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Alive and Thriving in Downtown Wilmington

As a property owner in downtown Wilmington, I couldn’t be more excited about the neighborhood I chose. The home I bought is just a few blocks from the lively Cargo District, a spot that has transformed into a true food lover's paradise.

One of my favorite stops on my morning walks has always been Blue Cup Coffee—a cozy little cafe that serves up some of the best java in town. I’ve been hooked ever since it was in the same building as Mess Hall, a quirky place with incredible burgers. Mess Hall moved to a bigger, more dog-friendly space just down the street (still close enough for those amazing burgers, thank you very much), but what’s happened around here in just a couple of years has been nothing short of incredible.

Transplanted Garden may have closed, but in its place, a new brewery has popped up—yet another dog-friendly venue! It’s got an open-air feel with some stunning local artwork adorning the fencing, and if you're into food trucks (who isn't?), they’ve got those too. Plus, it’s all just a short stroll from my downtown bungalow.

But then I noticed something extra cool. As I walked toward Blue Cup, I saw an exciting new project taking shape—an installation of stacked shipping containers. I just love the nod to Wilmington’s history as a port city. As the containers began to take form, I realized it wasn’t just an art piece; it was becoming a hub for restaurants! These aren't your typical eateries—think of them as hybrid spots, combining the best parts of food trucks and take-out with a seriously creative menu. And the artwork on these containers alone is worth a visit, even if you're just there to admire the colors and creativity.

Speaking of creativity, Sinful Cupcakes is a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. They’ve got an unbelievable variety of cupcake flavors, from the classic to the totally unexpected. And if you can’t decide on just one, they offer variety packs so you can indulge in a little bit of everything.

For those craving a healthier bite, Mike’s Vegan Grill offers up plant-based burgers and cheese steaks that definitely don’t skimp on flavor. It’s the perfect place to balance out those sweet indulgences!

But the one I’m most excited about? Astro Dogs. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I can't wait to dive into their unique take on the classic corndog. Korean corndogs with cheese, deep-fried to crispy perfection? Yes, please! Haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list.

Another stop I’ll be making soon is I Love Empanadas. Colombian food has a special place in my heart, and I’m beyond excited to have a spot so close by.

And the list keeps going! The Cargo District is home to other great eateries like Seoul Sushi and Sunset Slushie. Plus, coming soon: Shepard Barbecue and Taco Papi.

Let’s just say, I might never need to cook again. But I will definitely need to spend some extra time at the gym to work off all this amazing food!

Want to learn more about all the fantastic spots in the Cargo District? Check out their website at Cargo District.

You can add or replace any links if you have more specific URLs for these businesses or other recommendations!

Fear vs. Confidence.

It has occurred to me over the past few months, that I as read through social media and all the emails that I get on a daily basis from various coaching sites, that these changes that have been made in our industry have created a lot of fear, and the fear mongering continues. 

I want to shift the perspective on this for a moment.  One thing that has happened, and is happening, is that this shift is actually creating a more powerful position for both listing and buyers agents.  

If you take the perspective that you are now not necessarily bound to the agreement that is in MLS, but the fact that you are setting your own rates and commission directly with a buyer puts you back in control and is forcing us to prove our worth.  We get lazy when it comes to commissions.  It’s easier to lean on the “industry” and the automatic publishing of commissions within MLS.  You take a buyer, you look at a home and you put in a “range” of commission on your buyer agency agreement, meaning you take what you get.  

Instead, we are now in control.  The fear is that the buyer will balk and say no.  That is realistically the fear. We were lazy in the fact that we knew the seller would be paying the commission and we took that for granted.  What if we didn’t take this for granted (and now we really can’t)  What if every buyer you worked with you charged what you felt was fair.  We separate the home sale from our bill.  Exactly why we cannot include commissions in the offer to purchase (the buyer can, but that is a different discussion).  

If you look at the buyer agency agreement, there is verbiage to collecting retainers, to charge flat fees, to charge flat fees and commissions.  Our fee is actually deemed earned once we have performed.  Not necessarily at closing.  We just allow for that to be the process, because that is what we have learned and accepted - as “industry standard.” Exactly what part of this lawsuit was about.  Then we wait for closing, and hope that it closes.  

We are terrified that MLS published commissions went away, but now we are actually coming from a position of strength.  And this may not be the end of the world as most of social media is screaming at us.  We are now not tied to a transaction.  Freedom.  

If you think back to your hardest buyer that you have worked with.  50 showings to get to a contract, repair requests, inspections, renegotiations, finance issues,  50 more trips to the house, then booking more appointments to look at other potentials because the buyer is getting cold feet, and the list goes on.  We even discount our commissions to “make a deal work"  You have spent approximately 100 hours on the transaction by the time of closing, and the average deal is making you about 10K.  That works out to $100 an hour.  My hair stylist makes more than that.  

Our industry complains ad nauseam about how much work goes into a transaction and we wear it on our sleeves.  We are doing this to ourselves because we have poor boundaries around what we will and will not tolerate and what we are actually getting paid.  We make excuses as to why we are killing ourselves to compete.  

How do we compete?  We get really freaking good at our jobs.  We learn to communicate effectively.  We follow up and we know our business.  We know the forms, we educate ourselves and we show up at our best - EVERY SINGLE TIME.  We keep a consistent schedule.  We raise the bar.  All the time.  We stop at nothing less than excellence.  

Then we can charge what we know we are worth.  And the fear of the commission becomes less important.  The knowledge of our own credibility and worth takes the place of the fear.  

Change the perspective - own your business.  Earn your business.  Charge your clients.  They do not expect you to work for free, and will respect the boundaries that you put into place.  If they don’t, then find the client that will.  

The Theatre of Real Estate

I always enjoy writing these letters.  This is always the highlight of my month, and I have come to find that even though most of my clients share so much of their lives with me, I realize that often times it’s one sided and rarely do I have an opportunity to share much about myself, as I try to focus on you all and your lives.  That’s always the most important.

I hope that all these stories continue to create a friendship and a bond with us all.  

I was asked recently if I had ever had a thought about doing something else.  Something far removed from the real estate world, and if so, what would that be?  I have pondered this question for weeks (well, years, as I have had fleeting thoughts about changing careers, especially after a challenging transaction).  I made a list of all my so called talents.  I do love the theatre and music and they bring so much joy to my life.  I adore animals as well and if I could figure out a way to have a farm and some goat yoga, that would be excellent.  I write a lot and I paint too.  Jack of all trades in the artistic realm I suppose.  

The past 8 weeks have been filled with exactly what I needed.  I took a “break” back in December from real estate.  I took a 30 day recharge.  I have never done this before and I think that it was one of the best things that I have ever done for myself.  Not to say that I sat around and binged The Crown (oh yeah, I did do that) but I did put myself smack dab in the middle of theater again and boy did I commit!  

I then spent all of January and part of February directing a very funny show called Moon Over Buffalo.  It had been done on Broadway years ago with the fantastical Carol Burnett and I can only say that it was a blast!  I was fortunate enough to have the PERFECT and I mean perfect cast to guide through the process of taking a very small book with a whole lot of words and crafting a beautiful show.  It was a heck of a journey.

I was at our cast party last night and I was standing in the bathroom listening to everyone talking and laughing and sharing and I looked at myself and said, “Rasa, you are good at peopling.”  I do people very well, and then I thought about it some more and realized that this is really no different from my real estate business.  The process is similar.  You take a few people who all really want the same thing, you account for personality and idiosyncrasies, add some people who know how to build things, write things, and have some experience with things you know nothing about and hopefully at the end you have a success that everyone walks away from with a smile, a few laughs and a feeling of joy.  It’s really very similar.  

Happy New 1/2 Year!

Pivoting is not always the easiest as we humans have to work hard at adapting to change.  If that statement doesn’t apply to you then “hat’s off” for sure.  A year and a half ago I was having cocktails on Zoom, masking, wiping down door handles and getting education in my pajamas, and as I said,  “Succeeding in different ways”.  Although I was remaining calm and composed, deep down I was terrified of so many things that this world was throwing at us.  We brokers had no idea what was coming down the pipeline and the horrors of 2008 were lurking under the bed.

So, fast forward to July 2022. I am now able to show properties without a mask or six cans of Lysol, I am doing in person trainings again, I am going to conventions, and I am looking back over an incredibly strong and resilient housing market, even with interest rate hikes and seriously low inventory. 

I had asked, rhetorically, “what if all of the things that were forcing us to do things differently, were not all bad?”  My reflections of what things were good in the midst of the pandemic were as follows: Longer conversations, taking more time for ourselves and our families, living more purposefully and being better at empathy. 

Was I creative enough to pivot and change and keep hanging on?

Did I succeed?  

Standing in the moment of today, I believe I did.  I still managed to help more than 40 families navigate home buying and selling during a pandemic.  I learned new skills.  I added new team mates to our growing business. I made some incredible new friends and I discovered that I could be healthier and happier with more attention to my diet, fitness and mental health.

I know that many of our clients have expressed deep concern about the current market conditions, rising interest rates, out of control inflation and limited inventory.  Guess what???  It’s just time for us to pivot again.  We are still out there helping our clients and there are still strong sales.  We achieve what we believe, so come on out, the water is just fine! 

Thank you all so much for continuing to support and love what we do here  - I am grateful for my life and everyone in it.

Coming soon:  Be on the lookout for our new Transitions program to help families navigate major life events such as estate sales, down sizing, “right” sizing and aging in place requiring more than just getting the house sold.  Our program will include all inclusive services, more to come!

https://www.rasalove.com/transitions-cape-fear/

Synergy

Wasn’t I just sending out our holiday messages?  Somehow March has come in like the lion it is supposed to be, and I looked around and realized that I had fallen short on my letter writing.   I know that a lot of you read our monthly newsletters and I am sure you can see by the amount of real estate that is happening, I have not had a moment to sit at the keyboard and write.  

Ever since the virus took a toll on our world, our health. our families and our finances, we have all had to learn a new way of living.  Real estate included.  

Two years ago I had decided to build a team to assist the growing needs of my business, and in the two years we have expanded, contracted and expanded again.  Growth is not a steady upwards line.  What I have found through this process is the importance of synergy.  One step from energy - which is almost as important. (Although most say that I have enough energy to supply a small town in the winter) Directing that energy into progress is another point.

“You are exactly where you need to be, my dear.”  

Staying present in the moment has been challenging, especially with the current situation of the world.  I could begin a rant at this exact moment and fill up hundreds of pages on so many things. Allowing my mind to stay present has probably been the most beneficial thing I have been doing throughout all of this.  Every day I am asked, “what do you think this market is going to do?”  I can tell you that I honestly do not know and I think that when we start looking too far ahead it creates panic.  

When I was just getting into this business, my early sale successes were dampened by my brain saying, “Great job hon, now this is just luck and you’ll never sell another house again.”  I halfway believed my brain and then worked ten times harder to prove it wrong.  And then I just lived in fear.  I really thought I’d be like Chris Farley and be living in a “van down by the river.”  

That didn’t happen, not yet anyway, and now I realize that all of that struggle and fear got me here.  And I am exactly where I am supposed to be.  I have an amazing team that is growing into their own successes.  We are all working energetically, positively and SYNERGETICALLY.  We are growing together.  

Now, why is this all so important to me? and why am I telling you this?  This isn’t about real estate at all, and it isn’t about marketing or trying to sell somebody something.  It’s really about relationships. This is why I love what I do. We are all intertwined and are a part of each other’s journeys.  Sometimes briefly and sometimes for a long haul.  We have our forever friends and we have the friends that help us through a difficult or even incredibly joyous time of our lives.  Either way we are all here to create a synergy.  I love the fact that i am exactly here and it’s where I need to be.  Even with all the world’s insanity, I am surrounded by some really amazing people. my team and my clients.  You guys make this world a better place.  

Thank you.

Hello Beautiful Family and Friends, 

As I write this at almost the end of January 2022, I am awestruck reflecting on my past year. As we all experienced, 2021 flew by in a flash and was over before I knew what happened: but I will gloat a moment, because as they say “time flies when you’re having fun”.   

What’s this “fun”, you may ask? Well, in case you don’t know: I decided the night of my 31st birthday to embark upon a dream journey that will be still taking shape and reforming for years to come: I decided to follow my desire to own my own business, invest in my future, the future of my family, and be challenged by my everyday career, committing myself to constantly learning and adapting for any foreseeable future… by getting my real estate license. 

Sticking with the Kayla Mae way of things, I wanted to do it my way and learn at my own pace: so, I did an online learning program and took the national and state examinations at a registered proctored location, and passed on the first try! With this step complete it was time to “hang my license on a wall”, so I eagerly sought out Keller Williams Innovate because I always associate them as the best of the best and love their culture/values! (Y’all know I won’t do anything if I don’t agree with the principles and values)! After getting my feet somewhat planted at KW and figuring out the quirks, I had to follow my intuition and reach out to one of the best teams in the whole state, Rasa Love & Co. and for me, it was Love at first meet.  A “two peas (or 5) in a pod” type of match, and I haven’t been happier, this is a lasting relationship, and I am blessed to be a part of it. I am continuing to learn everyday and super-duper excited about this year unfolding before us now. Come what may! 
That’s the quick version, btw, haha, a few more important details, though, that I wouldn’t want you to miss are… 

In the process of getting my license, Jordan, Katana and I moved into a beautiful apartment right near the board walk of downtown Wilmington, NC. We love going to the nearby amphitheater which just opened at the end of this summer, and letting Katana run around to his heart’s content. They also had some pretty good bands this summer/fall: We went to the Sublime and Rome show in Aug. We are close to everything downtown, but I haven’t really ventured out too much lately because we like to stay home with the Old Bears (That’s one of Katanas many nicknames, He just turned 12 this past Oct.), who is much older now and likes cuddles and sleepies, when he’s not begging for treats. So, I’d prefer that for now anyways, spending time with him above all else, is priceless. 

I decided to get into stocks at a horrible time and learned A LOT in that process, (haha, came out a poorer but smarter person in the end of it, as so often happens to the best of us, lol) and Jordan is on schedule to graduate with his degree from Penn State in Computer Science and Technology at the end of this Spring. Overall, we busted it OUT this past year and forged ahead towards so many great things, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and anticipation daily. I am so blessed to be able to share this small insight into my “happenings” lately, and I am so thankful to have you in my life. Never hesitate to say hello, whether in a letter, email or phone call/text, because I never am too busy for those I love and admire. Hope this update finds you in wonderful spirits, with a full belly, and a warm heart, 

Mom has been in her “planning” meetings and been a little sidetracked, so I decided to help her out and write her letter for her.  She will be so super surprised!

You know what the best thing about my mom is?  She does all this planning and sits in front of her computer for hours (and ignores my requests for belly rubs) but then she gets up and takes me out and tells me about all the cool things she does for all the people she works for!   You know, she loves you all so much (not as much as she loves me) but all this stuff she does is to make her people friends happy!  

I keep telling her that really all she needs to do is bring you guys a super awesome tennis ball covered in special dirt from the far corner of the backyard and that would make you jump up and down!  (that’s what my mom does and obviously it works great!)

This past year has been loads of fun for me.  She takes me to camp at the Leland Pet Resort every Wednesday so I can see my friends.  I know that mom’s team really misses me on the Wednesday Zoom calls.  I have a lot to contribute and squeaky toys add a lot of interest to some really dry conversations.  Sometimes I get baths too on Wednesday but either way I love my human friends at the Resort!  

Mom also taught me how to paddle board and surf this year!  Want to see something really cool? Check out my video! Click here for my super awesome video  She even bought me a surfboard and I am getting to be such a pro! This is why we love the beach - and did you know that Oak Island is super dog friendly? I have so many friends there!

Mom says that I am doing a great job of earning my keep now that I am a big girl , I go get the paper from the driveway every morning - (sometimes I get the neighbor’s too, then mom makes me put it back) - I even use my “big girl bark” to keep the UPS guy and FedEx on track - can’t have them slacking off - they bring me my Bark Box and that is the very best.  I get to work more for my mom this year too.  She is really super clever - and she is getting signs made for her listings that have doggos like me - I GET TO DECIDE IF A HOUSE IS DOGGO APPROVED!!! How very very cool is that??  Dog approved home - and my paw print.  

Dad is helping out now too - he gets to spend a whole lot of time on the computer (here we go again with the ignored requests for belly rubs - jeez) but it’s good because mom has a lot more time for me and that’s the most important.  

I get to hang out with everyone at Rasa Love & Co a lot now - and let me tell you - these people are super fantastic and work really hard for you.  I am going to help with their marketing efforts - I am going to get them all tennis balls this year for Christmas and some dirt from the yard - that way you guys can jump up and down too!  

Mom wants to wish everyone a joyous spring season!  And so do I!  (The cats aren’t really excited about any of this, so I’ll just wish you the same as my mom - silly cats.  They hate my tennis balls too)

With loads of kisses and a big wet nose!

Meara Love

How about unplugging?

Well - a whole year has almost passed - I can’t even believe it.  I went back to look at my letters from the past year and I kept coming back to my word.  

I pick a word for the year and 2021’s word was “journey.”  I have done exactly that.  

When I picked this specific word, my point was to keep myself detached from an outcome, which in my business is almost an impossibility, however, I decided to shift my attention from “end game” to middle game, and see what happened.  

So, I am sure you are thinking - Rasa, how on earth are you thinking that you can’t be concerned with the outcome of a sale?

I thought the same thing.  I figured that if I am process focused, and if the journey is what we are working, then the outcome has a pretty good chance at turning out the way it should.  Be present and be still.  I will admit that this was not exactly the easiest for me, and I will also admit that I have had a few moments of a temper tantrum on behalf of my clients and I have, in true Rasa fashion, lost my cool.  These moments this year were fewer and farther between than in years previous.  

What DID occur…

“What you focus on expands.” and expand it did.  This team became better listeners.  We became better advocates, we became better problem solvers, we began to anticipate challenges and we had better solutions.  We got almost every transaction we touched to the closing table. We had no financing issues.  We had no homeless sellers and we had extremely happy buyers.  We succeeded because we unplugged from the outcome.  We stayed in the present as advocates and agents for our people.  We stood guard of the process not the outcome.  

Folks, this is not about a commission check for us.  Yes, we need to make a living, but our work is truly one of service and guidance.  It is work that comes from being authentic and grateful.  

Now as we all sit with 2022 in our sights, I am asking again for a new word.  I need one that will truly empower and teach me and create an even better version of me than I was a year ago.  

Blessings and thankful at this time of year.  Shoot me a text with your word and why you are choosing it, and possibly even share what you think it will do for you!

Have a joyous and love filled Thanksgiving!

So, here we are, another change in season and closer to the end of another year.  The world seems to suddenly slow.  I think primarily - at least here in Wilmington, it’s because we have been running in and out to escape the heat and don’t bother looking around unless we are at the beach with our toes in the water.  

Today I looked up.

This past month for me has been not much more than a series of car trips back and forth between Raleigh and Leland, and then Waterford to Brunswick Forest.  It was one heck of a move.  We are now settled.  So, if you are getting this letter, it is because you either bought a house or sold a house with me or my team and I honestly have to say thank you to each and every one of you. (I’ll get to why shortly)

I was very lucky (or maybe unlucky) in the fact that I had the luxury (or curse) of having a month to move.  In my mind I felt lucky in the beginning.  As you all know, my business has been growing by leaps and bounds and I have the proverbial tiger by the tail at the moment.  I thought, gee, this is great, we can move at our leisure.  Sure - great thought, however that was not what happened.  No matter how much time you think you have, it’s not enough, or it’s too much.  All work expands to fill the time allowed.  

I was organized in the beginning.  I had tape, boxes, a month of Wall Street Journals to wrap things in.  I had friends to help me pack, organize and gift to.  I had the use of a moving truck and I had movers too.  I had it all together.  

Until I didn’t.

Things seemed to multiply like Gremlins in that awful 80’s movie.  And frankly I had no idea that I had that much stuff. Holy moly. I have made so many trips to Goodwill and Salvation Army that they know me by name, and “no, I don’t need another donation slip.”  Insane.  I have boxes that will be heading to Asheville with my daughter when she comes home next.  I have art supplies that were bequeathed to me by Mum so I promise I WILL NEVER BUY ANY MORE PAINT.  ugh.  Just so many things.

BUT I realized how rich my life really was.  How cool that I had all these things memorializing different aspects of my life.  There were all my show posters, my grandmother’s piano music, my piano music, numerous paintings by my daughter and my mom, ones they did together. Photos in boxes ( and negatives) stopped me in my tracks and I spent a lot of time digging and reminiscing.   I have costumes from theater, Halloween costumes from Skye’s many trick or treating escapades.  Tons of baking and cooking pans and accessories from years of cupcakes and kid-themed parties.  You can’t move without touching every single thing in your life.  EVERY SINGLE THING IN YOUR LIFE.

So, here is the thank you…

You all worked with me with a tougher time constraint, and you all were going through all this insanity of moving.  Along with lenders, processes that may not have been clear.  Some of my clients are doing this and going through estates, divorces, big huge moves across the country or to another country.  And each and every one of you was KIND.  Because as stressful as this process is, it’s super easy to get rattled.  And you chose kindness.  So THANK  YOU!