Helping your Community

As many of you have seen, based on my blog and information in my bio, I am not a native Texan, however, I feel like I have really grown into being a Texan. Texas, to me is about being apart of something bigger, a community if you will. My family and I moved here the end of 2014 and we, like many others have endured many highs and lows, however, despite these questionable moments, we feel like we are apart of something bigger, a community. The Texans have been more than gracious with our arrival. We have made many everlasting relationships and just in the last year I decided to take a leap and get my Texas Real Estate License. Originally, I was licensed back in my hometown of DeLand Florida in 2004. When we moved here, it took me a minute to adapt and redirect. We bought our home in 2016, with the intent on having my in laws move in with us. Like many, we were super excited to finally have sold our home in Florida and reopen a new chapter. In December of 2015, my father in law was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. He and my mother in law moved in with us and we started looking for a larger home. We found our dream house, and shortly after signing contract he passed away. We wondered after signing if we were making the right decision. During the funeral precessions we were finishing inspections and ready to walk away from the house because suddenly, it felt too large without him. It was the most horrifying experience I had ever endured, even after being a REALTOR® for over a decade. We decided to proceed because we felt that is what he would have wanted.

I was still in discovery mode and trying to figure out just what I wanted for my life as I was in classes to finish my pre-requisites for the Nursing program. I was finally accepted in May of 2017 to an RN Program with an August 2017 start date. August came and just at the end, we were faced with Hurricane Harvey. Me, being the optimist, I thought how bad could it be? Again, we were native Floridian's, we had been through Hurricanes all our lives so to us, it was just another Rodeo just different state. Needless to say, we didn't buy flood insurance and ultimately, it cost us. We had about 3-4" off the back of our house and I was super stressed. Luckily, it wasn't nearly as bad as what it could have been. We live in an older community and decided to help our neighbors rip out their drywall and insulation because we had the skills from owning 5 different homes and renovating them. Then, we moved onto our home the same day by ripping out drywall, paneling and insulation.

I started the Nursing Program shortly after, however, had to drop because the construction on my home took priority for the sake of my kids, mother in law and husband's health. Since Harvey, we have been faced with some major decisions, personally, financially and just in general. It was in November of 2018, I decided it was time to set back into familiar territory and became licensed as a Texas REALTOR®. I find great pride in helping my community and most importantly, educating people. Texas has provided us with a great family, new family and friends. The people here are supportive and very good natured. I am produ of my new state and the ability to overcome and manuever through natural disaster with such resiliency. If you decide you are thinking about buying a home, I would love to help you find your spot. If you have any questions about Real Estate or any DIY projects, I would be happy to provide guidance. We are 95% complete with the remodel of our home and grateful for the many opportunities. 

I believe experience and sometimes unfortunate events have a tendency of building good character and morale. While I never in a million years would have thought that a few misaligned years would have made me a better person, I believe it now and as the old saying goes, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. As I have learned in Texas, it is important to give back to your community with any skill you have acquired, it gives other people hope and it really does make you feel better no matter what your situation may be.