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What We’re Thankful for in 2021

by | Nov 2, 2021 | Monique Higginson

Thankful MSRE: What We're Thankful for in 2021

There are so many positive health benefits of expressing gratitude and telling people why we are so thankful for them every day of the year. From amplifying our positive emotions to coping with our mental health, expressing gratitude improves the lives of everyone around us. Plus, Thanksgiving in SLC wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t shout our gratitude from the rooftops.

At Market Source Real Estate, we have so much to be thankful for. Every year is more exciting than the last, and we couldn’t be more grateful if we tried to be.

Record-Setting Sales

Despite being in the middle of a global pandemic, Market Source set records with sales over the year. With that uncertainty looming over us, it’s easy to get sucked into a negative mindset. But we powered through and got more of our clients in and out of their homes than ever before. 

Our Incredible Clients

We are thankful for our amazing clients because they trust us to serve them! They trust us to help them through one of the biggest financial transactions of their lifetime, buying or selling their homes. It doesn’t matter if you are just starting the home buying process or you are a home buying veteran; we love experiencing your experience with us as your realtors. 

Our Fabulous Vendors

Our fantastic vendors work hard to make sure that our clients are educated and satisfied with the services we provide for them.  We’ve worked with several great companies, from stage and design to plumbing to landscaping. If they are on our vendor list, we’ve worked with them in the past and recommend their services. 

Our Wonderful Families

In the real estate industry, we work tirelessly to provide top-notch services for our clients. We have families who deal with our hectic, intense schedules behind the scenes. Having a good support system is essential to both our success as realtors and your success as our clients. 

If it wasn’t for their help and support every single day, none of this would be possible… and for that, we are eternally grateful.

The Drop-Dead Gorgeous Fall

As the colder weather starts to settle in, it’s essential to reflect on the beautiful fall weather we’ve had the privilege of having. Soon enough, we will have to bundle up to venture out of the house every morning. At that point, it might be a little more difficult to remember what we’re all thankful for.

We’re SO Thankful at Market Source Real Estate

We are so very thankful at MSRE for everyone involved in our daily success, including our clients, our vendors, and our families. So, here is our question for you: what are you thankful for this year? 

Contact Market Source Real Estate today for more information about our Salt Lake City real estate. If you are moving the entire way across the country or down the street, we’d love to hear from you!

Benefits of Working with a Certified Negotiation Expert

by | Apr 9, 2021 | Monique Higginson, Real Estate Tips

Certified Negotiation Expert

​Buying a home is an intimidating process. You’re looking for a great neighborhood to settle down in and a house that fits within your budget. 

After you find a house that fits your criteria, it’s time to talk about finances. The housing market is constantly fluctuating, so you’ll want to make a reasonable offer before prices go back up again.

Your offer isn’t accepted, and now you’re in a back and forth with the listing agent. Home negotiations can be challenging, so that’s why many people hire a certified negotiation expert to get the job done. Let’s look at why you should use negotiation experts when buying your new home.

What Is a Certified Negotiation Expert?

A certified negotiation expert, or CNE, is a real estate agent who has taken extra steps to increase their negotiation skills. The courses help them to stand out in a room of their competitors.

Most real estate agents don’t have a CNE certification. Less than 5% of agents in the US do. The training is rigorous, but it shows how dedicated they are to their job and how they can help you acquire your new home.

How Agents Become CNE

Most real estate agents take a two-day intensive CNE training course. Classes they take can cover a variety of topics such as:

  • Different negotiation styles
  • The psychology of buying
  • Persuasion principles
  • Planning methods

After they finish the course, they become a recognized CNE. Some real estate negotiators try to become master certified negotiation experts. It further enhances their real estate industry knowledge and credentials.

Benefits of Hiring a CNE

Hiring a CNE can help ease the tremendous burden that comes along with looking for a new home. Our CNE agents have the additional training needed to help you get the best deal for your home, such as:

  • Expert negotiation skills
  • Knowledge of the market and tactics used by sellers
  • Understanding the psychology of body language giving us the edge during negotiations

Knowing that your real estate agent has these skills helps remove any worries that you may have. Placing your trust in a CNE can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Our CNE Designated Agents

At Market Source Real Estate, we have two of the top CNE agents in Salt Lake City. Monique Higginson, our owner, has over 18 years of experience in the real estate industry. She understands the Salt Lake City market and has helped hundreds of clients land their dream homes with her CNE designation.

Our other CNE, Jennifer Holmstead, has over ten years of real estate experience. She understands that your home can become your most significant financial asset over time and can provide autonomy in the future. Jennifer also managed a local business for over 15 years, which magnifies her experience in negotiating.

Hire a Certified Negotiation Expert for Your Dream Home

Working with Market Source Real Estate means working with a certified negotiation expert. With our negotiating skills, you can relax knowing that we’ll get the best deal for your dream home. 

If you’re ready to start looking for a home, contact our real estate agents to help you get started.

Meet Monique Higginson: Her Journey and Involvement With the Sugar House Community Council

by | Feb 4, 2021 | Monique Higginson, Real Estate Tips

Monique Higginson

Are you looking for a Salt Lake City real estate agent who knows how to locate historic buildings? Do you want someone with experience? Do you want someone who not only cares about her community but also works with others to improve it?

Monique Higginson might be the person you’re looking for. Not only has she been voted one of the 500 best real estate agents in Salt Lake City, but she’s also an expert in buying and renovating old homes.

Read on to learn more about Monique Higginson and how she can help you find your dream home.

Background

A lover of architecture and design, Monique earned her degree in art from the University of Utah before turning to real estate. In her 18-year real estate career, she has helped hundreds of clients buy, sell, and invest in homes in Salt Lake City, even in the worst of markets.

Monique founded Market Source Real Estate in 2007. Her hard work, local knowledge, and customer service kept her company strong during the economic downturn.

Historic Buildings

Not only does Monique help clients buy homes, she remodels them as well. After owning 25 homes and remodeling several of them, Monique has learned to treasure each home’s unique characteristics.

Monique loves homes in Salt Lake City’s historic neighborhoods and has renovated several older homes in the Sugar House area. She has managed several construction projects herself. Recently, she helped to found a construction company to provide the quality service she expects.

Current Work

Monique now runs Market Source Real Estate, leading a team of eight real estate agents. Employees appreciate the way she mentors and teaches new additions to the team.

Monique provides attention to detail, industry knowledge, and an insider’s understanding of the Utah market. Her team is experienced in staging, marketing, and negotiating on behalf of their clients.

Monique has been voted one of the best 500 real estate agents in Salt Lake City.

Community Service

Monique serves as a trustee on the board of the Sugar House Community Council. One of Salt Lake City’s older neighborhoods, Sugar House, features historic residences and a vibrant community of new restaurants, boutiques, and artists.

Monique owns a home in Sugar House, so she’s especially interested in serving the community. Her work helps the council preserve the area’s history, support small businesses, and create a vibrant atmosphere.

As she works to make her community better, she makes local friends and connections to become a better resource for her clients. Her local knowledge serves her well as she works with customers to find their ideal homes in the Sugar House and other areas.

Work With Monique Higginson

Monique Higginson is uniquely situated to help with your real estate needs with her dedication to her customers and her community.

If you’re asking yourself the question, “who are the best real estate agents near me,” contact Monique Higginson. She’ll use her local knowledge and connections to help you find your dream home.

​

The Brief Guide That Makes Choosing and Hiring a Realtor Simple

by | Jul 8, 2020 | Monique Higginson, Property Management, Real Estate Agent Tips, Real Estate Tips, Realtor, Salt Lake City, YourHome

Your-Personal-Realtor

Does thinking about hiring a realtor gives you a headache?

How many of your neighbors and friends have handed you their business card? Chances are, you’ve got quite a few. It seems everyone and their uncle is a real estate agent nowadays.

How do you sift through the endless sea of licensed agents and find one that’s the right fit for you?

It can be a stressful task without any guidance. And deciding to work with the wrong one can be just as stressful!

But don’t worry! We’re here for you. Here are 8 quick tips to show you how to choose a real estate broker.

A Crash Course in Hiring A Realtor

  1. Availability– In a hot market when you are buying or selling, you need to have an agent that has time for you or you will miss out on some good houses
  2. Market Knowledge– Look for an agent that specializes in the area you want to buy or sell in and knows the market stats
  3. Experience– An experienced agent can help to get your home sold faster and also offer you a network of other professionals (mortgage lenders, home inspectors, etc.) to help with whatever you may need throughout the process
  4. Resources– Hiring a realtor who understands the whole picture is critical when dealing with things like financing, contracts, contingencies, and addendums
  5. New Marketing: Social Media– Marketing your house has changed to the point where you need an agent who has an active, professional presence on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
  6. The agent sells real estate full time– Finding an agent who sells houses full-time means they will have more time to work on your home, and they’ve been successful enough-and been successful long enough-at it not to need another part-time job
  7. Ask your friends and family for suggestions– Agents who are good at what they can work on referral business alone, so someone you know may have worked with a rock star agent who can’t be found on the traditional marketing platforms.
  8. They are willing to listen– You can spot an agent who won’t listen to their customers from a mile away, and chances are they won’t fall in-line with any of the other 7 tips we’ve given you, but just be on the lookout for them!

Bringing it Home

Buying or selling a house is the biggest decision most people make in their lives because of the high price tag, and people are usually buying or selling in association with some other life event going on(having a baby, getting married, getting a new job, or downsizing because of an “empty nest”).

Here at Market Source Real Estate, we understand how complicated hiring a realtor can seem. We’re here to help and show you that it can be a simple, pain-free process.

We pride ourselves on putting our clients’ needs first and will answer any questions you have to help put your mind at ease.

This is your life, your house, and we want you to be 100% certain you’re in the best hands for the job.

Call Monique to get started, or subscribe to our blog to keep updated on what’s going on in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas.

3 Best Ways Real Estate Agents Can Manage Time

by | Feb 27, 2020 | Monique Higginson, Real Estate Agent Tips, Real Estate Tips

 

 

While time management is essential in all occupations, it’s an especially important skill for real estate agents that hope to be successful in their field.

If you’re a real estate agent that wants to take their career to the next level this year, keep reading for tips on how to manage time successfully.

1. Start Every Day With a Plan

Sometimes being a real estate agent can feel like being your boss. Because of this, it’s vital for real estate agents to go into each workday with a plan.

It’s helpful to get into a routine where you plan daily, either early in the morning or in the evening for the next day. Highlight what needs to get done, including any appointment times, and block out time for all these activities. By starting the day with a plan, you can stay organized and know what you realistically have time for.

2. Stay Organized

Staying organized is a must for being successful in real estate. If you’re disorganized, you can disappoint and steer away from potential and current clients. Find a scheduler or task management system that works for you.

If you’re a pen and paper person, consider getting a planner to help you manage your time.

Planners are a great option because you can block out time by the half-hour, making sure you know what’s on the agenda daily, weekly, and monthly. If you choose this option, make sure you keep your planner on you constantly in a briefcase or purse, so that you can refer back to it at any time.

If this seems archaic to you, there are plenty of digital task managing options that you can access from your laptop or mobile. There are many free options, such as Glip and Airtable. These apps are a great option, as you can access them from anywhere.

3. Stay Distraction- and Procrastination-Free

Whether you work at an office or from home, distractions are everywhere. It’s a good idea to limit distractions in your workspace. Get in the habit of zoning into your work with a Focus playlist.

If you don’t need your phone for whatever work you’re doing, turn it off or put it away. Finding your own habits that lead to a distraction-free work zone can seriously help you stay on task. Try to limit multitasking, as it’s a sure way to get off-topic and can reduce the quality of your work.

We all have times where we put tasks off, especially those that are more difficult than others. Procrastinating is a sure way to cause yourself even more stress in the workplace. Give yourself time to get your work done so that you can produce impressive work.

If there’s something on your list you don’t want to do, try doing it first. This takes the pressure off and lets the rest of the day flow much more quickly.

4. Monique’s Time Management Recommendations & Schedule

1.  Get up early.  Monique starts her day at 5:45 am to fit in some personal and mental wellness before the day gets going.  In real estate, you’re often working into the evening or on weekends showing homes – which means that morning is gold for real estate agents.

2.  Find a way to work out.  She generally tries to get to the gym by 6:15 am before she has to get her kids out the door to school.  Choosing a gym close to your house makes it much more likely that you’ll go.

3.  Monique says, “I like to plan my day out at the beginning of the day with tasks so I can be very efficient with my time while driving around, etc. I work from my phone while I am waiting for clients to show up, etc in order to stay caught up.”

4.  Delegate tasks to assistants.  You can’t do it all.  This might include personal tasks like grocery shopping, running errands or planning travel.

5.  Know your worth.  Another Monique-ism, “I have a house cleaner and try to hire out any services that cost me less per hour than I am worth in order to maximize productivity.”

Make your career in real estate the best it can be by following these simple steps to manage time effectively.

For more on real estate, and to check out homes for sale in Salt Lake City, head to our site today!

New Year, New Goals! 2020 Goals for Monique

by | Feb 26, 2020 | Monique Higginson, Real Estate Tips

2020 is a year of change for Monique, owner and agent and Market Source Real Estate! With the new year, she has some 2020 goals – both personal and professional.  

You know what they say – a goal that isn’t written down is just a wish.  And so, she wanted to share her 2020 goals, because, you know… accountability! 

Here are what she is working towards in 2020:

2020 goals for Market Source Real Estate

  • Sell 65 homes in 2020.  Last year she did 54 (and it was her biggest year yet).  So now she’s reaching higher!
  • Attend 2 networking events per month.  Sometimes this feels like a push – but it is always worth it

2020 goals for her personal investment portfolio

  • Buy a condo, townhome or other investment property

Physical and mental health goals for 2020

  • Exercise at least 2-3 days per week.  Which means getting up at 5:45 am and hitting the gym at 6:15 am.
  • Meditate at least 4 times per week

Goals with family & friends

  • Take kids on 2-3 great vacations, including Lake Powell, Moab, Flaming Gorge.  They are all so close, and we don’t get out of town enough.
  • Have friends over for dinner at least once per month

Goals for Personal development

  • Read 2-3 books per month on personal development, wellbeing, meditation, and self-reflection
  • 2020 is the year to write my own book!

What are your 2020 Goals?  We’d love to hear!

Interested in learning more about what we offer at Market Source Real Estate?  Read On:

Home Buyer Checklist

Stress Management for Home Buyers

Broom Clean and Free of Debris