This weekend after returning from the beach, I had a bit of a scare with my sweet, 4.2 pounds of fury Chihuahua, Sully. To spare the details, we went to the emergency vet around 4:30pm on Sunday. Finally, we were cleared to leave a little before 8pm - they were busy! Though sad to see sick doggies come and go, it was quite reassuring knowing I'm not the only one in Columbia who loves their dog like a kid. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse with Sully and we made a trip back to the emergency vet around 2:30am that morning (FYI - it's amazing how fast you can get out of downtown to the Piney Grove exit when you are the only car on the road - imagine that).  I was the only one in the waiting room and we were in and out in an hour - this time I had prayed would be the last for the night/day. After Sullivan was all doped up on fluids and antibiotics, we were released to go back home and try to get some sleep. And sleep, we finally did. Whatever drugs the staff decided he needed put him to great ease and on the road to recovery. 

Long story short, I am thankful for a place such as SCVSEC. I love my regular vet, Griffin Animal Hospital which is conveniently located 2 blocks from my office and a short 7-8min drive from my house, but it's nice to know there is a place to go no matter what hour of the night/weekend. We saw Dr. Bruner both times and her reassurance made me not feel like such a crazy person. Her calm presence made everything seem all would be well and my fur-child would pep back up the next day. 

So, this is my shout out to thank SCVSEC and Dr. Bruner, you made my night a little less stressful and i'll sleep easier knowing you'll always be just a 20 minute drive away. Sully is back to full guard-dog status - barking at miscellaneous objects from the couch windows.

Thanks,

Lauren & Sully

There are two sides in a real estate transaction: seller side and buyer side. The listing agent represents the seller and the buyers agent represents the buyer. Duh - why am I writing about this? Well, twice this week I ran into situations of buyers who are completely unaware a buyers agent actually exists and at a cost FREE to the buyer. Well, this is how real estate works (at least in SC & most of the US), peeps. The sellers hire the brokerage to list their home. When the listing agent advertises the property for sale and lists it in MLS they advertise a certain percentage of the transaction to be split with the buyers agent in reward for bringing forth the buyer. After all, wouldn't you want your best interest represented? 

The biggest hurdle with this process is the general public not understanding that a buyers agent is for their benefit. After all, a buyers agent owes their client-level six fiduciary services: confidentiality, accounting, disclosure, obedience, loyalty, reasonable care & skill. It has come to my attention that many buyers are under the assumption that having a buyers agent would be on their dime when that's just not the case. I completely understand and sympathize with all buyers. Buying a home can be a costly time with inspections, appraisal, moving fees, etc., Having an agent is about the only "free" thing, but it IS the most valuable and priceless - priceless as described in those Mastercard commercials (see below).

Long story short, if you are in the market to buy a home, please obtain an agent. If you are in the Columbia/Lexington/Irmo area, obtain me if you wish - I would be more than happy to assist. This is the LARGEST investment of your life, why wouldn't you invest in your future wisely? 

If you are looking to buy, contact me at your easiest resource, email - realtorlaurengilstrap@gmail.com, text/call - 803.409.9667, or send a raven if need be - 1711 Gervais Street! 

-Lauren

For those that don't know me well, you aren't aware that I have an awesome business partner. Paige Tyler and I met in 2010 when I was new to real estate and first joined Coldwell Banker. She was one of the first "second floor agents" I was introduced to. It was in brief passing/greeting, but I still remember that day. It was a gloomy, Fall day and she was wearing a bright, yellow outfit - a ray of classy, sunshine. Paige is one of a kind. She is kind-hearted, well-rounded, smart, beautiful inside & out, puts her clients best interests first, and an athlete. She puts her heart and sole into her job and life goals. Besides sitting 2-feet away from each other almost everyday, Paige and I have a good bit in common. One thing is undoubtedly true about both of us, we will achieve our goals. And for those people that tell us we can't and/or won't achieve those goals - it's just more fuel to our fire - so please, pour it on.

Speaking of goals, how about doing a triathlon? That's what my inspiring, partner is doing this year. For those who don't know, a triathlon consists of a grueling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a marathon (26.2 miles) - it's a back to back long distance race. Whoa! I have only done one 1/2 Marathon (13.1 mile run) and felt like death afterwards. I think we can all agree, a triathlon is challenging enough, but not for Paige. She decided to "tri" harder and is in a personal campaign to raise $15,000 for Haiti Under God. All proceeds raised in her campaign goes straight to her HUG (Haiti Under God) an IronBeliever Campaign - 100%. Below is a short description from the website on her campaign:

"On September 28, 2014, I will compete in IRONMAN® Chattanooga triathlon. IRONMAN triathlon is a long-distance event that consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run. It has a strict time limit of 17 hours. I will spend nearly seven months getting prepared for the IRONMAN Chattanooga race. All training time and race day will be dedicated to the girls. All donations contributed on behalf of my efforts will go toward supporting them with the basics: food, clothing, shelter and tuition/books."

If you are inspired to donate, this is one cause you can be assured 100% of the proceeds will be put to needed use. If you are in Columbia this Thursday evening, come support Paige in her Summer Benefit Concert. Just follow the directions in the below graphic to donate and come on by. And, if you are in the market to buy a condo near Williams-Brice, the event is being held at our newly listed Penthouse condo located at The Spur. It's even so newly listed it doesn't hit the market until later this week - come take a peak and stay for the view! 

Be inspired by the positive people around your every day life. 

Being a younger agent, I often get the pleasure of working with many younger clients. Being close to the same generation is just some common ground we can talk about and trust is automatically built. Some of them have already purchased their 1st, 2nd, etc. homes, but many are #1sttimehomebuyers and I dig it. Why? I love walking them through the process and want to make sure their experience is the best (as far as I can logically control) for their very first home purchase. I appreciate their trust in me. Why is trust important? Well, my clients aren't just a check mark in the local MLS sales or company stats/rankings - they are priceless to my business. I spend countless hours with them physically, but spend most behind the scenes making sure things don't blow up or become unorganized which in many transactions can happen in a split second. How can things blow up so fast? You have loans, inspections, agents, appraisals, title searches, closing attorneys, etc. and they are all involved with some percentage of the transaction. I'm the middle ground to relay the information - good or bad. Often, real estate agents (or the better, REALTOR®) have a hard stereotype to overcome. I can say that most of the agents I have worked with have a great work ethic and I sincerely enjoy their professionalism. After all, real estate is a win/win for all involved. You want to sell your place? Buyer's want to buy your place? We are all in the same boat to get the transaction closed in an efficient and professional manner. 

In this case, these buyers were some "gold star" clients. They put their trust in me and closed last week without too many hurdles to jump. They did everything right. After all, not all can be track stars. Congrats and cheers to these first time homeowners - enjoy that adorable, downtown bungalow!