Tag: business

House Hunting in 2022

Posted on by Ashley Rae

The housing market is continuously on the rise. Last year’s market proved to be a true seller’s market. This year (2022) it appears to be the exact same. Which means, there are more people looking to relocate than homes available. The running price to rent homes range from $1200 per month to $2,000 per month. With rents being as high as mortgages many people are looking deeper into purchasing a home. 

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

It’s a seller’s market! Simply put there are more people putting in offers on the same homes. In order to be competitive as a buyer you need an agent. A Real Estate agent literally costs you nothing, but their job is to help you find a new home. Your agent will also conduct the financial negotiating for you. However, you need to be financially prepared to bid over the asking price. This seems to be one of the guaranteed ways to get your offer taken seriously. 

BE PREPARED

Be prepared by keeping tabs on your credit score and not through credit karma (Rolls eyes). You can open free accounts with all three credit bureaus. Do not! I repeat do not open any new lines of credit while in the process of purchasing a home. For majority of the homes on the market you can’t view them without a preapproval! The last thing you want to do is get an offer accepted, and then no longer meet that credit requirements, because you’ve been applying for credit cards and car notes.

 SAVE SAVE SAVE! Save your money. When it comes down to it, you must have seasoned funds. I suggest you put your seasoned funds in an account that you don’t touch. Lenders are notorious when it comes to calling buyers in the process of loan approval to ask why $200 was spent. Purchasing a home is a huge financial decision. As we previously discussed in this market overbidding is a must. Therefore you need to be financially prepared for whatever amount you bid over (it is not paid by your lender), closing costs, home inspection, and appraisal fees. 

PACK YOUR PATIENCE 

Buying a home is a process, that often heightens or causes anxiety. Just remember that you need to have patience to prevent yourself from making irrational decisions. This process also seems to evoke emotions. Buyers are going through everyday life and trying to decide where they are going to live. It’s a lot. As a buyer try to stay grounded, open minded, and remember that your agent is working for your best interest. So listen, ask questions, and be mindful during the process.

Happy House Hunting!

To hire or not to hire

Posted on by Ashley Rae


In my role as a HR specialist I recruit potential employees for open positions for businesses. I post detailed job descriptions, conduct interviews, and at times do the onboard training for the listed position(s) . As I navigate through this process with potential candidates for businesses I have been heavily noting consistencies and inconsistencies that I have been noticing among candidates in the process of job hunting. Strangely, oddly… my main note is, PEOPLE ARE NOT PREPARED TO WORK. Really! I have seen everything- from improper email addresses, text message worthy written communication in emails, showing up late … the list goes on and on. It’s seems as if some people have the attitude of “if I get the job I do ; if I don’t I don’t.” I know this isn’t that case because people have financial needs and wants that are fulfilled by having a job.

Continue reading “To hire or not to hire” →

Black women at work

Posted on by Ashley Rae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A while ago there was a Twitter hashtag named #BlackWomenAtWork. The hashtag discussed all the racist and biased comments that Black women receive from their White counterparts. I participated in the hashtag, but to be honest, I hadn’t quite experienced a lot of  what was discussed. I came from a corporate environment where Black women ran the office alongside a few White women. Black women were definitely the majority. Continue reading “Black women at work” →

Treat Yourself

Posted on by Ashley Rae
Every now and then I feel like the work that I’m doing isn’t enough. I find new ways to become more productive. I get a little lazy sometimes and put things off. I have a corporate job, run and write my own blog site, I’m a business writer (Business Service Solutions), and I’m in the middle of writing my second book.
The last 3 months have been hectic! I’ve been working nonstop. There has been constant brain storming, collaborating with other wtiters, working out, and my regular social gatherings. I can’t seem to actually go to sleep until 4am, and I have to get up around 7:30am. I’m a night owl anyway, but I typically try to get to sleep around 2am.
I really do try to sleep. I forgot to mention that I’m managing 3 Instagram pages and 4 Facebook pages. Needless to say I’m tired, and it’s hard to admit it! On my Business Service Solutions (@Business_Service_Solutions) Instagram page, I give a business tip every week. This week’s business tip is take a vacation!
It’s so important to take care of yourself, and put everything else on hold. Although I have technically had 3 vacations this year, I didn’t leave the state and I still worked all of my businesses. The only thing I didn’t do was work my 9-5. Today I’m taking a mini vacation. I have about 4 or 5 days off, and I’m flying out.
I’m going to try not to answer any emails or go to bed thinking about my next and/or current projects.
Treat yourself!

Being your own boss

Posted on by Ashley Rae

 

Entrepreneurship has been on the rise for the last 3 years. Everywhere you turn, you see someone opening up a business- even if it’s just an online business. There are memes all over the place encouraging people to exit their 9-5’s to become entrepreneurs. “Do what you love and get paid for it,” is a popular slogan that’s often viewed via social media. There was also a post that said something along the lines of “we congratulate people that get new jobs, but don’t congratulate those that start their own business.” Shouldn’t both be congratulated and celebrated, though? Continue reading “Being your own boss” →

Keeping quiet

Posted on by Ashley Rae

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What’s one of the first things a person does when they are excited about a new business venture or idea? They share it with people! They share it with friends, family, and loved ones! After all, those are people that bring you joy, comfort, and love! There’s no harm in that, right? There is always a person that doubts your idea or makes a negative comment or two- mainly because they have no drive and don’t believe in themselves- but for the most part, you’ll have people that are genuinely happy and excited for you! Continue reading “Keeping quiet” →

Handle YOUR business in the bathroom.

Posted on by Ashley Rae

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I take weekly trips to Target- sometimes three times a week. My trips include me drinking a Sweet Tooth Latte from Biggby and consuming a bottle of Absopure right after. After I go through the home goods, cleaning, intimates, and grocery aisles, it happens: the great bathroom debate. I’m stuck in checkout trying to figure out if I can retain my urge to tinkle until I get home. Continue reading “Handle YOUR business in the bathroom.” →

Bad Business..

Posted on by Ashley Rae

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It seems like more and more businesses and small businesses are popping up everywhere! It’s amazing because many of us come from families that encouraged us to attend college so we could get “good jobs.” The focus was always education and it’s relation to living a comfortable lifestyle and/or money. Continue reading “Bad Business..” →

Focus….

Posted on by Ashley Rae

 

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There is so much to be concerned about everyday. Mothers and Fathers are concerned about their children, employees may be concerned about their future with their current company, or maybe they’re considering entrepreneurship. Life and the world around us are constantly changing.

Continue reading “Focus….” →