I knew it was my calling to transition from administrative tasks to taking the lead with serving clients directly. I feel blessed to have learned as much as I did about the back end tasks and regulations because it has made me a stronger agent.

I am a BOLD and Ignite graduate. I also take as much continued education as I can on equal housing, ethics, real estate practice, real estate law, and real estate investing.