You found a special place that was all yours. The ruler of your castle, you felt so happy and proud holding the keys. It was your little kingdom, ready for your touch and to be filled with laughter and dreams. It was like holding a magic ticket to an amazing world.
But as life loves to dance in pairs, your solo adventure blossomed into a duo. First, it was just you, then love came along, and suddenly, two of you were fitting into a space made for one. It was tight but you made it work. You each gave up some items to make space for the other's non-negotiables. You shared everything. Even squeezing into that tiny bathroom together.
Love is about give and take, right? One of you had to sacrifice sleep to not fight over the sink. Otherwise, you risk squeezing into that shower that was not made for two people.
Then life surprised you again and said, "What about one more?" Now, your home was full of love from three hearts. Trying to share another closet just won't work. Your room is already too full and there's no way to move things around to make more space.
Your neighborhood started to feel different and you began to wish for a better place for your family. One with good schools and safe streets for walks at night. That was never even thought of before, but now, that’s a major consideration.
You had a knot in the pit of your stomach reading your work emails. It's time to return to the office. Working away from home, your heart felt heavy. No more working in your comfy home-quarters. Now, there were long drives and traffic to deal with. The city lights seemed far away. Now you start an earlier morning and come home way later than you used to. Less time with your family for those all-important milestones.
The ability to run wild and free are the dreams of human and fur children alike. They should have the freedom to run crazy outside and not use the sofas as a racetrack to burn that extra energy off. You feel guilty because you don’t have time to drive to the safer park and give them the space they need. Feeling like a bad parent from the puppy dog eyes, a change must happen.
Reorganizing and filling the closets to the brim is how you manage day-to-day life. Stuffing your things in and leaning on the door to get it latched is getting old. You feel like you’re always saying “we have time”. You’ve buried your head in the sand and not solved anything.
Your family couldn't wait for you to get home. Ideas on how to spend your nights today ran through their minds. All you could think about was taking off your shoes. You want a moment to breathe after a hard day and an even worse commute. The disappointment in their eyes broke your heart.
You didn't have it in you. It's too late to go to the nicer park on the other side of town. Playing around your neighborhood isn't even an option. Dreaming of a backyard to watch them run free echoes in your mind.
Your home began to feel crowded, like clothes that were too small. You aren't falling out of love with your partner, but it's like you're on the same page of different books. You kept saying, "We have time," but time seemed to sneak away from you. Things started to break and messes got bigger. The promise to fix things that never happened.
Dreams of a bigger place where everyone could laugh and play started to feel far away.
The shadow of staying where you are is weighing you down daily. The fighting hasn't stopped and you consider what that means for your relationship long term.
The ripples of the arguments have started to affect everyone. Trying to raise a well rounded family isn't possible here. Staying means losing out on having a doctor or lawyer in the family. With those thoughts on your mind, the idea of driving to work is the least of your worries.
Until you're constantly filling up with gas and the maintenance on the car is long overdue. Caught in a moment that feels all too familiar, you're highly aware that there's more to life that you're missing out on. Yet, here you are, stuck in the daily grind of traffic, missing vital moments with your family—those irreplaceable instances of laughter and love that truly make a house a home.
What more can you take? Something has to change. You have to accept accountability for what you can do. It's time to stop blaming the wrong places and make a meaningful transition. Otherwise, that future you hoped for would be a long-forgotten dream.
We've been there. This is exactly why we created our Core Method. It was made to give you control over your happiness, not because it’s wanted, but because it’s needed. Here’s how it works:
We know this is an emotional investment however, we need you to think of this as a business stepping stone. Where you are now is only going to help you to get you where you want to be. We go over your desire for the move. What has made now the correct time? What stands out to you as your biggest obstacle in getting to the next place?
You’re already busy with work, family, and everything in life. It’s our turn to step in and build you the roadmap so you’re not overwhelmed by the process. We take the “now what” out of the equation.
Next, we also mention what needs to happen to get your home ready for sale. We show what minor changes can make the biggest impact. Where you go next relies on what you can do to your current home and how others view your home. We start with staging.
We already went over the importance of making some minor changes. Now, let us shine by using our expertise to make your home look its best on the market. We’ll declutter, because we need to show the home with as few distractions and as open as possible. Having items on the walls or the counters make a home smaller and unorganized. Potential buyers want the same things you want, more space and something they can make their own.
Take down all personal photos/religious items. We want others to picture themselves living here and not invading someone else’s space. Neutralize wall paint and design. It’s called “agreeable grey” for a reason. Now we don’t have to paint the whole house but that one accent wall you love needs to be toned down.
Now it’s time for the photographer to work their magic. Photos and videos are the basics. You get one chance at a first impression. That is why we worked hard to make sure everything has been staged correctly and your home has its chance to shine. Once the photos are edited it’s time for your personalized brochure. Buyers see multiple homes a day and on average 13 before deciding. We want the buyers to take something with them to make sure your home remains at the top of their minds. You aren't going to be lost in the masses.
Step 3
The Search Begins:
What fits you best?
Everything you mentioned to us in our initial meeting is poured into a customized search for you. No stone is left unturned in this venture of finding your home.
Once we compile the list, it’s your turn to look at everything and choose the homes you wish to tour in person. Sometimes the best way to gauge a home is by its energy when you walk in. We want you to know everything upfront as much as possible before submitting your offer. We get all the disclosures needed. We have even door-knocked the neighbors to get some questions answered for you to make sure this is it.
If you feel confident in your decision, everything falls into place. Our method was designed so you know the value of the home you’re buying. We want to make sure you don’t have those intrusive thoughts at 10 pm when you’re just trying to get some sleep. The hard part was over the second you called us.
Step 4
Sell Sell Sell:
Moving On
Now that your home is ready, we're going to put it out there for everyone to see! We spend a lot on advertising because it helps your home sell quickly and for a better price.
With years of experience, we know the best ways to get the word out about your home. The more people that see your home, the better your chances of making a good profit. Every week, your home will be seen by hundreds of thousands of people. If there's someone out there who might want to buy your home, we make sure they see it. Simply listing your home and hoping it sells doesn't work as well. We use all our tools to get you the most money possible.
We go through the contract deadlines here. Make sure you understand what your obligations are for the selling and buying of your new home. Although we love a good surprise, now is not the time. We handle the bumps in the road before they become mountains. The light is at the end of the tunnel and it’s our job to get you there. Our team at The Real Tea Group are expert negotiators and we'll work to get you every penny from your sale.
Step 5
Happily Ever After:
There's no place like home.
You’re here. Closing day. Movers are scheduled, all parties have signed and now we just wait on you. Everything that caused those stressful times after work is over. The papers are in front of you. Don’t worry, the stack looks worrisome but I’m right here. My whole team from the lender to the escrow officer are right here. No questions unanswered.
It doesn’t stop here for us. We aren’t done with our jobs yet. It’s a new home for you, questions will happen. Now that you have the keys, we make sure you file the appropriate tax forms. We help you get all the discounts you can with property taxes. We check in from time to time making sure you still have that support. We love seeing the pictures of new additions to your family (four legged or two) or what you have done with updating your home to make it you.
Now Think...
With all this spare time, what can you do with it? No more endless searching on how to fold and tuck things into tight spaces. You have all the space you need to spread out. Your only free days from work aren't spent cleaning. The ease of being in a better area means you no longer worry about the schools or your neighborhood. You are home earlier to race one another to the park.
Now you can start a new hobby. One where everyone in the family can enjoy. You have never felt closer to each other. The extra hour that you have to spend with one another while you're getting ready is worth every second. Now, that nightmare of where you used to be is a joke you can tell about how your life started together.
It was never about giving up. It was about looking for a better future full of freedom, safety, and happiness. You're ready to jump into the next chapter, with hope and open hearts.
YOU AREN’T ALONE
HERE’S WHAT OTHER’S HAD TO SAY:
"I recommend Joshua Staats as a real estate agent for any individual or family searching for their “right now” or “forever” home. I worked with Joshua on several transactions. Every single time, he knows my specific requirements as well as budget limitations. He has always anticipated my needs. Joshua is an attentive agent, and I felt like I was his only client. ... I trusted him completely in relaying the home’s real condition before continuing forward… He sold my previous property and helped me buy a new home in this current, chaotic market. He is a master at contract negotiations, so I knew the price was correct for the area. He knows Houston and surrounding areas so well. He knew what areas I would thrive in. I am in love with a home … thanks to Joshua Staats.”-D.M.
"I can’t express how grateful we were to meet Joshua.... He responded to all inquiries, was always willing to meet us immediately after a home was listed so we could be the first to view it with the shortest notice, and was extremely kind and professional. In today’s market, homes are listed and gone on the same day and it became discouraging, but Joshua helped keep us calm reminding us that it wasn t the perfect home for us. It wasn’t long until Joshua found us our home sweet home that checked off all the boxes, and he worked diligently to make sure the deal didn’t slip through our fingers and we could finally get settled in our own little paradise we had been looking for... We have been truly blessed working with Joshua not only to find our home but to gain a friend.”-K.M.
"From our first meeting, Kelly impressed me with her dedication and willingness to explain real estate terms and processes. She consistently went above and beyond, taking the time to answer my questions even outside of regular business hours. Unlike my previous experience with another realtor, Kelly remained composed and resourceful throughout .... Her commitment to ensuring that everything was in order… was exceptional. Kelly’s attention to detail, support, and professionalism made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. I would highly recommend her to anyone in search of a new home...”-M.C.
If you're ready to upsize your current home, send us a message and schedule a 15-minute phone call and see how The CORE Method will be able to help you.
Click below to book your 15 minute call or chat with me on facebook messanger.
I had finally moved into a place by myself and the freedom that came without a roommate was intoxicating. Never worrying about leaving a dish in the sink too long or overtaking someone else’s space was amazing. But this changed sooner than I planned as life had a different route for me to go down.
Catty corner to my building was a sister complex to where I lived. We often had resident events and I NEVER went. I was always working as a flight attendant or wanting to go somewhere on vacation so the timing was off. Until December of 2018. I happened to be home in between my work trips and the holiday season. My apartment had their annual resident holiday party. They always seemed so cheesy.
I will never understand what made me go to that party even to this day but I did. My life changed forever that night.
From the entrance, I could see the area they had setup for us and the most handsome guy I had ever laid eyes on was handing out drink tickets. We locked eyes and everyone from the room vanished. I grabbed the tickets, got a drink and whether you wanted to call it courage or liquid courage I said we should leave and grab something to eat. People say when-you-know-you-know, love just happens but I, like you, would roll my eyes and think you’re crazy.
We were inseparable. Classic rose-colored glasses you could say. When the time came, combining two places into one didn’t seem so bad considering we were moving to a larger place.
I still wanted my space. As much as I love A.J, I needed to spread out to not suffocate and fight over why he believed his stuff needed to be on my side of the bathroom. By 2019 we bought a house and it seemed like a fairytale come true. Our first dog filled the home with so much love we just had to get our dog a dog too.
COVID. From December 2019 to the beginning of March 2020, people kept their game face on. Strong-willed thinking it will never hit us was often the mentality. My airline was strong too. We had never laid anyone off in the entire history of the airline so why in over 50 years would they start now?
The world stopped right around St. Patrick's Day of that year. Involuntary reduced pay leaves were going out and people were trying to figure out if they were essential enough to not lose their job. I didn’t know what to do. I just bought a house less than 6 months before the world seemed like it was on fire. No matter how much I wanted it to stop spinning for a moment to catch my breath it wouldn’t. How was I going to continue paying for my home?
I had to change. If my world wasn’t going to change fast enough for me I was going to adapt and learn something new. Multiple conversations and frustration arguments with A.J. broke us to the point we had two options. Thrive or just hope for the best.
I believed in only one option. Provide for my family and make sure I do everything I can to never be in a position where I relied on an employer to guarantee my income.
I took everything we had in savings and cried to the point where being on rock bottom was not the place we were going to be anymore. I decided to become a real estate agent. Being my own boss, making my own schedule, and helping others get a home they can maintain like I was fighting so hard for was alluring.
I have never been one to follow the same path as another even if it is easier. I was able to obtain my license and start practicing by September of 2020. Then reality sunk in.
Now what.. I knew the basics but was by far no expert just starting. I joined a brokerage that made me feel at home. I did nothing but apply myself. Taking as many classes as I could, I'd listen to more senior agents about their struggles and advice. It still felt off.
To this day, I have not sold one house. Sales is not in my blood. I hate being sold to and felt gross trying to sell to another. I knew I wasn’t alone. Others had to think like me and want to be successful by genuinely offering help.
As I sat down thinking to myself what have I done? I’d think back to a more peaceful time. One with my grandmother. Sitting on her porch or helping her with her garden. Listening to all the wise teachings I never appreciated then but mean the most to me today. I broke down for the last time. I wasn’t on rock bottom but I was going to be there. I happened to look up when I saw a picture A.J. had placed on our kitchen bar area with my grandmother standing right next to me as a child.
I wasn’t going to fail. I felt different about real estate and knew I could offer a difference to clients. I would take agents under my wing, start a team, and show them how to help people buy and sell homes and not sell people on a home. It was magnetic. I started doing things my way. To hell with what tradition was telling me to do. Nothing in real estate is ever normal except the settings on the dishwasher.
My clients kept saying one thing over and over, they felt it was fate I was there to help. Funny thing, I never sold to them. I offered everything I felt like I needed when I was buying a home. I never needed to know all the answers to every question. A master of everything is a master of nothing, right? But the skillset to know where or who to get the answer from was what I needed when I had started to gain that trust.
As I am in my fourth year of real estate, I’ve learned no two clients are the same. Although, they do have the same desires I did when moving. A solution on where to go next. What to do and how to get there. Knowing you made the right choice for your family is what will set your mind at ease.
Our Core Method does that. It provides the road map meant for you to get out of where you currently are and to where you want to be.
