The Seller Rejected Your Offer – What Now?

Posted on by Ruthie The Realtor

It Happens….

Finding the right home is a serious process. Just like any other long term commitment, you’ve likely spent a great deal of time finding a home that you love and can picture yourself spending your life in. So what happens when you think you’ve found the right one but the seller rejects your offer? Here are 3 ways to deal with losing out on the home you had your heart set on.

1. Don’t obsess over the seller.

It is natural to want to know why your offer was rejected and you may want to start to ask questions about the seller’s motives. You could spend all your time doing that research, instead of continuing your search for a home. It may be difficult, but moving on is your best option. You will never know how a stranger is thinking, so rather than heartbreak, keep searching. They may want to come back to the table, but just in case they don’t, it is better for you if you are still trying to find a dream home.

2. If you haven’t put out your best offer yet, now is the time.

Maybe you wanted some room for negotiations, so your offer was lower than what you’re willing to pay for the home. This is the time to consider if this house really is ‘the one.’ If you feel that you are willing to exchange that wiggle room for your dream home, it is time to make that your best offer.

3. Move on when it is time.

If you’ve made your best offer and your seller just isn’t ready, it is time to move on. It can be easy to get hung up on a house that felt like it could be your next home, but you will be thankful that you focused on moving on. Even if it takes time, you will be thankful that you moved on and kept looking when you find yourself in your true dream home.

Just like any other long term commitment, searching for the right home is worth the wait.

Today I Quit my Job

Posted on by Ruthie The Realtor

Today has been 5 years in the making. And it happened. Today it finally happened. Today, I quit my job. You see, I’ve been side hustling for the past 5 years, trying to find an out from my mouse wheel hospitality career. Back in 2014, I started my own skincare business with Rodan+Fields. It was a brand that I could believe in because the products worked, I knew how the Doctors where and I sat and watched it change the lives of so many around me. I went into it thinking, “If they can do it, I could do it.” I wasn’t until March of 2018 that I realized skincare might not be the “thing” that gets me out of hospitality. I was crushed a little at the thought…

I began doing some soul searching and intentional praying because there is nothing worse than going through life not knowing what it is you’re supposed to be doing. It wasn’t until June of 2018 when I had my awakening. Would you believe me if I told you my real estate career all started from a dream? Yep, sure did! I had this super crazy dream that scared the mess out of me and it made me act on enrolling in real estate school…the same day! Long story short, I quickly realized is the exact path I’m supposed to be on. It makes me feel fulfilled, it’s fun and I honestly enjoy doing it.

Fast forward one year….I gave my resignation to my boss in July that I was going to be leaving to pursue my real estate career full time. I was a day that I thought would never come. Today has been 5 years in the making. But it finally happened. Today, I quit my job.

 

Summer Swim Fashion

Posted on by Ruthie The Realtor

IMG_1986Anybody else hate swim suit shopping? It seems most cute swim wear is teeny tiny, tongy, booty revealing, and wont cover up these post pregnancy boobs. AND IM NOT HERE FOR IT LMAO! But ladies, I’m here to report, there is hope. I stumbled across this amazing website called Cup She ! At first I had my reservations? Who’s ever been burned by a Facebook link, raise your hand? Not sure if these suits come from China, but mine came very fast and it was priced just right. I paid $20 something for this cute suit I have on here, and that would be $20 something for BOTH PIECES! It covers me in all the right places. I highly recommend you place and order. They have something for all body types, even those who are looking for something a little more revealing. I’ll let you have at those, I’ll take the high waist, almost full body coverage….I’m 30 something lol.

IMG_1955

My Heart Belongs in Charleston

Posted on by Ruthie The Realtor

Charleston is hands down one of my favorite places to visit. It always makes me feel some kind of way every time I go. It’s like you stepped back into a magical time even though the city is deeply rooted with a not some magical history. My husband and I recently took a “bad-cation” for a few days since our daughter is in Memphis with her Grandparents, and this trip did not disappoint.

When ever we travel we always make it a point to do something education during the trip to learn more about the city, and the culture. This trip we visited the Museum of Charleston. It’s smack dab in the middle of downtown so it didn’t take us too far off the beaten path. Definitely worth checking out if you’re planning on the trip. To visit 2 of the museums costs us $36 for two people, not too bad at all. I love the old charm Charleston has to offer. Most places you visit are original, so you are literally stepping back in time. Is it weird that I love the old smell of wood? Oh well….

We checked out this amazing Pub called John and King at the corner of, you guess it, John and King street. Peep the Hot Dog tho (1st pic).

Isle of Palms was our beach of choice during this trip. Folly was the one we visited last time, so to even the score, IOP was only right. The water was so warm, the beach was clean, the only sucky part was the parking situation. We worked it out though!

 

This trip was mostly about relaxation and we took full advantage. Sleeping in until 9am (that’ late for us), pool days, rich dinners, expensive drinks (Rose’ all Day) it was really a carefree trip. I think the highlight of our trip was a restaurant in Mount Pleasant called Tavern & Table. Their head check is a chick named Chef Katie, she’s kick ass! I am so not an Oyster fan, but her Fire Roasted Oysters are BOMB! I’d go back just for those. How about Mac-N-Cheese loaded with BBQ Brisket topped with Corn Bread. SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!!

I can’t say enough about Charleston. I love it some much, I can even look past the thick, heavy humidity that hits you as soon as you reach the border. It adds to the charm I guess. I can see myself retiring there on the water one day. But until, then, it’s my go to place for a quick, but amazing get away.

Hey girl…Hey…..Entrepreneur Spotlight…Introducing Girl Boss Kelley Raye!

Posted on by Ruthie The Realtor

Oh Sh!t Vail Valley // Andria LindquistHey y’all! I’m just back from Spring Break vacation enjoying a very busy week with my Kiddo, Bean. I know I am long overdue on a blog post. Today I wanted to take a minute and show some love to one of my favorite photographers, dear friend and former Squirrel (you read that right) Kelley Ray! (She says she was a Squirrel in her past life LOL ).

Kelley is an Atlanta-based photographer who specialized in Weddings, Branding and Lifestyle Photography. And in my opinion she should add SUPER AWESOME to her resume. My family and I do our annual shots with her and I also do my annual branding shots as well. She just gets us so well. We give her an idea of what we are going for, and she captures it. Every..Single..Time..

I met Kelley back in 2013 when we worked in the hospitality industry together. Let me tell y’all why I admire Miss Ray so much. She quit her Director of Sales position for Hilton in pursuit of her dreams! She took a huge risk and jumped, but her flight has been such an awesome one to watch. How’s that for flipping corporate america the bird!? Kelley lives her life on her own terms and this is something I think every one dreams about, but few are willing to act on. Not only has her awesome photog business taken off, she’s constantly in high demand and even gets to travel the world to all sorts of exotic places, taking pictures or brides, celebrations, or just to life travel with her Fiance Fallon. During her travels, she spends her days learning different cultures, trying delicious foods, capturing many amazing moments and just being bad-ass. She IS GOALS!

My family and I did our most recent shoot at the Goat Farm in Atlanta where Kelley has a quaint little studio, and it wasn’t anything like I expected. Goats actually roam the grounds! It’s super artsy fartsy there. There were people doing Yoga half-naked (cover your eyes Bean), other photographers taking pictures, people walking around basking in the goat-ness. I loved it. Kelley is so hip and fun, this area really suited her personal style well.

If you’re looking to book a wedding photographer for your upcoming nuptials, I highly recommend you check her out. You can find all her deets here: http://kelleyraye.com I think you will be pleased with her level of service, her work AND she will travel anywhere in the world to shoot you! Oh and her website is absolutely EVERYTHING in life, check it out!!! And if you’re looking to establish some branding for your side hustle, business, products or whatev,  she can help capture your vision and help you channel that inner Beyonce of yours! No lie!

Here are a few of our pictures we took with Kelley!!

Casual Friday on a Budget 2.0

Posted on by Ruthie The Realtor

IMG_1937.JPG

 

Hey y’all!! I posted this pic of my Casual Friday outfit last week up on my Facebook and IG page and received so many questions about the deets. So here we go! As you may already know, I am frugal when it comes to my purchases. I’m a believer that you can look like a million bucks with any budget you have.

I always make it a point to purchase solid pieces that I can marry with things that are already in my cost. My jacket I purchased from Forever 21 a few years back for around 20 bucks. You can get a similar one here for around the same price: Green Jacket

I wear it with jeans as well and white converse sneakers make for a week rounded look. My stripe shirt I purchased from Old Navy for around 20 bucks as weak last fall. You can actually snag it for under 10 bucks right now. Here it is: Stipe Shirt

My pants look like leggings but they are a little more structured. They have a raised line down the front and they are high waist (WINNING!). The brand is Romen+Juilet Couture, I snagged these from Marshalls for $16.99 and unfortunately, Marshalls doesn’t have a website but you can grab similar ones here: High Waist Black Pant

And finally, the wedges I am wearing are so dope y’all. And they’re super comfy which is the icing on the cake. These are Jessica Simpson wedges I grabbed a few months back from Dillard’s. They are no longer on Dillards.com or JessicaSimpson.com but there are still up and i have them in brown. They are also comfy and super cute: Peep Toe Suede Wedge

Get creative with your clothes! Don’t be afraid, wear what YOU like!! It’s all about what you feel comfortable in and what you want to spend. I am sure some people don’t care for my taste in threads, but you know what they say about opinions..right?? LOL. Drop me any questions you have about my outfit. I’d love to help you achieve the perfect outfit!

Want to create a work look that’s effortless chic Olivia Pope style?…. #ItsHandled

Posted on by Ruthie The Realtor

IMG_1670Without fail, every Tuesday I hop into my favorite stores to check out the new inventory. Believe it or not I am frugal with most of my purchases. I don’t like to spend more than $20 on any one article of clothing. I might occasionally splurge, but not very often.

I wore this look today and got so many compliments on it. It’s a complete mash-up on things I had in my closet. Here is the run down. The dress is Stella Luce, I paid $12.99 for it at Marshalls but here is a similar one on Posh Mark:Black Dress They have these type of dresses in stock all the time. They can be dressed up or down. Pumps or a cute pair of Tori Burch sandals can really round out this look. The dress is mock neck, cap sleeve and super stretchy. Oh so comfy! I grabbed one in black and one in mauve.

The pumps are Lauren by Ralph Lauren. My hubby grabbed these for me as a birthday gift from Dillard’s last year. Not sure if they still have them in stock. For all of you who didn’t know this, my favorite color is leopard 😜.  It’s so versatile. Every woman should have some sort of leopard in her closet. I love these pumps with jeans, dresses skirts you name it. You can get leopard pumps everywhere! Check your local second-hand shoe stores as well as department stores when they have sales.

The jacket is from The Limited. Let me be totally transparent here. The blazer goes with a suit I own. I WILL spend money on a nice tailored suit, but I love that I can pull pieces from my suits and wear them with other things in my closet. This blazer looks great with a pair or jeans or most little dresses I have. I think I paid $134 for my blazer but you can get similar one here: Target Blazer

It’s so easy to take random items from your wardrobe and make a statement outfit without breaking the bank. I think this is a look any woman can appreciate.

When I walked into my office this morning, someone looked at me and said, “What scandal are you fixing today?” My reply was “It’s already handled!”

Hello There!!

Posted on by Ruthie The Realtor

Hey there!!! So you must of just heard the announcement that Ruthielyons.com is now live! I’m so excited about my new landing page and I’ve been working on it for awhile now. What REALLY gets me excited is the work I’m pouring into my business and my blog. I’m looking forward to sharing all of my favorite things with you from family, to business, travel, food and fashion. I’m excited for the growth this journey brings my way and I hope my efforts bless you in some fashion.

Lastly, I thought I’d share the Lyons family photo for 2017. Why does my husband have to look so serious?😂

Photography by Kelley Raye

DIY Fireplace Re-Do

Posted on by Ruthie The Realtor

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I have a unique sense of style. I march to the beat of my own drum, and could care less about someone else’s opinion about it lol. I’m a creative person and I love to switch things up according to whatever mood I’m feeling at the moment. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, my need for frequent change gets Terrence to huffing and puffing on the regular.

My latest idea was to re-do our fireplace in the downstairs living room. We’ve owned our home for 5 years and it’s been a constant eye sore for me. One day I woke up with the idea to freshen it up. Surprisingly, Terrence didn’t need much convincing! My down stairs living space doubles as my office and the old fireplace didn’t mesh well with my office decor AT ALL….

I hopped on Pinterest for some inspiration and found some amazing ideas. While the inner eccentric in me wanted to go a little on the wilder side, I had to be reeled in with the home re-sale talk. We compromised on a look that was clean, textured and aesthetically pleasingly to the both of us.

I found some beautiful stone at one of my favorite places in the world, Lowes! I could shop there every day, I love to wood smell that welcomes you into the store. The stone that frames the fireplace it self is limestone. It has a subtle sparkle to it (Duh!) had to throw that in there. And the lower tiles are Carrara Marble. Just like paint color, picking out tile is difficult. Confession…I was watching an episode of Property Brothers not too long ago on HGTV and the female home owner kept raving about how she HAD to have Carrara Marble in her kitchen. She was super stylish might I add. This is what helped me land my decision on the Carrara lol. Easy peasy….

I really love how it turned out! I’ve had a few friends over since we completed it and they think it’s quite a show piece. We are in the process redecorating the mantle as well so I will update this post once we have it complete. We spent less than $200 on the materials and it took us a weekend to complete.