Understanding Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): A Key Tool for Sellers and Buyers One of the most common questions that I get has to do with property values. So, this month, I am tackling the CMA topic in detail. There isn't a single standard way to estimate value, but rather several. I aim to

  The Role of a Real Estate Agent: A Faithful Guide in Your Home Journey This month, I want to talk about the role of a real estate agent. Or better said, how I help my clients and customers succeed in their real estate journey. Buying or selling a home isn't just a transaction—it's a journey, a st

Discovering Deb's Heart for Real Estate When I think about what sets a real estate professional apart, words like experience, dedication, and integrity come to mind. For me, these qualities are more than just descriptors—they are the foundation of my career and the cornerstone of my mission to red

Unlocking the Power of the MLS: How It Benefits Home Sellers and Buyers We are two weeks into the new year, and I want to address an often elephant in the room: the Multiple Listing Service or MLS. I usually assume that consumers understand the real estate industry, and that just isn't true. Over

  Starting Fresh in 2025: A New Year with Deb Long The start of a new year is a time for reflection, inspiration, and embracing one's authentic self. As I look back over 2024, I see the disappointments and challenges, but moreover, I see someone who overcame them. This year-end blog pulls back the

The True Meaning of Christmas: Celebrating Jesus, Our Savior The Christmas season often fills our hearts with warmth and joy as we decorate our homes, exchange gifts, and gather with loved ones. Yet, amid the hustle and bustle, it is essential to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas:

Achieving an Energy-Efficient Home: A Guide for Homeowners Welcome, December, with shorter days and cooler weather. I have a love-hate relationship at this time of year. Coming from the state of Illinois, I do appreciate colder weather. I enjoy sweaters, fires in the fireplace, hot chocolate, and

Thanksgiving: Celebrating Gratitude and Family As the leaves turn golden and the chill of late November sets in, a familiar warmth fills our hearts: the Thanksgiving season has arrived! This holiday has always been one of my favorites. As a child, I remember going around the table during Thanksgiv

BE vs DO The Blessing of Being in Love with Jesus Christ Resting in His Salvation vs. Striving to Earn It I’ve spent the better part of my life doing for the Lord versus being in love with Him. Recently, my eyes were opened to the madness of trying to work my way to Christ. Allow me to share a bit

FOOTBALL: AMERICA'S GAME The American Pastime: My Football Story The anticipation grows for the upcoming weekend. It's the second weekend of high school football and week one of college football. It's in my excitement that I write this Blog. For the record, I LOVE FOOTBALL!! Where did it start for

Have you considered investing in Real Estate to fund your child's college education? Great news... we have! And here are some ideas to consider. Investing in real estate has long been considered a stable and profitable venture. With rising education costs, many parents are exploring innovative way

The Importance of Fiduciary Duty: A Real Estate Agent's Commitment to Buyers As many of you know, the real estate industry is making tremendous compensation changes. Moreover, which party is now responsible for paying the agents? Additionally, with these NAR-mandated changes, consumers will be req

A Continued Story - Today's HomeTransforming Lives Through Homeownership As I stated in a previous blog, posting every week is new for me. I am naturally an introvert, so putting my thoughts and life online is different. Bare with me as I join the ranks of many and share my story and life online.

Honoring Sacrifice and Patriotism: The Essence of Memorial Day Every year, as May draws to a close, Americans across the nation prepare to observe Memorial Day. This day, set aside to honor the men and women who have died in military service to the United States, is more than just a long weekend m

Disappointment: How to Overcome and Move Forward Reeling from our big move at Today's Home, I was working to get settled, and two of the agents announced they were leaving the company. Yikes! Fears! Now what?!  That was the road I walked last week. After much prayer, I decided to share my thoughts

Settling Into Your New Space: A Guide to Making Your House a Home As many of you know, we moved our office last week. So when I walked in on Monday morning, I was met with unpacked boxes and a desperate need to find things. Here's my attempt to help you walk through the transition from someone who

🏡✨ Moving Made Easy ✨🏡 Hey there, future movers! As I get ready to move my office from one location to another, I have been thinking about what many of my clients experience as they move their homes. So this week, I needed to share some of the things I am doing, hoping that it will help someone e

Understanding Housing Trends and Home Pricing One of the top questions I am often asked is, "How's the real estate market?"  This week, I decided to address parts of the question by discussing housing trends and home prices.  In today's competitive real estate market, understanding housing trends

Spring into Real Estate: Why Now's the Perfect Time to Buy and Sell! This week, I want to discuss the infamous "Spring Selling Season" that many real estate professionals refer to, which occurs in April, May, and June each year. Welcome to the bustling world of springtime real estate, where the fl

  In this blog, I delve into the critical importance of fair housing in our real estate industry and why it should matter to all of us. Although we, agents of Today's Home, practice fair housing daily, our REALTOR® association focuses on its importance every year during April. For this reason, I th