Your Ukiah Home Buying Journey Starts Here

Essential Guide to Buying a Home!   If you’re looking to purchase a home, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced homeowner, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. My name is Kasie Gray. I’m a mom, a realtor, and a broker associate with eight years of experience helping people buy and sell homes right here in Ukiah, the town I know better than the back of my hand! Step 1: Finding the Right Realtor The first step in your home-buying journey is finding the right realtor, and trust me, this can make or break your experience. A good realtor won’t just show you houses—they’ll have established relationships with lenders, escrow companies, and inspectors. That network can make all the difference in a smooth process. When choosing a realtor, don’t just pick the first one you find online. Interview agents and ask for consultations. As a referral-based agent, many of my clients come to me because they’ve been recommended by past clients. This trust means I can focus on finding the perfect home for you, not just closing a deal. During our consultation, we’ll discuss your goals and needs in detail. It's not just about getting you into any house—it's about finding the right house for you at the right time, within a budget you’re comfortable with. For more information about my home-buying services, check out my Buying a Home Guide. Step 2: Getting Pre-Approved Once you've found a realtor, the next step is getting pre-approved for a loan. This is the crucial part of the home-buying process because it ensures you don’t waste time looking at homes that aren’t within your budget. A lender will typically ask for your last two years of tax returns, bank statements, pay stubs, and your ID. They’ll also pull your credit score, which can differ from what you might see on websites like Credit Karma. It’s important to understand what fees you’re paying and how much interest you’re buying down, so having the right lender is essential. I can refer you to lenders who fit your personality and financial needs because a good lender will explain all of these details in a way that makes sense to you. Need help finding a trusted vendor or lender? View my Vendor Recommendations. Step 3: Shopping for Your Home Once you’ve been pre-approved, the fun begins—house hunting! I’ll set you up with a property search, and you’ll be able to browse listings from apps like Zillow. The more homes we view together, the better I’ll understand what you’re looking for, making it easier to find your dream home. Explore Current Listings Here. Step 4: Writing an Offer After finding the right home, we’ll write an offer. This can feel intimidating the first time, but don’t worry—after you do it once, it’ll become second nature. Your offer will include earnest money, similar to a security deposit, which holds the house for you while we go through the rest of the process. Step 5: Inspections & Contingencies After your offer is accepted, you’ll go through inspections. You can expect these to cost around $1,000, but they’ll help you understand the property’s condition. Depending on the property, you might need a home inspection, pest inspection, or a well water quality test. If the results reveal issues beyond what you’re comfortable with, you can negotiate with the seller or back out of the deal. Step 6: Closing the Deal The entire process, from offer to close, typically takes about 30 days, although it can be faster if you're fully prepared. Throughout this time, you’ll need to stay in close communication with your agent to ensure everything goes smoothly. You'll also have contingencies like appraisals and loan approval, which your agent will help manage. Final Thoughts Buying a home is a huge step, and it’s important to go through this process with a trusted realtor. By finding the right agent and being informed at each step, you’ll be able to buy a home you love, within your budget, and without unnecessary stress. Whether you're looking to buy now or in a few years, it's never too early to start planning. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I’m based in Ukiah, but even if you're watching from elsewhere, I can help connect you with a great referral agent. Schedule a free consultation with me today, and let's chat about your home-buying goals. Also, check out my free Buyer’s Guide and Move-Up Guide (if you have a home to sell before buying). Schedule a Consultation: www.calendly.com/kasierealtorDownload My Buyer’s Guide: www.kasie.realtor/buying-a-homeDownload My Move-Up Guide: www.kasie.realtor/listing

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Upcoming Local Events in Ukiah - October 2024

Looking for something fun to do in Ukiah this October? Check out these exciting events happening around the area. From wine tasting to art walks, there's something for everyone! OCTOBER 3 (7:00 - 9:00 AM): Thirsty Thursday at Parducci Wine CellarsEnjoy a lovely Thursday morning wine tasting session at Parducci Wine Cellars. A perfect way to start your day!More Info Here OCTOBER 3 (8:30 - 10:30 AM): Mendocino H.O.G General MeetingCalling all Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) members! Join the general meeting to stay updated and connect with fellow bikers.More Info Here OCTOBER 4 (8:00 - 11:00 AM): First Friday Art Walk & Myths and Monsters Art Showing at Medium Art GalleryExperience an amazing collection of art as you stroll through this special First Friday Art Walk.More Info Here OCTOBER 4 (1:30 - 3:30 PM): Pumpkin ExpressHop aboard the Pumpkin Express for a family-friendly fall adventure!More Info Here OCTOBER 4 (5:00 - 7:00 PM): Sip and Paint PartyUnleash your creativity with a fun evening of painting and wine!More Info Here OCTOBER 4 (5:00 - 7:00 PM): First Friday Art Walk at KC ApparelExplore local art while discovering unique apparel at KC Apparel's First Friday event.More Info Here OCTOBER 4 (5:30 PM): Gala in the Street at Ukiah Valley Conference CenterGet ready for an evening of glamour and celebration at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center.More Info Here OCTOBER 5 (10:00 AM): CORO Mendocino Wine Trail WeekendEmbark on a journey through Mendocino’s finest wine estates with this exclusive Wine Trail Weekend.More Info Here OCTOBER 5 (10:00 AM): Pinktober Saturday Scavenger Hunt at Gunnink’s Harley-DavidsonTake part in a fun scavenger hunt while supporting a great cause during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.More Info Here OCTOBER 5 (10:00 - 11:00 AM): Storytime at the Farmers MarketBring your kids to enjoy some fun stories while you shop at the local Farmers Market.More Info Here OCTOBER 5 (10:00 AM): Opening WeekendCelebrate the grand opening of a special venue or event this weekend!More Info Here OCTOBER 5 (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM): KZYX Site PartyCelebrate local radio at the KZYX site party with good music, food, and fun!More Info Here OCTOBER 5 (5:00 PM): PS We Love You 2024Join this special event supporting our local artists and community members.More Info Here OCTOBER 5 (5:00 - 8:30 PM): Cinema in the Vineyard: The Wizard of Oz (1939) at Pennyroyal FarmEnjoy a magical evening under the stars watching The Wizard of Oz at this unique outdoor screening.More Info Here OCTOBER 6 (1:00 - 4:00 PM): Fall Wine Club Pick-Up Party & Library SaleJoin the wine club and grab some exclusive bottles at this Fall pick-up event.More Info Here OCTOBER 6 (5:00 PM): CORO Mendocino Wine Trail WeekendContinue the Wine Trail adventure with tastings at multiple locations.More Info Here OCTOBER 6 (6:00 PM): Opening WeekendAnother celebration to cap off your weekend.More Info Here OCTOBER 10 (5:00 - 7:00 PM): Wellness Networking and TrainingConnect with professionals in the wellness industry and learn something new!More Info Here OCTOBER 11 (3:00 - 6:00 PM): Autumn Wine Club Release Party at Parducci Wine CellarsDon't miss the release of new wines for the season at Parducci Wine Cellars.More Info Here OCTOBER 11 (7:00 - 8:00 PM): Boots and Babes V - Country Costume at Young for LifeDress up in your best country attire for a night of dancing and fun!More Info Here OCTOBER 12 (8:30 AM): 1st Annual Wildcat Football Golf TournamentSupport local sports and enjoy a great day of golf at this Wildcat Football fundraiser.More Info Here OCTOBER 12 (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM): Mendocino College Baseball Program CampBaseball lovers can participate in this special camp designed for skill improvement.More Info Here OCTOBER 12 (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM): Young Mental Health First AidLearn essential mental health first aid in this important workshop.More Info Here OCTOBER 12 (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Humane Society of Inland Mendocino and Canned Dog Food DriveHelp our furry friends by donating canned dog food at this charity event.More Info Here OCTOBER 12 (5:00 PM): Rumble in the Valley #2Exciting entertainment and fun as Rumble in the Valley returns for its second edition.More Info Here OCTOBER 12 (6:00 PM): Join Us for St. Mary's Annual Spaghetti Dinner!A delicious way to support the community—enjoy a homemade spaghetti dinner at St. Mary’s Annual event!More Info Here OCTOBER 13 (1:00 PM): Halloween BooquetCreate a spooky yet beautiful Halloween-themed bouquet at this fun and creative event!More Info Here OCTOBER 18 (4:00 PM): Ukiah Country PumpkinFest 2024Celebrate the season with the biggest event in town—the Ukiah Country PumpkinFest! Featuring pumpkins, local vendors, games, food, and much more!More Info Here OCTOBER 20 (7:00 PM): Ukiah Country PumpkinFest 2024Keep the PumpkinFest celebrations going with an evening of fun on October 20th!More Info Here OCTOBER 23 (11:00 AM): Salad BarEnjoy a fresh and healthy meal with this special salad bar event in Ukiah.More Info Here OCTOBER 27 (2:00 - 4:00 PM): Art & Wine at Parducci Wine CellarsCombine your love for art and wine with this delightful event at Parducci Wine Cellars.More Info Here OCTOBER 31 (3:30 - 5:30 PM): Downtown Trick or TreatBring your kids to downtown Ukiah for an afternoon of safe and spooky Halloween trick-or-treating! Perfect for all ages. OCTOBER 31 (4:00 - 8:00 PM): Thirsty Thursday: Hallowine PartyCelebrate Halloween with a wine twist at this Hallowine Party at Parducci Wine Cellars. Costumes encouraged, wine required!More Info Here With so many exciting events happening in Ukiah this October, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re into wine, art, Halloween festivities, or supporting local causes, these events are the perfect way to enjoy the fall season!

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Build Your Business with Postcard Marketing: A Realtor’s Secret to Success

Build Your Business with Postcard Marketing: A Realtor’s Secret to Success Hey, I'm Kasie Gray from Ukiah, and as a licensed Realtor for nearly eight years, I’ve built a successful business focused on repeat and referral clients. One of my best-kept secrets? Postcard marketing—yes, good old-fashioned snail mail! In this blog post, I'll briefly explain why I love postcard marketing, who I send them to, and how you can use this strategy to grow your real estate business. Why Postcard Marketing? With all the noise online and constantly changing algorithms, postcards offer a tangible way to stay in front of your target audience. Here's why I think postcard marketing is so effective: Visibility: Your postcards are right in your clients’ hands—no worrying about algorithms or ad spend. Even if they toss it, they’ll still see it. Targeted Reach: You can send postcards to specific neighborhoods, demographics, or your existing database. Brand Recognition: With consistent, well-designed postcards, you reinforce your brand every time they show up in someone's mailbox. Trust Building: Every touchpoint builds trust and reminds clients that you're the expert when buying or selling a home is time. How to Nail Postcard Design The key to success with postcard marketing is design. It needs to be clean, high-quality, and on-brand to stand out and avoid being tossed in the trash. I highly recommend using a platform like Canva to make sure your designs match your overall brand. For example, if your postcards, emails, and Instagram posts all look and feel the same, clients will feel like you're everywhere—reinforcing your presence and professionalism. Here’s a tip: I use Coffee & Contracts to resize my Instagram designs into postcards, making sure everything from social media to snail mail feels cohesive. Who to Send Postcards To In the beginning, your contact list is your goldmine! From your hairstylist to your dentist, you can grow your list by asking people for their mailing addresses. Here are a few ways to build your list: Ask for mailing addresses in casual conversation. Post on social media asking who wants to be on your mailing list. Use a CRM to track your contacts and stay organized. You can also grow your reach by posting on Instagram, using landing pages like Flowdesk to collect mailing addresses, or by diving into Every Door Direct Mail to reach specific neighborhoods. The Importance of Choosing the Right Farm When it comes to farming, the right area is key. Consider your ideal clients—are they first-time buyers, move-up buyers, or seniors? Once you know your target audience, use tools like Every Door Direct Mail and RPR to zero in on the neighborhoods that align with your strategy. Don’t forget to sprinkle in some personalized, hand-written notes to show your sincerity and further nurture relationships. Timing & Frequency If you’re just getting started, aim to send postcards at least twice a year, ideally more. Here's a glimpse into my mailing schedule: January: Magnet calendars March: Spring cleaning tips with vendor coupons June: Local events guide August: Market Update October: Pumpkin patch event invite December: Holiday card Each postcard ties back to one of my three business pillars: move-up buyers, cleaning tips, and local events. Maximizing Your Budget Before you start, it's essential to calculate your budget. For example, if you have 200 people on your list and it costs about $200 per mailer, you can comfortably send out five mailers a year without breaking the bank. It’s also important to track your ROI—how many leads, referrals, or sales are coming from your postcard efforts? To make it easier, I provide a spreadsheet in my course that helps you track all of this! Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level? If you're ready to implement postcard marketing into your real estate business, I’ve got you covered. My Postcard Marketing Course goes into detail about: Understanding your target market Designing effective postcards Building your sphere of influence Choosing the right farm area Budget-friendly mailing strategies Tracking your ROI Plus, it comes with 12 customizable postcard templates, 2 spreadsheets, discounts, and helpful links to companies I use for my mailers! Learn More and Get Started Learn more about buying a home: https://kasie.realtor/buying-a-home Access my Postcard Marketing Course: https://stan.store/kasierealtor/p/build-your-business-with-postcard-marketing-plan- Get your FREE HOME-BUYING GUIDE now: https://kasie.realtor/buying-a-home Thank you for reading! If you have any questions or need help implementing your postcard marketing strategy, feel free to reach out. Let’s grow your business, one postcard at a time!

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