DMS students learn how money matters
PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA McCUNE | DGKN Austin Klump and Kaden Hevia, Dalton sixth-grade students are helped by Lisa Elett and Tara Berkey at one of the booths May 20 in the Dalton Elementary & Middle School gym for a financial literacy program. Jara Zoldak and Lexi Snyder make it to the “finish line” at the…
Read MoreRealtor dreams of Habitat house in Dalton
Full disclaimer: Almost everything makes me cry ‑ movies, commercials, baby dedications, senior nights (whether I know the kids or not). All of these things and more make me emotional. It never fails — when we are watching a movie, at least one of my boys will look at me during the emotional scenes to see…
Read MoreREAL ESTATE TIPS: Think about future before investing in a certain ‘style’
The early ’90s was the height of fashion, literally. The higher the hair, the more beautiful you were. That was my era. Like every other girl in junior high and high school at the time, I wanted to be as beautiful as the girl who had the fashion thing figured out. Anyone else remember what beautiful looked like then? Tall…
Read MoreTake time every day to show someone you care
Valentine’s Day will be here soon. In the Ryder household, Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark Holiday. Andy and I joke that it was designed to make the card company money so we celebrate it minimally. After 25 years together, it seems like because we are blessed to still have each other every day is a day worth celebrating…
Read MoreReal Estate Tips: How to keep the puppy love, but avoid the puppy smells
Meet the Ryders’ new puppy, Sherman Mayfield Ryder. The family hasn’t had a puppy for several years so while they all welcomed the puppy love, mom and Realtor Esta Ryder wants to avoid the smells. She offers tips for new and seasoned pet owners alike. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ESTA RYDER The Ryder boys got a…
Read MoreREAL ESTATE TIPS: House that works isn’t always ‘perfect’
We love our home. There are also things about our home that I don’t like. For example, our house is small. When you have four kids and add company, it can feel like you are on top of each other. Our back yard is wet. I know that it is wetter than most yards because I show homes for a…
Read MoreREAL ESTATE TIPS: Whether selling, buying or staying, set ‘home goals’ in 2020
New Year’s Resolutions and goals are a big deal for so many at the start of the new year, myself included. For those of us who are into this type of thing, we set goals for all areas of our lives. Our work, family, eating habits and even money, all seem to be affected by what we…
Read MoreREAL ESTATE TIPS: When selling, buying in winter
Last week, we talked about whether spring was a better time to sell and buy than winter. I wanted to throw a few more random thoughts at you on the topic so here goes. * Buyers ‑ winter house hunting is not the bargain bin of house shopping. December sellers aren’t desperate people with no showings,…
Read MoreTime ripe for serious buyers, sellers
One of my agents has a super busy real estate time coming up. In the spring. She has a list of clients who already know, in the second week of November when I am writing this, that they will not be moving until March. In the minds of many, the best time to sell is…
Read MoreCareer has paid off in valuable relationships
It is 5 o’clock in the morning, my typical wakeup time. Not because I set an alarm but because my body is my alarm and through a series of events over the last few months, that internal alarm has decided between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. is when I should get up. While I feel like…
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