Hey there! I'm so glad you've stumbled upon my blog, "Wife, Mom, Boss, REALTOR®." As a busy mom of two and a dedicated REALTOR® since 2020, I wear many hats every day, and I'm excited to share my journey with you. Here's a little bit about me, and I'd love for you to join me on this adventure!

A Little About Me
I'm a proud wife and mom who's passionate about creating a warm, loving homes for families moving to our area. Balancing family life with my career in real estate can be challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. I believe that home is where memories are made, and I'm committed to helping others find their perfect spaces.

Why I Started This Blog
This blog is my way of connecting with you—whether you're looking to buy, sell, or simply gain some insights into the real estate world or mom life. I want to share tips, personal stories, and the lessons I've learned since entering the real estate scene in 2020. My goal is to create a community where we can support and inspire each other.

Let's Connect!
To kick things off, I'd love to invite you to ask me questions. Whether you're curious about my favorite family activities, my real estate strategies, or just want to know how I juggle it all, I'm an open book! Drop your questions in the comments or reach out to me directly.

Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy what you read and want to keep up with my latest posts, don't forget to subscribe! You'll get firsthand access to tips, insights, and personal stories straight to your inbox. Together, we can navigate the exciting world of real estate and family life.

Thank you for stopping by, and I can't wait to connect with you more!

Warmly,
Amanda Sheets, Key Realty
Wife, Mom, Boss, REALTOR®

Preparing your home for sale doesn't have to be daunting. By focusing on a few strategic, low-cost projects, you can significantly boost your home's appeal and value. Here are the top five projects that deliver a great return on investment:

1. Fresh Coat of Paint
   A neutral paint color can transform your home, giving it a clean, inviting appearance. This simple update helps depersonalize the space, allowing potential buyers to envision themselves living there.

2. Curb Appeal Through Landscaping
   First impressions matter! Enhancing your landscaping can pay off big time. Consider low-maintenance options like rock landscaping, which not only improves aesthetics but also suggests a lifestyle. A well-kept exterior signals to buyers that you care about both the inside and outside of your home.

3. Hardware Updates
   Small changes can make a big difference! Updating cabinet knobs, door handles, light fixtures, and faucets can give your home a modern facelift. These inexpensive updates can create a fresh vibe throughout your space.

4. Switch to LED Lighting
   Ensure all light bulbs are functional and consistent in color. Opt for white lights instead of warm tones in neutral rooms; this not only enhances the ambiance but also improves the quality of your listing photos. A well-lit room creates a positive impression on potential buyers.

5. Declutter and Deep Clean
   This step is crucial! Decluttering—especially in high-visibility areas like countertops, closets, and shelves—creates a spacious and airy feel. It allows buyers to visualize their belongings in the space, making it easier for them to imagine themselves living there. Additionally, a thorough deep clean, focusing on high-touch areas (like light switches and doorknobs) and eliminating odors (including pet-related items), is an inexpensive investment that pays off.

By tackling these projects, you can enhance your home's appeal and attract more buyers—all without breaking the bank. Happy selling!

Not only did I love helping people, but I also cherished the leadership skills I developed through the culture of the institution I worked for. There was a dedicated group focused on making our workplace great through amazing culture-building activities. One of my coworkers, Jessica (who is just as amazing now as she was then), was a vital part of that committee.

As fellow Mean Girls enthusiasts, Jessica and I often joked about stepping out of our comfort zones. We would encourage each other, especially on tough days, by exclaiming, "YOU GO GLEN COCO!" This inside joke became a cherished part of my time at the bank.

Eventually, I applied for a promotion at another branch and was thrilled to secure the management role. I remember it vividly—my last day at the previous branch was just days before the birth of my first son. I took maternity leave and returned as the Branch Manager on my first day back.

I was emotional for many reasons: leaving my newborn with a new babysitter, stepping into a brand-new building, and taking on a new position. The moment I walked into my office, I spotted a bright green shiny bag. Inside was the most adorable card and a picture frame with the words, "YOU GO GLEN COCO!" It brought me to tears—what a beautiful encouragement!

To this day, that frame sits on my desk as a constant reminder of support and inspiration. I don't know if Jessica realized that her small gesture would still inspire me over eight years later, but it does. It's a testament to how the smallest acts of kindness can bring the biggest joy. Whether it's a handwritten card, a simple phrase, or a smile, you never know what others are going through and how a little effort from YOU can make a huge difference.

Go make a difference today! Big or Small, it's worth it! :)

Yesterday, I attended a training session with the amazing leadership team at Key Realty, diving into Buyer Agreements and all the essential do's and don'ts. I truly value education and appreciate their dedication to keeping us informed, adhering to new standards, and raising the bar in helping our buyers not just see houses, but find homes.

As I was leaving the training, the instructor, Phil, gave me the kindest compliment: "You are just glowing differently!" I was taken aback. He added, "You just look happy!" I didn't know how to respond at first. The last time someone said that to me, it was because I was glowing with sweat during my pregnancy six months ago! That was the only kind of "glow" I was familiar with.

Over the past nine months, I've learned one of the most valuable lessons: to accept compliments and gifts without negating them—something that has been difficult for me. While I love giving compliments and gifts, I often find myself shutting down or dismissing those I receive. Through my leadership journey, I've come to understand the importance of simply saying, "Thank you!" and graciously accepting what is offered.

I realized that when I give a gift, it brings me immense joy. I love making others smile. By negating the compliments and gifts I receive, I rob the giver of that same joy.

Now, think about that for a moment…

ROBBING THEM OF THEIR JOY!

What a mindset shift! Let's not steal someone else's joy by dismissing their compliments. Own it, thank them for it, and give the gift of joy in return.

Let's be both givers and receivers of joy today! We could all use a "Glow Up!"

1. Be an Active Listener: Sometimes, the best people in an organization are those who accept feedback without interpretation. They often ask insightful questions and are slow to speak up, but excel at gathering information and providing feedback when necessary.

2. Show Up! Being an active participant in your organization is a great way to meet new people, gain a better understanding of your industry, and learn what to do—and what not to do—when the opportunity for a leadership role arises in the future.

3. Look for Gaps and Be the One to Fill Them! What is your unique gift? How can you use your strengths to benefit others? Recognize what you do well and help solve problems within the organization using your abilities.

4. Have a Positive Outlook with a Growth Mindset: Be someone who comes with solutions, not more problems. Look at every situation as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

5. Encourage and Inspire Others to Get Involved: The old saying, "Three heads are better than two, and four heads are better than three," is so accurate! The more perspectives you have in a group, the more input you receive, and the better off your organization will be in the long run. What better way to demonstrate leadership than by bringing more people to the table to help push your initiative forward?

6. Leave Every Situation Better Than You Found It: Leaders are the first ones there and the last ones to leave. Be someone people can count on and a constant contributor to the overall goal.

7. Be Open to Feedback: Being a leader isn't always about being the best; sometimes, it's about hearing tough words, accepting feedback, and making changes. Show others that you are open to improvement and that you recognize challenges, using them as opportunities for growth.

8. Get a Mentor / Be a Mentor: Becoming a leader often means learning from those already in leadership roles within your circle. One privilege of leadership is passing on knowledge to the next generation. Ensure you have a mentor, and when the time is right, be a mentor to someone else.

9. Align Your Values: Understand the importance of knowing the values of your organization while also being aware of your own values. If they don't align, there may be a reason you are involved in this organization at this time. If your values don't match, consider finding an organization that does or take the time to understand the organization's values better.

10. Don't Wait for a Title: Having a title doesn't make you a leader. It's your actions and the people you inspire that define your leadership. Don't wait for a title to make a difference—start today!

Being a Christian is not a new concept for me. I was baptized at the age of 9 in the United Methodist Church in Butler, Ohio, which also happens to be the church where my husband and I were married. As I drifted from my Christian life, I was fortunate to reconnect with my faith through a co-worker at Key Realty. Now, we faithfully attend Crossroads Church in Mansfield, Ohio. (P.S. If you'd like to join us, I'd love to save you a seat! We go to the 9 a.m. service on Sundays. ⏰)

When my husband and I decided to get baptized together—his first time and my renewal—it was a testament to our commitment to be better individuals, set a good example for our kids, and make a difference by truly living our faith. 

After the baptisms, my mom, a devout Christian, and my ultimate supporter, showed me a picture of my son, Jameson(Pictured above) "Look, he's praying with his hand on the pool while you were being baptized."  It's a heartwarming moment, and you can just imagine us all singing "Kumbaya" and cherishing it for years to come...

However, as I looked closer at the picture, I noticed something my mom missed. With a chuckle, I realized that my son wasn't bowing his head in prayer; he was laser-focused on a cell phone in his other hand!  He was most likely truly oblivious to what life changing moments were happening around him. 

This humorous moment serves as a reminder, especially in today's world, that a snapshot in time often doesn't tell the full story.  We should not be afraid to look deeper into each situation and understand what's really going on. In the rush of life, we can easily miss the fact that sometimes things aren't as they appear. The truth hurts sometimes, but often it is the truth that sets us free. So I encourage you to dive deeper into what you see in the media, and what you hear from others. Be confident in getting to the bottom of the story and ask good questions... There might be a cell phone hidden in the picture of prayer. 

This past week, I experienced a GOLD STAR MOM MOMENT. And it wasn't because of a packed bag, a birthday gift, or even a fulfilled grocery list—it was because I saw my son be the best human.

Let me set the scene. We were at what we call "The World's Fair" in Bellville, Ohio, also known as the Bellville Street Fair. We had spent the day prior bathing my son Levi in calamine lotion because he had poison ivy from head to toe. On his face, arms, chest—everywhere. Needless to say, the fair is an event not easily missed. It's a timeless tradition that our household couldn't bear to miss. So, I made a deal with Levi: we could go to the fair if he wore long sleeves to cover the poison ivy and a hat to shield his face from the sun. With that being said, he had Ivarest coating his face as we were trying to dry it out and stop the spread.

We were in line for the swings, and I could see Levi looking very uncomfortable, eyeing another little boy who was pointing at the "pink plaster" on his face. Levi's little brother defended him, saying, "He just has poison ivy!" My poor sweet Levi looked so miserable, trying hard to enjoy himself in his sweaty long-sleeve shirt, while hiding his eyes under his hat. As he groggily got in his seat and buckled his seatbelt, I'm pretty sure he didn't smile once as he went round and round on the swings.* It was similar to the picture of Levi's face as he rode the carousel in the picture above LOL* I really think he was just fighting off the Benadryl in his system to avoid falling asleep because he was afraid of missing out.

As the ride came to a stop and all the kids jumped out of their seats, rushing to the exit, I was stressed, praying my child wouldn't slip out and get stolen by a stranger—this is an anxious, panic-ridden mom mindset in the middle of an overstimulated moment at the fair. When Levi didn't exit right away, I caught my GOLD STAR MOM moment.

The kid who had been pointing at Levi's face in line was stuck in his swing, unable to escape. Levi walked around the outside of the swings, right up to him, unbuckled him, let him out, and ran with him to the exit.

Wow! What a moment of love and humility from my 6-year-old. It just goes to show that kindness knows no boundaries. And the memory of kids is so short. He needed help, so he helped. He was quick to forget the moment of embarrassment just minutes before; he simply did what was right.

Take this GOLD STAR MOMENT and let it inspire you this week to look for ways to help others. With no expectation of return, whether the person has wronged you in the past or not, move forward in the world with love, kindness, and hope, and I guarantee you, it will come back around.